"Good morning, Daddy."

"Good morning, Princess," Mr. Perry replied as he stirred his coffee. "What are your plans for today?"

"Well, I was planning on going to the mall to buy some new shoes and maybe a new outfit…"

Mr. Perry fixed his youngest daughter with a look. "You don't need to buy anything else. You've already maxed out one of my credit cards. Today you're going to stay home and watch Stephen and Chris."

Jane's eyes widened. "Daaaddy! I don't want to watch them."

A few years earlier Jane's father had remarried and the woman had two young sons. Jane's two older sisters and older brother had already moved out of the house leaving Jane alone to deal with the stepmother and step-siblings. She didn't mind the boys or her stepmother at all, really, but she hated feeling like she was being tied down. Babysitting was definitely not her thing.

"Jane, Marie and I have a very formal lunch to attend today and we cannot take the boys to something like this. It's only one Saturday and, like I said, you don't need to spend any more of my money. If you want to spend money, spend your own."

"Ew. Why spend my money when I can spend yours?"

Mr. Perry took a long sip of his coffee. "That's just it, Jane. There will be no more spending my money. You're going off to college in just six or seven months and you need to learn how to take care of yourself. Your brother and sisters have learned and look at how well off they are."

"That's not fair."

"It's perfectly fair. Discussion over."

Jane sighed loudly and ran her hands through her hair. "Fiiine, whatever, Daddy. I'll do what you want for now, but you know you'll eventually give in to me."

Mr. Perry put his empty cup into the sink and shook his head at his daughter. "That's where you're wrong, Princess," he said as he left the kitchen. "Marie should be getting the kids up in maybe another hour. So take advantage of that time."

"Naturally!" Jane dashed toward the stairs and pounded up to her room. Her laptop was on and her screen name already signed on. She sat down at the computer and began tapping away.

LadyLacey1: heyyy jane

Janiebabie: heyyy lacey

LadyLacey1: o, u r so not gonna believe this!!!!!

Janiebabie: wut wut WUT?!?!

LadyLacey1: u no how tim n amber r like the ULTIMATE couple???

Janiebabie: yah! They been 2gether since like…preschool

LadyLacey1: THEY BROKE UP!!!!!

Janiebabie: NUH-UH NUH-UH NUH-UUUUH!!!!

LadyLacey1: isn't that totally crazy?!?! Amber jst called me BAWLIN her eyes out n tellin me alllll bout it!!!

Janiebabie: Ooooh…this is jst waaaayyy 2 good way way way

LAdyLacey1: oh n theres more…guess who tim likes?

Janiebabie: WWWWHHHHOOO???

LadyLacey1: dnt b such a ditz jane!!!! Its U!

Janiebabie: …

LadyLacey1: jane?

Janiebabie: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

LadyLacey1: sOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo tru, im not evn jkin

"Jane, Cadence has been trying to call you on your cell, answer it!"

Jane reached for her cell phone just as Cadence called again. "Hello?"

"Hey, Jane," Cadence said.

"Listen, listen, listen!"

LadyLacey1: wut u gonna do if he ask u out???

"What is it?" Cadence asked, sounding slightly exasperated.

Janiebabie: say YES!

"You will not believe what's going on. You know Tim and Amber, right?"

LadyLacey1: wut about amber?

"Yeah…"

Janiebabie: if she cnt keep him she don't deserve him

"They broke up," Jane said excitedly.

LadyLacey1: oooooooouch!!! Ur totally cruel

"I don't wanna hear about it, Jane."

Janiebabie: gotta do wut I gotta do

"Just listen to this oooone thing!" Jane begged her best friend.

LadyLacey1: ur vicious grl rawr

"What?"

Janiebabie: dnt 4get it

"Tim likes me!"

LadyLacey1: remnind me NEVA to get on ur bad side

"I'm hanging up now. Call me when you're off your gossip high."

"Cadence—," Jane started then sighed when she realized Cadence had hung up on her. "Whatever."

