Chapter 2

~~~Wednesday, July 17, 2002 2:47 p.m. Central Park in West Palm Beach~~~

"Okay, we're here. Let's go over to the bench and wait," I suggested to my sister, Becky.

"Yeah sure," she replied. After about 20 minutes, we both became restless.

"Do you have anything in the car we can play with, cause I'm seriously bored," I moaned.

"Yeah, I think I might have I football, I'll be back, don't run off when any guys," she smiled as she walked over to the parking lot. By the time she go back, which was in about 5 minutes, I had gotten 3 numbers, 2 of which were from guys that looked twice my age. Poor souls have no clue I'm just jailbait to them.

"Let's play!"

About 15 minutes into our game of catch, the football went astray into the picnic table area. As I went to get it, I bumped into someone.

"Oh I'm sorry. AJ?"

"Yes?" he answered, looking at me, "Veronica?"

"Ah! AJ!" I screamed, hugging him tightly.

"No way! You've grown up," he said letting go of me and giving me the once over. I was doing the same.
I had forgotten how much I was attracted to him. I pushed it away ever since he called me his little sister, so many months ago, but now, I can't deny that he looked. He looked. Wow. Then he did something unexpected. He
kissed me. Like really kissed me. Well, not like French kissing, but not a peck either.

"I take it you missed me a lot," I laughed, kind of confused.

"Yeah, you can’t say you didn’t miss me, too," AJ sighed, shaking it off.

"Oh, please!" Becky said, walking over to where we were.

"Well hello Rebecca," AJ smiled hugging her.

"Hello to you, too," she smirked, "Have you come to take my sister away from me?" she said, hugging me.

"Oh brother!" I laughed.

"You called, Veronica?" AJ smiled.

"No, stupid," I said rolling my eyes. I wanted to know what was up with that kiss, not knowing I was spacing out.

"Earth to Veronica!" I heard Becky say.

"Huh?"

"You zoned out, dude," she said, sounding worried, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm cool," I replied.

"Oh No! Don't tell me you're weirding out on me now," AJ laughed.

"Yeah, all you seem to do is laugh, dork," I replied, finally picking up the football, "Watch me turn exorcised on your ass, when I get to the hotel," I laughed at the site of his face when I said that. He was all pale and serious.

"Hey that's not funny," he answered.

"I know it's not," I said straightening my face then laughing harder.

"Let's just go"

"Hold on, lemme go get my stuff out of Becky's car, you two play nicely now," I smiled, they never got along after that concert. They didn't really talk when he'd call, I don't know what's wrong. Maybe they're astrological signs aren't compatible. I don't know. Oh well. Man, that seems to be my theme the weekend. When I got back from the car, Becky and AJ were in the middle of a heated argument.

"Look, there's nothing wrong with that, she didn't do anything wrong!"

"You think nothing's wrong with that?! She's 14 AJ!"

"I've done worse than at her age!"

"Yeah and look how you came out!"

"You know what, I don't have to take this," he said turning around and bumping into me.

"Let's go Veronica," he said trying to sound as nice as possible.

"Yeah, let's go," I said, looking at Becky in confusion.

"I'll see you Friday night, be good," she said hugging me. She was definitely worried. What just happened? Can't we all just get along? We all walked to the parking lot in silence, then parted ways to get to the cars. AJ had a Hunter Green Jeep Cherokee, very much to my liking. When he unlocked the door, I jumped in the passenger seat and closed the door waiting for him to give me an explanation.