Chapter 2: The first day
The four of them all knew that the drive would be a long one. But the car was small and they soon became very sick of each others' company. So when they arrived at their hotel late that night they were all relieved. The porter was excellent and carried their bags to their rooms. Danny and Jesse, who had been doing the bulk of the driving went up to their rooms and fell asleep almost instantly.
DJ, to her surprise wasn't tired. Or if she was, she was just too excited to sleep. The hotel had a big TV and cable so she settled herself down in front of it and flipped it on to the discovery channel. While Steve Irwin was in the middle of chasing down one ferocious animal or another something whacked her on the back of her head. Terrified she turned around to see Joey holding a pillow.
"Joey! That was my hair you just messed up!"
"Well watcha going to do about it?"
DJ dived onto her bed and grabbed the big tri-pillow, she swung it round as hard as she could and she whacked Joey in the stomach.
"That is what I'm going to do"
"Oh, you're in for it now, Tanner!"
The pillow fight lasted for a good half an hour, the room was a tip, and DJ was pretty sure both her legs would be covered in bruises in the morning but it was worth it.
"So what did I interrupt you from?"
"Just the Discovery channel"
"Sounds good to me, let's order room service."
"You're on!"
After several bowls of ice cream each the pair looked at each other, and for once Joey was serious.
"Your Dad and Uncle Jesse will want to say goodbye to you in the morning so I thought I should get mine in now. You are an amazing young woman DJ. You helped us so much that first year after your Mum died, looking after your sisters and being so mature about everything. And your sisters and cousins look up to you. You have no idea how much. And to be honest who could blame them? I just want to say that it has been an honour living with you these past nine years."
DJ was touched
"Joey, you are the most selfless person I have ever met. You weren't related to us and you just gave up some of the best years of your life to look after three bratty girls. And I know you think that you could never be as important to us as Dad is or even Uncle Jesse but that's wrong. You have been like a father to me and I don't know how I could have survived high school without you there to support me." DJ saw that Joey's eyes were overbright. She was stunned at that but handed over some tissues and Joey pulled her into a hug.
The second half of the road trip had seemed to last forever, DJ was so excited to see her new home. But now she was finally here and unpacking her stuff into her dorm. The suite looked nice. She was there were two massive bedrooms that would hold two girls each, a living room with some basic furniture and a wee kitchenette in the corner. DJ was quite pleased with it; she had heard horror stories from Steve's friends about some rooms. And she didn't mind sharing a room again, she had done it with Steph and DJ got on with people fairly easily. It looked like the girl sharing her room had moved in but had gone out for a while.
While Danny and Joey went out to get the final load from the car Jesse went and sat down on DJ's newly made up bed. "Come sit with me Deej" said Jesse.
DJ did as he said and looked at her uncle, who was like a father to her. It was Jesse who often stood up for her when she and Danny fought for which she was grateful.
"I was trying to think of what to get you for a leaving present. And the only thing that I could think would be good enough are these."
Jesse pulled some old journals out of his satchel. They were tied together with a big ribbon. DJ's breath caught in her throat.
"These were your Mum's diaries from about the last couple of years of high school and she left them to me in her will, but I think you deserve them more. I had so long with Pam, and you didn't."
"But Uncle Jesse..."
Jesse put up his hand to quiet her, "I ask only two things, one that you pass them on to Steph when she moves out of home and two, please don't tell Becky about any of the uh slightly embarrassing things I did that are mentioned in here."
"Done, and done. Well maybe not for the second one, I'll have to see how embarrassing these alleged incidents are first"
Jesse Chuckled.
Danny and Joey came in, lifting a suitcase between them. "Jeez DJ what have you got in here, rocks?" Joey exclaimed. They put the suitcase down and Jesse winked at Joey and nodded his head towards the door. Joey looked supremely confused for a while but then he went "oh!" and nodded. "Jesse how about we go and buy some takeaways for everyone before we head off."
Jesse rolled his eyes, "why yes Joseph, what a great idea, see you guys later." Jesse and Joey basically ran out of the room.
"Wow, subtle" DJ deadpanned.
"You've got to love them" Danny commented. There was a bit of an awkward silence and they both looked around the room avoiding eye contact.
