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The next day, Jessica couldn’t wait until 3:30. That was when she was supposed to meet Zac at the park. She rushed through her work, noticing lots of mistakes, but not wasting the time to fix them. At three twenty, Mrs. Hanson finally let her go. She walked slowly to the park, knowing she had plenty of time. She got there with five minutes to spare. She sat down on the bench next to the hot dog vendor as she and Zac had agreed. After a few minutes, Zac’s figure was visible down the street. She smiled.
“Hey,” he said,
walking up to her. She stood up, smirking.
“Did you run all
the way here?” He nodded, grinning widely. She rolled her eyes.
“Let’s not stay
here,” she said. “Anyone could drive by and see us.”
“Okay.” They
walked through the park, talking, and discussing. Though the time missing had
been short, it seemed to them an eternity. Finally, they reached the place they
had started. And they both knew everything. Jessica knew about Jake, and Zac
knew about what had happened.
“Well,” Jess said.
“Well.”
“What time is it
anyway?”
“Ummm…almost
five thirty.”
“Ahhh!” She
cursed under her breath. “Mom is going to KILL me! Gotta go Zac! Later!” She
kissed him on the cheek gently and hurried down the sidewalk, waving. Zac
hurried home also.
« « «
Jessica closed
the door quietly behind her and started for the stairs. She had just put her
foot on the bottom step when there was a shout.
“Jessica Grace
Hanson!” She sighed and turned to the kitchen.
“What?”
“Where have you
been?” Mrs. Hanson asked, coming out of the kitchen. She looked down.
“Ummm…with
Chris. At the park.” Mrs. Hanson perched her hands on her hips.
“I don’t believe
you, but I’m not going to worry about it. I’ll never get it out of you. Go
finish up your work. Dinner’ll be ready in about an hour,” Mrs. Hanson said.
But it was too late; Jessica was already halfway to her room. She switched on
the computer in her room and got online. She had to email Angie. She ignored
all of her new messages and clicked ‘Compose.’ She started to type.
Hey Angie! I’m so excited! I have so
much to tell you! Okay, first off, you can’t tell ANYONE! Not even your cat. NO
ONE. And I know you’ll say, “Jessica! You absolutely HAVE to tell someone!” And
I will, I just don’t know who. So, here goes. You know Chris, my next-door
neighbor, right? Well, I was outside with him and his friend, “Blake” came up.
He had been on vacation when we first got here. But this was no Blake. This was
Zac. I’d know that face anywhere. But it doesn’t stop there! And then his little
brother, “Alan,” came out. But that was Mackie if I ever saw him! Yesterday, he
walked home from school with Chris, and Chris had to leave. So he left Zac and
I standing outside. I said, “Zac?” And he NODDED!!!!!! He called me Jessie. And
today, I met him at the park. We talked. Caught up on life. It feels good to
know that my brothers who have been lost for a couple of months are living
right down the street. I can just walk down the street any time I want to see
them. It’s amazing! I just got home from the park a few minutes ago. I was
really late, and Mom was mad, but I lied and told her I was at the park with
Chris. She didn’t exactly buy it, but she didn’t try to figure out where I
really was. I have to finish my work now. Cya. And PLEASE write back soon! I
don’t know if I should tell anyone, and if so, who? Please write soon.
Jess
She clicked
‘Send,’ and clicked off the computer. Who could she tell? She made a list. First, she listed people.
People
Mom
and Dad
Ike
Tay
Avie
Zoë
Chris
Then she listed why to tell or not tell the person.
Why
to tell/not tell
Mom
and Dad- Just too freaky. Mom would start crying or something. They probably
wouldn’t believe me anyhow.
Ike-
He would be a good bet, but he would probably tell Tay, and when Tay finds out,
there’s nothing secret anymore.
Tay-
See above.
Avie-
She might tell someone. But she might not understand why she can’t tell anyone
and tell Mom and Dad.
Zoë-
She’s too young. She would definitely tell Mom and Dad.
Chris- He would be good. He wouldn’t tell anyone if I didn’t want him to, and he wouldn’t pressure me to tell someone else. I think I should tell him.
Satisfied, Jessica settled down to her work, tucking the list into her journal. She would tell Chris tomorrow.