The school bell rang and kids flew out the doors. One group of six lagged behind. T.J Detwieler and his friends sat on the stairs, talking about summer plans.
Vince and Gretchen were in deep talk about going to the lake the first weekend. Mikey and Gus were discussing the new ice cream flavors Kelso was making for the vacation. T.J was creating plans - tee-peeing the west side golf course, Randall - and Spinelli was strangely quiet for being Spinelli.
T.J felt worry creep up on him. She had never stayed so quiet so long. So, he decided to ask, "Spin..." Everyone perked up at his voice. "something wrong? You're really quiet today."
"Sorry guys. I'm just thinking."
"About what?" All the guys were worried now. Spinelli never thought this much.
"Oh poor Spinelli what thoughts drive you to silence?" Mikey asked, as poetic as ever.
"Family things." Spinelli sighed, "My parents think the reason the reason I'm so unlady like is 'cause we're not close enough to our 'European roots.'" Quoting her mom's sentence Spinelli frowned. "they decided to take me and my brothers on a three month vacation in Venezuela."
Gretchen's eyes took the shape of hockey pucks. "Venezuela, Italy!?"
"That's the one. Mom hopes it'll also 'bring us closer together.'" Using her mom's words once again.
"So you're leaving?" Gus's smile had vanished and replaced by a thin line.
"Yep." The gang's faces fell. "We leave first thing Saturday morning."
"But that's the first day of summer! It's so unfair!" Gus had gotten used to the whole gang around during summer.
"Yea, but I hear they have REALLY cool boats.
That ended the conversation. But T.J couldn't help feeling hollow deep inside.