Shannon!

Once more it's Shannon!


Shannon rang Amanda's doorbell and waited. This time she dressed nicely for the party. This party would be different, Shannon could tell. She was actually looking forward to it.

Amanda opened the door and ran out. "See you later, mom!" She called into the house as she shut the door. She looked at Shannon "Let's go!" she said as the two ran off up the street.

"You actually dressed nicely this time. I'm impressed." Amanda smiled.

"You must be rubbing off on me." Shannon teased.

In short time they made it to Cassie's house. Amanda knocked on the door. As before, the party was already in full swing. The thumping beat of the music could be heard outside.

Cassie opened the door and immediately glared at Shannon.

"Hey, what's up!?" Amanda said as she stepped into the house. Cassie just rolled her eyes and walked away. Shannon gingerly stepped inside.

"I'm going to look around, see if I can find Jeremy." Shannon said as she disappeared into the party leaving Amanda at the door.

Shannon squeezed through the living room where all the people were dancing and sweating. The heat inside was nothing compared to the cold night outside.

She finally found herself on the other side where the familiar stair cases split. One going upstairs one going downstairs. For a moment she wondered if Cassie's brother was upstairs. She stepped onto the first step when a familiar voice called out to her.

"There's the video game champ." Carl laughed as he climbed up from the basement. "I didn't think I'd see you here. You haven't been to the last few parties."

"I'm tricky like that." Shannon smiled. "Are you guys playing games in the basement again?"

"Yep, just like we always do." Carl grinned widely. "Wanna join us again? The guys loved when you joined us last time."

"They didn't really seem like they liked it." Shannon looked down at the basement. "I felt like I was intruding or something."

"Nah, they just don't know how to talk to girls. Come on!" Carl took her by the arm and led her downstairs once again.

The boys in the basement all stopped talking when they spotted Shannon. They shyly waved hi and tucked their heads down.

"What are you playing tonight?" Shannon asked as she walked over to the couch. All the boys stood up to offer her their seat. "Thank you." She said politley as she sat down and picked up the first controller she saw.

"I don't know. This game might be too hard for you." Carl warned.

"Try me." Shannon challenged.

After a few hours of playing games Amanda came down to the basement. "Shannon do you always have to hide out down here?"

"Blame Carl. He dragged me down here." Shannon protested.

"Hi, Amanda." Carl said waving at her.

"Come on. We're going upstairs, your missing the party." Amanda said taking the control from Shannon.

"But the ga-ame." Shannon lamented.

"Come on you whiner." Amanda tugged Shannon off the couch and dragged her upstairs. "Jeremy is here. He's in the kitchen with Cassie."

Shannon stopped suddenly and straightened her hair and attire before walking into the kitchen.

"Hey, Jeremy!" She called as she entered. She stared a bit stunned to see Cassie's arms wrapped around him holding him protectively.

"Hey, Shannon!" He called back. He made an attempt to move but Cassie clinged harder causing him to stay. "What's up? I was wondering where you were."

"I was downstairs with Carl." Shannon said as she squeezed her way through the packed kitchen to stand next to Jeremy.

"Hiding out in the basement with all the other interlopers." Cassie chided. "See, that's were all the people who weren't invited flock to." She said to Jeremy. "It's rather convenient."

"Uh, right." Jeremy said looking a bit uneasy.

"When did you get here?" Shannon asked.

"Oh, just now." Jeremy said.

"And the first thing you did was come see me." Cassie smiled. "Aren't you sweet." She played with Jeremy's hair as she spoke.

"Well, you probably answered the door." Shannon said.

"Well who else would answer the door. This is my house." Cassie spat back.

"Well its not like you live alone right? I mean your parents live here."

"My parents are out of town. Like I'd throw a party while they were here." Cassie laughed.

"What about your brother?" Shannon asked.

"I don't have a brother." Cassie laughed.

"Oh, I thought you did. Who sleeps in the third bedroom upstairs then?" Shannon asked. Everyone in the kitchen had gone silent.

"My dad."

"Why don't your parents sleep in the same room?" Shannon asked.

Everyone in the kitchen was now starring at Shannon and Cassie. Cassie was getting redder and redder.

"Who said you were allowed upstairs!?" Cassie shouted. "What are you doing snooping around anyways!?" She let go of Jeremy at this point who was looking a bit confused in the corner he had retreated to. Cassie was now dangerously close to Shannon. "I can't believe you just show up, uninvited, and snoop around like some kind of jerk who doesn't understand the meaning of the word 'Privacy!' Get out of my house!?"

People from the other rooms were now funneling into the kitchen to see what was going on. Amanda stepped between Cassie and Shannon.

"Cassie, calm down."

"You too! Get out! You're never allowed back again! Both of you!" She screamed.

Amanda glared at Cassie. "Come on, Shannon. This party was lame anyway." Amanda took Shannon by the hand and started to walk out.

"Uh, see you later, Jeremy." Shannon called. Jeremy just nodded silently.

"Hey, Shannon, Amanda? Where are you going?" Carl called after them as they headed to the door.

"Apparently we're not wanted here." Shannon said.

"Come on, Shannon." Amanda called as she stormed out the front door.