“What are you doing up so early Daniel? It’s barely even 7.”

“Sorry Did I wake you Danielle? I just wanted to get a book, go back to sleep.”

“I’m awake already… might as well get up.”

“Did you get any sleep last night?”

“Huh, good joke, Amerie was over again.”

“Again? I don’t like that woman Danielle, she’s like a leech, always hanging around Dad..”

“What’s the big deal, I hang around you and you don’t call me a leech.”

“That’s because I’m stuck in a room with you. I really have no choice.”

“Thanks Danny, I feel so loved.

“No problem, but seriously I don’t like her.”

“She’s not that bad. At least she notices us and says hi if we bump into her in the morning.”

“She’s sleeping with half of the town, I mean if that’s not an indicator she’s just here for a ride I don’t know what is.”

“Oh please, you’re exaggerating. So she likes some fun, it’s not like dad’s married or anything.”

“You haven’t seen anything, you were at work the other day and some dude caught them in the act.”

“Serious?”

“Yeah, he was all up in her face about it and even slapped her for being an unfaithful wench!”

“Well that’s and overreaction.”

“Oh please you would do the same if somebody was cheating on you.”

“Not if I cheated on them first.”

“What? Danielle that’s just wrong!”

“Oh come on, share the love you know!”

“Don’t even go there, I don’t even know how we’re related.”

“Don’t worry I wonder the same as well. Anyways did you hear what’s going on with Damien?”

“Rika Peterson right?”

“Yeah, they finally hooked up.”

“Didn’t she make a pass at him two weeks ago?”

“Yeah, but now it’s official, the future king and queen of the prom… that is if they last and they beat Caitlin O’Koren and Jackson Clarke.”

“You’re horrible Danielle! They’ve barely started dating and you’re already jinxing it!”

“Oh shut up Danny, Mr. Trackstar. You’re one to talk sneaking around with Caitlin behind Jackson’s back! You think I don’t know? The gossip is flying rampant about you two!”

“There’s nothing going on!”

“Oh please you think I don’t know? You sneaking out at night with her going to parties behind Jackson’s back,”

“That was once-”

“-and the secret phone calls at 2 AM in the morning.”

“We’re friends! Is it a crime to talk?”

“Not when you’re like friends with benefits.”

“Worry about yourself. I know you’ve got the hots for Jackson and I know for a fact you made out with him behind the bleachers during the football game.”

“Oh you’re one to talk.”

“See? You’re not even denying it! I know you went out on a secret date with him when you told dad you were just goin’ out with some of your cheerleader friends.”

“They invited him! I didn’t know he was going to be there! And that kiss was a one time thing!”

“Oh so you did kiss him!”

“Shut up you’re having an affair with Caitlin as well!”

“…”

“Yeah that’s right, so I suggest you shut up about it and I’ll shut up about you. Fair?”

“Fine.”

—–

“Hey there gorgeous,” Andrew smiled as he pulled Hallie in for an embrace.

“Hey there yourself handsome.” Hallie flirted back, a smile creeping up on her face as Andrew gave her a quick kiss.

“How’s it going?”

“It’s been fine, pity you couldn’t stay for the rest of Leon’s birthday party.”

“Sorry, the babysitter had to leave early that day.”

“It’s fine, I mean I understand having so many kids and all.”

Andrew smiled fondly at Hallie as she continued to tell him about her week. She was friendly, and pretty, but above all she was understanding. Sure Amerie has a smoking bod, and she was great in bed, but she was high maintenance.

Amerie demanded all of his time, and all of his money while he was at it. Amerie wasn’t wife material, that was a certain and a man like him needed to settle down with somebody who would support him even when he was old and wrinkly.

He had given this a lot of thought prior to making this decision of course, marriage was a major thing. Especially the publicity these days surrounding his rise to MVP for the Lush Valley Llamas.

“Remember that lunch we had at your place about two weeks ago?” Andrew began.

“Yeah what about it?”

“Well..”

—–

“Do you plan on living here with Rika until you grow old?”

“Well, it’s not like I have much choice. Finances are tight. I can’t afford to move out and give the house to Rika as much as I would like to. Leon as well wishes to set out on his own. He needs money to accomplish that and give him a good start.”

