Step 2 (Our Life: Beginnings & Always)

Step 2 is the second Step in Our Life: Beginnings & Always, which takes place five years after the events of Step 1. It is divided into five free moments and five paid, DLC-exclusive moments which can be purchased in Itch.io and Steam. The said moments are listed below. In addition, there are five paid, DLC-exclusive moments separate from the Step 2 expansion for Derek, which can be purchased on Itch.io and Steam.
Take note that the dialogue and availability of both events and choices will be heavily influenced by the main character's personality and relationship with the deuteragonist, Cove Holden. Some choices become unavailable the lower their interest level is with him. The player can choose to start any of the Moments in no particular order. However, playing some Moments will slightly add or change the dialogue in others. Once a Moment is viewed, it cannot be replayed again without reloading back to an earlier save.
The characters will remember most of the player's choices from both the current and previous Steps, and will open opportunities or create new dialogue in future Steps accordingly unless reverted. This page will act as a guide of sorts, giving some insights for each moments regarding choices as objectively as possible, and will contain spoilers. Proceed with caution.
== Introduction ==
After the end of Step 1, the main character will be open for customization again except for their skin color, eye color, and last name. Something that is different from the last Step is that the player now has a brand-new option to wear earrings or an earring.
The player can then change their personality/comfort level and interest towards. If they player selects 'yes' when the game asks them if they wish to use the Cove Creator, then they can customize Cove's appearance and/or personality to an extent as well. Afterwards, the events that took place between Step 1 and Step 2 will be narrated to the player.The Step will start with the main character either being woken or visited by their older sister, Elizabeth. She will let them know that Cove has come to visit them and is bringing them a gift from his dad, Mr. Holden. Depending on the main character's relationship with Cove, Elizabeth's moniker for him can range anywhere from the 'neighbor boy' to the player's 'baby boyfriend. When the player comes downstairs, they are greeted by both their Moms. When they go to the door, a CG of Cove holding a fruit bouquet will come up, regardless of their interest toward or dynamic with Cove. Cove is less friendly about having to do the task with an Indifferent main character, regardless of his personality.
While standing at the door, both Cove and the main character will hear Cove's friend and the other lead love interest, Derek, calling out to them giving a another CG. If you own his DLC, the main character is always at least friends with him and can even have a crush on him. If the DLC isn't owned, then the relationship is up to the player's interpretation, but the relationship will not be mutual. Even if the main character sees Derek as a friend, DLC owned or not, Derek will always have a crush on them. 
Derek greets Cove and the main character excitedly before telling them that he saw a new kid in Sunset Bird. Cove and main character's curiosity will always be at least mildly piqued, no matter the choice the player makes. So they will always follow Derek to go see who this new boy is, which leads to their first meeting with Jeremy King.
Despite the casual, friendly greeting he receives from Derek, Jeremy reacts hostilely. He always will, even if the player makes choices that incline more towards being nice. He ends up revealing to Cove, Derek and the main character that his family forced him to come to Sunset Bird to visit family. The main character can even choose to punch him, but will always be held back by both Cove and Derek no matter what. Eventually, Jeremy leaves the park, leaving everyone feeling a little down about the small debacle.
Derek suggests everyone eating some of the main character's fruit to lighten the mood. The main character can either insist on them not eating it or agree which affects a possible outcome in Step 3. A colder version of Cove will take some anyway, even if the main character declines. A warmer version will not or will ask if he can have some to, if the main character agrees. Even if the main character does eat the fruit bouquet, though, they can choose to still not be over what happened with Jeremy. Either way, the atmosphere does appear to calm at least a little bit and Cove, Derek and the main character talk about summer plans and the like if Cove's relationship with the main character is Fond or higher. If not, Cove will leave and Derek and the main character will just talk.
The conversation is always cut short by the main character's sister, though. She reprimands the main character for running off with the fruit bouquet since Mr. Holden had gotten it for the entire Last family and asks the main character where it is. If the main character let Derek and Cove have some, the entire thing ends up being gone, which results in Elizabeth being shocked and further teasing them on a Fond or higher route. If they didn't share any or Cove just snatched some, she'll see it's relatively fine. But the main character always has the option to run off with it. If Cove is still there at that point, he will join Derek and the main character in making an escape for it. Even if the main character doesn't join either of the boys, though, they always run off. 
