“NICK!” yelled his brother, Aaron, standing next to Nick.

“What?” he asked jumping out of his daze “I’ve been trying to get your attention. Mom wants you to know that we are going to the block party tonight. It’s mandatory for all Carter family members.”

“You’re kidding, right?” asked Nick incredulously.

“Nope.”

“Oh joy,” said Nick unenthusiastically.

“Nick come on. It’ll be fun. Who knows maybe mom can introduce you to a girl there?” stated Aaron wiggling his eyebrows.

“Mom better decide not to play matchmaker. I think I can pick out my own dates, thank you!” Nick said defensively.

“Judging by your last woman, I doubt that highly!” exclaimed Aaron

“What are you saying?”

“I’m just saying you have the world’s worst choices with women. Let mom hook you up once. Ya never know. Just give it a chance,” Aaron said matter-of-factly.

“Yeah, whatever. I’m going out on the boat,” Nick stated getting into the large yacht.

“Be home before six. That’s when we’re leaving,” yelled Aaron after him.

“I’m Katherine and these are my children Josephine and Joshua,” said Katherine standing outside on the lawn of the house.

“So did you just move in?” asked Jane.

“Well kind of. We are staying with my sister and brother-in-law until our house is finished. We are living on the other side of the lake,” said Kat sweetly.

The two women continued to talk as their children started to talk. Soon a challenge was made and the kids ran into Joey and Josh’s house to settle the bet.

Nick saw his mother chatting with a plump, little woman. He knew he’d be in trouble for being an hour late for the party but once Nick got out on the boat he just lost it. His mind kept wandering back to the girl in the convertible. After realizing he’d probably never see her again, he found his way home feeling extremely depressed. Nick watched as his mother walked toward him. ‘Uh-oh’ Nick thought ‘she’s plotted an intercept course.’

“Look, I’m not going to lecture you. You know that drill. I do want to say that you are being very rude. These people are our neighbors. What exactly is your problem?” she asked reaching him and putting her hands on her hips.

“Mom, I just lost track of time, I swear. I really didn’t mean to be rude,” Nick defended looking at the ground.

“Then why did Aaron tell me about you little conversation earlier? He told me that he thought you might pull something like this. Nick, sweetie, I didn’t raise you to be like this.” she stated softly.

“OK, so maybe I’m a little weary about this whole block party thing. It’s just these people haven’t been that friendly to us and besides Aaron said that you were going to set me up with someone tonight. I don’t exactly feel like dealing with that right now.”

“Oh Nickolas, I wouldn’t dare meddle in your personal life. I learned a long time ago not to go there. I’m just going to let you make your own mistakes. Now I could be mean and make you go around and apologize to everyone for being rude but all I ask is that you go and apologize to that nice woman there,” stated his mother as Nick went to protest.

“Mom, I’m really-”

“Don’t. I’m not the one who needs to hear the apology. Now go,” she said pointing.

Nick walked across the beautifully kept lawn of his neighbors to the spot where his dad and a woman were talking.

“Hi,” started Nick.

“Oh hello, you must be Nick. Your mom can’t stop bragging about what a great young man you are. I’m Katherine,” replied the woman shaking Nick’s hand.

“Um...well I just wanted to apologize for being late. My mom said that I’d be off the hook if I apologized to you,” said Nick sheepishly.

“Oh it’s no problem. I remember what it’s like to be young. I have a daughter about your age. They went into the house to play some video games,” replied Katherine.

“Yeah, Aaron challenged Joey to a Mortal Kombat 4 match. He made the huge mistake of saying girls can’t play,” stated Robert laughing.

“I better go bail him out. Which house is yours?” asked Nick.

“This one right here. They will probably be in Joe’s room. It’s up the stairs and the second door on the left,” she said sweetly as Nick ran off.

“Die Sub Zero!” Nick heard someone exclaim as he walked towards the room that Katherine had directed him to. The voice sounded slightly familiar. ‘Almost like...’ Nick thought ‘No, it can’t be.’

