Preface:
It is December 2002. Stephanie and her mother and sister are going to see her family, for Christmas, in New York. Steph is so happy because she hasn’t seen her cousin Matt since he joined the band Dream Street...but she is glad he did or she never would have heard of Jesse McCartney if it weren’t for him. She has liked Jesse ever since Matt sent her a picture of him and the rest of the DS guys. Jenny has had a little crush on Greg since then also. She found out everything about Jesse and accidentally told Matt that she had a crush on him. Matt has teased her about it over the phone conversations they have almost everyday ever since but hasn’t told Jesse yet, nor has he told Stephanie that Jesse likes her too and has asked Matt about her a million times. Anyway, Stephanie is so happy she gets to see her cousin and meet his Dream Street friends, especially Jesse! Will she get him? Will other people get in the way? Find out!!
Chapter 1
The Trip
“Where are my boots!!” Stephanie yelled as she looked under her bed for the black leather boots she got for Christmas last year. “They are nowhere in this house! I’ve looked everywhere! Mama, where are my boots?” she yelled.
“Did you look in your closet?” she heard her mother say from the room across the hall.
“No!” Stephanie said as she opened her closet. There were her boots right in the front of the closet. “I found them!” she yelled to her mom.
Stephanie finished packing her bags. She packed every thing she owned...or it seemed like it. They were leaving early the next day to go to the Montgomery, AL airport. Their flight left at 6:00 a.m. so they had to leave home at 4 a.m.
Jenny was packed and was ready to go to bed so the next day would come sooner. She took a bath and then got in bed. Stephanie helped her mom finish packing her things and all the cosmetics. They went to sleep after they put all the luggage tags on the bags and laid the bags beside the door.
“Beep, beep, beep....!” Stephanie’s alarm clock was going off for 3 a.m. “Smack!” went her hand on the off button as she rolled out of bed. She was too excited to snooze so she got straight out of bed and in to the shower.
After they all got ready they loaded the car and left the house right at 4 a.m. When they arrived at the airport they headed straight for their flight’s gate. They gave the people their bags and boarded the plane. They found their seats and sat down. “Fasten your seat belts!!” they heard a woman’s voice say over the intercom. They did and the plane took off headed for New York!!!
Meanwhile in New York......
“Matt what is this BIG surprise you have?” Jesse asked Matt as he, Matt and Greg sat around the table in Dream Street’s studio in New York. “You will have to wait until about 11 o’clock today to find out, but trust me you will like it!” Matt told Jesse. Laughing at how Jesse was being too impatient Greg said, “You sound like a little kid waiting to open a birthday present.” “What do you mean? You were just saying a few minutes ago ‘wonder what Matt’s big surprise is.’” Jesse said to Greg. Though Greg knew about the surprise and did say that just to throw off Jesse he ignored the comment and got up and walked over to the snack bar. Just then Frankie and Chris, who also new the surprise, walked in and Frankie asked “What are you guys up to?” “I’m trying to get Matt to tell me his big surprise, but I have to wait!” Jesse said. “Oh you mean Matt’s cous......” Chris was interrupted by Matt saying “SHHHHHHH!!! Man don’t tell him, he can wait!!” “You were about to say cousin!!” Jesse said excitedly. “N...N...No I wasn’t!” Chris stammered. “You were to....Matt’s cousin is coming...Stephanie is coming here...today...at 11...that is in two hours...I gotta change...I gotta...I gotta...I gotta go!!” Jesse said as he ran back to his room like place where he can go to be by himself and get dressed or whatever. “That dude is in LOVE!!!” Frankie said laughing. “Yeah!” they all said agreeing with him. “Don’t tell Jesse this yet but you know how crazy he is about Steph?” Matt said. “Yeah...?” they said waiting for the rest of the info. “Steph is twice as crazy about him!!” Matt said. “Awwww!!” they all said and laughed. “Yo, man we should try to get them together!” Greg said. “Yeah!!” they all agreed. Matt looked at his watch, “Hey guys, listen, I gotta go home and meet Steph and them, help them unload and all that stuff. Steph and I will be back at 11, and you can meet Aunt Lisa and Jen tomorrow. They are gonna settle in and stuff...like catch up on what has been going on...like me and Steph are gonna do...you know!! Or...I will ask my mom if you guys can come to dinner and meet the others.” “Ok...Cool!!” they said.
At the airport in New York at 9:30 a.m. .....
“Hold your sister’s hand.” Lisa said to Stephanie as she set the bags down to sign in at the rent-a-car booth. Steph grabbed Jen’s hand. After her mom paid the money to rent a car she took the keys and they followed the attendant to the parking lot. When they got there they were happy because the car looked cool. They loaded the car and headed to Matt’s house. The whole way there Steph kept talking about Matt and how she couldn’t wait to meet the other members of Dream Street...mostly Jesse.
