Jen sighed. "Oh you would not believe it. Lyn's foster parents showed up to abduct her from us. However, they did not take her becaus they got arrested. Turns out they are total child abusers. Lyn and I have something in common." She dramitcally put her heands on her head. "Want to come to church with me?"
She also wanted to tell Meghan what her pshycopath daddy dearest said, but deiced to wait for Meghan to ask first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter smiled at Johnny's comment and walked in. "Thanks." He made his way into the church. He was glad Johnny was not as frustrated with him as he was the previous night.

Miley ran up to her oldest brother and suprised him with a hug. "Feeling neglected?"

Amanda was about to tell Peter about the party, when she saw exactly what happened to his hair. No wonder his hair was so soft when she touched yesterday. On the news it looked like a lot of hair was pulled out but she only saw the hair on the floor. Now, she actually got ot see what Peter's hair looked like. His hair was a lot thinner and there was a tiny bald spot. She decided to not pay too much attention to it. She touched his curls, causing him to spin and gasp. Amanda said, "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry."

Peter felt his heart rate go up. "Glad it's only you."
Amanda asked, "Did you think it was Mr. Pole?"
Peter said, "Yeah or which ever person wants to finish the job."
Amanda gave him a concerned look. Henoticed the look, then siad, "It's okay. Mrs. Granger tried to pull the rest out but I didn't let her touch it."
Amanda smiled, "Good."
She noticed his eyes were glassy, like he had been crying. She gave him a hug, which he returned. When she pulled away, she told him about the get together. Peter told her he would come. She turned to Johnny and Miley "You two are invited also."

Ryan hoped Peter would be all right. Maybe they would have time to talk after church.

Diane saw Amanda telling friends about the party. She went over to Chrissa and Ryan and told them about the party. "Can you come?"

Ryan glanced at Chrissa, who grinned delightedly. "Nothing could stop us!" Chrissa replied. "What a great idea!"

Miley gave her friend a hug. "I would love to come. I miss you like !"
She squealed, "What time is it?"
Amanda cheerfully answered. "Three o'clock."
She turned to her brother. "Oh you have to come, Johnny!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter ventured over to Ryan, excited to hear RYan was comign to the party. "YOu're ocming? taht is so awesome."

"Almost all of our friends are coming, I think!" Ryan replied. "It'll be great spending time together. You still up for shooting hoops this afternoon?" he added hopefully.

Peter smiled. "Yea, it will be fun." He and Ryan had not hung out for a while, and he was relieved they will be able to shoot hoops this afternoon. Basketball was his favorite sport and he fully intended on trying out next year for high school. He also enjoyed being with Ryan. When they met again last year, RYan was able to see past who he used to be and be his friend. That meant a lot ot Peter. He enjoyed their friendship.

Justin put a hand on his cousin's shoulder. He was relieved to see Peter was happy again and furious with Mr. Pole's lies. He was even more furious that the paper had used Peter's name. He made it a goal to go straight to the dispatchers or call them. He also needed to announce the youth event coming soon.

Maralyn sat in the front, waiting for her husband. Something was not right. She figured it was time she bought a pregnancy test.

"Good. You wanna come to my house right after church is over, then?" Ryan asked.

Chrissa said hi to Miley. "What've you been up to?"

Miley snapped out of her thoughts. She looked over at Kayla, then backat Chrissa. "Too bad Peter and Kayla don't feel the same way about each ohter that Peter and Jen do."

Peter excitedly answered. "I would love that.

Meghan widened her eyes and whipper around to look at the clock, then relaxed. "Oh, no, sorry," she said. "I go to a later service." She smiled at Jen. "Different church," she added.

"So, what's new?" asked Meghan, just to fill the silence.

---------

"Yo Stace," said Ally, pushing her friend as she opened the door.

Stacey laughed when her friend pushed her. "Hey. What's up?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miley saw that Kayla was alone and used this as an opportunity. She sat next to the younger girl and asked, "Did you have fun a the dance with Peter, before he got his hair pulled out?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter had wondered off, closer to where Chrissa was. He wondered why Jen was not at church yet.

Kayla looked startled. Why was Miley asking this? She gazed into Miley's deep hazel eyes. "Uh, yeah, I guess. We didn't get to dance very long since Mr. Pole showed up. Why do you ask?"

Chrissa saw Peter edging closer to her and headed in his direction. "Hey! Did you and Kayla get to dance for a while before Mr. Pole came? You know, back at the dance?" she asked bluntly.

Miley put on her poker face and shrugged innocently. "Just wondering. I just really care about you and Peter and want you to have fun. So, what did your parents think of him?" SHe really was not trying to sound obvious, but she had to as.

Peter said, "Uh, yea a little. When Stacey went to Jen and Mr. Pole, I went to protect Jen even though Kayla told me not to." Part of him wished he took Kayla's suggestion but he was glad he tried to protect Jen from Stacey.

Nate skate boarded up to the church... he had to stop on the way for some veggies for Angie when he had saw the newpaper. Nate still held that in his hand the date was Dec 10.

When Peter finally saw Nate enter the church, he rusehed to Nate. "Hey, where were you?"

Lyneya was not to be left behind. She jogged up behind Nate towards the church doors and entered herself.

'I had to make a stop on the way" said Nate he lifted the newspaper "What is with this guy!" he pointed at the picture on the paper.
---
Kevin looked up from where he was sitting to see his brother enter the church, he waved.