~~~~~~~~Jess~~~~~~~~

"The more likable he is, the more deadly he is." The Hunger Games

Why am I worrying? He still loves me, doesn't he? There is no reason for me to expect the worst, get a grip on yourself Jess! I have been beating myself up over this in my room at Half Moon Farm for the past hour.

I am startled when my mother says it is time to go to the Sloane-Kinkaid's house. There will be a party to welcome Darcy and Stuart back to Concord from college for Spring Break. It is also a Mother-Daughter Book Club meeting because Mrs. Hawthorne said the books came in. I don't know how I feel about having to read The Hunger Games for book club. It seems interesting enough, but I'm not on board with the whole "I'm going to kill everyone so I can become rich and famous" thing. Frankie, Adeline, and Savannah, my roommates at Colonial Academy, have read the whole trilogy and loved it! They have watched the movies and loved them too. I will not know until we start reading.

"JESS! ARE YOU ALMOST READY?" my mom yells up the stairs. I look at the clock on my dresser. It reads 5:45 pm. We are supposed to be at the Sloane-Kinkaids's by 6! OH-no! I must have been daydreaming again! Good thing I don't need much time to get ready. I quickly slip on a button-up shirt and tie it in front to go with my jeans. Then I apply some light make-up. A little mascara and blush never hurt anyone. I run downstairs to my patiently waiting family and we drive off.

Cassidy is the one to open the door. "Everyone's in the kitchen. The Hawthorne's and Chadwick's should be arriving in about ten minutes. Emma and Becca are already here. We hurry to the kitchen and sit down to wait. Dylan and Ryan are on lookout duty.

Becca is excitedly talking about Theo and how he told her he loved her earlier in the week. I smile and remember when Darcy and I first exchanged those three special words. "Sam then screamed and fell into the lake," Becca says. I guess she's telling a different story now. "So now raccoons raided their food, Sam is soaking wet, it's storming, and the tents are open." "Sounds as bad as our camping adventure," grins Megan. "Right Mom?" "Yes," Mrs. Wong laughs nervously. "I'd rather not relive getting lost in a storm. Do you agree girls?" "Yes," the rest of the book club chimes in. "But-" Cassidy is interrupted by Dylan whisper-shouting "Mr. Hawthorne and Mr. Chadwick are pulling into the driveway!"

Mrs. Sloane-Kinkaid opens the front door and says "I'm so glad we could all get together to celebrate you and Darcy coming home for Spring Break! I baked a cake and it's in the kitchen. Why don't you go have a piece?"

Stuart comes into the kitchen and Emma is the first to greet him with a short little kiss. Becca is next to say hello. Stuart looks glad to be home.

Where is Darcy? I can't wait to see him! As if reading my mind, he walks into the kitchen with a miserable look on his face, but more handsome than ever. I jump up to run over to him when I freeze. There standing next to him is another girl. A girl who is wearing caked make-up, a short sparkly dress, six inch heels and a designer hand bag. A girl who is the complete opposite from me. Angry and hurt I run out of the house and sit on the front steps crying.

Dis he look back? Notice I was missing? I'm not sure.

Oh-no! Jarcy drama! Who is this mysterious girl? Sorry for the late update. I hope you all have a great holiday season! Until the next update...

STAY GORGEOUS! -Tori