That night, the MC gets a call from their cousin Lee, who has recently moved closer to the main character's family. Moving the phone to their room, the main character talk about how excited they are for summer and what their plans are. If the main character has a crush on Cove, Lee will tease them about it before Elizabeth comes in to kick the MC off the phone. 
If the main character is friends or crushes with Cove, there will be a scene with him visiting them at night. This is the first time he uses their window to come visit them. He tells the player that whilst eavesdropping on his dad's call with his mom, he has found out that his mother is coming to spend the summer with him and Mr. Holden with neither parent having bothered to ask or tell him about it. Him and the player talk for a whilst and in the end Cove spends the night sleeping at the main character's bedside. Depending on the main character's method of waking him up, Cove can fumble in a way which causes his head to hit their concrete floor or things can go a little bit more gracefully. Neither of these have any worryingly long-term effects. Nonetheless, he'll be frazzled when you wake him up.
Depending on the player's choices in Step 1's "Grown Up," (primarily rather or not they chose to keep the fight between Cove and Elizabeth a secret or tell the main character's and Elizabeth's Moms) Elizabeth's dialogue will change if they tell her about this encounter. The player will be presented will meal choices afterwards and opting for the vegetarian or vegan options will also change some options in a few moments. 
They will then meet Kyra and have lunch with her and Cove in one of the restaurants in Sunset Bird. The player can choose rather they eat at the Chinese Restaurant or the Tropical Place, both of which are unnamed throughout the entirety of the game. If the player insist Kyra or Cove make the decision, they will choose the Tropical Place. Which drink the player chooses during this event will slightly affect an outcome in Step 3's "Errands." The player will then be asked to elaborate on the main character's interests. Once prompted to ask questions to Kyra, choosing to ask why Kyra and Cliff had a divorce will immediately end it and will result in Cove becoming briefly irritated or annoyed with the player, regardless of their relationship.
After they've eaten, Kyra finally asks Cove what she's done to upset him and with a little hesitance, Cove tells her. It is then revealed that Cliff actually told or at least implied to Kyra that Cove wanted her to come. Kyra calls this one of Mr. Holden's infamous 'Clifford' surprises (this is also the first time the player finds out Cliff's actual first name is Clifford and not just 'Cliff') This revelation resolves things quickly between mother and son. However, they are both a little cold toward Mr. Holden when they arrive back home. 
At that point, the moment ends and the player is sent to the Moment selection screen. Things go slightly different if Derek's DLC has been purchased.
== Moments - Main Game ==
<tabber>Wave=
As the MC and their family come back from a shopping trip Cove leaves his house to go surfing at the beach. If they deny, they spend the day inside and getting the chance to call Lee or Derek, though they still get a chance to meet up with Cove after he's done surfing. If they accept, they head down to the beach once they finish up with the groceries. They meet up with Cove, who wasn't sure they were still coming. The player can decide here the MC's skills with a surfboard. The two teens paddle out into the water and while talking Cove accidentally splashes the MC who has the chance to retaliate with an accompanying CG.
Cove and the main character spend the day surfing until dusk arrives. The two talk about the waves and Cove laments how the day isn't longer and refuses to go home letting the MC tag along if they so choose. After packing up, the MC and Cove head to the playground where Cove jokingly imitates Jeremy by complaining about parents and Sunset Bird, though he clarifies that he does actually like it. They continue to chat until the sun sets. Finally deciding to call it quits, Cove and the MC head home.
|-|Growing=
The Moment starts with the Last family inside on a hot day. Elizabeth is complaining about the heat and pain in her legs Noelani suggests it could be growing pains. Pamela comes over and begins talking about the MC and Elizabeth growing up and how Elizabeth will soon have a house and potentially a family of her own. They offer Elizabeth support if she even wants to talk about romance, she shuts down the idea and heads to her room before the same offer is extended to the MC.
The players is then presented with choices to further customize their character's appearance and how they feel about it. They then head downstairs and overhear their moms talking about Cove as he's coming over. Pamela refers to Cove as "trouble" and Noelani says is a sweet boy but that he can be impulsive. Pamela agrees with her wife but wonders if Cove would drag along MC into any incidents and Noelani responds differently depending on the main character's actions during the events of "Runaway." The MC can call them out on their discussion which they apologize for.
Cove says he came over since it's too hot to do anything he thought he could at least do nothing with the MC. They decide to make sandwiches for lunch before heading up to the MC's room. Since it is too hot day to do anything taxing. MC and Cove decide to play hangman (if their relationship is at 'crush' level) or tic-tac-toe (if they are at 'fond' level) while discussing various topics.
