Stacie's POV

"Stacie!"

"Oh, hey, Marissa. I have some strange news to tell you."

"So do I! Can I go first? Please?" It sounds important. Did someone die? I hope not. I really don't like death. But, Marissa sounds so... happy.

"Um, sure..."

"Well, Nick was being really weird today. He actually wanted to help me with the project."

"How weird... Alex actually talked to me today. Do you think there's a reason why they both acted differently?"

"I don't know about you, but I'm fine with the new Nick."

"Don't get me wrong, I like the new Alex, but I hope they just thought they were being wrong for how they acted."

"I agree, but this Nick better not change into the old one before the project is due."

I laugh and start twisting a curl of my hair. I see Alex behind Marissa. I'm pretty sure he notices me since he looks away. I think I saw him blushing.

"The new Alex better not change either." I actually like the new Alex. It's not that he actually talked to me, it's... his personality. He isn't dull and boring. He only shared a little bit of himself, but I like that little bit.

"I have to go." I nod as Marissa leaves. I look back at Alex, who is staring at me. I smile. He smiles back. I can really see how cute he is. I gaze at him for a second before leaving to go to my next class.

~

Alex's POV

"Hey, Nick. How'd it go with Marissa? Did you help her?"

"Yeah, of course, I did. It went okay. Marissa seemed suspicious, though. She checked everything I did. I thought she was my mom for a second."

"Well, of course, she was suspicious! You just happen to want to help her with the work? Mind you, you've never helped her before. She doesn't know how smart you are, yet. Give her time. She'll warm up to you."

"Maybe you're right. She doesn't know the real me like you do. She doesn't know what I'm capable of. I just have to give her time."

"Pfft, maybe I'm right. Of course, I'm right! So, are you going to ask me how it went with Stacie?"

"Oh! I'm sorry man. How'd it go with Stacie?"

"It was great! She was suspicious, too, for awhile, but then, she let me know the real her. She didn't show me all of her, but I'm happy that she showed me some, even if it were only a little bit. I found out a lot about her personality."

"Well, good for you, bro. I'm happy for you. You need a girlfriend."

Why'd he have to say that? Now, I'll be all nervous around her, more than I already am. I've never had a girlfriend. I've always had my heart set on Stacie. There isn't any other girl, only her. She's probably had tons of boyfriends. Stacie's probably way more experienced than I am. Ugh! Why'd he have to say girlfriend?

"Hey, bro, are you okay? You have this terrible look on your face, like you're going to puke."

"I'm okay. Really, I'm fine." Nick doesn't know I've never had a girlfriend. He only knows I like Stacie because he caught me looking at her once or twice. I don't feel comfortable talking about my love life. It's supposed to be private, so I keep it that way.

"Okay... but if you need anything, let me know. I'm here for you."

"Thanks, I know I can count on you if I'm ever in trouble."

"Good. Now, I got to head to my next class. I can't afford to be late again."

"Okay, see you later." He nods and swims away.

As I watch Nick, I see Stacie. She looks so cute with her curly hair and her ruffled bra that has strings coming down to her waist. I can barely just make out her stomach. Her purple tail isn't too big, and it isn't too small either. It's the perfect size. She has seashell earrings in and barely any make-up on. She looks natural, and I prefer it that way. She is twisting a curl of hair when she sees me. I quickly look away, but I am sure I am blushing. I hope she doesn't notice.

Once I think I am under control, I look back. Stacie is talking to Marissa. She nods her head, and Marissa leaves. As soon as Marissa is gone, Stacie looks back at me and smiles. I smile, too. I hope they weren't talking about me. We look at each other for a short time, but it means so much. Before long, she swims away, and I go to my next class.

~

Stacie's POV

I go to each class thinking about Alex. I find out he is in a couple of my classes surprisingly. I don't know why I keep thinking of him. I can't help it. I see him everywhere I go. I see him in the hallways, in every classroom, and even in the girl's bathroom. I am glad when the last bell rings meaning it is time to go home. I hurry outside and to my house. I don't even stop and talk to Marissa. She'll probably yell at me tomorrow during school.

Avery is waiting outside for me. He is really excited like how he always is when I get home. I swim up to him and grab him in my arms. I carry him inside.

"Hi, Stacie!" he says excitedly.

"Hi, Avery," I say back.

"I missed you!"

"I missed you, too! Did you have fun today?" I ask him.

"Yesh! I colored a lot. Made you some pictures."

"Oh, really? How sweet! I'm sure I'll love them," I say, kissing him on the cheek. He giggles, which in turn makes me giggle. Avery guides me into his room. He goes to his dresser and grabs something.

"Here you go!" he says grinning. I grab them and look at them.

"They're beautiful! I told you I would love them!" I kiss his cheek again.

"Give me a second, though, okay? I need to check in with Mommy." Avery nods.

"Okay," he says frowning.

"I'll put these in my room right now." He lights up.

"Okay!"

I swim out of his room and into mine. I place his drawings on my bed and look for my Mom. She's in the kitchen trying to cook us dinner. It looks as if we'll be having the same as yesterday. That's fine with me.

"Hi, Mom."

"Oh! Hi, sweetie," she says. She must not have noticed me swim in here.

"Do you need any help?"

"No, I'm fine. Why don't you go play with Avery? I'm sure he's probably waiting for you."

"Are you sure? I can do something to help."

"Go, I'll be fine. I have everything under control here," she insists. I nod, not wanting to make her angry.

"Okay," I say as I swim out the door. I swim back into Avery's room. He's sitting on his bed, waiting for me.

"Did you check on Mommy?" he asks.

I smile, "Yeah, she doesn't need me to do anything, so... Are you ready to play?"

"Yesh!" he screams excitedly. I laugh at how cute he is. He grabs my hand and leads me outside.

We play games, having fun until I have to leave to get my other siblings. He doesn't like it when I leave him, but he knows it's to get Brittany and Blythe. I hug him goodbye and leave a kiss on his cheek before leaving.

"I'll be back soon, I promise. I'll try to hurry." Avery nods understandingly.

"Okay, I wuv you," Avery says frowning.

"I love you, too. Be a good boy for Mommy," I say, hoping to see a smile. He nods.

"Okay. I will," he says, giving me a quick smile.

Yes! Victory!

I swim off heading to Brittany's school. I can't wait to see my bratty sister. She'll really cheer me up about leaving my much more fun younger brother. At least with Blythe, I'm capable of living with her. She doesn't give me so much a hard time as Brittany. With Brittany, she doesn't care about anyone else but herself. In fact, she only cares about herself and her friends. In her eyes, they're her real family. All of us are nothing to her. Brittany's probably thinking of an escape plan to get away from us. She probably thinks one of her friends will harbor her in their house.

I shake all my irritating thoughts of Brittany out of my mind. I don't need to be thinking about her. She only makes me angry.

I don't know why, but I look behind me. In the shadows of an object, I can see a figure peering at me. I quickly pick up my pace to where I am almost swimming a marathon. The sooner I get to Brittany's school, the better.

After a few minutes, I reach a crowd of people untouched. Phew! My heart was beating super fast.