The Beginning.

November 2005

"Jo, will you go pick up Jayden?" My mom said.
"Yeah, where is she?"
"Laurens." She answered.
"Should I walk or drive?"
"You can walk.. its only a few blocks away."
"Yeah, I know where they live.. I've picked her up from there before."

I walk up to their door, kind of feeling awkward. I didn't want anyone to think that I was like this stalker fan walking up to Mario Lemieux's door. My sister, Jayden, was best friends with Lauren. They are both ten and have been best friends for as long as I can remember. My brother probably wishes he was picking her up, he is weirdly still shocked that he has talked to Mario Lemieux. I am just like get over it Jacob. So I knocked on the door and was desperately hoping that it was Lauren so I didn't have to explain to anyone.
"Hi?" I said confused when this boy answered the door.
"Hi?" He said confused back.
"I'm Jayden's sister. I am just picking her up."
"Oh, come in. I am Sidney." I just looked at him. "Sidney Crosby, I am living here."
"Oh yeah, I think Jayden said something about that."
"Did you walk here? I didn't see a car."
"We only live a few blocks away, so I figured I would just walk."
"It looks like its going to storm." He said.
"Its fine." I said. "Do you know where my sister is?" I said confused. He was just standing there talking to me and not like thinking that I was there for a reason.
"Oh yeah.. LAUREN!" He yelled.
"Good method." I said. And a few seconds later Lauren and Jayden appeared.
"It works." He said laughing.
"Apparently... Okay, Jayden we have to go to Jacob's game." I said.
"I don't want to go to his game." She whined.
"Well we still have to go, lets go.. please." I said.
"What kind of game?" Sidney asked.
"He plays hockey for the high school team. They have their first game tonight." I explained.
"Do you want me to drive you back? I think it seriously is going to rain."
"Thanks, but seriously we are fine. It was nice meeting you.."
"Yeah, maybe I'll see you around." He said and then we walked out of the house.

"I think he liked you." Jayden said while we were walking home.
"What are you talking about?" I said looking at her.
"He wanted to drive you home.. he so liked you!" She said.
" Jay, how do you know when a boy likes someone?" I said puzzled.
"Jo, I'm 10.. I know things!"
"Oh thats right.. you are 10.. I forgot!" I said laughing.

A few days later I was working at my mom's cafe. It is a small cafe and bakery and I sometimes help bake or I wait on tables. Today, I was waiting on tables.. so much fun.. especially when I know the people that come in. On this particular day, I knew the one table.
"Hey, Joey!" Lauren said when I walked over.
"Hi." I said to the table. It was Sidney and the kids.
"So thats your name.. Joey?"
"Haha yeah."
"You didn't tell me your name, you just said Jayden's sister."
"Oh sorry, can I take your drink order?" I said trying to change the subject.
Sidney tried to keep making small talk and I was just uncomfortable. I was being friendly but I didn't really know how to act. I wasn't really the type of girl that boys flirted with. I was the captain of the soccer team and a tom boy. I didn't care about my appearance much which was why it was so surprising that Sidney even gave me a second look. I took their orders and worked the next few hours not even thinking about Sidney. I got home and had another surprise.

"Jo, phone is for you." Jocelyn said.
"Who is it?" I asked her confused. Most of my friends called my cell phone.
"I don't know. Just talk." She said handing the phone.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hey.. its Sidney." He said.
"How'd you get my number?" I asked confused.
"Well I guess thats a bonus of having Lauren and Jayden being best friends." He said laughing.
"Haha good point. So whats up?" I said.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out or something?" He asked me.
"Tomorrow is Monday, I kind of have school." I said laughing. "Some of us still have to go to high school."
"Could you do something after school?" He asked.
"Umm.. I have practice til like 5 and then I guess? Don't you have a game or anything?"
"No, we are off tomorrow."
"Oh thats nice, so what do you want to do?"
"Do you just want to get coffee or something?" He said.
"Yeah, thats fine."
"Do you want me to pick you up after practice?" He asked.
"Haha you probably don't want to see me right after practice." I said laughing.
"Okay, well then when do you want to meet?"
"Do you want to meet at like 7?" I said.
"Yeah.. that sounds good. I'll see you then."
"Do you want my cell number so you don't have to go through my little sisters anymore?" I said laughing.
"Yeah that would be nice." And then we exchanged numbers.