Our Senior Year - A Joe Mazzello Fanfic (Sequel to In Need of a Friend)

We're Kids

Joe had just asked me if we could "talk". I was dreading what that could mean. With sweating palms and a slightly tightening chest, I nodded.

"Hey is it time for the party yet?!" I hear Rami yell.

Party? What party?

"Ramiiii!" Everyone yellled in unison.

A look of guilt crept into Rami's eyes. "Ohhhh...that was supposed to be a secret?"

"Yes, you dummy!" Lucy responded, hitting him on his shoulder.

"There-there's a party?" I questioned.

"There sure is." Joe responded.

"And it's for you! To celebrate you coming back." Mrs. Mazzello chimed in as she came and gave me another hug like the one she did to greet me.

"It's for me? Oh my gosh. You guys...this is so sweet. I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything! Let's just go because there's food there and I am really, really hungry!" John, Joe's little brother, declared. His mother gave him a slight glare.

"Well, we're all excited you're back." Gwil said.

"Yeah, definitely." Ben agreed, smiling at me.

"Thanks, everyone." I said with sincerity.

"So, who's ready to head on to our house?" Joe's father asked enthusiastically. Everyone agreed that they were ready for a celebration.

I, on the other hand, wasn't feeling up to a party. However, I knew that the Mazzellos probably put a lot of thought into whatever they'd put together for me at their house. So, it was time to put on a brave face.

"Ready to go?" Joe asked me, half smiling.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Let's get this party started."

Joe chuckled lightly and grabbed my hand. As our fingers became interlaced, he looked down.

"Your-um...your palms are pretty sweaty, Valentina." He said, looking away from my hand and up to my eyes.

"Oh...I'm sorry." I apologized with embarrassment.

"No-no, I didn't mean it like that. No need to apologize. I just was wondering why. You're not nervous for the party, are you? Y'know...like how you were before Thanksgiving..." Joe inquired with concern raising in his voice.

"Oh Joe, no, trust me. This isn't anything like that. I'm not having a panic attack like I did that day. I'm fine."

"Alright. As long as you're sure." He replied.

We all walked out of the airport and everyone got into their respective vehicles.

We arrived at the Mazzello home that August evening around 5 p.m., where I would be staying once again. Joe took the liberty of carrying my things inside for me. Mary said she hoped I didn't mind sharing the room with her until she goes back to college. I told her it was no problem at all.

The house had been decorated just for me. I felt very special. Lucy had made a banner that said "Welcome Home, Valentina!" with gold and pink sparkles all over it. There were cookies, brownies, and Mrs. Mazzello was ordering pizza over the phone. She got 3 large - one cheese, one pepperoni, and one half and half. There was also plenty of sodas to choose from. Music was blasting as well. Joe had his Queen "favorites" playlist blaring of course. Everyone sang along to "Somebody to Love" which was a lot of fun. The pizza was perfect. It was fresh and had just the right amount of grease glistening off of the top.