Paul stuck out a brown hand and grinned at me. I flinched, slightly, but greeted him warmly.

"Nice to meet you," I said.

"Oh, Kel, he's adorable!" cried Paul falsely. "Teach him well, babe, I'm off. See you around, cowboy." He added, smirking.

I scowled, but waved anyway. It may have been a kind of "shoo!" wave, but

whatever. I still had to be polite. New town and all. Impressions and such.

I turned back to my glowing stepsister. "Jess," she said, patting my shoulder flirtatiously.

Okay, not to sound girly, or anything, but ew.

I winced at this new nickname. "You two are gonna be the best of friends, I know it."

"Uh huh," I replied, trying to escape this situation. "So... is Paul... your boyfriend?"

Damn. That totally came out wrong. It made me sound...

...Jealous.

Which I wasn't.

Kelly laughed out loud. "Boyfriend?" she repeated. "Oh honey, I wish. I mean he knows I'm hot, but he totally has this for a girl he met on holiday, or so he says. Susanne? Susanna? I have no idea, but its not like she's any richer than us. Mom says we're as rich as royalty anyway."

"Royalty," I mumbled meaninglessly. "Yeah, OK Kel, I'm gonna take off."

Kelly pulled a face. "Its like, nine-thirty."

God, can't I get away from anything here?

"And I'm like, jet-lagged," I mimicked. I was glad for an excuse to leave the awkward party. "Buh-bye Kelly. See you at home."

"How are you going to get home? I have the keys." She pouted, clearly trying to make me stay longer.

"I'll walk," I shrugged. "See ya."

"Wait-" Kelly stopped me to lay a slow, long kiss on my cheek. "See you at home."

OK. Again, I say, ew.

"Whatever," I slipped out of her perfumed clutches and into my jacket. I waved a subtle goodbye to Cee Cee and Adam, before stepping into the cool air.

It was heaven, the way it caressed my chin. I breathed in the brand new salty spray, then rubbed it out of my eyes. It was time to go home.

Too bad my home was back in New York.

x

"Hey there, Jess," Sara said, as she came bustling out of the lounge with an empty popcorn bowl. "Kelly not with you?"

Apparently, this new nickname was catching on.

People nowdays.

"Uh, no," I said. "She didn't want to interrupt my jet-lag."

"Oh, sure," smiled Sara. "You going to bed then?"

"Yup," I said, faking a yawn. "That's me, tired as hell. Falling asleep right... now..."

"Ok. I'll tell your Dad." She simpered.

I think she knew I was pretending, but she didn't let on. I climbed the stairs in silence, and opened the door to my 'room'

Then groaned.

"What the hell are you still doing here?"