Chapter 10

Sandy waved goodbye to her father before sprinting out the door and jogging to her destination. Bijou and Pashmina had just asked Sandy to get the entire Twilight series for the both of them, which meant that Sandy would have to get two sets. Stan was at the clubhouse, so he wouldn't come with her. Sandy half smiled to herself. She was happy that Stan wouldn't be coming. He would just have slowed her down with his constant flirting. Of course, Sandy had a certain bookstore in mind…

Finally, Sandy lifted her head up to see the sign of the store. "Best of Books" was placed above her head. It was actually a half bookstore and a half library. Sandy put on one of those hopeful grins, hoping to see a special someone inside behind the counter. She bit her lip as she walked in and looked over the counter causing her to squeal silently in excitement.

Behind the counter was a familiar human ham whose brown eyes were fixed upon the computer screen in the bookstore half of the store. His arm was in a blue cast and Sandy held her breath, hoping that he didn't see her heart that she drew just for him yesterday by her name when she was signing. She took a deep breath that seared her lungs and throat and walked over to him.

"Hey, Maxwell!" Sandy greeted, trying to remain the Sandy that Maxwell always knew. Maxwell looked away from the screen and gave a horrified look at Sandy. Sandy turned her head to the side as Maxwell quickly dragged her behind the counter with him and sat her down on the floor. He crouched down so he could see her eye to eye and with his voice hoarse, he whispered, "What are you doing here?"

Sandy gulped, hoping that Maxwell wasn't mad at her in any way. "I came here to get some books for Bijou and Pashmina and I thought-"

Maxwell covered her mouth and popped over the counter as his mother approached. He put his index finger to his lips for Sandy to remain quiet and she nodded her head, stilling oblivious to the fact that she would be beaten up if she was found here.

"Hey, Mom," Maxwell lamely greeted. He looked up to see that his mother wasn't mad or happy like she was usually.

"Maxwell. I'm really sorry," she began. She stared at Maxwell for a moment and Maxwell looked at her straight in the eye. She sighed as she looked up to her son who was almost a foot taller than her.

"I'm saying that you can most of your friends," she said. Maxwell raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Most?"

His mother nodded her head, making her black hair bounce and said, "All of those ham-hams or whatever you call them except that Torahamu twin girl. The others didn't do anything to you and I know that."

The shock hit Maxwell and Sandy who was crouching down and stung their hearts. Maxwell sneaked a glance at Sandy to see that she was as pale as he was.

It isn't fair.

Life isn't fair.

Well, life should have some mercy at one point.

Why would it? What's the point of living then?

Point of living? Your mom.

You mean YOUR mom. She's both our moms.

Don't talk about her.

You need to talk about it.

I already talked about it at the funeral and I really don't need a second speech.

That's the problem! You don't see what you really should be doing. You are so dang lazy all the fu-

Shut up.

Just saying.

Shut up.

You really need to take a chill pill.

"Shut up," Sandy whispered quietly. This was one of the typical battles in her mind that tugged on Sandy's brain with two different debating sides. Usually, she would have it everyday about something stupid like what to get for lunch, but for Sandy, she was about to break down into tears just thinking about her mother. Everyday at school, she would ask to go to the bathroom and, secretly, cry her heart out in one of the stalls just thinking about her mother's name. No one knew of course, even Stan, because Sandy didn't want to the school's pupils to think she was soft instead of the tough tomboy she was.

"W-Why?" Maxwell choked.

His mother said without symphony, "She's trouble, Maxwell. That other one is okay, but that girl is the reason why you broke your arm. I'm just looking out for you, sweetie. You need to be the good boy you are and keep up with your grades. Obviously, you did much better last year than this year, one of the main reasons was from hanging out the twin girl this year instead of the twin boy. I can't understand why, but I think the boy is better than the girl."

