Chapter 8

March 16, 1996

First thing on Saturday morning, Tiegan left the house and met Stephanie outside the Surf Club.

"So, where's the bus stop?" Tiegan asked her.

"It's just over there." Stephanie replied, pointing at the the bus stop looking towards the beach.

"Excellent." Tiegan said.

They caught the ten o'clock bus to Yabbie Creek and sat up the back row. Melissa was going to meet them outside the Clancy's Supermarket when they arrived.

"How often do the buses run here?" Tiegan asked.

"Every hour Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sunday." Stephanie responded.

"That is so cool!" Tiegan said. "I remember when I lived in Panania and the buses were totally packed on a Saturday."

"Same when I was living in the city." Stephanie said.

"I agree with you on that one." Tiegan said.

"Hey, would I be able to come to this party you're going to tonight?" Stephanie asked.

"Yeah, sure." Tiegan replied.

"It's just that Travis and Kelly are having a night out and won't be back until tomorrow morning."

"Cool." Tiegan said. "I haven't told Pippa about this party I'm going to."

Stephanie gasped in shock.

"You should've told her." she said.

"I was going to, but her and Sal left the house pretty early this morning." Tiegan responded.

"I see." Stephanie said.

"Don't worry. We'll be back in time." Tiegan reassured.

"I just hope we get back in time." Stephanie said.

Meanwhile, Selina was getting ready to go to Space Place with Jerome.

"Irene, what do you think of my outfit?" she asked, showing Irene the black shirt and long flowered skirt she was wearing.

"You look beautiful, love." Irene replied.

"I really want to impress him." Selina said.

"How are you getting there?" Irene asked.

"Oh, he's picking me up." Selina replied.

"Gawd, I just hope he doesn't speed." Irene groaned.

A car horn is soon heard beeping.

"That's him." Selina said.

"Love, what time will you be back?" Irene asked her.

"Around four." Selina replied.

"You'll have to cook your own dinner because I'm working late at the diner." Irene said.

"Fair enough. I'll see you later." Selina said.

"See ya, love."

Selina raced over to Jerome's car and hopped inside.

"Nice car." Selina commented.

"Thanks." Jerome responded before winking at Selina.

When they arrived at Space Place, Selina and Jerome raced over to the Daytona USA arcade machine.

"Wanna race?" Jerome asked.

"Yeah." Selina replied.

Selina and Jerome played Daytona USA. In the end, Selina just beat Jerome.

"Man, that was close!" Jerome said.

"I told you I love this game." Selina said.

Jerome looked over and groaned at what he saw.

"What's wrong?" Selina asked him.

"Melanie's here." he replied.

"What?!" Selina said, looking over. "Oh, that scrag doesn't give up does she?!"

"No." Jerome said.

"I just hope she doesn't see us." Selina said.

"Who cares if she does?" Jerome smiled.

Melanie glanced over at Jerome and Selina before turning away.

"Let's just have a great day." Jerome said to her.

"Good idea." Selina said, giving Jerome a big smile.

Later on, Selina and Jerome were walking towards the outdoor shopping precinct on their way back to Jerome's car.

"Selina, I have to tell you something." Jerome said to her.

"What's that?"

"I had the best time with you today." Jerome said.

Selina started to blush.

"Oh, thanks. I had a great day too." Selina said.

"We should do it again." Jerome said.

"Sounds good to me."

Selina and Jerome looked at each other for a few minutes before they slowly leaned towards each other and started to kiss.

"Jerome..."

"I love you, Selina." Jerome said, admitting his true feelings for Selina for the first time.

"I...I...I...love you too." Selina said, stammering.

"I mean it."

"Just shut up and kiss me again." Selina said to him.

Jerome and Selina kissed once more.

"Let's go home." Selina said.

"Good plan. I have rugby training tonight and I don't want to be late." Jerome said.

Selina linked her arm with Jerome's as they started to walk back to the car.

That afternoon, Stephanie and Tiegan were at the Yabbie Creek train station waiting for a train to take them to the city.

"I have to change my outfit once I arrive." Tiegan said.

"You look fine, sister from another mister." Stephanie said.

"Are you sure?" Tiegan asked.

"Yes." Stephanie replied.

"What's the time?"

Stephanie checked her watch before saying, "It's quarter to three."

"The train should be here soon." Tiegan said.

"It was great hanging out with Melissa, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, she's a sweet girl." Tiegan said.

"So, what's the plan before the party?" Stephanie asked Tiegan.

"We have to meet up with Kate at Central station." Tiegan responded.

The train soon arrived and the girls got on the train.

"I have so many memories riding the train." Tiegan told Stephanie.

"I have so many memories riding the bus." Stephanie said.

"Really?"

"I used to get the bus home from school when I was living in the city." Stephanie said.

Tiegan applied some lip gloss on her lips. "Want some?" she asked Stephanie.

"No thanks." Stephanie replied.

"Suit yourself." Tiegan said before putting the lip gloss back inside her bag.

About an hour and-a-half later, Tiegan rings her friend Kate.

