Happily Ever After.... Yeah Right!!

Part 10

He looked like he had just run a marathon. Hunter had sweat dripping down his face onto his leather jacket. His dark brown hair was no longer spiked up, but matted down by sweat. What didn't change was the bright blue of his eyes.

"Guess what I heard!" Hunter shouted as he burst in.

"Ah, don't you know how to knock," I barked at him as he flopped onto my bed beside me, "and no I don't want to guess."

"Okay, sorry. It's just I thought you would want to hear the news..... but I am guessing you don't care," Hunter trailed off as he gave me a quick smile, "It's just I heard that there was going to be a family meeting about you. I have no clue what about, do you?"

"What?! There can't be a family meeting about me. I behaved myself all week and did extra chores for Thalia and Brianna just, so I could get information to a party that's next weekend. Ugh!" I exclaimed in frustration.

"Well.... This is awkward. I think I might just leave now," Hunter cautiously said as he got up from the bed and headed for the door.

"No, wait! I need you to stay."

"Why?" Hunter asked.

"I need you to find out what the meeting is about and when it's hap-"

"EVERYONE DOWNSTAIRS TO THE LIVING ROOM FOR A FAMILY MEETING!" rang through the house before I could finish asking Hunter for help. I was doomed.

Hunter and I walked downstairs to the living room where Mr. Jameson or 'Dad' was sitting in the recliner with a newspaper and Mrs. Jameson or 'Mom' was pacing in her new four inch heels. Her face was emotionless. I had no clue what I was getting into.

Five minutes later, Thalia and Brianna came and sat down on the couch.

"I have called this family meeting because we need to talk about Alexandra," Mrs. Jameson announced.

"Why, Mom? What's this about I was in the middle of doing my nails," Brianna replied.

"Well, I don't plan on this being a long meeting, sweetheart."

"Okay."

"Alright, so let's get down to business. Alex, I know you're getting older and have lots of things on your plate at school, so we were wondering if you want to be able to have time off of your chores occasionally to have time for yourself." Mrs. Jameson asked as she stared me down with cold, dark eyes.

"Yes, I would," I replied as calmly as I could without jumping up and down for joy.

"Well, then here's the deal. If we allow you to have time to yourself every week, you have to do something for us to earn that time off."

"What?! I do all this work for you already without any thanks and love, and you want me to do more to earn time to myself!" is what I was about to say as Hunter gave me a glance that meant, "Don't blow this opportunity." He was always trying to think about what was best for me.

"What would I have to do to earn this time to myself?" I wondered, out loud.

"You will have to do different tasks that I assign you to do. Then you can ask for what days you would like to have time to yourself without chores," Mrs. Jameson answered, "Is that not fair?"

"Yes. It is fair," I lied.

"Then it is settled," Mrs. Jameson said, "Is there anything anyone wants to say before this family meeting ends?"

I looked around the rooms and all you saw was Thalia reading a fashion magazine, Brianna looking at her nails, Mr. Jameson straightening out the paper, and a huge smile across Hunter's face.

"If not then this meeting is done."

And with those words everyone departed on their separate ways. Mrs. Jameson went to the kitchen, Thalia ran to her room and Brianna to hers, Mr. Jameson stayed in his chair, and I went to my room followed by Hunter.

"Well, that went better than I thought, Hunter said, "I thought the meeting was going to end in disaster or at least someone crying."

"Same, but I am so relieved to be able to get time to myself. I might be able to have a social life!" I exclaimed in joy.

"So... Now that you can have time to yourself, would like to go to a party tonight?" Hunter asked in pure confidence.

"Uh....."

"Uh, what?"

"I don't know. I've never been to a party. I don't know if I want to spend my time to myself at a party while I have so much homework to do and a huge English paper due on Tuesday. And don't you want to go with someone cool, and not your step-sister?"

"Who said you weren't cool?" Hunter said, "I think a girl that can hit ever three-point shot in basketball and gets above 90 in grade twelve math when she's in grade eleven isn't cool, who is?"

"Hey! Don't make fun of me!" I shouted while punching him in the shoulder.

"I'm not. I wasn't trying to make fun of you. I was just trying to boost your confidence. You are cool. People just have to learn to know you the way I know you," Hunter explained as he massaged his shoulder, "Anyway; I also thought you might want someone to go with so you didn't look like an outcast."

"I am not an outcast!" I protested.

Hunter threw his arms in mock-surrender. "Whatever you say."

"Okay. That was mean of me. I shouldn't have freaked. I'm sorry."

"All is forgiven, if you come to this party with me," Hunter said.

I stared at him, and he just had a look on his face that made me want to hit him. Hunter was totally cute, but also he was great at convincing me into doing things. I think it's the blue eyes that get me.

"Oh, alright. I will go, but I don't even know what to wear. I'm a lost case."

"You aren't a lost case. Here do you need me to help find your clothes and do your makeup," he offered even though I could tell he was teasing me.

"No, I can figure it out, but first I have to see if I can get time off."