Harmony High - Sequel

William Franco

Harley seemed like such a nice girl. And she is. She's had troubling times, but she's alright now. She's in college and cares about her foster family so much, she's still there.

After I finished my drink, I tossed it into the garbage and stood up, ready to leave. It's been two hours of us talking and I think Harley should be headed home. Halana must be worried about her by now.

"I'll drive you to your place." I said as she stood up. "Halana must be worried."

"Yeah, she would be. Thanks for this, Will." she gave me a soft smile.

"I like talking to you Harley," I smiled.

She tossed her cup out and followed me out the door. The snow was pilling down and the ground was covered by at least a foot of it now. And since Harley was wearing only heels, I decided what to do best at this situation. I turned on my heel and stopped her. She gave me a curious eye, but before she could protest, I picked her up bridal style and took her to my pick-up.

"You must be crazy!" she laughed.

"That's my middle name." I smirked.

A blush grew on her cheeks. I unlocked the car and opened the passenger door, sliding her right in with ease. After shutting her door, I shivered my way to my side. I hopped in and started the car, ready for the heat to envelop me.

"Give me the address Harley," I said.

She wrote it down on the notepad I had on the middle console and then handed it to me. I typed it into my phone's map app and the navigation started.

"Ready for some winter off road?"

"Always," she smiled.

The Next Morning

The snow was worse, much worse. But I managed to clean off the car and get to the hospital. I was the only guy anyone knew who had a truck, so in the winter time it was bust season for me. Some people even payed me, which was something I didn't take.

I had Jane's car in tow as she sat in my passenger seat. Music was playing between us as I drove. Some people would think this would be awkward, but we both felt fine. But something was going through her head which made me nervous. It was Emmett. And I would be worried sick. I'm already a hazard and am recovering, so he would soon be the same.

"How is it?" she asked me. "Feeling like you missed a piece of your life?" her voice was lost.

I couldn't held but stop my mind from thinking for a second. That's the worst time in my life, and Harley made me forget all about it. Cause she wasn't there.

"It's bad," I replied.

***

After dropping her off, she insisted on paying me back but I said no. I said hi to Oliver and Kristin, then left. It was time to meet with my therapist today. And I wasn't excited. A two hour session, unless he cancels due to the snow! Then he would've called. On My Way!!

Harley Mae Turner

After Will waited in front of the orphanage, making sure I made it inside safe, I went to the kitchen.

"Who was that, Arls?" Halana asked, coming in behind me.

I blushed, and grinned. "I'll tell you later."

I walked to the fridge, and pulled out a few pizzas, set the oven to 350, and popped them in.

"Pizza's in the oven!" I yelled.

I heard my siblings running through the house.

Walking into the living room, I noticed Tacket sitting alone on the couch.

"Hey, Tack! What's up?" I asked, sitting next to him.

He shrugged.

"Tacket Alexander. What is wrong with you?" I asked again.

My foster brother looked up at me, bags under his eyes, and blinked slowly.

My face turned to a frown.

"I met my real parents." He said quietly.

My eyes widened.

"They said they hated themselves for leaving me here." He looked down at his hands. "..and that they're gonna adopt me back."

"But, bub, isn't it a good thing? Your folks are gonna get you back."

"I don't want to leave here, though! And go live with the people who left me on a doorstep, in the freezing cold!" Tears welled up in his eyes.

I hated seeing my family cry.

"Give them a chance. They probably weren't ready at the time. Let them be the parents you want."

Tacket looked at me, tears escaping his eyes, and smiled sadly. "..okay."

I smiled back, and hugged him, then went to the kitchen, and pulled out the pizza.

"FOOD'S READY!" I yelled, and heard the kids running into the dining room.



After eating, tucking them in, and reading them A Wrinkle in Time Square, I went to my Foster Moms room.

"So, the boy? He was cute. How do you know him?" Halana asked once I entered.

I shut the door.

"Met him before the party. When I was getting your tea."

She grinned. "He gonna be your boyfriend?"

I blushed, and shook my head. "We're just friends, Ma."

I sat on her bed.

"Well, Tacket's gonna be with hi-"

"His family, I know. He told me he didn't want to be with them, though." I finished. "I cheered him up, a little."

Halana smiled, and sat next to me on her bed. "I'm glad you're gonna stay with us, Arli. I really need the help."

"I know, I know. Even if I did go, I wouldn't have anywhere to go."

She hugged me with one arm, and I laid my head on her shoulder.

"Love you, Ma."

"I love you too, Arls."

Ashton

"Are you sure Ash? I can have him fired if thats what you really want." My father, Cole Baxter says worriedly into the phone.

"Nah. I was just being a jealous prick. It's cool." I say reassuring him.

"Well...okay. When will you be in France? I had been planning to come visit you over there."

"Eh...I give it another few days or so. I mainly came here for helping Avery and keeping her happy. There's not much else for me to stay for."

Immediately after I say that Jasmines face pops into my head, but I shake it out. Why would she want me here? And not only that, but I don't have time for relationships and drama. I have a job to do.

"Are you taking a commercial or private?" Dad asks, waking me out of my thoughts.

"I was planning first class commercial. Why do you ask?" Dad is never really all that curious about my comings and goings.

"Well...I miss my little plum Avery. She was always so...enthusiastic." Dad says with a weird tone on his voice.

"So...?"

"I thought that i'd come by for a visit and surprise her. Wish her the best for her upcoming marriage and all of that. And then we can take the jet and head there to France together like we used to."

I shrug.

"Sure. That sounds cool. When do you plan on getting here?"

"I've already made provisions for me to get to Tibetin International by late tomorrow."

"Well...okay. Sounds good." We hang up and I remain seated on the small wooden bench i've been at since last night.

After everything that had happened, I had left in a huff. I had taken a taxi all the way to Stamford, just to get to the beach. Yet when I got here, I realized that I had forgotten my phone, like an idiot. Because it wasn't a pressing issue I had just decided to leave it. And then at some point, I realized that I was freezing. Yet because of lack of sleep and just all around stress, I decided to just stay seated.

"Hey sir? Are you al-" A cute red headed girl asks me, slowing down from her jog. "Oh wow! Your Ashton Baxter! Holy shit!" She says excitedly.

I hardly have any energy to get up and walk away, so instead I just smile wearily at her.

"It's so nice to meet you! I was such a huge fan of your walking dead spinoff, webisodes, just everything! I thought that you and the other actress...Avery Piest I think, made such a wonderful couple! But for some reason, I always wanted you to get with Bradley's character on there." My eyebrows shoot up.

"Why's that?" I ask.

"Well, with you and Violet, you could tell that the apocalypse was really wearing down your marriage. You guys started off all sweet and cute, but later began arguing so much! But then when you revived Bradleys character, there was a real connection there, ya know?" She rattles off, but what she's saying really hits me.

"Hey...um I know that you must get this everyday...but um...well would you mind taking a picture with me? None of my friends will believe I met you if I tell them. It would really mean so-"

"Just come here and take the picture." I say briskly.

She smiles widely and sits next to me on the bench, but because its so tiny she's practically on my lap. She quickly takes her iphone out from her tiny little jogging pouch, and before snapping the picture, takes a huge smooch on my cheek.

"Ah this is perfect!" She says excitedly. "Thank you so much!" She quickly hugs me and then begins jogging off.

I sigh and turn back towards the ocean. Honestly, i'm just lucky that this armani is so thick, or else I would've been seriously fucked. It's seriously freezing out here. Yet, the people of connecticut are still merrily walking with friends, jogging, and walking their dogs like its summer time. Maybe thats just me and my California ways.

"Ah, I knew i'd find you here." I familiar melodious voice says.

I roll my eyes and decide to just ignore her.

"You really worried Avery, ya know." She says, sitting on the bench beside me, but I refuse to acknowledge her.

"I tried to tell her that you had probably just spent the night with some chick, but she refused to believe that. She said that no matter the case, even if you were in the middle of sex, you'd still have answered the phone."

"Thats actually happened before." I say, finally speaking up, but refusing to look at her. "I was in the middle of having sex with this really hot blonde chick, and I mean hot. I mean she had it all. The boobs, the butt-" I listen as she sucks her teeth and gets up from the bench. "But Avery had been calling to tell me that we were having a surprise on set. And you know that when she wants something to happen, it happens."

