One

I walked outside and sat on the steps. I tried to block out the sounds of Ike, Tay and Zac practicing MMMBop downstairs. I was so sick of that song.

"Waaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!" There goes Zoë. Crying again. Arrrgggghhhh. I had to get out of here. I stood up and looked around. I had no friends, between touring with Ike, Tay and Zac and being homeschooled, you didn't come up with much. Walk. Walks were good. I started down our street, wandering aimlessly. After a little while, I looked down at my watch, It seemed like it had only been minutes, but it had been two hours! I better get back. I sighed and turned to walk home.

 

 

 

 

 

Two

When I got home, Avie was outside with her little friend, Jenn. How did she manage to get friends? I walked on. Mack and Zac were watching cartoons. Lord, I was more mature than those two. Taylor was on the phone with one of the chicks he had a crush on. Isaac was-wait, where was he? Probably on a date. And Zoë? Probably being fussed over by Mom and Dad. I walked into their room. Yep. I was absolutely right. I sat down on the bed.

"Jess," Mom said, "hand me a diaper." I picked one up and gave it to her. So that’s it. Gone for two whole hours and nobody even noticed. She changed Zoë's diaper and looked over at me.

"Honey? Will you watch Zoë for awhile?"

"Sure." She handed her to me and smiled.

"Thanks." I walked away muttering, "Yeah, sure. Only notice me when you want something."

 

 

 

 

 

Three

Little Zoë seemed to be the only one who paid attention to me. When nobody could get her to stop crying, they gave her to me. I could always make her stop crying. I walked into the living room and sat down. Zac looked at me briefly, then turned back to Mack. I sighed. That was the problem. I was smack dab n the middle. I didn't fit in anywhere. I wasn't part of the band and I wasn't a cute little kid anymore. Zoë tugged my hair impatiently. I looked down at her.

"Hey," I said, laughing. She laughed too. Zac gave me a look. I ignored him. He's very rude.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four

A few hours later, Mom had taken Zoë back and forgotten me again.  I wandered around until I ended up in Isaac, Taylor, and Zac's room. I looked around. My eyes settled on Tay's laptop. Bingo! I grabbed it and hurried back to mine and Avery's room. I shut and locked the door. She would live. I logged on AOL as JessG10, My screen name. (AN. I have no idea if this is her real screen name or not! If someone out there has it, I'm sorry and please don't IM them!)  I really didn't have a buddy list. Like I said, no friends, or rather buddies. But I went in a Hanson chat, (I always do for fun) and there was this girl with the screen name TulsaChick10. Maybe she lived here. Fat chance, but ya never know! I started talking to her and she was from Tulsa! And she was 11! She does like, though. Oh, well, I can overlook that! And she lives the next street over! This was getting better by the minute!

 

 

 

Five

A few weeks later, Angie and I had met. That's her real name. We were the best of friends. We did everything together. Well, on the Fourth of July, my family always has this huge picnic and we have a cookout and watch the fireworks. Well, this year, Mom let me invite Angie. Well, she came over and we were having a great time. We were in the backyard with Zac messing around. Then, Mom called me to come get the lemonade.

"Okay," I called. 'I'll be back," I said to Angie. She nodded, smiling and left. I grabbed the lemonade from Mom and headed back to the yard. I went through the gate, smiling my head off. I stopped as soon as I saw them. Zac and practically the only friend I ever had were sitting there. Kissing.

 

 

Six

My mouth dropped open. I let the pitcher drop to the ground, making a big crash. They stopped and looked up. I turned and ran down the sidewalk. I ran and ran, tears flooding my eyes. My vision blurred with tears, but I kept running. This was how it always was. All my friends ended up kissing one of my stupid brothers. That's really why I had no friends. I heard footsteps behind me, but I kept going.

"Jessie!" Angie called. "Jess! Wait!" I kept running. She stopped. But I heard more footsteps. Heavier. Faster. Zac.

"Jessica! Wait!" he called. I still didn't stop. But he was faster than me, and he caught up to me. He grabbed my shirt. "Wait." I spun around to face him, flaming mad.