With that, she turned her heel and headed for the other half of the building, leaving Maxwell choking on his own spit. He stayed there for a long time and finally realized that Sandy was squished as her knees curled against her body the entire time. He beckoned for Sandy to get up, seeing that the coast was clear.

"W-What was that about, Max?" Sandy timidly asked. Maxwell looked away, blushing that he was called by his nickname, but now wasn't the time. He looked down and replied quietly, "I'm so sorry, Sandy. My mother doesn't really see the light in you."

This wasn't a surprise to Sandy. She had seen it coming and it was definitely true. She smiled as Maxwell wearily sighed. "Its totally okay! At least you can see the others, right? Even my bro, huh? Max?"

Maxwell couldn't help but smile, but it wasn't meant to last. Maxwell's mother came back, rushing over to the counter. Sandy gasped and tried to get back down, but Maxwell stopped her. The brunette quickly jammed a baseball cap on her head and pretended like nothing happened. Once his mother came over, she frowned in disapproval.

"Who is this?" she snarled. Maxwell replied without looking at her, "Stan. He just wanted to help me out. I believe he arrived just as you left, correct?"

Sandy sheepishly smiled and went red at being called her brother. Maxwell's mother let her guard down and picked up a book by Sandy's elbow.

"Oh, I thought you were the other one. Sorry, Stan," she quickly apologized. She held the book in her hands and rushed over to her half. Maxwell finally turned around and Sandy was tugging on the hat.

"What was that for? Are you trying to kill me?" she hissed. She couldn't help it. This hat was cutting off her circulation in her skull.

"Sorry, Sandy. I had to hide you in some way and I knew that you were be uncomfortable in an environment such as this corner," Maxwell explained.

"And this is better? Gee, you're a real scientist, Professor," Sandy ridiculed, trying to pry off the hat. Her ponytail was probably messed up by now and Sandy wanted to fix it, but Maxwell tried to make sure that the hat wouldn't come loose. "Please, Sandy. Just do it until you tell me why you came over here."

"Just watch your back and maybe I won't hit you as hard," Sandy said as she let her hands fall to her sides. Maxwell cocked a grin that Sandy thought was mocking her. Sandy stared at him in anger, but let her guard down as her eyes darted to Maxwell's cast.

She sighed and stated, "I'm here to pick up two sets of the Twilight series."

Maxwell's eyes bulged and said in awe, "Two?!"

Sandy shrugged and said, "I guess."

Maxwell laughed and joked, "Really? I didn't know that you liked reading that much."

He held up a copy of Julius Caesar and it looked as if he was about to give it to her. Sandy violently shook her head saying, "Oh, no. I'm not going to read any of that Shakespeare stuff. The way they say 'Tis art thou okay' or something is, like, way too confusing."

Maxwell once again laughed as he flipped to a random page and started to read the lines. He said them perfectly and Sandy could only gawk at that. Every word elegantly touched his tongue with every phrase. He finished the entire page quickly and he closed the book and set it down. Sandy was still staring and asked, "How the heke did you do that?"

Maxwell put his index finger to his lips and said simply, "Secret."

Sandy pretended to be angry and Maxwell just smiled. "Is there anything else you came here for?"

"Just the Twilight books." Sandy was about to say something else, but she couldn't say it now. She'd have her chance sometime else that was so much more romantic then the bookstore. Maybe a lakeside picnic that Sandy could invite Maxwell to. Or even a trip to a zoo that could have the two in front of two tigers… No, how about doves… But when would a zoo have doves? Anyway, the two doves would be passionately cheek rubbing each other and Sandy would finally tell Maxwell her feelings. But, Sandy had always loved the thought of going into a hot air balloon and-

"Just the Twilight series?" Maxwell chuckled.

Sandy glared and said, "What were you expecting?"

Maxwell grinned and looked away, trying not to laugh and Sandy elbowed him in the ribs and said sarcastically, "Like, you're starting to sound like Stan."

