band-aids on and her black eyes were pretty white—you could tell that the medicine had been applied on a lot—.

            “Justin, I’m going to go home. Think you could catch a ride?” She asked feebly.

            “No, I can just drive you...we’re almost done, right guys?” He asked.

            “Yeah...” JC said distracted.

            “No. You stay. Lance, could you give Justin a ride?” She asked. “Please?” She half whispered.

            “Um, sure, whatever you want Princess,” he said. Sophie smiled gently.

            “Thanks. Bye guys. I’ll see you in about two months or so,” she said. She came over to each of the guys and kissed them on the cheek. When she got to me, she just whispered, “bye” into my ear and was gone.

            That could only mean one thing...trouble.

Please, please, please, don’t be mad at me, I thought as Lance stopped in front of Sophie’s huge house.  I turned and shut the door to his Black 4x4 Wheeler, and through the window, I said, “Thanks Scoop! Wish me...luck,” I gulped.

“Good luck, J, she wouldn’t be that mad..” he tried.

“Uh-huh. ‘Lance, could you please give Justin a ride? Thank you!’” I mimicked Sophie. Lance winced and half-smiled.

“Yeah. I guess she was kind of desperate...” he thought for a second. “Maybe you should give her a little space...to think, and gather her thoughts.” He suggested.

“Yeah, I know I should,” I said sheepishly, “but we leave New York in 4 days!”

“So give her a few! Justin, just go inside. Who knows? She might not even be mad!” He said, trying to convince me to believe him. I wouldn’t believe that in a million years! Okay, maybe a million and one, but that was besides the point.

“Yeah. Right.” I muttered, and turned, stuck my hands into my pockets, took a deep breath, and entered the lavish house.

            “Hello?” I asked. I walked through the living room, my Nike basketball shoes squeaking on the tiles. I spotted a note gleaming on the coffee “common” table. I walked over and bent over to pick it up.

Dear Kids:

I am off with errands and stuff. I’ll be back late, so feel free to eat whatever you guys want. Justin, your mother called today, she says to call her back. I think it was urgent—not sure.

Sophie—make sure you take your slim milk! I know I sound like a Mom, but didn’t you want me to help you keep this diet? The milk is in the fridge. :)

Kathy is out at Tiffany’s house on a play-date, and Mrs. Smith will be feeding her, so no need to worry about her. Relief *laugh*

I think Em is out with Adam. Make sure they’re back in by 8:30. If they’re not, give me a call on my cell, and I’ll whip them!

Okay, that’s all. And Justin, remember, call your mother!

Love,

Mom [Anna]

[Duh][You’re getting annoyed right?]

[I am too] [Bye-Bye]

I chuckled a bit at the note. Anna could always make anyone laugh—that’s where Sophie got her sense of humor. Both of her parents had a sense of humor. I had known Sophie through childhood as well, and I knew that Mrs. And Mr. Jones rarely got mad at their kids and that they were one of the most active, participating families in the community. Of course, mine was too, but my mom was never reluctant to ground to to teach me a lesson, and if she heard about me getting into trouble with the tabliods on the road she would ground me—she was my mom and wherever I went, she had that authority. Still, I loved her to pieces.

            I knew I had to phone my mother no matter what, whether it was emergency. So, I walked over the the phone, my hands poised to punch in the numbers, I heard someone talk. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop. So I gently put the phone to my ear, being tender about my breathing knowing that Sophie could sense someone was listening.

            “Omigod, I got so pissed at her! I mean, sure, when we started going out, I knew I would have some trouble, but this bitch is making my life more miserable than hell! I don’t want to tell Justin because you know, he’ll think I don’t love him; but I do. But today...I just...ugh!” I heard her moan into the reciever

            “At least Britney’s better than Kandi...well, not really actually.” I heard Vanessa chuckle at the other line.

            “I mean, why can’t they pick on Melissa? She deserves it! And isn’ t Nick Carter liked just as much as my Justin? Why can’t they pick on her???? Oh, you know what? Forget it. I need to go. Justin’ll be home any minute. Wonder what I’ll say...nothing? Yeah,” She decided. I puckered my lips.

“Okay, bye-bye-bye!” Vanessa joked.

“Your the best Vee,” She said.

“Of course!” She said, and hung up. I heard Sophie sigh and hang up.

What could’ve troubled her so much? I figured that the best thing was to do was to talk to her—after all, her siblings were out, so we wouldn’t be disturbed.