The conversation shifts to what types of people they each find attractive. Cove says he hasn't noticed an attraction to certain types of people yet. The MC states he might just no one or even all types. Cove then asks the MC what types of people they find attractive (if their relationship is crush he asks what kind of guy the MC likes before correcting himself). The player then gets to choose what kind of people the MC is attracted to. After a while they head outside to the poppy hill where Cove says he likes the hill and he's glad he met the MC.
Notes:
*This moment offers a chance to design MC further by deciding their sex, body shape, body image and sexual orientation.
*Noelani is revealed to be either bi- or pansexual as she mentions having interest towards both women and men.
*Pamela confirms having interest only towards women.
*Elizabeth is confirmed to be interested in men.
|-|Family=
The main character and Lee are sitting on a blanket on the poppy hills conversing various topics - mainly MC's love life. Lee then spontaneously has an idea to create a performance to entertain others. The main character can either agree or disagree with the idea. If they agree, Lee will sing and the main character can pick three different things to contribute for the show out of all the given options. It is also possible to determine whether main character is a good singer or not and whether or not they like to sing.
The cousins return to Last's home but find Noelani, Pamela and Elizabeth having a very serious conversation. As it turns out Elizabeth wants to know about her biological parents and what happened to them. She does not take the news well and storms out the room. 
The main character is given an opportunity to also hear about their biological parents:
* If they elect to know the truth and depending on what choices they pick and how they react, the main character can leave the situation by going to their room or leaving the house. If their reaction is mild, they can also remain with their mothers. If the main character does not go to meet Cove but decides to leave the house, he will eventually find the main character and comfort them if he is not Indifferent to them. Depending on the player's choice, Lee can be in their company too.
* If the main character decides not to hear the truth about their parents, they will ponder thoughts of Elizabeth and her parents instead. They also can leave the house to do so. Again, if you're not indifferent to him, Cove still eventually finds the main character and listens their thoughts.
No matter what the main character decides, Elizabeth comes to find them, too, and asks to speak with the main character alone. The siblings settle their thoughts together and return to Last home with Cove (and Lee, if she is present).
United again, the Last family and Cove decide to have "golden family time". The main character and Lee can perform the show they practiced before which gains high approval from the whole audience. If the main character does not feel like performing anymore after whole family crisis before or did not want to do it in the first place, the family will watch a movie of the main character's choice together.
Notes:
*This is the only possible Moment to get information about MC's birth parents.
|-|Dinner=
Cove calls to ask MC to come to dinner at his home. MC can decline or accept; though declining results in an early ending for this Moment. Before the dinner, MC and Cove hang out in his room and talk about his fish with the MC getting to name one if they so choose.
The conversation moves on to the MC not being allowed to have pets as they recall a story about Elizabeth taking a lizard home from the beach. Cove says he doesn't know what it'd be like to have a sibling to which the MC can respond how they feel about it.
MC then has a chance to confess to Cove that his dad offered them money on their first meeting. If MC does so, Cove angrily storms out to confront his dad. Kyra is briefly shocked before accepting this as something Cliff would do. Cliff tries to explain himself but Cove decides to leave and heads over to the main character's house to stay there as he doesn't want to stay in his. If the main character doesn't follow Cove immediately they will witness a small argument between Kyra and Cliff before Cliff apologizes and suggests they go home.
Regardless of their choices, the MC will go back home and talk with Cove. They stay silent for a while before MC asks Cove if he's mad at them he denies being mad at them saying they aren't the one who did anything. If their relationship is at least "fond" he'll ask if they are actually friends, the MC responds, confirming they are indeed friends. Cove calms a bit before crying and ranting about his dad angrily claiming he wants to make people happy but doesn't. The MC comforts him and can encourage him to make up with his dad. Cove then heads home with MC following him if they choose.
Either way, Cove talks things out with his parents. Cliff apologizes, even when Cove says it's okay he denies it. Kyra tries to explain why he did it but Cove already knows. Cliff swears he won't and hasn't overstepped or bribed children but Cove points out he invited Kyra over without talking it over with him. Cliff is disheartened that he did it again without realizing. Cove confesses he isn't angry about it anymore and wants to talk to him about things so he knows. Cliff denies, claiming his child shouldn't have to take care of him and how he's already doing everything in their family so changing to do one more thing won't be that much more. Kyra admits he's right but encourages him to talk with Cove so they can understand each other. Cliff resolves that he and Cove will talk about their feelings with each other about everything from now on, dragging Krya in too, showing a CG of the family smiling together. Everyone ends up happy and decides to eat the dinner Cliff made after all.
