- At Luke's Diner -
"Ah, here is my wife!" Luke exclaimed when he saw Lorelei enter the diner, with her usual bright smile.
"Hey Lukey!" She grinned, across the counter at him.
"There's something I need to tell you." He told her.
"Coffee first!" She requested, sticking out her lower lip.
He shook his head and said, "Just let me explain this first. I should have told you this weekend. Well, it's too late to dwell on it now. You know how Jess was home this past weekend?" He asked his wife.
"Yeah," She replied nodding.
"Well, I didn't tell you the whole reason for his visit." Luke confessed.
"So, why was he here?" Lorelei questioned confused.
"He was confirming the details for his move."
"His move? You don't mean?" She asked incredulously. "But-"
"Yeah, he's living here. He wanted me to keep it quiet for a little while. He now lives ten minutes away, somewhere between here and Hartford, but still here in Star's Hollow."
"So, he doesn't want her to know yet?"
"Well, it's just he knows… Well I told him she was going through a tough spot in her marriage, and he and I both agree he shouldn't be there to threaten anything. He should wait until things get better with them." He explained.
"That was good of him." Lorelei told Luke. "Now can I have coffee?"
"Wait, I'm not finished. So, Jess's children are going to Chilton."
"Ohh, I get'cha! You're afraid that they'll meet by mistake or something?" She asked.
"Well, a bit." He confessed.
"No worries, you old softie! Chilton is a big school, what're the odds?" Lorelei told him, giving him a kiss. "Now my coffee!" She pleaded.
- The DuGrey Mansion -
Rory Gilmore DuGrey was sitting at the long Dining Room table in the DuGrey mansion. Along with her, were her children Christopher and Julianna, her stepson Andrew, and her husband Tristan DuGrey. There was an awkward silence in the room as they all ate. The only sound heard was the clink of the silverware.
"So, how was school?" Rory asked all the children trying to make conversation, but all she got in return was a couple of mumbled responses. "Anything special happen?"
"It's school." Andrew coolly replied.
"Andrew..." warned Tristan in a stern voice.
"There are a couple of new kids." Julianna supplied, just as desperate as her Mother to have a normal family meal for once. "They came on Wednesday."
"Where are they from?" Tristan questioned, really not caring, but wanting to at least give his daughter a response.
"I don't know. But not Connecticut," She replied.
"I think New York, I'm not sure though. But, they have that sort of accent." Chris told his parents, adding to the conversation.
"How would you know?" Andrew asked his stepbrother.
"I'm doing a project with the girl, Holly." He coolly responded.
"Is that so?" Andrew questioned.
"Yes" Christopher stated. "Why do-"
Julianna chose that moment to interrupt "Anywho, one of the boys is in my homeroom. His name is Ricky." She told them, "Could I go to his house tomorrow?" She asked her parents suddenly.
"No."
"Yes." Both of those responses were heard at the same time. "Why couldn't she?" Rory asked Tristan.
Defending his first response he answered, "She's too young to be going to a boy's house."
"I'm fifteen!" She complained. "Both Chris and Andy were allow to visit girls when they were practically toddlers. Why am I any different?" She demanded.
"Well when you put it that way. But then, cripes Jules, you're my little girl, I don't want you out with boys yet." Tristan confessed.
"Are we done here?" Andrew questioned.
"Yeah, are we?" Chris impatiently asked as well. Tristan looked at Rory who looked back at him.
"Whatever, I guess you teenagers have better things to do, then to sit here with your aging parents." Tristan joked, shooing them away. "As for you Jules, I guess you can go tomorrow... you are growing up awfully fast though."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she exclaimed hugging her Father. Julianna happily ran out of the room. And, Rory gave Tristan a smile, and he winked back at her. Tristan started walking towards her, their eyes stayed lock together. Just as he was a foot away, the dining room door opened.
"Sorry for the interruption, but Mrs. DuGrey telephone. It's the office. I tried to tell them you were busy, but they said it was important." Rosemary the housekeeper explained, entering the room and leaving after the message was given.
"We will just have to wait." Tristan promised, giving her a smile.
"Is that so?" She teased. "What for?"
"You'll have to wait and see," He winked at her and left the room, for his study. Passing a family portrait of him, Rory, and all the children he thought for a minute, trying to envision where she'd be placed in the picture.
"I wonder where she is right now." He thought quietly to himself.
There wasn't much to do when Holly and Danny finally left. I flipped through the channels, but nothing on TV attracted my attention. I felt so lonely, but I didn't want to be any more trouble for Holly than I already was. I felt helpless in that sense. I really wished there was someway I could repay her, but there wasn't anything I could really do. The phone rang and I jumped in surprise, knowing it could only be Holly. I was once again relieved I wasn't at home.
