Category: Romance, Drama, Hurt/Comfort/Loss

Quick Summary: As the Jonas Brothers arrive to their new home in Oregon, they make friends, enemies, and maybe friends become more than friends. They are faced with the stress of being huge pop heart throbs all while in the chaos of being normal American teenagers. As the stakes get higher and the decisions get harder Nick, Joe, and Kevin are forced to make the choice: to keep with it, or move on.

Disclaimer: This story is fiction and is written purely for entertainment purposes. I do not know the Jonas Brothers and I do not mean offense to them or anyone else.

Note: This is a story that switches perspectives, so look at each switch as a new chapter.




Nick (Chapter 1)
"I still don't get why we have to move!" Frankie whined.
"Because Mom and Dad said we need a fresh start." I said for about the hundredth time, but who's counting. It had been a week since my parents had dropped that bombshell on my brothers and me, but little Frankie still hadn't gotten used to the idea. He had gotten especially freaked out when he found out that we were moving from New Jersey all the way to Oregon. That's about three thousand miles away. I really don't mind though, I'll be fine as long as none of my guitars get lost or stolen or something during the flight over. We were outside enjoying the early summer heat.
"Nick! Frankie! Come inside and help me pack these dishes!" Mom yelled from the kitchen door.
"Aw, do we have to?" Frankie whined again.
"Now please." she replied and then went inside.
When she used that tone of voice, we were expected to obey. So, I wasn't wasting any time.
"Okay Mommy. Coming!" I answered sweetly, which caused Frankie to crack up on account of I had said 'Mommy'. I just smiled and pulled him inside.



Denise (Chapter 2)
Groan.
That's what I said when Dad had announced that our family was going to have a welcome-to-the-neighborhood BBQ for our new neighbors next door. I'm sorry, scratch that, our 'soon to be' new neighbors. They haven't arrived yet. I started to point out that the last one we had didn't work out so well and that the Aldens moved out two months later.
"Life is full of second chances." was what my dad's response was.
"Second chances for who? Us or Mrs. Alden?" I asked sarcastically.
"Now you know Mrs. Alden didn't intend to spill that punch down your shirt. She apologized profusely as well." Dad said.
"I know." but that's not how I saw it. I swear, that woman was SO out to get me. Right before she 'accidentally' spilled on me, she had commented not so politely on the shirt I was wearing. It was a perfectly good shirt, but 'somebody' had to go and ruin it. And it's not like I asked for it either. I was very pleasant to her.
Again, GROAN!
Mom came into my room later to talk to me.
"I'll tell you what Denise; we will do this next BBQ. But if you don't like it, then we won't do them anymore. If you do like it, then we will do more gatherings with that family. Okay?" she looked like the real thing, maybe I should go with this.
"Okay, sounds good." I said nodding my head.
"Well good then." mom said satisfied, "Oh, and can you watch Cody tonight? I have a meeting."
"Sure, OK."


