She still couldn't believe that she was here for Christmas.

Standing on their front porch that had Christmas wreath hanging in the front door window.

It was awful. Her parents had let her walk all by herself. She slowly lifted her mittened hand and rang the doorbell once more.

"Coming, one second!" Came a womans voice.

She felt really nervous. She didn't like the feeling that a family she only knew a bit, was going to be taking care of her for a whole week. Like she was an orphan or something. "This is so stupid!' she sniffed.

Mrs. Heffley opened the door. "Come on in." She said, stepping back to let her in.

Patty gasped. Everything in their house was in Christmas theme. There was a Christmas tree, with tinsel, and lights, and bunch of decorations. Presents laid underneath all piled together. reign deer paper decorations hung on the walls. Santa's sleigh of deer and Mr. And Mrs. Claus stood on their counter. There was stockings, with candy canes hung over the fire-place. And even cookies set out early for Santa. The stair case had decorations on the rail, twirling around the railing to the top. "All you need now are chestnuts roasting by an open fire." She murmured to herself. "And figgy pudding."

"Wait, where are you're parents?" Susan asked, looking around outside. "Didn't they -"

Patty cut her off short, "No, Mrs. Heffley, they aren't much for being late to things, or of course they would have walked me up." She lied, going over to the plate of cookies, and taking one.

Mrs. Heffley just nodded her head in a way of understanding,"Well, come and warm up by the fire. We have some breakfast cereal if you'd like some? Or I could make you some scrambled eggs and bacon and pancakes if you'd like?"

Patty nervously walked inside the living room, "Um, do you have any coffee I could have? Toast would also be sublime?"

Susan Heffley just paused and smiled down at her in concern, "Aren't you a little to young to have coffee?" She asked.

"No. I drink it all the time at my house." she said simply, taking a bite of her cookie, and blinking back at Susan, who was helping her take off her coat to hang up.

"O-kay! Coffee and toast it is!" She stated, walking toward the kitchen after she hung up her coat.

"Thanks." Patty replied back, looking around the Heffley home.

She felt someone bump into her, "Hey short fry, move it!"

She turned to find Rodrick Heffley. "Why don't you buzz off, Heffley?" she exclaimed, then sticking her tongue out at him.

He seemed surprised, "Why you little!"

Susan came back in, "Everything okay in here?"

"No, this little girl is wayy rude!" Rodrick said, walking away, scratching the back of his head.

Susan rolled her eyes, "Are you sure you weren't rude first, Rodrick? But don't worry, I had wanted to have a little talk later about manners with you anyways."

" Me, rude?!" He said nervously walking up the stairs, "Never! I just meant how great it was to have her here, Not being rude like other. . . people . . .do."

Susan didn't look convinced "I wasn't bugging you, was I (short fry)?"

Patty faked a grin, as Susan looked at Patty, waiting for her answer, "No, of course not."

'Why would that little weasel bother me?' she thought in amusement. 'Anyways, he makes my living enemy's life miserable.'

Rodrick seemed relieved of her answer "See!", and ran upstairs, stumbling along the way. "Oof."

"Good. I'm going to get that toast for you. Now, do you want any butter or honey on it?"

"No thanks." She smiled, she hated that someone who wasn't even her mother was caring more for her more than her own.

"Rodrick! Knock it off!" Greg's voice yelled from upstairs a few minutes later.

"Rodrick, stop picking on your brother!" Susan yelled up towards the stairs bringing back Patty's food.

"Love, show some love, okay!" She shouted up again. "Please!" She said, rubbing her brow.

Patty looked up the stairs, angry that they weren't listening, "Would you like me to break it up for you, Mrs. Heffley, I can teach them a thing or two?" She exclaimed, punching her fist in her right hand.

Susan looked down at her, a little startled,"Oh, no sweetie, this is just what brothers do. They fight, but in the end they are always there for each other."

Patty looked up at her confused, "Oh. Really? Well, okay Mrs. Heffley, if you say so. But my offer still stands if you need it"

Susan laughed, thinking she was joking, She handed Patty her toast, "O-kay."

