“Is Stephanie there?”
“Yeah, hold on a sec. STEPHANIE!!!! PHONE!!!”
Stephanie heard Megan screaming downstairs and picked up the phone next to her bed, “Hello?”
“Hey, you busy tonight?” A.J. asked
“Umm, no. Why?”
“Everyone’s coming over to my house to eat. You and Megan are invited.”
“Oh cool, what time?”
“Around 6.”
“Want me to bring anything?” Stephanie asked playing with the phone cord
“Just yourself and Megan.”
“Okay, I’ll see ya then.”
**
Nick walked into A.J.’s house without knocking and made his way towards the kitchen. He found A.J. grinning at Stephanie and watched as he leaned in to kiss her. Stephanie stepped back, “I don’t think so.” Then she noticed Nick in the doorway, “Hey.”
A.J. didn’t look amused, “Everyone’s out back.”
Stephanie smiled at A.J. and followed Nick out the back door. Megan was talking to Jessie, Kevin and Brian were discussing something, Courtney and Laura were setting all the food out, and Brandi was helping Howie fill the ice chest with cold drinks. A.J. walked out, “Okay everybody, dig in.”
Nick had been watching Stephanie for most of the night, something was strange, about the way she smiled at him, and the way she talked to everyone, almost as if she had a secret. Then she disappeared for several minutes and Nick wondered where she went, and most of all, what she was up too.
**
“How is it going?” the tall figure asked from the shadows
Stephanie sighed, “Okay I guess.”
“You don’t have much time.” The figure warned her
“I know, please stop reminding me.” She said with a frustrated sigh
“The plan is still working?”
“Most of it is, there are still some problems.”
“A.J.” the figure stated
“Yes.”
“You can not get involved.” The deep voice warned
“I know! It’s not easy, okay.”
“You agreed…”
“I know what I agreed to!” Stephanie said thru clenched teeth, “It will just take some time.”
“What will?” Nick asked
Stephanie jumped and the figure hiding in the shadows disappeared, “Oh nothing, I was just talking to myself.”
Nick watched as she glanced around nervously and then smiled at him, something just wasn’t right, and Nick intended to find out what it was.