Maxwell turned back to Sandy and pleaded, "I beg of you. Help me lift this curse of Stan's intelligence."

Sandy giggled to see Maxwell's kidding expression as he never did this around anyone and stuck her tongue out.

"Where are the books?" Sandy asked again. Instead of answering, Maxwell got two of each book from the shelf under the counter and handed each one to Sandy. They started to pile on Sandy's hands and soon enough, she couldn't see anything but the black on the books.

"Those are paperbacks. Would you like hardcover instead?" Maxwell asked from behind the books. Sandy squeaked, "No, I'll take the paperback." She knew that the hardcover would be a lot heavier and Maxwell couldn't help but laugh as he helped Sandy put the counter.

"I think I just cracked my neck," Sandy complained as she rubbed her neck. Maxwell shot a worried look and Sandy laughed. "Kidding, Maxwell. I'm totally kidding."

Maxwell shook his head lightly and started to scan the barcode of each book. Once he had done so, he stored them neatly in plastic bags that said "Best of Books thanks you!" and handed them to Sandy. It looked like it was very difficult for the fact that Maxwell could only use one arm because of his broken one. Then, Sandy hatched an idea.

"Like, how about I stay here the rest of the day? That cast looks like its totally bothering you," Sandy suggested. Maxwell smiled and replied, "I would love that. Can you stock these books? Just make sure that you-know-who doesn't show up in the aisle."

He pointed to a dozen or so books and Sandy playfully saluted. She took each book one by one and balanced them on her shoulder.

"Could you please stock them in the kids section? A and B, ok?" Maxwell asked as he went back to his computer.

"Who know that you such a computer geek. Are you sure that you're not playing Pac Man on that all day?" Sandy snorted. Maxwell covered the screen and quickly said, "No."

Sandy smirked as she walked over to the children's section with the pile of books weighing onto her shoulders. She blushed for no reason and, at the same time, couldn't help but giggle at the humorous side of Maxwell. Usually, he would never act that way, especially at school. Maybe he's just trying to be professional, Sandy thought as she forced the books into the shelves. She grinned at the alternate for her little "conclusion". Then, once she was done, she started to turn back around, but stopped dead. In front of her was Hamtaro, Bijou, Boss, and… Stan.

"Oh, no," Sandy mouthed as she ran over to her twin and the others.

"Like, what are you guys doing here?" Sandy whispered. Hamtaro waved, trying to be friendly as he replied, "We came here to pick up a book for me to read! I was thinking of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. What do you think, hams?"

Stan and Boss just stared blankly at Hamtaro and they both muttered, "Oh, please."

Bijou giggled at the silliness and turned to Sandy. "Aren't you going to say 'i (Hi)? And vy do you 'ave a hat on your 'ead?" she questioned in her usual, delicate French accent.

"I'm trying to be like Stan," Sandy mumbled. Stan immediately laughed and Boss asked, "Why? Out of all people?"

Stan punched in the shoulder and couldn't help but break down into hoots of hilarity Sandy sighed as Stan held onto Hamtaro for support as tears gushed from his eyes and the sound of him laughing. "Like, Maxwell's mother totally doesn't like me so I have to be like Stan. That's why I'm telling you to go!"

"C'mon, sis. I was just here for a while. Maxwell's mom won't even find the two of us," Stan insisted. Sandy shook her head and protested, "No! You, like, don't understand! I swear, she comes by like, every minute. Its so freaky and she'll know the difference between us!"

Stan eye's darted to Sandy's upper part of her t-shirt and said, "I think I can name a few big ones."

SLAP.

Sandy's face was a beet red as Stan rubbed his now pink cheek. His twin must have hit him hard enough for Hamtaro, Bijou, and Boss to see finger shapes imprinted in Stan's face. "Geez, who knew that you could hit so hard."

"Shut up! Just please, Stan! I'm begging you as a sister to just find the book and leave!" Sandy pleaded. Stan was still trying to nurture his sore cheek, but he smiled and bargained, "You cook dinner tonight."

