Allegra and Jade

CHAPTER 1:
[Rach and I wrote this aprt a long time ago and both of us have edited it a lot so its basically cowritten for this part]

Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Dear Diary,

Some people think I live in a pretty, perfect world…they’re wrong. My life is a huge chaotic, muddled up mess. That is, inside my house. Outside we’re a model family…well mostly. My brother Wesley is your typical rebel. My mom’s the classy designer. My dad’s the rich business man. I’m the spoiled little Daddy’s girl. Or was.

The real dynamic of the family. Wesley is truly depressed and into drugs. Interior and fashion design is my mom’s escape and that’s where she spends her life. Work is my dad’s escape…go figure. I have two workaholic parents and a brother on drugs. Compared to them, I’m fairly normal. Compared to normal people, I’m going crazy.

So why do people think we’re a pretty, perfect family? The pretty part comes from my mom being Greek and my dad’s Arab ancestry. Dad is tall dark and handsome, Mom is slim and delicate and pretty. Wesley and I have olive complexions, hazel eyes and hair the color of coffee beans. The perfect part comes from the image we project to everyone. Or the image my parents project to the town. Wesley gave up pretending a long time ago. I’m not sure where I stand.

I wish

“Legra?” Allegra Hudson-Green’s mother, Alexis, called.

She heard her mom coming up the stairs towards her room. She quickly minimized her online-diary and clicked open her internet browser.

“Yeah?” she called back naturally.

Her mother came in, looking gorgeous as usual, but tired and decidedly ticked. “What are you doing?”

"Um....research," she replied quickly.

"I hope you’re telling the truth. Supper’s done in ten minutes. Do not be late.”

Allegra could only manage half a smile in acknowledgement. It was ironic to her that her mother even cared if she was late. Announcement’s and commands were basically the only words Alexis directed at her children.

Allegra rolled her eyes and continued in her diary…

I wish I was a Carlyle. I love their family dynamic. For a lot of reasons, the main one being that they only have one family dynamic. Her parents are strict enough to be annoying but not suffocating which proves they really care. Her life has problems but they’re normal problems. Like double-booking something or zits or being sick or not feeling like she got enough of her mom’s time at some point today. They’re straightforward, easily-solved, and easily forgotten.

Their home is a split level single family home. It’s small but in a nice way. It has a cozy vibe to it almost all the time. And normal, family noises are a constant, expected thing at their house. Jade has everything and she’s jealous of me. Because my parents are rich and leave me alone for the most part. Jade lives in a pretty perfect world. She just doesn’t know it.

She folded down her laptop, stood up, and examined herself in her full-length mirror. Her favorite pair of jeans and a pink and white top. She was decent. But she wasn’t blond-haired, blue-eyed, perfect-slim-hour-glass-figured Jade.

Slowly making her way downstairs, Allegra sat herself at the four-seater table. Her father, a slim business man, sat at the head. Her mother to his right and her brother to his left. Wesley glanced up at her, barely nodding and giving her a tiny smile. She smiled back and he went back to slumping in his seat, staring at the table. Her mother, not slumping, was wearing a similar expression. Inez brought in the food and left quickly. I wonder what’s up, Allegra wondered.

“So I’ve been thinking,“ her father began, “I've been home a lot lately, right?”

No one answered. Allegra was surprised. Usually her mom spoke up when her dad needed support. But her mom still wore that disgruntled expression, and she pushed her chicken alfredo around her plate listlessly.

"Um...sure, Daddy," Allegra said.

Wesley glared at her and kicked her under the table. “Sellout,” he muttered. She looked at her plate. Inez made the best food and made it look pretty. But at the moment her chicken alfredo looked gross. She hated it when her family was divided, she took sides and Wesley got mad at her for it.

This was a tiny example, but still.

"Well I've been offered a wonderful business experience," David Hudson-Green told his family. Allegra rolled her eyes and tuned him out. She knew where this was going.

"Wonderful business experiences" were chances for him to escape his dysfunctional family and live like a successful, well-off single man without kids.

"...gone for the three months." He finished.

Her eyes jerked to her dad's face. He looked serious, and was looking back at her like he wanted more support. Her eyes went back to her plate. Her alfredo looked like cats barf.

