Thanks to "Spinelli Woods, Esquire", "Yankee Doodle Blonde", and "goofy monkey child" for reviewing and sticking with me. It really means more than you know, that you guys have stuck with me through the entire fanfiction. Here is the finale:

Chapter Twenty Five: A New Christmas Experience
Location: At T.J.'s Home, next Monday around 5PM, a few days before Christmas

T.J. invited six of his friends to join him at his house for a small party gathering before they would be busy with relatives during the holidays. The seven of them were gathered around the family room, near the Christmas tree and fireplace, and they were discussing and laughing about their previous Christmas adventures with their families. After an hour, T.J.'s father called T.J. to help him fix around the house to prepare for their relatives coming in a couple of days. (Becky was out around the town with her friends.) T.J.'s mother was a bit overwhelmed trying to get ready for the relatives by doing some last minute cooking and decorating.

T.J.'s mother (Elle Detweiler) sighed and sweetly asked the girls of T.J.'s gang, "Girls...you don't mind if I ask for your help do you?"

Spinelli, Gretchen, and Stacey all politely replied, "No, we don't mind..."

T.J.'s mother hurriedly told them, "I'm so terribly sorry to bother you girls but could you help prepare in making some of these Christmas sugar cookies? Oh dear, I just remembered I had to send my sister her gift though the internet! My goodness!" She bit her lower lip being tensed up with the anxiety of family preparations. She apologized again, "I'm so very sorry girls."

Spinelli calmly assured, as the three of them walked toward the kitchen, "Hey it's no problem... I know my Mom can get stressed out too with the holidays... Man, last Thanksgiving you don't wanna know..." The three of them left Vince, Gus, and Mikey watching a Christmas special of Beanie McChimp. The three guys were so absorbed into the cartoon that they did not even realize the girls left them.

Mrs. Detweiler quickly explained, as she pointed to the recipe, "This is the recipe and I already put in the flour and these ingredients...there's just a few more to do. And, a...they need to be mixed and so forth. You children got it, right?"

The three girls smiled, trying to calm her down that they knew what to do. Stacey said, "Mrs. Detweiler, we got it. It's okay...we've helped our mothers out before."

Gretchen added, to relieve Mrs. Detweiler stress, "Besides Mrs. Detweiler, this recipe looks similar to the experiments I perform in school or at home. It will be very simple..."

Spinelli teased, finishing Gretchen, "But except...we get to actually EAT the experiment this time!" Gretchen and Stacey looked at each other and giggled. Mrs. Detweiler soon bolted from them to take care of her sister's gift.

They all washed their hands and began surveying the counter. Gretchen took charge of the situation, and began, "Why don't I find the rest of the ingredients and add the proper amounts while..."

Spinelli enthusiastically jumped in, "All I'll smash and mix all of them together!" Spinelli rushed in toward the mixing bowl with the large spatula.

Stacey looked around saw an earlier batch of cookie dough and a cookie sheet and added, "I'll take care of this batch, and use the cookie cutters and sprinkles when I arrange them on the sheet."

They automatically went to their locations on the counter and they were lined up together from Gretchen, Spinelli, to Stacey as if they were on an assembly line. Gretchen was carefully measuring and calculating the amounts of the ingredients while Spinelli took all of her frustrations out on the mixture and Stacey started making Christmas bells, angels, trees, etc.

Gretchen instructed to Spinelli, "Now Spinelli, I want you to gently break this egg and put the egg contents inside the solution...uh, I mean mixture."

Spinelli was tapping it really lightly against the edge of the bowl, but it was not cracking. Spinelli tried a little harder but still it was not cracking. She complained, "What kind of a stinkin' egg is-", but before she could finish, her anger caused her hand to squeeze the egg too tightly and it cracked all over her right hand. Spinelli muttered, "Dang!" and went to the sink to wash her hand off.

Stacey lightly teased Spinelli saying, "This is how you do it...Spinelli..." Stacey grabbed another egg and seemingly made it look easy by just tapping the egg once against the edge and opening the rest of the egg with her thumbs. She then went to the sink to wash her hands and joked while raising her eyebrows, "You have to gently break it down...just like with a guy..." and began snickering.