"Hello?"
"Hey Madds,"
"How are you doing?"
"Look, I can't really talk; I'm up in my room now. I finally unpacked and I found my phone, so no more worrying about someone eavesdropping." I sighed in relieve. "I really just called to warn you Danny's coming over there."
"Why?" I asked in confusion.
"I don't know, but ever since we left there this afternoon he'd been trying to find out anything he could from me. Don't worry my lips are sealed. But, then we both decided that we'd come back to see you after dinner, by bus."
"So, you're going to come as well?" I questioned with a smile.
"Not really, I'm sorry Madds. I kind of got in trouble," She confessed.
"What happened?"
"Well, Nick and I both just got in trouble for making fun of Ricky. Dad said we took it too far this time. We so didn't though, Ricky was completely laughing after he had gotten us in trouble. Dad said that I can't go out till you get here tomorrow, and if I went out now then you wouldn't be able to come. I feel really bad!"
"No need to. I hope I haven't gotten you in much trouble?" I asked, not wanting to be more trouble.
"None. Don't worry! But, I got to go, now. Cause, I'm really not allowed to be using the phone."
"Ok, thanks for calling! Thanks, really for everything,"
"No problem. See you tomorrow!" When I hung up, I gave myself a look in the mirror. I looked like hell and Danny was coming. But, then again he had already come. So, he had seen me looking like this. Would he expect answers? I decided to have a quick shower, before he came.
When I finally heard the knock at the door, I had showered and changed. I now looked a bit presentable, but not the best.
"Maddie?" He called. I smiled; deep down I really was happy he had come. Maybe our friendship will begin again. I quickly crossed my fingers and open the door for him to come in.
"Hey," I said softly. He gave me a smile.
"So, since your not completely shocked to see me, I figure Holly gave you a call?" He predicted.
"Right," I replied, grinning. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't. It would have probably given me a huge shock. This is kind of awkward now, what do I say? Before I had another chance to think, Danny did the strangest thing. He hugged me. At first I was just plain shocked, but I didn't mind. The feelings of his strong arms around me made me feel safe and protected. And, I really didn't want that feeling to leave.
Maddie's body felt so fragile and light beneath my arms, I was almost afraid when I first went to hug her. I knew it might be odd, considering we hadn't actually spoken this much, besides the party, since we had been twelve. I don't know how I managed to live for four years with the bitterness.
The minutes we hugged for, felt like hours. Finally we separated and we both sat down on the bed.
"It is pointless to ask what happened, right?" I looked at her. She nodded. "You know I'd beat anybody up for you,"
"Thanks Danny. I just can't tell anyone, yet." She told me softly.
"That's okay, remember when we were kids and I fell of my bike and got a big cut. I didn't want to tell anyone that,"
"That was because you were trying to ride with no hands at the time," She laughed.
"I can do it now!" I said in my own defense, happy that I got her smiling.
"We have a lot of old memories don't we?" She sighed. "I remember our first day of kindergarten. We just went there holding hands, not even afraid of leaving our parents, we were together and together we could have faced the world. Or, at least it felt that way," She mumbled.
"We were something else. I still can't believe, how we told the other kids we were going to marry each other, and have babies. They all laughed. But we insisted that we'd be a mommy and a daddy together when we were older." We both laughed, the weird thing was I remembered that day so clearly. I remember exactly what we were both wearing as well. It was scary how well it was committed to my memory.
"That seems very unlikely now." She looked to me. "No offense! I mean we just haven't spoken, well much lately. And, the fact we usually can't stand each other,"
"Stupid wasn't it all," I remarked.
Maddie looked at me suddenly, "Stupid that we had been friends?"
"No, stupid we stopped," I stated.
"Do you ever just want to be a child again," She asked.
"Yeah…" I nodded.
"Things were so much easier," I had a feeling that she was referring to whatever got her here. Not wanting to pry I held my tongue. "Do you watch something on TV?" She asked suddenly breaking the silence.
"Sure," I replied. Maddie grabbed the remote and we both got ourselves comfortable lying across the bed on our stomachs. We were silent for a bit watching some sitcom. I could tell Maddie wasn't interested in it; she was staring blanking at the screen. When the main character delivered the punch line and Maddie still refused to laugh, I looked over at her.
"You know what else I remember?" I asked.
'What?" She looked over at me curiously.