Sandy scowled and replied, "Fine! Now, Hamtaro, just please pick your book!"

All eyes turned to the multi-colored haired friend and he whimpered, "I still don't know what to pick out!"

"Well, you better hurry. Maxwell's mom is coming this way," Boss pointed out. Sure enough, there was Maxwell's mother striding straight towards the five hams. Sandy's eyes widened and she ran to the counter over by Maxwell. Stan had to mutter under his breath, "Coward."

As Maxwell's mother approached, her eyes narrowed at Stan. The hams could feel a sense of danger and trouble lurking around at that second.

"Whoa, she is scary, hams," Hamtaro whispered to the others.

Boss nodded and replied, "I can believe that she's Maxwell's mom, but she looks way more stuck up than Maxwell. And that's saying something."

"Dat is so mean! I am sure dat she is great!" Bijou promised. The three hams didn't agree, but scooted closer together as she approached.

"Stan! You should be at the counter with Maxwell and not to chitter chatter with your friends!" Maxwell's mother snapped and grabbed Stan's wrist, dragging him towards the counter. Stan mouthed for the others to help and the three just looked at each other, watching Stan being swept away. Bijou and Boss took off after them, leaving Hamtaro behind as he yelled at them, "Does this mean that I'm not going to get Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?"

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"I'm serious! She's coming right now with Stan!" Sandy said. Maxwell placed his fingers to his forehead and rubbed his temple. He was pale white, trying not to believe Sandy's story about meeting Stan in the store, especially when his mother was on patrol. He never wanted to cause this much trouble and if this continued, he would never be able to see his friends again. It was just like one of those crappy spy movies involving twins that Panda had dragged him to the theater because of some 'Dictionary of Life' or something.

"Please tell me that you believe me," Sandy whined. Maxwell released the pressure he put on his head and sighed. "Of course I do. The problem is how we're going to get you out of here. You can't exactly run for it linking to the fact that she should be here in about five seconds."

Sandy gave him a strange look, but it was interrupted when Maxwell's mother came running over with the real Stan by her side. Maxwell grabbed Sandy's head and pushed her down out of sight, trying not to hurt her. He then got out a pen and acted like nothing had happened.

"Oh, Stan. I see that you've stocked the books. Thanks," Maxwell said to a confused Stan.

"Dude, I seriously don't-" Stan started, but Maxwell flashed a look that most likely meant to Stan that he should just go with Maxwell's idea.

"Well, I need one of you to work with me at the library," she said. Stan pointed at Maxwell and Maxwell pointed at Stan, which made Stan point at Maxwell.

She looked at the both of them and cheered, "Oh, whatever! I can take the both of you. I'll take over here and Maxwell, you and your friend can go over to the library. I'm sure its much more quieter over there than here."

Maxwell coughed, trying to hide his groan of disappointed and Sandy jerked from under the counter. He took a glance at Sandy, seeing that she was beyond worried. He had to help her.

"Uh, you can take Stan. I'm most comfortable in this position," Maxwell said as Stan gave him a look of agony. He made a fist and gritted his teeth at the bookworm, but Maxwell had to ignore it. His mother nodded and said, "I have to get something behind the counter though."

Sandy lightly gasped and Maxwell rubbed the back of his head. "That would not be the best idea. I can get it for you. Besides, you'll be in for a real shocker behind there."

"Oh, hush, Maxwell. I just need my bag," his mother protested. Maxwell's uninjured hand gripped the table when Hamtaro ran up.

"Hey, guys! I've been looking all over for you! Where's Sandy?" Hamtaro said. Bijou gasped while Boss made a fist and Maxwell covered his face as Sandy and Stan curled their hands into fists. Maxwell's mother, on the other hand, burst into a tantrum.

"What?! Isn't that the Torahamu girl? Where is she?" Maxwell's mother hissed. Maxwell shook his head and Boss lied, "It's another Sandy."