“But what about you? What do you want?”

“Me? I want to move out. Sure it’s great seeing the kids and my parents everyday, but I feel like I’m living in a state of unchange you know? Mom and Dad are retired and enjoying their golden years as much as they can, Rika’s all prepared to be our family’s heir, and Leon is keen on becoming independant. I’m just here for financial support really. If it wasn’t for that, they wouldn’t really need me.”

“Don’t say that, the kids love you, and your parents would want to spend time with you as well till their time here ends.”

“I know, but it just makes me wonder, what do I have to look forward to?”

—-

“- I think it would be a good idea for you to have something to look forward to.”

“Like what?” Hallie asked with an eyebrow quirked.

Andrew fumbled with the case in his pocket. He had spent his last three paychecks on this ring and hopefully it wouldn’t go to waste.

“Hallie Peterson, will you marry me?”

Hallie’s eyes widened as she stared at the shiny ring. “Oh my God,”

Andrew’s smile faltered a little. “Umm so should I take that as a yes?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Hallie cried out in joy as she slipped on the ring and jumped into Andrew’s arms.

“I would love to marry you Andrew Keyes.”

“And I would love to marry you as well Hallie.”

She hugged him tighter as she kept on whispering “I can’t believe it!” into his ear and stroked his hair.

He made his decision.

He will have to end things with Amerie once and for all.

Corinna grumbled as she cleaned the kitchen. She was sick of being the only responsible being in the house as her dad was acting like a hormone-driven teenager and her sister was a hormone driven teenager.

Cathy Biscoe was over as frequently as ever. She and her dad could be heard in the early morning..

in the late afternoon…

and late at night.

Caitlin on the other hand started to date Jackson Clarke and was completely oblivious to her twin’s ordeal. Jackson was the school’s number one man, and going out with him had definitely opened up a new social circle for her.

But she wasn’t entirely happy. Rumours had it that Jackson was seeing other girls in secret and going out with her at the same time. She tried to ignore them but it was just too much.

“Mmm gotta go babe, I’m going to the club with some friends.” Jackson mumbled as he pulled away.

“Friends?” Caitlin mumbled back drowsily.

“Yeah, you know, guy stuff and all that.”

Caitlin couldn’t help but think of the worst. Ding! It was time to go see another girl.

“Why? Can’t you blow them off just this once?”

“It’s the code, babe, they’d be mad if I blew them off.”

Caitlin sighed in defeat. As much as the rational part of her told her to tell him she knew that he was cheating on her, she kept silent.

“Okay I’ll see you later then.”

“Bye Cait.”

As soon as Jackson was gone, Caitlin called up Daniel Keyes.

Daniel Keyes was a common visitor around the house as well. Being the junior trackstar of the school, he was privy to the gossip as well. He was to be the next Jackson, the new “it” guy once Jackson graduated.  Joining the track team that Jackson led, he was one of the few juniors allowed into the senior social cliques.  As a result, Caitlin and Daniel had become close friends.

“Hey Dan.”

“Hey Cait, how are things goin’?”

“Track is a killer these days but everything’s great besides that.”

“That’s good, don’t let Jackson overwork you though, you need some rest too.”

Daniel laughed. “Don’t worry about me Cait, how’s it with you and Jackson?”

“You know the usual. Leaves me to go with some other chick, and I still end up sticking beside him. What else?”

Daniel’s brows crinkled in worry. “Again?”

“I don’t think i can keep going out with Jackson,” Caitlin admitted , her hands balling up into fists.

“What do you mean Cait?” Danny asked.

“These rumours, what if they’re true? I mean he’s supposed to be my boyfriend! Not any of those skanks!”

Daniel kept silent. It wasn’t the first time Caitlin had thought of dumping Jackson, but she always in the end stayed with him because she loved him.

“And, whenever I’m with him, I feel used Daniel! Like I’m just another girl he’s using!”

“I know Cait,  I think Jackson doesn’t deserve you sometimes.” he said as he gave Caitlin a hug.

“Thanks Dan, you’re always here for me.”

Something snapped in Caitlin as she hugged Daniel back. All she could hear was her own heart beating in her head and how close Daniel was to her.

