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Most of the girls of Waverly High were glancing at the large sign announcing the Valentine's Day Sweetheart Dance. However, multiple girls couldn't help but jabber regarding what to wear and who they wanted to go with.
The VP of the Junior class, Ceci Masters, merely sighed. Her best friend Denise Duquesne eyeballed her. "What's the matter, girlfriend? You're not worried about getting a date, are you? Because if you are, you shouldn't be! I'm the Peace Valley Matchmaker, after all!" the ostentatious cheerleader proclaimed loudly.
Ceci smiled before whispering. "It's not the dance or dating I'm anxious about. Instead, I'm worried about party crashers."
Denise instantly frowned as she knew what Ceci meant by 'party crashers" The seductive African-American teen then whispered. "Don't fret, girl! If you worry about something, its bound to come true. So, let's focus on getting you some new threads for the dance! Besides, I'm confident the Martin Twins would love to be our dates! I'm positive Randy will ask me, and you can go with Cory!"
Ceci looked a bit uncomfortable as they exited the school. "I rather go to the dance with Diego, not Cory," she held up a hand. "Please, Denise! I don't need you to go on a tangent about how I must stop crushing on my arch-enemy!"
"Diego is nice, Ceci. However, he still wouldn't think twice about slicing you up like a pepperoni pizza, girlfriend!" her best friend reminded her.
"Why don't you worry more about setting up Jamie and Wendell? Since I know you've been attempting for months to set those two up on a date. Let me worry about my own love life for a change."
"Okay, if that's your wish, Ceci, then I'll oblige. Still, don't let your guard down. However, I'm still going to carry out the rest of my responsibilities as the town matchmaker!" as the girls headed homeward.
"Please do so. Let's hope Jamie is in school tomorrow. I heard he caught the stomach bug that has been going around. Which is why he wasn't in school today."
"Don't remind me! Danika had it over the weekend. That wasn't a fun time for my little sister."
"If you recall, so did my sister. So, again, it's been going around. Well, I'd like to finish my homework before we go on our nightly patrol. So see you around seven?"
"Sure thing!" Denise then walked into her home, and Ceci continued on her way. She couldn't help but sigh. Some days she wished her biggest concerns were worrying about getting a date for the dance. However, when you moonlight as a heroine, you don't get to have routine hardships.
Life had been turned upside down ever since she'd become a half-ghost. Even more so when she encountered her younger half-ghost brother Danny from another reality. The two of them had bonded intensely. Plus, thanks to the powers of the Ancients were able to see each other when needed.
She hoped things were going well for her little brother in his reality. Since the last time she visited, she'd been asked to help him talk to his friends about their toxic behavior. He hadn't called on her in her dreams, so she presumed things were alright.
When she returned home, she found herself alone. She hadn't received a text from her family but noticed a hastily scrawled message taped to the fridge.
"Dear Ceci, a small emergency came up. Your brother had an accident in gym class. We've gone to the hospital. Please remember to do your chores and heat up dinner. Be back soon. Love, Mom."
"I hope Charlie is okay. I wish I could use duplication to get the chores done. Although, I'd have to deactivate the security system first, and I don't need Mom and Dad to bust me. I'm assuming either Mom or Dad picked up Felicity. Still, might as well get a few chores done. After that, I can get dinner started," Ceci sighed and went to work.
Her duties for today consisted of vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping. She also made a huge pot of mac n cheese. Ceci was reasonably accomplished in multiple areas. However, she had never been able to cook. As a result, they're only a few things she could make. Mac N Cheese was one of them.
Two hours later, her family returned. Turned out her brother had tripped and sprained his ankle. Her brother would've to use crutches for the next two months. She felt terrible for him and wished she could do more to help. Yet her mother did thank her for making dinner.
The family ate quietly while discussing how to make things easier on Charlie while his ankle healed. Her brother's injury pushed both the thoughts of the dance and patrol out of her mind.
When Denise texted to ask why she wasn't waiting to go on patrol, she explained her brother's injury forced her to stay home. As a result, she'd be out of commission for a while, having to help out.
Ceci prayed to the flying spaghetti monster that the ghosts wouldn't attack. Or at least until her brother's injury healed a little. Thank the Ancients, no attacks occurred that week. Also, she attended the dance. Well, correction, she missed the school dance. Thankful her friends, their dates, and, yes, Diego came over to have a private sweetheart dance in the backyard! Since she couldn't attend the one at school. It seemed some hearts are just lucky sometimes!