Stephanie Nicks walked down the empty hallway, her heels clacking against the tile floor. She had detention...again. This time it was for being late to class though she couldn't help it.

Rounding the corner she slammed into someone, "Jesus!" She yelped, placing her hand over her chest.

"I'm sorry...." the boy said nervously, checking her over. The unfamiliar voice caused Stevie to raise her eyes to him, releasing the most beautiful boy she had ever seen. "I'm Stephanie..." she extended her hand. The boy simply nodded and rushed past her, Stevie finding it odd.

Looking down she found that he had dropped some papers, "Hey! You left these!" Stevie called after him. "I'll take those," her principal said from behind her. She handed over the forms, "Who was that kid?" She asked

"Lindsey Buckingham, our newest student. I expect you to make him feel welcome," he gave her a pointed look. "I will, what classes does he have?" Stevie asked curiously, the principal straightening up. "None that you would have..."
"What does that mean?" Stevie asked.

"Well...let's just say, you'll find out. Get to know him, talk to him."

"I tried and he ran off."

"I'm sure he will warm up to you."

"Hmm..." Stevie looked down the hallway where he had just disappeared. "So how do I make him feel welcome? What am I supposed to do?"

"Be friendly, include him of you can. Consider it a new little project for you to do." The principle walked away and Stevie tried to absorb what he had said.

"If we have none of the same classes, how can I include him in anything?" she asked herself, shrugging. She continued on to the room where she would sit for the next hour, doing homework and being bored out of her mind. "What a waste of my time"
As the bell finally rang she bolted out of the room. She was mentally preparing herself for the lecture she would receive from her parents as to why she was in detention again.

Walking to the parking lot she spotted Lindsey sitting on the sidewalk by himself contently.

"Need a ride?" Stevie asked him, jingling her keys.

"No," he shook his head, staring back down at the asphalt
"Are you sure? I don't mind." Stevie continued. He continued to stare, not speaking to her. She got in her car and started it up. She took one last look at Lindsey before pulling out of her space and heading home.

The entire way, she couldn't get Lindsey out of her mind. He seemed to be ignoring her. Did he really not like her? She just met him! Was he still mad about what happened in the hallway? She sighed. "I hope he gets home okay" She pulled into her driveway and parked the car, nervous to walk in. She grabbed her books from the passenger's seat and carefully opened the front door in an attempt to sneak in unseen.
"Stephanie Lynn!" Her mother said sternly as Stevie had almost reached the stairs.

"Ma'am?" Stevie winced, knowing that this would be a repeat of all the other times she had come home after detention.

"Would you care to explain why you got detention, again? I think you'd best tell me before your father gets come and catches wind of this."
"I was late to class...again...but it wasn't my fault."

"I guess the school is just out to get you" her mother said sarcastically.

"No, I know." Her mother looked at her, looking for a better explanation but she had nothing to offer. Maybe distraction would be her last line of defense. She didn't want to be grounded at home with possible upcoming detentions in the future. Stevie forced a smile and spoke enthusiastically. "I did meet a boy today, Lindsey, and I'm supposed to be like a one-woman welcoming committee for him. The principal said that could be my new project."
"Buckingham?" Barbara asked, catching Stevie off guard

"How did you know?"

"They just moved in down the street....stay away from him Tee. I don't have a good feeling about him."

"Why, what's wrong with him?" Stevie asked and her mother gave her a look.

"Just...be careful, alright?"

"Okay" Her mother squeezed her arm then went back to the kitchen where she was making dinner. Stevie made her way up to her room, still confused by both the boy himself and her mother's reaction.

Closing the door behind her she placed a vinyl on the turntable, California Dreaming filling the room and creating a soothing vibe for her to clear her head. Her heart told her that Lindsey wasn't a bad guy, but her mother told her another. She would just have to meet the boy and find out for herself.... She laid on her bed and closed her eyes, visualizing what she would do. She focused on her breathing as if in a meditative state. Maybe she should try to be less direct, she thought. Maybe Lindsey is shy. She ran through possible scenarios of how she could meet him and actually get him to talk. She felt like she almost had the answer when her mother called her down for dinner. She sighed, getting up to turn off her record and came back downstairs. Her father was now home, already sat at the table with her brother.

"In trouble again, sis?" Chris gibed.

"Shut up" she replied.

"Now that's enough" Her father gave them both stern looks and they took their seats, not making eye contact with anyone.
"So Daddy, have you met the Buckinghams yet?" Stevie asked curiously, mixing her food around with her fork

"Briefly, Mr. Buckingham invited us over for a barbecue one afternoon but I told him I'd ask your mother first."

"Have you spoken to Lindsey?"

"You're full of questions." Jess chuckled. "She's got the hots for Lindsey!" Chris busted into laughter
"I do not! I met him but he was in a hurry and he didn't really...talk. I'm just trying to get a feel for him."

"I bet you are" Chris interjected and Stevie rolled her eyes.

"I was told at school to make him feel welcome but we don't have any of the same classes. Maybe that barbecue will help."
"Well Tee, I'm proud of you for trying." Her father told her, "I'll take Morris up on his offer and we'll make arrangements."
Stevie smiled, knowing her visualization either worked and opened a door or getting to know this guy would be easier than she could have imagined. Everyone began to tuck into their dinner, light conversation following. Stevie was mostly quiet, thinking about how she would approach him. He had kind of a mysterious vibe about him and if she were honest, it did intrigue her and he certain wasn't hard on the eyes at all.
Being thankful for the weekend she knew that they would likely meet tomorrow. "Tee, eat your food," her mother scolded, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"She can't Mom, she's in love!" Chris picked, nudging his sister

"Chris!" Stevie pinched him in return
"Ow! Mom, she pinched me!" Chris exclaimed.

"You're such a tattle tale!"

"Mom!" she moaned again.

"Both of you, knock it off or you won't be having dessert." Jess told them. "I've had enough of the fighting and bickering. You're siblings, you're supposed to love each other."
"He just makes it so hard to!" Stevie whined

"Stevie you are seventeen!" Jess scolded

"He's still annoying!" She argued

"Jess give up, they're going to be like this for the rest of their lives," Barbara said
"Yeah, I guess. I'm only asking for a little peace at the dinner table. Upset causes indigestion." Jess angrily ate the last few bites of his entree, moving on to the sides and both Stevie and Chris laughed quietly into their napkins, acting as if they were wiping their mouths. "So, do either of you have homework?"

Chris groaned. "I have some math assignment to do."

"How about you?"

"I'm sure she finished it in detention" Chris said.

"Detention? Again?!" Jess grew upset again and Barb set it to diffuse the situation.

"I already talked to her about it. No need to stir it up again."

"Fine." Jess gulped his glass of water. "Since you two are finished, go up to your rooms for a while. Work on your math, Chris, and Stevie, you make sure you don't have any assignments you've missed hat could get you into even more trouble at school. You need to maintain your average."

"Yes, daddy" Stevie sipped her water and wiped her mouth, standing up from the table and smoothing her skirt. As she walked past her father, he caught her arm.

"I know I'm hard on you but it's only because I know you're better than this. No more making trouble, being tardy to class and running around with the riff-raff"

"But, daddy--" she tried to object bt Jess raised a hand, silencing her. "Yes, sir."

"Good girl." He gave her a soft smile and she continued up the stairs to her room.
Finishing up her assignments she laid in bed, drifting off and dreaming of nothing but Lindsey Buckingham....