“Cait? Are you okay?”

And she surrendered herself to the emotion.

—

Before Caitlin knew it, she was stepping out on Jackson with Daniel, sending the gossipers into a heat of frenzy. The hottest couple stepping out on each other? Did Jackson know? What is Caitlin thinking? A junior? These questions buzzed through the air, but Caitlin found she didn’t care.

Jackson never confronted her in the matter, and they continued to put up the facade of being the happy couple.

Daniel became a frequent visitor around the house, even more than Jackson.

Of course, Corinna heard all about her sister’s affairs courtesy of the constant badgering she got asking for the details.

“Cait, we need to talk.”

Caitlin slammed the diary against her chest in surprise. “Do you have a sense of privacy Corinna?” she snapped.

“Coming from the girl cheating on her boyfriend!” Corinna snapped back.

Caitlin’s eyes narrowed as she closed her diary. She put the diary back underneath her bed and stood to confront her sister on the matter.

“So what if I am? He’s cheating on me as well!”

“Have you lost it Caitlin? Do have no sense of shame? Dad didn’t raise you to be like this!”

“Has Dad even payed any attention to us lately?”

“Stop being such a brat Caitlin!”

“Me the brat? If anything you’re the one here throwing a temper tantrum.”

“Because a three year old would have more common sense than my sister right now!”

“Very funny sis, if you should be scolding someone, you should be scolding Dad. Have you noticed him lately? He’s even worse than I am.”

“What? When did Dad get dragged into this conversation?”

“Oh stop it!You know it as well as I do! Fooling around with that Cathy, she’ll end up pregnant soon and then he’ll have his hands full.”

You’re horrible Caitlin! How could you say that?!”

“It’s right there! You can hear them almost every night!” Caitlin hissed.

“That’s if you’re even home at night! Don’t think I don’t know about your late night parties Caitlin! You’re just lucky I didn’t rat you out to Dad yet!”

“Playing Daddy’s little girl, Corinna you make me sick.“

“And you? What are you doing? Sleeping around with every other guy and getting dead drunk every other night?

“You take that back you slut! You know for a fact that I don’t sleep around and I’ve only been drunk twice!  never asked for your help did I Corinna? I dealt with my hangovers just fine!”

“If you call falling asleep in your cereal every morning just fine, I won’t cover for you any longer!”

“I never asked or needed your help Corinna! Never!”

“Then go ahead! Play your little games with Daniel and Jackson! See if I’ll help you anymore!”

“Fine!” Caitlin yelled back as she stomped out of the room.

—

Corinna sighed in annoyance as she shuffled through the clothing rack. She didn’t mean to blow up at Caitlin, but the gossiping was really getting to her.

She yanked an outfit out from the rack and  headed towards the changing booth. Sure her sister had turned a little loose, but Jackson was stepping out on her, she had every right to try and get back at him.

Caitlin might get on her nerves from time to time, but she was still her sister. She should apologize when she got back. And on a second note, these clothes didn’t suit her at all!

She hastily changed out of the clothing put them back on the rack and looked around for something to do. The pinging of the pinball machine going attracted her attention.

“Damnit!” the boy cursed angrily.

“You kind of suck.” Corinna replied as she gave the game a once over. The boy stopped and stared at her.

“Oh and you can do better?”

“Move over and I’ll show you.”

The boy laughed. “Okay, but don’t get all huffy if you lose.”

Corinna ignored the jab as she placed two loonies into the machine and started up a new game.

“Whoah, you’re kind of good.” the boy said as he backed up away from the pinball machine as Corinna viciously attacked the controls so hard that the pinball machine started shaking.

“I wouldn’t boast about something I sucked at.” Corinna replied as she hit another bumper.

“Point proven.”

Corinna sighed and let the ball drop to end the game. “Well, you weren’t that bad, I was just being unusally harsh.”

The boy smiled and laughed. “No it’s fine, I like girls with a bit of spunk to them.”

“Well aren’t you the sweet talker?” Corinna replied.

“Name’s Rogerson Biscoe, what’s yours?” the boy said as he held a hand to shake.

