Chapter Two

"Oh, I'm so excited," blurted Lynn, "You didn't tell us he lived NEXT DOOR to you!"

"You didn't even remember who he was before!" Menlie shot back.

"Why am I here?" Claire inquired, "We're just going to bother this poor guy."

"Claire, let's face it," Jeanne said, taking her hand, "You are one of the most beautiful girls at Pine Falls High. But people look at you as aloof… Kind of weird… Different. However, on the other hand, you hang with the coolest girls in school." She gestured around her to Menlie and Lynn.

"Because you guys are my friends," Claire replied, "Not because I care what people think of me. I mean, if people think I'm some kind of nerd because I like school, then that's their problem, isn't it?" Jeanne shrugged, as if it was a moot point. Then she put a finger to her lips. They were standing on the side of Jeanne's house, looking over her fence at Watts Kemmer's house. Suddenly, Jeanne gave a small squeak.

"I sense MOVEMENT!" she exclaimed, jerking back and forth and pointing towards the front of her house. It was true, next door the sound of jingling keys could be heard. They quickly made their way around to the front. Jeanne tilted her head back and looked on in amazement. Watson "Watts" Kemmer, the boxer, was standing at the mailbox next to her, in all his glory. She didn't know what to say.

"H-hello Mr. Kemmer!" she exclaimed, "I'm Jeanne Bardot. I live next door!" She gave a little giggle. "And these are my friends – Menlie, Lynn and Claire." The three girls gave their greetings, some (Menlie and Lynn) more enthusiastically than others (Claire). However, despite the lukewarm reaction Watts had received from Claire, it was to her that his eyes immediately went.

"What nice young girls," he replied, reaching over the railing to shake their hand. "As you apparently already know, my name is Watts Kemmer." He pressed his finger on the button of his door and opened it. "TYNA! GALEN!" he called, "COME MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS!" A few moments later, a girl of around Claire's age and a boy who seemed few years younger appeared. "This," Watts said, "is my lovely daughter, Tyna." The girl, who was tall and black-haired with rich mahogany skin, did a mock curtsy as she smiled at the praise. "And my son, Galen." The boy nodded quickly. Claire looked at him sympathetically. He seemed to be very shy, not at all like the girl seemed. "They'll probably be attending your school. That is," he now looked directly at Claire, "If you're still in school?"

"Not for long!" Jeanne proclaimed with a giggle, "We graduate in two months!"

"And we're all eighteen," added Menlie, even though she and Lynn were only seventeen.

"That's nice to know," Watts replied, "Anyway, I must be going. It was a pleasure to meet you young ladies. I suppose I'll be seeing you around?" He winked and ushered Tyna and Galen back into the house before following them inside.

"Oh, that was exhilarating!" exclaimed Jeanne, when he was out of earshot, "He's SO good-looking!"

"And so old enough to be your father," chastised Claire.

"Uh, hello, Claire. He was looking at YOU the entire time!" Menlie shot back.

"He was not!"

"Yes he was," agreed Lynn, "And I'd suggest you pursue that."

"Pursue it? He's just friendly. And plus – ugh – he has kids OUR AGE. Isn't he married?"

"Divorced!" supplied Jeanne.

"Yeah, well, I'm not going after any guys with kids my age."

"Claire," stated Jeanne, "Listen to me. This guy… he's WATTS KEMMER! Did you get a good look at him? The abs, the hotness, the OH YEAH ALL RIGHT! Did you get a good look at that?"

"Yes, I did get a good look at that," replied Claire as they walked inside Jeanne's house.

"And you would pass that up? Claire, this is a PERFECT OPPORTUNITY. Ring his bell, if ya know what I mean!"

"Jeanne…" Claire replied with a quiet giggle, "I can't do that. I'm not interested in Watts Kemmer. After all, I just met him."

"I can tell that look in his eye," Jeanne replied, wagging her finger, "You're gonna have him one day. No matter what."