Back in her room, plugged into her Ipod and rapidly IM-ing Jade, and she debated her reaction.

jjeweled: why do u care anymore? He’s never really home.

ahgmusic: why do I care? He’s my dad! He’ll be gone for THREE MONTHS! Do u have any idea what it will do to my family?

jjeweled: r u kidding?

ahgmusic: But my mom will miss him! Wesley’s already fed up with dad. He needs him to stick around and show him he’s a good guy

jjeweled: is he? And maybe Wesley needs some space.

Allegra thought for a long time.

jjeweled: hello???

ahgmusic: Okay. Hey, can I come over for the night?

jjeweled: finally

Allegra grinned, signed off, grabbed her shoulder bag, and slipped into her shoes. She and Jade were the same size so everything she needed was at Jade’s house.

All she had to do was get out the front door, and that wouldn’t be a problem. Especially not tonight.
~*~
Allegra was greeted by the warm smile of Ms. Carlyle, Jade’s mom. Immediately beckoned in the door, she invited her to some supper. She had not felt like eating back home, but the Carlyle’s homemade lasagna looked so good. She took her place next to Jade and exchanged greetings with Jade, five-year-old Jack, and Jade’s father, Mr. Carlyle.

Allegra joined in the merry conversation between the family members, and found herself longing for a family like this one. After supper, Jade and Allegra headed off to Jade’s petite room down the corridor, with a carton of Starbucks Light ice cream in hand.

Allegra loved Jade’s room. It was exactly how a room should be. Worn duvet, glowing walls filled with pictures of memories and a thousands yesterdays spent laughing. Allegra's room at home was immaculate, white all round with three big windows, a balcony, a window seat, and no memory-littered walls.

"So.....what’s up?” Jade asked.

"You know what’s up," she replied.

"I don’t get how it affects you so much. It’s not like your not used to it.”

“Yeah and I shouldn‘t have to be used to it. I don‘t really care either way if he‘s gone or not. I don‘t,” she emphasized at Jade’s skeptical look. “I just hate living with the weeks of reactions I get from Mom and Wesley. They’re all snappy and grumpy and bent out of shape. It’s not like we’re a model family when he’s home but at least we’re functional.”

Jade snorted.

Allegra gave her a look. They sat in silence for a while.

“Sorry,” Jade finally said.

Allegra shrugged and gave her a smile. “It’s fine. I think it’s soft enough now,” she said, peeling the top off the ice cream carton. For the rest of the evening, Jade and Allegra enjoyed watching corny movies on TV.

When they woke up the next morning, Jade’s dad made them homemade waffles with whipped cream cheese and fresh strawberries. After that though, the Carlyle’s were going to a ballgame with a friend of Jade’s dad’s and there were only four tickets. Allegra helped them pack a picnic and left.

When Allegra got home, her mother met her at the door. “You should know that your Dad’s gone,” she said.

“Oh…where?”

“Greece. Last night. He decided to be there a few days before the meeting,” Alexis said, looking away, and Allegra knew there had been a fight.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

“You should be!” Alexis snapped.

Allegra’s mouth dropped a little. “Um…why?”

“You should have told someone where you were going or called when you got there! Where were you?”

Allegra gave her mom an I’m-not-stupid look. “Guess.” She could practically see her mom simmering. “The Carlyle’s. It’s never been a problem before, so why--”

“Your father left last night, Allegra! And when I go to tell you I have no idea when he’ll be back, you’re weren‘t there! Half my family just disappeared last night. Do you see how this is your fault?”

Allegra didn’t. But she nodded and said, “Sorry,” again and went up to her room, closing the door loudly.

In previous circumstances when their parents fought, Allegra would go to Wesley’s room or he would come to hers. But this was different. They all holed up in their rooms, doing there own thing, but all thinking the same thing.


Chapter 2:


Fans roared, people sang, men drank, women read, children screamed, crowds did the wave. Jade sat bored. She looked over at her family. Her mother was playing with Jack and her father and his friend were chatting contentedly and loudly while watching the game. She turned her attention back to the field, not even realizing she had a huge frown on her face.

“What’s up, Jade?” her mom asked.

“What?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, why?”

Her mother imitated her look, glaring idly at the field. Jade smiled. “Oh, sorry. Sun’s in my eyes.” Her mother gave her a prying look but left it alone and turned back to Jack. The sun was behind Jade.

What was really bothering her was the Hudson-Green family. They all led exciting, busy, fun-filled lives. And if not fun-filled, then adventure-filled. So Mr. Hudson-Green was going on a long business trip. Why was that a problem? Business trips are good things. It means everything is thrown off. There’s only one parent around so life is better. Fun, spontaneous things are planned! Rules are forgotten, for the most part.