Corinna didn’t accept the handshake as her eyes widened in surprise. “You’re Cathy Biscoe’s son!”

“Yes, why? Did my mom do something?”

“No no, just that your mom is dating my father!”

“Whoah! You mean you’re Corinna O’Koren? Sister of Caitlin O’Koren? Who’s dating Jackson Clarke?”

Corinna winced at the list of names.  “Yeah, I am.”

“I haven’t seen you at school why? I thought I knew everyone around here already.”

“I’m in the business section of the school usually.”

“Ah, I see, I’m usually in the music section. No wonder I haven’t really seen you around.”

“Such a shame, it’d be weird if I tried making a pass at my mom’s boyfriend’s daughter wouldn’t it be.” Rogerson said as he frowned at the thought.

“Yeah it would be- wait what?” Corinna spluttered.

“You’re pretty cute, don’t tell me you haven’t looked in a mirror Corinna, you could rival your sister!” Rogerson laughed.

“You’re hitting on me.” Corinna stated slowly.

“Yes, I am.” Rogerson replied a twinkle in his eye.

“Um, well-”

“Haha, I’ll see you around Corinna, I’ve gotta go pick up my little sister.” Rogerson called over his shoulder as he left.

Corinna for once was stunned into to complete silence.

Corinna couldn’t push Rogerson out of her mind as she went home in a daze. Her cheeks flushed and her walk unsteady, she entered the house and headed towards her room.

“Congrats Dad! I knew you’d get that promotion!” Caitlin said as she patted Luke on the arm.

“Thanks sweetie. You should go and do your homework though, I want to see an A+ on your next report card!”

“Sure Dad.”

Corinna slipped by the two and headed towards the bathroom instead. She felt she was in dire need of some alone time.

Of course Corinna’s unusual demeanor didn’t go unnoticed by Caitlin as Corinna floated by. Caitlin made a note to see what was going on, but first there was the matter of homework.

She walked towards the bathroom and knocked on the door.

“Corinna! You you still mad at me?”

She got no answer. “Look ‘Rinna, I’m sorry ‘kay? Just it’s my business and I don’t need you meddling around in it. The gossipers are bad enough.”

The shower stopped as she heard Corinna exit the shower. “Yeah, I guess and I’m sorry for being a bitch about it. Just I don’t think Daniel deserves to be strung along like that.”

“That’s my business. We cool?”

“Yeah, we’re cool.” Corinna’s muffled reply came through the door.

“You gonna do your homework after showering?”

“Yeah why?”

“Just reminding you just in case you forgot after your interesting trip to the market!” Caitlin called out mockingly.

“Leave me alone Cait!”

Of course Caitlin had ulterior motives to apologizing to Corinna. She had a party to go to tonight, and therefore had no time to do her homework…

She knew that Corinna would do hers at night, and then Caitlin would copy it in the early morning unbeknownst to her sister. Hey what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her right?

Caitlin needed to keep her status and reputation, well what’s left of it, around school. Sure she might be called the two timing bitch at school right now, but she was still the girlfriend of Jackson Clarke and that was enough to keep her status up there.

“Hey Rogerson?”

“Yeah Cricket?”

“How do you know you like someone?”

Rogerson adjusted his sleeves as he prepared to leave. “You’re a little too young to comprehend things like this Cricket.”

“Am not!”

“Point proven.” Rogerson said as the car beeped impatiently for him. “Anyways I’ll catch you later brat,”

“I’m not a brat!”

Cricket sat there wondering why she had refused Leon’s hug. They’ve hugged many times before, why would last time’s be any different?

Cricket was still lost in deep thought when the door slammed open as Cathy and Luke haphazardly made their way into the room, not even noticing Cricket sitting there watching the television.

Luke was a constant visitor in their house, Cricket didn’t even bat an eyelash, but what peeved her was that she couldn’t help but be distracted from the television.

Cricket made a face in disgust and wandered off away from her mother and her boyfriend’s outrageous actions. Cricket sighed in annoyance as she left the room.

She couldn’t help but feel a little lonely. With the current situation between her and Leon, she had no other friends. She and Leon had pushed everyone away thinking all they needed was each other to pass time.

