A/N: The events of "Two Halfa's and a Drunk" and it's sequel fanfic "Awful Wedded Life" are not canon to this story. Also, this takes place sometime within Seasons 2-3 of Modern Family and during Season 2 of 6teen. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own 6teen or Modern Family.
At the Galleria Mall, Jen Masterson was walking towards the Big Squeeze, a giant lemon-shaped lemonade shop, while she was having a conversation over the phone with her mom, Emma Masterson-Garcia. Her five best friends, Jude Lizowski, Jonesy Garcia, Nikki Wong, Caitlyn Cooke and Wyatt Williams were sitting at the table in front of the Big Squeeze. Caitlyn worked at the big squeeze but she closed it for now because she was on her break and could sit with the other five.
"Really? So I'm off the hook for Friday night? Great! Thanks Mom. Love you too. Buh-bye." she hung up the phone. Her friends couldn't help but notice a spring in her step. "I take it you just got some good news?" Nikki asked. "Uh-huh. I was supposed to babysit Robbie and Diego so my mom and Jonesy's dad can go on a double date with Claire and Phil this Friday night, but I scored a date with Eric on Friday night and my mom let me off the hook so now Courtney has to babysit them." she said. Jen and Jonesy were step siblings; Jen's mom (Emma) had Jen and her older sister Courtney from a previous marriage, and Jonesy's dad (Michael) had Jonesy and his younger brothers Diego and Robbie from a previous marriage, respectively.
As soon as Jen mentioned a "date" with somebody else, Jude felt this inner rage but also envy that he couldn't explain, something he'd never felt before - jealousy. Jonesy, who was sitting right next to him, sensed it. "You okay, Jude?" He asked. "What? Oh, uh, yeah, never better bro." Jude lied. The five of them had a sneaking suspicion he wasn't being honest but didn't think much of it as weird behavior wasn't out of the ordinary for Jude. "Oohh-kay then." Jonesy said. "So just out of curiosity, how do your parents know this other couple?" Wyatt asked.
"Claire and my mom were best friends in high school, but then they ended up going to two completely different colleges so they kept in touch through phone calls. Eventually Claire met and married Phil, had kids of her own, and she and my mom grew further apart over the years. Courtney and I met Phil and Claire when we were really little, this is the first time they're in town in, like, 12 years. Claire and Phil wanted to catch up with my mom and officially meet Jonesy's dad for the first time. But there's a good chance it might be a disaster." Jen explained.
"Why do you say that?" Caitlyn asked. "Well, according to my mom, Claire became very self absorbed over the years. Eventually phone calls and Facebook messages became more and more about her. She does send birthday cards with money every year to Courtney and I, but we have a sneaking suspicion that that's actually Phil's doing. Despite not being all that close anymore, my mom has a huge heart and doesn't have it in her to cut her off because they used to be close and she wants to believe Claire has some good in her. That's one thing my mom and Jonesy's dad have in common - they're both the forgiving, turn the other cheek types. She says Phil's a real great guy though, so maybe it won't be a total bust." Jen said.
"Well, either way it's not my problem. Come tomorrow, I'm going on a 2 week long hockey trip." Jonesy chimed in. "I'm just glad one of us doesn't have to pay for it this time." Wyatt said. "You can say that again! You know, maybe if you didn't get fired all the time you'd be able to afford to go on more hockey trips instead of expecting one of us to pay for it or hoping you're lucky enough to get a big enough paycheck to cover it." Nikki added. "Judge all you want, but I'm a free spirit. Life's too short to be tied down to some lame-o responsibility crap." Jonesy said. "Speaking of work, I should go. Last thing I need is Coach Halder getting on my case." Jen said, getting up to leave. "Case in point." Jonesy said.
"I've gotta go, too. Pretty soon I'll be able to hear the clones from over here." Nikki rolled her eyes and followed suit.
A little later that day, Jude was on his break at Underground Video, trying to get Jen and her date off of his mind. Right then, he saw Jonesy walking up to him. "Duuude." Jude greeted. "Jude!" Jonesy replied. "What you up to, brah? Looking for another job?" Jude asked. "Nah, no point if I'm just gonna leave tomorrow morning." Jonesy replied. Jude nodded in understandment. "So Jude, can I ask you something?" Jonesy asked. "Sure, dude. What's up?" Jude asked. "Do you like Jen?" Jonesy asked.
"What? Oh, er, uh, yeah, sure I do. She's only my best friend, dude!" Jude stammered. "Do you like her as more than just a friend?" Jonesy asked. "No way!" Jude lied. "You sure? Cause you looked pretty pissed off when she mentioned having a date." Jonesy said. "Alright, alright, I like her! But you can't tell anyone!" Jude protested. "I won't tell anyone but to be frank, I don't think you'll get her. At least not anytime soon. But I can help you get over her. All you need is a date with another hottie, and I'll set you up with one!" Jonesy told him. "Are you sure, dude?" Jude asked. "Absolutely! No one knows chicks better than the Jonesmeister!" Jonesy told him. "Is that why you're always getting dumped?" Jude asked. "Do you want my help or not?" Jonesy asked, a bit irritated. "No, I do!" Jude pleaded. "Great. Here comes a chick, and she's a grade A hottie! 'Scuse me miss." Jonesy said to a beautiful girl with wavy blonde hair and hazel eyes. She walked over to him and Jude. "Jude here nearly tripped over his own feet falling for you!" Jonesy said. "Is that right?" The girl asked. "You bet. And who could blame him? You're certainly not hard on the eyes." Jonesy told her. The girl let out a laugh. "Is that so?" she asked. "Indeed it is. He was feeling nervous about asking you out, but he's a total catch and doesn't even realize it." Jonesy said. "I'm Amanda." The girl extended a hand and Jude shook it. "Pleasure to meet you, Amanda. You available, uh, Friday night at 7?" He asked. "Absolutely! What do you say we go to Canoe for dinner?" Amanda offered. "Sure." Jude said with a smile. "Okay. See you there, cutie." Amanda said with a smile, walking away.
"Well, what'd I tell ya?" Jonesy asked with a proud smile on his face. "You were right! She's totally hot! Thanks Jonesy! I owe you one, bro." Jude told him. "Anytime, dude. Tell you what, you give me $20 big ones and we'll call it even." Jonesy offered. "Deal!" Jude said, pulling a $20 out of his pocket and handing it to Jonesy.