"Stella!"
Stella Malone cringed slightly at the high pitch call of her name. She braced herself against her locker, took a deep breath, exhaled and turned as a boy skidded to a stop behind her.
"What did you ruin now Joseph?" She asked in a calm voice behind clenched teeth.
Joe stopped panting and smiled. "Nothing my dear Stella…I just need a favor" he answered.
Stella raised a brow and folded her arms. "Like what Joe?" she asked and Joe explained in a rush.
"" he said in a breath.
"What?"
"We're really busy this weekend and no one can baby sit Frankie so can you help us out?" he repeated but slower.
Stella immediately shook her head. "No way…I don't do babies" she said.
"She's five and she has a little cold so mom doesn't want her with us on our concert" Joe said.
Stella only shook her head. "Why can't your mom…"
"Her sister Ellen fell and badly sprained her ankle so were taking her to the airport….Auntie Ellen lives in New York and is living all alone" Joe interrupted.
Stella shook her head and Joe dropped to his knees…resorting to begging.
"Please Stella…it's not forever"
Stella sighed and Joe smiled. "You rock…thanks Stells" he said thinking he won and ran off to find his brothers.
"Hey…I" Stella called out but stopped. "Who am I kidding? If it wasn't Joe…it'd be Nick or Kevin…I am such a sap" she said and groaned.
It wasn't as though she disliked the youngest Lucas. She thought Francesca was adorable and loved making her dresses.
Caring for her, alone, was another matter. The girl was sick too, Stella had a sinking feeling about this.
