“Peppie” came the hushed voice.

“Wha--? Huh?” Pepper Ann turned around. She was face to face with Craig Bean. She could not believe that he, the gorgeous 8th grade hunk also known as Craig Bean, had called her Peppie! Only her friends and family called her that! Before she could get complete words out of her mouth he spoke.

“There’s something I need to tell you Pep. But every time I wanna tell you it seems like you don’t wanna hear it, or the timing’s wrong or something. But I caught you alone so maybe I can tell you now.”

Pepper Ann looked around. She was walking in the park. She had gone there to think. She had a bad day and needed to escape and think.

“Peppie, I wanted to tell you so badly that…” all of a sudden they felt a gust of wind. Well, it wasn’t exactly a gust of wind, it was Milo.

“Aw, Pepper Ann, I’m glad you’re ok! Everyone’s looking for you! You never told anyone where you were!” Milo exclaimed as he grabbed Pepper Ann and hugged her. Craig watched behind his dark shades, tears invading his eyes. He blinked and they were gone.

“Whoa! I’m really glad to see you too, Milo, but you really shouldn’t have panicked. I was just thinking, yanno. Had a lousy day is all,” Pepper Ann looked a Craig, and then back at Milo, who was still hugging her furiously.

“Peppie, we’ve gotta go man! Tell me about your day!” Milo said to Pepper Ann.

“Well, ok. Er--- bye Craig.”

Craig watched as Milo walked away with Pepper Ann, his arm around her shoulder. Craig turned around and kicked the stones in his path all the way home.

* * *

“So I was walking to homeroom when I saw Craig talking to Poison and Tank. And then Hush and Sketch came and gave Craig a hug! Oh man, I was so bummed when I saw that. What if Sketch is his girlfriend!?” Pepper Ann sobbed into Milo’s shoulder.

“It’s ok Pep. I’m sure it was just a friend thing.”

“I hope you’re right Milo.”

*Ring*

Pepper Ann turned to pick up the phone, but it only rang once.

* * *

Craig put the phone down and called Poison instead.

“Hello.”

“Hey, it’s me Craig.”

“Oh.”

“I need to talk to you about Pepper Ann.”

“That one girl you dig.”

“Yeah, I guess you can say that.”

“What about?”

“Are she and Milo a thing?”

“Looks like.”

“Man! I saw Pepper Ann at the park today, and Milo came up and gave her a hug, and I dunno…just looks like they like each other.”

“Call her.”

“I cant. I tried. I hung up. I need to know what I can do.”

“How about a song?”

“Alright. We can perform it at the Java Nut tomorrow. I’ll make sure she’s there.”

“Word.”

“Thanks Poison.”

“No prob.”

* * *

Craig ran up to Pepper Ann. “Wait up Pep!” She shuddered. Man, he was so cool.

Craig tried this out. He put his arm on her back. “Pepper Ann, go to the Java Nut tonight, we’re performing a song I wrote. You have to hear it. Um…bring Milo and Nicky or something, dig?”

“Uh…” Pepper Ann was too speechless for words. She couldn’t believe Craig Bean was touching her! “S-s-s-sure!”

“Cool.” Craig walked away. Man, you can tell she’s not interested. She couldn’t even talk to me, he thought.

* * *

“Oh my god Milo, Craig just asked me to go to the Java Nut to see him perform! And he said to bring you guys!”

“Oh. Well, I’d love to Pepper Ann, but my violin awaits me. Bye guys.” Nicky waved good-bye.

“Well I guess it’s just you and me Peppie!” Milo said.

Craig walked around the corner just in time to see Milo carrying Pepper’s books.

* * *

The Java Nut was slamming with cool tunes and Craig was crooning into the microphone. Then he noticed Pepper was there….with Milo. He ended the song, and sat down on a metal folding chair. He propped his guitar on his lap. He bent over to the microphone.

“This song is for the girl with the fresh scrunchie.” And he cued his band and they started playing a soft, melodic tune.

Oh Peppie I like you a lot
You and I both like Snot
I know it’s not the best song in the world
But I had to say ‘I dig you, girl’
I know you and that boy with the blue hair
Are together, cos I can smell it in the air.
But you never seemed to notice how I feel
You didn’t even notice that my heart you’ve seemed to steal
Oh Peppie I like you so much
All that mushy stuff and such
And I know you don’t feel the same way too
But I want you to know that I like you...

The song went. Everyone gasped. Pepper Ann? Pepper Ann started blushing and she stood frozen till the time the band stopped performing to the time everyone left. Craig walked past her and stepped outside. Pepper followed.

“Uh…hey Craig. Listen---“

“No, you listen Pepper Ann. I always think you like me but then I don’t. Do you like Milo?”

“No man, he’s just been my best friend since kindergarten! Craig, I had no idea..”

“Just forget it Pepper Ann. If you don’t like me just don’t say nything.”

Pepper Ann was too surprised to speak. But she tried.

“I-I-I-I...”

Craig couldn’t tell what she was trying to say, and being so frustrated with her, he walked away.

“But I do, Craig!”

He turned around. “Really?”

“Yeah. For the longest time!”

Craig smiled at her and said, “Catch you later, Peppie.”