She couldn’t invite Leon to her birthday party after all that happened, it would be weird. For the first time since they’ve known each other, she was having a party tonight, and Leon wasn’t going to be there.

Rogerson shortly returned with a coworker who didn’t want to go home just yet and decided to crash Rogerson’s house.

That was plenty alright with Rogerson. Meadow was a hot thing, and he’d be damned if he didn’t at least try to make a pass on her.

Rogerson didn’t try anything outrageous as Cricket’s birthday was tonight, and he didn’t want to get into trouble by his mom. Needless to say, Cathy was occupied unknown to Rogerson.

Despite the fact that Cricket had no friends her age, Cathy still threw a birthday party for her daughter. She invited a couple of her friends to help with the party atmosphere and Rogerson had conveniently brought home a friend a little older than Cricket so it wouldn’t be too bad of a party.

Cricket approached her cake and and instead of feeling apprehensive, she was more than ready.

“I wish…

…that me and Leon can be friends again.” she wished in her head.

“You better turn out hot Cricket!” Rogerson yelled playfully.

“Rogerson!” Meadow scolded, giggling at Rogerson’s comment.

Cricket shot Rogerson a halfhearted glare as she felt a change coming from within her, and before she knew it, she had transitioned.

“Watch out Leon, Cricket Biscoe is going to buy your heart out!”

I find Cricket hilaroius to play! Shortly after turning into teen (she’s Fortune) she spun the wants to fall in love with Leon and as well to invite Leon over. She fits into the storyline very well =)

It was just a normal day. Grandpa made lunch for us while Mom was at work, Cricket came over to play and sis was too busy prepping for her job to even join in the conversation. Yup, just a usual day… sis even had to leave halfway through lunch because her carpool came!

The next few hours was pretty boring. Well not boring, Cricket was over and we had fun, but grandma and grandpa just preferred to go take naps…together. I don’t know probably old people quirks.

Rika came home soon after from work all happy and flustered. Looks like it was because she got promoted. Not to mention this boy that came back home with her. I recognized him as Damien Keyes. He would come to pick up his younger sister and younger brothers from school sometimes.

After changing out of their work clothes they spent a lot of time by themselves away from the house. Cricket says she’s seen her brother do this sort of stuff before and we shouldn’t interrupt them.  I’m not about to, I mean they were all giggly and stuff!

I settled for playing chess, and it was kind of hard to ignore the giggles and the loud whispering, but it was okay. I was waiting for Cricket to finish calling home. Apparently, Cricket got bored and just left the house, walked down the street and came here since her brother was too busy to play with her.

I don’t even know what her brother’s name is. It’s like Ricky or Rocky or summat like that. Cricket was my only close friend. The guys and girls at school said it was weird that we were such good friends since girls had cooties. But I’d rather be friends with Cricket then those snot-nosed losers.

Cricket was taking a long time, and playing chess by yourself wasn’t any fun and finally sis’ conversation was getting interesting..

“You know I always thought you were cute.”

“Well I’m flattered.”

Sis crashed and burned at that one by completely mis-reading the signals and it was too funny! She had her lips all puckered up and then right after there was a lot of angry whispers and stuff I couldn’t hear.But the parts I could hear were something like this:

“Wait, wait Rika, this is a bit sudden-”

“God I’m so stupid sorry, I just thought it would be the right moment, God I’m so sorry-”

“No, it’s not that, just it’s a bit rushed, lets take it slow okay?”

“Then can I do this?”

“Stop it Rika! It tickles!”

Gag. I guess it was all good in the end because both of them were.. VERY happy to say the least.

Cricket came back right after this little escapade and said her brother was coming over to watch her, which both of think is just silly because he’s all by his lonesome at home and wants company. Silly brother!

Rogerson was a pretty good chess player, but I was better! I’m a little genius if I say so myself, Cricket called us both nerds before leaving to harass our television. Well when I’m all grown up and I have a family and a good job, she won’t be calling me a nerd!

Rogerson kept looking over at sis the whole time, which was weird. It eventually got dark and grandpa told me I had to get ready for my big birthday, so I should wash up and stuff. Cricket was really excited, she had a fun time predicting how I’d turn out.

