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Chapter 06 "Are you ready to go, Jess?" Julie asked as she held her car keys between her teeth as she secured her dark hair in a low ponytail as she stopped into front of Jessica's bedroom door. "Yep," Jessica nodded as she grabbed a small purse off of the dresser by her door. The previous day Jessica and Julie had been so busy with unpacking Julie's things that it was far too late for Jessica to show her around town then, so they had made plans to do so the following afternoon. "The mall is the best place," Jessica commented as she walked downstairs. "I love Abercrombie, but mom always throws a fit when I try to get the kind of clothes I like. If my belly button even shows a little, she won't let me get it." Julie smiled at her sympathetically. She had no idea how Jessica felt. Her mother had never told that she couldn't wear something out. For as long as she could remember, her mother had always taken her to the mall and let her buy whatever she wanted. Her mother never fussed over how much something cost or how it fit. She didn't care. Julie shook her head. She almost hated the fact that her parents had spoiled her. If they had made her a stronger person growing up, then she maybe she wouldn't be feeling so utterly helpless and lost. "Are you girls leaving now?" Diana asked as she walked down the hall with a laundry basket full of clothes. "Yeah," Jessica nodded. "Well, just be careful," Diana smiled. "And have fun." "We will," Jessica smiled as she opened the front door with Julie close behind. "So, where's a good place to work around here?" Julie asked after Jessica had given her some instructions on where to go. "Well, the mall is always cool," Jessica grinned. "I'm a bit obsessed with the mall in case you haven't noticed." Julie simply smiled. "But let's see ..." Jessica said thoughtfully. "Zac works at Starbucks." "Ooh, Starbucks," Julie sighed. "One of my many weaknesses." "Me too," Jessica nodded. "Too bad I can't go there when Zac's working," Julie commented. "Why's that?" Jessica asked. "Um, your brother only hates me for no good reason," Julie replied. "Zac doesn't hate you," Jessica said. "Yeah, well, I think when he walked away and slammed the door behind him it was a good indication that he strongly dislikes me," Julie smirked. "Zac's just a jackass," Jessica commented. "Taylor says that he's just sexually frustrated and takes it out on everyone else because he can't get laid." "Why would Zac have any trouble getting laid?" Julie asked blankly. "I mean, he's not a bad looking guy ... He's actually pretty ..." Julie stopped short when she saw the shocked look on Jessica's face. "What?" she asked. "You like my brother!" she laughed. "I do not," Julie replied blushing. "Yes, I think he's good looking, but no, I do not like him." "Yeah, and I don't like Neil," Jessica said sarcastically. Julie gave Jessica a sideways glare as she stopped a stoplight. "I don't like Zac. I promise," Julie said seriously. "I wouldn't mind being his friend because that would mean that I actually have at least a few friends before school starts, but for some reason, Zac just doesn't want to have anything to do with me." "What is up with that anyway?" Jessica asked. "You and Zac were the closest in age, but when you were little, the two of you refused to play together." "Zac said I cooties," Julie replied lightly as the light turned green and she sped off down the road. "Apparently, he still thinks I have them." Jessica laughed. "That sounds like Zac," she commented rolling her eyes. "So, will you really not go to Starbucks if Zac's working?" "Oh, I don't know," Julie shrugged. "Why?" "Because Neil works there too, and he's working today too," Jessica replied slyly. "And how do you know this?" Julie said raising an eyebrow. "Because Zac said he had to give him a ride to work today," Jessica replied matter-of-factly. "It's not like I stalk him or something!" "Right," Julie said slowly with a smirk spreading across her face. Jessica made a face at Julie as she turned into a huge parking lot. "SCORE! I made it to the mall in one piece!" Julie grinned. After a grand tour of the mall, some shopping, and picking up a few applications, Julie and Jessica headed out to the car. "So, how might I get to the Starbucks where the famous Neil works?" Julie inquired. "We're really going to go see him?" Jessica squealed. Julie burst out laughing. "Oh, yes, if this guy is squeal worthy, then I have to see him!" she exclaimed as she started the car. Jessica bounced around in her seat. "Go over to the exit and turn right and turn left at the next light," she directed. "You are such a dork," Julie laughed as she followed Jessica's instructions. "I know," Jessica nodded frantically. "So, you're not going to act like this when we go inside, are you?" Julie asked curiously. "Of course not!" Jessica replied. "I'd die if Neil saw me acting this stupid!" Julie took a deep breath and nodded, "I think I would too." "Hey," Jessica grinned as she slapped Julie playfully. As much as Julie hated to admit it, she was really looking forward to spending more time around Jessica. Julie couldn't believe how quickly they had become friends. It was actually quite a relief. Before she had arrived in Tulsa, Julie had been certain that she wouldn't have any friends, but she could see clearly now that she had been wrong about that. Jessica was great. And Avery and Zoe were incredibly sweet as well. Julie had a feeling that they were going to be like the sisters that she never had. "We're here!" Jessica grinned nearly jumping out of the car before Julie stopped. 'That girl is crazy.' Julie thought shaking her head as she got out of the car. Julie followed Jessica inside, and they slowly approached the counter. "Which one is Neil?" Julie whispered in Jessica's ear. "Spiked brown hair. Hazel eyes," Jessica answered quietly as the people in front of them stepped out of the way. "Hey, Jess," the guy at the counter smiled. He had spiked brown hair and hazel eyes, and his nametag said 'Neil.' "Hi," Jessica blushed as Neil turned to Julie. "Who's this?" he asked. "This is Julie," Jessica replied. "She's staying with us while her parents are in Africa. Julie, this is Neil." "Hi," Julie smiled as Zac walked over to the counter. "What are you two doing here?" Zac asked narrowing his eyes at Jessica and then at Julie. "Uh, duh, getting a frappucino," Jessica said making a face at Zac. "Besides, aren't you supposed to be nice to the customers?" "Well, I am when the customer isn't my little sister," Zac shot back before turning back to Neil. "Anyway, Myra told me to tell you that you can go on break. I'll take over from here." "Okay," Neil nodded before waving at Jessica and Julie. "It was nice meeting you, Julie. See you around, Jess." "See ya," Jessica replied while Julie simply smiled. "So, what can get you?" Zac asked unenthusiastically after Neil was gone. Jessica and Julie quickly gave him their order and stepped over to the side to wait while he fixed them "Ya know, there's just something about watching my brother wait on me that just makes me want to laugh in his face," Jessica commented in a hushed tone. Julie laughed. "Jess, you and Zac are something else." |