Author's Note: Guys, I'm sorry it took so long to update the story. Since the previous update, I've had a lot to take care of. Aside from my usual school, work, and research responsibilities, I had to send in paperwork and do interviews for practicum/internship (I was accepted at my site of choice and start in the fall!). Also, in the past few weeks, I've had problems with the joints in my right knee. As I don't have internet at my apartment, updating the story means either hauling my 8 pound laptop to campus to use the internet or doing so after work, while waiting for my boyfriend. I'm sorry the updates have been scarce, but I will try to do some more now that the semester is nearly over.

“This is really not going to go well,” Eva muttered, glaring at her older sister.

Jane shrugged and admired her handiwork. “You look great, sis. Really,” she assured Eva. “He’s going to fall all over you.”

“Is that really what we want?”

“Well, if he doesn’t like you, then there might be some other guys there who might be interested.”

Eva stared at Jane, then screamed, “What the heck kind of guy goes after someone a whole three years younger than him?!”

“Well, look at the age difference between Nathan’s parents. Or… or… uh… Ms. Valo and her husband.”

“But her husband’s dead!”

Leah sighed and decided to intercede. “This isn’t helping matters,” she spoke up. “Look, Eva, let’s just go to the school, talk to him, and move on.”

Jane eyed Leah, then said, “Are you sure we’re related? And that you’re the baby?”

“Last I checked. Trust me, I’m no happier about it than you.”

“Let’s get going,” Eva sighed.


Leah looked around at the big group of preteens hanging around outside the middle school. “They’re huge,” she whispered fearfully.

“Not really,” Jane muttered. She scanned the area, then elbowed Eva. “Look, that’s Sean over there.”

“Who’s that he’s talking to?” Eva asked, indicating the pretty girl next to him.

“Well, we’re going to find out, aren’t we?” Jane responded. She lead her sisters over to Sean. “Hey,” she greeted him.

“Hi,” he replied. “Uh, what are you doing here? Aren’t you all in elementary school?”

“Yeah, but--”

The girl next to Sean squealed and ran her hands over Leah’s hair. “Ooh, you are so adorable! Look at your hair! Can I go do stuff with her hair?” she asked Eva and Jane.

“Yeah, sure, go ahead,” Jane replied carelessly. She elbowed Eva. “Say it!” she coaxed her sister.

“So, um…” Eva started. She swallowed hard, feeling anxious. “Uh…”

“So, why are you dressed like that?” Sean asked.

“W-why?” Eva stammered.

“It just doesn’t look… well, right on you. You look better how you normally dress, instead of looking like a wannabe Jane clone. Sorry, Jane. No offense.”

“None taken. But, Sean, that’s exactly why we’re here,” Jane replied.

“What?”

“We’re here to find out if you like Eva!”

Eva looked at her toes, blushing furiously. She was embarrassed that her sister was making such a spectacle of this.


Sean sighed, grabbed Eva’s arm, and pulled her over to the side, out of Jane’s hearing. “Look,” he said quietly. “I don’t know where Jane got that idea. I like you, but, you know, as a friend. Not… you know… I don’t like like you.”

“But… but you stood up for me that time,” Eva replied, confused.

“Because you’re my friend. I wouldn’t be a very good person if I let any of my friends get picked on.”

“…Is it that you have a girlfriend already?”

“What?! No! What made you think that?”

“That girl you were talking to.”

“Who, Crystal? She’s just in a bunch of my classes. We were talking about homework before you showed up.” Sean sighed. “Look, Eva, this whole thing’s just been a big confusion. I think you and your sisters need to get to school before you’re late. Okay?”

“Yeah… sure.”


Eva walked over to Jane, who was tapping her foot impatiently. “Well?” Jane demanded. “What did he say?”

“That he just likes me as a friend.”

“That’s a lie,” Jane responded, rolling her eyes. “He’s just making excuses.” She looked around. “Where’s Leah?”

Eva pointed. “Over there. I think we’d better rescue her.”

Jane and Eva walked over to Leah, who was surrounded by a group of giggling girls. As they approached, Leah broke through the group, looking horrified. Her hair had been done up in pigtails, and she wore makeup.

“Get me away from them, now!” Leah screamed.

“I think we’d better get to school,” Jane said.

“He better have proposed,” Leah grumbled, yanking the barrettes out of her hair and wiping off the makeup. “I’m never going through that ever again!”