Spinelli's and Gretchen's eyes both bulged out as they looked in her direction since she was becoming more and more daring and outgoing, but then they rolled their eyes replying to her humor. Stacey for the past few days, after the last day of school before break, had really opened herself up dramatically since she felt so at ease with them. Stacey felt so comfortable with them that it felt like she was rediscovering who her personality was since no one in the past really wanted to know or be around her.

The 3 of them continued working on the cookie dough for about a few more minutes, and then Spinelli took a pinch-sized amount of dough and flicked it toward Stacey's chin. Stacey smiled and said, "C'mon Spinelli...I know it was you!" Stacey took a nearby napkin and wiped her face.

Spinelli lied, with a suspicious grin, "I didn't..."

Another minute passed, and then Stacey took a pinch-sized amount of cookie dough from her own batch and gently threw it on Spinelli's right cheek. Spinelli snapped, with a sly smirk, "Okay Stacey! You're gonna get it!" Spinelli took a handful of dough from her batch and was about to shove it in Stacey's face.

Stacey freaked out and tried to control her laughter, "No Spinelli! C'mon Mrs. Detweiler will ring our necks if we mess around with the dough!" Spinelli realized Stacey was right, backed off, and slowly put the dough back in the mixing bowl. Stacey and Spinelli both shared a sly look to each other knowing they would have had a food fight right then and there if they weren't cooking for someone and not in someone else's home.

Gretchen added all the ingredients and took a small spoon to sample the new batch. Gretchen slowly and carefully dipped the spoon into the mixture and then tasted the dough on the spoon. She was surprised by the result and raised her voice, "My! This is quite delicious!"

Before Gretchen could finish analyzing her sample, Mrs. Detweiler came downstairs and met with the three girls. She nervously asked Gretchen, "Gretchen, I know that you are marvelous with the computer, and...could you help me out? I'm sorry to bother you; it's just that I'm having some online problems..."

Gretchen eagerly responded, "No problem...show me what's the problem." She cleaned herself up a bit ready to follow Mrs. Detweiler.

Mrs. Detweiler happily thanked them, "Oh thank you so much Gretchen...and all of you so very much!" Mrs. Detweiler quickly showed Gretchen their home office room and left Spinelli and Stacey by themselves in the kitchen.

Spinelli joked silently to Stacey, "Now don't get any bright ideas or anythin'..." referring to the food fight they could have created.

Stacey looked around the kitchen, and another time to make sure no one was nearby. She took a deep breath while continuing to work with the cookie dough, and felt guilty as she said, "Spinelli...I want to really apologize for shouting at you last week. I know we apologized the day after, but I wanted you to know that I really am sorry...because I don't normally...or at all...explode on people like that. Especially, how you saved me back on the roof even when I ripped on you..."

Spinelli stopped mixing her batch and faced Stacey, feeling regretful for pushing Stacey, "Stacey, I'm the one who should say sorry. I had no idea that you lived like that back in Detroit. I mean with that jerk Jamal...Dang! If only I could have beat the tar out of him after what he did to Vince!" Spinelli took a deep sighed and confessed, "I just don't like it when I see my friends pushed around and stuff...I'm sorry I didn't know how bad it really was. I don't know how I could survive something like that after what Butch told me..."

Stacey was surprised by Spinelli's reply and Stacey looked back in hindsight over that situation, "Spinelli, I knew you meant well...it's just that it really struck me inside. I had to really accept in being strong...I just...I don't know...I had a real hard time being strong..." They both gave each other a sincere, caring, and optimistic look to each other signifying that they forgave each other for their behavior. Stacey warmly said, "We'll put it behind us...okay?"

Spinelli agreed and smiled back, being glad that they could start over again, "Yeah, definitely..." They continued working on the cookie dough and there was dead air silence between them, but Spinelli finally managed to work up the courage to ask Stacey, "Stacey...um, I hope ya don't mind but...how do you know Jamal or he know you? Do we have to worry about him anymore?"

Stacey casually remarked, while focusing on her work, "Nah, I know…he won't be coming back at all…" Stacey quickly and pessimistically thought back, only for a moment, on how Jamal left her to die."…As for how I know him...He was a boyfriend of mine..." Seeing Jamal at Third Street's roof was the last she heard of him, there were no more phone calls, stalking, or threats whatsoever.

