Joe's eyes fought to stay open as she ate her morning bowl of cereal. Ditey
had already gotten showered and dressed and was waiting eagerly to go to
school. As Joe took the last bite she could possibly hold at this time of
day, Ditey began to pack up her backpack with all her stuff.
"you're pretty excited, huh?" Joe asked groggily, she usually didn't get up for another half-hour, but since she had to take Ditey to school she had gotten up earlier than usual.
"Yup, I can't wait to hear all the rumors people heard about me," Ditey answered quickly. Joe looked at her awkwardly and let out a loud laugh. "Well weren't there rumors about you when you started here?"
"Yeah, a few," Joe replied, still laughing.
"Like what?" Ditey questioned perkily.
"Um...well a few girls heard I was just getting out of juvi for killing my parents with a hammer, and another group of people heard It was because I had an affair with a teacher in my old school,"Joe said, setting her bowl and spoon in the sink.
"Wow, those are some good ones. I'll have to remember them for the next time a new girl or guy comes," Ditey giggled. Joe walked past her and into their room, giving Ditey another weird look.
"I'm going to get ready now, OK?"Joe told Ditey, as she walked into the bathroom and started the shower.
"Kay," Ditey shouted after turning on the TV.
Around 45 minutes later Joe was ready to go. She walked into the living room, wearing her Hollister's jeans and a black Hurley shirt. Her hair was braided into two ponytails and she had her eyes lined with her favorite black eye liner.
"Ready to go Ditey?" Joe asked grabbing her messenger bag.
"Yeah, I have been for over an hour. You took long enough,"Ditey scolded, grabbing her own backpack and following Joe out the door.
Ephram grabbed his Chem book as the bell rang, signaling the beginning of lunch. Silently, he joined everyone else who was rushing out the door to either get to lunch or their next class. At the same time Joe was leaving drama, with Bright and Kayla not too far behind. Ephram just went on to his locker, not wanting to talk to Bright or Kayla. Joe approached him but was stopped by Bright.
"Hey Joe," Bright greeted her, after jogging over.
"Hi Bright," Joe smiled and then continued to her locker.
"So, do you have plans this weekend?" Bright asked, shoving his hands in his pockets nervously.
"Um, I really don't know yet," Joe replied smoothing layer of lip-gloss over her lips.
"Oh, because on Friday there is this party and....," Bright began.
"Sure, I'd love to go," Joe answered closing her locker," Pick me up at 8." Joe walked off after closing her locker, leaving Bright standing there overcome with "victory".
Dr. Brown slowly stirred the pot of steaming food as Delia set the table. Andy had asked Ephram to invite Ditey and Joe over for dinner since Nina had taken Sam to Denver to see their grandparents. Ditey was sitting at the table reading a book, while Ephram and Joe were playing the piano in the living room. Joe had never really learned the piano. She had taken flute lessons in the 5th, 6th, and 7th, grade but then dropped it because she hated her band teacher. Later on she took violin for a year, before quickly dropping that to play the guitar. Joe had always liked to try a bit of everything, and was known for not sticking with anything for very long.
"So what are you're plans for this weekend?" Ephram asked as she played chopsticks.
"Yeah, actually, I'm going to this party with Bright," She replied, after playing the final note of the song.
"Bright Abbot?" Ephram laughed, "Your going out with the dumbest guy in Colorado?"
"Yeah, he's nice. Not my type, but hey, is it going to hurt me to give him a chance?" Joe asked, as she pressed one piano key repeatedly.
"Ok, but if you lose millions of brain cells from talking to him, don't come crying to me," Ephram replied.
"All right, I promise," She stated, before following him into the smoky kitchen.
"Amy?" Bright called down the hall.
"What?!?" Amy yelled back, her voice full of anger from being disturbed from her book.
"Can you come here for a sec?" Bright asked.
"Sure, what do you want?" Amy questioned as she walked from her room to his.
"Which shirt should I wear?" Bright asked holding up two shirts.
"Um, go with the blue. Why do you care what you wear to this party? You usually don't," Amy pointed out.
"Because I'm taken Joe Lawson," Bright explained," So I want to look nice."