"Why are you telling me this?" She asks, her tone annoyed, but I just continue.

"Turns out that we were having a new cast member. The most popular pop singer out at the moment, Bradley. I mean, when I saw her on interviews, I had always just thought that she was beautiful, but empty. So I was honestly expecting her to be thrown out the first day of shooting. But when she acted...she put her everything into it. All of her soul, her heart. Me, being a passionate actor myself, thought that she was some type of angel at the time. My view on her still hasn't changed, ya know."

"Yeah. On Bradley. On the Bradster. On the girl whose virginity you took. But i'm Jasmine. That's who I really am, Ash. I'm still...Bradley. But just a more complex version. Thats me, but just another side of me."

"So why don't you look at me like you used to?" I ask quietly.

She sighs.

"That was a different time. Where I...well really felt something special for you."

I spin and face her quickly. Her big green eyes widen, caught off guard.

"So why didn't you say anything? You just left after the show ended. How was I supposed to know? I can't read your mind. I only know what you tell me." I turn back to the ocean and take a few deep breaths.

This is why I shouldn't have acknowledged her.

"I was scared that...well you'd try to take advantage of them. My feelings I mean. That didn't mean that I wouldn't get hurt anyways. I did. But that was better than having you break my heart, if I ever gave it to you."

I roll my eyes.

"What? Are you saying that you wouldn't have?" She asks, her tone dripping of irritation.

"I can't promise that I wouldn't have-"

"Just what I thoug-"

"But I would have tried my best to make things work." I say turning to her.

She swallows and looks down.

"Really?" she asks in a small voice. I roll my eyes again, and give her an exasperated look.

"Of course I would have. I was really in...like with you. I never fall in like with anyone. So blame yourself for not giving me a chance. Atleast I didn't run from the opportunity to be with you. I just felt like I wasn't your type." I say shrugging.

"Well am I yours?" She asks quietly.

"Oh come on! Don't be a dumbass. I'm giving you every single cue!I don't even know how I could be anymore obvious. Should I by a huge neon sign saying "Hey Guys! I really want to be with Jasmine Urbaniak!" I seriously have no idea how your not getting this through that thick, sassy little skull of yours." I say, poking her in the forehead.

She slaps my hand away but looks up at me bashfully.

"You should know by now that you have to spell stuff like that out for me. Sometimes i'm not the best at picking up cues."

"Well," I say, suddenly feeling tired "theres nothing to spell out now. I suspect that you spent the night with that guy from yesterday?"

"Yeah, but-"

"I almost had him fired." I say cutting her off. "Literally. I forgot for a quick second that my father owns a hefty piece of ole provocateur. I mean, I seriously had him on the phone, gave him the guys description, and everything. But in the end I just realized that I was being jealous." I roll my eyes.

"But Ash-" I cut her off again.

"Honestly, it's probably better like this, Jasmine. I have to leave in a few days anyway. And i'll be in France for I don't know how long so...this probably wouldn't be the best time. Right?" She falls silent and doesn't say anything.

"Right." I grunt as I get up, my limbs sore from having sat in that bench for the past several hours. "If you don't mind i'd like to take my own taxi. I have to get back to the city anyways. Thats where i'm staying."

I stretch out as I speak. She stays quiet.

"So yeah. I'll probably see you before I leave. But if I don't have a nice...well life." I begin walking down the sidewalk.

"Ashton wait!" She calls back behind me.

I stop in my tracks and turn to her.

"I..." She begins. "I...um I hope that you have a nice trip." She says quietly.

I plaster a smile on my face.

"Yeah. Thanks." As soon as I turn back around my smile falls into a frown. I guess that, thats it then.

Leo

"Jesus Avery stop stressing!" I practically yell at her.

She turns and glares at me and I know that i've made a mistake.

"Unbeknownst to you, Ashton is actually a really sensitive guy under that tough asshole mask he has on all of the time. I'm scared that maybe have gotten his feeling hurt, and done something stupid. Thats why i'm stressing. So I'd rather you help me, your pregnant fíance, instead of yelling at me like some fucking prick!"

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry V. Really I am. But turning your living room sized bedroom upside down to look for some tiny piece of paper isn't really helping anyone. I mean what if you may have dropped it somewhere in California."

Avery rolls her eyes.

"I didn't do that. I spoke to Cole just a month ago." I find myself rolling my eyes at her.

"Than it's probably still on your phone dumbass!" I exclaim at her, face palming my forehead.

"Oh. Wow. Hadn't thought of that." She says with a tiny smile.

She climbs onto the her large king sized canopy bed next to me and cuddles to my side while taking her phone out of her yoga pants pocket.

"Oh someones calling." She says giving her phone a quizzical look.

When she answers she smiles brightly.

"Ashty I was so worried about you! Where are you, you red headed devil?!" He replies and she sighs.

"Ahh I didn't know that you'd go that far to get piece of mind. Do you want me to come by, so that we can go to masa and talk about it?"

"No it's literally no problem at all. You know that me and Leo are always here for you."

I raise my eyebrows at her and she shoots me a look.

"Well if you're sure than that's fine. I'll see you tomorrow for brunch than. Oh-a surprise? Oh well I look forward to it."

She smiles widely, her dimples sinking her cheeks adorably.

"Okay. Thats great. Love you! Have a nice sleep." She hangs up with a wide smile on her face and cuddles next to me.

"So he's okay?" I ask, running my hand through her short, curly hair.

"Mhm. I'm sorry. That I cursed at you." She says turning her head to look up at me, her green eyes wide with guilt.

I peck her softly on the lips and she smiles against mine.

"It's fine babe. I'm sorry I yelled at you." She shakes her head.

"Nah. It's cool." She says, turning on her tv and giving me full access to play with that curly hair of hers.

"I'm HOME!" Kristin calls out from downstairs. "Who's gonna make me some food?!" She says loudly, her voice reverberating through the spacious house.

I sigh and look down at Avery, who has fallen asleep on my lap. I gently move her head to a comfy little pillow. She sigh and reaches for me but I place her hand back at her side. For exactly no reason at all, she's truly just gorgeous when she sleeps. Her face is nice and at piece and usually smiling. Her long eye lashes flutter sometimes against her cheek when she's having a dream. And her soft breathing and warm body makes her feel like a cute little kitten when she's against me. It's wonderful. I sigh again as I get up, and make sure not to move the bed too much.

"Ah. Finally. Somebody has answered my call of distress." Kristin says as she smiles widely while I climb downstairs.

I roll my eyes at her.

"Believe me when I say that I didn't want to. But I felt bad, knowing that all of the fucking you and Oliver have been doing must have worn you out to some degree." I run a hand through my messy black hair.

"Yeah...it has been a bit draining. But fun. Very fun. I figure that you and Avey have also been doing it like two dogs in heat."She says winking as we walk to the kitchen.

"A real man doesn't kiss and tell." I say smirking at her.

She hops up onto the kitchen island as I open up the large fridge.

"So what are you in the mood for, Kris?" I ask her as she swings her feet and texts.

"Um...something unhealthy?" She asks not looking up.

"Cheese burger and french fries?" I ask, already looking around for the ingredients.

"That sounds perfect! Wait can I have those seasoned, spicy french fries?" She asks, excitedly.

"No problem." I say nodding to myself as I take out the potatoes. "So how have things been going with Oliver?"

She smiles softly and shrugs.

"Things have been going wonderfully...he's perfect. Sometimes I don't feel like I deserve him." She says the last part quietly.

"It's not about if you deserve him. It's if he deserves you. You're a wonderful girl Kris." I say, turning around to smile at her.

She smiles brightly right back.

"I'm glad that Avey's marrying you. Honestly I don't care how old you two are. When she knows what she wants, she gets it. And if she says yes to marrying you, than that means that beyond what we can all see, she knows that you'll make her happy for the rest of her life." She smiles to herself. "She trusts you so much, and loves you so much. I can see the love in your eyes when you just look at her. Its amazing. I don't care what other people say. You two are soul mates."

"Thanks." I say quietly.

She has no idea how much that meant to me. Sometimes I feel like Avery can't stand me. Or like i'm not good enough for her, or that i'll end up failing her as a boyfriend somehow, someway. Its a constant fear of mine.

"Sometimes I feel like Oliver is hiding stuff from me." She says with a sigh.