"We're about to stop at Hornsby station." Tiegan said. "So can you meet us near the ticket barriers when we arrive at Central?"

"Sure." the voice on the other end replied.

"Thanks, Kate. See you soon." Tiegan said before hanging up.

"How many more stops?" Stephanie asked.

"Five more." Tiegan responded.

By the time the girls arrived at Central train station, it was nearly 4:35. Tiegan saw Kate standing near the ticket barrier and waved at her.

"Kate!"

"Tiegz, how are you?" Kate raced over to Tiegan and hugged her.

"I've been good." Tiegan replied.

"Hi, I'm Kate Martin." Kate said to Stephanie.

"I'm Stephanie Mboto." Stephanie responded.

"Good to meet you." Kate said, extending her hand.

"Same here." Stephanie replied, shaking Kate's hand.

"I can't wait for the party to get started!" Kate said, before starting to dance.

"Me too." Tiegan said.

"I'm sure it will be fun." Stephanie said.

Meanwhile, Pippa was coming downstairs after putting the clean laundry away.

"I wonder why Tiegan hasn't come back from Yabbie Creek yet. The last bus comes at six o'clock." Pippa said.

"She probably lost track of time." Shannon said.

"She could've gone to Travis and Kelly's to visit Stephanie." Sally said.

"Sweetheart, Tiegan and Stephanie went to Yabbie Creek together." Pippa reminded her.

"Oh."

"Well if the girls don't come back after six o'clock, I'll drive around and look for them myself." Pippa said. "Sally, tell Jack and Sam that dinner will be ready soon. I have to go and collect my cake tins from Ailsa."

"Got it." Sally said.

Once Pippa left, Shannon started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Sally asked her.

"Pippa's going to spew when she finds out where Tiegan really is." Shannon said. "She went to the city for a friend's birthday party."

"You're joking!" Sally said angrily.

"I wish I was." Shannon said.

"Let's just pray that Tiegan and Stephanie return home in time." Sally laughed.

"Me too." Shannon said, laughing as well.

Kate's party was in full-swing that night. It was a big turnout, with some party guests dancing and socialising with others. Stephanie laid back against the wall as Tiegan was dancing with some guy from her old high school.

"Steph, is that you?" a voice asked.

Stephanie turned around to find Steve Wiley, a guy she met at a party three years ago, smiling at her.

"Steve Wiley?"

"That's me." Steve said.

Stephanie and Steve kissed each other on the cheek before they hugged.

"How are you? It's been a long time." Stephanie said.

"I've been doing well." Steve said. "In fact, I'm going back out with Danielle Miller."

"That's good." Stephanie said.

"What are you doing with yourself?" Steve asked.

"Just moved to this place called Summer Bay. I had to leave my foster parents because of this racist bitch!" Stephanie said.

"That's a shame." Steve said.

"It is."

Tiegan approached them at this point.

"Steve, how great to see you." Tiegan said, kissing his cheek.

"Likewise, Tiegan." Steve said.

"I see you and Steph are getting acquainted with each other." Tiegan said, smiling.

"We've actually known each other for nearly three years." Stephanie told her.

Tiegan looked shocked.

"Really?"

"We met at a party." Stephanie said.

"Steve and I were best buds at Hartley." Tiegan said.

"We sure were. In fact, we still are." Steve said to Tiegan. "I'll see you girls later."

"Bye." Stephanie and Tiegan said at the same time.

"He is so cute." Tiegan said once Steve was out of earshot.

"I know." Stephanie said.

All of a sudden, two guys that Tiegan and Stephanie didn't know walked over to them.

"Wanna dance?" one of them asked.

"Sure." Stephanie said.

"Yeah." Tiegan said.

"Cool." the other guy said.

"What are your names?" Stephanie asked them.

"I'm Louis." said one.

"And I'm Corey." said the other.

"I'm Stephanie."

"And I'm her best friend, Tiegan."

"Ready to start dancing?" Corey asked them.

"Ready when you guys are." Tiegan replied.

Stephanie and Tiegan then started to dance with Louis and Corey.

Back in Summer Bay, Pippa was sitting at the dining table and checking her watch. By now, she was worried.

"It's almost nine o'clock and Tiegan is STILL not home!"

"Are you sure she wasn't in Yabbie Creek?" Sally asked her.

"Sal, I'm positive." Pippa replied.

"Did you ring Travis and Kelly?"

"I did. There was no answer."

At this point, Jack came downstairs.

"Tiegan not home?" Jack asked.

"No, Jack." Pippa replied.

"Where could she have gone?"

"I have no clue, but when Tiegan does come home she is in A LOT of trouble!" Pippa said before heading into the kitchen.

Sally and Shannon looked at each other.

"Tiegan is history once Pippa gets hold of her." Shannon said.

"You're telling me." Sally said.

NEXT TIME...
- Tiegan and Stephanie's night of partying almost gets them into trouble with Pippa until their friend Melissa covers for them
- Melanie is heartbroken when she realises Selina kissed Jerome
- Chloe meets up with Joanne Brennan