Patty ate her toast in a flash, and apologized to Mrs. Heffley for eating so quickly "Patty, you know you can call me Susan, right?"

"Oh, okay." She looked down, she didn't know what to say after that.

"Well, um, would you like to sit and relax and read?"

Patty didn't feel anything would relax her at this moment. "No thanks."

"Well, I just be out in the garden, . . .gardening if you need anything. Just holler." Susan said, as she fished out her gardening tools, and big sun hat.

"You garden?" walking further into the house, Patty stopped by their family photo on a purple, violet, desk. They all looked so happy together. "I thought you had a lot of things to do?"

Susan looked back, "Oh, well, um."

Patty realized her words may have offended Mrs. Heffley, "Not that I'm judging you. I-I love gardening." she smiled shyly. She always hated to admit that.

"Really?" Susan replied with a bright grin, as she put on her sun hat. "Well, why don't you join me then?"

"Oh, sure, I'd love too." Patty scratched the back of her neck, and felt the sweat drip a little, "But there's a lot of snow outside."

Susan face turned, "Really? It's snowed already?"

"Well, it is November." 'You think she'd get a hint by her own house.' Patty thought.

Patty watched her throw her things back..

Susan smiled as she went over to put on her stocking cap, over the top and back of her head,"I guess that's true. Well, then I think I'll go for a walk. Would you like to come with me?" she asked grabbing her gloves out of her coat pocket she'd just put on, "Then when we get back, I'll set up some hot chocolate for everyone."

Patty thought about it, she knew Mrs. Heffley wouldn't force her, and she hadn't been outside all day except for when she was dropped off by her parents, or when she got here. "Um, okay." she smiled.

"Oh, this is great! The boys never want to go walking with me! This is so exciting! It's like having the daughter that I've always wanted!"

Susan then replied shortly after. "I'm sorry, I have a feeling I'm coming on to strongly. How about I send Greg down, and you two can hang out for a while! Then we can walk later?" She started to walk up the stairs to where ever Greg's room was.

Patty grabbed her by the arm, "No!" she realized than that Mrs. Heffley probably thought she was acting crazy. So she let go of her arm, and shook her head, "I-I haven't gotten to exercise in a while, how about we walk first?!"

Susan nodded her head, "Oh, well, okay."

Then they headed towards the door. Patty put on her coat and heaved a sigh of relieve, "That was a close one!"

Greg heaved a sigh of relieve. "That was to close!" He had heard what his mother had said about him and Patty hanging together, and hid in his closet, hoping she wouldn't find him if he hid behind his hung up clothes.

Thank goodness Patty stopped her.

Sometimes it was really nice to know someone who hated your guts as much as you hated theirs. That would mean they would either try to avoid you as much as possible. But then Patty always wanted to torture him. So maybe it wasn't that great.

He went over to hisJOURNAL on his bed, opened it up, and started to write.

Guess who was just here?

Patty Ferrel, that's who! She was down stairs with my mom. They just decided to go for a walk. So there gone! Thank you Lord!

Is it bad if you really want a bear to some how come and eat someone?

Yeah, I didn't think so.-_

"Greg, Patty, come down to eat!" his mom shouted, waking him.

He turned his head towards the door "Ah!" he said, jumping up. "What are you doing in my room?!"

There stood Patty, by his door. She just staring down at her fingernails, looking annoyed, "I was told to wait up here while your mom made a suprise feast for everyone."

"What?!" He said, "Why?"

"Wow, your so talkative aren't you?" she snarled sarcastically. "I don't know why she just is. Scared she'll poison you?"

"No!" He said angrily, he was really begging to think about running away. "If anything it would be you."

Patty rolled her eyes, "Oh, Heffley, always so original, aren't you?"

"You know what, Patty!" He began to say, but then he was cut off by his father's voice,

"Greg's, um, what are you still doing in here? Mom wanted me to tell you to come down and stop smooching or whatever it is you're doing." he said, "Which with my own words, You better not be."

"DAD!" He shouted, "Ew, gross, first of all! and second, why would I do that in my room!"