"I remember third grade, you were quite the hottie," She laughed self consciously. "No, I mean you were the hot topic at the cubbies. Nick would have been in the fifth grade them, and I remember telling him how I hated it when the other boys chased you at recess, and when we had a seating plan and you were assigned next to some other guy. I had asked Nick, what was wrong with me? And, he laughed and told me I was jealous and that was right I was jealous..." She blushed. After confessing that, I didn't care anymore. I wanted her to know that she was constantly in my mind.
"Remember when we had to spend time together, after we had stopped talking?" Maddie questioned, I looked at her from my spot on the bed. "Like how, we went on vacations together?" We both laid there thinking.
"Or, when we were fourteen and your Mom decided to go on vacation, with one of her boyfriends. Then you had to come stay with us?"
"Oh, yeah! I felt like you hated me," She confessed. That was hardly the truth. The truth is I never stopped loving her. Platonically, I told myself.
"And, I thought you hated me." I laughed. "Remember how when we were freshmen in highschool we got stuck with lockers next to each other?"
"Yeah, I thought going to a new school, a highschool, with so many people, I thought for sure we'd never get stuck together..."
"Whenever I was even a tiny bit in your way, when you would be getting your books, you always scream, 'Watch it, Mariano.' That would get me so angry, not from the comment, but how we were so wicked so each other."
"Yeah, you used to always snap at me and say things like, 'Did you forget to take your Midol today?' that I hated!" She told me laughing.
"Remember how when we were kids we couldn't wait for highschool?" I asked her.
"Yeah," She replied in a far off voice. "We thought it would be great, we couldn't wait for all the dances, and even the prom…"
"It was always our Mom's who brought up the prom. Remember how they would always talk about how we'd dress, and how we'd be so cute." She nodded.
"And, then we stopped talking. It was so juvenile wasn't it? I barely remember what it was over? Wasn't it a bunch of little things? Like, I just don't remember fighting over anything specifically. That bugged me, because if it wasn't even worth while to fight over... well, then how come it ruined four years of my life?" She questioned me. I was surprised, but thrilled at the same time. She really missed our friendship that must mean something. We were both silent and all could be heard was the distance talking of the people on TV. We both just staring at each other.
The next thing I knew we were both leaning in for a kiss. The minutes our lips touched each other, I felt electricity I hadn't felt in years. One, that I wasn't even sure existed back when we only kissed rarely. Her lips were just as I imagined, warm and soft and the kiss. The kiss was amazing. It had all the pent up passion, and expectation, all that I had felt in the more recent days. I just wanted to live this moment forever. My hand placed on her hip, tried to pull her closer to me and I felt her arms around my neck pulling me down.
I couldn't take it anymore. My brothers, my two half brothers fight like crazy. Each brother is from each parent, and for some weird reason they are completely hostile to each other. Right now for example they're fighting over who gets to use the phone, and it's getting pretty heated. Instead of drowning them out with music like I always do, I decided to go shut them up myself.
The minute I left my room I heard, "I had it first!" They sound like such girls! I tried to suppress a giggle, and concentrate on what I came out to do.
"Who are you going to call? It's not like you have any friends." Came the reply. I sighed; sometimes they could be so immature.
"Shut the hell up!" I exclaimed, looking at them both. They both looked over at me shocked. I'm usually a pretty quiet and calm person, like my Mom. That comment was very unlike me. "Look, I'm sick of you two fighting all the time!" I told them, looking from one to the other.
"Sorry, Jules," Andrew said, his face softening.
"Yeah, I'm sorry too Jules." Chris added. They both stood there looking ashamed a bit. I knew I was their weak point; they both didn't like their step parent. I mean Andy always thought, and he still thinks my Mom, Rory ruined his Dad and his Mom's relationship. And, Chris just thinks that my Dad, Tristan is a world class jerk, who was part of the reason Mom broke up with his Dad. So, the only person that Andy and Chris both care about is me. I'm like neutral territory for them, because they both are only half related to me... but still I'm the only person that they have in common that they care for.
Even though my parents got married when Andy and Chris were both young, they still don't like each other much. Chris lived with his Dad, Dean for a lot of his childhood only visiting every other weekend. So, they really didn't have a stable relationship.
Both he and Andy are complete opposites, even in looks. I mean Andy had really light brown hair that is practically blonde; he looks just like Dad did when he was a boy, except Andy has these intense green eyes. Which, he obviously got from his Mom. Then there is Chris who looks like his Father (who I've met only a couple times), he has shaggy dark brown hair, and he has deep brown eyes. So, they are completely opposites. Especially since, Andy is really into hockey, and Chris prefers football. They even both have their own crowds of friends at school.
Both were still looking at me with an apologetic look, sighing I went back to do my homework.
