Two days after seeing the movie together, Annie and Keely were finally alone. They had made plans to re-arrange Annie's bedroom, and she had not so subconsciously scheduled the meeting on a day she knew Jack had plans. She had overheard them on the phone the past night, and was unsure how exactly she felt about their apparent coulpledom. On the one hand, Jack had sounded really happy, and he was much more cheerful than usual. On the other… well, Annie didn't like to think about it.
"This bookshelf weighs a ton!" Keely complained, pushing against it. After a few more attempts she gave up and slumped to the floor.
"Go on without me," she said dramatically. "I'll just lay here… don't forget me!"
The girls were laughing so hard they didn't hear Molly come up the stairs and down the hall until she was in the doorway.
"Annie, a postcard just came for you," she said, shuffling through the day's mail to hand Annie her letter. As she did, a small envelope fell to the floor. She didn't notice, and left the girls with a smile.
Annie, however, noticed the piece of dropped mail. She was about to call Molly back when she froze, staring at the address.
"Keely?" she asked, staring at her friends feet back as Keely attempted again to move the bookshelf.
"Yeah?"
"This one's for you."
Keely stopped pushing and stared quizzically at Annie.
"What do you mean it's for me?" she asked. "I don't live here. Why would someone send mail to me here?"
"I don't think they did," Annie answered. "There's no postmark, just 'Keira'. See?"
She handed the letter to her friend, wondering what on earth could possibly be going on.
Sitting on the edge of Annie's bed, Keely opened the envelope. Inside was one folded piece of paper. Annie's curiosity got the better of her, and she sat down next to her, peering over her shoulder as Keely unfolded the paper.
"Oh sick!" Annie cried once it was open.
On the paper was a black and white photo of a kitten. Or rather, a dead kitten. There was an open window above it it appeared to have fallen out of, and it's neck was twisted at a funny angle.
"Why would someone send this to you?" Annie cried. "What kind of sick joke is this?"
"I- I don't know," Keely stammered. "It was probably just some stupid prank. You know, some sicko going door to door delivering his masterpieces."
"But why would someone address it to you and deliver it here?"
"I don't know, Annie, maybe someone overheard my name and thought I lived here. Anyway, it's just some perverted prank, let's forget about it."
"But-"
"FORGET it!" Keely cried. "C'mon, let's go make some cookies or something."
She tossed the disturbing photo into the trash and left the room, assuming Annie would follow her. She did, but not before she cast one more look at the photo. Annie frowned, noticing something she hadn't before. In the corner, someone had scrawled a big, red "3".
Later that evening, Jack and Carey were greeted with the alluring smell of freshly baked goods when they came through the door of the Phillip's house.
"Alright, Molly's baking cookies!" Carey exclaimed, walking into the kitchen. He stopped short, seeing Keely and Annie behind the stove instead of Molly.
"Don't block the door- hey!" Jack exclaimed, catching sight of Keely's flour-covered face. "What are you doing here?"
He crossed over to her, and kissed her quickly on the forehead.
"Annie invited me. She didn't tell you?"
"No…" Jack said, casting a suspicious glance at Annie. "She didn't."
"Well we're here together now," Keely said. "You guys want to play a game or something?"
"No," Annie and Carey said at the same time.
Jack and Keely exchanged a glance.
"Okay, don't everyone list things to do at once," Keely said flatly. "You guys don't want to all hang out together?"
Annie shrugged, busy with the cookies, and Carey shook his head.
Keely sighed.
"I guess it's just you and me, Jack."
"Guess so," Jack said, but with a smile. "Car racing?"
"Loser buys lunch!" Keely shrieked, racing from the room.
"Hey!" Jack yelled, starting to follow her. He stopped when he noticed Annie glaring at him.
"What?" he asked, ignoring the guilt creeping over him.
"Nothing," Annie said sarcastically.
Jack opened his mouth, but closed it again when Keely called to him from the other room.
"Coming!" Jack answered.
And without a second glance, he left.
Annie watched Jack race after Keely and she slammed the oven door shut angrily.
"Whoa, watch it kid," Carey commented, picking up a cookie from the tray. "What'd that oven ever do to you, huh?"
"I just hate it!" Annie broke out. "Keely is my friend. And then Jack just waltzes in and she runs off with him. I can't stand it!"
She glared angrily down at the cookie tray, fully aware she sounded like a three year old and not caring.
"Well, maybe you should try to hang out with both of them," Carey said through a mouthful of cookie. "Jack's your friend too."
"Yeah, but…" she trailed off and sighed exasperatedly.
"But?"
"Nothing. You're probably right. I'm over-reacting. I'll go in there and race cars with them."
At the sound of the laughter from the next room, Annie stopped.
"Maybe I'll wait a little while," she said.
Jack had won the first race, but Keely had managed to beat him on the second and third. Now, on the fourth race, Jack was determined to even the score.
"Jack?" Keely asked as their cars rounded the bend.
"Hurm?" Jack mumbled, concentrating on the game.
"Am I your girlfriend?"
Jack's car drove into the wall.
He hit 'pause' on his controller and turned to look at her, unsure of what to say.
"I mean, we hold hands and stuff," she told him, blushing slightly. "And we hang out sometimes. And in the kitchen earlier, you kissed me… and, I like you."
"I like you too," Jack said shyly.
"So, am I your girlfriend?"
Jack thought for a moment. Everything she had said was true, and he did like her, a lot. But there was something in the back of his mind, a thought tugging at him, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
"Jack?" Keely asked uncertainly.
He looked at her, her green eyes curious, hopeful, and hiding a glimmer of hurt. Suddenly, any other thoughts Jack might have didn't matter.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Jack asked her teasingly.
She leaned into him, setting her game controller on the table.
"Yes," she said sweetly.
And then she kissed him.
She hadn't meant to see it. She didn't want to see it. But there they were, in front of her. Jack and Keely, wrapped in each other's arms. Jack and Keely, kissing.
Unwanted tears sprang to her eyes and Annie blinked furiously. She had been ready to talk to them, ready to try to ignore their glances and be with both her friends. And now they were kissing. She spun on her heal and raced to her bedroom, throwing herself onto the bed. And then, unsure of the real reason, Annie put her face in her pillow and cried.
Mkay, shorter than the other two. But we're getting into the paranormal bit now, so that's something. And YES there will be Fi and Clu, I just need to establish some other stuff first. Carey will become a bigger part as well, and eventually we'll see things from Keely's perspective. I know she's a bit Mary-Sue right now, but trust me, that will change. Hope you like!