CHAPTER 2: WHEN VANESSA MET MITCHELL

Lucy and Vanessa were having lunch together at school. The two of them had become good friends over the year of knowing one another. And to think they started off as rivals butting heads on the cheerleading squad. For their 8th grade year, Vanessa was given another chance at being squad leader, but this time she was more patient and was now listening to her fellow cheerleaders and not ignoring them and doing what she wanted just to prove that she had a handle on things.

This particular day, Vanessa was talking about how her father was working on the Sam Mancini murder case and how secretive he had become.

"My father doesn't usually talk about work with us for good reason," said Vanessa. "But now, he's really quiet since taking this latest case."

"What's funny is that Sam's place was where we and the Spiders first confronted the Lizard Ladies and where Python was gunned down," said Lucy. "I wonder if any of that is connected to this latest thing."

"Well, I wouldn't know, but if it is, my father isn't saying anything." Just then, Vanessa saw a blonde-haired boy walking across the lunchroom with a tray of food. She was immediately smitten by the boy.

"Lucy, who's that?" she asked.

"Him?" said Lucy. "That's Mitchell Forrester. He moved here from Iowa. I think he came around the same time as Wayne King did."

"He's very cute. I think I'll get to know him a little better."

"Go for it, girl!" And Vanessa made her way over to where Mitchell was sitting. He looked up to see the curvaceous African-America standing before him.

"Hello," she greeted.

"Hi," said Mitchell. "Have we met?"

"Not yet, but I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Vanessa. Vanessa Young."

"Oh yeah, you're on the cheerleading squad, aren't you?"

"I am. I'm also squad leader."

"Well I'm Mitchell Forrester."

"Nice to meet you, Mitchell." And they shook hands. Vanessa continued, "I couldn't help but notice that you were eating lunch by yourself."

"Well I still have yet to meet more folks. I have met some of the kids who are nice, but I've only hung out with a few, so far."

"Well you're welcome to join me and my friend over there. From what I heard, you two had already met." And she pointed to Lucy, who waved at Mitchell. Schroeder had just sat down with her.

"Oh, Lucy Van Pelt? Yeah, we have History together. Sure I'll join you. I'd like that." And Vanessa and Mitchell went back over to where Lucy, and now Schroeder, was sitting at.

"Hello, Mitchell," said Lucy. "How are you enjoying Sparkyville Middle School, so far?"

"Pretty good, Lucy," said Mitchell. "Many of the kids here are nice."

"Well, this is my boyfriend Schroeder. Schroeder, this is Mitchell Forrester."

"How are you, Mitchell?" said Schroeder, shaking his hand.

"Pretty good," said Mitchell. "From what I hear, you are a classical music buff."

"You could say that, especially with Beethoven."

"But my baby has stretched out to other genres, though," Lucy chimed in. "Our friend Charlie Brown has started a band with me and his girlfriend Frieda as vocalists. Schroeder here is the keyboardist and band director."

"When I was younger, I wouldn't even dream of playing pop music, let alone listen to it," said Schroeder. "Now, I'm starting to stretch out and do other music. My second favorite kind of music, after classical, is jazz. I also like a bit of rock."

"What kind of music are you into, Mitchell?" asked Vanessa.

"Well I like all kinds, Vanessa," said Mitchell.

"Would you want to go to Violet Gray's upcoming New Year's Eve party with me?" Vanessa asked the new kid.

"I'd like to," said a happy Mitchell. "Forgive me for saying this, but you're pretty cute, Vanessa."

"Thank you," said Vanessa. She held his arm. "You're cute, yourself, Mitchie!" And Mitchell blushed and smiled. Lucy and Schroeder looked at the two of them. It looked like Vanessa had found a boy for her that she liked very much. And Mitchell was liking her, as well. Things were going smooth, thus far.

NEXT CHAPTER: COKE, AND NOT THE KIND YOU DRINK!