"Francesca! You got a package from Nick." her mother called up the stairs. Francesca’s bedroom door flew open, and she ran down the stairs. "Where is he?" she asked, looking all around. "No…I said a package from Nick was here…" Francesca’s mother said, handing the package to her. "Oh…" Francesca said, slowly going back upstairs. She sat on her bed and unwrapped the brown paper. Inside was a CD and a note.
Francesca,
Hi sweetie. This was supposed to be a surprise, but I’m sure Lysa and her big mouth told you about it already. I’m sorry for not calling, but this took a lot of our time…forgive me? Well enjoy it…
Love,
Nick
"I’d rather have had a phone call…" Francesca said, before ripping the note in half. "What is it?" her mother asked, peeking her head around the door. "A CD…" Francesca answered unenthusiastically. "That sounds nice…aren’t you going to listen to it?" she asked. "Maybe later…" Francesca replied. "Ok, well dinner is almost ready…so come on down…" her mother said, shutting the door as she left.
After dinner, Francesca got a phone call. "Hi Jen." She said. "Hi Fran. I was wondering when you want to get together to work on that science project…" Jen said. "Um…whenever…when’s it due again?" Francesca asked. "Next Tuesday." Jen answered. "So we have three days to work on it…um…do you want to come over now…" Francesca asked. "Sure…I’ll be over in ten minutes, if I can find your house…" Jen said laughing. Francesca gave her instructions and then went upstairs to straighten up her room. She tossed the CD Nick had sent in a basket near her stereo and went downstairs to wait for her lab partner to come.
"Have you ever heard this song? It’s so great!" Jen said, turning the radio up. "No…who’s it by?" Francesca asked, not really paying attention to the song. "The Backstreet Boys…it’s called Quit Playing Games…" Jen answered. "Oh…I have their CD…" Francesca responded. "What? It doesn’t go on sale til next week! How did you get a copy already??" Jen asked eagerly. "Um…" Francesca said, trying to ignore the question. "Well whatever. You have the CD and haven’t heard this song…I mean it’s the best!" Jen said. "I haven’t listened to it yet…" Francesca said. "Oh…well what are you waiting for?? I’d have mine worn out by now if I had a copy already…" Jen said laughing. "Um…well…" Francesca said. "Are you ok? You seem kinda weird…" Jen joked. "Yea…I’m just mad at my boyfriend…" Francesca said. "Oh…I thought you broke up with Luke…" Jen said, somewhat confused. "Um…Luke was never my boyfriend…can we stop talking about this? Please? We have to work on our project…" Francesca said, getting more upset as the conversation went on. "Yea…I’m sorry…" Jen said as they got started on their work.
"Mrs. Carter…I want to thank you for letting me stay with you guys…" Lysa said one night. "It’s no trouble…" Jane said with a smile. "Hi sweetie." AJ said, coming up from behind Lysa. "Hi…" she said, turning around to face him, "Well I’m gonna go to bed." Lysa said, giving AJ a kiss, then sneaking out of his arms. AJ stood in the middle of the kitchen with his arms out and his bottom lip curled. Lysa turned around before she left the room. "I’m sorry…" she said, going back over to him. She gave him a big hug, and when she tried to pull away, AJ wouldn’t let go. "AJ…" Lysa said, looking deep into his brown eyes, "Wanna come with me?" she asked, an eyebrow raised. "Kids…" Jane said. "Oh…sorry Mrs. Carter…" they said together. "Good night AJ." Lysa said, breaking free from his grasp. She walked out of the kitchen and upstairs to the guest room she was staying in. She changed into an old T-shirt and got into bed. She was staring at the ceiling in total darkness, when she heard a light knocking. She got up and opened her door, and found AJ standing outside, grinning. "And what are you doing here Mr. McLean? Your room is down the hall…" Lysa joked, as AJ came into her room.