Spinelli dropped her spatula in shock hearing Stacey admitting she had a boyfriend. She cried out, in disbelief, "YOU! HAD A BOYFRIEND?!" Spinelli soon realized how loud she was and immediately shut herself up. She couldn't understand how a 10 year old girl could already have had a boyfriend when they would be teased constantly at school. She tried to find the words, in the midst of her shock, "But...but...you're...only 10!"

Stacey faced Spinelli and indifferently commented, "Well...being in my neighborhood...you grow up fast, really fast..."

Spinelli tried to make sense of it, that a 10 year old girl, had already had...dating experience. She started thinking deeply and curiously asked, "You...had...a...boyfriend?! What did it feel like?" She was never taken back so much before because she always thought that dating and boyfriends were in the distant future, but what Stacey had just admitted made her feel lost or weird since she was comparing herself to Stacey.

Stacey saw how intent Spinelli was in knowing what it felt like to have a boyfriend. She was beginning to reveal, "It's hard to explain because at first I thought that Jamal..." Stacey thought about Spinelli's pressured intent on knowing about it and teased, "Hey! Why do you want to know so badly?"

Spinelli felt the heating rush of embarrassment flow through her face and body. She actually pondered on why she actually was so eager to know what having a boyfriend was about and also why she expressed this interest so publicly. Stacey moved her head a little bit to take another glance at Spinelli while giving funny faces trying to get Spinelli's attention and laughter. Spinelli was quickly trying to think of something to say.

Stacey then said something casually that shocked Spinelli all over again, "I know why you asked." She waited for Spinelli to say something, but Spinelli said nothing still and she slyly said, "You're interested in T.J...aren't you?"

Spinelli screamed, "WHAT?! NO WAY!? ME?!" Spinelli quieted herself again, and in a normal decibel level she roared at Stacey, "Me, interested in T.J.? Get real..." Spinelli started beating the cookie dough again with the spatula but with more force as she tried to ignore Stacey's claim, which Spinelli knew was absolutely true.

Stacey smugly replied, "I am...but whatever if you wanna deny it..." Stacey went back to arranging the cookies on the cookie sheet and she silently finished, "Even though...it's so obvious..." There was a silence for 5, 10, and 20 seconds.

Spinelli meekly asked, "It's obvious?" Spinelli stood still near Stacey waiting for a response and reaction from her because she worried if Stacey knew about it, could it have been possible for others to know especially when she told no one about her crush?

Stacey tried to be tactful but with a hint of teasing sarcasm, she explained, "I've noticed how different you act around T.J. You seem more nervous around him, you never look directly into his eyes, and sometimes your voice cracks up."

Spinelli was at a loss of words, and anxiously pressed on, "Is it that obvious?"

Stacey smirked and comforted her saying, "Don't worry Spinelli, it's something only a girl would notice." She gave a small laugh and continued, "Boys don't really notice it as easily...sometimes it has to be dead obvious to them." Spinelli took a gentle, easy deep breath that it wasn't as obvious as she feared, but she suddenly remembered and now knew how the Ashleys could see her 'crush' behavior around T.J. Stacey came across a thought and teased Spinelli again, "It's interesting...you're tough and strong when handling almost anything, but when it comes to boys...he he he... Girl, I can't even finish saying it."

Spinelli rolled her eyes and felt a small degree of shame for feeling like such a 'fraidy cat' when it came to boys. Spinelli tiredly admitted, "Yeah, okay, okay..."

Stacey unleashed another blow to Spinelli by stating, "I'm surprised that Gretchen is keeping so quiet about telling you about your behavior too, but I guess she wants to be a good scientist and not 'tamper' the results from the 'experiment'." Stacey scoffed, having no idea what the 'experiment' was, "Whatever that is..."

Spinelli was about to yell again, but she covered her mouth, composed herself and silently yelled, "GRETCHEN KNOWS ALSO?!"

Stacey sarcastically said with a smile on her face, "A...yeah!"

Spinelli slapped her forehead with her left hand feeling embarrassed. She murmured, "Oh brother..."

Stacey looked into Spinelli's eyes and softly questioned, "Why are you feeling so bad about it? I mean from what I've seen, T.J. is really great guy. You may not believe me now, but good guys like T.J. will be harder to find...especially when the teen years kick in." Stacey reflected over her experience with Jamal and how foolish she was to fall for him. She cursed herself out for being so stupid and desperate for some type of companionship, that she never really noticed how he was using her in so many ways. She knew that T.J. was one of a kind from her experience in dealing with guys, and she really emphasized her last sentence to Spinelli.