I turn around, from the ground beef meet i'm kneading, and raise an eyebrow at her. She sighs again.

"It's just a feeling. I'm sure that i'm just being paranoid. I mean I haven't had a guy this perfect in so long. Of course, the pessimist I am, I'm left looking for any flaw that I can find on him. Bitchy right?" She asks.

I shrug, and begin making the meat into thick patties.

"I don't know about that. I'm quite sure that you girls have super powers where you can just read lies off of guys. Or atleast Avery does. I tried to lie to her once and...um it didn't go that well." I say chuckling at me memory.

"I guess...that i'll just ask him. Hopefully its nothing." She says, hopping off of the kitchen island and peering over the side of my arm. "Do you need help cutting up the french fries?"

"Sure. It'll just get you, your food quicker." I say, shooting her a smile over my shoulder.

All she does is nod with a smile and grab a knife.

Lacey Lopez

I help Emmett out of the hospital. He keeps his arm around me, the good one, as the broken one dangles in front of him. He seems to be walking alright, though it seems as though it feels weird for him to do so.

I help him into the backseat of the car, and our mother starts it. I climb into shotgun. We drive along the familiar road, but Emmett is silent. I wonder if it is weird for him to be in a car, or simply just stressful. I wouldn't want to drive again either. I shiver.

I look behind me, at my brother, his form slumped and small against the seat. "Mom's taking you to a special therapist for your memory. That's how we got out so early. I'm going to go see if the manager at Starbuck's decided to hire me."

Emmett nods. He seems off, dreadfully and terribly aching. I look back ahead, the dreary road more alive than his eyes. Mother drops me off at the Starbucks in town. I had been working very sparingly at McDonalds, but dropped my resume here last week- or was it longer? Time was getting rather wibbly-wobbly for me due to Emmett's accident.

I'm wearing my nice, flowery knee-dress. I walk into the Starbucks. I've met the manager before, and I recognize him leaning over the counter. He must be in his late twenties, but he has an easy air about him. I wait patiently for him to notice me, and he turns around pretty quickly.

"Lacey Lopez, right?"

"That's me, sir."

"No need to 'sir' me." The five o'clock after shave says. "Well, actually, that might be nice, now that you've got the job."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, that easy. Can you start now? I just got a canceled shift, and I could really use you."

"Sure. I mean, I don't really know what I'm doing yet..."

"I've got someone who can show you. Oliver, come here!"

Oh, crap. Could it really be? Oliver Hemingway pokes his head around a corner, his smile dropping when he sees me. He quickly picks it up again. "Boss?"

"New employee. Show her the ropes?"

Oliver nods, and the manager leaves. Oliver does not show any more acknowledgement of me personally, showing me instead how to work the coffee machines and the counters, nearly wordlessly. At the end of it, words have flooded into my mouth, and I strive to hold them back.

"I never properly thanked you, for saving my brother, I mean. I can't say what would have happened if you hadn't come."

"Any decent human being would have done it."

"I don't believe it. You pretty much saved his life; or at least parts of it. You deserve to know how thankful I am for that."

We're both at the counters, but its a quiet day, by the looks of it. "You're welcome."

I smile at him, and he returns it. A few minutes later, I get a costumer. A cute boy with dimples, maybe a little older than me.

"Hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon please. Make it out for 'The Doctor'."

I smile at his request, grabbing the cup that Oliver had pointed out to me. I scribble 'The Doctor' on one side of it, 'Hello, sweetie' on the other. I take my time making the drink, worried that I will mess up. When I am done, I call out for The Doctor. The cute boy, who saw crunched over a book at a window table, scurries up. He looks nervous when he pays, and I see a little slip of numbers on top of the pile. I slide it in my pocket.

The boy walks away, but I he turns around and smiles at me when he sees the 'Hello Sweetie'. I look over at Oliver. Some weird part of me wants him to be jealous, but I know that this is impossible; his face has no shifted from watching the exchange.

I lean over the counter. This'll be an interesting job, alright.

Avery

"Oh wow! That was such a nice sleep!" I say brightly, turning to Leo, while stretching.

He's typing something out on his laptop, but as soon as I sit up, he turns to me and smiles widely.

"You left drool on my chest, just so ya know." He says chuckling.

I feel myself blush as I begin climbing out of the mass of pillows, blankets, and teddy bears on my bed. Before Leo, I was really lonely when I slept, alright.

"Are you up for a jog, babe?" I ask, as I bend over to touch my toes.

I find it important to stretch every single morning, just to loosen things up. He grimaces and looks over at me with a frown.

"Do I have to? I mean...it's cold out there..." I roll my eyes at him.

"We have a basement gym." I say pointedly.

"Can I just do a few laps in the pool then?" He asks, referring to the indoor heated pool, also in the basement.

I place my hands on my hips and frown at him.

"I know that your metabolism keeps you at a healthy weight all of the time, but exercising is important. You don't even have to get on the treadmill with me. You can just do the weights."

"Oh! We don't have time to work out!" He says happily.

I roll my eyes.

"And why is that?" I ask crossing my arms.

Leo smirks and shuts his laptop.

"Because Ashton called this morning to make sure that we were still coming to the city for breakfast, so that you could get your surprise. We're due there in two and a half hours. But you need atleast an hour and a half to shower, dress, do your makeup, your hair, and then find a pair of shoes." I look at him pointedly.

"You've been timing me?" I ask.

He chuckles as he hops off of the bed.

"Just for an occasion such as this, babe." He says, as he takes off his shirt and heads to his closet (I have two. One is the size of a small bedroom, mine, the other is the size of a large bathroom, his.).

Okay. I know that i've been with him for a few months now. And i'm used to the contours, and shape, and all around look of his body. Yet...jesus. It isn't fair for a human being to be as blessed as Leo, with that body of his. I mean...really. A perfectly sculpted six pack? Flat pecs which compliment the overall shape of his broad chest. And then his broad chest! He has the tiniest amount of black hair on his chest which makes him just manly enough for me and...when he turns around I notice that he's had yet to shave. And then that perfectly sculpted face, those piercing aqua eyes, and that fucking 5 o'clock shadow!

"Hey Lee-Lee?" I ask quietly.

"Yeah babe?" He says coming out of his closet now, almost naked, only in boxer shorts.

I feel myself gulp and faintly blush.

"Well um...I was wondering if you'd like to take a shower together. Just to let things go quicker. And umm do...other things." He frowns.

"But you're pregnant." He says.

I roll my eyes.

"I asked my doctor. It's perfectly fine to continue... intercourse while pregnant. It's not gross, or unholy. Plenty of people do it." I say, walking towards him with a smile.

"Oh..." He smiles a little bit "I didn't know that. I really have to get a book on this stuff if i'm gonna be a halfway decent dad."

When i've finally crossed the room to him, he cups my face in his hand, and looks me deeply in the eyes. He leans down and kisses me softly, and it feels so fricking good! Geez, once you've had the best, it's hard to give it up. But when the kiss gets too passionate, I push away from him with a gasp and begin walking towards that bathroom.

"Come on. I need to get some exercise some how. Might as well be this way." I say, turning away from him, but not before winking over my shoulder.

--------------------------------------

"Ah so now I see why he told us to dress up." I say to Leo, as he parks the car in front of the Ritz-Carlton.

Leo shrugs.

"I didn't know that they served breakfast here." He says, as he hands the keys to the Aston Martin Rapide S that my parents lent him, to the valet, as another one opens my door and gives me a hand to help me out.

"Only on Sundays." I say, as I extend my hand out for Leo to hold.

We walk into the gold adorned lobby looking like a young newlywed millionaire couple. Leo, in his Hugo Boss navy blue pinstriped suit with matching tie, and me, in my Alexander McQueen pleated floral printed dress with light pink Jimmy Choo bowtie heels, and floral print chanel headband, pulling back my still slightly wet shoulder length curls.

When we get to the third floor, Ashton is there to greet us.

"Hey!" Ashton says merrily, grabbing me up in a huge hug.

I hug him back with a bright smile, squeezing once and then letting him go. Leo and him do that weird guy handshake/hug thing and then Ashton leads us to our maroon red booth looking over the city.

"So. Would you care to explain why you almost gave my fiance a heart attack yesterday?" Leo asks, giving Ashton a pointed look, and putting his arm around my shoulder.