"Why would you want to take her?" Amy asked, slumping against the wall.
"Because she's smart and sophisticated, and sweet," Bright answered, "Oh and she is unbelievably pretty." Amy rolled her eyes and gave her brother a blank stare.
"Whatever. I think she's just an annoying country hoe. She has everyone here thinking that she is a sweet small town girl, like a lot of the girls here, but really she's a big city hoe who wants to toy with everyone's mind, and ruin MY life," Amy explained.
"You just hate her because she hangs out with Ephram, and he likes her better than you," Bright commented," Your jealous."
"Why does everyone think I'm jealous??? I'm not jealous at all. I am just so tired of her, she has no right to be her," Amy fumed.
"You know Amy, everyone is getting tired of you. Colin, Kayla, Paige,....me. We just don't want to hear about how you're better than Joe is. Just because you don't like her doesn't mean you have to get all worked up and conceded," Bright admitted.
Joe slid into her black skirt and put on a red halter-top. Over the halter she wore a black jean jacket. After spraying some Tommy Girl Pink on she went into the living room.
"Ok, so you know the drill, right?" Joe asked Ditey, as she checked her her hair in the mirror.
"Yeah, when he comes I answer the door and then tell him you'll be right out, since you don't want to look like a big loser that waits eagerly for guys to arrive , even though you do," Ditey answered.
"Ok, good, you remember," Joe replied, not wanting to take the time to argue with her.
"Well of course I do, I always had to do that when you dated Ephram," Ditey explained," What is up with the two of you anyways?"
"What do you mean? We're just friends," Joe answered, "I mean why would I go on a date with Bright if we we're anymore than that?"
"You guys don't act like your just friends," Ditey replied," plus, you never broke up anyways."
"We don't act like any more than friends," Joe said," and no, we never formally broke up, it was just implied when I moved."
"You still have feelings for him, don't you?" Ditey asked.
"Ditey! What is with you tonight?" Joe shouted, getting annoyed.
"Well you two were just such a good couple, I thought you loved each other," Ditey persisted.
"We did, but now we are just friends, ok?" Joe closed the subject,"You really need to get a life, Ditey." Suddenly the doorbell rang and Joe ran into her room.
"Coming!" Ditey yelled, while walking to the door. She opened the solid oak door, revealing Bright standing on the doorstep.
"Hi," He greeted," I'm Bright, and I'm here to pick up Joe."
"Oh, Hi Bright," Ditey motioned for him to come in," I am Joe's sister Ditey."
"Ditey, that's a weird name," Bright said, scrunching his nose a little.
"It's short for Aphrodite and I think it's a beautiful name," Ditey replied, giving him a stern look," Joe'll be out in a minute." Ditey gave him one last angry glance and walked into the bedroom she shared with Joe.
"Bright is here, and just so you know, I don't approve," Ditey announced upon her entry.
"Ok, bye, wish me luck," Joe said giving Ditey a quick hug.
"Just don't get drunk and have sex with the guy, ok?" Ditey told her, before she walked out the door.
"I promise," Joe replied," Bye."
"So, are you having fun?" Bright asked Joe. They were standing next to a couch at the party. It was dark, dance music was playing, and neon lights were flashing everywhere. Whoever the party thrower was, they sure had quite a bit of money.
"Yeah, it's great," Joe said, sipping her punch.
"Do you want a beer?" Bright asked holding up his can of miller.
"Uh, no, I don't drink," Joe answered," and I did grow up in a bar though."
"Wow, that's cool," Bright replied, looking around the dance floor.
"Yup," Joe mumbled, it was obvious that she was bored as hell. Kayla suddenly appeared, holding a beer.
"Hey Joey," Kayla shouted over the music,"Why don't you come and join me on the floor?"
"Ok sure," Joe agreed," is it ok if I go join Kay for a few dances, Bright?"
"Um, Sure, I guess I'll see you later then," Bright responded.
"Ok, Bye," Joe shouted, as Kayla dragged her away.
Ditey paced back and forth in the living room. It was 11, and Joe had promised to be home at 10:45. Luckily, Nina and Sam were still in Denver and not planning to come back until Sunday.