I couldn't believe I had just kissed Dan Mariano. I just couldn't believe. The phone had interrupted us, but I don't know what would've happened it if hadn't. I mean it just felt so right, Danny and I. But, I still can't shake the feeling of what happened with Charlie and those guys. I mean I know I can trust Danny, I mean if I can trust any guy its Danny. I looked over at Danny on the phone, and blushed. I really like him, not just like.
Hanging up the phone Danny looked at me. "That was Holly. She said she didn't want you to be alone tonight, so she told Dad I was going to be gone the night,"
"Wait, isn't your dad going to be suspicious. What was your excuse?" I asked, while trying to hide the redden colour of my face, which I got just from his gaze.
He laughed, a deep throaty laugh, "I was doing a project with a kid from school," I joined in with his laughter, adding my own exuberant giggle.
"Very believable," I sarcastically replied. But, I guess that's the best he could do, considering he just moved to this town, and he didn't have any friends to use as alibis.
"Well it would be if we hadn't started a new school two days ago. But, Holly actually thinks he bought it. She says, he even made a crack about how I must really like the prep school," I smiled, Danny liking school? Impossible! Or, at least the Danny I used to know. But I think, I mean I know that the old Danny is still in there.
"So you don't mind staying here?" I questioned, trying to hide my happiness. He looked thoughtful for a second before he responded.
"Do you mind?" He asked, turning the question around.
"I'd especially like it... like I'd feel a whole lot safer..." I explained trying not to fidget with my hands, and in the end just sitting on them. He then smiled at me, a real genuine smile, and started to nod repeatedly.
"Great! I mean, at least tonight I can sleep." He glanced away from me, when he realized what he had just admitted.
"Why couldn't you sleep?" I questioned. I already thought I knew the answer, but it seemed too good to be true. I mean a guy actually being worried and lose sleep, because of me? Yeah right!
Confessing he replied, "I was worried. You here all alone? I still don't know for sure what happened to you. And, as much as you think I still don't care for you. Well, I do, and the fact you were battered and beaten and all by yourself, it just... it just didn't seem right." I smiled. He cared about me! Did you hear that? I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs! I hated what happened to me, and I know that it will be impossible to forget. But, if this is the outcome of what happened, I mean Danny being worried about me and caring for me? Well, then this well maybe the hell I went through, maybe it will lead me somewhere better...
You know how I told Maddie I couldn't sleep last night, because I was worried about her? That was true, hundred percent true. And, tonight I still can't sleep, and not because I'm worried about her. But, because beside me - as cheesy as this sounds, but because right beside me is this amazing girl. I bet you're wondering what romance novel I got that out of, I'll admit it's pretty uncharacteristic, but at the same time it's completely true. She looks like an angel, her hair is scattered across the pillows, and she just looks so peaceful.
It's finally Friday and I'm thrilled. Well, as thrilled as I can be. I mean no more lonesome motel for me. Although, last night was ok, better than ok, I actually slept the best I've slept in well, a long time, perhaps ever. I mean Danny was right next to me. That was nice, more than nice, it was wonderful. It was the first night since the incident that I didn't have a nightmare. I just felt happy, and lately well that's been a rarity.
Danny left around seven thirty in the morning, that way he was early for school, there he'd meet Holly who brought him his uniform. That morning Danny and I had a conversation, I wasn't looking forward to, but it actually was alright.
"Madds," Stirring I looked up and saw Danny smiling down at me.
"Morning," I mumbled, yawning. Going to get out of bed, Danny gently pushed me back down. Questioning I looked up at him.
"You can go back to bed," He whispered to me, pulling the covers back up around me.
"But, no I feel too lazy... I mean here you are going to school, and I'm just lying here like a slob!" I exclaimed. He chuckled a deep laugh. "It's not funny. I mean it!" I protested, trying to sound serious. Then taking a solemn look I asked, "What do you think of me?"
"What do you mean by that?" He questioned me stunned by the query.
"I mean with me being here a couple days early, I know you don't know the whole story, but you must have put two and two together... what I mean is well do you think I'm a slut?" I looked nervously at him waiting for a response. This was the thought that had ragged on quietly in the back of my mind, since I'd had come to Hartford, Connecticut.
"Why would I?" He again answered back with a question.
"Well, don't you wonder what happened?"
"Yeah," He immediately replied. "I mean obviously I have. I care about you, and well you're well, you're in the state." He waved his hand over my body. I knew he meant the bruises and cuts that were disguising my body, even if they were fading, they were still evident. "But, never, I mean never would I ever think you were a slut!" He stated forcefully. Then more softly he continued. "That's the truth, as much as I want to know what happened, I'll just have to wait and that... that I'll understand."