"But I thought-" Hamtaro started, but Boss slapped his hand over Hamtaro's mouth.

"Let me get behind the counter." Maxwell's mother tried to make her way around him, but Maxwell blocked the way and motioned Sandy to get away.

"Maxwell! What is wrong with you!"

"I'm just, um… cleaning the floor! So you'll have to wait about five more seconds for it to dry," Maxwell said, making sure that Sandy was out. She was crawling on all fours, trying not to be noticed. Maxwell's mother looked around him and yelled, "Who is that!?"

Before Maxwell could answer, Stan said, "A customer?"

"Crawling on the floor? That's really dirty. I'm sure its covered in bacteria by now," she concluded.

"AGH!" Sandy shrieked and jumped up, wiping her hands on her jeans. She lowered her head to hide her face and started to walk away.

"Stop! Who are you?" Maxwell's mother yelled as she wove around Maxwell.

Sandy slowly turned around and stated, "I'm just an ordinary customer." She could have sworn that she was Cappy right now, with her hands jamming her cap down.

Maxwell's mother frowned as she said, "Let me see your face."

Everything was still and Stan yelled, "I'm sure it's just like mine. I mean, we are identical-"

Boss tackled Stan to the ground and clapped his hand over his mouth. He made a smile for them to continue.

"Take off the hat at least," Maxwell's mother demanded. She made an attempt to yank it off, but Sandy covered her head.

"Uh, I really don't like my hair right now. It's, uh, messed up," Sandy muttered. Then, Alice and Sydney walked in, laughing and talking to each other. They noticed Sandy and Alice waved while Sydney called, "Hey, Sandy!"

Maxwell's mother slowly turned around towards Sandy who backed up into a bookshelf. She was so scared that she tipped the shelf over and it went on and on like dominos for the entire store's book shelves. The others could only watch as each book thudded to the ground and the shelves rattled the floor like an earthquake. Everyone's mouth fell open at the scattering customers trying not to get crushed. Once the dust had lifted Sandy pointed her thumb at the wreckage and said quietly, "I did not mean to do that."

Maxwell's mother fumed and took jagged steps toward Sandy. "Who the hell are you and why the hell did you do this to my store!?"

Sandy opened her mouth to answer when Alice and Sydney ran over and plucked the hat off of Sandy's head. Alice waved the hat in the air as Sydney cheered, "See? Were we right or were we right?"

Hamtaro pointed and yelled, "Yeah! I guessed that too! It is Sandy!"

Sandy's hand curled into a fist at the three human hams, but Maxwell's mother beat her at the anger boiling in the both of them. She got so close to Sandy's face that she could smell the milk she had for breakfast.

"Get out," she hissed.

Sandy didn't need to ask questions. She darted out of the store way faster than the others and quickly disappeared out of sight, not bothering to look back.

Maxwell's mother whipped around to face the others and yelled, "All of you! I want all of you out! And never come near Maxwell again!"

As fast as Sandy, they all sprinted out as fast as their legs could. Maxwell's mother turned to face her son to see that he had his head on the counter with his hands over his head. He knew what was coming.

"I don't want you to ever leave the house without supervision ever again!!!" his mother spat at him.

Yup, he knew that was coming.

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Sandy could see her father pacing the floor as a vein bulged from his head and his hands behind his back, trying to relax himself from his heart exploding. Sandy could only sit on the couch with Stan as he kept mumbling, stopping to say something, but then shaking his head as if he thought it was the wrong thing to say.

"Dad?" Stan asked. Their father didn't even bother to look at them.

"I can't believe that family!" he yelled as he slammed his fist on the wall. Sandy felt herself fall deeper into the couch and Stan wincing at the sound.

"How can they do that to us?! We did not do anything to them!" he shouted in anger. Stan and Sandy looked at each other in fright.

"That little bookworm's mother just makes me want to…" He shook his head and started to pace again.

