The girls are all in Year 10 now, two years have passed and they're 16, expect for Mal and Jessi who are 14. Don't know what that is in American terms.
"Jessi," a voice called.
Jessi Ramsey stopped in her tracks, recognizing the voices of three of her regular sittees. Adam, Jordan and Byron Pike, all 12 now and in their last year of primary school headed towards her.
"Hey guys" she said cheerfully "What are you doing, shouldn't you be in school still?"
"Shouldn't you." Adam said rudely.
"Teacher training day." Jessi explained.
"Its presentation day" said Byron. "And we aren't getting anything so mum said we could stay home."
"Anyway," Adam interrupted "She said to tell you, Mallory is coming home soon."
The triplets laughed at her astonished face and grinned.
"What, when?" Jessi stammered.
"Soon. Tomorrow, so she has tomorrowand then back to school." Jordan and Adam pulled disgusted faces and Byron looked faintly troubled, leaving Jessi to wonder why they didn't want to see Mallory.
The boys wandered off then, leaving Jessi standing still in the middle of the street thinking.
5:29pm chez Kishi.
"Hey Claud, Kristy isn't going to be late is she?"
"I suppose there's a first time for everything.
"Not for that," Kristy announced, dashing through the door and sitting down in 'her' chair.
Dawn laughed from her position on the bed, glancing out the window.
"Here comes Jessi. Then everyone will be here."
"Hey Jess" she called down laughingly. "30 seconds."
Jessi waved and sped up, coming through the door just as the clock ticked over to 5:30.
"Hey guys, I've got something to tell you." she said casually sitting on the floor by herself.
"Come to order." Kristy said, more out of habit than conviction.
Dawn looked around. Jessi was sitting with one leg stretched out, moving her feet. Claudia and Stacey were painting each other's nails on Claudia's bed, Mary Anne was reading the appointment book and Kristy was sitting in 'her' chair, drumming her fingers on the side.
"I think we're all ordered." Dawn said wryly.
"Hey Mary-Anne" Stacey interrupted. "I've got a...'special day' planned, so count me out for all this weekend. The others laughed, except for Kristy. 'Special day' was code for 'something better to do, usually involving the masculine element.
Dawn nodded, remembering all the strife the club had gone through when its members first discovered interests not related to children. Many fights had gone on, mostly Claudia and Stacey versus Kristy. Eventually they realised that a compromise would have to be reached, as the girls wished to continue their business, and have social lives.
"Guess what?" Jessi said, becoming impatient.
"What?" Dawn asked, turning to look at the dark skinned dancer.
"Mallory's coming back to Stoneybrook!" she burst out happily.
The girls smiled and "That's great." "That's fantastic."
"Good, now my carpet can have two equally worn patches again. Symmetry is restored." Claudia teased.
Dawn interposed "Claudia knows what symmetry is?" looking at her earrings, one a small skeleton, the other a half moon.
"Yes she does." Claudia replied, tossing her head.
"Mal's coming back. That's great Jessi" Kristy jumped in. "Are you going to go over and see her when she comes?"
"No." Jessi shook her head. "I don't want to get in the way, I'll wait 'till she finishes unpacking and stuff and calls me."
The phone rang then and Mary-Anne answered, setting up a job for herself looking after Jamie and Lucy Newton. The rest of the meeting the girls talked about Mallory's return, looking forward to seeing her again. Walking home afterwards Jessi couldn't help but feel a little nervous, which she felt ridiculous about. Wonder how she is?
It'd been two years since any of them had seen Mallory in person, and Jessi and Mal hadn't written each other in months. I'm sure we'll pick up where we left off. Good old Mal.
Just so you know
Shannon is gone. Anna and Abby (or whoever they are, not sure) never existed. It's just the originals in the club now: Stacey, Claudia, Dawn, Kristy, M.A, and Jessi.