They pulled up in the yard and Stephanie jumped out before it ever stopped completely. She ran up to the door and it opened and there was Matt. She threw her arms around him!! “Matt!!!! I missed you!!!” she said happily. “I missed you too!! I can’t wait for you to get settled so we can hang out!!” Matt said. “Kids, lets get this stuff out of the car!” Matt’s mom yelled. “Ok!!” they said. They walked over to the car. Matt said, “Hey Jen!” when he saw her by the car. “Hey Matt!” Jen said as she ran up and hugged him. Matt went over and hugged his Aunt Lisa and Stephanie hugged her aunt and uncle. Everyone was saying hey and chatting as they unloaded the trunk. They went in side and headed up stairs to the guestrooms. Matt helped Steph take her bags in her room and her uncle helped her mom take her and Jen’s things in to their room. Matt and Steph were chatting as they put the bags away. “It is almost 11 and I told the guys we would be there around 11. We better go...don’t want to keep Jesse waiting!!!” Matt said. “Shut-up!!” Steph laughed as she kiddingly pushed Matt. “Come on let’s go!!” Matt said pulling Steph by the arm “Mom we’re going to the studio!! Oh and can the guys come to dinner?” he yelled. Talking to Steph’s mom she said “OK and yes they can...they can meet Lisa and Jen!” and went back to talking. Matt and Steph headed to the studio, which is only three blocks from Matt’s house. Stephanie was so happy she was finally gonna get to meet Jesse...and the other members!!
Chapter 2
The Meeting
“What time is it?” Jesse asked Chris as he paced back and forth in his best jeans and shirt. He wanted to look good but casual. “Man, don’t worry about it. They will be here soon. But just so you will know it is 10:50.” Chris said. “Hey and she is just a girl!” Greg said teasing Jesse. Frankie was just sitting on the couch laughing quietly. “Just a girl??!!?? What do you mean...she is GREAT!!!! But you guys are right...I should just calm down...be cool!!” Jesse said as he sat down in a big, red chair and ran his hand through his hair to get it just right. “There you go...be cool.” Frankie said. “I’m cool!” Jesse said. Chris got up and walked over to the door. “They’re here!!” he yelled. “Really?!!?” Jesse said and jumped up and ran to the door. “Got ya!” Chris laughed. “What happened to being cool?” Greg asked laughing. “Uh...guys!!” Jesse said and they all started laughing.
“So have you heard our CD?” Matt asked Stephanie as they walked to the studio. “Yeah...I bought it the day it came out! You guys sound great!!” Stephanie said. “Thanks! We will sing some today if you want us to.” Matt said. “Cool...that will be fun!” Stephanie said as they walked up the steps to the studio. Matt opened the door and they saw the guys sitting around talking. “Hey guys!” Matt said. They didn’t see him come in and it took them by surprise. “Hey Matt!” they all said. “This is my cousin Stephanie.” Matt introduced Stephanie. “HI!” she said. “HI!” they said and got up to be properly introduced. When Steph saw Jesse her heart started racing and it felt like butterflies were trying to get out of her stomach. What she didn’t know is that when Jesse saw her he felt the exact same way!! She shook all their hand and when she came to Jesse...when their hands met they both felt a tingle in their heart. Kinda like it was saying this is the one...though neither of them knew that they both had this feeling. “Hi!” Jesse said as he looked at Stephanie. “Hi!” she said back looking in his eyes. They shook hands for a minute while the other guys were looking at them and grinning. “Umm.... guys...you wanna sit down?” Matt asked trying to keep from laughing. ”Oh...sure!” Stephanie said as she let go of Jesse’s hand...though she could have held it all day. She and Jesse walked over to where the guys were headed. All they guys ran over to get seats first...so if Jesse and Stephanie wanted to sit down...they had to sit together on the love seat. When the guys sat down Steph and Jesse kinda smiled at each other and sat down. Jesse looked at Frankie who was sitting in the red chair, half way spinning it and he was smiling at Jesse who looked at the other guys and smiled. Stephanie looked at Matt and evil eyed him then smiled like she was saying THANK YOU!!!! “So......what yall wanna do?” Matt asked. “Don’t know?” Greg said. “I kinda wanted to hear you guys sing.” Steph said. “Oh...yeah!” Matt said. “Hey...you guys wanna sing ‘Gotta Get the Girl‘?” Chris said. “Sure!” they all said. “Great! That is my favorite song!” Stephanie said looking at Jesse as he got up. The other guys looked at each other kinda eyeing out yeah we know why! Jesse put on the instrumental version of “Gotta Get the Girl” in the CD player. The