Patty looked startled also, "Him, and me. NEVER!" She looked around his room, "And this would personally be the worst place to have my first kiss at! It's so, "ick," Greg Heffley!"

Then she walked out past Frank.

Frank smiled, "I think I like this a lot better than the time I found Rodrick with a girl in his room. You two actually hate each other, this is great!" He said pumping his fist, Then stopped and blinked when he saw Susan standing beside him, "I mean, you really shouldn't hate anyone, ever. Cause that would be so wrong!"

"Good answer," Greg heard his mother say.

"Yeah, learn to love, and cherish. Stand up for love! Be-"

Susan rolled her eyes, "Frank! You can stop now. Just go back down stairs, please, so I can talk to our son, alone."

Frank just nodded his head, "Alright." He then gave Greg a sorry look behind her back.

Once he was gone, she sat down next to Greg.

"Greg, I know this is hard. But please try to be friendly, it helps when you hate someone to be nice to them, and try to love them back."

"So you hate her too, huh?!" he asked, not getting the message.

"No, Greg, I don't. I actually think she's pretty nice. Might have a little temper, but nice all around." Susan stated with a smile.

"Yeah, well believe me mom, that's just all an act. Patty Fat-I mean Ferrell, is not nice." He patted her hand, "She's a wolf in grand ma's clothing!"

"Greg! That is not nice, you do not know her."

"Oh believe me I know Patty Ferrell." He said with a roll of the eyes. "She doesn't care about anyone but herself."

Susan's eyed him, "Sweetie, you know how they say if sometimes you look real closely, you'll see something you didn't before?"

"Yeah?" he replied. "So you want me to look really closely at Patty?"

She smiled, "Sweetie, I want you to try to see her for not how she acts towards you, but try to get her to open up to who she really is, is all I'm saying. I think she really just needs a friend."

He grunted, "I guess your right, mom."

"I know I'm right." she said, taking him in a hug.

He hugged her back.

"Now, come down for supper, I made the stuff that is Patty's favorite. Or so her parents told me when I asked."

He faked a smile. "Yeah, okay." he would only do this for his mom.

Forty five minutes later:

"Who knew Patty was allergic to rice. You'd never know till now." Frank said, rubbing Susan's back as they walked out to their car from the hospital.

"But her parents said she loved Chicken riced lasagna!" Susan said, tears in her eyes.

"I have a feeling Patty's parent's don't know anything about her." Greg whispered, looking over at her. "Just a hunch though."

"But how could they not know what she's allergic too?!" Susan replied, holding Patty's hand, "She-she could have died.

"I'm so sorry , I feel so responsible!" she said to Patty, as they helped her into the back seat.

"Mrs. Heffley, I'm fine. Remember I took the allergy pills the doc gave me." she said, "And my parents do to know things about me!" she glared at Greg. "They just forget some things, sometimes." she huffed flipping freed hair out of her face.

Greg just lifted his hands up in defense. "Sooorrrrry!"

Manny climbed onto Patty's lap. "Sorry you feel no good." he said hugging her.

"Thanks Manny, that's nice of you." she said, patting his back.

"Can I sit on you lap till home?"

"Well, you better ask your mommy, okay cutie?"

"Okay. Mommy, can I sit on this girls lap?"

Susan put her hand over her heart at the precious moment, "Only if you don't care, Patty."

Patty smiled up at her, "No, Mrs. Heffley, I don't mind."

Greg just rolled his eyes, "This has to be an act." he pulled on his moms sleeve

"Shouldn't we be going by now?!"

"Greg! No." Susan hissed at him, then she looked back at Patty, "Where would you like to go to eat, will treat you to something?"

"How about a place called Louie's restaurant. My sister and I use to go there all the time. They serve really great tacos." She said, almost as if she was reminiscing.

"That sounds good."Susan smiled, "Of course! And tonight was taco night anyways."

"Yeah!" Frank said, grinning like a young boy, "Good choice, kiddo!" he ran around to the driver's side, "Hurry up Susan, I bet they still have the salad bar open!"