The next thing I did I still can't believe. It was the most unMaddie thing ever! The comment he just made I thought was the sweetest thing ever. I mean have you ever met a sweeter guy? So, what I did next was I leaned over and kissed him softly, and he wasn't slow to answer back.
Now it's around four, and I'm heading over to the bus station, pretending I just got off the bus. I kind of feel sneaky, but I'm too excited with my new thing with Danny to feel much else then exhilaration. But, then again the whole thing feels kind of strange, not what's happening, but what led to it. I mean what happened back at home. When I'm here, well so far, when I'm here I've been happy. And, I don't want that feeling to go away. I feel like I belong in this town, and as stupid as that sounds, it's true.
I had a hat on low, hoping it would help disguise my bruises. I also had put on an overload of concealer. I was sitting on a bench at the bus station when I heard Holly call my name. I was surprised how good an actress she was! Seriously she should be on stage. When she called me, she really sounded like she hadn't seen me in a week.
"Hol!" I exclaimed, trying to also sound as if we've been separated for a week. We ran towards each other laughing.
"You ok?" She whispered as we hugged. I nodded, looking behind Holly at her three brothers who stood close by. When my eyes reached Danny he gave me a shy smile, which just melted my insides.
"Hey Madds," Nick welcomed, giving me a warm smile, that I returned.
"How's slacker high?" Ricky asked when Nick look away preoccupied.
"The same," I responded, feeling both Danny and Holly concerned eyes on me. Smiling I tried to act as if everything was normal, or at least act like I usually do. Suddenly Nick looked back at me.
"You must have been waiting a while," He said. What did he mean by that? "The last bus from New York was at two!" He finished nodding towards the arrival and departure board. "You playing hooky?"
Lying I replied, "Kind of, but I got my Mom to call in. I mean c'mon this is pretty important, I don't think Holly and I ever been separated this long!" I joked, trying to change the subject.
"Kind of like you and Dan were at one point." Nick murmured more to himself, then to any of us, but nevertheless we all heard. Both Ricky and Holly looking between Danny and I, and we were just trying not to look suspicious.
After a minute of silence, we all followed Nick out to the car. The bright sunlight blinded your eyes when you first stepped out, but then your eyes got accustomed to it. When we reached the car, Nick glanced at all of us, but stopped on me with a stunned expression.
"What the hell happened to you?" He questioned commandingly.
"What do you mean?" I asked confused. There was one bruise across my faces that just wouldn't cover up well. It must not have been too noticeable in the bus station, because of the dimmed lighting.
"I mean where did you get that bruise?" He inquired more gently this time.
"Football," I stated, the first thing that came to mind.
"Football?" He repeated dumbly.
"School got a girls football team! Exciting eh? Yeah... well I'm trying out. I really think I have a good chance!" I grinned, hoping this would convince him.
"Didn't I tell you Nick? Amy's trying out too, that why Maddie was at her house, they were practicing!" Holly included, also getting in on the fib.
"Ohhh..." He didn't look too convinced. I hoped he'd just drop the subject. We all wordlessly got in the car. Good, that was over. New resolution to stop lying and stop staring at Danny!
Whoa, That was a close one. I mean Nick can sound like a cop the way he's always interrogating people! I wonder if he picked up on something. Obviously he did! C'mon the guy isn't stupid. I wonder what would happen if he found out?
"Holl?" I whipped my head around, and looked to Maddie beside me.
"Yeah," I questioned, finding them all looking at me curiously, even Nick looking through the rear view mirror. "What?"
"You were just out of it! I mean it took me like three calls to get your attention." Maddie looked at me concernedly. "You ok?"
"Yeah, completely," I responded, giving a fake bright smile.
"So, what are everyone's plans for tonight?" I asked my children, and step son who all had just arrived back from school.
"I am going to Ricky's house, remember?" Julianna said. I nodded in return, trying to imagine how I forgot, especially since I was just told last night at dinner. Surely this is it the sign of middle age. Forty just seemed to be coming so fast.
"What about you two?" I asked nodding towards the two silent boys.
"I got the project with Holly" Chris replied. "Oh, and her friend from New York is visiting so; she has to come too, that's ok right?"
"For sure," Looking towards Andrew I asked, "What about you?"
"I'm just hooking up with some friends, the usual." He said, and surprisingly gave me a small smile, before leaving the room. That made me grin. When Tristan and I married, we knew we each were carrying a past, but we were set that love could conquer all. I mean I had Chrissie and he had Andrew, but we loved each other.