I need something new in my life, Jade thought. She smiled. I need a guy.

As soon as she got home, she pulled out her notebook and colored pens.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Dear Diary,
You know how 2006 is the year of the dog? Well Summer 2006 is the Summer of Jade. Or better yet, the Summer of Guys. And if not guys, then something. But the Summer of Something sounds lacking. So it’s the Summer of Guys. And fun, sun, and new friends. I love Allegra and I’ll never stop loving her. She probably will be my “best friend forever,” but I’m tired of her emotional roller coasters and theatrics. I’m tired of life being about her. I’m ready for something new and I’m ready for it to be about me.
So I signed up for the youth group beach trip this summer. I haven’t been to my youth group in a year. Mainly because I had Allegra and she was my main source of fun and adventure. That’s changing. My youth group has plenty of potential friends and crushes and what better way to find them then at the beach for a week?
Just this little act of independence and adventure has given me a whole new outlook on this summer! Something big is happening.

Jade woke to the shrill of her cell phone ringtone. Leaning over, she checked her phone. It was an unknown caller. She sighed and pressed on "talk" button. It better not be a telemarketer waking her up early on a summer morning.

"Hello?" she croaked into the receiver.

"Hello. Is this Jade speaking?" asked an adult male voice.

"Yes…?”

“Jade. This is Mike. I don’t know how to tell you this but....."

“I need my carpet cleaned?”

“No…I--”

“Look, it’s early and I don’t have school for another two months so everyday is a weekend and this is too early to call on a weekend I’m supposed to be sleeping in and…where did you get my cell anyway?” Without waiting for an answer, she pressed the “end” button. She usually made an effort to be nice to telemarketers…it wasn’t their fault they had such a painful job. But seriously…it was--ooops. It was ten in the morning.

“Grrr…” Jade sighed, standing up. She walked over to her window and looked outside. Suddenly she was very aware of her ratty grew sweats and wrinkled pink tank top. There was a very cute boy standing outside and he looked right at her! For about a moment. And he was only a paper boy.

“But still,“ Jade said to herself, smiling. “Thus began, The Summer of the Boys!!!” She grinned to herself and quickly got dressed. She rushed downstairs, grabbed a chocolate chocolate chip muffin off the table and raced out the door. “I’m going to Vicki’s!” she yelled over her shoulder at her mother.

“When will you be back?”

“By dark! If not, I’ll call!” Jade said, the door slamming behind her.

Ms. Carlyle shook her head, irritated, but not worried enough to go after her daughter.

In all the excitement and confusion of getting dressed and grabbing a muffin, Jade forgot about the paperboy. Naturally, after her quick shower and brief chat with her mother, he was farther down the street. But she had to walk his way to get to Vicki’s. Actually walking his way would be the long way to get to Vicki’s.

“Well who cares? It’s the Summer of the Boys!” Jade told herself, wondering how many times she would say that today.

Her bravado wore off in the short two minutes it took her to catch up to the paperboy. He was coming back from a house just as she reached him. She smiled a little and decided to just keep walking…she could develop flirting skills at some other time with some other person. Coward! she yelled at herself.

“Hey.”

She glanced back over at him. “Hey.”

“Don’t you go to my school?” he asked, keeping in pace with her.

She looked at him. Ooops! This was not “just a paperboy,” this was Tommy de la Cruz! Tom Cruise for short. Her crush since grade school! Definitely not a good person to develop flirting skills on. She wanted to face him with fully developed flirting skills!

“Uh…oh, wait! Yeah! I know you,” she smiled at him, “Tom Cruise, right?”

He grinned and nodded. “The cookie?”

She laughed. “Right! You were my superman that day!”

“That’s cause I was loaded that day.”

“Yeah…so loaded that you only had enough to cover a cookie and a drink.”

“Hey…as I remember, you were broke, so…”

“The kid had stolen my lunch money!”

He grinned again and shrugged. “Hey…broke’s broke. Gotta go. See you around.”

Jade smiled and nodded and socked his arm. “Yeah see you around. Earn a lot of money!”

He waved. “I’m sure that statement had nothing to do with you and your love for Starbucks, right?” he called.

“Of course not!” So maybe my flirting skills aren’t so bad after all. I think I maybe just hinted at asking him out to Starbucks. I think my ask-out skills do need work, however.


