Chapter 3

Sportacus felt like he'd been hit over the head with a brick. He had no answer to Stephanie's question. However, he knew not to tell her that because it would only upset her further.

"Stephanie, don't worry. We'll come up with some way to work out being together. I promise you that. Remember two summers ago when I told you 'I'd always be with you'? I meant it. We'll be together, don't worry, between the two of us I'm sure we can think of something." Sportacus comforted her.

"That makes me feel a lot better. Thanks Sportacus. I have to go; my cousins will be over soon. I can't wait to see you next week." Stephanie sighed.

"All right, Stephanie. You have fun with your cousins. I love you." Sportacus said.

"I love you, too Sportacus." Stephanie whispered into the phone. Her parents must have been close by, Sportacus thought as he hung up the phone.

He was right. Just at that moment Stephanie's father walked into the kitchen. He had waited for her to get off the phone to talk to her.

"Everything ok, Stephy?" He asked.

"Yes, Daddy, it was just Beth on the phone. She wanted to make sure the party started at three, is all." Stephanie answered. Her father smiled and gave her a big hug.

"I'm proud of you, you know. Graduating high school and going to college are big changes. I know you can handle them." Stephanie's father told her.

"You really think so?" Stephanie asked.

"Of course, I do. Now where is that set of tongs your mother gave me for Christmas?" Stephanie helped her father find them. When he went back out to the grill, Stephanie went up to her room.

She went to her dresser and pulled a package out of her dresser. It was wrapped in pink wrapping paper and had a pink bow. Carefully she read the little tag for the thousandth time.

"Congratulations Stephanie on your high school graduation. I thought this gift was perfect for you. I know we say it a lot but I want you to know how much I love you. This is only part of the present the rest is waiting for you in LazyTown. Your Sportacus."

It surprised her that she hadn't actually opened the package. Sportacus had given it to her the night before he left for LazyTown with her Uncle and Bessie. For some reason he wanted her to wait until he had left.

Slowly she pulled the pink bow off. Stephanie took great care to not rip any of the wrapping paper. Underneath the paper was a shirt box. Carefully opening the box, she found a note and smaller box. The second note read,

"Stephanie,

I learned this wrapping technique from you. Hiding presents inside bigger boxes. I thought it would brighten your face with that beautiful smile of yours."

At this Stephanie realized that Sportacus was right. Her face had lightened up with a great big smile. Taking the smaller box out she opened it.

The cousins began to arrive downstairs. Stephanie's mother was busy herding them out to the back yard while her husband was asking what people wanted to eat. Stephanie put the wrapping paper, bow, and boxes back into her dresser drawer and walked downstairs.

To Be Continued…