"Oh Joanna, and who is this?" asks Mr. Loft
"Hello, Mr. Loft, this is Joseph, my friends' cousin." says Joanna
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Loft." says Paul
"Nice to meet you, Joseph. Oh, so you guys won't be playing that game with your friend? "asks Mr. Loft
"Game?" asks Paul
"Yes, the game we're playing right now, Jo." says Joanna
"Oh yeah" says Paul
"Oh, so who's Jo?" asks Mr. Loft
"He is, right, Joseph?" asks Joanna
"Yes, I am" answers Paul
"Well, you kids be careful we don't want anyone hearing that Jo, the greatest pirate ever is you. says Mr. Link, with a wink.
"Yes, Mr. Link." they say in unison
"Good-bye Joanna, and Joseph." says Mr. Loft
Then Mr. Loft goes into his house. Joanna turns toward Paul, smiles, Paul tries to ask a question, but Joanna grabs Pauls' arm and drags him away, to a store. She shows him some clothes, grabs a lot of the clothes. Then pushes him into a dressing room, and tosses him the clothes. Ten minutes later, after trying on the clothes, she takes him to a library. She rushes him to the back, into a secluded area, and sits him at a table.
"Okay, now we can talk." says Joanna
"Why did Mr. Loft say game?" asks Paul
"We told him, it was a game." answers Joanna
"So, who does know this isn't a game?" asks Paul
"Most of the staff, that isn't a former pirate, or kitchen staff. Kitchen staff is a big gossiping group." says Joanna
"So Poppy knows?" asks Paul
"Of course, Poppy knows, she and I are close. There is nothing, I'd keep from her." she replies matter-of-factly
"Okay, and you dragged me across town, why?" asks Paul
"Because, what if someone walks by, and hears us. We will be arrested, and hanging by a rope." explains Paul
"Good call on the library." says Paul
"Thank-you. Come on, lunch will be ready soon." says Joanna
They clear out of the library. Little did they know that the Captain on Paul's' old ship, and a few shipmates made it out of the fight alive. Followed them all over town, and heard every word, but the think Paul is the actual "Jo the greatest pirate alive". Joanna, and Paul walked up the driveway to the house. Then Joanna shows Paul the garden.
"Here is the garden." says Joanna
"Wow, it's huge ! What's with the weird looking, chair and table?" asks Paul
"That, is where we are having lunch." says Joanna
"Lunch is served." T.J. places the lunch on the table. "Oh, yes, your mother called to remind you about the party, next month. " says T.J.
"Thank-you, T. J." says Joanna. He nods, leaves with a trey, and Paul and Joanna sit down.
"Oh, if there is anything you don't like or allergic to, let me know." says Joanna
"Realy?" asks Paul
"Well, yeah, you're my pretend brother. So I'd like to know that we aren't killing you." says Joanna
"Okay. Well, I'm allergic to nuts and milk." says Paul
"Okay, then ... oh, you want to spar with me out back ?" asks Joanna
"Yeah, but don't cry when I beat you little girl." taunts Paul
"Yeah, right, Mr. Greatest Swordsman on Sea" scoffed Joanna
They eat their lunch, and take their plates in the kitchen. They hurry up stairs, to their rooms, and find/ grab their swords. Then Joanna leads Paul to the backyard, sneaking past Poppy. Knowing she'd flip out if she knew what they were doing. They start swinging their swords, but stop.
"So, how are we going to do this?" asks Joanna
"How about getting the other on the ground, and a small scratch to the nose." says Paul
"Okay." agrees Joanna
They start up again, and Paul gets Joanna on the ground. Then, before Paul makes the scratch, Joanna gets up, trips him, and makes the scratch. In the second round, Paul makes a scratch. Then they decide to stop, and go in. When Poppy saw the two scratches, she grounds them from their swords, and other weapons. She puts her arms on both their shoulders, and leads them upstairs.
"Now, let's get your scratches cleaned up. Give me your swords you two." says Poppy. They hand her their swords.
