Angel Neko-Jin grins gets more TJSpin later on but its not like I didn't make it oh-so-obvious TJ likes her

Suk-fong: Who knows? Heh. Keep reading and thanks for the review.

Lovelinelivelong639: Thanks for the review

Fauna Greywolf: I try not to be cruel, leaving you hanging keeps you coming back for more heh. Glad you like it, here's where my cruelty ends.

Cartoonatic: Author alert? Well I'm honored heh, here's one for you.

Another chapter, thank you so much for your reviews

Chapter 4 – Not like any other girl

"Pookie, wake up, school starts today," the raven-haired girl was shook from her sleep at the sound of her mother's voice.

"But mom," Spinelli begged

"No excuses, sweetie. You missed enough school, besides the school just happens to re-open from holidays today so you shouldn't be thrown in the middle of things," if that was supposed to be reassuring, it wasn't for Spinelli.

Her mother left her room and Spinelli sighed, sitting up a glancing around her new room. There were still a few boxes she needed to unpack and her computer wasn't hooked up yet but she didn't really want it to be.

Spinelli got up and threw her blankets to the side, taking her long raven-hair out of the messy pony tail. She was still a tom-boy, she never liked make-up, she felt hidden behind it and she wasn't a coward. She just got washed and slipped on a pair of jeans and a red shirt.

"Want some breakfast?" asked her father.

"I'm good," responded Spinelli, noticing the empty bowl on the table. "Is Vito or Joey already up?" her father chuckled.

"Yea, apparently Vito's out job hunting, Joey is still in bed though,"

Spinelli stood up and walked down the hall to the downstairs bedroom and pushed open the door. She was still quite slim and slipped through the door easily, since their was a box nearly closing it when it was open.

"Joey?"

"Morning," said the dark-haired boy with a grin, already pushed himself up to sitting position. "Don't give me that look, if I wanted to get up I would have," he responded, waving towards his wheelchair. Spinelli guess stubbornness and independences ran in the family.

"I have school today; guess I'm not exactly ready to run into any old friends,"

"Because they've changed?" Spinelli shrugged, that may have been part of the reason but she was dreading seeing her old friends incase they were mad at her for the way she left…

The small, raven-haired eleven year old girl walked to school with a stride of confidence as she always did but her blue eyes were sketched with worry.

Her parent's said it would be better if they moved. Better for what had happened to Joey, better for them all to start off somewhere new.

But Spinelli had five amazing friends here, how would she tell them she was leaving and probably never coming back?

She stopped in front of the entrance of Third Street Elementary School. She smiled and walked over to her group of friends.

"Hey guys," she said, but noticed the look on Mikey's face and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"Oh cruel, cruel world!" exclaimed Mikey and Spinelli glanced at TJ.

"Gus called Mikey last night," TJ told Spinelli. "He's not coming back; his dad got relocated and already got all his files and stuff." Suddenly Spinelli got a sinking feeling and glanced at her friends, noticing the short boy wasn't there.

"Cheer up, Mike," said Vince, reassuring hand on Mikey's shoulder. "Gus isn't gone; you can still talk to him and stuff. Plus, you still have the four of us, like always," They nodded in agreement and Spinelli quickly did to and Mikey seemed to cheer up.

The bell rang and her friends headed into school and Spinelli knew…she just couldn't tell them.

And she didn't.

"I should get going, I'll see you after school, Joey," said Spinelli, leaving his room and walking into the front hall, slipping on her book bag. "I'm ready, mom."

S

"Bye Pookie!" her mother called out as Spinelli as she got out of the car and Spinelli glanced around in embarrassment, she had the most embarrassing parents ever… still.

"Mom," she groaned, closing the door behind her with a sigh. She stood up straight with confidence, looking up at the large school.

Spinelli entered the school and knew she had to meet with the principal. She entered the office and glanced around, noticing a girl behind the desk on the computer.

"Gretchen it's almost time for homeroom," said a boy sticking his head out from the back room and the red-haired girl glanced at her watch.

"I just need to log off," she said and looked up at the Spinelli offering the new girl and smile and Spinelli knew who she was.

The door opened and Spinelli looked to see a tall, slightly chubby man with graying black hair

"Ashley Sp-"

"That's me," said Spinelli quickly, stepping forward and noticing the man's empty beady black eyes as he raised an eyebrow. "Sir," she added quickly.

"Come in," was all he said as he turned and entered the office and Spinelli entered, closing the door behind her. "Well," said the man taking a seat behind his desk. "I'm Principal Walters and I haven't got time to be showing new students around the school and helping them out. You're coming here is a crucial time Ms. Spinelli, I am counting of you not to fail. If you have any problems I have a top student you may see. Her name is Gretchen Grundler, she is usually here is free time, she was actually just on the computer and I will ask her to show you around," he stood up. "Any questions?"

"Crystal clear," responded Spinelli, forcing a smile and the man didn't move a muscle. She wondered if he had any facial expressions and she stood up.

Principal Walters opened the door and noticed and familiar boy leaving the office just as the bell rang. "Detweiler!" TJ chuckled slightly and turned to face their principal, ready to get in trouble once again… until he notice the girl sitting in his office. "Grundler's gone, and since you don't seem to want to go to class I have to ask you a favor for a new student of ours."

Spinelli gulped, TJ… Not TJ, she'd face anyone in their group first as long as it wasn't TJ.

"Sure Mr. Walters," said TJ with a grin that Spinelli noticed hadn't changed much. He wasn't really chubby anymore, taller, with the same smile, same freckles and same chocolate brown eyes.

"Here you are Ashley, this is TJ Detweiler, he'll show you around until you get used to things. But remember Grundler, she'll be happy to help with anything," he said with a proud smile after stalking off into his office.

"Nice man, huh?" grinned TJ and Spinelli smiled.

"Very," Spinelli said sarcastically, hoping TJ didn't recognize her. She wanted to tell him so bad yet… didn't?

"So, Ashley, is it?" Spinelli made a face at the name and TJ smiled. "Not fond of the name?" he wondered, tilting his head to the side.

"Long story, you can call me Lei," she responded, exiting the office and noticing the halls suddenly empty.

"Okay Lei," said TJ, walking beside the girl. "Now, a little information before we get to classes and junk. We've got cliques, jocks, preps, nerds, bullies, Ashley's," he glanced sideways and laughed at her expression.

"What's so funny?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips and stopping, facing TJ.

"It's just like you already know about them, that's all," TJ finished with a grin. He looked at Lei; there was something about this girl he liked. She had an air of confidence around her; she was quite pretty, with simple long raven-hair and deep blue eyes. She seemed to be herself, like you could figure her out, like she wasn't hiding herself. She didn't wear make-up or dress up like other girls but she didn't seem to care.

TJ official knew this wasn't like any other girl. He had the feeling she could stand up for herself and be herself, and he liked that in anyone… She reminded him of someone but he pushed her out of his mind.

Five years…

"Listen TJ I appreciate you trying to help me around and all, but I really don't need it. Its three straight floors, unless the doors don't have numbers or the little person on the bathroom doors doesn't have a skirt, I think I'll be okay," she finished with a smirk. "I should get to class, I'll see you around," she said and walked off leaving TJ there watching her leave.

TJ could only hope to talk to her again. For the girl in his mind she seemed to replace was irreplaceable TJ just wanted that kind of friendship again…

Or maybe more.

Quite and long chapter for you all thanks for the reviews.

Read & Review

Stephanie.