Chapter One Do you have any idea how painful it is to sit in last hour on a friday watching the seconds tick by on an old clock on the wall? Extremely. Its even hard to listen to your best friend Meg tell you about how she had just talked to him, who ever he is. Of course I do know, I just wasn't paying attention, all the information just went in one ear, and out the other. I was too busy counting the last fifteen seconds of class to even hear Sister Martha tell us we had to write a three page essay on "Our Nation's Govonrment And How It Effects Me" over the weekend. I suppose the reason I was so eager to get home, was that didn't want to talk to Will. I didn't even want to look at him. So far today I have been pretty sucessful at avoiding him. Last night, Meg and I went out to get ice cream for her 19th birthday. When we walked into Grand Old Creamery, she grabbed my arm and dragged me back out the door. "THATS WILL!" She hissed as I stood there massaging my arm where she grabbed it. "No its n... OH MY GOSH! And he's, he's with... HER!" I said as i turned around and saw Will sitting with Anne Smith- the one girl who hates me the most. "I...I can't believe," "He would do that." Meg finnished. Hot tears started rolling down my cheeks. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I saw Will looking right at me with a scared look on his face. I turned my head and Meg put her hand on my shoulder and said in a soft voice, "Let's skip the ice cream for tonight Julie." And lead me back to the car. I spent most of the night last night lying in my bed staring at the celing. I wasn't even crying. Which actually suprised me, but I think I just finally realized, that I didn't need him. I just watched the lights go across the celing anytime a car drove passed. I turned over to look at my poster of The Beatles once or twice, but I finally fell asleep around 2:30, and when I woke up, I was in the exact same position I fell asleep in. On my back holding a pillow. I hadn't moved an inch. I guess thinking deeply wears you out, so I slept hard. Most of Friday was actually pretty nice. I enjoyed most of my classes, and I was in a generally good mood. This suprised Meg as I greeted her in first hour senior English with a smile. "Well, we're certainly peppy today aren't we?" She said as she hopped off the back of the chair she was sitting on and pulled up her stockings. "Aren't I always?" I said, still smiling. "Well, of course, but, considering what happened last night..." "Oh, yeah.... about that- I..." I got cut off as Sister Clara walked into the room. I sat down in my desk and took out my copy of Great Expectations and a notebook. "Good morning students" Sister Clara said enthusiasticly. "Good morning Sister Clara" The class mumbled. She sighed, and turned to the blackboard to write our assignments. Meg poked me and passed me a note. About that... Was all it said. So I wrote her back telling her how I decided I didn't need him anymore. She Read the note, rolled her eyes, smiled and shook her head. That's the classic Meg move. So I was expecting it. I smiled back at her, feeling pretty sure of myself, when my happiness suddenly got sucked away. "Miss Fisher," I heard as the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. "Yes Sister?" "Is there something ammusing about what Mr. Dickens has writen?" Sister Clara asked. "No Sister." I answered quickly. "Then I sugest you stop smirking and get your thoughts back to your work." "Yes Sister." I said, then let out a long sigh, and smiled because I could feel Meg looking at me. The rest of the day was not extremely exciting, but it wasn't horrible either. The only thing that was bad, was that every time I walked past Will, I turned my head, and I could feel him look at me. His eyes penitrated me. But I just walked on, and didn't let it bother me. When I got home, I took off my shoes by the front door. I could see my dad standing by the counter in the kitchen talking on the phone, and I assumed it was just another business call. I set my bag down by the couch in the living room to my left. I walked into the kitchen and saw my Mom sitting at the table watching the news on our TV that was in the family room strait ahead. I walked past my dad and waved at him. He smiled and waved back. I took a seat next to my mom and took a cookie off the plate in front of us. "Hey hun! How was school?" She said as she smiled and patted my arm. "Pretty good," I replied. "How was your day?" "Oh, not too thrilling, I spent most of the day cleaning." I looked at her and raised my eyebrows. "Cleaning?" I said. "Its Friday! Why would you clean today? With none of us around?" "Well, your father was around all day today actually. And I was cleaning because we are having guests stay with us this weekend." I groaned. Dad works for a local radio station called KNSA. He's not a diskjockey or anything, but he does some of the managing and stuff. We've had guests stay at our house before, and I must say, that none of them have been extremely nice. Producers and band managers. No bands, which is a bummer on my part. But we always seem to get stuck having to look after these guys for a weekend. "Yes, yes of course Mr. Epstein." I heard my dad say. "You're sure they won't mind only two beds?" He said. I looked at my dad, then at my mom and said, "How many are there?" My mom looked at me and said, "Four. I think you might actually like these guests Julie." My eyes got wide and I snorted. "Sure, mom. And you might buy me that red Corvette I want." She gave me that look that all mothers do when you say something sarcastic. That "mildy amusing" look. My dad laughed then said. "Oh, yes. Of course Mr. Epstein. See you at six." Then hung up. I glanced at my watch. It said five o seven I turned my attention to the TV which had a special report of The Beatles flight into New York. My dad came and sat next to me. I sighed and said, "The only way I think I could possibly enjoy these guests is if they were actually The Beatles." My dad turned his head and said, "How did you guess?" I looked at him and said, "Ok, thats not funny." "It wasn't supposed to be!" He said and smiled. I rolled my eyes and said, "Yeah, ok Dad, whatever you say." I saw my parents exchange glances and smile. I looked at them both and said, "Is it ok if Meg and I do something tonight?" "I don't think you'll want to." My mom said. "Ok, you can give up the Beatle thing now. Im not as gulable as I used to be." My dad lauged and shook his head. "Its fine with me Julie, do whatever you want." I smiled and hugged him. I walked out of the kitchen and started to walk up the stairs when I heard the front door open. I leaned backwards and saw that Maggie was tramping inside with her big snow boots on. I laughed at her, and she stuck her tounge out at me. I looked back at my parents who were still at the table and said, "Oh, if The Beatles are actually coming, tell them I'll be in my room." Just in time to see Maggie's eyes get big. What an enjoyment!