"But Poppy, we were just playing." whines Joanna
"Yes, but, what if you argued then it would be more than little scratches. You two might be pirates out in sea, but you are not on the sea, and you're under Mr. and Mrs. Fars' house. The left me in charge, along with T.J. . So when I say no sword fights, I mean no sword fights." says Poppy
"Wait, I'm new, I don't know the rules." says Paul
"Alright, then you get one week less than, Joanna." says Poppy
"Aw, wait how long am I grounded ?' asks Joanna
"Two weeks." says Poppy
"Oh, that's not bad." says Joanna
"Yes, but do it again, and it'll be a month." says Poppy
"I won't do it again." says Joanna
"Same with you, mister." says Poppy
"I won't do it again" says Paul
"Good, now go get cleaned up, and get a Band-Aid on those scratches." says Poppy
"Yes, Poppy" they say
She goes back downstairs, and Joanna and Paul go to their rooms. After cleaning their scars, and putting Band-Aids on them. They climb down the stairs, and Joanna leads Paul to the living room. She shuts the door. Paul sits on the couch, and she sits in a chair.
"Okay, I should tell you the rules, and what we have to go through for three weeks." says Joanna
"Whoa, whoa! Three weeks until...?" asks Paul
"Until, the party, relax all you have to do is show up. I'll handle everything else." says Joanna
"Stuff like?" asks Paul
"Well, first I have to see if my friends cousin will be representing my friend. If not you can still be him at the party, if so, you're going to need a new cover." says Joanna. Then the phone rings, and Joanna picks it up. "Hello? ... Oh hey, thanks for calling me back... How are you feeling? ... Great, so I was wondering if any of your family members or friends are coming in your behalf? Nor... Do I have anyone in mind?...Yes, I actually have one right here ... He looks more like your cousin Gerald. ... Haha, no he is nothing like your cousin. So can he masquerade as him? ... Okay, I'll wait... Great. Thank-you so mu- wait what's in it for him? ... WHAT! Let me talk to him.. I'm not going out with you...Why? ... Because I don't like you. ... Gerald, I only saw you twice. ... Of course, I've heard of love at first sight. ... I'm sorry, I just don't want to ... Hmm? ... One dance, that's it ... Okay, but on the forehead ... What? ... Okay, okay, deal. Wait? ... I'm going to kick your spying butt. Give the phone back to Tyler. ... Yeah, hello, listen I have to go ... uh huh ... yeah ... Thank-you, so much, I'll visit you, when your better. ... Huh? ... Let me ask. " She cups the bottom of the phone, and turns to Paul. " Hey, my friend wants to know if you'd like to come with me when I visit him?"
"Me?" asks Paul
"No, the Easter Bunny." she says sarcastically
" Smart Alec, umm... I guess." says Paul
"I'm back," says Joanna to Tylar on the phone. "...Yeah ... he said ' I guess' ... yeah... I'll ask him again sometime. ... Yeah... feel better... okay...Bye." She hangs up the phone.
"Okay, so I'm Gerald?" asks Paul
"Yes and no, you will be Gerald, but your name won't be Gerald, it's still Joseph. It's easier to keep it simple. " says Joanna
"Now what?" asks Paul
"Now, you go to classes, like I do You will be a transfer student for three weeks. You go to a private school, those three weeks on top of other lessons. I will help you catch up in any of your classes, even if they are different from mine." says Joanna
"School? I never been to school." replies Paul
"Well, now you're going to a private school." says Joanna
"Wow, that's a huge step forward." says Paul
"Yep" says Joanna
"Now, about these rules?" ask Paul
"Oh, yes, there isn't many. Rule number one, you're already acquainted with. Number two, on the night before a test, there will be no friends over. Rule number three, homework will be done. Rule number four, don't do any drugs, or drink booze of any kind. Especially around Mom, Dad, and Poppy." says Joanna
"Why Poppy?" asks Paul
"Because Mom always leaves, Poppy in charge. When Poppy isn't here, it's T.J. who's in charge, then when none of them are here are here, I'm in charge."
"Okay, makes sense, except for the last part. says Paul
"Why is that?" asks Joanna
"You're only 15 years old, that's why." says Paul
"True." says Joanna
They leave, to go get ready for dinner. An hour later, they take a bath, and brush their teeth. They get dressed for bed, and Joanna helps Paul get his paperwork to get into school pre prepared. Then she gives him a backpack, that she finds in her dad's' stuff, and tells him to be careful with it. The next morning they get up at 7.