I own no credits or rights to this. Only Phyllis Reynolds Naylor does.
Hope you enjoy it!
Caroline POV:
When we got out of Beth's car, I turned to Wally and smiled. "Bye! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye, Caroline!" He shouted back as we piled out of the car.
Eddie and Jake kissed goodbye before separating.
We walked into our house and it smelt wonderful. Like literally heavenly. The strong smell sent us to to the kitchen.
Our mom was cooking. "Hey, mom, what are you cooking?" Beth asked, as she put her book bag down.
"Dinner. We're having guests over." She replied, smiling at us.
"Are the Hatfords coming over again?" Eddie asked, a small grin on her face.
"No, it's someone else. But you know them prettyo well." She said.
"But like I asked, what are you cooking?" Beth repeated.
"Oh, sorry. I'm making chicken pot pie." Mom said, throwing the dish in the oven. "Whew! At least that's over with."
"So, mom, who's coming for dinner? That isn't the Hatfords?" I asked.
"Oh, I invited Shirley Benson and her family to dinner tonight." Mom said.
"What? No, not the Bensons!" Eddie cried, staring at us.
Beth POV:
We went upstairs to my room to talk about what we should tell mom.
"Eddie, you need to tell mom what happened today with Steve." I said.
"But if I do that, I'll have to tell her that I'm dating Jake Hatford." Eddie responded, with a distraught look on her face.
"Well, if you don't, Steve himself will. Would you like to do it or rather him do it?" Caroline offered.
Eddie jumped up so quick and bolted downstairs. We were right on her heels.
"Hey, mom? Can I tell you something?" Eddie asked, looking a little nervous.
"Of course. You can tell me anything, honey." Mom responded, smiling at Eddie.
"Mom, I'm dating Jake Hatford." Eddie said, smiling.
Mom's jaw dropped, but then she began to smile back at her. "So I hope this means that your prank war is over?" She responded, grinning.
"Yes, ma'am. I really like him though." Eddie said, blushing.
"I'm happy for you, Eddie!" Mom said, hugging Eddie.
Eddie, Caroline, and I ran back upstairs and walked into my bedroom. "So are you glad that she found out from you and not Steve Benson?" I asked.
"You won't know how much! Gosh, I can't stand the fact that I've got to eat in the same room as that jerk!" Eddie seethed, narrowing her brown eyes.
"Us too. Steve is such a jerk." Caroline and I agreed.
"Well, we'll just have to make the best of it, I guess." I said.
"But I swear, if that idiot does something mean or rude, it's go time." Eddie snapped.
Eddie POV:
I can't believe the Bensons' are coming here for dinner. Ugh, Steve. He's such a jerk. He's graduating this year. Thankfully I'll be rid of him by next year.
"Eddie, mom says we should be getting ready." Beth said, opening my door.
I went into my bathroom with my phone and called Jake. It rang twice before he picked it up.
"Hello?" He asked.
"Hey, it's Eddie." I responded.
"What's up? You sound miserable. You ok?" He asked, and he sounded really concerned.
"Yeah, I'm very miserable. Mom just told us that she invited the Bensons' for dinner tonight. I'm really dreading this." I replied. "Wish you guys were coming instead of them."
"I mean, I can be your guest if you want me to. Just ask your mom and call me back after you get her answer." He offered.
"You're a genius! I'll call you back in a few minutes." I said, hanging up on him.
I bolted downstairs. "Hey, mom? Can I invite Jake to dinner tonight?" I asked.
"Sure. I mean, I don't see a problem with it." Mom said, smiling at me.
I bolted back upstairs and called him back. "She said you can!" I said.
"Ok, cool. I'll be over soon." Jake replied and hung up the phone.
Now, what to wear. I thought, as I rifled through my entire closet. I picked out a red wine colored short dress, and my black and white Converse.
I walked into Beth's room after I was done. She was wearing her Elsie wrap short wrap dress in periwinkle. Her hair was curled and she had this big bun on the top of her head. She looks so pretty!
Caroline came in to borrow Beth's diamond drop earrings. Now, Caroline looked absolutely gorgeous!
She had on mom's Kaz Fit and Flare short dress in purple. With the diamond drop earrings, it really tied her outfit together. She just put a bun in her hair, but like I said she looks gorgeous!
Then the doorbell rang and I rushed downstairs and flung open the door. I gave Jake a big hug as he walked into my house.
Jake POV:
When Eddie called me, I couldn't believe it. Why did Mrs. Malloy have to invite the Bensons?! I mean I can stand Tony, Bill, Danny, and Dougie. But not Steve! Especially after what he did? Nu-huh! No way!
So I hopped into the shower. After I was done, I got our dried my hair and put on my church clothes. Then my black and white Converse.
"Hey, I'm going over to Eddie's. I should be back around 9 or 10." I told my brothers, who were all sitting in the living room watching tv.
They nodded their heads, not taking their eyes off the tv.
I walked out the door and over to Eddie's house and rang the doorbell.
Eddie answered it and as I walked inside, she gave me a big hug.
"Thank you for coming! You really just saved me here. But can you please sit down next to me so that way Steve doesn't get a chance to?" She asked.
I smiled at her. "You don't have to ask. Of course I will. I'm your boyfriend, I'll always be here for you." I said, kissing her on the lips.
"Eww. Public showcase of affection! Gross!" Caroline said, grinning at us.
"Just wait until you and Wally start dating. I bet you'll be kissing just as much as we do." I teased her.
She blushed and I knew I'd hit home. She does like Wally, and I can tell that the feeling is 100% mutual.
Within 7 minutes, the doorbell rang and Mrs. Malloy went and answered it.
Coach Hal Benson, Shirley Benson, Steve Benson, Tony Benson, Bill Benson, Danny Benson, and Dougie Benson walked in the front door.
"How are you, Hal?" Coach Malloy said, shaking Mr. Benson's hand.
"Good and you, George?" Mr. Benson responded.
"Pretty good. Girls! The Benson's are here. Come say hi!" Mrs. Malloy said.
Eddie and I walked into the kitchen, with Beth and Caroline trailing behind us.
"Oh, hello, Jake. I didn't know you'd be joining us for dinner tonight." Mr. Malloy said, and he looked really confused.
"Dear, Eddie wanted to invite her boyfriend, so I let her." Mrs. Malloy said.
Steve's eyes widened. He looked ashamed. Does that mean that he didn't know that we were dating? I guess he just wanted to help Melanie out.
Steve POV:
Dang I'm an idiot! I thought I was doing Melanie a favor, you know, because she has a crush on Jake. I didn't know that Jake has a girlfriend.
I sure didn't expect his girlfriend to be Eddie Malloy, the girl he once hated.
After dinner, I went up to Jake and Eddie, who were sitting on the couch, watching a movie.
"You guys. I'm so sorry! I had no idea that you two were dating. I'm sorry that I pushed Melanie on to you." I said. "I can't believe I was such a jerk. I can't take back what I did, but I definitely wish I could."
"We forgive you." Jake said. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was dating Eddie."
"That's ok, I forgive you too." I said, happy to have my friends back.