Chapter 3:


“Family meeting!” Alexis Hudson-Greene called, walking into her house and letting the door slam behind her. She set her purse and things down on a chair, slipping out of her slip-on pointy-toed heels. “I don’t hear you coming!” she yelled, louder. “Family meeting in the living room, now!”

She rapped loudly on Wesley’s door on the way to the stairs. “Wesley,” she barked, “out. Now!”

She climbed up the stairs. “Allegra drop what you’re doing and get downstairs this is important, I’m not playing.” She reached her room, closed the door, and crossed to her bed. She sank onto it and sat there, slumped, for a moment. Then she straightened up and looked around. “There’s really no way around it,” she told herself. “Just steel yourself and get it over with.” She took a moment to “steel herself,” checked herself in the mirror, and then went downstairs. She was surprised to see Allegra and Wesley sitting on the coach, waiting.

“Glad you’re here,” she said, attempting a smile. “I have good news and bad news. Bad news first: there’s some family stuff going on at home and I have to go to Greece for a few weeks. I’m not sure how long but it shouldn’t be much longer than a month.”

Allegra and Wesley exchanged glances. Alexis felt a twinge of worry--they looked suspicious--but she ignored it. “The good news is, you’ll be staying with your Aunt Marie in Mexico.”

Wesley raised his eyebrows. “It’s Aunt Mariah and there‘s no way I‘m going to Mexico. I have plans this summer.”

Alexis raised hers back. “No one in my family calls her that and you know it. Drop the attitude, young man, you’re going.”

“No freaking way,” Wesley said, standing. “We’re done.” Allegra rolled her eyes at his theatrics and her mom’s commandeering attitude. Neither of them were getting through to each other, they were just causing tension.

“Fine.” Alexis snapped. “Go. But pack your bags soon or I’ll pack them for you!”

“If you can find your way to my room,” Wesley muttered, deliberately loud enough for Alexis to hear.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alexis demanded even though she knew exactly what he meant. She may not be around as often as he’d like, but she knew her way to his room. She’d just knocked on his door, for goodness sake! She turned to Allegra, frowning. “And what’s your opinion on this?”

Allegra just looked at her mom. After a moment she stood up. “Well, now. That doesn’t really matter, does it? I’m off to pack my bags!” she said, managing to sound breezy and sarcastic at the same time.

Alexis stood in the same place and swallowed. She had steeled herself against Wesley a long time ago. It looked like she’d need to start with Allegra. She sighed and glanced over at their baby pictures. “Oh, stop it, Alexis!” she told herself, annoyed. “You’re acting like you’re in a soap opera.”

Allegra felt like she was living in a soap opera.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Dear Diary,
I had plans this summer!

Allegra didn’t even finish her paragraph. “Wait a minute!” She jumped up and went downstairs. “So when are we leaving?” she demanded. Her mother looked up.

“A week from today. You might want to get some shopping done before then. Let me know when and you can have my card,” she said with a smile.

Allegra tried to return it. “Thanks, Mom,” she said, trying not to sound too sarcastic but failing entirely.

She went to Wesley’s room and knocked on the door. “Come in if you’re not Alexis,” he growled.

She grinned and came in. “Ha. So it’s Alexis now?”

“Of course. ‘Mom’ seems entirely uncalled for.”

She laughed. “Yeah. So…Mexico?”

He raised his eyebrows, gave her a look, then went back to tuning his guitar. “Yeah. Mexico.”

Allegra sighed. “So?”

She got another look. “So what?”

“So what are we going to do about it?”

“Start a union? Stage a coup? Mutiny? Lock ourselves in a closet?”

“Wesley…”

“We’re going. Might as well get used to it.”

Allegra sighed again and thought for a moment, plopping down on his black and gray beanbag. “It could be fun….”

Wesley sent her a dark look. “Don’t.”

“Okay, okay…but Aunt Mariah’s cool.”

Wesley set down his guitar and exhaled loudly. “Our dad left, our mom’s going after him, and they can’t just keep that between them. They have to send us away too, over the summer, when we had plans. Get used to it, but don’t think it’s cool. It’s very uncool.” He glanced quickly at Allegra to see her reaction to this.

She burst out laughing. “You sound just like him, you know.” “He” was a character on a show they used to buy season sets of, Gilmore Girls. One movie night they were out of options for fun movies, and Allegra made him watching it. And he ended up liking it.

“What was his name?”

“Brian…no, Zach.”