"Why?!?!?! So you can tell me it didn’t mean anything like you always do?!?!?! Like you did with all my other friends?!?!?! Huh?!?! Is that why I should wait!?!?!?" I was mad now. More than I had ever been before. Through my tears, I could see Angie watching us.

"No!" he returned. "So I can tell you to lighten up and that it didn’t mean any--"

"I knew it! You couldn't not say it! I knew it!" I cried. I was seeing red. "See! Just like always! 'It doesn't mean anything, Jessica!' Like you always say!"

"No!" he said grabbing my shoulders. I glared at him.

"I hate you!" I shouted. "Get away from me!" I tried to wriggle free of his grasp, but he was too strong. I slapped him. Hard. He let go of me and put his hand to his face. I turned and ran. When I got to the park, I sat down on the bench and cried and cried and cried. Nobody cared. Nobody cared.

 

 

Seven

I sat there forever. It got dark. I didn’t care. I was just sitting there, hurting, when I heard my name.

"Jessica!' I looked up. It was Mom. So, she finally figured out I was gone and had enough heart to look for me. And she cared enough not to bring anyone with her. I looked back down. She sat next to me.

"Zac and Angie were really upset. You know that, don't you?" I didn't answer She sighed. "Come on Jess. Talk to me." I couldn't help it. All of a sudden, I just blew up.

"Oh, so it's all about them, isn't it?!?! Who cares about Jessica? It's all about everybody else!" I was standing up now, and I started to run. She caught up to me and grabbed me.

"Jessie! No, it's not all about them! It's about you! It's okay." I started to cry and she hugged me. I cried and cried and cried into her.

I cried and cried. We must have stood there for 20 minutes. Finally, I felt like I couldn't cry anymore. I stood back and wiped my eye.

" Sorry," I said quietly.

"Oh, Jessie. It's okay. It doesn't matter." I smiled gratefully. "Come on," she said. "We better get going. It's late."

"Okay." We got in the car and drove away.

 

 

Eight

When we got home, everything and everyone was inside. I looked down at my watch. Gosh, it had been 1:00 when…it happened. Now it was 8:00. I jumped out of the car and hurried in the house. Isaac and Taylor were on the couch. They looked at me and I could tell they were dying to know what happened. I paid absolutely no attention to them. Upstairs, I went to my room. Good. Avery wasn't there. I sat down on my bed and took out my book and walkman. Then I realized I was starving. I hurried downstairs and made myself a sandwich. I grabbed a soda and went back upstairs. Where was Zac? I was almost sure that I would've-oh, no. There he was. Blocking my door. Okay, I thought. Play it cool, Jessie. Play it cool. I walked up to the door.

"Excuse me," I said casually. "You're in my way."

"Now," he said. "You hafta listen to me."

"No I don't." I pushed my way past him and sat down on my bed. I put on my headphones and the Backstreet Boys blasted into my ears. I started to read my book and eat my sandwich. Zac looked really mad.

"Jessica?" he asked. "Listen." I looked up, pretending to be surprised.

"I thought I heard something. Guess not." He tried again and I returned with: "What was that? Must've been a fly." He was really mad.

"Jessica! Listen!" I started humming along with the song and ignored him. Then, he got really mad and blew up everywhere!

"Jessica Grace Hanson! Listen to me!" I giggled, dropping everything on my bed and running out of the room. He chased me into the living room. I jumped between Ike and Tay, so he couldn't get me. Zac looked really mad, and Ike and Tay looked really confused.

 

 

Nine

"Jessie? What did you do to him?" Taylor asked. Oh you have some nerve, Taylor Hanson. I stood up.

"Oh, buddy. Do you have some nerve! What did I  do to him????? Well, I must have done a lot since he repeatedly ruins my life! God have some freakin' mercy!" I shook my head. "God have mercy!" They were all staring at me.

"WHAT?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?" I screamed and ran out the door, letting it slam behind me. They would just weasel it out of Zac, but I didn't care. I climbed into the treehouse.

"Idiots," I muttered.

"Yeah, I guess we are." I looked up.

"What do you want Angie?" She sat down.

"I just um…wanted to talk."

"Nothing to talk about."

