The Baby-Sitters Club belongs to Ann M. Martin

I'm Mary Anne Spier. I just turned 15 after I just started Portland Voc-Tech High school. My family moved here not long ago because Dad got promoted and transferred here because he was replacing someone who was retiring. My friends were here to celebrate with me. So did my boyfriend, Logan. Oh, he and Kristy's dad treated us by doing road trips with their RVs all summer. That was fun.

My current two best friends, Kayla and her twin, Kaylee, moved here, too. Their father left before that happened. I already had friends. One is April. I knew her since we were in fourth grade. She moved here before middle school. She was excited when I told her I was moving here. I made friends with her best friend, Beth, whom April met when she started middle school. Last is Andy, whom April had just started dating. Her family didn't like him. He's 17 going 18. And, they told her she shouldn't be dating someone that age. I can understand that since she's a minor. That won't change her mind. They're very happy together.

Andy is a nice guy, only he can't understand one rule at my house: No boys are allowed when Dad's not home. That evening, Dad came to me. "Can I ask you for a favor?"

"Sure," I said.

"Jeff will be coming down and no one would be around Dawn would be busy with work. Carlos would be out of town for his basketball team. Sharon and I got plans, too. We're having lunch and seeing a comedy show. Do you mind keeping an eye on him," said Dad.

"I don't mind being with Jeff," I said.

"Make sure you don't have any plans that day," said Dad.

"No problem," I said.

"I'm thinking about trading my old phone for a new one. Is that okay?" I asked.

"Sure. I don't mind as long as you help pay the bill," said Dad.

"No problem," I agreed. "I plan to keep my number though."

"Some people do that," said Dad.

"I'll do that after school tomorrow," I said.

"Okay," said Dad.

"I'll be with the girls anyway, so it would be a good time to do so," I said. "Can you remind me when the bill comes in so that I won't forget?"

"Sure," said Dad.

"I'm not sure what kind yet," I said.

I'm not worried about that because I help the Willis girls a lot. Their brother, D.J., is a handful, but he knows how to be good while I'm around him. Their mom is very strict about his behavior and he knows she won't let him get away with it.

"What are your plans today? My guy friends want to meet you," said Andy.

"What guys?" I asked.

"They're twins. You'll like them. They're 17," said Andy.

I know that Dad won't allow strangers unless he meets them. I do respect that. He trusts me to be safe.

"But um, why can't I meet them here first?" I asked.

"Good point," said Andy. "They wants us to hang out."

"I'd like to, but I can't. I already made with the Willis girls and I want to keep those plans," I said.

"How about the weekend?" asked Andy.

"Maybe," I said. "Only I got plans that day, too."