Wesley laughed. “Yeah, him. Thanks a lot, Legs.”

“Well you did. And you knew who I was talking about too. Look at you…you’re even tuning a guitar. ‘Weezer did not go to college! College is sooo not rock n‘ roll!’”

“That sounded like him. Do your Mrs. Kim impression.”

“He’s not Korean. Now go with Ming Chung to your second cousin twice removed’s wedding reception, I will be there as soon as my tree bark pudding and spaghetti with wheat balls is done!”

Wesley laughed again. “You should go into acting.”

“Now there’s a thought,” Allegra said smiling. “That could be fun. I would add it to my list except I can’t have a list this summer. Because I don’t have a summer.”

Wesley put his hand on her shoulder. “Quit it. Mexico’s not so bad. It’s paradise. A lot of people would be glad to go.”

“Okay, weren’t you just the one who told me, ‘Don’t.’?”

“Yeah, well. Your Gilmore Girl references put me in a perky state of mind,” he smirked, picking up his guitar again.

“Whatever I can do to help. I’m gonna go pack. Or think of something to distract me from packing.”

“When you wanna go shopping let me know and I’ll drop you off at the mall!” he called after her.

Okay. Maybe this won’t be so bad. Mexico is paradise and Wesley and I are going to be friends again. And Aunt Mariah’s cool.

Allegra finished her journal entry and started to pack. In truth, she only got as far as packing four seasons of Gilmore Girls before she went back to Wesley’s room for a ride to the mall.
~*~
Jade’s cell rang again. She picked it up, checked the number, and picked up. “Hello?”

“Is this Jade?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“I’m sorry! It’s Luke, from the church? I’m just calling about the beach trip--”

“Oh--right. You’re the youth pastor, right?” Jade didn’t realize how dumb and potentially rude she sounded until she had already said it.

“That’s me. So about the beach trip--we hired a charter bus but the seats are filled--”

“Uh-oh.”

“Well don’t worry, there’s another option. We don’t want to hire another bus because we only have three extra. One of our parents--Karla de la Cruz, do you know her?--volunteered to follow the bus to the beach and we’re looking for another parent to pick you guys up and follow the bus home.”

“I don’t think my mom could--”

“That’s fine…but if you have any ideas let me know. Would she be willing to let you drive with Karla?”

“I’m pretty sure. Can I call you back?”

“Of course…I have a list of people to call so if I don’t answer, just leave a message and I’ll get back to you.”

“Okay…thanks.”

“No problem, have a good day.”

“Same.”

Jade set her phone down on her bed and stared at it, thinking.


Chapter 4:
[Rach]

Hot, un-air-conditioned masses did not turn Allegra away from the mall. She was on a mission, and she would do what it took to buy some nice pieces for Mexico. After all, you just never know who you meet on holiday.

She entered Nordstrom, and after a few glares from the cashier, she subtly flashed her credit card at her side, and the cashier braved a smile and rushed over.

“Can I help you, miss?" she asked in a voice that gave away her energy levels. She was like a battery-powered doll high on Energizers.

"Yes, I’m looking for a few fun, summer clothes to wear on holiday"

"We just got a new summer range, and the colours will really suit your skin tone"
Allegra followed where she found a heap of good clothes. She walked out with four sundresses, two pairs of dinky shorts, a new bikini and a couple of nice tops. She was relieved it would be this easy.

On her way to the food court to get a drink, she passed a music shop. She went in impulsively. She wanted to get a small gift for Wesley, just a little token of her gratitude. She found an auto guitar tuner, which she knew Wes had been pining for, but since he is the estranged son, the 'rents don't really spoil him all that much.

She got her drink, then carried on shopping. She stopped at a new shoe shop, and got some summer sandals and pumps.

After a few hours, she had successfully bought a new summer wardrobe, plus a pair of swim trunks and a tee for Wesley. She was starting to feel bad.

She called Wesley, and asked him if he would come pick her up. Once she had hung up, she decided since them two were on a high note lately, maybe they should do something together. But she was afraid Wesley would grimace at the idea.

But it turned out that when Wesley picked her up, he helped her pack her packages in the trunk, and suggested they do something at the mall

"Mom's gone out with some of her bridge friends. The house is really boring. Lets make the most of our last suburban days of summer."

So they caught a new, funny movie. It felt good to be with Wesley again. He was looking pretty cleaned up this afternoon. And he was wearing one of his best shirts.