Spinelli listened intently to Stacey's every word, and she looked down on the floor revealing, "I have an image to protect Stacey. I mean if people at school knew I was getting all lovey and gushy I would have to leave a trail of bloody noses from one end of the playground to the other just to make them stop teasing me."

Stacey ended their conversation with a poignant moment, "Honestly Spinelli, who are you pleasing? Them or yourself? Because your happiness is the one being affected..."

Before Spinelli could respond to Stacey, Gretchen was running back to the kitchen and excitedly entered, "Sorry guys, but the website Mrs. Detweiler was looking at was not 'user-friendly' and so I had to find an alternate path for sending the shipping information for her sister's gift. Did I miss anything?"

Stacey and Spinelli just looked at each other for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. Stacey was going to say something, but Spinelli interjected, "Nothing Gretch...just some family stuff I was telling Stace." Stacey tried to control her smile over Spinelli's lame excuse, but it convinced Gretchen.

They finished the entire cookie making process and finally put the cookie sheets into the oven. They sighed in relief and cleaned up themselves, the dishes, and the counter. They headed toward the family room and they saw T.J. walk into the family room as well since he finished helping his father out. Spinelli excitedly ran into the family room to meet up with T.J., leaving Gretchen and Stacey, and when Stacey observed the bright smile in Spinelli from T.J.'s arrival...Stacey smirked to herself confirming that her suspicions of where Spinelli's heart was, was true. Stacey blushed a bit feeling almost like cupid for Spinelli and T.J.

Gretchen noticed Stacey's reaction and she slyly asked Stacey, "What's your smile implying Stacey?"

Stacey looked off somewhere and controlled her voice, saying, "Nothing Gretchen..."

As they were about to approach the family room, Gretchen faced Stacey's eyes and in a friendly, gracious tone spoke, "Stacey, I want to say thank you for helping me in my preparation. It greatly increased my confidence in presenting my latest scientific theory to the scientific community."

Stacey softly replied, "Sure no problem Gretch."

Gretchen curiously asked, "I say, how do you know such effective confidence building techniques?"

Stacey thought back over the years and answered, "Ever since I was small I loved to sing and dance. I would be singing Whitney Houston songs in my diapers!" Gretchen and Stacey both laughed. Stacey went on, "For years, I have been in talent shows, modern dancing lessons, singing lessons...those type of things. So you have to overcome any shyness or stage fright in front of people." Her mind thought back over her actual social behavior and how ironic it was that she was the most shy toward people (because of her horrible threatening past), but on stage she was a totally different person.

Gretchen raised her eyebrows and concluded, "Ah! Thus explaining your outstanding and amazing performance in the auditorium!"

Stacey blushed and admitted, "Yeah..."

Gretchen and Stacey met up with the gang and wishfully greeting each other. After watching some television and talking some more, Vince called out to the gang, "Hey why don't we hear some Christmas carols?"

Spinelli sneakily elbowed Stacey who was right next to her and Spinelli responded, "Hey! Why don't we let Sta-"

Stacey immediately shouted over Spinelli and suggested, "Mikey! Mikey why don't you sing to us?"

Spinelli whispered to Stacey while no one was noticing, "After Mikey sings...you're next Stace!" Spinelli grinned and raised her eyebrows.

Mikey happily added, "I would be delighted to!" He noticed the piano and politely asked, "Gretchen, you wouldn't mind accompanying me with the piano would you?" Mikey referred to T.J.'s family piano that was nearby.

Gretchen responded, "Gladly Mikey." She got up, went to the piano chair, and spread out her fingers getting ready to play. She inquired, "What should I play Mikey?"

Mikey requested, "O Holy Night please..." Within a few seconds of Mikey singing, his smooth bass voice silenced the whispers of the gang and captivated their attention. Immediately, they could feel an almost heavenly presence around them with Mikey singing so purely and harmoniously just like when he did back at the televised school performance last year. The song gave the room a feeling of tranquility and inner peace that touched all of their young hearts, and for that moment their problems were vanished. At the end of the song, Stacey was zoned out from hearing Mikey because she never thought such an extraordinary opera voice could come from such a small kid especially after being at her father's business and seeing and hearing several artists.

