So to lighten my own crazy tension, I asked a dumb question.
“Are you growing a beard?â€
He chuckled. “Nah, I’ve just been too busy to shave. But Rayna thinks it’ll make me look edgier. Do you like it?â€
“Yeah, it’s…edgy…-er…uh…â€
Brain frozen. Arms jelly. Can’t think.
Somewhere, a baby is crying.
When Joel spoke again, it was all breathy. “I wish you could go with us.â€
I wish I could, too…I also wish I could speak…um, Fran? Hellooo? Say something, you idiot! Or kiss him, or…SOMETHING!
I’ll never know if I would have risen to the occasion or not, because stupid Alicia honked her stupid car horn outside. (I know; I shouldn’t call her stupid. She was just being impatient. But STILL!)
Joel stepped backwards, his hands falling away from my waist.
“Well,†he sighed. “Take good care of Marcella. And yourself. And I’ll call you. Whenever I can.â€
“I hope so. And if you meet Llama Mama, make sure you get their autographs for me.â€
“I will. And make sure you put something warm on. It’s chilly outside.â€
“I will. Make sure you get a lot of rest, and don’t forget to eat…oh, and take lots of pictures.â€
I stared at him meaningfully.
HOOOOONNKKKK.
I hate Alicia.
I followed Joel outside, and he was right – it was surprisingly cold. Ah, the joys of late autumn.
Because our hug in the house had been so rudely interrupted, Joel hugged me again. It was just a good buddies kind of hug this time.
Rico laughed at us anyway.
But Joel took it all in stride. “Hey, Rico,†he said. “My sister’s in the car if you want to give her a kiss.â€
Ooh, SLAM!
Rico glared machetes at Joel and went into the house. I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Bye!†Joel said, waving. “Maybe I’ll be back in time for Christmas!â€
“That’d be awesome!†I yelled. “Have fun!â€
I sighed wistfully as he climbed into Alicia’s jeep.
He smiled at me out the window, and then he was gone. I shivered. It was really darned cold out.
Back inside, I gave Marcella a hearty greeting. The poor thing looked terrified. I think I’ll let her get adjusted before I try to pet her.
Hopefully Taz won’t try to eat her or anything.
And I’ll have to give Rico strict orders to stay as far away from her as possible. I don’t trust that boy. Come to think of it, I’d better tell Dad to stay away from her, too.
Oops, computer class is almost over. Mr. Zartman is making the rounds. I’ll write more later when I get home. We have two birthday parties tonight! That’s right, TWO. I completely forgot that Weezy becomes a toddler tonight. I’ll have to get her a present after Ms. Ambassador forks over my paycheck.
And by the way, I went back and changed after Joel left. I wanted to make sure I was warm.
I’m ready for winter! And womrats. And phone calls from Joel.
SIGH.
How cool, I was on the site, while you updated, hee. Fran is pretty, and Joel looks kinda edgy and angsty with his little sweater. A womrat, how… cute? I can’t wait to see toddler Weezy!
*sigh* Wasted opportunities. Poor Fran, missed out on kissing Joel. Marcella is cute. Makes me want a guinea pig.
Aww… so close there, Fran! Joel looks cute with a beard. Great update!
Aw, great update! (“WHAT DO I DO WITH MY ARMS?!?! hahaha)
I think Joel’s makeover looks great.
Keep ’em coming!
Aww, Joel and Fran are so cute! Awesome update as always, can’t wait for the next part!
DAMN IT!!! I wanted them to KISS!! But … I guess I’m making the naive assumption that they’re going to be together … She could meet someone else. He could meet someone on tour. Y’just never know. They ARE teenagers after all.
I wonder who will be Fran’s first kiss … *ponders*
I just hope nothing happens to Marcella. :-( Is it bad that I even thought that? I can’t wait to see more of The Ambassador and her son, though! :-) I just love Fran.