"What should I do?" Ditey asked herself worriedly. She looked over at the phone, but realized she didn't really have anyone to call. And she definitely couldn't go to the party herself, she didn't want to be in the same room as a ton of drunken high schoolers anyways.
"Hmmmm," Ditey thought," I know! I'll go ask Ephram!" She grabbed her coat and walked next door. Once on the porch, she rang the doorbell, and silently waited for a reply. After a few seconds Dr. Brown appeared.
"Oh, good evening Ditey," Dr. Brown greeted her," What brings you here so late?"
"Hi Dr. B," Ditey spoke,"I just need to ask Ephram a favor."
"Oh all right," Dr. Brown replied. He turned and called Ephram. Quickly Ephram came to the door.
"Hey Ditey," Ephram greeted, grabbing his coat and closing the door behind him," What's up?"
"Well, Joe went to a party with that idiot jock and was supposed to be home 20 minutes ago," Ditey explained, her voice full of concern.
"Maybe they are just having such a good time, they lost track of time," Ephram suggested.
"If you know Joe as well as I do, she sure isn't having a great time with that airhead," Ditey replied," Don't you just hate that guy?"
"Yeah, you're right, and yes, I do hate Bright. A lot," Ephram answered.
"Then something has to be wrong. Can you go check on her?" Ditey asked, giving him puppy dog eyes.
"I dunno," Ephram sighed, "I don't want to be intrusive or anything."
"Please?" Ditey whined, giving him the pout lip.
"Ok, Ok, fine," Ephram laughed.
Ephram walked into the house that the party was supposedly being held in. The music was still playing but only one couple was dancing. Another couple was making out against the foyer wall, and they were numerous people passed out everywhere. After looking around the living room, he noticed Joe wasn't' t there. He continued to the hall, and looked in the first bedroom. There was a guy passed out on the bed, but no Joe. The next room was the bathroom. The sound of someone puking and the nauseating stench of puke filled the air. Ephram peeked in, and sure enough Joe was sprawled out on the floor, her head hanging over the toilet. Beer bottles littered the floor, and all of them were empty. He rushed over to Joe's side and held her hair as she got the last little bit out of her system.
"Ephram?" Joe mumbled, her eyelids were heavy and her stomach hurt from heaving.
"Yeah, it's me," Ephram said softly," We have to get you home."
"Ok," Joe began to get up but then started to fall. Ephram caught her, and then picked her up, putting one arm under her back and the other under her knees. He carried her out of the bathroom and through the living room. Suddenly Bright got up off the floor and stood in front of him.
"Where are you taking her?" Bright stuttered, he was shit-faced drunk.
"Home," Ephram replied trying to get around him.
"Your no taking her anywhere,"Bright groaned. Ephram put Joe on the couch for a minute, and punched Bright.
"What are you do that for?!" Bright howled, grabbing his bloody nose.
"For being a jerk, and letting this happen," Ephram replied. He calmly picked Joe up and left.
After about 10 minutes of walking, Ephram reached Joe's house. Ditey was waiting at the door, sipping a cup of hot cocoa.
"What happened?"Ditey ordered, moving aside so Ephram could bring Joe into the house.
"I found her puking in the bathroom, surrounded by beer bottles," Ephram answered. He took Joe into her room and laid her on her bed. He grabbed a garbage can and gave it to her, along with a bottle of Fiji water.
"Oh my God," Ditey gasped. She got out a wash cloth, wetted it, and handed it to Ephram. He slowly rubbed her face with it, and then took her boots off. Joe quickly nodded off, curling into the fetal position.
"Is she going to be ok?" Ditey asked, she was nervous and worried and her hands were shaking.
"Yeah, I think she'll be fine. Just give her a few aspirin in the morning, and be patient, she's going to have a bad hangover," Ephram explained,"Call me when she gets up tomorrow, ok?"
"Sure," Ditey affirmed. She followed him to the door.
"See ya tomorrow Ditey," Ephram said, opening the door to leave.
"Ephram," Ditey began,"Thanks. You're such a great friend to Joe and me. You didn't have to do that, but you did."