"My goodness, DJ look at the amount of dust on this windowsill, and this window has all these smudges all over it. I should have got you a duster and some window cleaner. Why didn't I get you some window cleaner? I'm a terrible father; I can't even provide my children with the most basic things.'
"Dad, Dad?" DJ was shocked to see her father like this, she went over to him. "You have given me everything I need. You have always been there for me, Steph and Michelle. How many girls can say that their Dad sang and dedicated a song to them in front of all their friends? Or tried to pay $200 for a roast turkey so that their daughter would have a happy thanksgiving?"
Danny looked at his eldest daughter. "DJ, I. Am. So. Proud. Of. You." He pulled DJ into one of his big hugs and DJ began to cry into his jersey. Danny kissed the top of her head. "You'll always be my girl, Donna Jo, don't you ever forget it."
"I love you Daddy."
In true Joey style, Joey and Jesse had brought back food from every possible ethnic group, and the coffee table in the living room was soon piled with takeaways. DJ and the three guys were laughing and stuffing their faces when the door swung open to reveal a short brunette girl. She bounced into the room with a big smile on her face.
"Hi I'm Adelaide, but please call me Addie. I'm in that room over there." She said, pointing to the room opposite DJ's. DJ liked Addie instantly
"Donna Jo, but I go by DJ and I'm in that room over there. And this is my dad, my uncle, and my um sort of Uncle Joey. Do you like Chinese? I can't stand it and Joey's gone and bought a tonne."
Danny, Jesse and Joey all chimed in their agreement.
"Oh well, thanks, I must admit I'm starving."
"Perfect!"
From that moment DJ and Addie were friends.
They finally managed to get through most of their food and the conversation turned to more serious matters, namely dessert. They were just discussing which flavour ice cream Joey should buy when the door opened again to reveal the second of DJ's new roommates. The first thing she noticed about the girl was her ice blue eyes, perfectly lined. Then she realised that this girl was 1. Loaded and 2. Gorgeous. She had thick blonde hair that was curled and she wore a cashmere cardigan over a deep blue pencil skirt. Addie suddenly jumped up and ran to the girl.
"Cass! You're finally here, I haven't seen you in so long! Addie went and kissed her on two cheeks. "And this is our new roommate DJ and her dad, uncle and uh, other uncle who drove her over and we've just been hanging before they have to go back."
Cass's eyes bore holes into DJ, DJ realised that somehow she had made Cass mad.
"Well, how sweet. Excuse me I have to finish unpacking."
DJ paled. What had she done wrong? Jesse was frowning and she thought for a moment that he might go in after Cass but he decided against it and instead broke the silence "well how about we go get some ice cream then we should probably head home and let you girls settle in."
When they came back from their ice cream run, DJ's newest roommate was watching TV. She greeted them with a big smile. "Hi, I'm Vivienne, nice to meet you both." She half-yawned, half spoke in a New Zealand accent, I'm knackered so I'll see you in the morning."
The girls said goodnight and Addie said "well she seems nice"
"Yeah, um Addie, what is up with Cass?"
An odd expression passed over Addie's face. "Cass, um she's just shy I guess. She'll warm up to you I'm sure." But Addie sounded anything but sure.
"Listen DJ, you say goodbye to your family and I'll see you in the morning."
"Ok, sleep well."
DJ said goodbye to Danny, Joey and Jesse. Danny was visibly upset but at least he wasn't crying. "Take care DJ, if you need anything at all I'm just a phone call away. And I'll make sure that I visit as much as I can."
DJ hugged them all, holding back tears. Then she apprehensively walked towards her room. Deciding she didn't want to face Cass just yet she picked up the phone and dialled Kimmie's number.
"Kimmie, just reminding you that Steph starts high school tomorrow, have you done what we planned?"
"Sure have, Tanner. She is in good hands."
"Haha why do I doubt that? Oh well I'll just have to trust my sister's wellbeing to you. I feel bad leaving her when she's got such an important transition."
"DJ, have you met your sister? She's the most outgoing person I know, apart from me of course, she will be fine."
"Ok, talk to you later."
Feeling better after talking to Kimmie, DJ went into her bedroom. To her surprise Cass was at her desk, head down crying.
DJ went over to her and put a comforting hand on her back.
"What's wrong?"
"Shove off princess."
