***

Joel tried not to look like he was hurrying. He waited for the other guys, and they walked to the party together. But they just moved so slow! He really wanted to be there before Ms. Fairweather arrived. He wanted to be there when she walked in the door.

Not that he would pounce on her just as she arrived. Not really anyway. But well, he had to try. And who said no to mistletoe?

They finally got there, and much to his relief, Ms. Fairweather was not. He got some punch and stationed himself in the general area of the door.

And then he heard her voice behind him.