Without confession, the evening goes smoothly. Cove confesses that things have been awkward lately and that's why the main character was invited to come over. The group eats a variety of Mexican dishes while talking about what they've been up to with Cove being quieter than usual. Cove asks his parents if MC can sleep over and after some deliberation they say it's okay but they'd need to make sure that the MC's parents are okay with it and that it would have to be a different night. After dinner the main character and Cove's family gather around the coffee table to play go fish to close out the night.
Notes:
*This Moment marks as the second chance to confess Cliff offering money to MC on their first meeting.
*If the player played "Grown Up," Cliff will up that Cove has been playing the sport the MC chose if their relationship was at fond.
*When naming one of Cove's fish, if the player types in the name of an established character he'll insist on calling them Junior but will still let the name you choose be the actual name. The names he does this with are: Cliff, Kyra, Elizabeth, Noelani, Pamela, Derek, Jeremy, and Shiloh. He also does this if you pick the given options of the MC's name and Cove.
|-|Road Trip=
The Last and Holden families have planned a short trip to redwood forest, getting up early to make the most of their time. The first day is spent driving up to the park with incident, with everyone enjoying each other company Once morning comes and everyone is packed the families make their way into the park. Elizabeth takes the chance to joke about how close their families are and teases Cove and the MC about how they might actually be one family one day, with their response varying based on their relationship.
The rest of the day goes well and the group heads back to the RV to eat dinner and relax.MC and Cove are left alone in the cabin of the RV, if player chooses to spend time with Cove they can get Cove to admit to liking anklets on others and player can later choose MC's actions accordingly to this revelation. The teens also talk about what physical features they like, if their relationship is set at crush the conversation will change to be flirty. That night, the main character gets to sleep in the loft. If they choose they can invite Cove up which he accepts, unlocking a CG. Cove will be caught either way by getting too flustered if the MC tries to kiss him or being spotted in the morning by Kyra. The next day is spent driving back and playing travel games. The moment ends with MC falling asleep in their own bed after arriving home.
Notes:
*Redwood forest is later revisited again and if this Moment was played, Cove and MC revisit the memories as well.
</tabber>
== Extra Moments (DLC) ==
<tabber>Mall=
Cliff has work to do and gives Kyra the car to entertain the kids (Cove, MC, Derek and Lee) for the day, Kyra takes the kids to the mall. She lets kids explore by themselves and they end up getting smoothies and riding kid rides.
|-|Birthday=
 
Cove and the MC are invited to Miranda's birthday party where they play various games. Jeremy somehow manages to show up at the birthday party and causes a stir.
Notes:
*MC can punch Jeremy if the player decides so. This will later cause him to flinch wherever MC brings their hand close to him.
*This marks as the first possible appearance of Miranda.
|-|Summerwork=
MC, Cove and Derek go to the library to do their school summerwork. MC works on either history or math assignment. Regardless of the assignment, it ends up getting lost which can cause serious panic to MC (player's choice). If their panic won't subside, Cove offers them his own assignment as a substitute. Whether they accept it or not doesn't matter in the end since the lost assignment is eventually found.
Notes:
*If the player played Shopping during Step 1, they can mention Amazing Alexander to Cove after being reminded of him.
|-|Escapade=
After a sunshower, Kyra offers to help Cove and the MC dry off with a car ride. She spontaneously takes them to watch a horror movie which can cause MC to panic and leave or they can enjoy the movie. After this, Kyra takes them to fast food restaurant's take-away hatch and, to Cove's shock, orders the whole menu. After eating they visit the "Now Leaving Sign" at the border of Sunset Bird before leaving home.
|-|Soiree=
The main character gets an opportunity to attend Cypress Country Club's summer soiree event without their parents constant supervision. On top of that, they can also bring a date or just a friend with them if they so desire. The story splits depending who is attending with MC:
=== Cove ===
Without Derek's DLC, Cove is the only possible date/friend they can ask to join them. The MC walks down to the beach to invite him, if their relationship is crush he'll ask to come if the MC chickens out. The pair enjoys food and music and can share a dance together (or MC can dance with a stranger) depending on the player's choices. Cove, however, gets overwhelmed and leaves to calm down farther from the party. MC follows him, a CG comes up of Cove sitting down by the lake. Cove admits he's ready to go home and was nervous to come but is both happy he did and was included, reassuring MC that it wasn't anything either of them did that made him feel this way. After a while Cove asks the MC to dance and the two return to the soiree until it is time to return home.