"It was nothing," Ephram replied, giving Ditey a quick hug,"I'm supposed to watch out for you guys."
"you're pretty excited, huh?" Joe asked groggily, she usually didn't get up for another half-hour, but since she had to take Ditey to school she had gotten up earlier than usual.
"Yup, I can't wait to hear all the rumors people heard about me," Ditey answered quickly. Joe looked at her awkwardly and let out a loud laugh. "Well weren't there rumors about you when you started here?"
"Yeah, a few," Joe replied, still laughing.
"Like what?" Ditey questioned perkily.
"Um...well a few girls heard I was just getting out of juvi for killing my parents with a hammer, and another group of people heard It was because I had an affair with a teacher in my old school,"Joe said, setting her bowl and spoon in the sink.
"Wow, those are some good ones. I'll have to remember them for the next time a new girl or guy comes," Ditey giggled. Joe walked past her and into their room, giving Ditey another weird look.
"I'm going to get ready now, OK?"Joe told Ditey, as she walked into the bathroom and started the shower.
"Kay," Ditey shouted after turning on the TV.
Around 45 minutes later Joe was ready to go. She walked into the living room, wearing her Hollister's jeans and a black Hurley shirt. Her hair was braided into two ponytails and she had her eyes lined with her favorite black eye liner.
"Ready to go Ditey?" Joe asked grabbing her messenger bag.
"Yeah, I have been for over an hour. You took long enough,"Ditey scolded, grabbing her own backpack and following Joe out the door.
Ephram grabbed his Chem book as the bell rang, signaling the beginning of lunch. Silently, he joined everyone else who was rushing out the door to either get to lunch or their next class. At the same time Joe was leaving drama, with Bright and Kayla not too far behind. Ephram just went on to his locker, not wanting to talk to Bright or Kayla. Joe approached him but was stopped by Bright.
"Hey Joe," Bright greeted her, after jogging over.
"Hi Bright," Joe smiled and then continued to her locker.
"So, do you have plans this weekend?" Bright asked, shoving his hands in his pockets nervously.
"Um, I really don't know yet," Joe replied smoothing layer of lip-gloss over her lips.
"Oh, because on Friday there is this party and....," Bright began.
"Sure, I'd love to go," Joe answered closing her locker," Pick me up at 8." Joe walked off after closing her locker, leaving Bright standing there overcome with "victory".
Dr. Brown slowly stirred the pot of steaming food as Delia set the table. Andy had asked Ephram to invite Ditey and Joe over for dinner since Nina had taken Sam to Denver to see their grandparents. Ditey was sitting at the table reading a book, while Ephram and Joe were playing the piano in the living room. Joe had never really learned the piano. She had taken flute lessons in the 5th, 6th, and 7th, grade but then dropped it because she hated her band teacher. Later on she took violin for a year, before quickly dropping that to play the guitar. Joe had always liked to try a bit of everything, and was known for not sticking with anything for very long.
"So what are you're plans for this weekend?" Ephram asked as she played chopsticks.
"Yeah, actually, I'm going to this party with Bright," She replied, after playing the final note of the song.
"Bright Abbot?" Ephram laughed, "Your going out with the dumbest guy in Colorado?"
"Yeah, he's nice. Not my type, but hey, is it going to hurt me to give him a chance?" Joe asked, as she pressed one piano key repeatedly.
"Ok, but if you lose millions of brain cells from talking to him, don't come crying to me," Ephram replied.
"All right, I promise," She stated, before following him into the smoky kitchen.
"Amy?" Bright called down the hall.
"What?!?" Amy yelled back, her voice full of anger from being disturbed from her book.
"Can you come here for a sec?" Bright asked.
"Sure, what do you want?" Amy questioned as she walked from her room to his.
"Which shirt should I wear?" Bright asked holding up two shirts.
"Um, go with the blue. Why do you care what you wear to this party? You usually don't," Amy pointed out.
"Because I'm taken Joe Lawson," Bright explained," So I want to look nice."
"Why would you want to take her?" Amy asked, slumping against the wall.