"Ooh, where we goin'?" Rodrick asked from the back seat, taking off his ear plugs. "Dad's got that look in his eye. Must be taco night!YEah!"

Greg looked just as excited. They rarely ever went out to eat anymore because of some cuts they had to make. "I know, taco night here we come!"

"Tacoriffic night is what you mean!" Patty chimed in. Then they both looked away from each other in shock.

"Man, you all really like Tacos." Susan sighed, getting in the passenger side seat. "I just hate that I can't have any since my new diet plan."

"Oh, Miss Heffley, you look great just the way you are. At least have tacos on taco night!" Patty said, patting her back.

Susan paused for a moment, thinking about it, "You know what, Patty? You're right!"

"Of course I am!" Patty smiled, "I'm always right!"

Greg chuckled. "Funny."

Patty glared at Greg, "Hey Rodrick, mind sitting in the middle?"

Rodrick looked over at her, and then at Greg. "Wow, it's like day show voo all over again!" he muttered,

"It's Deja vu , Rodrick!" Greg replied, rubbing his forehead.

Rodrick glared at him "Let Greggy here sit in the middle, I think he likes baby seats." Rodrick smiled evilly over at Patty.

Patty slowly smiled evilly back at him, "You know what, you're right! Heffley, why don't you sit in the middle after all?" she said to Greg.

Greg just rolled his eyes, "Great, now there are two of them. . ." he whispered, starting to climb over Rodrick.

"How about we put the baby seat in the trunk." exclaimed Susan, looking over at Rodrick, "Now."

Rodrick looked annoyed, yet grinned nervously. "O-kay Susan!"

"Rodrick, If you call me Susan one more time, you will get your van taken away again!"

Rodrick froze "Yes ma'am!" He said, looking scared.

Once the baby seat was in the back of the trunk , Greg and Rodrick got back inside the car, and they drove to Louie's .

Patty and Greg glanced over at each other. She looked away first rubbing Manny's head and telling him stories as he laid his head down on her shoulder.

'Maybe she isn't as bad as I thought.' He said to himself.

Seconds later he and everyone else got out of the car to walk to the restaurant.

"Greg, why is there a wet stain on your pants?"

Greg looked down, "What?! How did that get there?!"

"Yeah, you think you would have felt it at least?" Rodrick laughed, "Now there's the Greg we know, am I right? Huh?"

Susan gave Rodrick a look.

Greg glared over at Patty.

"Here, take this." Patty said, with a serious look on her face, as she handed him and towel, "Just hold it where the spot is, and no one will notice."

"Uh, thanks . . .Patty. . ." This was just getting weird. His mortal enemy, being nice?!

But as they started to walk into the restaurant, Patty looked back at him, and whispered with a grin, "Gotcha."

Greg stood there amazed, "Evil! Pure evil!" he shook his head, thinking of a way to get her back.

But at the same time Patty looked over at Manny, and smiled. "It's okay, sweetie. He's not mad at you."

Manny's worried looked went away. "Welly?"

"Yep." She covered for him.

He was such a little cutie pie, that she couldn't let Greg think of getting him back.

Because that was what she thought Greg best at, getting people back.

That's what he had done a lot of her life growing up.

First with the song. Then with other things.

So she decided to always be one step ahead.

But lately she realized that he wasn't as bad as he use to be.

Like the time he covered for Rowley when he had eaten the cheese.

She knew he was lying because she had watched outside the window when Rowley ate it.

So she just went along with it.

And acted out perfectly.

Or the time when Greg helped Rodrick come in for a girl, or something, even though there was only supposed to be one guest per person. She couldn't remember how many times she told a lot of people that he was the guest of so and so.

"Looks great in here Patty!" Susan smiled as they all sat down near a table by a window.

Patty snapped back to present, "Yeah, but don't order the hamburgers here, they are defiantly not good

"That's for sure." said a voice from behind them.

Patty turned around, "Gracie!" Patty bursted out, getting up out of her seat, and running to her. "It's you!"

"That's for sure!" the girl named Gracie replied, taking Patty in a hug.