After the movie, they played some lame games at the arcade and then went for an early supper. Allegra noticed how many girls looked Wes’s way. He wasn't hard to look at at all. He was average height for his 17 years, but with his dark hair, olive skin and slight stubble, he could easily be a model.

While eating, she noticed Jade and a school acquaintance called Vicki heading towards the movie theatre. Allegra hid behind her menu. She didn't feel like telling Jade that she was being ripped away for the summer. And also, Jade looked happy. Really happy.

~*~
[Bee]
Jade had thought she had seen Allegra and Wesley in the movie, but was convinced it was some couple that just resembled them. Wesley and Allegra hadn’t been close enough to do things together for a long time.

“Hey, look!” Vicky said, elbowing Jade. “Olive Juice. I’ve been wanting to check that place out forever! Are you hungry? Do you have cash to blow?”

Jade had to smile. “Actually I do, and all my friends have been raving about this place.”

They entered the darkly lit, hip, teen-targeted Italian restaurant. They approached the hostess trying to look cool but also wanting to rush around checking everything out like little kids. Jade was glancing around and caught sight of Allegra and Wesley in a booth in a corner behind a fountain. Allegra was trying her best to hide behind a tall menu without looking like she was hiding.

Jade grabbed Vicky’s hand. “Hey, look, my friends are over there! Thanks, but we’ve found a seat,” she told the hostess who was ready to seat them, silverware in hand. She pulled Vicky over to Allegra and Wesley.

“Hey,” she said smiling at Wesley, “you look great, what’s up?”

Wesley cast her a mock-dark look but he was smiling. “I’ll try to take that as a compliment.”

Vicky waggled her eyebrows at Jade pointedly. “Who’s this?”

Jade rolled her eyes and smirked at Wesley. “This is my best friend, Allegra. And that’s her brother, Wes. He’s single as far as I know. Have at him,” she said in a tone that clearly said, “though I don’t know why you’d want him.” She slid in the booth next to Allegra and Vicky happily sat next to Wesley.

“I’m sorry,” Wesley said, turning to look at Allegra. “Did we invite them or…?”

“No invitation needed,” Jade told him breezily, picking up her shopping bag and setting it on the table. “Look at these, Legra, don’t you love them?”

Allegra peered in the bag. “Ooooh, they’re so cute!” she squealed. “I want some! Where’d you get them?”

Wesley rolled his eyes and stood up. “Scuse me, Vicky, I have to go to the bathroom. If I don’t come back, don’t be worried. Just find your own ride home,” he told Allegra, giving her a look.

Allegra bit her lip and tilted her head and gave him a imploring look. “Please, Wesley?”

He shrugged. “What? I don’t need shoes.” But five minutes later he returned to the table.

“Hello, I’m Tommy, and I’ll be your server today. What can I get you to drink?”

Jade stared open-mouthed at the waiter. “So how many jobs do you have, Cruise?”
He grinned and Vicky and Allegra exchanged appraising looks. “Gotta pay your bills somehow, right?”

Jade smiled and they flirted subtly all through the meal-ordering. When he left Allegra and

Vicky pounced on Jade. Wesley put his head in his hands.

“Who is that?”

“Oh my gosh!” Allegra said, remembering. “That’s Tom Cruise isn’t it?”

Vicky and Wesley both looked at her like she was crazy. “I think you need to get out more, or at least glance at tabloid covers,” Wesley told her, rolling his eyes at Vicky.

Jade laughed. “No, no it is. This kid at my school, Tommy de la Cruz, we nicknamed him Tom Cruise. I met him when I was little so kid had stolen my lunch money and he took me to Starbucks and we split a cookie and hot chocolate.”

Wesley smiled. “That’s sweet.”

All three girls looked at him in surprise. “What?”

“You’re a romantic!” Vicky told him.

“Only around certain people.”

Jade and Allegra’s eyes widened simultaneously and they looked at each other. Wesley glanced at them. “Do you mind?”

They laughed. “Sorry,” Allegra said.

“It’s just it’s been so long, Wesley,” Jade said, grinning at him.

He gave her a level look, willing her to shut up. Luckily for him, Tommy came back to the table at that moment.

[Rach]
"May I take your order?" Tommy asked

"Sure," they all replied, except Wesley who was looking grimmer by the minute.

The girls all ordered pizza and virgin cocktails.

"Um...I think I'm going to go hang out over there," Wesley pointed at the bar, which was held both non and alcoholic drinks, and some really pretty girls.

