Chapter 3
I was back within an hour to find a frantic Ashley.
"Abby, we gotta be careful with AJ and Steph," she said.
"Why?"
"Well apperently niether can figure out the other feels the same way and they've been arguing alot."
"OOOOOHHHH, now I find out." Just then Steph walked in.
"Hey Steph," we said in unison. She looked at us strange.
"Need any help with the cookout?" she asked.
"Yeah," I replied, "can you go out to my car and unload some of the food."
"Sure." She went to the door to leave but was interrupted when AJ opened it at the same time and they ran into each other.
"Watch where you're goin' jerk," she growled.
"Me?!" he said back, "what about you you klutz!"
"You're the one who's a klutz!"
"You wish girl! Grow up!"
"YOU!"
I was getting annoyed so I stuck both fingers in my mouth and whistled shrilly. "Both of you grow up. You're going to talk this out and find out what's bugging you. Now go up to the guest room."
They looked at me shocked but did as I said. Ashley and I followed them. When they shut the door I locked it from the outside.
~*~inside the room~*~
"What am I doing in here with you," AJ growled, "I'm out of here."
He tried to open the door and was mad when it wouldn't open.
"Steph, what'd you do to the door?!"
"I didn't do anything."
"Well it's locked."
"What!?"
"Yup." He sat down on the floor and looked at her.
"Why do you have to do this to me?" he muttered.
Steph looked at him inquisitively [OOOOOHHHHH a big word. Go me!]
"What?"
"Drive me wild. The way you look and act. You used to be one of my best friends till I fell for you."
Steph got up and sat next to him. "You drive me wild too. Why didn't you tell me you felt like that?"
"I was afraid you didn't feel the same."
"Does this answer you though." She leaned over and kissed him on the lips.
~*~outside the room~*~
"Ash," I said, "I think they've solved their problem so let's party!"
"ALL RIGHT!" she whooped and we ran downstairs.
The cook out was great. Everyone figured out AJ and Steph were now a couple when they came in late, holding hands and occasionally kissing. The only down part was with Howie and Ariana.
~*~earlier that evening~*~
"Hey Bri," I said, "Having fun?"
"Yup, you're over here."
"Ah, flattery will get you everywhere."
Brian laughed and we sat down on some deck chairs. I sat peacefully on his lap (Allie and Nicole were with BJ Carter) until he sat up abruptly.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Howie's here with another girl. Ariana's gonna be crushed."
"She already is."
I had looked over to see the crushed look on Ariana's face as Howie danced with the other girl. For the rest of the evening Ariana threw herself at every guy around.
~*~right now~*~
"The only bad part about partys," I commented to Ash and Nick, "is cleaning up."
"Yup,"Nick agreed.
They went outside to clean up while I did the house.
After 10 minutes though my doorbell rang. I answered it and Ariana ran in sobbing.
"Am I a bad person?" She sobbed into my arms.
"No," I told her gently, "you just reacted badly to seeing Howie with another girl."
She cried for a couple of more minutes before she asked. "Can I stay here tonight?"
"Sure. You know where the guest bedroom is. I'm gonna go tell Brian."
She left to go upstairs and I went outside to where Brian was with Allie and Nicole.
"Hey Brian."
"Yeah."
"Ariana's here and she's really upset. She's gonna stay here tonight."
"OK."
I gave him a kiss and went back inside just as the phone rang. "Hello."
"I want the money."
"Excuse me. Who is this?"
"It's your mother Abbigaille."
I gasped. "Leave me alone."
"No, I want some of the money and I want to see my grandchildren."
"If you ever come near them," I started to say but she had hung up.
Brian had just walked in and saw the look on my face. "Abby, what's wrong?"
"My mother. She just called. She wants money and to see Allie and Nicole." I
broke down crying. Brian just held me close till I quieted down and took me upstairs to bed.