I've only loved three men in my life. My first love was Dean, Chrissie's Dad, that didn't last for obvious reasons. I mean I still love him, but I'm not in love with him. The spark there just faded, and nothing could've stopped it. Obviously one of the other men I loved was and is Tristan. When I saw him again in university, we just connected. Lastly, the man that has been haunting my mind lately was Jess Mariano. I haven't seen or heard of him for like twenty years. I often wonder where he is, and what he's up to.
"Whoa, look at these houses!" Ricky exclaimed, we were all driving down the DuGrey's street. It was Hartford at its best. The houses, well not even houses mansions, no estates, were all enormous.
"They probably live in the only shack on the street." I stated cynically. Ricky rolled his eyes at me, and continued looking out his window.
"It so reminds me of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, you know? The Good Charlotte song?" Holly commented.
"Yeah, but I can't believe you listen to Good Charlotte still!" Maddie laughed.
"What number is it?" Nick asked as they continued along the street.
"Number Five-hundred and seventy-two," Holly replied, reading street numbers, as they passed each property. "This one, up on your left," Nick turned into the driveway.
This house really was something, it was huge. "Not quite a shack is it Dan?" Ricky looked at me jokingly, when we approached the house. I turned around and shot him a dirty look.
"Are we also picking up your girlfriend?" I asked back. Ricky immediately started denying she was his girlfriend.
"You have a girlfriend?" Maddie questioned. "Oh gosh, our little Ricky is growing up!" She exclaimed laughing. I smiled it was good to hear Madds laugh.
"Whoa, check out the car pulling in behind us!" Ricky exclaimed, changing the subject. "I wish I was rich and had a car like that!"
"Ricky, please, you'd be a snob, seriously, it'd go straight to your head!" I told him, glaring at the man in the car driving up.
"What do you have against rich people?" Ricky asked me annoyed.
"They're snobs," I replied.
"That's just a stereotype!" Ricky declared.
"Ok really, who cares? Can someone just go to the door? This man probably thinks we're stalking him or something ok?" Nick stated impatiently.
Holly jumped out of the car, and then announced, "I will. Madds, you want to come?" She asked, looking back at Maddie. Before Madds had a chance to reply, the man from the expensive car, walked up to our jeep, which looked really shitty right there next to his jag.
"How can I help you?" The man asked, with a curious face, as he peered at us all through the window and then back to Holly.
"Hey, I'm Holly Mariano," Holly exclaimed, putting out her hand, which he then shook. Holly has always had a way with people. "I'm here to do a class project with Chris and my younger brother Rick is here to get Julianna." She explained, smiling at the stranger.
"That makes sense. Well, why are you standing out here come in, all of you," He said, extending his invitation to the rest of us in the car. That blew, because seriously I didn't want to do anything this rich socialite told us to. "I insist. You don't have to stay long, just come in for a drink or something." Unfortunately, after that Nick unbuckled his seatbelt and turned off the car engine. I knew I couldn't just sit here by myself; I'd have to go inside.
"I'm Nick Mariano, and these are my two younger brothers, Dan and Rick, and then our friend Maddie." Nick introduced as we all got out of the car.
"Oh, I'm so rude. Sorry. I'm Tristan DuGrey. C'mon in," We all followed him quietly into the house. Which if you thought the outside was nice, this was amazing. "Children!" He called, when we were all in.
I heard Dad calling us, and since usually he doesn't call us, well I mean all of us at the same time, I was quite curious to see what it was all about. Heading downstairs I found the foyer crowed.
"Ahh, this is Andrew the eldest, and you know Julie and Chris..." My Father smiled at me. Looking at the company, I noticed the new guy Nick, who I had had lunch with the other day, along with two other guys and two girls. One of the girls looked so familiar, it was just strange. I mean I have no clue who she is, but at the same time I felt like I'd known her all my life.
"So, you guys are all around the same age, so why don't I leave you to talk?" Dad stated, leaving the room smiling. Oh, did Dad arrange this? It was actually kind of nice of him, it is really nice how he always wants Julie, Chris and I to hang together. And, he thinks that with another family we could. Well, that was nice, but just way too naïve of him.
The youngest boy and Julie started to talk quietly. Other than that an awkward silence filled the air. Before I decided to say something, the boy spoke to his brother.
"Hey, Nick?" Ricky called.
"Yeah?" He questioned, glad for the conversation.
"Julie and I were kind of hoping we'd be going home. I wanted to show her my CD collection and stuff, so?" Ricky explained, looking at Nick.
"Sure. It was nice to meet you all." Nick told us looking around, and then to Holly. "Holly, what time do you want to be picked up? "
"Uh, I don't know? I mean how long?" She asked looking to Chris.
"I don't know, nine? Ten?"He estimated.