"It's a long story." Ashton says with a deep sigh while looking down. " But really the only reasons I can give you are that I needed some relaxation time, and I forgot my phone somewhere." Ashton shrugs weakly.

For a second he looks older than his young nineteen years, so much that I reach over and take one of his large hands in both of mine.

"I don't know whats going on. You know that you don't have to tell me everything. But I just don't want you to be stressed out when you leave to go shoot that movie. From what your manager told me about the script, this movie has the makings of being the next Pulp Fiction. Popularity wise I mean. You're a great actor. I don't want something stupid messing this up for you. Whatever it is, it's probably something that is stressful now, but won’t matter in the long term. Your job and success are what matter now. Alright?" He nods with a smile.

"Is that my little plum!" I hear a familiar voice call out, and I smile widely.

"Move out of the booth Lee!"

He quickly and confusedly moves out, and I jump right out of there, and into Cole Baxter's arms.

"Uncle Bax!" I cry out, feeling like a little girl again.

While in California, Ashtons father grew to be something like a second father for me. He and his wife Joselyn, a beautiful former Victoria Secret model, were like a pair of surrogate parents to me. He pulls back and grins widely.

"You're glowing! This marriage is obviously doing something amazing to you!" He says, his youthful face looking me up and down in fatherly admiration.

For a second I pale and look down. Nobody knows that i'm pregnant right now. And if my pregnancy goes anyway like my mothers did, I won't start showing until about the sixth month. But right now I've really gotta act nonchalant. In the end I just roll my eyes and sit back down in the booth.

"So are you my gift?" I ask Cole as he looks through the wine menu. Pretty early for a drink.

"No," He says looking up with a small smile. "But I have your gifts with me."

"Oooo. Plural." I say giggling.

He takes two folded pieces of paper out of the inside of his suit jacket it and hands them to me. When I open them, my eyes widen and my jaw falls. I immediately begin handing the papers back to him.

"This is way too much, Cole. Seriously. I can't accept this." I say, trying to hand the papers to him.

He denies them and smiles at me.

"Something told me that you would say that. Let me explain. From the moment I first met you Avery, I always felt that if I was to have a daughter she'd be exactly like you. So just think of those as your next...Christmas, Birthday, and wedding gifts for the year." I look down.

"What are they V?" Leo asks curiously.

I continue to stay silent and Cole answers for me.

"One is from my wife. They're written dates of the next fashion shows and cover shoots she has for the next two years. She's thinking of retiring so she felt that this gift would be fit for none other than Avery." Cole smiles at me. "She loves Avery's sense of style, and overall look. I remember Joselyn raving every single time they would go shopping. She's completely smitten with her. So she's giving them to her."

"And her employers or management or agent or whatever...are alright with that?" Leo asks.

Cole scoffs.

"Joselyn is her own business woman. She gets herself hired. She's never paid money to get a manager or agent. Not to mention that the last few girls that she's suggested some companies hire, has made them...oh I don't know. A bit more than 5.5 million each. And because Joselyn personally asked them to use Avery instead of herself, they can't wait to see how much of a gold mine this new chick is."

"Wait. One, do they know that Avery has been on television? And two, which companies is she modeling for? And three...how many are we talking?" Ashton asks.

"To answer your first question, she wanted it to be a surprise. Two, it's your mom Ash." Cole says with a roll of his eyes. "You know that she only models for the big ones."

"So...what?" Ashton asks impatiently.

"Every one? Well for the fasion shows there's the Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Dior, Chanel, Armani, Valentino, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Victoria Secret, Escada, Tom Ford, Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, Oscar de la Renta, and quite a few more. The cover shoots will be for Carine Gilson, Guia La Bruna, Jean Yu, agent provocatuer, Saks, Prada, Gucci, Vogue, Glamour, Allure, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, InStyle, and just a bunch more." He takes a breath after finishing.

"That's...a lot." Leo says.

"They're all so major. And quite a few of them are lingerie lines." I say quietly.

"Well you know that Joselyn is practically the spokes model for Victoria Secret. She even introduced Adriana Lima to the Victoria Secret. After that, the company was ready to bow down to her." Cole says chuckling

"I almost had sex with her..." Ashton says to himself.

"I'm nowhere near that level. Hell, i'm only pretty by my high schools terms." I cry out.

Cole frowns.

"You're one of the most gorgeous girls i've ever met. Your unique beauty is what propelled me to tell Robert Kirkman to choose you. Not that you weren't in his top 5 already. It's funny, when I told him, he laughed and said that you were his first choice anyway. Honestly, I must say, for a newbie, you did better than any of those veterans that tried out for the part. You were amazing." Cole finishes with a charming smile.

"I'm not sure i'd be able to get over my insecurities. Especially while skipping down a mile long runway in nothing but heels and lingerie. And my butt is way too big for this type of thing!" I exclaim, looking down and blushing.

"I'm into that kind of thing!" Ashton calls out, and Leo glares at him.

"I assure you that you'll be fine Avery." Cole says, reassuring me. "You represent natural beauty. The type of beauty that every girl is born with, but is told is not allowed by society. You're short, not tall. You're curvy, not rail thin. You're hair is short and wildly curly, not straight and long. You're face is cherubic and gorgeous. You emit inner sexiness. You're the exact type of thing these people need. So don't worry. You'll do fine."

"And this other thing..." I say quietly.

"Hell, we can hardly get over the first! How are we supposed to get through this one." Ashton exclaims.

"You're giving me an island and several estates?" I ask in a monotone.

"Don't forget about-"

"And half of the S.S.A." I say, still in a monotone.

"WHAT?!?!?" Both Ashton and Leo yell out.

"Yep. Happy birthday, merry christmas, and congrats to me."

"Wait...so we're gonna be running the company together?" Ashton asks me.

I shrug.

"Well...more accurately you'll be running it with Leo." Cole explains.

"What?!?!" Leo yells out.

"Well...it's a gift for making my little plum so happy." Cole says with a warm smile.

"So...I guess that I don't really need to count on my parents anymore." I say taking a breath.

"Yep. According to both Joselyn and I's gifts, you'll be a millionaire all by yourself within...two months. Maybe maybe less. We're giving these things to you, because you're growing up. We just want to give you an advantage that we'd give our own daughter."

"Does it make you mad?" Leo asks Ashton. "That well...that you'll be sharing the company that's in your name?

Ashton smiles genuinely and shakes his head.

"Amazingly i'm not. Being an only child my whole life has made me pretty lonely. Now, by paper, I pretty much have both a brother and sister. Not only that, I was also pretty stressed at running the S.S.A by myself. I mean...it's pretty close to being the number one fortune five hundred. I couldn't handle that all by myself. Let alone, the fact that on dads will, he's giving me every single one of his stocks and all of the companies he owns. It's nice to know that some of that will be alleviated." Ashton says with a relieved smile.

"And running Avery's portion of her fathers company looked like a lot at first." Leo says.

I find myself giggling at that.

"Don't forget that daddy also has his fair share of companies and stock bonds over in Europe Lee-Lee. You're probably gonna havta change your major." I say,with a small smile.

"I've always been a bit interested in becoming a business owner." Leo says in consideration.

"Thats great!" Cole booms out. "You've pretty much got your lives all figured out."

"Thank you. You're literally saving us from years of dependency on my parents. In the next three months, when my eighteenth birthday comes, I don't even have to finish school. This is perfect." I say grabbing Leo's hand and smiling.

Nobody in school will have to know that I'm pregnant. I can disappear. They'll only know if I want them to. I won't have to become one of those girls. One the ones that get preggers early and are ostracized by everyone around them. I'm so happy that I could cry right now.

"I'd do it for my own daughter. You've practically become my daughter within these past few years." Cole says. "And I hope to begin seeing you as a suitable son-in-law soon Leo."

"I'll do my best sir." Leo says smiling.

"Great! Now i've gotta get going." Cole says standing up.

"Where are you going?" Ashton asks with a frown.

"I called Adriaan this morning and we made plans to head out to the country club today and play some golf, and then later watch the game at a bar here in the city. We haven't hung out in awhile." Cole says while straightening out his suit. "Have a nice breakfast. That brandy was enough for me." He says, referring to the shot he took earlier.

"Have a nice day uncle Bax." I say, getting up and hugging him tightly.