"C'mon Jess. I'm really sorry. I didn't know what I was thinking. I-it just sort of happened."

"Really? I mean, was it his idea? 'Cause that's okay 'cause he's just rude and mean and I can kill him." She nodded shyly.

"Yeah, I guess so."  I smiled. She smiled back. I reached over and hugged her.

 

 

"Zac?" Taylor asked. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!?!?!?!?!?"

"Nothing, nothing. I dunno why she's so mad."

"Liar, liar pants on fire!" Avery shrieked from here hiding place behind the couch. Zac grabbed her and slapped his hand over her mouth. She giggled and tried to pull his hand off her mouth. After a few attempts, she succeeded.

"You kissed Angie!!!!!"

 

 

Ten

"Zac!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Isaac and Taylor yelled.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Are you that stupid?" Isaac asked,

"Whaddya mean?"

"God, Zac! How retarded do ya hafta be?"

"I'm not retarded!"

"Yes, you are!" Isaac cut in. "You kiss her best friend and you don't expect her to be mad? Would you like it if she kissed your best friend?" Avery giggled.

"Get outta here squirt," Zac said angrily. She ran from the room, laughing like crazy.

"It would be kinda funny…"

"Zac, come on. You would throw fire if she did that and you know it!"

"Well…. well…. well…you…um…you suck!" Zac concluded lamely and ran outside.

 

 

Eleven

Angie and I sat in the treehouse, talking.

"Hey!" Angie said. "Do you think your mom would let you spend the night? 'Cause it is kind of late."

"I dunno," I said. "But I can ask. C'mon, let's go!" The two of us ran towards the house. Suddenly, I ran into something.

"Hey!"

"Huh? Zac? What are you doing?"

"None of your beeswax."

"Well, then," I said, and we ran into the house.

 

 

Twelve

I burst into the door breathlessly, followed by Angie. Nobody in the living room. We moved onto the kitchen. Mom was there, loading the dishwasher.

"Jessie!" she said, turning around. "And….Angie."

"Mom?" I asked. "Can I go to Angie house and spend the night? Please?" Mrs. Hanson looked a little peeved. (I loooove that word! Peeved! Lol.)

"Jess, it's late. I don't know if you should. And Angie's parents…."

"Oh, it's okay, Mrs. Hanson. My parents said I could have a friend today." Mrs. Hanson looked skeptical.

"Well, okay. Go get your things together."

"Thanks Mom!" I cried, throwing her arms around her. "C'mon Angie! Let's go!" We ran up the stairs, and I nearly knocked Taylor over.

"Oh, sorry, Tay."

"It's okay. But what are you so happy about? And why is Angie here? I thought that-"

"Don't even say it, Taylor. Don't you even dare Jordan Taylor Hanson. I'll punch your nose in," I called over my shoulder, running down the hall with Angie.

"Well then," Taylor said to himself, heading downstairs. "Note to self: Don't get in fight with my little sister." He shrugged and slouched on the couch.

 

 

Thirteen

Zac walked the rest of the way to the treehouse. They were so mean! Gosh, it was just a mistake! Plus, Jessie overreacted way too much! She got mad if somebody looked at her the wrong way! But I guess that was pretty bad… I dunno. It's not like I've done it that many times. And besides, it's not my fault she doesn't have any friends. Maybe she should be more social. Like, like…Avery! She and Mack have plenty of friends. But then again, there are more 5 and 8-year-olds than 11-year-olds…. but they don't hafta live in this neighborhood. I dunno. She's weird.

 

 

Fourteen

We walked down the hall and into the room I shared with Avery. I pulled out my bag. I opened my drawer and started throwing things in it.

"I can't believe my mom actually said yes!" I exclaimed.

"I know!" Angie replied.

"So," I said. "What should we do tomorrow?"

"I was thinking the mall." I smiled.

"Great!" I threw some more things in my bag and zipped it up. "Done. Come on." She smiled and we walked down the stairs, ignoring Tay, who was on the couch.

"We're leaving, Mom!"

"Okay!" And we left.