DJ was incredibly hurt. She had always been in a loving environment and this had made her believe that if you were nice to people, they would be nice back to you. Holding back tears once again, she climbed into her bed, pulled out Pam's diaries and began to read.
Steph woke to someone woke to someone shaking her. "What? Oh jeez Michelle you don't even share a room with me anymore and you still have to come in and bug me."
"Dad told me to wake you up, duuh."
"Oh, crud I start high school today! What do I wear? Oh no I'm running late, Michelle, could you go downstairs and ask Dad to make me some breakfast?"
"You got it, dude."
Once she left, the realisation that she would be starting a new school, finally sunk in. And she would be doing it without DJ and without Gia, who was still on holiday and was missing the first week of school. Steph eventually decided that it would be better to fit in than to make a statement, at least on the first day, so she pulled on her favourite t-shirt and some jeans and went downstairs.
What awaited her was a sight for sore eyes. Danny, Joey and Jesse who had all got back very late the night before had decorated the kitchen with a big banner that read "good luck Stephanie!" Alex and Nicky had put their hand prints on it and someone; she presumed Michelle had drawn a pony. But what was on the table was far more impressive. Jesse and Danny had cooked up a storm; there were waffles, pancakes, bacon, eggs, orange juice and cereal.
"Some breakfast don't you think?" Michelle said as she joined Steph in the kitchen. Then in her loudest possible voice she screeched "Everybody, Steph's here! Come and get your food!" Then Becky, Jesse and their boys, Joey and Danny all emerged from Joey's room. Steph was so moved by this display, especially since everyone had been so busy getting DJ ready for uni that she had assumed everyone would forget about her starting high school. She should have known better, her family had always been there for her. Jesse spoke first: "come on Steph, tuck in before we all die of old age."
The breakfast was delicious, and Steph was enjoying herself so much that she almost forgot to be nervous. Then Danny looked at his watch, "well girls go up and brush your teeth then we should probably get moving." Just as Michelle and Steph went up the stairs, the back door burst open to reveal none other than Kimmie Gibbler, accompanied by her 16 year old brother, Mark. Danny, Joey and Jesse all paled. "Um Kimmie, I don't know if you remember but you somehow managed to graduate high school last year, and DJ has moved out so could you please explain why we have the uh pleasure of having you here?" Jesse asked in his most sarcastic voice.
"Calm down, big boy DJ told me to come; I'm here for Stephanie, STEPH!" Kimmie screeched, while everyone else in the room winced.
Steph ran down the stairs, very confused. "Kimmie, what are you doing here?"
"Well DJ thought you might be feeling a bit lost without Gia and starting a new school so I brought Mark here to show you around."
"Oh hi Mark." Steph said shyly, the Tanners didn't see much of Mark. He was much shyer than Kimmie and since he was three years younger than DJ and two years older than Stephanie he didn't really have anyone he could readily relate to.
"Hi Steph, it's good to see you again."
During this exchange Danny had been trying to not say anything. After all he didn't want to seem over protective but he was hurt that his daughter was going to start high school and he wouldn't be driving her. On the other hand he wanted Steph to adjust well to school and from experience with DJ he knew interfering didn't help. Steph looked at Danny pleadingly. "Dad, can I go with Mark this morning?"
With great effort Danny managed to reply "Of course sweetheart, as long as he drives very carefully" Danny gave mark his best protective father stare.
"Thanks Dad" Steph kissed her father on the cheek and did the same to the others.
Danny looked at Michelle, "well honey it looks like it's just you and me now." Michelle nodded silently, took Danny's hand and they walked out the door. Jesse watched this all warily. Something was up with Michelle, he wasn't sure what but he knew that girl probably better than anyone else and seeing her down bugged him. To keep his mind off whatever it was he started to clear up.
Steph knew that high school was a step up from where she was, but this was something else entirely. There were so many more kids here and they all seemed so smart and sophisticated. The classes had more kids in them, they were harder and it seemed like everyone expected more of you. By lunchtime she was feeling quite overwhelmed. She lugged her bags to her locker. Then she realised that she had no one to sit with. She hung out with Gia through most of her time at school and she hadn't seen any of the other girls from her old class. The school was so huge it was impossible to keep track of anyone. She didn't really want to go into the dining hall alone; maybe she should just skip lunch.