"You too, plum." He says before kissing me on the forehead.

"When's he leaving?" Leo asks Ashton.

"In a few days with me. He and mom are going to stay with me for the duration of filming. Mom will be flying into a french airport a few days after Dad and I get there. They've been craving some family time, and Dad says that she and he haven't had a legit vacation in the past few years." He sighs and runs a hand through his red hair.

"I like the fact that you haven't dyed it a darker shade of red. It looks much nicer natural." I say with a smile.

"Eh. I look like a hotter, richer, more charming, more refined version of Carrot Top. But thanks for trying sis." Ashton says with a crooked grin.

"No prob. Now lets get to eating." I say, grinning as I pick up my menu.

Oliver Hemingway

Lacey was my trainee for the day. How luckier could I get? Note the sarcasm. I felt bad for turning her down. And I felt like I was forced upon her life now since I saved Emmett. It was a tragic thing for both her and I. That's why I tried to make it seem like it was nothing even though I knew it was everything. I saved her bother's life, now I'm a scar she has to live with. What have I done?

I'm very glad to have saved him though. No questions asked. He deserved to live. But she didn't deserve to live with me. It was hurting her, I could see it. And now, I had to work with her. That was her fault though, she applied here. She couldn't escaped this mess if she would have thought otherwise.

What's worse is that I still have feelings for her. So it's twice as awkward.

"Hey, Hemingway! Get in the back!" my manager Tony yelled. He's the senior manger, almost supervisor. And he's very proud of this.

I turned to look at Lacey and she was wide eyed. This was her first time being alone in the front.

"Two minutes," I told her with a soft smile.

She nodded her head anyway with such confidence, I believed in her. So I walked around the shelves behind us and through the door on the side, by the toilets. Tony was sitting at his desk, flipping through some papers. It was tax day.

"Yeah?" I said.

He looked over at me, his brown eyes looking tired. I swear, he should learn that shaving was to look professional, but he simply did not care. Hence, the five-o'clock-shave.

"You know that girl up front, right?"

My stomach dropped as I tried to gather up a normal sentence.

"Yes," Okay, a normal word.

"Are you two on good terms? I don't need any fights while working. I know you are professional and everything, but you can always change. So, tell me. You guys ar eon good terms?"

I nodded, letting him take a deep breath in.

"We are on very good terms actually. Don't worry about it Tony,"

"Also, tell me if she's worth the while... if she's good at working. For the next week you'll be watching her, training her, all that. And tell me if she should stay. I don't need sloppy employees anyway. She worked at McD's... so I am not sure." He had this kind of voice that makes you think he has been taught how to talk to certain types of people. And his attitude is the same.

"Right, I'll take care of it." I already felt nervous.

"Good, good. I can only trust you Hemingway. By the way, I was reading Old Man and the..." his eyes trailed over the room for a moment as he thought. It took him a while so I finished it for him.

"The Old Man and The Sea," I huffed.

A smile came across his face and he pointed at me.

"Yeah, that! I read that last night... I didn't really like it. Your grandfather was sorta depressing."

I shook my head a gave him a smile. He turned back to his work and I stepped out, walking back around the corner to Lacey. She was leaning against the counter and was texting on her phone. The coffee house was empty, probably due to the immense amount of snow that was piling up outside.

Once she realized I was there, she lifted her head up and hid her phone into her pocket. I already mentioned the no mobile rule, so she would know better.

But since there was no one here, I didn't care. So, I gave her a smile.

"If there's no one here, you can use your phone. And in emergency." I assured her.

"It was sort of an emergency... it was Jane." she replied, not even looking at me.

"What happened?"

She took a moment to answer as she looked at me. I probably looked like a worried mother. Jane was my best friend and if it was an emergency to SMS her, than that makes me concerned. She must be in some sort of danger. My heart raced as I waited for her to reply.

But instead of speaking, she started to smile and shake her head, turning away from me. I held my breath and wondered.

"What, Lacey?" I asked.

She waved her hand at me and leaned her arms on the counter, taking a few deep breaths. And then, she started to laugh. I felt really uncomfortable because I didn't know what was going on through her mind, and obviously, I am a part of it.

"Why do you care?" she asked, turning her head towards me.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't look at me like that. I asked you a question." her voice was filled with poison.

"But I don't understand..." she cut me off.

"Why do you care about Jane? Why? You have Kristin."

Now I knew where this was going. I shook my head and placed my hand on my forehead, letting the thoughts roam around my mind.

"Are you really going to do this?" I sighed.

Since she didn't answer, I looked up and saw her simply looking at me. Not just she had her eyes on me, she was literately looking at me. And it sort of frightened me. I put my hand back down and faced her.

"She's my best friend, Lacey. That's why I care." I said.

She started to laugh again, and it wasn't a belly laugh, it was one that said Sure, I don't believe you.

"Come on, really?" I urged.

"You have feelings for her, don't you?"

That has never crossed my mind. So I stood silent, unable to find a response to that.

"Oliver,"

"No! I absolutely do not have feelings for Jane! Are you saying this because you're jealous that I'm with Kristin?" My voice got louder and a little high-pitched, which also frightened me.

She shook her head, "You know what? Never mind. Just, never mind. Let's not get into this."

"No, now I want to get into this. What's going on?"

She pushed her self onto the counter and sat on it. Her hair flew into her face and she brushed it away with her hand. I couldn't help but stare. Once she looked back up though, I turned away.

"You care about Jane. You care about Kristin. And you supposedly care about me. What is this about? Can't you just love one person? Did you sleep with Jane? That's why you two are so close? That little slut..." she huffed the last part under her breath. She was actually yelling now.

"No. I did not sleep with Jane. I care about all of you because you are a part of my life, is that so hard to believe?" I said in a much quieter tone than she did.

Shaking her head, she slid off the counter and stood just a foot in front of me. It made my whole body tingle as I looked down at her. She had her focus on me and her eyes stared at mine.

"What's goin' on?" Tony yelled from behind Lacey.

I lifted my head and saw the fury marking his face. My heart was racing just at the mere thought of being fired. Lacey turned around and saw him. Being completely honest, I have never seen him this way. For a twenty-seven year old, sometimes her tended to act like a fifty year old. And this was one of those times. Though, I would agree with him, we are at work and we shouldn't fight.

"I asked y'all a question." he hissed.

Stepping around Lacey, I had her behind me as I looked Tony in the eyes.

"Nothing, just a mere argument. We apologize for the ruckus, Tony." I said with a steady voice.

Jasmine Bradley Urbaniak

My heart broke. Into a million pieces. I couldn't believe what I have just done. He actually loved me. I I broke him. I had the chance. It was right there. And I blew it. He's flying to France in like two days. There was no point really, but we could have had that week to be together. Not anymore.

I had to talk to someone. All this emotion was so overpowering that I couldn't just hide out in my room and chomp on ice cream and cry to myself. It would be too hard. So I called the only person I could.

"Jasmine," she paused. "Hey, what's up?" somehow, she was excited. Maybe she was getting her wedding planned right now, it always makes her smile.

I couldn't say anything, my breath caught in my throat as tears started to fall down my face. Ashton left me, and I was still standing there, in the cold. The snow blew over me as I shivered from the cold wind.

"Jasmine?" she asked, worry shaping her voice.

"Ehrm." was all that came from my mouth.

"Jasmine, are you okay? Jasmine!" Avery was practically screaming into the phone.

"Help me." I spit out. "Please," a sob. "I need someone."

"Oh, Jas. I'll be right there, where are you?"

I managed to give her an address, and when I did, she was suddenly silent. My spine felt heavy from my shivereing.

"Of course," she paused. "That's where Ashton went."

And then again, I started to sob, my breath all icky with spit and tears and sorrow. My cheeks were burning and I could barely see from the tears blinding my vision. Avery was talking to me but I just couldn't hear her from all the thoughts running in my mind.

"I'm coming," was all I heard.

Shoving my phone into my pocket, I collapsed to the snowed ground, letting the snow sink into my clothes, getting me soaked. I didn't care. With my head in my hands, I sobbed.

My life was torn apart.

Jane Wills

I didn't hear from Emmett for days. And what could I expect? He didn't remember me. So I don't think he even thought of me. Which sent a pang to my heart. I would kill to kiss hi again and have him remember the bad moments.