guys started dancing and singing...”Gotta, Gotta, Gotta get her!” Jesse sang the best he could...when the course came up he danced over to Stephanie and grabbed her hand and started dancing with her. She was so happy! They kept singing and dancing...Stephanie was laughing because she was so happy and having a great time. Jesse smiled the whole time he sang. After the song they were all out of breath. They all sat back down. “That was fun!” Jesse said. “Yeah!” they all agreed. Jesse looked at Stephanie and smiled...”You are a good dancer!” Jesse said to Stephanie. “Thanks...you are too!!” Stephanie said. They all were chatting and getting to know each other. “My sister has a crush on you Greg!!” Stephanie said smiling. “Yep...it is true!!” Matt said. “Oh cool...what’s her name...how old is she?” Greg asked. “She is eight...and her name is Jennifer.” Matt said. “Too young...but it is cute she likes me. I’ll have to sing to her one day.” Greg said. “Ok...but not “Jennifer Goodbye”. She doesn’t like that song because you say goodbye to her.” Stephanie said. “Oh...ok!” Greg said. They all started laughing. “We won’t say who Steph has a crush on!” Matt said laughing. “Uhh...Matt!!!!” Steph said as she threw a crumbled up piece of paper she had been messing with at him. “Who do you have a crush on?” Jesse asked Stephanie. “Umm...well...uh...this...uh...real cool guy!” she said blushing. “Oh.” Jesse said kinda sounding disappointed. “Hey...yall wanna go ice-skating?” Matt asked changing the subject. “Matt...you know I can’t ice skate!” Steph said. “Oh...yeah!” Matt remembered. “I can help you!” Jesse told Stephanie. “OK!!” she said happily. “Ok let’s go.” Frankie said. They all got up and headed out the door. Steph and Jesse were on the sidewalk talking and walking up ahead.... getting to know each other. “Hey man...this will be a great opportunity for them to spill their feelings.” Chris told Matt and the other guys. “Yeah!! I had a good idea and didn’t even know it!!” Matt said laughing. They all laughed.
When they got to the ice rink there wasn’t a single person there. Matt asked if they could have it as a private rink for a couple hours. The man in charge said sure. They all rented skates and laced them up. Jesse asked Steph; “Ok...can you stand up on them?” “Let me see....” she said and stood up.... walked over to the ice...Jesse was holding her hand...she stepped on the ice and fell flat on her butt. “Guess I can’t!” she said as Jesse helped her up. The other guys skated out on the rink and were showing off. “Ok...try to balance.” Jesse said holding Steph’s hand. She tried and did it...she moved with out falling. “Oh...COOL!!!” she said. “You got it!” Jesse said smiling at her, “Wanna skate around together?” he asked. “Sure!” she said. All the guys were doing elaborate things on the skates while Jesse and Steph just skated around talking. In their conversation Jesse said, “Steph...I gotta tell you something.” “Ok...what” she said. “Well...when we were talking about crushes we had I didn’t say my crush.” he said. “Yeah...who is you crush?” she asked hoping he didn’t have one. “Well...you.” he said. That caught her off guard...she was not expecting the cute guy she had a crush on to have a crush on her too. “Really?” she said. “Yeah...but you already like a real cool guy...I shouldn’t have told you...I” Stephanie interrupted Jesse, “No... I’m glad you did...you have more courage than I do. I didn’t even have the courage to tell you who the guy was. But now I do.” “Who?” Jesse asked. “You!” she said. “Oh.....isn’t it a coincidence!” he laughed. “Yeah...it is.....woah!!!!!” she said as she slipped down bringing Jesse with her. They both fell.... Jesse right over her. “I am soooo sorry!!” she said. “Oh...it’s ok!!” Jesse said laughing. They both started laughing. Jesse stopped...he was looking into Stephanie’s eyes...she looked into his. They gazed into each others eyes....Jesse leaned his head down...he put his lips up to Stephanie’s. They kissed!!! Then Jesse helped Stephanie up...they were smiling at each other. When they got up they skated slowly around they rink hand in hand. The guys had been watching since they fell. Matt looked at the guys, “It worked!!” “All right!” they all said together and high fived. They skated to Jesse and Steph who were getting off the ice. “You guys ready to go?” Matt asked. “Yeah...if yall want...my feet hurt.” Steph said. “We can hang at the studio until about twenty till six.” Matt said. “Why...what is happening at six?” Frankie asked. “Matt didn’t tell you guys?” Steph asked. “No...I forgot...my Mom said you guys can come to dinner.” Matt said. “Oh cool!” Jesse said and smiled at Steph...she smiled back. “Come on...lets go.” Greg said.