“Finish Him,” stated the voice of the game and once again the slightly familiar voice spoke

“I’ll be nice, I’ll do friendship.”

Nick stood outside the large cherry door frame and listened to the conversation.

“Joey, that’s three times you’ve beat Aaron. You are the queen of N64!” exclaimed Nick’s sister Angel sitting on the floor in front of Aaron and Joey.

“You’re good but not as good as my brother, Nick. He could wipe the floor with you,” explained Aaron as he sprawled out on the overstuffed couch where he and Joey sat.

“Whatever, AC. She’s way better than Nick,” stated BJ, one of Nick’s other sisters, standing behind the couch.

“No way, Nick is like the King of Mortal Kombat 4,” stated Leslie sitting on the arm of the couch next to Aaron.

“Well, I think Joey can take him,” countered Josh, Joey’s brother, sitting on the floor in front of his sister.

“I don’t. I’m with Leslie,” said Aaron.

“Well, why don’t you guys get this Mortal Kombat 4 legend in here and I can show him what a real fighter can do,” challenged Joey standing up and facing the kids as Nick walked into the room.

He stopped dead in his tracks as the angel before him turned around. Nick’s mouth dropped open when he saw it was the same beautiful girl that had pulled into his driveway days earlier. It surprised Nick that she looked to be about his height maybe a few inches shorter. He watched as her long wavy red hair whipped around her shoulders. On her right shoulder was a small tattoo of a dolphin jumping out of the water. She wore a light green spagetti strapped sundress that hung loosely around her small frame. There were small purple flowers printed on the cotton material. On her feet were white strappy sandals that accented her lightly tanned skin beautifully. Her face held a look of awe and her emerald green eyes sparkled with anticipation. Her lips had formed into a sweet smirk. She slowly made her way over to him. Nick watched her every move not wanting to miss a thing. She was the most exquisite looking creature he had ever seen and he had seen a good many people in his life.

“You’re the guy from the driveway. Told you we’d see each other soon. I’m Josephine also known as Joey. You must be Nick, the MK4 legend I keep hearing about. Care to prove yourself?” she asked shaking his hand.

“Me? A legend? Not exactly but what the heck-let’s play,” said Nick trying to hide his nervousness.

They sat down on opposite ends of the couch prepared to play. As the others sat on the couch, Nick and Joey scooted in and soon were sitting right next to each other. As the two played the game, Nick purposely laxed on his playing.

“Nick are you letting me win?” asked Joey slightly annoyed.

“What? No, of course not,” he replied getting a ‘yeah right’ look from Joey “OK yeah I was. I thought I’d be nice to the new kid.”

“Look here, Nicky boy. I don’t need any help. I can take you at full strength any day,” she stated fiercely.

Nick, not one to let a challenge slip by, countered, “You think you can take ME at full strength? Well hold on sweetheart, it’s going to be one heck of a butt kicking.” Nick put his magic to work and he watched as his fighter got manhandled by Joey. He found his thoughts wandering to her. Not only was she beautiful but she loved video games and got along with his brother and sisters. Nick wondered what else they had in common and knew the only way he would find out was to get Joey alone.

Joey, BJ, Josh and Angel finished their celebration and gloating after Joey beat Nick and sat down in a heap.

“Gosh celebrating sure takes a lot out of you,” commented Angel laying on the floor next to Joey.

“Don’t worry, kid. You’ll get used to it now that I’m around,” explained Joey.

“Hey guys,” started Nick “Can you do me a huge favor and leave Joey and I alone for a minute?”

Everyone looked at Nick as if he had sprouted horns and said he was a cross dressing stripper. Nick sighed heavily.

“It’s not that big of a deal. I would just like to talk to her privately.”

“OK, we get it,” stated Aaron winking as he walked out with his sisters and Josh. As soon as Nick shut the door the five kids looked at each other.

“He likes her,” stated Aaron matter-of-factly.

“Oh yeah-big time,” agreed BJ ushering everyone downstairs and out of the house.

Part 3