Two weeks passed and no sign of Vanessa, not even a phone call. Yeah, I blame Dad. This was ridiculous. To show how pissed I was, I haven't spoke to him or Jane. I haven't even sat at dinner. I always took my food in my room. Life was very dull right now and I had exactly an hour and twenty one minutes before I had to take the kids to the fair. Oh, joy. School started in a week and this was the last fair for the year around our area. I wouldn't take them to the other fairs. Let Scott do that. I don't even know why I agreed to this in the first place. Probably because Matthew had asked me in that cute little voice of his. The boy could pull off the puppy dog look with ease.

I was laying on my bed reading Stephen King's Wolves of Calla when I heard the door to the basement open and slam shut. I smirked to myself because I knew who it was. Pounding footsteps sounded and got closer. "Willow!" Scott yelled furiously. My smirk grew wider if possible. I placed my Lord Of The Rings bookmark on my page and closed the book, looking sweetly up at Scott who stood in nothing but a towel. He was supposed to come with us to the fair but that might change.

"Yes, brother of mine?" I asked, innocently, concealing laughter.

"It's not funny," he snapped, eyes narrowed and glaring with the heat of a thousand suns. I got that from the movie Ten Things I Hate About You.

"What ever do you mean?" I asked, smiling.

He walked out of the room and came back with a basket full of clothes. "This!" He dropped the basket beside my bed. I burst out laughing. Every last stitch of clothing was hot pink. And every last stitch of clothing was Scott's. I cried because I was laughing so hard. I gasped for breath, wiping my eyes. Say hello to my handiwork, ladies and gentlemen. To get back at Scott for the little shoe incident, I stuffed his clothes in the washer and added some hot pink dye. Permanent. "It's not funny, Willow."

"Yes...it...is," I gasped out. "Payback...is a...bitch!"

"Oh, it will be alright," he warned. He stormed out of the room and basement, leaving me to wallow in my victory and, trust me, I was wallowing. I celebrated by laughing my ass off for the next ten minutes. It usually took me less than a minute to get dressed but I was laughing so hard that it took ten. I slipped on a pair of jeans and a brown tank top in between giggles. I slipped on my shoes that were peanut butter free and walked out of the basement after getting my wallet and keys. Everyone was in the living room. I pouted when I saw Scott in tan cargo shorts and a white beater. Where's all the pink?!

"Ready to go?" I asked everyone. Matthew leaped up and wrapped his arms around my legs.

"Thank you!" he shouted happily. I ruffled his hair. We've gotten close, Matthew and I. There was a time once or twice when he had had a bad dream and came to sleep with me.

"Anytime, little man," I said, smiling down at him. He was so excited that he was jumping up and down, grinning. I led him and everyone else outside to my car. We got in and I waited for everyone to buckle up before setting the car in motion. I kept the radio low so Lily and Lizzy could talk. Matthew was as happy as could be. Scott was irritated. I smiled to myself. My mission is complete. So far. I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as we stopped at a red light. My thoughts were on how much money I would blow at the fair. That is why I hated them or one of the reasons; I always spent a lot there. It's hard not to with all the games and rides and stands. Pissed me off.

About twenty minutes later, I was parked in the huge grass field surrounded by other cars. We all filed out of the cars. I locked the doors and took Matthew's hand in mine. Lizzy handed me a hundred dollar bill. "Mom wanted Matthew to have enough," she said simply. I nodded and pocketed the money. Music was playing, people were yelling on some of the rides, the smell of hot dogs, elephant ears, funnel cakes and smoke was in the air. We walked through the gate and went straight for the ticket stand to get Ride-O-Rama's. They were ten dollars each which was great because I hated buying a certain amount of tickets for each ride. I purchased one for me and Matthew. The others already had money. The guy stamped our hands and we were off. Scott walked off somewhere, still frustrated with me. Good. Lily and Lizzy went to do something or other, probably chase boys.