Janiebabie: lol u make me sound like some wicked witch

LadyLacey1: as long as im not cmin outrite n sayin it…

Janiebabie: ouch lace ouch

LadyLacey1: *shrugs*

Janiebabie: neway, I g2g. thnks for the tidbit. Byyyez

LadyLacey1: lata

"Jane, come down and get your brothers some breakfast. Marie and I have some errands to run before lunch."

"Coming," Jane called unhappily.

When she got into the kitchen the boys jumped up from the table to greet her. "Janie!" Three year old Stephen grabbed her legs while six year old Chris latched onto one of her arms.

"'Morning boys."

"Want breakfast, Janie. You make?"

"Yeah, Stephen, I'll make breakfast. What do you want?"

"Suuuugar O's!" Stephen cried.

"We don't buy Sugar O's, Stephen. Something else."

"Panacakes. With lots and lots of surp."

"How about waffles?"

"With lots and lots of surp?"

"Sure."

"YAY!" he let go of her legs and ran to play while waiting for his waffles.

"How about you, Chris? Waffles?"

Chis shook his head, upsetting his thick black curls. "No. I want fruit, please."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Strawberries, bananas, and oranges."

"Well, okay, whatever you say."

Chris nodded without smiling. "Thank you, Janie."

Jane watched Chris walk slowly out of the room and shook her head. "That boy is something else…" she muttered.

After the boys ate breakfast Jane sent them to their room to get dressed so she could take them to the café with her. She wasn't working that day, but she liked to go in and see her friends while they worked. Even when off duty, being at the café was fun.

*

"I like to move it, move it! I like to move it, move it! I like to move it, move it…"

Jane dodged a dancing Alec and went to the counter. Behind her Alejo joined in his twin brother's song and the two seventeen year olds danced around like fools.

"Lil Stephen, my man, come. Come join your hermanos in an expressive and fun dance," Alejo beckoned to the small boy.

Stephen released Jane's hand and ran to the two older boys. Chris gripped her hand more tightly and pressed himself into her leg.

"You don't have to go with them. Let Stephen be crazy."

"Okay."

Cadence came out from the back room and smiled faintly at Jane. "Hey."

"Hey! How's it going?"

"Ah, not so busy right now and—Alejo! Can you not do that?!—yeah, not so busy."

"Ay, Chiquita, you spoil all my fun."

"I'll give you fun in about three seconds you keep that up."

"Scarrrry," Alec laughed.

"Anyway, ignoring them, I totally need your opinion on something."

"Jane, this had better not have anything to do with—,"

"It does! It really does, but I really really really need your help right now! I'm not even kidding, Cadie! C'mon, you're my best friend."

Cadence rolled her eyes. "What is it?"

"If Tim asks me out, should I go for it?"

"Uhm, I don't know," Cadence replied, not being the least bit interested.

"Ugh, think about it, Cadence! Tim and Amber, like, just broke up and me and Amber aren't, like, friends friends…but we're still friends. I mean, I think I should definitely go for it. It's not my problem if he likes me better than her, right? Why should I have to be totally considerate of her feelings when it's over between them? I should get a chance, too, right? Am I right?"

Cadence gave her a blank look. "Yeah, like I said, I don't know."

Jane took a deep breath. Honestly, sometimes she wondered why she and Cadence were best friends. It was clear that they were polar opposites. Jane loved Cadence, she really did, but sometimes the girl could just be plain emotionless and she was no fun. She seemed to be against everything that Jane said and did and sometimes Jane just got really sick of it. But if you took a closer look at it, Cadence was a good friend. She was sensible and a good listener (as long as it wasn't gossip) and very loyal and maybe that was why Jane stuck with her even though they didn't always see things the same way.

"Okay, never mind. I can see that you're really not interested in any of this."

"Sorry, Jane, you know me."

"I know." Jane ran a hand through her blonde hair and tried to think of something else to talk about. "Oh yeah, what did you call me for this morning?"

"Oh, that. I was calling to…uh…well, I don't really remember."