"Because she's smart and sophisticated, and sweet," Bright answered, "Oh and she is unbelievably pretty." Amy rolled her eyes and gave her brother a blank stare.
"Whatever. I think she's just an annoying country hoe. She has everyone here thinking that she is a sweet small town girl, like a lot of the girls here, but really she's a big city hoe who wants to toy with everyone's mind, and ruin MY life," Amy explained.
"You just hate her because she hangs out with Ephram, and he likes her better than you," Bright commented," Your jealous."
"Why does everyone think I'm jealous??? I'm not jealous at all. I am just so tired of her, she has no right to be her," Amy fumed.
"You know Amy, everyone is getting tired of you. Colin, Kayla, Paige,....me. We just don't want to hear about how you're better than Joe is. Just because you don't like her doesn't mean you have to get all worked up and conceded," Bright admitted.
Joe slid into her black skirt and put on a red halter-top. Over the halter she wore a black jean jacket. After spraying some Tommy Girl Pink on she went into the living room.
"Ok, so you know the drill, right?" Joe asked Ditey, as she checked her her hair in the mirror.
"Yeah, when he comes I answer the door and then tell him you'll be right out, since you don't want to look like a big loser that waits eagerly for guys to arrive , even though you do," Ditey answered.
"Ok, good, you remember," Joe replied, not wanting to take the time to argue with her.
"Well of course I do, I always had to do that when you dated Ephram," Ditey explained," What is up with the two of you anyways?"
"What do you mean? We're just friends," Joe answered, "I mean why would I go on a date with Bright if we we're anymore than that?"
"You guys don't act like your just friends," Ditey replied," plus, you never broke up anyways."
"We don't act like any more than friends," Joe said," and no, we never formally broke up, it was just implied when I moved."
"You still have feelings for him, don't you?" Ditey asked.
"Ditey! What is with you tonight?" Joe shouted, getting annoyed.
"Well you two were just such a good couple, I thought you loved each other," Ditey persisted.
"We did, but now we are just friends, ok?" Joe closed the subject,"You really need to get a life, Ditey." Suddenly the doorbell rang and Joe ran into her room.
"Coming!" Ditey yelled, while walking to the door. She opened the solid oak door, revealing Bright standing on the doorstep.
"Hi," He greeted," I'm Bright, and I'm here to pick up Joe."
"Oh, Hi Bright," Ditey motioned for him to come in," I am Joe's sister Ditey."
"Ditey, that's a weird name," Bright said, scrunching his nose a little.
"It's short for Aphrodite and I think it's a beautiful name," Ditey replied, giving him a stern look," Joe'll be out in a minute." Ditey gave him one last angry glance and walked into the bedroom she shared with Joe.
"Bright is here, and just so you know, I don't approve," Ditey announced upon her entry.
"Ok, bye, wish me luck," Joe said giving Ditey a quick hug.
"Just don't get drunk and have sex with the guy, ok?" Ditey told her, before she walked out the door.
"I promise," Joe replied," Bye."
"So, are you having fun?" Bright asked Joe. They were standing next to a couch at the party. It was dark, dance music was playing, and neon lights were flashing everywhere. Whoever the party thrower was, they sure had quite a bit of money.
"Yeah, it's great," Joe said, sipping her punch.
"Do you want a beer?" Bright asked holding up his can of miller.
"Uh, no, I don't drink," Joe answered," and I did grow up in a bar though."
"Wow, that's cool," Bright replied, looking around the dance floor.
"Yup," Joe mumbled, it was obvious that she was bored as hell. Kayla suddenly appeared, holding a beer.
"Hey Joey," Kayla shouted over the music,"Why don't you come and join me on the floor?"
"Ok sure," Joe agreed," is it ok if I go join Kay for a few dances, Bright?"
"Um, Sure, I guess I'll see you later then," Bright responded.
"Ok, Bye," Joe shouted, as Kayla dragged her away.
Ditey paced back and forth in the living room. It was 11, and Joe had promised to be home at 10:45. Luckily, Nina and Sam were still in Denver and not planning to come back until Sunday.