Spinelli saw Stacey's condition, and decided to speak out before Stacey could object, "Uh! Stacey wants to go next!" Spinelli grinned to see Stacey's reaction.

Stacey blinked her eyes several times to get herself back together and she bit her lip in shyness, "Uh..."

T.J. insisted, "C'mon Stacey... you were great last Friday!"

Vince encouraged, "Yeah, Stace...man, you were awesome that day!"

Gus suggested, "Stacey, why don't you sing 'Have Yourself A Merry Christmas'? That's one of my favorites!"

Gretchen got ready to play the piano and Stacey walked up in front of them as all of their angelic faces enthusiastically looked and smiled to her waiting for her to start. Stacey took a deep breath and she gave a glance to Gretchen to start. Gretchen started playing and Stacey began to sing...

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight..."

Stacey observed how closely her new friends were looking at her and she felt an energy of encouragement and anticipation from them unlike anything she ever experienced. Stacey could sense that the song was speaking to her situation, the enchanting Christmas tree, the cheerful and glowing Christmas ornaments and lights, the warm fire beside them, and the holiday atmosphere provided a secluded, intimate heartwarming place to be from the desolate and icy ruthlessness of the weather outside. Stacey was feeling 'inside' the looking glass and not 'outside'.

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on our troubles will be miles away..."

Stacey's fears, doubts, and hurt were becoming alleviated as the foreign feeling of openheartedness came to her heart. She really couldn't believe she was actually at a 'friend's house', a term she never really thought she would say.

"Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more..."

The 'faithful friends' lyric stuck a chord with her. She never had faithful, loyal friends...ever and how they saved her in so many ways. She was overwhelmed with feelings of kindness that she couldn't understand from her abused mind. They encouraged her whenever she was discouraged, motivated her, stimulated her creativity, energized her when she was worn down, comforted her, defended her, forgave her, accepted her as she was, and was patient with her, and even willing to confront her if she was wrong (she remembered how Spinelli confronted her but Stacey knew that Spinelli was just trying to help her out). Her abused mind just couldn't understand how people could be that caring where they were happy for her and wanted to see her do and become better especially when there were some extended family members she never got along with. Stacey began to choke up a bit as all of these reflections, realizations, and disbelief rushed into her mind, heart, and soul.

"Through the years we all will be together,
If the Fates allow,
Hand a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself...A Merry Little...Christmas now..."

Stacey stood stiff seeing the sight of six friends she never could have possibly dreamt of in her life, she knew she was spiritually blessed having them in her life. With all of her horrible and cruel experiences in life, she knew that indescribable kindness and friendships like theirs came very rare in life. Stacey's eyes were watering up and the gang looked at her deeply wondering what was happening to her.

Spinelli broke Stacey's mind trance when she called, "Hey Stace! Is somethin' wrong?"

Stacey laughed a little and took a deep breath, smiling and looking at all of them, as her eyes glowed and radiated inner joy her soul had not experienced for years. She calmly said, "No...nothing's wrong, being with all of you guys...how could it be?"

The six of them replied with a smile feeling slightly bashful. They soon gathered and sat around the fire and enjoyed a tranquil silence around the fireplace, with random jokes or conversations entering in, as the stereo played Christmas songs from the radio. Stacey smiled seeing how cute and how ignorant Spinelli and T.J. were to what awaited them. Spinelli and T.J. were slightly leaning on each other, shoulder to shoulder, not only being warmed by the fireplace but comforted by the warmth in each other's hearts. Stacey was surrounded in Christmas holiday bliss from the harmonious music, the colorful decorations, the glowing serenity of the Christmas lights that bathed the family room in a festive atmosphere, the shimmering tinsel, the sweet aromas of Christmas cookies being made...

Suddenly Mrs. Detweiler called out to the seven, "Kids! The cookies are done!" The gang cheered and hollered and immediately darted toward the kitchen as their mouths started to water thinking of the gooey, soft, sweet cookies. Stacey was still there at the fireplace just staring and smiling in an euphoric-state.

T.J. excitedly went back, looked at Stacey and said, "Hey Stace! What are you doin' there?! Come and join us!" The other five were all calling her name and joking around how they were going to finish them before she could arrive.

