And you know what? He is an awesome drummer. A little rough, yeah, but he was having so much fun it didn’t matter. I could totally see him as a rock star. You know, like if he ditches the preppy sweaters and gets some tattoos and a pierced lip or something. Ha.
When we went back downstairs, Rayna tried to make nice with Joel by telling him how great he sounded, and how her band was going to love him. She was nauseatingly sweet. Gag! But I hope she’s right, and that Joel gets the gig.
She didn’t try to make nice with me at all. I’m pretty sure she still hates my guts.
Before I left her deathray glare for once and for all, I had to say something to Joel. I wasn’t sure how to say it, or how he would take it. But I knew it was the right thing to do.
“Joel,” I began, fully conscious of Rayna cursing my continued presence, “I wanted to say that I’m so sorry about your Grandpa…I didn’t know him, but I’m sure he was a great man. I’m sorry I was such a doofus on the phone and didn’t say anything. And I know giving you guys macaroni and cheese was a weird way of showing my support. I just…wasn’t sure what to do. But I’m here if you need me. Er, not here, but at my house. Uh. You know.”
A slightly confused expression came over Joel’s face, and I suddenly noticed how tired he looked. Physically and mentally exhausted. It was like he had aged 20 days in the past 2.
“That was you?” he said. “You gave us the mac’n’cheese?”
I blushed. “Yeah. Didn’t your mom tell you?”
“Well, she said it was from the neighbors. I figured she meant the Nesbitts.”
“Oh. Uh. No, it was me. Did you have some?”
“Not yet,” said Joel, cracking a smile. “But I probably will tonight.”
We exchanged what I like to think of as Very Meaningful Eye Contact.
Wa-HOO!
Dwayne returned from his coffee break, and I decided I’d better skedaddle and let Joel get back to work. He gave me one of his patented smiles o’ sweetness before heading over towards the records Dwayne had ordered him to rearrange.
I finally dared a glance at Rayna as I left the shop.
I tried not to gloat too much in her general direction, but it was so darned difficult! I mean, I know she’s Joel’s friend and all, but the woman practically drove her fist into my skull and proceeded to holler at me and call me Little Miss Fluffyhead. I don’t think it’s too terribly out of line for me to say the following:
Fran: 1.
Rayna: 0.
Mwahahaha.
Wow. When did I become evil?
Oh, frack! I forget to tell you guys about the fight I had with Rico. Well, I’m kind of over it now, and I gotta go do some homework, but basically he made fun of my haircut and then blamed me for his crap job at the nursing home.
Yeah. He sucks (for lack of a better term).
Since I was feeling cocky from my little adventure at the record shop, I told him to take a flying leap. I also teased him about trying to kiss Alicia Pfefferle and getting spurned.
He called me a few choice names and left in a huff. I’m praying he’ll never speak to me again.
Bahahaha. Take THAT, Rico!
Oh, no. I AM evil.
I blame the hair.
Oooh! A Fran update! I do just love this story, Jen! Great work, as usual! I can’t wait to see more of Rayna!
Frack! And awesome deathray glares from Rayna while Fran and Joel walk up the stairs! And and and and GLEEE! :D :D :D
I really like your photos. They seem a bit more animated than usual, usually I just go ‘oooooh, pretty! *.*’ and get all starry eyed, but this time it was half that and half feeling like I was watching stills from a tv series. I like it!
In other news, you can expect an update on my page soon. Like, a real one. With pictchas. :D
The perfect thing to break up my homework. A Fran update! Loved this edition. Rayna is so evil! I mean, in a freaky clingy girl kinda way. I love the record store, did you design it yourself Jen? I’m guessing you did because its pretty darn awesome.
Anyways, thanks for the great update! I can’t wait for the next time we hear from Fran! :D
Oh I love this story! It just has so much personality! Fran just leaps off the page.
I love reading about Fran’s teen life it’s too cute how she expresses herself and that girl Rayna and her death ray look – funny
YAY!! I love Fran. She is so funny & sarcastic, she reminds me of me, lol. Thanks for the update, Jen!
Oh, where to start?
I guess I’ll start with the beggining :D. I’ve been a secret fan of your blog for 10 months and I absolutely love your stories.
Heh, Rayna and Joel remind me of myself and my best friend lol. But I like to think I’m not that evil. :P
Fran is absolutely…different and funny, not the cliche teenage girl.
