Chapter Two - Announcement

"Go on Woody! Please!" Jessie wheedled, clasping her hands together in mock prayer.

"I said no, Jess," Woody replied, rolling his eyes.

It was three months later, and Easter break had come and gone for the college students. Despite it being a seemingly good idea to have his sister under the same roof as him, so he could keep an eye on her 24/7, Woody was now starting to regret his decision. Although you couldn't ask for a better sister, she was incredibly loud in the house, to the point where even Buzz had started to complain. She was messy, too, usually leaving a trail of sweet wrappers like breadcrumbs wherever she walked, and usually if a piece of clothing could be randomly found – whether in the fridge, the sink, or just merely draped over the sofa – you could bet it would be hers.

And on today's menu, she was being needy into the bargain. She was begging Woody to drive her home, even though the local bus route was only just outside the college and took ten minutes to travel. Failing that, it was only twenty minutes walk, and for someone in Jessie's peak physical condition, that shouldn't have been a bother.

"Come on Woody, I don't ask you for much! I'm not even a bother!" Jessie continued to plead, as she walked along besides her brother on the way outside.

"No, Jess, I told you, I need to go pick up the groceries," Woody said firmly, ever the responsible older sibling.

"So I'll come too, and then you can give me a ride home as well," Jessie countered, by way of a compromise, as Woody's mobile phone shrilled in his pocket. He threw her an irritated glance as he fished the phone out, glancing at the caller display. His sister really did know how to drive a bargain, he frowned, seeing the familiar name flashing on his phone screen.

He held up a finger to silence Jessie, and pressed the answer call button on the phone, raising it to his ear. "Hi Buzz."

There was a pause while Buzz gabbled on about something, and Woody's eyes widened. "Seriously?"

The answer was obviously positive. "I don't believe it. Congratulations! How's Bo taking it?"

Another pause. "She's shocked too? I'm not surprised. It is a huge achievement." Woody went on, noticing Jessie's look of confusion. He went back to his conversation.

"What, now?" He glanced at Jessie. "I guess so. Where?"

There was yet another pause while Buzz gabbled on the other end of the phone, and Woody nodded, more to himself as he took in the details.

"Sure, we'll be there in ten minutes." He hung up, and turned to Jessie. "Well, little missie, looks like you get that lift after all. C'mon, Buzz is at the other side of campus." He started to walk off quickly, as Jessie followed him, a little curious as to what on earth was going on.


They arrived at the other side of campus ten minutes later, and Woody parked up outside a large red brick built block. Both Jessie and himself got out of the car, and Jessie glanced up at the building. Woody locked the car, and again, she trailed after him as he wandered inside.

"Woody," she asked, her voice echoing slightly as they walked down the empty, brightly lit corridors, "You haven't even told me what Buzz said."

"Oh, don't worry, Jessie. You'll find out soon enough, I'm sure it'll be just as much of a shock to you as it was to me." Woody said, but this only served to confuse Jessie further.

At the end of the corridor, Woody opened a door marked only with 'A113', and let Jessie in ahead of him, stepping in behind her.

They were in a small room, with a mirror along one wall, and the room was empty except for a couple of chairs and a small table on the far wall, and the couple sitting there staring at each other, talking animatedly. Jessie immediately saw it was Buzz, and the other must be Bo, who Woody had often mentioned in passing.

Buzz heard the door click shut and turned, rising as Woody started towards him.

"Buzz, my man, congratulations!" Woody exclaimed, shaking Buzz's hand fiercely as the young blonde woman also started to rise to her feet as well.

"Thanks," Buzz said, as Woody's handshake jostled him. Jessie stepped forward timidly, not wanting to intrude too much, but kept her eyes on Bo for a moment, trying to figure her out. Her expression revealed nothing, other than the fact she was watching Woody pointedly.

The two young men suddenly realised the girls were left out of the introductions and gladness, and Woody was the first to remedy the situation.

"Oh, Jessie," he turned to his sister, who took another tentative step forward, "This is Bo, Buzz's partner," he gestured to Bo, who also started forward.

"Hi," Bo said, in a quiet, but somewhat authoritative voice. "So you're Jessie. Woody's talked of you before." She flicked her eyes to Woody, and back to Jessie, and the redhead was aware that a bear hug would not be appropriate for this introduction. She hesitated, glancing at Woody, who for some reason had suddenly gone glassy eyed. Fortunately Buzz stepped in to remedy the awkward silence.

"So, what about our news, huh," he said in a jovial manner, wrapping a arm around Bo's waist, who glanced at him for a moment before returning her eyes back to Woody and Jessie.

"It's great!" Woody enthused, but Jessie sighed.

"Will someone PLEASE fill me in on what the heck is going on?"

"Woody? You didn't tell her?" Bo said incredulously, her gaze resting more firmly on the tall young man, who spluttered out a response.

"I didn't think it was appropriate for me to tell her."

Bo rolled her eyes and turned back to pat Buzz on the chest. "Maybe we better show her. I don't think she'd believe it if we just told her."

"Okay." Buzz smiled at the blonde, "I'll just go get the laptop. It's all on there." He left the room, and Bo gestured to the two seats that her and Buzz had previously been occupying. Jessie took a seat, gazing around the room, and a few minutes later, Buzz returned, setting the laptop down on the table. He pressed a few keys, fiddled with the mouse, and then stood back up.

"Ready to see?"