 

 

Fifteen

That night, Angie and I spent all night giggling over all guys we could think of besides my brothers, a bowl of popcorn (alright, more than one, and I guess some candy and junk food too!), and a mile-high stack of movies. We didn’t really go to sleep until 8:00 in the morning! Apparently, Angie’s mom figured we would stay up till all hours, so she let us sleep till 1:00. When we did finally roll out of bed, we got dressed and went to the mall. Mrs. Clane (AN. Did I say their last name already?? I can’t find it anywhere and I don’t think so!!) asked if I should call my parents and tell them I’d probably be there for another night, and I lied and said no because they only lived about a street over! It wasn’t a big deal. Mrs. Clane treated us to a movie and dinner afterwards. We were so tired that we went home and fell right asleep in front of the TV. I didn’t think another thing of my family until a shrill ring woke us up about two and a half hours after we got home and fell asleep.

 

 

Sixteen

Mrs. Clane hurried groggily out of bed to answer the high-pitched ringing of the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Mrs. Clane? This is Diana Hanson,” a voice said.

“Oh, hi,” Mrs. Clane said, a little surprised, after all, Jessie had said her parents wouldn’t mind if she stayed another night.

“Yes, I’m wondering, is Jessie still there?”

“Yes, they stayed up all night last night and woke up late this afternoon, and we went to the mall and the movies. I asked her if she should call her parents, and she said that wouldn’t be necessary.”

“Oh goodness,” Mrs. Hanson said. “I don’t know what to do with her lately. She’s always aggravated and angry, or screaming, and she never follows the rules or takes responsibility. She knows good and well she should have called! I don’t know what to do with her lately,” Mrs. Hanson repeated.

“That’s odd,” Mrs. Clane agreed. “She seems like a very responsible girl.”

“She always was, until lately. I think it has something to do with her brothers. They’re always gone, and they do get a lot of attention… But you wouldn’t believe the kind of attention she and Mack and Avery and Zoë get also. But I think that’s what it is. She feels left out, not really fitting in with Mack and Avery and Zoë, or with Ike and Tay and Zac. I think I’ll have to talk to her.”

“That sounds like a good plan. Would you like to come pick her up now??” Mrs. Hanson sighed.

“No, I guess I’ll wait till morning, if it’s not too much trouble for you.”

“Oh, no. Not at all!”

“Okay, then. I’ll see you tomorrow Anne.”

“Okay, Diana. You don’t worry too much.”

“Alright, bye.”

“Bye.” Click.

I hurried back to Angie’s room quietly before anyone could catch me. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard!

 

 

Seventeen

The next morning, Mrs. Clane woke us up at 9:00. She said my mom was here. Angie and I dragged ourselves out of bed. I got all of my stuff together and said goodbye and thank you to the Clanes, I climbed into the car, dreading the group that would be awaiting me. Surprisingly, I found only my mother in the driver’s seat.

“Climb up here,” she said, patting the passenger seat. I crawled through the seats and sat there and buckled up.

“Where is everyone?” I questioned after we had pulled into traffic.

“Well, let’s see,” she said. “I dropped them off at friends’ houses.” My brow furrowed.

“Why?” Was this a special day? I didn’t think so.

“You and me are going to spend all day together. No brothers or sisters.” I felt a smile creep on my lips.

“Really?”

“Really. Your father and I have been busy lately with your brothers and sisters. You’ve been a great sport.” I blushed. If only she knew.

“Not really,” I said quietly.

“Yeah you have. We haven’t been paying much attention to you and you’ve been great. So you and me are going to spend an entire day all alone-no brothers or sisters. Just us. Just the two of us.” She looked over at me. “Where to first? You wanna get some breakfast?” I nodded, grinning.

“Sure.”

We went to a local café for breakfast and then we went to the mall. We spent the entire morning shopping and browsing. We ate lunch at Chick-Fil-A. After that, we were sick of the mall and we went to Old Navy. We spent about and hour and a half there. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and having fun. By the time we got home after dinner, we were exhausted. The two of us curled up in my mom’s big bed and watched the movies we rented on the way home. We fell asleep on about the third movie. The next morning I woke up at around 7:30. No one else was up. I went on the back porch and stared at the sky, thinking about what a great family I had. It was going to be a great day.

 

 

The End (Maybe…)

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