Jane giggled. "Goodness, Cadence."

Cadence shrugged. "What can I say?"

"Janie, baby, dance with me."

Jane squealed as Alejo pulled her off the stool and twirled her around the front of the café. "Alejo!"

"Relax, have fun."

"If I don't pass out then, yeah, maybe I will."

Alejo laughed and stopped twirling. "Sorry, sorry."

Jane put her hand on his shoulder to steady herself. "That's okay!"

"Janie, can we go home now?"

"What? We just got here, Chris," Jane replied, slightly irritated at the fact that he wanted to leave so soon.

"I really wanna go home."

"We'll leave in a little while, Chris."

"But Janie—!"

"Hey, Chris, come over here. I have something I want to show you."

Chris eyed Cadence for a moment then went over to her. "What are you gonna show me?"

Jane smiled at Cadence and turned around to look for Stephen. The last thing she needed was Alec Ramirez further corrupting her step-brother. "Stephen? Alec?"

Alejo rolled his eyes. "Look under the counter."

Jane crouched down and looked under the counter. The two boys were huddled under there with big glasses of chocolate milk. "Guys!"

"Alec give me milk with lots and lots of choc-it surp!"

"Alec!"

He grinned. "All that dancing made us thirsty."

"You are such a little kid!" Jane laughed. "I'm calling you later on when he's so wired he's running on the ceilings."

"I'll just have to join him then," Alec replied cheekily.

"No, I'll send him to your house and you guys can run on the ceilings all you want."

Alec made a face and gulped down the rest of his milk. "I better get back to work before I get in some major trouble."

Jane took the half empty glass of milk away from Stephen and pulled him out from under the counter. "Come on, Stephen, it's time to go home."

"Awww, Janiiieee!"

"Nope, time to go. We're distracting them from their work."

Alec brushed off his jeans and ruffled Stephen's hair. "Jane's not trying to be mean, bud. She's just trying to be nice to her friends. We'll see you again soon, okay?"

Stephen stuck out his bottom lip but nodded nonetheless. "Okay."

"Let's go get Chris. Bye Alec, thanks."

"Anytime, babe."

"Alec…"

"Jeesh, I'm kidding. Hasta luego, Janeita."

Jane got Chris and the three headed back to the house. When they got home Jane immediately went to her room and closed the door, leaving the boys to fend for themselves. She told her father all the time that she wasn't cut out to be an older sister, but he never listened to her. Hence the argument that was bound to come…and come it did.

"I thought you were supposed to be watching them today!" Mr. Perry yelled as Marie carried the crying Stephen to the bathroom.

"I was watching them. I was in the house wasn't I?"

"That's not how you watch children, Jane!"

"Oh my goodness, Dad, get off my case! It's not my job to watch your stupid stepsons!"

Mr. Perry's face reddened. "You watch your mouth, Jane Rebecca."

"Don't even try that with me. I should have gone to live with Mom when I had the chance…"

"Your mother?! What can your mother do for you?!"

"Well she wouldn't make me watch little kids all the time. And she'd let me have a life!"

"She would spoil you! You're seventeen, Jane, act like it! You can't always get what you want and you need to learn some responsibility! Stop being such a child about everything!"

"You always say that! I'm not a child!"

"When you can show me that you're not a child, I'll stop treating you like one!"

"Dad--!"

"Go upstairs, Jane."

"But—!"

"I said, go upstairs. You're grounded."

Jane's eyes widened. "Grounded?! What seventeen year old gets grounded?!"

"The ones that act like seven year olds."

"This is so unfair!" she yelled, stomping her foot.

Mr. Perry shook his head. "See." He turned and walked away.

Jane ground her teeth in frustration and stomped up to her room.

"Janie?"

"Shut up, Chris!" she screamed as she slammed her door with enough force to cause a small earthquake. "He's so unfair!"

*

"He's so unfair, Cadence," Jane whined on the phone to her friend.

"Hmm…"

"What? You're taking his side, again?"

