Patch31 (guest): for some reason, your review isn't showing up on my computer, but I did receive an email with it, so you thank very much! Your review was so nice and encouraging, and I'm so glad that you think it sounds like a regular Mandie book, especially the characters. Like I said, that's my main goal for writing Fanfiction. Thanks so much for your support!

Mandie headed down the hallway into the kitchen, followed by Sallie and Celia. She pushed open the door, side-stepping Liza, who was on her way out.

"Hi, Aunt Lou," Mandie said, greeting the housekeeper. Aunt Lou beamed and hugged her tightly.

"My chile, I'se so glad you back!" Aunt Lou said, smoothing Mandie's hair. "Land sakes, chile, what they feedin' you up at that college?" she asked, looking Mandie over. "You done shriveled up since you'se been away! We got to git you somethin' to eat!"

Mandie laughed. "They feed me well, but nothing as good as home's food! There's no cook in the whole world like Jenny." She smiled at the cook and greeted the rest of the servants, before spotting a familiar white shape at her feet.

"Snowball!" she cried, stooping down and picking her cat up. She rubbed her face into his soft fur and scratched his ear. Snowball meowed and licked her face.

"You did miss me, Snowball," she said, giving him another squeeze. She set him down and stroked his head. "You just finish up your meal, and I'll take you on a walk later."

"Come on, Mandie, let's go find the boys," Celia spoke up behind her.

"Okay," Mandie agreed. "See ya'll later!" she waved to the servants and followed Sallie and Celia out to the back porch, where Joe and Jonathan were waiting.

"We're back," Mandie announced as they stepped out onto the porch. Joe and Jonathan jumped up and hurried towards them.

"What took you so long?" Joe asked. "We thought you got lost or something."

"Haha," Mandie said condescendingly. "No, we went to the kitchen."

"You got food without us?" Jonathan asked, faking a pout.

"I wanted to see Snowball and Aunt Lou and everyone," Mandie explained.

"How long have ya'll been here?" Celia asked, sitting down on the swing.

"I just got here today," answered Joe, "but Jonathan and Sallie have been here for three days."

"Three days?" Mandie echoed in surprise, sitting down next to Celia. "What have you been doing?"

"Mostly avoiding Polly," Jonathan said. He looked sideways and Joe and grinned slyly. "She's been asking about Joe every time she sees us."

Joe groaned. Mandie, Sallie, and Celia laughed, although Mandie felt a little annoyed. She hoped Polly wasn't going to hang around the whole time, fawning over Joe.

"So, how was the first year of college for you two?" Joe asked, changing the subject.

"Okay, I guess," Mandie said, shrugging. "I like learning, of course, but I wish we weren't away so much. At least at finishing school, we could go to Grandmother's on the weekends."

"Did you make lots of new friends?" Sallie asked.

"A few," answered Celia. She grinned at Mandie. "I think Mandie's made more than me."

Mandie flushed bright red and glared at her. "Celia Hamilton," she began, but Celia cut her off.

"I'm just kidding, Mandie, really," she said apologetically.

"I should think so," Mandie muttered, ignoring the boys' raised eyebrows.

"What are you talking about?" Joe asked, looking from Celia to Mandie. Mandie jumped up and changed the subject.

"Do ya'll want to go on a walk before dinner?" she asked.

"Sure," Jonathan said. She breathed a sigh of relief and hurried down the porch steps.

"Where to?" Joe asked, stopping ahead of Mandie.

"Oh, um… let's go around the house to the tunnel exit," she suggested. Joe and Jonathan took the lead as they set off around the house. Mandie stayed at the back of the group until Celia dropped back to join her.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, Mandie," she apologized. Mandie shook her head.

"No, it's okay, Celia," she assured her, "I just didn't want anything to turn awkward in front of Joe. I don't like George any more than a friend, and I didn't want Joe getting all possessive."

Celia smiled and shook her head. "Mandie, you know Joe gets possessive if another boy even looks at you."

Mandie frowned. "At least he and Jonathan are friendlier than they used to be. It was so awkward at first."

"That was because they immediately saw each other as rivals," Celia pointed out, "but now they're actually friends. They just needed to take time to get to know each other."

"I guess so," Mandie said. She didn't say anything else, and Celia looked at her closely.

"Mandie, forgive me if I'm prying, but do you still think of Joeas just a friend?"

Mandie sighed. "I don't know, Celia. He's been my closest friend for as long as I can remember, but sometimes I do feel strange around him. He'll say something nice and I'll blush, or he'll hold my hand, and I'll feel jittery."

Celia grinned. "Oh, really?"

Mandie frowned at her, and stopped, hands on her hips. "But don't you dare go saying anything to him! Joe and I are friends for now, nothing more."

"Whatever you say, Mandie," she teased.

"Come on, Mandie!" Joe called. He, Jonathan, and Sallie were far ahead. "What are you and Celia doing?"

"We're coming!" Mandie answered, before hurrying towards them.

"Sorry," she apologized, when they reached them. "We were talking and didn't realize how slowly we were walking."

"The tunnel entrance should be right around this corner, right?" Joe said, pushing through the bushes. Mandie nodded, ignoring Sallie's questioning looks.

"Aha!" said Joe triumphantly, standing in front of the tunnel. Jonathan laughed.

"It's not like you haven't been here countless times or anything," he said, grinning.

"We should have gotten the keys from Mr. Bond so we could go through," Mandie said.

"We can do it later," Jonathan answered. "Let's go—" he broke off as he glanced towards the house. "Oh no, here we go again."

The others followed his gaze to see Polly Cornwallis hurrying towards them. Mandie groaned inwardly, while Joe and Jonathan exchanged an exasperated glance.

"Hi, ya'll!" Polly said excitedly as she reached them. "Mandie, Celia, it's good to see you!"

"Hi, Polly," said Mandie, faking a bright smile. Polly didn't seem to hear her and turned to Joe, flashing him a beautiful smile.

"Hi, Joe, when did you get here?" she asked. Joe started to grimace, then caught himself and quickly turned it into a smile.

"Earlier today," he answered.

"How long are ya'll going to be staying?" she asked, directing the question to Mandie, but continuing to look at Joe. Mandie suppressed a sigh and answered half-heartedly.

"Probably a few weeks. I know we're leaving to go to Uncle Ned's first, but I'm not sure what we're going after that. We'll either go to New York, or down to stay with Senator Morten in Florida."

"Sounds fun!" Polly said. "Mother and I don't have any final plans yet, but we might be going overseas."

"How wonderful," said Mandie dully. Polly didn't seem to notice her tone, as she was too busy smiling at Joe.

"Uh… we should probably go back to the house," Jonathan spoke up. "I think Mr. Shaw said dinner would be ready soon."

"Of course," said Mandie gratefully. "I guess we'll see you later, Polly."

"Okay!" Polly agreed. "I need to get back too." She turned and started back to her own house. Mandie watched her go and then began walking back around the house, followed by her friends.

"Well," said Jonathan. He grinned at Joe, who glowered at him.

"Come on," said Mandie, ignoring them. "We don't want to be late."

When they reached the front of the house, Uncle John was coming down the porch steps. He stopped when he saw them.

"I was just coming to look for you, Mandie," he told them. "Dinner is ready."

"Yes, sir," said Mandie, as she and her friends re-entered the house. "We'll just take a moment to wash-up."