As they were walking back to the studio Jesse asked Steph, “Didn’t you say your feet hurt?” “Yeah...but they are ok.” she said. “Come on guys lets pick her up!” Chris yelled. “Yeah!!” they all yelled. “No...no...don’t...” she tried to say but too late. The guys had her off the ground. They were all laughing. “Oh come on guys...put me down!!” she laughed. They put her down laughing. “You know Matt...I’m glad you introduced me to these guys. They are cool and I’m glad we are all friends...at least I hope we are!” Steph said. “Yeah...we are!” they all laughed. They kept walking. Jesse and Steph lagged behind for a second. Jesse said to Steph, “You know how you just said we were all friends.” “Yeah...we are arn’t we?” she asked. “Oh yeah...we are...good friends...I like you!!” he said. “I like you too!” she said. “I was just wondering...if you and I could...be more than just friends.” Jesse said. “You mean...like you be my boyfriend?” Steph asked. “Yeah!” Jesse said as he and Steph stopped, “if that is ok.” “YEAH!!!...I mean sure...that would be cool.” Stephanie said. Jesse kissed her on the cheek. “Cool” said Jesse, “I have liked you for like...three years.” he said as they started walking to catch up with the guys...who were waiting at the studio steps. “Really?” she said. “Yeah I have!” he said. “Well...I have liked you that long too.” Steph said. “Really...cool!” Jesse said. “Yep!” Steph said...they both laughed as they got to where the guys were. They all went inside. “So what time is it?” Frankie asked as they all sat down...this time Jesse and Steph sat on the love seat together with out the guys have to take all the seats...they sat closer than last time. “It is 5:30.” Jesse said as he looked at his watch...then he put his arm around Stephanie. “Hey...you guys know Stephanie and I are...you know...well...let’s just say we both are going out with our crushes.” Jesse said as he smiled at Steph. “Oh...you guys are going steady now.” Greg said. “We would have never known!” Chris said shaking his head sarcastically. They laughed. “It is cool you guys are going out!” Frankie said. “Yeah!” the others said. “Yeah...we were hoping you guys would get together at the ice rink since Jesse would be holding your hand.” Matt said. “We didn’t mean for you to fall all over her Jesse!!!” Chris laughed. They all started laughing. “You guys know we fell...and not purposely.” Steph said, “It just kinda happened...fate I guess!” “Fate had a little help from us though!” Frankie said. “Yeah...thank you guys!!!” Jesse said. They all laughed. “Hey you guys...we better head to my house for dinner.” Matt said. “Ok!” they said and headed out the door.
They all talked as they walked to Matt’s house...laughing and stuff. They looked just like a group of friends walking down the street. And there is always a couple holding hands...in this group it was Jesse and Stephanie.
When they got to Matt’s house they went inside. They all took off their coats and were chatting amongst each other. Matt’s mom and Steph’s mom came out of the kitchen to see them. They saw Jesse helping Stephanie get her coat off. Then Steph turned around and gave Jesse a quick smooch. “Looks like Stephanie has a boyfriend!” Sue told Lisa. “Yeah---she has liked Jesse for along time.” Lisa said. “Matt told me Jesse has liked her too.” Sue said. “Young love is so sweet!” Lisa said. “Yep!” Sue said. “Hey mom!” Matt said. “Hey!” Matt’s mom said. Matt introduced the guys to Aunt Lisa. Just then Jennifer came from the living room where she was playing checkers with Uncle J. Greg kneeled down and said to her, “You must be Jennifer.” “Yes!” she said blushing. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Greg told her. She just stood there smiling. Everyone was smiling. Greg asked her, “Do you wanna sit beside me at dinner?” “Yes.” she said quietly. “Ok...great!” Greg said and he kissed her on the cheek. They all laughed at how cute she was about all of it. “Dinner is almost ready!” Matt’s mom said as she and Steph’s mom went back into the kitchen. “Great!” they all said. Everyone decided to go ahead and sit down at the already set dinner table. Steph sat beside Matt and Jesse who was beside Chris. Chris was beside Frankie who was beside Greg. Greg sat beside Jen. Jen was gonna be by her mom as soon as she and Matt’s mom sat down. Uncle J sat beside Matt and Sue who was beside Lisa. Lisa and Sue served dinner and then sat down. They were all talking while they ate. Everyone was having a good time.
After dinner the guys were getting ready to leave. Everyone was saying their goodbyes. Greg kissed Jen on the cheek again and said, “Jennifer...goodbye.” Everyone laughed. They were all saying bye to each other. Jesse and Steph were off to the side. They were hugging. Jesse kissed Stephanie then asked, “Are you coming to the studio with Matt tomorrow?” “I’ll be ready before he is.” she said. “Great!!” Jesse said. He kissed her again on the cheek. The guys went home. They all lived real close so they didn’t have far to walk. “That was fun.” Stephanie said to Matt. “Yeah...pretty good first day of catching up on old time huh?” Matt said. “Yep!” Steph said. They went in the kitchen an helped their mom’s clean up. It was almost nine. Steph and Matt went to their rooms to go to bed. They had to get up early and go to the studio. They said their goodnights and went to sleep.