I'd rather have him remember everything, even the bad things than forget the bad moments with also forgetting every moment. I'd rather have him hate me than forget me. It's just so unfair.

"Janey, you have to get out of there..." My mom sighed.

She was standing at my bedroom door. I needed to be alone and bawl like a little child that lost their favorite stuffed animal. This isn't easy. My eyes felt heavy and useless other than for crying. I've tried to concentrate on helping him, cause he's the one in more pain. But it hurt me when I did.

"Lizzie," a new approach with a nickname. "Come on baby, it'll be okay." she was trying to soften me.

"Mom." I spit out, along with my sobs. "I love him, and I blew it, and now... I don't even wanna talk about it."

"A new chance? A re-try?" she said.

"No, I want him to remember me cheating on him on accident just so he could remember me, mom. It's sick, I know. But I'd rather have him hate me than not even know me. The way he looks at me mom! It's like I'm no one." I was tearing up again, feeling my heart beat heavily in my chest.

She said nothing and just opened the door. I left it unlocked, she just wanted me to get out on my own. But either way, she found her way next to me on my bed and pulled me close. She was warm and inviting, like a mother would be. I let myself melt into her as my mind had a whirlwind of Emmett.

The door slammed through the house and I shot my head up, looking to see who it is. Oliver walked passed my bedroom door, anger shown on his face. Next he slammed his own door and both mom and I cringed. I pulled away from her, wiping my tears with my sleeves.

"Looks like you're not the only one having a bad day..." my mom sighed, looking into the hallway.

And then, he screamed. A blood filled, tired filled, sad and angry filled, scream. It sent chills down my body, I felt my mom shake.

"Maybe worse, but I don't know what's worse than losing your boyfriend." I said.

"You didn't lose your boyfriend." she looked at me.

I gave her a look and she sighed, standing up from my bed. I knew she was going to talk to Oliver, she was the mother of this place, well my real mother, his 'mother'. Cause she took him in. It's motherly instinct to help. But I pulled at her arm, shaking my head. Then I stood up and found my way to his bedroom. I took in a breath before I opened it, seeing Oliver sitting on his bed, frozen.

His face was expressionless as he just stared at the wall opposite him, which had the TV on it.

"To watch it, you gotta turn it on." I joked.

He didn't even blink. All he did is stare at the nothingness of the TV, silent and still on the bed. It sorta scared me. I took a chance and stepped into the room, sitting right next to him. I let myself take his hand in mine and squeeze hard, showing him I'm here.

"I love her," he spit out. "I come here, and I love her." I knew this wasn't about Kristin. You could tell.

"I have to leave. I don't belong here. I just ruin my life here, others lives. So, there's no point. I'm going back to England. There, everything is good." his voice was steady and very serious.

I let him talk. And he spoke, for about ten minutes, about everything. He was staring at the TV the whole time, but he didn't move his hand away from mine. I looked at him, he looked at the TV, I listened. It was not okay.

Then his phone rang from his coat that he threw on the floor. That's when he switched his focus and stared at the phone. He didn't stand up or anything, just stared as if that would do anything. I decided to take the plunge. Standing up, I picked through his coat and took out his Sony Xperia, looking at the caller ID. It read Kristin. I answered it with no hesitation.

"Hey Kris," I said.

"Jane?" she questioned.

"Oliver... he can't quite get to the phone. He's having a bad day." I sighed.

"I'll come," she said.

"No, Kris. He, he needs to be alone."

There was a moment of silence between us. I looked over at Oliver and now he was staring out the window, all spaced out. He was never like this before. It was so odd. But he's lost so he must be like this.

"Then why are you there?" he voice got suddenly snarly.

"I live here. His phone was ringing, and since he wouldn't answer, I did it for him." I shook my head.

"Right," now she was back to normal. "Right, well, I gotta go. Tell Oli that I love him, and for him to call me when he's better. Love ya!" I could hear the concern in her voice.

"Sure thing, love ya too." I smiled, hanging up.

"What did she say?" he asked.

I swallowed hard, standing up and sitting next to him. The window was just behind me, so our eyes caught each other and I couldn't breathe in that moment. I slid the phone into his hands, looking at what I was doing as I did it. I felt him looking at me. As I slid it, his fingers caught around my hand so he squeezed it, holding onto me.

This was this kind of moment that was like I'm hurt. I'm scared. You care. I'm grateful. and I have a dick. You have a vagina. This is where it's going. It's always this way. This is where you look for comfort, a rebound, a person to have so your emotions can vanish. That's the easy way. But it never helps in the end, cause it hurts you worse. I've been in this before with... this is how I started dating Drake. Except he used my hurt. So that's why I'm not letting it happen, cause I'm the one with the head now.

"Oliver, go take a shower and go to sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be easier." I sighed.

"You don't say that kind of stuff." he realized, still looking at me.

"I can't say anything else." I lifted my head to look him in the yes which was highly dangerous at this moment.

But I held my breath and smiled. "What is love?" I said.

A smile cracked on his face as he looked down for a moment. Then he lifted his head back, making my heart jump.

"I don't bloody want to know, Janey. Thanks," he said.

"Always," I smirked.

I stood up, letting go of his hand and walking away to the hallway. But before I could step out of his room, he called for me.

"What?" I replied, not turning to face him.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be."

Everyone is having shit days on this... LOL

Spoiler

Everyone is having a shit time, probably due to the music I'm listening to. @Sunshine when you wrote that post, I was listening to this amazing mix, and it matched the situation. Slow Dancing In A Burning Room I was like YES. Will will (lol) be having a better time than most.

William Franco

I stopped by at Starbucks the next day, after I woke up at eleven. So the rush was big. Once I reached the cashier, I saw a smiling Oliver.

"Hey man!" I smiled.

"Oh, Will. Nice to see you again." he gave the smile back.

We high-fived each other as he looked over at Lacey, who was finishing making a coffee. I looked at the way he looked at her and felt a pang in my heart. Something was going on between these two. He faced me again and put on that believable smile.

"She just stared today, I'm keeping an eye on her. What'd you want?" he said.

"Ahh, just a black, tall."

He grabbed a cup and wrote down the order and my name, then handed it to some chick with pink hair. She started with the order.

"Since I'm nice, I gave you a discount. That'll be a dollar, eighty." he smiled.

I pulled all that change from my pocket and handed it to him. He took the money then handed me the receipt. I took it, shoving it into my pocket. Before I could move though, the girl called out my name. Waving my hand, she handed it to me. I didn't even have to move, that's how quick it was. Since I was the last person in line, Oliver decided to chat with me.

"What got you sleeping in?" he asked with an eyebrow raise and a sly grin.

"Creepy," I noted, then he got back to a normal Oliver. "And nothing, why?"

"I saw you with this pretty girl." he said.

Shaking my head, I smiled. "She's a pretty girl." I replied.

"So, was she good?"

I looked back up at him and sighed. His jaw dropped as his grey eyes got wide. Couldn't I be friends with a girl? Or was that just too weird? I am allowed to be friends with a girl.

"You didn't...?" he managed to spit out.

"I don't have to have sex with a girl. I can be friends with her." I sighed.

"No,not you Will. You have sex with them."

"I didn't have sex with her."

Suddenly, this really weird song came on in the place. I've heard it before. Avery played it once for a romantic dinner. And I loved it. No matter how manly I was, Ed Sheeran made me all warm. Looking up at the ceiling, I pointed at it with a silly grin on my face. Oliver gave me a questionable look and listened, then smiled after he managed to catch some lyrics.

"It's a sign..." he smirked.

"Just because it's 'Kiss Me', doesn't mean it's a sign." I shook my head.

"Well, it's not towards me William. Go for her, now! Time is-ah-wasting!" he laughed.

I joined his laughter and ran out of the joint, hoping back into my pick-up. I didn't feel the cold until I sat in my truck, with the music drained from my hearing. But I still heard it in my mind, okaying over and over again, which got sort of annoying. The next thing I knew, I heard Harley's voice.

"Will? Why'd you call?" She was surprised.

"Harley..." I paused, my heart jumping in my chest. "I am asking you out on a date." I couldn't hold back my smile.

"Um, okay?"

"Would you want to go out with me?"

Harley Mae Turner

I laid in my bed, unwilling to get up.

"HARLEY!" I heard Conner yell from the living room. "GET UP!"