"What first?" I asked Matthew. He was looking around then pointed to the scrambler. God, I hated this ride with a passion. After that, we went on the ferris wheel, Merry-Go-Round, Round Up and others. I thought I was going to fall over. That kid really liked the spinning rides.

"That one!" he shouted, pointing to the swings that went around in a circle. I groaned.

"I'm gonna sit this one out, little man, but I'll watch you, OK?" He nodded, content with that and we went over, having to wait a minute before the ride stopped. Matthew showed his stamp and they strapped him in. He waved at me, smiling. I waved back. I leaned against the guard rails they had set up and watched everyone else get on before the ride started to go, slow at first then a little faster so the swings were now in the air. He was yelling happily.

"Willow," a deep voice said from behind me. I groaned again but for a different reason this time. Behind me stood Parker in baggy black jeans and a tight red t-shirt that defined his muscles. Peachy. He was with two of his friends. Even more peachy. That was sarcasm, just so you know.

"Hey," I said, narrowing my eyes.

"I don't think she likes you, man," a boy beside him said. He had flaming red hair, friendly green eyes and a boyishly cute face. He wore bondage pants and a black t-shirt that had the band Sum41 on it. Good taste in music. I recognized him as Adam Webber. He was a funny guy.

"You're psychic, Adam," I said, smirking.

He punched the air with his fist with a triumphant smile. "Knew it!"

I rolled my eyes. "There something you boys needed?"

Parker smirked, looking me up and down. "Just to see how you were."

"I'm fine as you can tell," I scoffed.

"You most certainly are," he agreed, voice gone deeper if possible. Ugh. Boys!

"You can go now that you know I'm doing just great," I said, hint hint.

"Why when we can hang out with you?" he asked, eyes challenging me.

I shrugged. "Probably because I'm allergic to morons?"

The boy on the other side of Parker snickered. "Nice," he said, nodding in approval. I actually didn't think it was that funny but Richie Padolan thought just about everything was funny. He had bleached blond hair, blue eyes and wore jeans with the knees ripped out and a camouflage t-shirt that said in white, "You Can't See Me". Hate to burst his bubble but I could see him perfectly.

"Well, it was lovely speaking to you," I said with sarcasm and pointing to the ride behind me that was slowing down. "But I'm busy."

"Why not be busy with us?" Parker asked, with a gleam in his eyes.

"Sick!" I said, disgusted. What a pervert!

"Something wrong here, boys?" I gaped. No way! I turned to see Vanessa five feet from us, arms crossed. Her hair fell into her face and she wore tan shorts and a gray tank top. My hero! But why was she here of all places?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Parker narrow his eyes thoughtfully, Richie gape and Adam look around like Vanessa wasn't there. Richie gave a low whistle. "Damn! You are-" A hand clapped over his mouth before he could finish that particular sentence.

Adam leaned over and said rather loudly, "If you value you your life, keep that comment to yourself." I snickered. Thank God for Vanessa. Now they would leave me alone for sure!

"That was fun!" Matthew giggled, running over to me. He stopped when he saw Vanessa. He grinned widely and ran over to her, throwing his little arms around her long, bare legs. She smiled down at him and lifted him up so she could hold him.

"Hey, little dude," she said, kissing his cheek. "You keeping Willow busy?"

He nodded his head, enthusiastically. "We're having loads of fun!"

I scoffed playfully and pinched his cheek. "Speak for yourself. I think I lost ten pounds running around and also my lunch." Matthew giggled. "Where have you been?" I asked Vanessa, losing my smile. "You never even called."

She nodded. "I can't stand those people, so happy, so nice, so unbelievably nosy!" I smirked. "I haven't been in the mood lately."

"How'd you know we were here?"

She gave me a mysterious smile. "I have my ways." I nudged her and she rolled her eyes. "Alright, I did actually call you but Jane told me you went to the fair with the kids. She tried to apologize."

"And?" I don't know why I asked. I already knew.

"I hung up on her." Knew it!

Ha! I know everything. Pfft. I wish.