Stacey noticed how innocent and good-natured T.J. was and slowly and happily joined him. Stacey's heart was feeling light and joyful for the first time she could remember...and despite her horrible past, the years that passed by, and her accelerated maturity, she was feeling a new sense of hope and optimism and she was finally, FINALLY ...feeling like a kid again.

Reflective Recollections, The Night After The Party (A Conclusion):

Spinelli's Thoughts:
That was an awesome party! The cookies and everything... (She snickers lightly.) Too bad, the cookie dough was Mrs. Detweiler's because than we could have started a great food fight!
 It's really cool that we got to spend a Christmas party with a new friend. (She thinks about Stacey's whole ordeal.) Dang! I mean everything that Stacey went though back at Detroit, no wonder she was crying and everything last Friday. That girl really went though a lot...I mean being teased all the time by kids and Jamal threatening her, I have no idea how she went through it all. I mean I don't know how she could take it in like that because I remember how the entire school laughed at me for calling Ms. Grotke "mama" last year for a few days, but for YEARS?! And on top of that, doing evil pranks?! She's a lot stronger than I thought she was back when we met her.
 Stacey's really brave when it comes to guys. (Spinelli teasing scoffs at herself.) I wish I was that brave...and Stacey has a point. I mean who am I pleasing, others or myself? Should I really care what others think? Shouldn't I be myself? Looking at Stacey and how she's opened herself up and how Ms. Finster opened herself to Hank...they both seem happier. Ugh! I feel fake like an Ashley...that I'm not being real with myself. But...wait...if I'm not being real with myself...am I really that tough?! Whoa...this is gettin' weird...
(Spinelli sighs.) NOW I'm REALLY confused about how I feel or who I am! Should I be the no 'bull-yang' tough girl that I always was or should I be open and fall for T.J.? I mean it feels like I have to open...myself... (Spinelli begins to feel creeped out as her situation of 'opening up' is relating more to Stacey and Ms. Finster) Ack! (She angrily rants.) If I show my soft side to them, then the whole school will tease the heck out of me! (Spinelli sighs.) But even if I did feel ready to open myself, what about T.J.? Should I tell him how I feel? Will he be ready?

Mikey's Thoughts:
 Ah! How wonderful it is to have new friend with us! A friend who needed friendship in her life where life had cruelly scarred her. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard Stacey was singing such a powerful, heart-felt song of the betrayal of friends. (Mikey scoffs.) Some friends they were indeed... How could they hurt such an innocent, gentle, and kind soul? A soul with a beautiful and deeply soulful singing voice. Ahh...it's like hearing the voice of an angel.
 What I could not fathom when Stacey told me last Friday, and still can not... is how rare our friendships are. Is it really true that normally in the real world, our diversity would separate us? That the different talents and gifts we are individually blessed with divide us?! How could that be possible? Don't we all have the same emotions? Don't we all have the feelings of wanting to be loved, wanted, and belonged? (Mikey cries out.) Why must we form cliques and groups that persecute one another?! That spread hatred to each other?! AND SOME DERIVE JOY FROM OTHERS SUFFERINGS?! Oh how my hope for mankind is shaken! (There is a long silence.)
But yet...I do still have hope because of what I see before me... and that are my friends. We could easily be friends with others of the same interests but we seem to all fit together like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Our differences seem to build each other up, and each of our strengths fills in our individual weaknesses and I remember telling that to my friends when they were greatly discouraged when Lawson's gang was formed. (Remember the "Lawson and His Crew" episode.)
One thing that also greatly puzzles me is how some friends don't stand up for each other. How could they just leave and tease Stacey so many times?! Do they not know the definition of a friend? What type of friend are they if the abandon you at your time of need and only around during the pleasant joyful times? Are they no different than a stranger?