I groaned, and rolled over.

Hopefully, this would be a good day.

Walking out of my room, still wrapped in my blanket, phone in hand, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and shower.


"Arli! Will you watch a movie with us? Pleasssseeee?" My foster siblings begged.

I put my wet hair up with a hair tie, and nodded. "What movie?"

They led me to the living room, and sat me down on the couch.

"Let's watch a Disney movie!" Sylvia said excitedly, jumping up and down on the couch.

"THE LITTLE MERMAID!" Callie screamed.

Conner sighed, and put in the Little Mermaid.

Callie sat in my lap, and pulled some of my blanket over her.

"Hey, I'm gonna go make breakfast." I said, moving Cal to sit in my spot.

"Don't be too long!"

"Make lasagna!"

"ARIEL IS SO PRETTY."

I laughed, and shook my head.

"I'll make some pancakes."


I poured some batter into the hot pan, and waited to flip it.

My phone vibrated in my sweat pants pocket, so I set the spatula down, and pulled it out.

'One new message'

I pushed my phone back in my pocket, picked up the spatula, and flipped the pancake.

Probably Halana.

I put the pancake on the stack, and poured the rest of the batter into the pan.

"ARLI, IT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART!" Sylvia called to me.

Finishing that pancake, I put it on the top of the stack, and went to the dining room with the plate.

"FOOD'S READY! PAUSE THE MOVIE." I yelled to them.

The sounds from the movie stopped, and I heard running.

Callie, Ruby, Sylvia, and Conner scamper into the room, and sit in their chairs.

I frowned when I looked at Tacket's empty spot.

He left yesterday night to his family.

Passing plates to the four, I kept one for myself.

"I'm going to go get some orange juice, and cups. You guys can eat." I told them.

Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed 5 plastic cups, each with our names written with sharpie, then got the orange juice from the fridge, and went back into the dining room.

My phone vibrated again.

"Hold on, guys. I think Halana's texting me, or something." I set the cups and OJ down, and pulled out my phone.

William.

William was calling me.

I hesitated, then answered.

"Will? Why'd you call?" I asked, trying to hide how surprised I was.

Didn't work very well.

I went to get kitchen so I could hear him.

"Harley..." He paused. His breathing quickened slightly. "I am asking you out on a date."

My lips curled up to form a smile. "Um, okay?"

I didn't know what to say.

The smile from my face wouldn't go away.

"Would you want to go out with me?"

I breathed in, and smiled more. "I...I would...really like that."

I'm an idiot.

He sighed in relief. I could see his smile. His adorable smile.

"So, when are we going on this...date?" I asked, my cheeks turning rosy as I said it.

Kristin

"Things were going so perfect though!" I exclaim.

Leo shrugs.

"Maybe...he's due for a break." Leo says simply.

I look up at his aqua blue eyes in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I ask, not quite grasping what he's implying.

I would be talking to Avery, you see. But she left in a worried rush earlier. That's just Avey. Going to help someone in need.

"I'm ready to marry Avery, Kristin. I trust her. She trusts me. I would never cheat on her. She would never cheat on me. I would die for her. She would die for me. We're literally doing something that will tie our lives together forever. I don't need a breather, a break, or anything from my relationship. But maybe...Oliver needs one from his."

Ah. I get what he's saying now.

"So do you think that constantly being around you and Avery is forcing him to think of the long term, and that he's just not ready for it?" I ask, it all suddenly making sense.

Leo thinks for a second and then nods.

"In my last relationship I didn't want to marry her. Hell, I hardly even liked her. I mainly stayed because she was just great for the sex. But, if I was forced to think about the long term, it probably would have driven me away from her even quicker. But Oliver loves you. So it's different. There's probably a loose end forcing him to rethink things with you, that he's just keeping away from you. That's my conclusion."

"And could this loose end...be a girl?" I ask slowly.

Leo just nods and stands up.

"Do you want some nutella crepes? I've been craving them all day." He says cheerily.

I shake my head.

"No...but um...well would you mind dropping me off somewhere?" I ask.

Now I know what to do.
--------------
"I know your hoooome!" I say knocking hard on the front door.

Suddenly Jane opens it looking frazzled. When she sees that it's me she frowns.

"Kristin I told you on the phone that-" I cut her off, shoving myself into the doorway.

"Janey, I know what you told me. And believe me, I considered staying home. But I just couldn't do it. The same way you weren't able to just sit down and wait for Emmett to gain his memory back, I couldn't just sit and wait to receive a call from Oliver." I state breathlessly.

Jane rolls her eyes.

"You can hardly compare me being worried about Emmett losing his memory of me and a bunch of other important things, to this."

I raise an eyebrow at her.

"I don't wanna be mean or anything when I say this Jane, but there is one teensy weensy difference. Things had broken off between you and Em. You started fucking around with Will...I don't know...a few days after you two broke up. At most. It could have been sooner. I know that you hurt him. Now I have yet to do anything to Oliver, other than be the best girlfriend I can for him. It took Emmett getting into a car accident for you to see what you've lost. I'm not gonna let that happen with Oliver." I say as I shove past Jane. "And one more tiny difference. I'm Olivers girlfriend. You're nothing to Emmett now."

I open up Olivers door quietly, and find him laying on the bed on his back and blankly staring at the ceiling. Without hesitation I climb into the bed and cuddle to his side.

"There's something...that you're keeping from me." I say quietly, laying my head down on his chest.

He remains silent.

"When we first started dating, I told you that my biggest fear was to get my heart broken. You promised you wouldn't do that. But I have a feeling that you're going to break that promise soon. I can't let that happen."

"Are you going break up with me?" He asks in a quiet monotone.

I feel my eyes begin to fill with tears.

"I love you." I say almost silently.

He turns quiet again.

" I couldn't do that if I wanted to. The thought...just makes my heart hurt." The tears begin falling down my cheeks now.

He remains quiet.

"I'm going to be there for you the best way I can Oli. In any way I can. I don't want you to feel the need to keep things from me. You don't have to. I just want to help you. I want to see you happy."

He continues his silence.

"If...if you feel the need to break up with me...for any reason, please don't hesitate. I don't want to be the reason that you're unhappy. I...I love you so much that I wouldn't care if you hurt me. I just...I just want you to not be upset any more Oli." I shove my face into his chest and sob.

He remains still.

"But..." I pick my head up, knowing that I look like shit, but not giving a shit. "I'll always remain here as a friend for you no matter what."

Emmett Lopez

Memory therapy was no fun. The rest of the people were ancient, victims of stuff like Alzheimer's. I was forced to talk to a lady about what I could and couldn't remember, and she would stop me whenever I lied and scold me. It didn't help my memory; it just made me feel dumb. I know that about myself; I hate being dumb.

My mother and I walked slowly out of the place, and the warm winter sun felt so nice on my face.

"Doctor Jones told you to try to do stuff that was part of your old routine. What do you think, then? Family game night? Would you like to invite Jane over?"

My Mother is driving now. "Jane? Just Jane? Is that something we do?"

My mother frowns. "Well, yes. You two are... were, I suppose, very close."

"I don't know her anymore."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. I think she might bring back your memories; in return for all the things you've done for her."

What have I done for her? "Do you think Lacey will be around, with us?"

"I don't know." My Mom pulls into Starbucks, and Lacey makes her way towards us. "I guess you could ask, but I'll be around. It won't be awkward, if that's what you're worried about."

I nod, thinking of Jane's round, pretty face and try to force myself to believe my mother. Lacey climbs into the backseat, slamming the door roughly.

"God!"

"You didn't get the job, sweetie?"

"Oh, I got it. It was easy. It's just... Oliver is so infuriating! He works there, and he had to train me, and it was going fine until I've got to speak my mind." She hits the seat. "I'm just so frustrated!"

My Mother glances at me, and I get the message. She has not been with Hakan for awhile. "You want to go out for ice cream?"

------------------------------

Jane's contact is in my phone. I don't have a lot of contacts, but I have hers. I lean against the wall of my room, my heart beating as I dial her number.

"Emmett?"

She seems surprised to hear from me. I hate that I don't know what she meant to me, that I draw a blank whenever I think of a shared past.

