The Crush
Chapter 2

By Copagirl

Chet was ready to leave his sister behind. He had just recently gotten his learner's permit and his father had promised he could drive the car to school, although he and Iola would have to take the bus back home, since Mr. Morton would be working late at his real estate office. Chet looked imploringly at his father, silently begging him to tell him to leave Iola behind, but Mr. Morton ignored his son's silent pleas.

Beaming with excitement as she fixed her hair, the fifteen-year-old girl felt that this was going to be the best school year yet! Not only was she seeing the cutest boy at Bayport High, but they were now officially a couple! Today everyone would know that Iola Morton and Joe Hardy were boyfriend and girlfriend! Noticing the time, Iola hurried out of her room.

"Finally," Chet mumbled when Iola came flying down the stairs. Mr. Morton bit back a smile that threatened to escape. Instead he gave his daughter a stern glare as he turned to go out the door. Iola mumbled an apology as she walked past Chet.

"I swear Iola, you're turning more and more into a – a prissy girl every day!"

"If you haven't noticed – I am a girl!"

"Don't remind me!"

Iola stuck her tongue out at Chet as she got in the back seat of the car.

*thecrush*thecrush*

Joe Hardy waited impatiently on the school steps of Bayport High. An unruly blonde lock of hair fell into his eyes. He brushed it back and wondered for the hundredth time what was taking Iola so long.

"Hey Joe – catch!"

Joe turned to see Biff Hooper throw a Nerf football. Jumping off the steps Joe held out his hands to catch the ball. He felt someone grab him around the waist as he was pushed aside. The football bounced on the ground. Joe turned to see his brother; his brown eyes sparkling with laughter, Frank chuckled softly as Joe gave him a mock scowl.

A pretty blonde ran over to pick up the football; she ran a few steps and then spiked the ball. Her green eyes dancing with laughter, Callie Shaw did a little victory dance.

"Touchdown!"

Letting go of his brother, Frank jogged over to his favorite girl, Callie held up her hand as she gave her boyfriend a high-five. Frank smiled at Joe as the younger boy walked over to them.

"Good move – you should think about trying out for the football team this year, big brother!"

"Not me – I think Callie should!"

Taking Frank's hand, Callie shook her head in the negative. "I don't think so – I might make you guys look too bad!"

Biff let out a loud guffaw as he joined his friends. At that moment, Joe spied a familiar sedan pulling up to the curb.

"I think Chet's driving," he commented as the right front tire jumped the curb.

The foursome headed over to the car as the back passenger door opened and Iola tumbled out of the car. Landing on her knees, the young girl raised her arms up in thanksgiving. "I'M ALIVE – I'M ALIVE!"

Joe ran over to help his girlfriend up off the ground. Chet got out of the car and glared at his sister.

"I wasn't that bad!" he grumbled to his laughing friends.

"Iola, your brother did just fine," Mr. Morton commented as he walked over to the driver's side. "Well…he did fine until he locked the car with the keys in it."

While Joe, Iola, Biff and Callie whooped with laughter, Frank noticed that the back door was unlocked.

"Don't worry Mr. Morton," said Frank as he opened the back door, and then reached over to unlock the driver's side. "Good thing Iola forgot to lock her door."

*thecrush*thecrush*

Waving goodbye to Mr. Morton, the teens headed towards the high school. They saw two of their other friends, Tony Prito and Phil Cohen approaching. Noticing Chet's sour expression piqued the two boys' curiosity.

"Wow Joe – you grew!" Phil exclaimed in admiration.

"Yeah, and not just in height, either!" Tony playfully squeezed Joe's bicep. "You better watch out Hooper, looks like you're not going to be the only muscleman around here!"

"I don't know about that," said Joe with some embarrassment. "But Biff is going to help me pack on a little more!"

"My Dad said we could use his weights since he's not using them. He even made up an exercise program for us."

"Every weekend Biff and I will be working out."

"Every weekend?!" Iola looked imploringly at Joe.

His ears burning with embarrassment, the blonde teen smiled shyly. "Don't worry; I'll still make time for you."

Tony, Chet and Biff made gagging noises.

"There goes my breakfast!" lamented Chet as he held his stomach.

"Cut it out, guys!" Frank said in a quiet but stern voice.

The boys recognized Frank's protective tone and immediately settled down. As the group neared the school steps, the first bell for class to begin rang.

"Aww man – we never made it to the cafeteria! How am I supposed to survive until lunch without my snack?!" lamented Chet.

Iola rolled her eyes. "I think you'll survive, Chet!"

"Besides," said Tony as he patted Chet's stomach. "You've got enough food stored to last through the last class!"

Chet chuckled along with everyone else as they headed for their homerooms. As they walked down the school halls, Joe held Iola's hand.

*thecrush*thecrush*

The majority of the student body at Bayport High had gone to school together since elementary school. It was no surprise that the school was buzzing about the new couple and the new, improved Joe Hardy!

Mandy Crenshaw had been the most popular freshman, with her peaches-and-cream complexion, strawberry-colored hair that hung in curly ringlets down her shoulder, and vibrant green eyes. She would soon become a popular sophomore.

Surrounded by her 'friends' in the cafeteria, she flicked back an unruly curl when Missy Shalloe ran up to the table. Missy was a mousy-looking girl with stringy brown hair and light brown eyes. Mandy tolerated Missy because the young girl was quick to praise her and would do anything she told her to. Plus, Missy let Mandy cheat off her papers.

"Have you heard the latest?" Missy gushed. "Joe Hardy and Iola Morton are officially a couple!"

"Big deal," Mandy said as she painted her fingernails. "The only thing Joe Hardy has going for him are his blue eyes and that hot brother of his!"

Several of the girls began to speak. "Oh my Lord! I have Joe Hardy for English and he is gorgeous!" "No – scrumptious!" "He's to die for!"

It was at that moment that Joe and Frank walked into the cafeteria, Missy nudged Mandy who suddenly perked up when she saw the younger Hardy.

Joe had worn his favorite rock T-shirt, which seemed to hug his upper body. His hair, slightly longer than he normally wore it, went down to his shirt collar.

Mandy watched as the brothers stood in line to get lunch and then walked over to sit with their friends. She saw Joe sit next to Iola and greet her with a kiss on the cheek.

"What does he see in that girl?!" mumbled Mandy. As she sat watching the couple, the green-eyed girl knew that there was no way she could let Iola Morton have Joe.

*endofchapter*endofchapter*

Poster's Note: Please make sure to read the author's profile. Also, as a reminder, the author does not own the Hardy Boys, they are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Thanks for reading!