"Ok, so I'll come back at nine, k?" Holly nodded in response.
I had stayed with Holly at the DuGreys. I owed it to Holly to be with her. This wasn't that bad, I mean this guy Chris was hilarious and made his and Holly's project seem fun. It turned out the older guy Andrew, he, well first off let me tell you, when I look at him I feel as if well, I don't know, but he feels familiar. Anywho, it turns out him and Nick had some classes together, and had even eaten lunch together, so Andrew went home with Nick. So, it was just Chris, Holly, and I left and of course Chris's parents.
"Hey, kids do you want something for dinner?" Rory, Chris's Mom asked us. I was kind of getting hungry.
"Sure," Chris replied. "Are you two hungry?" He asked Holly and me. Both of us nodded.
Another good thing about Chris I forgot to add was that he doesn't ask questions. Not that everyone does, but I mean about the bruises he hasn't said anything.
Heading downstairs, we found the dining room table set for five.
"We go all out." He joked. I nodded, they must be. We were eating with like silver. I looked over at Holly and she just sent me a look of disbelief.
"You must! The most my family ever does is order out, I mean perhaps we'll even set the table, but that's just rarely!" Holly told him with a laugh.
"Me too, I mean I don't even think we own silverware! It's all the plastic stuff from fast food restaurants!" I added. Holly and I looked at each other again, boy, we both felt out of place.
"That how it is when I'm with my Dad at his place. I mean with him, I don't even think we use the table!" Chris told us. So, this guy wasn't his Dad?
"That sounds familiar!" Holly responded. Yeah, that definitely did!
"I hope you are all hungry!" Rory said, entering the room. "Mrs. Macgregor makes a delicious roast."
Holly and I sat there in awe as platter after platter was brought in loaded with food. This was definitely the life, I mean if I could have this? Maybe not, though, money isn't everything, right, it can just buy you everything! But, it can't buy love, sighing I tried not to think of Danny.
"Sorry, I'm late, business call," Tristan, who now I'm figuring is Chris's step dad, said as he came into the dining room and took his seat at the head of the table. I seriously think that I've met him and Andy both before somewhere. But, I just can't figure out where.
The rest of the night from there went uneventful. Chris and Holly finished the first part of the project, which made them both happy. I think they might like each other, or at least are just attracted to one another, because I started to feel like a third wheel. I mean after dinner they started flirting, and I'm not complaining or anything. Just for me it was as awkward as hell, I mean, what am I suppose to do when the two of them our flirting?
Anywho, the point being I just couldn't wait for Nick to pick us up. Not only because I felt like a third wheel, but also because well I was wondering what a certain someone was up too. And, as much as I told myself to stop thinking about him I couldn't!
"That must be Nick..." I declared when the doorbell chimed, at nine o'clock. Agreeing Holly piled her books into her backpack.
"Thanks so much for having us, dinner and everything!" She told Chris grinning.
Smiling back, Chris replied, "Anytime!" I had a feeling he really meant that. Especially, when I caught the wink he gave sent Holly right after it.
"Yeah, thanks it was great!" I added as we left his room and walked downstairs.
"No problem..." Downstairs, Nick was waiting in the hall with the butler and Andrew. Butler, holy cow that sounds weird! I mean who has one? Well, other that all these Hartford families.
"Hey you guys!" Nick greeted. "Did you get everything done?" He questioned. Holly nodded. "Great, well, Andrew and I are going to drop you guys at home and then head out." He explained, nodding towards Andrew. Looking sideways at Andrew, I couldn't shake the familiarity that I had towards him.
"'Alright," Holly replied, to what Nick had said. Nick nodded, and he and Andrew headed back out to the car. I sensed now would be a good time to leave Chris and Holly alone.
"It was nice to meet you! Thanks again!" I told Chris as I followed the older guys out.
"You too," He shouted out after me. Looking back I smiled and waved.
"I should go, but thanks for everything." I smiled. Turn around, walk outside! What is my problem? As much as I wanted to walk out, my feet felt like they were rooted to the spot.
"It was fun..." He replied, smiling back.
"Yeah, it was fun!" I agreed. Okay, now Holly this is when you turn and leave!
"We should do it again." He declared.
"The project?" I asked confused.
"No, I meant, we could hang out. I mean if you want?" He mumbled the last part in embarrassment. I grinned, he was so cute!
"Definitely!" I replied, mentally kicking myself for sounding too eager.
"Yeah..." And, the next thing I knew we were kissing. And, I was loving it. I mean here is a great guy and he's kissing me! Hearing Nick honk the horn we quickly separated.