"Uh, Dad?" Sandy asked.

"What?!"

"I really don't think that it's their fault," Sandy muttered. Stan looked down as Sandy explained.

"I really think that it was my fault. I was the one who bothered them," Sandy said. Silence.

"Everything's my fault," Sandy cried. She could feel the tears emerge as little drops and stick to her eyelashes. Stan ran his fingers through his hair and muttered, "We just had to be twins, huh? Twins always are the trouble."

"Don't you two say that! Twins are never trouble," their father said, trying to comfort them. Sandy turned on the TV to see "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody". The two twins were crawling inside a vent and found themselves being chased by the police. (I don't know if this actually happened. And I don't own "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody".)

Stan and Sandy looked blankly at their father and he sat down protesting, "That's just Hollywood. It's not real."

"Oh, yeah?" Sandy asked with one eyebrow raised.

"Remember the time that we blasted up that kitchen when we were in second grade?" Stan asked. Their father's lip quivered and said, "Of course, but that was just an accident."

"An accident? We were, like, trying to blow something up so the bread would be crispier!" Sandy said.

"And remember the time when-" Stan was interrupted when their father said, "But you two make those things up with your goodness! Look at you, you're a team! You look out for each other, you know what to do. I don't think that twins are that bad."

Stan and Sandy looked at one another. They were a team. Ever since they were little, they would pretend to be spies or something like that and go on secret missions… Even if that did mean to blow up the kitchen at Olive Garden and causing them to be banned from the restaurant by the head chef who's hair was lit aflame. But, Stan and Sandy thought he tasted pretty good when the stove lit up to cook the chef. (Ironic, isn't it?) Stan and Sandy smiled at that moment to know that nothing was about to stop them no matter what challenge was up ahead. As long as they had each other, everything would be ok, even if they lost everything. It was weird because they both had some kind of sixth sense when one another were in trouble. Usually, that meant Stan was the one who was in trouble and Sandy had to come, but no matter what, they helped each other out even if did mean to humiliate themselves in front of crowd. Sandy couldn't help but smile when Stan decided to show off his diving skills to some girl and she had to tackle him in front of a crowd to make sure that the police wouldn't come. Stan had been very angry at losing a chance at getting his girl, but soon forgave Sandy for pretty much saving his life from the ways from prison.

"Ok, now that we have that settled, I have an announcement," their father said, trying to change the subject. Stan and Sandy turned their attention towards their father who was calming down as he tried to smile.

"I know that this seems kind of selfish… But there's this father and son competition in Osaka. I really want to go because there's a huge prize of five thousand dollars to the winners," he explained. Stan popped out of the couch and yelled, "I'll do it!"

Sandy rolled her eyes and said, "What's the competition about?"

Their father smiled and said, "Its just a fitness contest that we'll be bound to win."

"I'll definitely do it!" Stan yelled again. Their father frowned as Sandy groaned, "What am I supposed to do then? Just stay at home?"

"Oh, no. I'm not going to leave you here. How about you call up one of your friends to spend the night?" he asked. Sandy brightened at the thought and that would mean that she would be able to see Bijou and Pashmina again.

"I'll call them up," Sandy volunteered. She dialed Bijou's number and there was a "Bonjour?" at the other line.

"Hey, Bij. Like, it's me, Sandy. Do you think that I can spend the night at-" Sandy clapped her hand on the phone and asked her father, "When's the competition?"

"Tomorrow," he answered. Sandy lifted her hand off the phone and said, "How about tomorrow?"

"I'm sorry, Sandy. I've already asked Pashmina over. And you know 'ow my mozer gets angry when zhere are two friends over," Bijou replied. Sandy gulped and said, "Um, ok. I'll see you later."

She hung up and Stan asked, "What is it?"

"Bijou and Pashmina can't do it," Sandy responded wearily. They both frowned and Stan suggested, "Is that all? I mean, couldn't you stay at Hamtaro's house? He has a lot of guest rooms."