Susan smiled back, "Patty, who's your friend?"

Patty turned to her and smiled, "This is my sister,"

Susan looked surprised, "Really?"

"Yeah, and you must be Susan Heffley," Gracie said, pulling her hand out towards her.

Susan took it with a smile, "Yes, and you must be Gracie."

Gracie smiled, "You guessed it right." Her long blond hair, that was in a sloppy bun, and her green eyes shined. "I got your message about Patty. I was about to go back home with my grand parents when I got your call. I'm glad to see every things okay with by beautiful angle." She teased Patty.

Patty gave a real giggle, this was new to Greg, and it shocked him. "Please!"

"Wait, I thought that was your parents number."

"They get theirs confused with mine sometimes."

Then Gracie looked a little strung out, Susan asked if everything was okay "Well, I figured out that my parents changed the locks and all. I'm not really old enough to call the lock smith, and my grand parents aren't to happy with my parents right at this moment. And I was so worried about Patty that I think I'm just emotionally drained"

"Oh, so are you thinking of taking Patty back with you?" Susan asked, looking a little disappointed. Greg just let hope sink in.

"Oh, no. I mean I'm moving back. My Grand parents feel like I should move back in with my parents since they want me to be apart of their lives too, mostly Patty's though." she said, smiling down at her sister.

Patty hugged her back. "Maybe you can stay with us!"

Gracie looked surprised. "Oh, Patty, I don't want to intrude on any of the Heffleys.-"

Susan cut her off, "No! You are welcome to join us! Please, it would be excellent to have you and Patty with us! More the merrier I always say!"

Frank looked over at her in a 'What about me?' look. "Yeah, both of us agree."

"Oh, yeah, sorry honey! Frank and I would both love it!" She said, rubbing him on the shoulder.

"Thank you." he whispered to her.

She chuckled back. "You're welcome."

Gracie looked at them back and forth, "Well, if it wouldn't cause any trouble?"

"Not at all! Now would you like to join us for lunch?" Susan asked with a smile.

"Of course, let me just see if Grand ma and Grand pa would like to join, if it isn't, again, any trouble?"

"None whatsoever."

Well, it was to Greg. The thought of what Patty's grand parents where like, was a frightening thought! "Probably like her! Evil!"

Once Gracie came back in, she introduced them to everyone.

Patty went over to hug them.

'Hm, they are actually pretty nice.' Greg decided when the Grand pa gave all the "young-ins" a gold dollar.

Susan kept on wanting them to give it back, "I'm so sorry."

"No, I intended on giving it to them anyways. Well, at least Patty, anyways, but I just love giving out things out to their friends so I can impress them." He whispered the last part to her.

Susan smiled, "I understand."

After all of them where finally seated at a long table, Gracie looked over at the person she was sitting next to, "Rodrick?"

She proclaimed.

He turned to smile at her evilly, "Hey Tracie."

Gracie glared at him.

"It's Gracie."

"I know, Tracie Gracie."

She just glared at him, "I forgot your last name was Heffley. What a shame for your family. They have to have a failure for one black sheep son in a family I guess!"

Greg looked over at them, "Hm, this looks familiar."

"Yeah but of who?" Patty asked.

"Oh! So that's why I thunk of you a boy when we first met." Rodrick replied to Gracie.

"IT'S THOUGHT! NOT THUNK!" Gracie shouted at him, slamming her fist down, and standing up right from her chair.

He just smiled up at her, "Ooh, awkward."

Everyone was staring at her, "Um, sorry! Thought I saw a rat. False alarm" she said, making everyone go back to what they where doing.

"Because then I realized that it was just your hair." she spat silently to Rodrick.

"Ooh, burn." He said sarcastically looking away. He looked annoyed at what she said, as he combed his hair with his fingers. "Barbie brat!"

"Yeah, really familiar," Greg said, taking a bite of his taco.

"To bad I'll never figure it out." Patty said sipping some of her coke.

"Ha, yeah, like a lot of things I'm sure."

Patty just glared at him , and ate her taco. "Stuff it Heffley!"

"Whatever,"