"Jane, you are acting childish. Even though your dad keeps a few things from you, you still have more than most people I know."

"So you're going to overlook the fact that he's being totally unfair?"

"I don't see how he's being unfair," Cadence said honestly.

"Are you kidding me?!"

"No. Even in your grounding your father is more lenient than any parent I know. What did he take away from you?"

"He's not letting me go to Lacey's party and I can't spend any money for two weeks."

"You're such a brat," Cadence muttered.

"Well thanks!"

"You are."

"Why do I even call you about this!?"

"I don't know. You know I'm always going to be the voice of reason."

"Ugh, I so don't have time for you right now, Cadence."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Jane. I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Bye."

Jane hung up her phone and threw it on her bed. "Stupid Cadence."

Ladylacey1: jaaaaannniiieee

Janiebabie: heyy!! Wats up???

Ladylacey1: listen…I got a favor 2 ask u

Janiebabie: suure…wat is it??

Ladylacey1: uhm…well, ive got this plan 2 give u n tim a chance

Janiebabie: NO WAY!!! SPILL!!!!

Ladylacey1: all u have 2 do is have a party…we'll invite every1 n then u n tim will b able 2 spend sum tym 2gether…great plan huh

Janiebabie: yeah except for the part where my dad would never let me have a party…

Ladylacey1: didn't u tell me that he was goin 2 b goin away 2 sum sorta retreat next weekend??

Janiebabie: oooooo yea!!!!!!! Hmm…well, let me think about it…cuz u no hes gna make me watch the stepsibs…

Ladylacey1: lv em wit a babysitter or sumthn

Janiebabie: wut would I do without ur brain, lacey??

Ladylacey1: heh…not much of anything my dear…

After talking to Lacey for a while, Jane was convinced to have a party the weekend her father would be away. Every time she thought about finally getting a chance to go out with Tim her heart would bear faster and she would get all jittery. She couldn't believe that her chance was finally here! After some major deliberation Jane decided that she would ask Cadence to watch the boys that night. She wouldn't tell her about the party—that was for sure—but she would find some 'legitimate' excuse…
*

"Jane, can you bring this to that guy over there?"

Jane looked up from the list she was making and looked in the direction that Xavier was pointing. Her heart jumped into her throat. "Yeah—yeah sure." She took the plate from him and started walking toward the table. 'Oh I hope my hair looks okay, please let my lipstick not be faded, oh goodness, do I have stains on my shirt?' "Hi, Tim, this is the first time I've seen you in here."

"Yeah," he said, flashing a cute grin, "I decided I would come check it out."
Jane smiled and put the plate down on the table in front of him. "How are you?"

Tim shrugged. "I'm all right. Y'know how it is."

"Yeah…"

"So I heard that you're having a party next weekend."

Jane glanced around furtively. "I am…but keep it kinda under wraps. I don't want too many people to find out just yet."

"Oh, sorry. I won't mention it to anyone."

"Well…I have to get back to work…"

"Yeah, sorry for keeping you."

"It's not a problem," she said softly. "I'll, uh, see you around then."

"Yeah. See ya."

Once Jane got behind the counter again she finally stopped holding her breath. Xavier rolled his eyes at her and knelt down to fix the display case. "So…party, huh?"

"You heard that!? I mean—what party?"

He sighed lightly. "I didn't hear. I can read lips."

"Oh…"

"I didn't know your father let you have parties…"

Jane dropped to her knees beside Xavier. "Please X," she begged, "you can't say anything about this to anyone! Please, please!" she grabbed his arm and shook it. "X!"

"Stop, Jane, you're making me drop stuff."

"X, pleeeease!"

He shrugged. "Whatever. It's not really my place to say anything about it anyway. Go ahead and do what you want."

"Thank you!" she hugged him quickly.

"Please don't do that…" he muttered as she jumped up and got back to work.
*

"So do you think you'll be able to watch them for me?" Jane asked as she scribbled in the answers to her homework.