Sandy nodded, a little bit shaken that he had suggested Hamtaro, but instead dialed Alice's number.

"Hey, Alice?" Sandy asked into the phone.

"Sandy? Hi! Do you have a new sports story? I absolutely worshipped the one where you were against three boys in that football game and you jumped so high that you landed in the end zone and then-" Alice started recited into the phone and Sandy blushed at her lie.

"Um, no. I called to ask if I can like, sleep over at your house," Sandy said.

"Sorry, Sandy. My mom doesn't let me have sleepovers," Alice replied. Sandy sighed and bid goodbye. Then, she dialed Sydney's number to find that she didn't answer.

"Call Hamtaro, sis," Stan said. His father nodded and Sandy finally dialed Hamtaro's number.

"Ham-ha! Hamtaro Haruna here!"

"Hey, Hamtaro. Look, its Sandy," Sandy said slowly.

"Ah! Ham-ha, Sandy! Why'd you call?" Hamtaro said in his usual friendly voice.

Sandy gulped. This was completely different than going to a sleepover with the girls. "Uh, can I stay over in a guest room at your house tomorrow? And stay there for one night?"
Sandy waited for an answer.

"Why?"

"My dad and Stan are going to be out of the house. I need a place to stay," Sandy explained.

"Sorry, Sandy. The guys are having a big sleepover tomorrow. "

Sandy's heart fell and was about to tell the others the news when Hamtaro's voice came back on.

"But, I heard that Maxwell isn't doing anything tomorrow. Probably because he was grounded for the first time and never allowed to see us again or something. You can stay at his house, right?"

Sandy didn't answer. Instead she dropped the phone and caught it at the last second before it would hit the floor. She knew that Maxwell's mother wouldn't be too happy about her staying over for one night and two days. If she had stayed, she would barely get to talk to Maxwell. All of the questions ran through her head like where she would stay and what she would eat. She thought that a civilized human ham like Maxwell would probably dine at the finest restaurants with having the best manners possible. Sandy remembered the time that the ham-hams went to Dexter's house party. She shuddered at how bad she was there. How was she supposed to know to pass around the food and use the salad fork for the salad instead of her main course fork? Since when would people use two forks? And why did people get so worked up about manners? They didn't have the right to do that. She knew nothing about manners and it would be another disaster at Maxwell's, but what could she do?

"Heke? Sandy? You there?" Hamtaro asked through the phone. Sandy felt herself fling back to reality and replied, "Uh, I think I'll stay at Maxwell's. What's his number?"

Hamtaro laughed and said, "I'll tell him! You just go and pack. Tomorrow for the night?"

Sandy whispered a "yes" and Hamtaro hung up. She forced the phone back down and Stan asked, "So did Red say yes?"

Sandy crossed her arms and sighed, "Well, not exactly.

"What happened?" her father asked.

"I'm staying at Maxwell's."

There was an eerie silence cast upon the room. Suddenly, Stan and Sandy could hear a rattling noise shaking the room and turned to see that it was their father with his hands grasping the table. He was gripping it so hard that the fragile word almost cracked as it rattled all over.

"Yo, Dad!" Stan yelled. He didn't pay attention to his son. Instead, he calmly got up and hissed through clenched teeth, "There is no way that I'm letting my daughter sleep over at his house. No way. Forget it, Sandy."

"But-" Sandy was cut off by his glare. She regained her courage and said, "But like, where else am I supposed to stay? At Grandpa's and Grandma's? Like, they live on the other side of Japan! This is the only way for me not to stay home."

Her father's glare softened and Stan said quietly, "She's right, you know."

He slowly nodded but jabbed his finger at Sandy's room. "Start packing."

Sandy quickly nodded and hopped up the stairs, her heart lifting at spending the night at Maxwell's. And she was determined to tell her feelings toward him that night.