"Ok," Allegra replied. Maybe hanging with people his age would improve his attitude.

"Wow, Allegra" Vicki began after Wesley left "Your brother really is quite hot."

"Yeah," Jade chimed in "I’m glad to see he is looking cleaned up these days. He really is improving! Man, there was that time when he was wasting away"

"Hey!" Allegra defended "Cut Wes some slack! He really has taken a backseat for the past few years because of my parents problems"

"How is that going, by the way?" Jade asked, and Allegra appreciated her concern
Allegra clued them both up on the latest, including the Mexico fiesta.

"Man, that sucks."

"What does?" asks a familiar male voice. It was Tommy, back with their order.

"My pitiful existence," Allegra said with a puppy-dog face

"So listen, Jade," Tommy said, barely even paying attention to Allegra. In response, she pulled a slight frown. She wasn’t used to guys choosing Jade over her.

"Yeah?" Jade asked.

"I thought maybe, you guys would like some of our homemade cookies for desert after this. I've been meaning to make it up to you for that pathetic excuse for a cookie at a particular Starbucks."

Jade tried not to hide her disappointment. She thought her was going to ask her out or something. But she concealed it with a grin "Sure, as long as they are tasty!" and Tommy grinned and went off to attend to a whining elderly couple."

"Wow, Jade!" Vicki voiced Allegra's thoughts 'You sure have pulling power" The three 15-year-olds tucked in. With a little toast to the summer, of course.

Allegra couldn't help but steal a glance at Wesley, who was chatting to a pretty blond with tanned skin. Seems like everyone is getting boyfriends and girlfriends these days, she thought

Half an hour later, Tommy came back with these funky looking things that looked more like art than cookies

"Wow," Vicki exclaimed.

Tommy nodded "Our kitchen staff takes pride in all we do."

The cookies had smiley faces made out of Swiss chocolate embedded on their warm 'faces'. Except Jade's had a little paper message stuck on the top.

[Rach]
So I heard you were riding in our car to the beach…but that’s not for two weeks. So I was thinking we could do something before me. Call me 703-555-6007 and we can go over some ideas.

“What’s it say?” Wesley asked, rejoining the table.

Vicky barely glanced him as he slid in next to her. Jade pushed the note over to Wesley, trying to control her smile before Tommy came over again. She glanced around and saw him on the other side of the restaurant, talking to another waiter. He happened to look over at her then. He caught her smile and returned it.
~*~
Jade sat in her backyard watching her little brother Jack on the playground. Her parents were gone and she was babysitting Jack. She had been playing with him but had gone in to answer the phone. Which reminder her that she had a phone call to make.

[Rach]
"Hello, Jade speaking?"

She waited in angst for a certain male voice.

"Hello, Jade! Its your Aunt Jen, is your mom there?"

For the second time in the last day, Jade had to try hard to conceal her disappointment.

"No, sorry. There out. Can I take a message, Aunt Jen?" she said in a sugary voice.

"Yes, I was hoping you guys would come out for a few days in the summer. Washington misses you, you know"

"Well, I'm sure we would love that. I'll tell her. Gotta run, Aunt Jen. Bye"

"Bye, Jade! Hope to see you soon."

Jade checked on Jack, and then toyed with the idea of phoning Tommy. Before she could decide, she had the phone in her hand, and the almost worn piece of paper out and ready to dial the buttons. She couldn't do it. She put down the receiver and hoped for a miracle: that Tommy could call.
~*~
[Bee]
Meanwhile Allegra was at home, packing for Mexico.

“Hey, hunny,” her mom said, coming in the room.

Jade frowned and jerked her head up. It had been years since her mother had called her “hunny bunny.” “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

Alexis had a similar inner reaction. She hadn’t been ‘Mom’ in a while…it was usually Mother, sometimes Alexis, but usually nothing.

“I was thinking last night…how would you like to finish up your time in Mexico in Greece?”

“Huh?”

“Well if everything goes as planned, and I can’t promise that, you guys could come spend a week or two in Greece. You were an infant and Wesley was two or three when we were last there.”

Allegra really couldn’t care less--Greece or Mexico. But on further thought, she’d prefer Mexico. The atmosphere, the night life--what little part she could take part in, the beach, and her aunt. Greece was foreign and her dysfunctional parents would be their, either working things out or warring against each other.

“Um…its totally up to you, Mom,” Allegra told her, smiling and packing her cosmetics into a small tote she’d just bought.