"Hey there stranger" Mark came over to Steph, and helped her to put her books into her locker. "It looks like we've got lunch in the same spell, want to sit with me?" Steph had never been so grateful or relieved in her life.
"I would love to" Steph managed to stammer.
The food at the cafeteria was not exactly appetising but the company was excellent. Mark was down to earth and a good listener. His friends Anneke and Jimmy came and sat with them too. They were nice to her and treated her like an equal. Steph couldn't help notice that a few of the popular girls from her old school walked by their table and looked jealous that she was sitting with upperclassmen. This made her feel much better; while DJ had been effortlessly popular, Steph had always just had one or two close friends, even though she was the loudest of her siblings and it had always been a slight point of insecurity for her. Maybe this year would be different.
DJ's first day was much more eventful than Stephanie's. Cass was up before DJ. She had gone for a run and was spending an eternity in the shower. Addie assured Viv and DJ that this was completely normal and so they decided to go to breakfast without her. DJ loved atmosphere in the dining hall. It was so much more sophisticated than the high school cafeteria. The oak panelling was accompanied by red velvet curtains and there were portraits of notable alumni on the walls. The tables were long and wooden and had matching chairs. The food wasn't half bad either, but it had nothing on Jesse's cooking. Addie was not a morning person at all, so Viv and DJ did most of the talking. DJ discovered that Viv was born in and raised in Wellington but her parents moved to the states when she was 15 so that was how she ended up at NYU.
After a while Cass came into the dining hall and sat by them. "Morning Addie!" She perked. Addie mumbled something incoherent in reply.
"Hi Cass, did you sleep well?" Cass looked straight past DJ, as though she hadn't heard her. "I'm going to get a coffee, I'll be right back." DJ was about to say something, but she didn't want to make a scene in the middle of the hall so she just looked at Viv who shrugged her shoulders and said, "come on, we've got chem over the other side of campus and we don't want to be late."
They said goodbye to Addie and began to trek through uni, trying to find their lecture theatre. There were quite a few distractions but they eventually found the building they were meant to be in. They took their seats and Viv asked DJ "so what are you planning to do once you graduate?"
"I'm not too sure at the moment, I quite like the idea of just doing papers that I like in first year and then choosing after that. What about you?"
"Wow, good on you. I don't think I could find the motivation to do uni without a specific career in mind. I really want to be a teacher, especially in the sciences."
"Oh, hence the chemistry."
"Yep, I think this course will be really useful."
This worried DJ a bit, she had always thought she was quite focused but now she realised that there were people around who actually had detailed plans for their lives. And DJ didn't really have the slightest idea of what she wanted to do. She just liked to learn. Before she could worry herself any further, the lecturer walked in and DJ's first class had begun.
DJ really enjoyed her lectures that day. She found that they were challenging, but she kept up fine. And she met up with Addie and Viv for lunch, and other people from other rooms joined them. DJ noticed that (apart from Cass) everyone else was less catty and friendlier than at high school. In fact her biggest worry was that she wouldn't be able to remember everyone's names. After her last class of the day (modern literature) DJ and Addie walked back to their room. "I am so tired!" Addie exclaimed and she threw herself down on the couch. "Ouch, man this thing is uncomfortable."
"Well it is a college dorm, what did you expect, plush leather?" Viv called out from her room. "Oh and DJ you have 2 parcels you lucky thing!"
"Really, that's awesome. Excuse me I'm just going to open them in my room." DJ picked up the two big parcels, luckily Cass wasn't home yet. She seemed to be out a lot, which didn't bother DJ in the slightest. Carefully, she pulled the tape of the first parcel. She smiled, it was from Steve, he had copies of all their favourite movies, photos of some of the best times they had had together, some baking, and finally the big red Santa suit he had worn one Christmas so that he could get into the house and make up with DJ. Steve had taped a note to it that read 'something to remember me by, love S.' DJ didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The second parcel was from her family, DJ was touched because Danny must have sent it before they had even left for it to arrive this soon. In it was mounds of home baking from Jesse, drawings from Nicky and Alex, some jewellery from Becky, more videos from Joey and letters from Danny, Steph and Michelle. She opened Danny's letter and just as she was beginning to read it Cass came in.