Man, what a pair of eyes Joel has! No wonder the girls are falling left right and center. And aww, poor Fran. Bet she’ll be kicking herself the rest of the year for not smoochin’ away. :(
Hah. I really like how she went from grey pants and pink top to grey pants and pink sweater! It’s unusual you get to see that, it’s always hard to match up outerwear with regular clothes. I really like minor details like that. :D
I also think that fourth pic from the top on the second page is my favourite pic of Fran so far. It’s not often we get to see *her* face close up, and I love the look she gives him. Definitely a Dramatic Pause(tm)!
Encore, encore!
Hey! I like this series, it’s sweet!
Oh my, he is such a hottie!!! Even with those stubbles his dreamy puppies eyes still look so ‘drowning'(imagine melting in his arms!!!) Ok, i’m crazy! But i kinda have a feel he is not coming back. Anyway glad to see fran again!!
I want to see a Fran x Amassador’s son relationship. :)
You have so many stories you could go with Jen. I can’t wait to see what happens!
Dangit Fran! YOU SHOULD’VE KISSED HIM! he’s a bit too charasmatic I think.
Joel got Rico pretty good right there. I wondered if he was going to go over and kiss her. . .then see her punch him or something. lol XD.
I want to see Weezy as a toddler and Bernie as a teen.
I hope Marcella doesn’t die or anything, shes really cute.
Awww, I was really hoping for a kissy-kiss there! I mean, the kid’s goin away until Christmas or longer, and he can’t even give Franny a kiss?! What a wimp! Hehehe, but a cute wimp!
Rereading it all I just caught this ‘Rico glared machetes at Joel ‘ and promptly cracked up. XD
Jen, do those guinea-pig things always look like they’re about to burst into tears? No matter, this was a great update, and I even had a snarky little chuckle at Rico’s expense.
Great update! I really hope Joel comes back and gets together with Fran; they would make the perfect couple! ^^
Oh, I also had a question: your pictures always seem to be a bit sharper and clearer than mine. Do you edit them in some way before you post them here?
Gosh, that was so close…I really thought she was going to kiss him. Ahh,they look so cute together!
What a strange name for a wormrat! Maybe I should get a wormrat for my sims, too, they’re adorable.
Fran is so beautiful, even with those glasses.
Hi. yeah I thought they were gonna kiss for a minute there too. oh well maybe when he comes back?.
I want to see what weezy looks as a toddler I bet she will be so cute!.
Keep Simming!
See ya.
Oh no! Joel is going off to the Stamford branch!
Oooo, Joel is edgy and sexy, RAWR! I love Fran! She is a great character. Why do I have a bad feeling about the cat and the wormrat? Why?
Hey, does anyone know the exact day Bon Voyage comes out? I think they always come out on the first or last day and Joel is SOOOO cute, but anyway anyone know?
Do you use the Radiance Lighting 2.1 or 2.2?
Love the update as well :D
Hi great update Jen if he is home for christmas you had better buy some virtual mistletoe I like romantic sims especially those two.
Whew, I may have taken a break from blogging, but I’m glad I still lurked when I could! This was such a cute update! Ah young love :) . I loved Joel’s comment to Rico hee hee. But cake? I’m guessing it’s someone’s birthday? Marcella is a cute name by the way :).
~Jadice
I like this update…MY GOD JOEL IS HOT!!! Him growing a beard is sexy…MUST…RESIST…
Thanks for all the comments, everyone! Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. Here are the answers to some questions:
Nina – You asked whether I edit my pictures. The answer is yes. I use Snag-It to screen-capture the pics, then I crop, resize, and sharpen in Photoshop. I have more details on my picture-taking in my FAQ, if you’re interested! (It’s the second question from the top.)
Teckno102 – I use GunMod’s Radiance Lighting System 2.1.
Ah young love…. Loved the suspense of the non-kiss and the angst of teenage love. Perfectly captured imho :) I’ll tell Plato to keep an eye out for Joel and to save an autographed CD for him ;)