"Hi. Jane. Um... I was wondering if you wanted to come over, if you weren't busy... We could watch Doctor Who or play...um...Zelda, or something. "

Jane takes a long time in responding. She's talking to someone n the background, but I can't hear what they're saying. She sighs. "Yeah, I'll be there soon." She hangs up quickly.

Lacey comes into my room. "Is Jane coming over?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I don't always love her, but she'll certainly help stir up some memories. I'm heading to Ace's, but if you could give this to Jane, I'd appreciate it." She hands me a slip of red paper, tied together with some yarn. "Have fun, Emmett."

"You too, sister."

She smiles, and leaves. I listen to her footsteps receding down the hallway. The note sits in my hand, shaking with the tilt of my healthy arm. I want to open it. It says Oliver across the side, and I want to know more about him. I need to know more about him. I want to open it. I know its not something I would do, but I don't know what Lacey has to say anymore. I slide the yarn off, feeling positively sinful. The message reads,

Meet me tomorrow by the bridge on Rose street, at nine. I need to talk to you, and that's the best place to do it. Dress warm, British boy. -Lacey.

I'm trying to figure out what that means when the doorbell rings. Frantic, I slip the yarn back around the note, running out to meet my guest.

My Mother is chatting with Jane, but she smiles when she sees me.

"I've made popcorn, and you two are welcome to the Living Room."

"Thank you, Karon."

She uses my mother's first name, or the first name she casually uses. We walk to the living room, myself feeling awkward. It sort of feels like we were set up on a date or something. I position myself on the couch, and Jane rustles with a familiar hand through the DVDs and games.

"Mario Kart is my pick, any arguments?"

"Yes; one arm disadvantage."

"Right. Sherlock?"

"You really like British TV, don't you? I don't really remember it, so put it right in."

She puts the show in. Looking fondly at the spot right next to me, she chooses the other end of the couch.

My mother brings us popcorn, and I relax into the show. I can't shake the feeling that Jane should be closer, that there is something that connects us to this moment, but I don't know what it is.

I wait for her hand to get out of the popcorn before I put mine in, because I am afraid of what might happen if they touched.

Avery

I don't ask her about what happened. I just remain quiet, as she sniffles against the passenger door of my porsche. I find myself driving nowhere in particular.

"Thank you for picking me up." Jasmine whispers, staring out of the window.

I nod at her and continue driving. At a stoplight I turn to her.

"Where do you wanna go?" I ask .

She shrugs and looks out the window. I sigh and continue driving. When we reach the town of Greenwich I decide to just turn into a tiny little cafe. I love this town, mainly because it's posh and rich and holds a lot of friends I used to have when I went to elementary school here. My wanted to move to Harmony for many reasons. One, because she didn't want me to turn into a spoiled brat, like a bunch of the other kids that had been going to my school. Two, she hated the neighbors.

"Come on." I say, taking the keys out of the ignition,and stepping out of the car.

She's a bit stiff as she opens up the passenger door and gets out. I pick us out a tiny booth and order us both hot chocolates with whip cream on top.

"Honestly, I don't really want to push you. But I want to help. Will you please tell me what exactly happened?"

She sniffles and I sigh. A waitress brings over our hot chocolates and I take a long sip, savoring the chocolatey goodness.

"I know that Ashton was where you were. I know that you two kissed on New Years. I know that he's been pretty upset about something since the end of filming about something. And then you dropped off of the face of the earth between music interviews and shows. Just please...tell me whats going on." I say, my voice almost pleading.

She sighs and mumbles something. I raise my eyebrows at her and she says it louder.

"I lost my virginity to him. While we were filming." She says quietly.

"Oh...well now all of that makes sense. Well-" I'm cut off by a squeal.

"Ave?!? Is that you?" A beautiful rail thin brunette yells skipping towards me.

I sigh. This was bound to happen, but I hadn't thought of that like the idiot I am.

"Clea. Hey. How's it been going?" I ask in a bored voice to my old classmate who is now beaming her ass off.

"It's going wonderfully of course!" She exclaims and then envelops me in a huge hug.

A bit of history on Clea. She was actually my first friend. Ever, I mean. We were both in the same class back in kindergarten. Back when she used to be short, mousy, and quite quiet. I remember when I told her that I was moving back in fourth grade, she immediately broke down in tears. We kept contact for a little bit, but I noticed that she was changing as we grew older. At first, I loved the fact that she was growing to be more confident and beautiful. But after I saw her on an episode of My Super Sweet Sixteen, I knew that it was time to break off all contact.

"Thats nice. But i'm kind of talking now..." I say, trying to get her to go away.

She pouts and crosses her arms.

"But I want you to tell me about the engagement! You were mentioned on AMC ya know! Oh and I soooo wanna hear about how it was to kiss that hottie Ashton Baxter! God I would do anything to-"

"Yeah. Thats nice. But i'm having a conversation." I say turning away from her at the mention of Ashtons name and turning to Jasmine.

Out of the corner of my eye I watch as she rolls her eyes, and turns away calling me a bitch in the process.

"Old friend of yours?" Jasmine asks with a small smirk.

I smile.

"You don't know the half of it. So. Spill. I wanna know everything." I say, folding my hands and waiting.

--------------

That talk with Jasmine was much needed. She just had so many things that she was holding onto, and i'm glad that she felt that she could let it all out with me.

"Things are good again." I say, as I walk towards Leo with a smile.

"Umm...well actu-" Suddenly the front door slams open to reveal a tear streaked Kristin.

"He's gonna break up with me!" She sobs out.

I rush over to her and hug her, but she pushes me off and stalks upstairs.

"I spoke too soon I guess." I mutter as I climb up the stairs behind her.

When I get into her room she's face down, bawling her eyes eyes.

"Jesus. What happened?" I ask, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"He doesn't love me anymore." She cries out into the pillow.

"Oliver loves the hell out of you Kris. What makes you think that he doesn't?"

"He won't talk to me. He's been keeping something from me. And something...is just telling me that something bad is gonna happen soon."

"Does this have something to do with a girl?" I ask quietly.

Kristin shrugs.

"Well...he did kind of end things with Lacey for you. Do you mind if I get blunt?" I ask.

She shrugs and waits.

"Maybe there's some unfinished business between the two. Here, how about this. Ask him to meet you at the airport where you both met tomorrow. Like...at about 9? If he shows up, you guys are fine. If not, dump him before you get your heart broken." I shrug.

"I...I can't do that. Break up with him. I love him." She says sniffling.

"All the more reason for you to do this. Your heart is on the line. I like Oli and everything, but your my cousin. I don't want to see your heart get all stepped on. I mean...well fuck. He knows what you went through in your last relationship. You got fucking raped!" I exclaim. I then sigh. "He's lucky to have you, is all. And if he loses you...I assure you that he'll regret it." She nods slowly.

I watch as she picks up her phone and texts him. Once she sends the message she sighs.

"What if he doesn't come?" She whispers.

"It's better you dump him, than him you. Do you want me to ask Leo to fix you up a drink?"

She nods, and lays back down. When I walk out of the room, I find Leo standing there with his arms crossed.

"That was horrible advice you gave her, V." He states quietly.

"It's what has to be done. He's still with her, Lee. If he has feelings for any other girl, Kris should know. And if he does, she should dump him. She's had a hard past Leo. I can't let something like this mess her up."

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"Not counting the rape, her life has been hell. Her mother abusive as all hell. That's why Dylan is so protective of her. Dylan was always a favorite at home, but for some reason, Aunt Kristy would just beat on her, insult her, and all around abuse her. Back when we were kids, she was pretty chubby. But from all of the abuse, being made fun of at school, and just self hatred she began taking crystal meth. It was hard for her in rehab. She tried to kill herself...a total of about six times when there. As soon as she got home, my parents offered to take her in."

I sigh.

"And you can't let anything hurt her or push her over the ledge again. I get it." Leo says nodding.

"Kristin has always been so nice. She doesn't get mad. She's hardly mean. She's sensitive and sweet and sarcastic but really optimistic. I can see that she's changing again though. She's willing to get hurt, over someone else getting hurt that she loves. Thats why she had such a hard time telling people what her mothers done to her. But if she holds all of that in again and begins to let people walk all over her like she used to..."

"She may start using again." Leo finishes for me as he finishes pouring a glass of Jack Daniels, and walks upstairs to deliver it to her.

"Now that's what i'm scared of." I mutter.