"I swear, I'm staying right here in good old NC." Justice pointed to the shag carpet at her feet.

"Jeez, does Gravity Falls sound boring or what?" I wasn't in the mood to talk about it.

"Nothing we can do. We're going, whether we like it or not." "Don't be so pessimistic, Jana-Banana!"

She tapped my nose. "Oh dear God, you don't think aunt Stella knows my family pet name?!"

"Yeah, I totally think that." She was stifling laughter, and I could tell. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, giving her one of those "I know you're-just-kidding-but-shut-up" looks. I changed the subject."The Mystery Shack. What the heck is a mystery shack?" "You said it yourself. A tourist trap

in the middle of the woods." I shrugged. I called Rachel first, then Sam; since Gina was with her,

I talked to both of them. Justice called all of her sixteen-year-old friends. The teen years are overrated.

Half of these so-called 'friends' are pretty much total strangers to me and my parents. I threw my last shirt on top of the pile, having my sister sit on my suitcase so I could close it. Rachel was depressed when I gave her the news. "Aw, that must suck! Now we can't spend any time together. Well, if it makes that lousy summer any better, I'll call you all the time. Pinky-swear?" We proceeded with our over-the-phone ritual of holding up our pinkies. "Pinky swear." I echoed. I didn't have to see Rachel to know that her pinky was up, too. I just knew it. "Maybe I'll find someone to keep me company, if you know what I mean." I gave Rachel a wink she couldn't see. "You think you're gonna find a boyfriend this summer?" "I don't think so, I know so. We're almost the only girls left in our grade who have never dated. You know I've secretly always wanted a boyfriend." I let my thoughts wander off for just a little too long. "Hello?" "Oh, sorry. I have to go. Bye, Rachel." "Bye, Jana! I'm really gonna miss you!"

"Same." I sighed. "Bye." I was in a terrible mood when I hung up. Almost three months without my friends or family! I remembered my own words about finding summer love. "I don't think so, I know so."