everybody wants to rule the world

Josie supposed she was asking far too much. Yet, she'd gotten a lot for Christmas. Especially, being with Ian. She'd spent the night with him on Christmas Eve. It hadn't bothered her then that she'd left her mother in the cold.

Of course, she could hardly think how it used to be at her parents. Yes, there was an age old tradition of building a gingerbread house with her Mom when she was little. Still it felt so indifferent now. It was a small Christmas. Sure, her mom would have open house with the neighbors. It was nice. She supposed. Her mom was doing things with other people.

No Christmas party this year.

And yes, it might have been her fault. But Josie just wanted to get on with things. Maybe there was a void she was trying to fill. And it wasn't with her mother. She wanted to be with Ian. Was that such a horrible thing?

He was happy to have her at his house. His parents made her feel at home. There was a moment or two that she honestly felt she belonged there instead of at her house.

But she was back, once again. She'd caught up with all the happenings with Jules and Willow by video, chatting with Hayley. It was fun to find out about this new brother of Jules.

"He's not really my brother, but..he is. I really feel, he is." Hayley broke down the confusion. "Its just trying to get Jonah to understand that. He's being such a butthead."

Josie couldn't help but laugh. "This mean its over, for you and Jonah?" Josie stared at her laptop screen seeing how serious this really was.

"Was it anything to begin with?" Hayley shrugged as if she wasn't that fond of him at the moment.

"But you, care about him. You do." Josie felt bad how one little thing could change everything. "Don't write him off, just yet."

"I'm not. Jonah is.." She sighed. "So Jonah." She sounded as if she wasn't banking for anything to improve.

It was the middle of the night. Josie should be asleep, but she didn't feel like it was possible. They said their goodbyes, and she slapped her pink laptop shut. It was time for one last potty break, so she crept down the hallway. Just as she turned on the bathroom light, there was someone's  naked bum.

Josie couldn't help but stare. It was Derrick's father.

She snarled her nose ready to say something, but she gritted instead. No excuse me. Nothing. He made a dash out of the bathroom. Josie watched with a small pout. Joe went back to her mother's room.