"What should I do?" Ditey asked herself worriedly. She looked over at the phone, but realized she didn't really have anyone to call. And she definitely couldn't go to the party herself, she didn't want to be in the same room as a ton of drunken high schoolers anyways.
"Hmmmm," Ditey thought," I know! I'll go ask Ephram!" She grabbed her coat and walked next door. Once on the porch, she rang the doorbell, and silently waited for a reply. After a few seconds Dr. Brown appeared.
"Oh, good evening Ditey," Dr. Brown greeted her," What brings you here so late?"
"Hi Dr. B," Ditey spoke,"I just need to ask Ephram a favor."
"Oh all right," Dr. Brown replied. He turned and called Ephram. Quickly Ephram came to the door.
"Hey Ditey," Ephram greeted, grabbing his coat and closing the door behind him," What's up?"
"Well, Joe went to a party with that idiot jock and was supposed to be home 20 minutes ago," Ditey explained, her voice full of concern.
"Maybe they are just having such a good time, they lost track of time," Ephram suggested.
"If you know Joe as well as I do, she sure isn't having a great time with that airhead," Ditey replied," Don't you just hate that guy?"
"Yeah, you're right, and yes, I do hate Bright. A lot," Ephram answered.
"Then something has to be wrong. Can you go check on her?" Ditey asked, giving him puppy dog eyes.
"I dunno," Ephram sighed, "I don't want to be intrusive or anything."
"Please?" Ditey whined, giving him the pout lip.
"Ok, Ok, fine," Ephram laughed.
Ephram walked into the house that the party was supposedly being held in. The music was still playing but only one couple was dancing. Another couple was making out against the foyer wall, and they were numerous people passed out everywhere. After looking around the living room, he noticed Joe wasn't' t there. He continued to the hall, and looked in the first bedroom. There was a guy passed out on the bed, but no Joe. The next room was the bathroom. The sound of someone puking and the nauseating stench of puke filled the air. Ephram peeked in, and sure enough Joe was sprawled out on the floor, her head hanging over the toilet. Beer bottles littered the floor, and all of them were empty. He rushed over to Joe's side and held her hair as she got the last little bit out of her system.
"Ephram?" Joe mumbled, her eyelids were heavy and her stomach hurt from heaving.
"Yeah, it's me," Ephram said softly," We have to get you home."
"Ok," Joe began to get up but then started to fall. Ephram caught her, and then picked her up, putting one arm under her back and the other under her knees. He carried her out of the bathroom and through the living room. Suddenly Bright got up off the floor and stood in front of him.
"Where are you taking her?" Bright stuttered, he was shit-faced drunk.
"Home," Ephram replied trying to get around him.
"Your no taking her anywhere,"Bright groaned. Ephram put Joe on the couch for a minute, and punched Bright.
"What are you do that for?!" Bright howled, grabbing his bloody nose.
"For being a jerk, and letting this happen," Ephram replied. He calmly picked Joe up and left.
After about 10 minutes of walking, Ephram reached Joe's house. Ditey was waiting at the door, sipping a cup of hot cocoa.
"What happened?"Ditey ordered, moving aside so Ephram could bring Joe into the house.
"I found her puking in the bathroom, surrounded by beer bottles," Ephram answered. He took Joe into her room and laid her on her bed. He grabbed a garbage can and gave it to her, along with a bottle of Fiji water.
"Oh my God," Ditey gasped. She got out a wash cloth, wetted it, and handed it to Ephram. He slowly rubbed her face with it, and then took her boots off. Joe quickly nodded off, curling into the fetal position.
"Is she going to be ok?" Ditey asked, she was nervous and worried and her hands were shaking.
"Yeah, I think she'll be fine. Just give her a few aspirin in the morning, and be patient, she's going to have a bad hangover," Ephram explained,"Call me when she gets up tomorrow, ok?"
"Sure," Ditey affirmed. She followed him to the door.
"See ya tomorrow Ditey," Ephram said, opening the door to leave.
"Ephram," Ditey began,"Thanks. You're such a great friend to Joe and me. You didn't have to do that, but you did."
"It was nothing," Ephram replied, giving Ditey a quick hug,"I'm supposed to watch out for you guys."