Now, shall we see what goes on? Thanks for reviewing, Sideshow Cellophane 26.

For once, Curly didn't come over after going home, but instead came home with the three of us. The situation felt a bit awkward, especially as Helga got off at our stop and although she didn't talk and usually ran ahead, she was hanging back this time, casting curious looks at us.

I'd had enough after about ten seconds. "Hey, Hells, take a picture, it'll last longer!" I called.

Helga scowled, and walked faster, passing us. As she passed me, I heard her say quietly "You are going to explain this."

"Not likely." I muttered back. "If you can catch me at home tomorrow, maybe. It's so simple, maybe you should work it out yourself."

Helga shot a glare at me, her monobrow becoming especially noticeable as her eyes narrowed. Then we finally passed her house and she went in.

The minute we'd all said hi to the adults, Lisa started following Curly and I as we went to my room. I turned to her. "Honestly, Lisa, get a life and stop tagging along!"

Lisa glared. "Stephanie, I told you I was going to be there when you-"

"I'll call you when I do that, OK?" I snapped. "If you're just going to be bored while you're waiting, go watch TV or call up Lila or something. Meanwhile, leave us alone."

I closed the bedroom door behind us while Lisa was still narrowing her eyes at me.

"What's she talking about?" Curly questioned, looking interested.

"I'll tell you later." I answered. "She wanted me to ask you about something and apparently, she has to be there. I promised I'd ask, so I will later."

I glanced out the window, and noticed that Helga was in her room. However, she disappeared from view when her closet door opened, and by the time it had closed, I knew she was in there, probably talking to her shrine or writing some more poetry.

During dinner, Lisa was making signals with her eyes at me the whole time, her eyes flickering over to Curly and back to me the whole time. I eventually just nodded, and made my own signals to Bart that he was coming with us.

Finally, all four of us trooped upstairs into my room. Lisa took a place on my desk chair, Bart leant against the closet on the floor, Curly took a place on the windowsill, and I curled up on my bed.

"OK, business." I said. "Number one; Curly, on Tuesday night, did you peek in on me when I was asleep?"

Curly simply grinned and nodded, as if it wasn't a weird thing to confess to.

I shook my head. "OK, that's just weird. If you EVER stay over again, don't do it. That's only acceptable in cheap romance horror thriller novels about undead creatures who have nothing better to do because they find it impossible to sleep at all."

"As you wish." Curly smiled again.

Bart's interest was piqued. "Hey, what does she look like asleep? I've tried to peek in, but she always wakes up. Does she stop glaring at everyone when her eyes are closed? Does she talk? Does she dr-"

"Bart Simpson, if you're going to try and find out how I look asleep, try to look at me without waking me up!" I snapped. "On second thought, don't. At least some people can peek without disturbing me."

"Moving on!" Lisa called out. "Stephanie, get to the main point."

"Fine, fine." I said. "Curly, someone said that you like me-like me ever so much, to use her cringe-worthy way of speaking. My question is, do you see me as anything more than a friend?"

I literally felt the energy levels in Curly skyrocket. "Whoever told you, they were not completely correct, but they certainly had some power to deduce my feelings for you!" he said dramatically. "I completely adore you. You are the sun in my dismal world, the centre of my universe, the reason I continue to live. I have settled for being your friend for these last few weeks since I was finished with Rhonda, but now that you know how I feel..." He had stood up and was now walking towards me.

I scooted backwards, up against my pillows. "Um, Curly, just so you know, you're freaking me out right now." I said warily. Bart was looking torn between amusement at my discomfort and anxiety at Curly's admittedly worrying expression. Lisa had paled.

"Come on, Stephanie. Don't you like me too, just a little bit?"

"Only as a friend." I said, trying to sound firm. "I mean, like, reality check. You're a kid, and I'm a teenager. I like hanging out with you, but like I said, you're just a kid."

I should have remembered. Curly never really listened to anyone, and only listened to what he wanted to hear. Lisa had told me once that nearly every time she heard Arnold giving people advice on social problems (which was often – most people went to him when they had problems), it was to talk to their problem person. Well, not that I'd go to that kid for advice anyway, but when the person you have only hears what they want to hear, it's not exactly going to work, is it?

"Come on, you know you do like me deep down!" he insisted.

"Are you really that insane?" I tried to laugh. "No, seriously, you've declared the same feelings for Rhonda and only weeks later, you start chasing me."

"My feelings for Rhonda were shallow." Curly said seriously. "I thought I loved her, but I only liked her-liked her. I learned that after I overheard how she really felt. She was beautiful, but there was nothing else below the surface. But I know you, Stephanie. You're smart and funny and everything I like in a girl...and you're really pretty, too. I feel so much more for you than I ever did for her. I want to be with you and only you forever."

"Get real!" I insisted. "Listen to me, kid, you're only nine. I'm fourteen. I couldn't seriously date a little kid. Besides, I don't mind being friends, but you're insane, and I couldn't date someone crazy."

"I'm crazy for you." he said in an intense tone. "I love you, my adorable angel, keeper of my soul. Now, how about you come give me some sugar from those lovely lips, hmm?"

Before I could react, he was up on my bed, way too close for comfort. Two seconds later, he had my wrists held against the headboard and his lips were on mine.

It seemed like the most crazy time to think what I was thinking at that moment, but I had to say that Rhonda had no reason to rinse her mouth out back when he kissed her. It was not "nauseating", as she had said. But I refused to let myself think in that way, because it was still wrong, and if things got any further, I'd get the blame, just because I was older. I started trying to push Curly away from me, because I couldn't think properly with that pressure on my lips.

Bart caught my eye, and for once, I think he sensed how serious it was. He helped pull the kid off me. "Get your lips off my sister's, I'm not going to watch her suffocate. Besides that, it's gross."

Lisa had completely frozen.

I sighed dramatically, not taking my eyes off Curly. Who knew what he'd do next?

"Right." I said. "First of all, Curly, you have two choices. Continue to be my friend and accept rejection...or stay out of my life."

"But my dove, I cannot ignore my heart's design!" Curly exclaimed. "I cannot just merely be a friend to you, when I could be so much more..."

I saw the ghost of a smirk cross Lisa's face. She knew I'd have to end my friendship now. I gave her a glare, and said "Fine." I shoved Curly out of my bedroom, down the stairs and right out the door. "You are no longer welcome in this house, unless you accept that I'm never going to be yours. You're much too young for me, you'll get me in trouble, and I wouldn't date you, even if you were fourteen. Be my friend, or be nothing. Goodbye." I shut the door. I hadn't wanted to be so harsh, but there wasn't much else I could do. I consoled myself by reminding myself that I hadn't been as mean as Rhonda had the day she broke up with him.

Still, I felt sad that I'd lost one of my closest friends in this city. I hoped Curly would get a reality check and want to be just friends with me, but until then, I'd have to try and avoid him around school.

That won't be easy for Stephanie, but she'll try. Please review!