After school, I sat at the table playing bridge with Grams. "You know, sweetie. I'll understand if you choose to be with your friends after school instead of me," she pointed out reaching one hand down to pet Tabby, who was napping under the table. "Thanks Grams, but I like hanging out with you," I insisted. "Tell them that," my grandmother said pointing to the door. Sure enough, everyone was standing at the door waving shyly. I stood up and went to go get the door.
"Hey, Liv. Sorry to intrude, but-" Mo started but was cut off by Stella. "We need a plan about that woman! Wen told us about the interview. Congratz about your Dad, by the way." I clapped my hand over Stella's mouth. "Shh! I didn't tell Grams I was bailing him out yet," I whispered. Understanding clouded her face. "Oh-Well, can we talk upstairs then?" I nodded. "Grams! We're going upstarirs to study!" I called. "Okay!" she called back as I ushered everyone upstairs.
"Soo... What happened with your Dad?" Charlie asked. "He told me he needed $1600 bail, so I told that magazine editor that's my price for the interview. I'm planning to go get him Sunday and bring him home as a surprise for Grams. I want her to see how much he's changed," I explained. "Okay. So, what are you gonna do about the jitters that woman gives you?" Mo asked. "Well, that's where you guys come in," I explained. "I thought she wanted you alone," Stella said.
"Well, yeah, but I figured I could get the money and teach her a lesson, you know?" A slow grin creeped across Stella's face. "Liv, your a genius! She can't have you without us!" Scott nodded. "We're a package deal," he said and then smiled and looked meaningfully at Mo who smiled back. They could be so nasueating sometimes, I was thinking when Wen broke my train of thought. "You think your prepared for the kinds of questions he's gonnna ask you? Some magazines twist what you say," he pointed out.
"I think so. I've been reading TeenLife all week," I admitted sheepishly. "No way! You, read magazines? I thought you moved on to reading, like sonets or something," Charlie teased. "And I thought you stopped reading picture books," I joked back to a chorus of,"Oooooh! Burn!" from Scott and Wen. Mo, Stella, and I rolled our eyes but couldn't keep from laughing. "So it's settled. We'll all meet here at 2:30 and then make the loudest entry TeenLife has ever seen!
"Oh boy," I muttered to myself as I saw a plan form in Stella's mind. "Hey, what have we been telling our fans to do all Summer?" Stella prompted kicking off her red combat boots and standing on my bed. "Be heard! Be strong! Be proud!" we all chorused. Stella nodded grinning. "That's exactly what we're going to do!" We all cheered and Grams walked in with a tray full of Lemonade. "Did I hear a celebration in here?" We all grinned and grabbed a glass. "To Lemonade Mouth!"
It was that moment, my friends surrounding me, a glass of lemoande in my hand, that I felt it. I felt the strength to do anything as long as my friends were near-And better yet, I knew they'd always be with me, no matter what.