Nick (Chapter 3)
It had never occurred to me that my family owned so much stuff. But as it was being carried out of the house, I saw how much we had accumulated over the years and wondered just how much we were actually going to keep. I mean, we just had SO MUCH. Kevin and Joe seemed to agree too, because Joe was laughing when he said, "You know we;re to have to sell half this junk."
Kevin laughed and pointed at Joe, "And there's a big piece of junk we can just throw out now, since it's worthless."
"Oh yeah?" Joe said standing up, "look who's talking!" and he started to chase Kevin around the yard; both of them yelling and making lots of noise. Frankie, hearing all of the commotion came outside and chased after Joe grabbing his leg and pulling him to the ground. Then they started wrestling each other.
"Hey Nick! come help me take him!" Frankie yelled out from under Joe.
"Alright." I replied. i ran up behind Joe and pulled the little guy out from under him. I then pinned my older brother down so that he couldn't move (I was actually sitting on him). Joe was wiggling and jerking a lot so it was really hard to keep him down. Frankie helped by jumping on Joe's legs. Joe let out an 'oomph' as he felt the weight of both of us on him. Kevin knelt down and slammed his hand to the ground three times counting, "1 ... 2 ... 3! It's over-"
"Ding, ding, ding!"
"DAD?!?" all four of us shouted at the exact same time.
Frankie got up and ran toward our father, "Daddy!" he cried hugging his leg.
"Dad? Why are you home so early?" asked a very puzzled Joe.
"Yeah, I thought you got off at six." said Kevin, also confused. I looked at my watch. 4:30.
"Shh. Boys, keep your voices down. I want to surprise your mother." Dad whispered with a finger to his lips.
"Why? Did you being her something?" I asked from my spot on the lawn. Dad nodded and took something out of the car, trying not to slam the door. He brought out a bouquet of beautiful carnations and daisies (Mom's favorite color is white), and a small box.
"What's in there?" I asked, pointing to it. Dad winked but said no more. We all followed him silently through the house until we found Mom in the basement packing odds and ends. The radio was on so she couldn't hear us coming. Dad came up behind her and surprised her with a kiss. Her eyes almost popped out of her head, but she relaxed when she saw who it was.
"Are we having a party?" she asked turning the radio off.
"Yup." I muttered, looking at the ceiling, Joe stifled a laugh and Kevin smacked the back of my head. "Ouch!" I whispered/yelled rubbing my head, "What was that for?" Kevin gave me a look and twitched in Mom's direction. Our attention shifted back to her.
"So, what's all this?" Mom asked again.
"Well," Dad said, "the reason I'm home so early is that my boss let me go a day in advance and gave me our last paycheck. Plus a little bonus for Mr. Jonas." he finished grinning, "So ... I decided to spend a little of it and ... I got you this!" he took the box out of his pocket, "turn around and close your eyes." as she did; he fastened a beautiful diamond necklace around her neck with a heart pendant with the words 'Love Forever' inscribed on it.
"Oh honey!" Mom gasped, "It's beautiful!" Dad grinned.
Frankie also grinning went up to Mom and said, "I'm beautiful too right Mommy?" we all laughed.
"Yes Frankie, you too." she said, and we all laughed again.


Denise (Chapter 4)
Uhg! When are they coming! I thought to myself. I was sitting at the bay window at the end of the hallway, looking at the still empty house next door. The For Sale/Sold sign blowing in the warm summer wind. It was almost 6 am, but I wasn't tired. I guess I was looking a bit too intently because I didn't hear Mom come out of her bedroom.
"Hi honey. Why are you up so early?" she asked, yawning. I jerked at the sound of her vioce, and looked up at her.
"Oh nothing... uhh ... just ... you know," I said turning back to the window. Mom must have figured out what I'd been doing before because she said, "Oh, you're waiting for them again." I nodded, looking down, embarrassed. "Well, I have some good news for you. I called the real estate agent that sold the house , and she said that the new neighbors will be coming very shortly. Either today or tomorrow, but most likely today." She said.
“Really!?! That’s great!!!” I said a little too quickly. I cleared my throat, keeping my cool, “ahem, I mean that’s good. It would really suck if you had to move in on the fourth of July.”
Mom chuckled, “okay.” She said, “Why don’t you play outside with Cody while you’re waiting.”
“Ok, after breakfast.” I replied.