"What's all this?" she demanded, glancing around at the contents of the care packages.
"Uh that stuff over there is from my boyfriend and the rest is from my family."
"And the letter? Who is that from?" Cass sounded oddly desperate.
"My Dad" DJ said with a smile. "He's always been talkative and I guess that passes on in his letter writing. This one's seven pages long and I only said goodbye to him two days ago"
"Well isn't that nice, Daddy's little angel got a little care package." Cass sneered before turning on her heel and walking straight back out again.
Later that evening DJ called home, Steph answered. "Hey, how was your first day at high school?"
"Amazing" Steph told her how she felt popular for the first time ever because the popular girls had instantly adopted her into their group after they saw her sitting with Mark and his friends. DJ was pleased for her, but worried that Steph might give into peer pressure as she had sometimes done in the past. But she held her tongue, at least Steph hadn't been completely alone on her first day. DJ talked to the guys and then asked if she could talk to Michelle.
"Sure thing" Joey said to DJ. But when he looked around he realised that the youngest Tanner had not been eagerly waiting in the kitchen with the rest of them. Jesse realised she was missing.
"I'll go find her"
Jesse found Michelle playing with her dolls house, she looked up when she saw him but she didn't great him. She didn't even smile. "Hey munchkin, DJ's on the phone. She wants to talk to you." Michelle looked up at Jesse and his heart broke, the little girl looked so sad. "No she doesn't, DJ hates me."
So that's what it was, Jesse thought. "Michelle, why do you think DJ hates you?"
"Because she snapped at me the day before she left and then she planned a surprise for Steph today but didn't get me anything. And she and Steph always have fun without me." Michelle was crying now. Jesse walked over to her and kneeled so that they were eye to eye.
"Michelle, DJ is your big sister. She would do anything for you; when you were just a baby she organised a big thanksgiving dinner just so you and Stephanie would have a good time. I think you need to talk to her and tell you how you feel, because she probably doesn't know, ok?"
DJ and Joey were still talking on the phone when Jesse came down the stairs holding Michelle's hand. When Joey saw them he handed the phone over to Michelle.
"Hey, DJ"
"Hey Michelle, I'm really sorry about what I said before I left. It was immature of me and I was stressed. I'll always have time for you ok? Don't forget that. And you can always ask me for anything if you need it." Michelle smiled for the first time in days.
"Ok DJ can I ask you something?"
"Fire away"
"Can I come stay with you sometime?"
"You bet, well as long as Dad says it's ok."
"Love you DJ."
"Love you too, now could you please put Aunt Becky on the phone?"
Once DJ had caught up with Becky's news she asked her if she could take the phone up to her apartment because she wanted to talk in private. Then DJ told her about how Cass was treating her horribly and what she could do. Becky was a bit shocked because DJ always managed to get on well with people. It was probably her greatest strength. "Honestly DJ, you may just have to keep being nice to her until eventually she cracks."
"Ok, it's just that uni has been so great so far but Cass treating me like that just makes it so difficult to relax and enjoy myself."
"I know, hang in there Deej, talk to you soon."
DJ hung up and realised that Addie was standing behind her.
"How much did you hear?" DJ was worried Addie would be angry at her for bad mouthing her best friend.
"I heard enough." Addie's voice was unusually quiet. And the two were silent for a few seconds. Finally Addie spoke. "Cassandra Marsden, get in here." Cass reluctantly got up off the couch and joined DJ in their room. "I want each of you to give me the key to your room"
"Addie, don't be lame-" Cass began but Adelaide put up her hand to silence her and held out her hand. Reluctantly each girl gave her their key.
"The two of you are sharing a room and I'm not going to put up with two of my friends fighting." Cass visibly paled when Addie described DJ as her friend. DJ could tell Addie's words had made her angry.
"And what are you going to do about it Adelaide?"
Addie smiled.
"I'm going to lock you two in until you sort your issues out." She smiled evilly, turned her back on them and locked the door behind her.
A/N wow sorry that was a long chapter! Thanks for sticking it out till the end. I know this was mainly focused on the kids but hopefully in the next chapter I'll put some more of the adults in. Jess, Becky and Joey all have some life changing stuff coming up. And I can't really think of any interesting storylines for Danny, so if anyone has a suggestion I would love to hear it. =)