Stacey's Thoughts:
 (Stacey is sitting on a chair on her front porch as the cold weather blows around her.) What just happened today...is something I never thought could happen. It was the first time I ever enjoyed a Christmas with friends...and with everything I went though I still can't believe friends like them exist. It was so hard to open myself to them, but the old man at the nursing home was right, I needed to open myself up to them or how could I expect to have friends at all? (It starts to snow very gently and Stacey starts crying in joy.) I finally feel like a kid again and it's only the beginning of a friendship... This New Year holds a bunch of possibilities and feelings I could have never expect in my life.
 I don't know why I was alone for so many years, it may have been the mean kids or me, or both...but whatever it may be it made me realize how emotionally and spiritually comforting it is to have a friend and to never even consider on taking them for granted. Not even some of my own family members are as kind as they are! I guess you can choose friends, but not family. I mean the feeling of someone actually enjoying your presence, and that they want you in their lives is indescribable...that with their busy lives, they actually find time to want to be around you and that alone means a lot.
 I may seem overemotional right now, but after being alone for 5 years...alone where no one at school cares if you are 'dead or alive' type of thing...you learn to appreciate and value people a lot more than you ever thought. And you're more grateful for the right friends that do come along in life especially after the teasing and loneliness. Friends like them are very rare and trust me, I know. If I still seem overemotional to you (Stacey's voice is shaky but stern.) ...well, if you only had the faintest idea of how lonely, desperate, and painful it was to be REALLY alone, you would understand how mean people can be in the world, (Stacey calms down but in a poignant voice) but I hope you never do though because no one should experience what I experienced...

(Stacey walks down to the sidewalk and starts swaying her hips as she is listening to Le Click's "Call Me" on her CD player. The stars twinkle and shine above her as she smiles looking up while the small, puffy, snowflakes gently fall and caress her face with butterfly kisses on her eyelashes and cheeks. A few motorists pass by on the road looking at her strangely, but she doesn't care as she is in her own world of happiness. The cool winds seem refreshing now and she feels showered with overflowing joy. She finally feels that she is in touch with her life and feels part of it and fulfilled...as she continues to dance with the music and the stars...

The lyrics play on
"Call me when you're down
 Call me when you need someone
 Call me when it's rough
 And you think that there's no one...
...I will, but I will be there for you..." )

Friendships & Kindness may seem second nature to some, or sadly insignificant to others...but you will never ever know how those two things can create a powerful life-changing impact and a world of difference of joy, hope, and comfort to others on the receiving end. Your (yes YOU reading this) kindness has more emotional power than you will ever know...

The End

Here's a list of the songs in the "fanfiction soundtrack", in case you guys are interested:
In A Dream - Rockell
100% Pure Love - Crystal Waters
This Is Your Night - Amber
Move This - Technotronic
Ooh Aah...Just A Little Bit - Gina G.
Another Night - Real McCoy
Be My Lover - La Bouche
Macarena Christmas (Joy Mix) - Los Del Rio
Nobody's Supposed To Be Here (Dance Mix) - Debroah Cox
What Is Love? - Haddaway
The Rhythm Of The Night - Corona
Run Away - Real McCoy
Finally - CeCe Peniston
Pump Up The Jam - Technotronic
Call Me - Le Click (Story Theme Song)

As you've probably noticed, most of these songs are electronic/dance music of the early to mid 90s. If you guys are interested in buying the music, I believe there are 2 compilations called "Pulse" and "Fired Up!" that have most of these songs.

Concluding Author's Note: I don't know about you (fans of Recess) but I've noticed in the show that it resonates a powerful message and feeling of friendship from within the gang. A deep sense of friendship that defies and challenges the cliques of today's world; it embraces and values the differences of people instead of making that a reason to divide them. I felt that a fanfiction story really needed to address this issue on friendship because it seems like the close friendship of the gang 'flows' out of the television screen. (LOL, I hope I captured that closeness feeling in these last two fanfiction chapters just like how the gang was together at T.J.'s tree house in the "School's Out" movie.) I made Stacey as kind of the 'bridge' character between the wacky world of Third Street and the ACTUAL real world because I know friendships like that of the Recess gang are very rare and I felt that I had to address that. I hope all of you enjoyed this story and understand my point of view.

I wanted this fic to really touch and give hope to anybody who experienced solitude and abandonment from their peers especially in school when peer pressure and isolation can be overwhelming and no one seems to understand the world or past that they have come from, to change impressions about people who seem quiet or a loner, and to remind people that kindness can go a long way.

It's okay if it didn't attract as many people as I hoped for initially...if I helped touch one person out there...then I'm really happy. I'll be taking a hiatus from writing and reading Recess fanfics for some time and I don't know how long. Best wishes in everything you do and I hope that whoever reads this finds this as inspirational as I hoped for it to be. Take Care!

(Of course, any compliments or criticisms are welcome because it helps me to get better! If there are any lurkers who still haven't reviewed yet, c'mon now...LOL)