Cadence looked up from her homework briefly. "I don't see why not. Where are you going?"

"Oh, I made plans with Lacey a while ago and I feel bad breaking them…"

"Okay. Hey, do you understand the third question?"

"Yeah, look." Jane smiled to herself as she helped Cadence with the question. Everything was working the way she wanted it to.

Later that night after Cadence had gone home Mr. Perry came to his daughter's room. "Jane? You still awake?"

"Yeah."

"I'm coming in." Mr. Perry opened the door to her room and walked in. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure, what is it?"

Mr. Perry sat down on the edge of her bed. "I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. Since our little fight last week you've been very well-behaved and you haven't argued with me about your punishment."

Jane pulled her knees up to her chin and hugged her legs. "Yeah, well, you're right, Dad, I need to start growing up. I can't act like such a brat. I'm really sorry that I have acted like that lately though."

"It's okay, darling. Maybe if I hadn't waited so long and hadn't spoiled you so much…"

"It's not your fault, Dad. I choose whether or not I'm going to act like a brat, you don't make me act like one."

Mr. Perry smiled at her. "I'm very proud of you, Jane. Very proud."

"Thank you."

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight."

"'Night, Dad."

"I love you," he said over his shoulder as he closed her door.

"Love you." Jane crawled under her blankets and curled up in a ball. 'I'm still such a brat…I'm sorry, Dad.'

*

"Kayla, I have to go now, okay? I told Mr. Harrison that I would be leaving early today."

"Sure thing, girly. Where you headed?"

"My parents are leaving and I gotta go get the boys."

Kayla nodded. "Okay, cool. Check ya later."

"Bye."

Jane hurried out of the café and immediately called Lacey.

"Hey, Jane."

"Everything set?"

"Yeah, I've got the stuff you told me to buy."

"Okay. I'm going home now to say bye to my parents and take the boys over to my friend's house so she can watch them, then I'll call you again and you can come over."

"Sounds like a plan. Oh, Jane, this is so exciting!"

"I know! Okay, talk to you later."

"Yup, bye."

Jane hung up the phone and got into her car. When she got home her parents were waiting for her by their car. "Sorry I'm a little late," she said to them as she got out of her car.

"It's okay. We said bye to the boys already. Be careful this weekend."

"Okay. Bye, Dad. Bye, Marie."

They hugged her quickly and got into their car. Jane stood on the driveway and waved as they drove away. As soon as they were gone she turned and ran into the house. "Chris, Stephen! Come on, we're going out." she rushed into their playroom and shoved a few of their toys into a bag for them to take to Cadence's.

"Where we goin?" Stephen asked as she ushered them out to the car.

"We're going to Cadence's house. I have to have a friend over so she's going to watch you."

"But Janie—,"

"Shh, Chris. You like going to Cadence's house, don't you?"

"Yes, but—,"

"Okay then. I'll be back tonight to pick you guys up." She pulled into Cadence's driveway and got out of the car. "Come on, come on."

Cadence came out of her house as they were coming up to the front door. "Hey guys," she said, smiling at the boys.

"I'll come back tonight to pick them up."

"Okay. Have fun."

"Thanks." Jane waved goodbye to them and hurried back to her car. She called Lacey again. "Hey, just dropped off the boys. Get to my house, pronto."

"Will do."

Jane hung up and took a deep breath. "I will so get away with this…I hope."
*

"Where did all these people come from? I don't even think this many people live in Ferris!" Jane yelled to Lacey over the roar of the music.

"I don't know. Word must have gotten out, cause some of these kids are from other schools."

"This isn't good, Lace."

Lacey rolled her eyes. "Relax, Jane. Just enjoy yourself. Look! There's Tim, go dance with him." Lacey gave Jane a hard shove that sent her flying right into Tim.

"Whoa, hi."

"I'm so sorry! Hi…"

Tim smiled down at Jane and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Great party."

"Thanks…I just wanna know where all these people came from."

Tim laughed. "You know how it goes. When there's a party everyone within a thousand mile radius knows."