=== Derek ===
If the player has Derek's DLC, he can join them to the soiree. The MC calls Derek to ask if he can come and after a little delay he accepts. After snacking and listening to music a little, he asks if MC could show them around since he hasn't been to the country club before. MC happily obliges. The two accidentally stumble upon another party which is held on different part of the country club. Derek approaches a stranger to ask what is the occasion. After hearing it is the dance club's private party, they realize they are most definitely not allowed to be there. They can either leave immediately or jokingly pretend to be actual guests there until they are forced to run away. MC and Derek return to the soiree. Derek accidentally admits he skipped out on watching a movie with his family to be at the soiree but asserts that it isn't MC's fault. He asks MC to dance and apologizes that he made them miss the party with their adventure. They continue to dance until the MC's moms come over to take them home, dropping off Derek before heading home themselves.
=== Nobody ===
If MC wants to attend alone, the soiree is rather uneventful. However, they can seek out a stranger to dance with.
Notes:
*Soiree is a Moment that can be accessed through this DLC and Derek's DLC. They count as one Moment despite it being listed twice.
*The stranger who talks with Derek in Derek's route and who can be as a potential dance partner is later in Step 3 revealed to be Baxter. Soiree marks as his first possible appearance.
**In Derek's route Baxter mentions that he intends to check out the soiree later that evening. He later confirms doing so in the end (which is further backed up by the fact that MC can dance with them).
</tabber>
== Derek's Story (DLC) ==
<tabber>Responsible=
MC is helping Derek with baby sitting his two younger brothers, Jorge and Nicolas. They spend time at park and at pool. The player can decide how experienced MC is with small children.
|-|Lemonade=
MC, Cove and Derek decide to go grocery shopping and plan a mini-picnic. Derek picks lemons and Cove picks up water balloons. The player decides what MC chooses to contribute to the picnic.
However, when the trio is making lemonade, Cove accidentally cuts himself. When MC sees his bloodied hand, they can either panic or take a hold of the situation. If MC is unable to do anything, Derek is the one stepping up. After Cove is patched up, the trio enjoys their self made lemonade and continue outside to have a water balloon fight.
Notes:
*Cove tells Derek about how he once lost his dolphin balloon after owning it only for couple of minutes. This happened in Shopping during Step 1.
*MC, Cove and Elizabeth have tried lemonade selling as kids (optional).
*MC, Derek and Cove reveal what they thought about each others when they first met:
**Cove thought Derek is very sporty.
**Derek thought Cove is tall and tough. He had hard time believing Cove is same age as him.
**Derek thought MC is really sweet, chill, fun or cute (only if MC's first impression of Derek was also 'cute'). His answer depends on MC's personality.
**MC's first impression of Derek is the player's choice between six different options.
|-|Soiree (Derek's DLC)=
The main character gets an opportunity to attend Cypress Country Club's summer soiree event without their parents constant supervision. On top of that, they can also bring a date or just a friend with them if they so desire. The story splits depending who is attending with MC:
=== Cove ===
Without Derek's DLC, Cove is the only possible date/friend they can ask to join them. The MC walks down to the beach to invite him, if their relationship is crush he'll ask to come if the MC chickens out. The pair enjoys food and music and can share a dance together (or MC can dance with a stranger) depending on the player's choices. Cove, however, gets overwhelmed and leaves to calm down farther from the party. MC follows him, a CG comes up of Cove sitting down by the lake. Cove admits he's ready to go home and was nervous to come but is both happy he did and was included, reassuring MC that it wasn't anything either of them did that made him feel this way. After a while Cove asks the MC to dance and the two return to the soiree until it is time to return home.
