Chapter 22

Kerri and Jack were both standing in the living-room as Pippa gave them the riot act.

"I cannot believe that the two of you behaved like that!" Pippa shouted at them. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?!"

Kerri snorted out a laugh.

"I'm glad you find it funny, Kerri! Because I don't!" Pippa continued shouting.

"I used protection." Jack said.

"Jack, I don't want to know!" Pippa snapped at him. "It's bad enough Kerri spoke about it on the phone!"

"It's not our fault that we clicked instantly." Kerri protested.

"That isn't the point, Kerri!" Pippa snapped. "The point is that you two behaved very inappropriately! What if Sam or Christopher walked in?!"

"I'm sorry, Pippa." Jack said.

"Just go upstairs, please." Pippa said.

Jack and Kerri went upstairs.

"Kerri, you stay right where you are. I haven't finished with you yet." Pippa ordered.

Kerri went back over to Pippa and flashed a fake smile.

"You've only been here a few days and already you are pushing the boundaries." Pippa said in a firm tone. "I must warn you that your behaviour could have you transferred to another foster home, which is a shame because I think that you are a sensible girl deep down."

"Jack and I love each other." Kerri said. "That can't be helped."

"Just don't do it again, sweetheart." Pippa said.

Kerri gave Pippa a hug.

"I won't do it, again." Kerri said sweetly.

"Glad to hear it." Pippa said.

Suddenly, a guy around 18-19 years old appeared at the door.

"Excuse me?"

Pippa went over to the man. "Are you here to book a caravan?" she asked him.

"No, I'm actually looking for Tiegan Brook." the man said. "I heard she lives here."

"Well, she's not home at the moment." Pippa told him. "But you could come inside and wait for her."

"Sorry, I've got to jet." the man said. "I'll come back tomorrow and see her."

"Okay, goodbye."

When Tiegan arrived home from Stephanie's, Pippa told her that someone wanted to see her.

"Who could it have been?" Tiegan wondered.

"He said he was coming back tomorrow to see you." Pippa responded.

Tiegan just looked confused.

The next day, Tiegan and Stephanie were on their way to the Bayside Diner to have lunch. Just as they were about to enter, someone tapped Tiegan on the shoulder.

"How's it going, Tiegan?" the voice asked.

Tiegan turned around and immediately recognised the person as her old boyfriend from Hartley High.

"Dylan Kemp?!"

"Surprised to see me?" he asked her.

Tiegan pulled a disgusted face at him. "No way!" she snapped.

"I went to your place last night, but you were out." Dylan said.

"If I'd have known it was you, I would've slammed the door in your face!" she shouted.

"Tiegz, who is he?" Stephanie asked Tiegan.

"My slimy ex-boyfriend from Hartley High!" Tiegan replied angrily.

"I just came to..." Dylan started to say.

But Tiegan stormed into the diner before Dylan could finish what she was saying.

"Great!" Dylan said sarcastically.

"I'll talk to her." Stephanie said.

Once Stephanie entered the diner, she found Tiegan being served by Melissa.

"Why were you so rude to him?" Stephanie asked.

"After cheating on me with Jodie Cooper and several other slags, I don't ever want to talk to him again!" Tiegan said angrily.

"I wonder why he's visiting." Stephanie said.

"I know what Dylan Kemp is like, Steph." Tiegan told her. "He's a slimy worm that sucks up to you for his own personal gain!"

"You could talk to him and find out why he's visiting you." Stephanie suggested.

"I could." Tiegan said.

"Just think about it." Stephanie said.

Tiegan looked thoughtful.

Meanwhile, Kerri has sneaked out of school to meet Jack on the beach.

"Hey." Kerri said.

"I love you." Jack said before kissing her.

"Guess what?"

"What?" Jack asked.

"I've managed to get enough people together to throw a party." Kerri said.

"When's this party going to be?" Jack asked.

"Saturday night at an old warehouse in Yabbie Creek." Kerri replied.

"I might come." Jack said.

"I'm going to be making a few calls later this arvo to see if I can get more people to come." Kerri said.

"Sweet." Jack said.

"But first..."

Kerri started kissing Jack.

"I love you." Jack said.

"Love you, too." Kerri said.

Jack and Kerri then started to kiss once again.

When Stephanie arrived home from school that afternoon, she found a package on the kitchen table.

"What's this?" Stephanie said, picking up the package. "Oh, it's for me."

"Open it." Tiegan said to her.

Stephanie opened the package and saw that it was a plush duck dressed as a sailor. Attached to the stuffed animal was a note, which read:

"Stephanie, I hope that you like the duck that I got for you. You have been such a good friend to me and I am so glad to have met you. I hope one day that we could be boyfriend and girlfriend because I have strong feelings for you. I just hope you accept my feelings because I really love you.
From Louis."

Stephanie got teary-eyed after reading the letter.

"Come here, Steph." Tiegan said softly.

Stephanie collapsed in Tiegan's arms and started to sob.

NEXT TIME...
- Stephanie loses her temper at Sonia
- Will Tiegan listen to Dylan's explanation?
- Kerri is determined to have the warehouse party at all costs