"Shit." I murmured. "I got to go!" I told him smiling and running out the door. I'm such an idiot! "Sorry!" I muttered when I got in the car.
"What took you so long?" Nick asked teasingly.
"Nothing," I stated. Usually I don't mind Nick teasing, I mean he does it all the time, but when there's a stranger in the car? I hate it! I know he didn't know about the kiss, I mean how could he? Unless he had like eagle eyes, which he doesn't, so...
"Whoa, someone's testy!" He mocked laughing.
"Hey, how long is Julie going to be over?" I questioned. "I mean wouldn't it of made sense to drop her off, when you picked us up?"
"Yeah it would've made sense, but Ricky and she had just started a movie, coincidence, yeah right. Anyway, we called her place, and Mr. DuGrey said he'd pick her up at eleven," Nick explained.
"Ohhh..." I replied. Looking out the window, I watched the houses go by. I couldn't wait to get home to talk with Maddie about everything. I mean we just had so much to talk about, I only hope we could when we got home.
We drove up into the driveway in silence, except for the classic rock that was playing on the radio that Nick always listened too.
"Thanks for the drive." Maddie told Nick, as she slid out of the car.
"Yeah, thanks," I told him, shutting the door and heading into the house.
Inside we had to be careful when we went in, because Dad was painting the front hall. It had wallpaper on it, but now Dad was painting it a light brown colour, called café.
In a way it was good we moved, because now Dad has all these housing projects, which will keep him busy and not thinking about Mom.
"Hey Dad," I called to him, when Maddie and I entered.
"Hey honey. Maddie long time no see, huh?" He greeted us.
"Yeah," Maddie laughed.
"How'd the project go?" He asked us.
"The project? It went great!" I told him. Maddie and I began to walk out of the room until he called us back.
"Come back here for a sec!"
"Yeah?" I asked questioning, as we both stood in the doorway.
"Madds, what's up with the face?" He inquired.
"My face? What do you mean?" Maddie asked acting like she didn't know what he was talking about.
"The bruise? If I didn't know better I'd say you were beaten!" He joked. Maddie and I both gave a false laugh.
"Oh, the bruise, I'm trying out for the girls football team believe or not!" She replied with a laugh.
"Team sports are such a waste of time, when I was a teenager-"
"Hey Dad, we know, when you were our age you were into reading books, we know!" I told him with a smile. Glad, to have gotten out of one of his flashbacks.
I didn't hear Maddie and Holly come in, but I was downstairs rooting around in the fridge for something to eat, when I heard Dad stop them to talk. I listened quietly from the kitchen, until they were done and had gone upstairs.
I had no idea how to act in front of Maddie. Well, I did have an idea, an idea that I wanted to kiss and just make out with her, but I had no game plan on how to act in front of Maddie when Holly was there. I wasn't sure if Maddie had told Holly about us, but then again when would she of had time to tell her about us? They hadn't been alone together yet. I decided the best idea was just to go up and talk to the two of them, just be really vague.
Heading upstairs I bumped into Dad in the hall.
"Football, eh?" He mumbled.
"It's support to be game of strategy." I told him, making up some BS.
"Strategy my foot, all they do is clobber one another..." He muttered. I ran upstairs and left him complaining about sports.
To knock, or not to knock? Knock, because even if Holly doesn't get it, she can't complain about me not valuing her privacy. Knocking, I waited for a response.
"Yeah?" Holly shouted. Screwing being polite I opened the door.
"Hey you guys," I said, upon entering Holly's room. Maddie smiled at me, from her spot on the bed, but stopped when she saw Holly's face.
"What do you want?" She questioned demanding.
"Just wondering what you girls were up to," I replied, trying to act cool.
"Because, I'm in a good mood you can stay, but that's just because I feel bad that you aren't doing anything on a Friday night." She told me. Whoa, I must've sounded pretty pathetic for Holly to suddenly be overcome by kindness and let me stay in here.
"You know I canceled all my plans just to spend time with you two!" I told them, smiling brightly. "Ow!" I shouted, rubbing my face where the pillow had just hit me! "This means war!" I warned them.
Later that night, after Julie and Rick's movie was over, Julie had about a half hour until Mr. DuGrey showed up, so all five of us started to play a card game called spoons.
I was finished the second coat of paint in the hallway. And, by the looks of it, I should do a third tomorrow to make it look more professionally done.
At eleven o'clock the doorbell rang I opened it to find Julie's Father.
"Hey, I'm Jess Mariano, Ricky father." I greeted him as I opened the door.
"Yeah, hey, I'm Tristan DuGrey. Have we met before?" He asked. Looking closer at the man, I knew we had. The question is from where?