=== Derek ===
If the player has Derek's DLC, he can join them to the soiree. The MC calls Derek to ask if he can come and after a little delay he accepts. After snacking and listening to music a little, he asks if MC could show them around since he hasn't been to the country club before. MC happily obliges. The two accidentally stumble upon another party which is held on different part of the country club. Derek approaches a stranger to ask what is the occasion. After hearing it is the dance club's private party, they realize they are most definitely not allowed to be there. They can either leave immediately or jokingly pretend to be actual guests there until they are forced to run away. MC and Derek return to the soiree. Derek accidentally admits he skipped out on watching a movie with his family to be at the soiree but asserts that it isn't MC's fault. He asks MC to dance and apologizes that he made them miss the party with their adventure. They continue to dance until the MC's moms come over to take them home, dropping off Derek before heading home themselves.
=== Nobody ===
If MC wants to attend alone, the soiree is rather uneventful. However, they can seek out a stranger to dance with.
Notes:
*Soiree is a Moment that can be accessed through the Step 3 DLC and this DLC. They count as one Moment despite it being listed twice.
*The stranger who shows up in Derek's route and as well as a potential dance partner is later in Step 3 to be Baxter. This marks as his first possible appearance.
**In Derek's route Baxter mentions that he intends to check out the soiree later that evening. He later confirms doing so in the end (which is further backed up by the fact that MC can dance with them).
|-|Siblings=
Derek decides to throw a surprise sleepover party at his home for MC to keep them company during Father's Day given they only have two moms. Derek and MC play games and eat snacks with Jorge and Nicolas before going to sleep. After spending the night, Derek, feeling guilty, reveals his motivation for invitation. MC becomes worried of Elizabeth and the two decide to visit her via taking a bus.
Elizabeth will eventually admit she was upset but not because she has two moms and no dad, but because her friends are occupied while she is stuck home doing nothing. The trio can play board games or make Father's Day cards depending on player's choices. After this Derek and MC will visit Cliff to give him his card, if the player made one for him. After this brief visit the couple return to Derek's home.
Notes:
*The MC can admit to Derek that Cliff is like a father to them.
|-|Boardwalk=
Last and Suarez family have planned a trip to a boardwalk. Adults let kids to enjoy the day without supervision and they decide to get face paintings. After a while however Nicolas falls asleep, forcing Derek to carry him around. The group decides to find their parents to hand Nicolas over to them. The group can split up (with Derek going alone or with MC) or stay together. No matter the choice, the parents are eventually found but Derek refuses to give Nicolas to them, because they were riding around with rented bikes and he didn't want to ruin their fun. The group, minus Derek, unanimously decide that Derek's gotta have fun too and leave that to MC to be taken care of. Jorge and Elizabeth go to do, quote, "something interesting" with Jorge leading the way. Meanwhile MC and Derek decide to try Ferris wheel since that can be ridden even with Derek still carrying Nicolas.
Nicolas sleeps through the rest of the adventure, with Derek handling most of his carrying duty. Elizabeth and MC (optional) also take their turns.
Notes:
*This marks the first possible appearance of Xavier; they are the person doing face paintings.
*Surprisingly, Jorge and Elizabeth bond over during their time alone, even nicknaming one another: with Elizabeth coming up with "Bore-ge" and Jorge with "Eliza-brat"
**Following their example, MC can nickname Derek with "Bore-ek".
**Nicolas nicknames Elizabeth with "Lizbeth", albeit completely unaware that he is mimicking others.
</tabber>
== Conclusion ==
The Step ends with the main character in their room, Cove comes over to talk about his mom leaving. The MC has the chance to confess and kiss him if they have a crush on him, earning a CG. Cove and the MC then head over to the Holden house to say goodbye to Kyra. They then go to the shopping street with Cove, Derek, and Elizabeth to have some fun. While there, the MC notices Jeremy and can talk to him one last time if they choose. The group heads back and to eat lunch with the Cliff, Noelani, and Pamela. Afterwards, Derek drags the MC over to the beach to express his sadness at how they won't be able to hang out anymore. If the player has his DLC he asks if the main character likes guys and there's anyone specifically they like. If the MC says they do like guys and don't like anyone/like Derek he'll propose a marriage pact which they can accept.
After heading back and saying goodbye to Derek and his family, the main character heads home. They can relax or call Lee to talk each other about their summers. Once they finish up, the MC sees Cove heading to the hills behind their house and can go over to him. Cove says he's getting from fresh air before bed. Cove and the main character reminisce on the time they met. Before long, the two part ways and head to bed. Early the next morning, Cove knocks on the MC's window to ask if they want to go surfing before school with a CG of him in the open window. 
== References ==
Category:StepsCategory:Steps in Our Life: Beginnings & Always