"Boys!" Their mothers voice boomed through the house. "Get down here!"

"What's up?" Kevin asked, first down the pole. Nick and Joe came down a moment after.

"We're planning on heading out to your aunts farm next week." She said, smiling as their eyes lit up. Well, except Joe's. His face just paled. She grew slightly worried, but was cut off from speaking.

"Awesome! You think they'll let me ride the big horse this time? What was his name?" Nick asked himself.

"Oh, you mean Cinno?"

"Yeah, him." He nodded.

"Maybe, you've grown so much!" Kevin 'cried,' hugging him. "Just yesterday you were running around in diapers!"

"Oh jeez." Nick patted his back and rolled his eyes. "It's okay, Kev.."

"Joe, are you alright?" Their mother asked.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. Why?" He cleared his throat.

"You seem...upset?" He looked up at his brothers, who were still chatting amongst themselves.

"Can we go in the kitchen?" He mumbled.

"Oh, of course." She grew even more worried. If his brothers couldn't hear what he to say, it had to be pretty bad. The worst listed off in her mind as he sighed. "What's the matter, Joey-bear?" She said smiling, but it fell as his expression stayed sour.

"I really don't wanna go." He said. She blinked, slightly relieved, but confused at the same time.

"We go every year, Joe. It's never been a problem before."

"I just don't want to." He directed his eyes to the ground, avoiding her gaze.

"Why not? You can tell me, honey. Is it your aunt? Did she say something that hurt your feelings?"

"No." He said quietly, shaking his head.

"Then what?" She pestered.

"I just don't wanna go, Mom." He snapped slightly, looking up. His mother sighed, looking away for a moment.

"Who are you gonna stay with? I'm not leaving you here alone. You remember the last time I left you here?" She shook her head, smiling. He grinned.

"I'll stay will Stella, she won't mind."

"She's going away too, Joe." He silenced.

"Uhm..."

"See? You have to come."

"No." He said dryly. "I'll find someone to watch me." He felt like a little kid saying that. Even Nick was allowed to be here alone.

"Fine." She gave up. "If you find someone, you don't have to go."

"Thanks, mom." He smiled, kissing her cheek.

"I still don't see what the problem is." He shook his head, making his way back into the living room.

"What happened?" Nick asked.

"Nothing." He shrugged. "Mom said I don't have to go if I find someone to watch me." Their eyebrows rose.

"You don't wanna go? Why?" Kevin asked, surprised. Joe was the one who usually had the best time there.

"I don't feel like it." He answered simply.

"Well, who are you gonna stay with? Stella's leaving, too. And you don't really have any other close friends." Joe scoffed.

"I have plenty of friends."

"Mmhmm." Nick said, drinking a diet coke he picked up off the coffee table.

"Okay, maybe you were right." Joe said the next day, then repeatedly smashed his against the locker.

"When am I not? Guess you're coming with." Nick said, smirking.

"No way in hell." He quickly said, looking around the hall.

"What's the deal?" He didn't answer, still looking around. He seemed desperate now.

"Oh." Stella said as if she'd gotten an idea. He glanced at her. "What about Macy?"

"Are you crazy?"

"Are you insulting my best friend?" She glared.

"No, I just don't feel like getting killed is all." He said, looking away and across the hall at Macy Misa. She seemed harmless, but if she got closer then one feet to them, she was a walking death trap.

"Oh, come on, Joe. Maybe she'll calm down after a few days of being around you? I mean, who else is there, anyway?" Kevin said. He groaned.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." He mumbled, took a breath, and began walking toward her. What have I got to lose?