Can’t wait for the next update!
Hi. great update Jen!. aww fancy leaving wezzy on the floorunless she got that weird seasons bug while the babies cry at radom but when that happens with mine I put them on a rug not on a cold hard floor!.
It looks Fran might have a rival to Joel’s affections I hope Fran wins!.
Keep Simming!.
See ya.
wow! That was like totally awsome jen! cant wait for more now!!!!! are you gonna write stories to go with the new annabel island. I hope so. i really like you idea of fran.Its just a normal lifestyle that alot of sims would lead but you make it so much more! i love your stories!
And i think im going mad. I came home from school so i thought id check your site and emagen my exitment when theres a update! lol xx
YAY! Fran’s back! Great update Jen, Rico is a bit of a nasty git isn’t he?
Fran is so funny, but Rayna was gorgeous! I love the store you made it yourself Jen, didn’t you? Great update!
I was so happy to see an update for Fran. I love her,,,and her family’s cool too. And I love that record store. I wanted to know how you got the writing on the awning?
Great update Jen! I’d love to see Fran and Joel get together one of these days!
Hallelujah! I missed old Franny. Jeez, that Rayna is a real…well, I could call her a couple of names that were not the most apropriate but i try to keep my comments at PG…unless of course, I’m commenting Mao. ;) Great job!
Hey Jen,
Great update! Rayna is HOT!
I missed Fran, glad to see she’s still puttering around in your brain.
Totally your best Sims writing EVER. You’ve fleshed out Fran’s character so well. Love it.
Wow.
I mean – just wow.
Writing blogs should totally be your day job- we’d get to read more stories! But wait, then we’d have to pay. Never mind.
But that was amazing. I love Rayna. She just looks so cool. But whats her problem? I mean a guy can have more than one friend, right? I think she’s a *cough* jealous lover *cough*.
I have the weirdest glitch with this sim. Her mood and aspiration don’t decay any more. It will decay if, say she worked out she will get stinky, and her aspiration will go down if she accomplishes a fear, but no natural decay. She lives with 3 other sims, and all their needs decay naturally. Weird.
wow! Are you serious? 2 girls fighting over Joel’s attention, interesting. Well, see how this plays into the whole story…err I mean blog. But I just love Fran updates. Keep ’em coming. =)
I love Fran’s point of view. You nail her teenaged dialogue. “Vulcan death noogie” and “deathray glare”. *giggle*
Rayna does sound like a jealous girlfriend.
Reagan: GO FRAN!!!
Rose: BOO RAYNA!!!
Reagan: GREAT update!!!
Rose: More Please!!
Together: YAY JEN!!!!
Big grins for Fran.
Just letting you know that I’ve uploaded a teaser ‘splash screen’ for my upcoming updates on my site. :D
The pictures are amazing, as usual. Rayna’s gorgeous! Sorry I can’t write more, I’m super busy. Just wanted to let you know I’m still reading!
Hey. I just started reading the site, I know, pretty lame way to start, and I just wanted to say I loved this entry! It was so great! I love your style of writing! Are you an author of any novels? You really are a great writer.
The hair rules. That’s all there is to it. And if Rayna LIKE Joel, she should just stop beating around the bush and ask him out. Otherwise, the dude is fair game. Would Franchesca REALLY still like Joel if he had piercings and some tattoos?
This was a really good episode. I just love how your images are always so clear and crisp!
FUN!!
Hey guys, thanks so much for all of the comments. I really appreciate them. And sorry for the delay in answering questions! Here goes…
Teckno102 & Josh – Yep, I created the record store, with help from some awesome CC (record stacks from N99 Forum Paks and posters from MTS2). Glad you liked it!
Jo – Welcome to the site! Thanks for your comment. :-) I’m so glad you can relate to my characters.
yaz – I am hoping to write stories or at least gameplay commentary on Annabel Island at some point…it might be awhile yet since I’m still building stuff for it!
Rome – Hi there! I used Photoshop to put the writing on the awning.
Sammi – Welcome to the site, and thanks so much for your comment. It made my day! And no, I haven’t published any novels. I lack the self-discipline to work on the same story for that long. ;) That’s why these short blog stories are so nice to do. I’m so glad you’re enjoying them!