Alexis smiled faintly and let her eyes look away for a minute. That wasn’t the response she had wanted. She smiled brighter. “Okay…well…we’ll see. And I’ll call you. And the plans changed, unfortunately. We’re leaving this weekend.”

Allegra just stood there silently and Alexis could tell she was too ticked to respond. She started to leave.

“Why?”

She stopped and turned. “What?”

“Mom, we’re not stupid. You’re going for dad. What is so urgent about him that you need to leave this weekend?”

Alexis entire body language and facial features shut down. She was poised and closed and ticked as well. She walked out without a word.

Allegra flopped down on her bed and stared at the phone. She wanted to call Jade but Jade was happy about the beach and Tommy. And she wanted at least one of hem to be happy. But she had to talk to someone. She wished she knew Vicky’s number.
~*~
[Rach]
Instead, she grabbed a coat and went for a walk. She needed to clear her head before she faced her mother again.
The air had turned chilly, and the wind had picked up speed since she had gone outside this morning. She kicked a trash can as she walked along the boulevard. It was filled with immaculate houses adorned with pretty lights and meticulously manicured lawns. She had always found this road to be beautiful. But today Allegra was thinking more clearly. What went on behind these walls? Were the families perfect? Were they broken? Did they have messed up relationships with equally messed up children?

If only she had someone to vent to. Her diary hadn't proved to be much of a help. It only made her seem small and childish. And Jade was....well....in a happy bubble. And she didn't want to burst it. It wasn't really fair.

Out of desperation, and cold, she went home and signed on to her computer diary.

Thursday, August 17, 2006
Dear Diary,
Just when I was coming to terms with this whole Mexico thing, Mom has to drop a bomb on me like this. Its not like dad is going to fly to the Amazon over the weekend. He's going to be in Greece for a couple months. So what's the big rush? I know Mom is doing this to spite the family! Why can't we be the perfect, golden family. David and Alexis Hudson-Greene with their cute, perky all-star children Wesley and Allegra. The perfect family.
I know I should not be getting to my philosophical side again, but I can't help but think Mom is insecure. It's like she can't help but think if she doesn't have Dad, all these riches will disappear. Which I suppose is true, in a sense. But still.
I can't help but be totally bummed that we are leaving for Mexico early than expected.
I took a walk around the block just now. I couldn't help but notice the total shallowness of this suburb. I really want to know how I can have so much but inside but still really, really empty. I need to fill my life with something. When in Mexico, I will try take up a new sport. Or something. Anything. I'll find something to fill the emptiness inside of me.

With that, Allegra signed off and sighed. Wesley knocked on her door at that moment.

"Hey.”

"Hey," she replied flatly.

A thick silence followed.

"So..." Allegra began, "I take it you've heard the news"

"What news?" Wesley asked, clearly confused.

[Bee]
“We’re leaving this weekend.”

“What? We have a band gig!”

“You gotta roll with the punches, man,” Allegra grinned.

Wesley shook his head. “Even your Gilmore Girls quotes can’t make up for this.”

“They don’t make up for anything. I’m jus trying to lighten the mood.”

“I don’t want the mood lightened!” Wesley snapped, pushing past Allegra into her room and sitting on the bed. He grabbed the remote off her bed and flipped on the television. “I hate this show,” he said, more ticked with his life than the show.

Allegra went to her bag and pulled out a season of Gilmore Girls and held it out o him questioningly. He nodded giving her a slight smile and pulled out the pages of DVDs. “Go pop some popcorn? I’ll order a pizza.”

Alexis was still ticked at what Allegra had said and when she saw her in the kitchen she pounced. “What are you doing? Go back to your room, young lady. I don’t want to see your face again tonight!”

Allegra gave her mother a scarce glance. “Same. Maybe we could work something out?”

Alexis stared. Just then Wesley walked out of her bedroom. “Let’s go pick the pizza up, it’ll take tip money.”

Alexis was tempted to shout at them not to come back but she knew it would be immature and that’s not what she was feeling. She was feeling defensive and vulnerable and lost and fed up with life. She retired to her study, popping a couple of pills to relax her as she jumped into her work.
~*~
“The pizza won’t be ready for a half an hour or so, let’s go for a drive,” Wesley told Allegra. She smiled at him and looked out the window. Why was her mother so hostile?

“Where are we going?” Allegra asked trying not to think about her mother or Mexico or anything.