Disclaimer: I do NOT own Horton Hears a Who or any of the characters in this story.

JoJo lied in his hammock bed, head heavy with thinks. He wished he could be sitting on the observatory roof top that way he could make a wish on all of the stars. The view from his window would just have to do until he found out Tallulah's test score. He sighed into his pillow. He was still a little bitter about his dad grounding him, but it wasn't really Ned's fault. Ned was only reacting to what he thought was his son misbehaving.

JoJo flung the pillow off of his face and breathed out. He didn't like being angry at his though Ned grounded him, JoJo still wanted to finish the song. He had just twenty minutes but only good things to say about his dad.

JoJo reached for his notebook and pen on his desk and brought it to his lap.

(Oooh!)

You are the one that soothes my pain

(Yeah)

You take the loneliness away

Everytime you smile at me and say:

"Even after stormy weather, the rest of the day will only get better..."

You make my world shine bright.

Oh, won't you build me up again?

I know we have our fights. But you're my dad and my best friend.

JoJo sat his pencil down for a moment. This wasn't as hard as he'd been making it. It wasn't hard at all.

Sally was trimming Ned's fur that evening. Even though he thought his picture looked who-rrendous on the bill, Ned at least wanted to look good in person. There was just one problem, he didn't feel good. The bill was still missing...or in the hands of a love-sick Tallulah.

"You've been awfully quiet this evening. I figured you'd be more excited," Sally pointed out as she snipped away at Ned's dead ends.

Ned shuffled his hands in his lap. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm just not feeling well," Ned said through a sigh.

"Is there something you want to talk about it?" Sally offered.

Ned sighed again. He told his wife all about Tallulah's phone call and the bill being missing.

Sally chuckled lightheartedly. "Aww, she has a crush on you. How adorable!"

"It isn't in the least bit adorable!" Ned snapped. "It puts me in a very awkward position. How did I not see it coming?"

"Because men don't see what's right in front of them," Sally mumbled sarcastically.

"That's not true," Ned said to her over his shoulder. "The doctor told me that I have twenty-twenty vision."

Sally shook her head. "I guess men don't get sarcasm either," she said.

"Sally, this is serious! I don't want to break her heart. She's only nine," Ned said.

"I know, baby." Sally wrapped her arms around Ned's shoulders. "But you have to be the grown up. Besides, how will you get your bill back if you aren't firm with her?"

Ned stood up, shaking off the stray hairs from his vest. As he watched the royal blue strands of hair settle on the plush, white carpet, an idea formed in his brain.

"Okay, Sally!" Ned exclaimed. "I need to practice what to say to Tallulah, would you pretend to be her for me?"

Sally rolled her eyes. "Fine," she said and got down on her knees. "It's great to be young again," Sally said with a dull shrug.

Ned cleared his throat and tried to think of how to arrange his choice of words. As a mayor, Ned was very articulate, but right now, he couldn't find the right words to say. He was about to crush a little girl's dreams and there was no way around it.

"Um, Tallulah," Ned began as gently as he could. He started twiddling his fingers and his throat tightened.

"Yes," Sally played along. She batted her eyelashes and pretended to twirl an imaginary piece of hair around her index finger.

Ned cleared his throat again only making it tighten up more. "It's flattering that you like me, but I think we should just stay friends," he said.

Sally looked shocked. She slapped a hand over her chest to add effect. "Be we were going to get married!" She faked sniffling. "Don't do this to me! I nearly blinded myself putting mascara on for you!"

Ned looked to his feet, frowning. That was exactly what he didn't want to have to deal with. He'd already made Tallulah cry once before. He didn't want to go through that again.

"Enough," he said, annoyed.

Sally kissed Ned on the cheek. "Don't worry, honey. Tallulah will probably meet someone her own age at the ceremony tommorow night and completely forget about her crush on you."

Ned hoped Sally was right. He had to get his bill back!

Up next: It's party time!