The Mediator: Changes- (Based on the mediator series by Meg Cabot/Jenny Carroll)

Weird, yes. Different, yes. This story is definitely by me... it has all the right characteristics! OK, now read! And don't forget: REVIEW! Thanks! ~Chels

Chapter 9: News Flash!

"Congratulations Suze and Brad!" Said Andy at dinner that night.

"What's the occasion?" Asked Jake walking in from an afternoon of surfing.

"Your brother and sister got their license's today." Said my mom.

"Step-sister." Corrected Jake.

"Actually, Jake, that's what we wanted to talk to you about. Have a seat, please." Said Andy. Everyone looked at Andy and my mom, who were looking at each other and smiling., "Jake. Brad. David." Andy said acknowledging each of them, "I am adopting Suze."

"And Suze. I am adopting Jake, Brad and David." Added my mother.

"Wow!" Was all I could say for a moment, " -I have brothers!" I smiled.

"This is so COOL!" Said Brad.

"YEAH!" Agreed David.

Jake, who didn't look so thrilled about the idea, yelled, "You can't adopt me! -I'm 18 now!"

"Not yet," Said Andy, " You still have three more months Jake, plus we're signing the papers in (*he looked at his watch*) half an hour."

"FINE!" Jake said, grinning evilly at me, "I saw Suze smoking!" He announced like it was the news of the century.

"She already knows" I announced, sounding bored. "Yes," Added my mother, "Suze and I have already discussed that Jake." Jake looked defeated.

"Well," said Andy, "We'd better get going!"

"Yes, see you all in a bit!" My mother said.

"Bye Mom!" Brad, David and I said. She smiled.

"Hey mom?" I asked, " I might go out with a friend tonight. Is that alright?"

"Sure, Honey! Don't stay out too late though it is a school night." She said, then followed Andy out the door.

"I'm so glad you called." said Tad. We were at the Coffee Clutch, sitting at the same table we had sat at when we had first we went there together. "So... are you going to try out for any sports or anything?" He asked.

"I dunno!" I replied, "What do you suggest that I try out for?"

"Well," he laughed, "You'd make a very cute cheerleader... but sports-wise... you could play basketball."

I laughed, " Me, a cheerleader? I've never thought of that- didn't have much need for them in New York- and I don't know if I'd be any good at basketball either... I've never really played."

Tad looked shocked, " Never played BASKETBALL? Are you serious?"

"Unfortunately." I said seriously. Tad stood up and told me to follow him. "Where are we going?" I asked, confused. "Trust me!" he said smiling. We got into Tad's car and drove for a few minutes. Tad stopped on the side of the road, told me to close my eyes, and began driving again. After a few minutes he stopped. Tad got out of the car, then helped me out while instructing me to keep my eyes closed. He led me to a building, turned on some lights and instructed me to open my eyes.

"Nothing's gonna jump out at me, right?" I asked.

"Right. Now open your eyes!" He said laughing. i opened my eyes slowly. I was in a gym, on a basketball court, and Tad was standing a few feet away with a basketball in his hands.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

"Seeing if you're any good." he answered, throwing the ball at me. I caught it, and he began trying to take it back from me. "Do like they do on TV, Suze," I told myself, "Try that thing... what's it called?- Faking!" I faked left and shot the ball at the hoop. It went in!

" You said you'd never done this before!?" Asked Tad, " Are you sure?"

" I haven't! I remembered seeing people on TV do that so I thought I'd give it a try!" I responded seriously, "Wanna go again?"

"Bring it on!" Tad said smiling. We played for about an hour and I guess I'm pretty good, because I beat Tad and it was only my first time playing.

"I give up!" Tad said, "This is your first time playing and I've been playing my whole life and you are beating me every time!" I smiled and did a little victory dance. He laughed and exclaimed, "I don't know what you're better at, Cheerleading or basketball!"

"You're fun to hang around with!" I said laughing

"Because you can beat me at basketball?" He asked.

"No, that goes into it though!" I joked, "Seriously, this day has been one of the best in my life! First I got out of my boring old school and into a better one, then I saw you again and met all of those new people. Next, I saw someone else that I never thought I'd see again. Then I made friends with my former worst enemy, THEN I beat you at basketball." I answered, making sure I didn't babble.

Tad laughed, "You've been busy!"

"That's not all!" I sighed. Tad faked a look of shock, "What else happened?" he asked. "My mom is adopting my step-brothers and my step-father is adopting me (*I looked at my watch*) They should be done signing the papers by now." I said.

"Interesting!" Said Tad.

"Yeah... listen, can I get a ride back to the Coffee Clutch? It's getting kind of late and I should head home."

"Sure." He said reaching out for my hand and leading me back to his Porsche.

"My brothers would go crazy if they saw your car." I commented on the ride back to the coffee shop. He laughed and asked why. "Everyone but them has a car, and a nice one too." I answered.

"Like who?" he asked.

"Well, the other day when Jake refused to give us a ride home from school, I asked Paul to give me and Brad a ride. Brad was very jealous of Paul's Dodge Viper truck. Then I got a little Celica for my birthday and Jake almost blew a fuse. Then you drive up in your sweet lil Porsche and they see it and don't stop staring until you've rounded the corner." I said.

"When was your birthday?" Tad asked, parking at the Coffee Clutch.

"last weekend." I answered, getting unbuckled.

"Happy birthday! Sweet 16?" asked Tad. I nodded. Tad leaned over for a kiss, and all I could think about was Jesse. I suddenly didn't feel right sitting in this car, kissing this guy. "See you tomorrow." I said, getting out of the car and into my own. Tad drove away and I was about to do the same, until I happened to look in the window of the coffee shop and see Lauren, sitting alone at a table crying. I turned off my car and went inside. Sitting down at her table, I asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing you could help." She said, glaring at me.

"Try me." I responded.

"Paul hates me and so does everyone else!" She said sobbing.

"Can I give you some advise?" I asked calmly. She looked at me and said, "Please."

"Stop chasing him. He was freaked out when you followed him around and came to the school because of him and all of that stuff." I said, "He used to follow me around. He came to the Mission because of me, then he found out what being followed is like and he stopped following me and actually tried to be nice and get to know me first."

"And you went out with him after he stopped following you?" she asked.

"Kind of." I answered.

"Are you still going out?" She asked.

"No... we broke up- kind of." I said.

"Kind of?" She asked, "What's with all the ' kind of 's?"

"We were never really going out...we just hung out a lot, then we decided to just hang out, but in a friendly way and not a make-out-ish way." I explained. "So, be nice to him, ask him for help with math homework, or try to find some common interests with him." I said, "I have to go home now, but good luck." I said smiling at her. She had stopped crying now, and gave me a small smile, "Thanks!" she said, "Really."

As I walked out the door, a hand grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me over to where the owner of that hand was. "What were you talking to her about?!" Asked Paul.

"YOU!" I answered, "She's going to stop following you." He breathed a sigh of relief. "Go talk to her." I said, "She's actually kind of nice." I grabbed Paul's arm and pulled him over to the door. He went inside, sat down at her table and started talking to her. My mission for the night being done, I decided to go home and get some rest. I was exhausted from the events of the day.

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Question? How many sisters did Jesse have, and is there any mention of their names in the books? I need this stuff for later on in the story... I already have a whole bunch written, the part that takes me the longest is the typing it up part... I should just write it on the computer, but hey, when inspiration hits you don't always have a computer available!