* * *

“C’mon Denise! One more game?” Cody pleaded. I swear, that boy has unlimited energy. Energy that I wish I had.
“Wait a sec Cody,” I said breathlessly, “I’m kinda tired of Frisbee, and aren’t you just a little tired? I think mom has lemonade waiting for us inside.”
“Oohhhkaayy.” Cody said reluctantly, “I am a little thirsty. But we have to go out again after though.” He said.
“Ok, let’s go! I’ll race you!” I cried getting as fresh start.
“Hey! No fair!” Cody yelled, running after me. I giggle as I let him win.
As we were sipping our lemonade, I heard what sounded like a moving truck outside. But as I looked out the window, it was only a pickup that ran on diesel. I was starting to get frustrated. I looked at my watch: 10:30. Ok, so it was still early.
“Cool it Denise! There’s still plenty of time.” I mumbled to myself. I didn’t really know why I was so excited for them to arrive, but I was. I was really confused, but I shook it off.
I didn’t feel like going outside anymore so I got Cody to call his friend Ricky for a play date.
“Mommy, can Ricky come to the barbecue tomorrow?” Cody asked mom.
“Why of course he can pumpkin!” she said, “oh yeah, and the realtor told me that our new neighbors have a boy your age Cody! They also have a child your age Denise! So be sure to be kind to them.” Mom added excitedly. Both Cody and I loved the idea. Maybe the girl would be nice, and we could become friends. That would be great because I kind of don’t have any outside-of-school friends. Yeah, I know it’s sad but I live with it. I went upstairs to my bedroom and spent some time looking at the window across from mine in the still empty house. I imagined that her bedroom would have that same window that I was looking at, and we could talk to each other, or just wave. Now I really couldn’t wait for our new neighbors to arrive!

* * *

“They’re here! They’re here!” Cody shrieked.
“Where?!? Where?!?” I asked following him outside. Cody stood there pointing. I looked down the road but I didn’t see anything. “Where are they?” I asked him.
“Over there.” He said pointing to the same spot. I looked that way but saw nothing.
“Um… where are our neighbors?” I asked uncertain of the answer not knowing for sure if my baby brother was losing it or not.
“What are you talking about? Don’t you remember? Today’s the day the butterflies fly through here. Silly goose you!” Cody said laughing at me. I looked at where Cody had been pointing and sure enough, there was about 50 or 60 butterflies past us to the thicket that was kitty cornered to our house.
I sighed. “I don’t think they’ll ever come.” I muttered to myself looking down. I spoke too soon, because just as I looked down the road one last time planning to go back inside. I caught a glimpse of a moving truck barreling down the road followed by a minivan. It’s them!!! Oh I do hope they have a daughter!
“They’re here!” I yelled to Cody. Then I calmed down and made myself try to look casual and at the same time trying not to explode from excitement. There it is again! The weird strange excitement of a new neighbor moving in. “this is getting weird.” I thought to myself, “no, just calm down Denise! This is just you trying to make the best of everything so that the barbecue won’t go the way last time did!” I yelled at me, “yeah, that must be it. Just cool it and everything will be fine.” I reassured myself.
I shook off what evidence I had of the conversation with myself and smiled. Cody went inside to tell mom who gave him the welcome gift, a basket of cookies (a pretty big one too if you might ask).
As the minivan drove by, I waved and smiled my sweetest smile. I wanted to make a good impression. I don’t think anyone saw though. But the windows were tinted so there was no way I could tell if they saw or not. When the minivan pulled into its driveway Cody and I walked over.
“Hello!” I called to a woman whom I thought was the mom. She looked up at us and smiled.
“Well hello there! Are you two our neighbors?” she asked.
“Yup. My name is Denise Lawrence and this is my brother Cody Lawrence.” I said smiling back at the woman.
Cody held out the basket and said, “For you! Mommy made them!” he beamed as he looked up at the woman.
“Why thank you sweetie.” She said taking the basket, “I’m Mrs. Jonas, and this is my husband Mr., Jonas.” the woman said gesturing toward the man that was now standing beside her.
“Well hi Mr. and Mrs. Jonas! You’ll meet my parents, Rachel and Dan later.” I replied, “sooo, do you have any daughters?” I asked politely trying not to sound to interested, peeking behind them at the minivan.
“Sorry, I’m afraid not.” Mrs. Jonas said her eyes smiling, “I’m afraid we have four boys. How old are you guys? Maybe one of our boys are as old as you two.” She said.
“I’m fifteen, but my birthday is in august.” I said trying not to sound too disappointed.
“And I’m six!” Cody announced real proud.
“That’s great! Our two youngest sons are almost sixteen and six!” Mrs. Jonas said looking relieved.
“Wow! What a coin-si-dance!” Cody said saying the word wrong and sounding really cute.
Mr. and Mrs. Jonas laughed, “Yes. Quite a coincidence.”