"That's how it seems right now…"

"So, you wanna dance?"

"Yeah…"

Jane followed Tim out to where everyone was dancing and lost herself in the 'fun' of the party. As the night wore on Jane became more and more relaxed and completely lost track of everything that was going on. The music was turned up louder and more people arrived and alcohol and drugs were thrown into the mix. By the time Jane realized what was going on, it was too late.

"Where'd you get that? Who brought this?!" Jane demanded.

The boy shrugged. "Found it on the table with the rest of the stuff."

Jane stormed off to find Lacey. "Lacey! Lacey!" she screamed.

Lacey turned and grinned foolishly. "What?"

"Lacey, somebody brought booze and stuff to the party."

She giggled. "Yeah, I know, isn't it great? Have you had any yet?"

Jane was appalled. "No! Lacey, the party wasn't supposed to be this wild! I'm gonna be in so much trouble!"

"Then you shouldn't have had a party."

"You're the one who talked me into it!" Jane cried.

Lacey shrugged. "Not my house, not my problem."

Jane felt tears stinging her eyes. 'What am I going to do? I'm so dead!' She whirled around and ran smack into Tim again. "Tim, oh my goodness, you've got to-,"

"Can I talk to you?"

"What?"

Tim took her by the arm and led her outside. "Listen, Jane…I know some things have been going around about me liking you and stuff, and honestly, I guess I did like you…but…look," he sighed loudly and ran a hand through his hair. "Tonight I was really thinking about maybe asking you out, but I ran into Amber here and we talked…and we decided that we're gonna get back together."

"But—all those things you told me today and…" Jane stepped back, hurt.

"I know. I'm sorry, Jane."

She shook her head bitterly. "Whatever, Tim. My night can't get any worse."

"I beg to differ."

Jane didn't even turn around. She just put her hands over her face and began to sob.
*

So needless to say, Jane's parents had come home that night. A neighbor had been disturbed by the party and instead of calling the police they decided to call Mr. Perry and let him know what was going on. Mr. Perry had easily cleared out his house of the rowdy partiers and Jane had begun her cleanup. She'd been expecting a huge blow-up. She'd expected her father to begin yelling and fighting with her, but all he did was look at her with sad eyes and say, "I'm disappointed in you," and that had actually bothered her more than a fight would have. It had been a week and he still hadn't spoken to her. Jane knew she was grounded for the rest of her life so she didn't even bother to ask him about anything. She just went to school, went to work, came home, ate dinner, did her homework, and went to bed. But she knew she needed to talk to him.

"Dad?" Jane nudged open the door to his office. "Can I come in?"

"Yes."

Jane quietly went into the room and sat down on one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Dad, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking or why I did what I did, but I'm sorry."

Mr. Perry sighed and rubbed his temples. "Sometimes I just wonder where I went wrong while raising you."

"You didn't do anything wrong, Dad."

"It kills me to see you acting this way all the time."

"I know, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She hung her head and felt tears dripping onto her legs. "I'm sorry."

"Jane, I love you so much, darling, and I hate seeing you mess up like this. I just want to lock you up so you never have to make mistakes and get hurt, but I know if I do you'll never grow up. What you did was dumb and irresponsible, but I have a feeling you'll never do it again."

"I won't! That was so stupid! I wasn't even thinking when I did all this stuff."

Mr. Perry cracked a smile. "Well, you said it, not me. I forgive you, Jane, but you're still grounded."

"Yeah, I figured as much."

"Have you apologized to Cadence for using her?"

"Not yet. I'll go call her now."

Jane got up and headed to the door. "One question, do you think that I could maybe borrow a credit card to buy these shoes that I was looking at online?"

"Jane…"

She giggled and blew him a kiss. "Kidding, Daddy." She closed the door to his office and let out a long sigh.

"Time to grow up, Jane." With another sigh she let her shoulders sag and she shuffled down the hallway. "And I really wasn't kidding about the shoes," she muttered.