SCENE: SCHOOL CAFETERIA, EARLY MORNING

  The school cafeteria buzzed with the usual low chatter and clatter of trays. A small group of early arrivals picked at breakfast under flickering fluorescent lights. Thomas sat at the edge of one of the long tables, halfway through a cinnamon roll, a book open beside his tray. Jonathan slid into the seat across from him, balancing his own tray—pancakes, eggs, orange juice.

  Jonathan:

  “I’ve got a few things to say real quick. First—wow. You actually got Shoshana’s attention. How did you do that?”

  He leaned forward, eyes wide with mock awe.

  Jonathan:

  “And nobody even knows about it! You don’t even realize when you’ve got bragging rights.

  I mean—you’ve somehow got both girls. Two of the most talked-about, hands-down hottest girls in the school.

  If I wasn’t in your inner circle, I wouldn’t have a clue.”

  Thomas gave a tired smile, setting his fork down.

  Thomas:

  “Look, I’ve never really gone after either of them, not like that.

  If you want to understand it… I’m not exactly ‘dating’ Shoshana. The closest term would be old-fashioned courting.”

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  Jonathan blinked.

  Jonathan:

  “Courting? Like… Pride and Prejudice courting?”

  Thomas:

  (Laughing) “Kinda. It means we’re seriously considering a future together—like marriage someday—but it’s not dating in the typical sense.

  Meanwhile, I am dating Veronica. That part’s real.”

  He paused, choosing his words carefully.

  Thomas:

  “Shoshana sees that as a good thing. She—and Tamar too—think the practice of dating helps build relationship skills. They’ve said I seem more comfortable, more confident lately.”

  Jonathan:

  “So… you’re basically dating one girl for practice while courting another?”

  Thomas:

  “It’s not that simple. It means I can’t make a move on either of them. I have to be twice as sensitive to both of their feelings.

  If I mess up—like, even slightly—if someone catches me with the door closed or something? It’s not just losing both of them.

  It could be me being dragged in front of a rabbi and a judge. Or worse… breaking someone’s heart.”

  Jonathan leaned back in his seat, mouth slightly open.

  Jonathan:

  “Man… I don’t even know how to begin processing all of that.

  I thought juggling two girls was some fantasy—but you’ve let me get a taste of that. And yeah… that’s fun and games.”

  He looked down at his tray, then back up, quieter now.

  Jonathan:

  “What you’re doing isn’t just balancing attention. It’s asking real questions. It’s considering their emotional state. That’s different.

  I don’t think I’ve even tried to do that.”

  He sighed and pushed his tray forward a little.

  Jonathan:

  “Anyway, I should probably head to class. This conversation’s way too deep for juniors in high school. Might even be too deep for seniors in college.”

  He stood, then grinned.

  Jonathan:

  “Oh—Secret Santa! We still need to go over that. It’s coming together great, but I want to bounce a few ideas off you.”

  He started walking off, then turned back over his shoulder.

  Jonathan:

  “And when’s your next church dance? That was actually fun. Catch you later, man.”

  Thomas just smiled and shook his head, picking up his fork again.