“You’ll have big hairy feet and huge mustache that touches the ground!”

I hope I don’t turn out like that.

While I was inside, according to Cricket, her brother was chatting with my sis.

“Hey there, you must be Rogerson. I’ve seen you around school.”

“Hey Rika right? Top of the class, student body president and head of the prom committee.”

“Oh stop it, you make me sound like a queen.”

“Well you are, the queen of the school that is.” Rika flushed.

“How about a game of chess before I leave for work?”

“I’d like that.”

Insert blanks here, Cricket got distracted by a cartoon.

“You’re not that bad Rogerson!”

“Thanks, you’re not bad yourself.”

“So, you going out with anyone?”

My sis fidgeted nervously in her seat.

“I am kind of,  with Damien Keyes? He’s around here somewhere.”

Cricket’s big bro was silent here.

“You guys know each other from school? I didn’t think you guys talked.”

“We work together.”

“I see.”

Cricekt’s big bro got up. “Sorry where’s your bathroom? I need to kind of go.”

“Oh, it’s on the side there.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll see you around then? I have to go to work now. If you need something just get it yourself. Leon can be a brat sometimes.”

“Sure, yeah.”

Told you she was mean. I’m not a brat! Just because I’m younger doesn’t mean I have to follow everyone’s commands! I can think for myself you know!

Cricket says that sis looks a lot like her bro’s ex-girlfriend. I don’t know how anyone could look my sis. Was she a workaholic as well?

Meanwhile grandpa passed out in the middle of recieving the groceries. Both me and Damien were watching tv when that happened. No clue where Cricket or Rogerson were. Grandma was at work and so was mom and Rika.

We thought he had a heart attack, but when we got to him, we heard him snoring so evidently he was just tired. Both me and Damien dragged him to bed, but I must say I did most of the work! Damien just grabbed him by the shoulders. I had to carry his heavy feet!

Mom came home shortly after I called her at work about grandpa. She fussed over how Rika should’ve been home and thankfully Damien was there to help. I think mom likes Damien a lot after that incident.

Or she likes Damien’s father. She’d always sneak out of the house when she thinks we’re all sleeping to meet him. I caught them once or twice while going to the bathroom. It was icky, I mean who would want to have someone’s face get so close to your own?

Anyways, grandma and Rika came home as well after hearing about grandpa but grandpa insisted we still continue my impromptu birthday party.

Cricket’s mom came in the middle of my party and said that Cricket had to come home because it was getting late. But Cricket’s mom was cool about it, she said Cricket could stay till the end of my party but she’d be hanging around. Oh well it’s better than not having Cricket around.

Before you knew it, I was all grown up! Cricket was really surprised at how I turned out. Hah, I didn’t have a hairy mustache that touched the ground or big hairy feet like she said. In fact, I wanted to know more about the world, about everything there was to know! Watch out world, Leon will discover your secrets!

“So how did I turn out Cricket?” I asked standing proudly in front of her in all my teenage glory.

Cricket looked away and in the dark I swore that she turned red, but it was hard to see.

“You turned out fine Leon,” she replied.

“No snide comments from my best friend?” I asked jokingly. “She deserves a hug for being so nice.”

We’ve hugged before, I mean we were kids, and we were best of friends, but this time Cricket moved away.

“Mom’s watching, I- I got to go.” she stuttered as she ran away.

I stood there for a while, watching Cricket tug on her mom’s sleeve and frantically tugging to leave.

I was confused to say the least.

As I went to bed, Cricket’s reaction haunted my mind. She wasn’t that meek, and it was if the sudden change in me had changed her too.

What was going on?

To continue my journey into the land of men, I met Andrew Keyes. He moved here recently with FOUR children. Can you believe it?

His status? Who cares? He’s eye candy alright!

“So Andrew, are you planning on staying in Lush Valley for a while?”

“Yeah, it’s a stable community for the children.”

If I didn’t know better I’d say he was family oriented.

“I suppose staying here alone with only kids must be lonely.“

Magic is magic, and I can say I work it very well. All they need is a little bait, a promise of no strings attached and they instantly give up all pretenses!

Eventually we ended up on the bed as all men do with me, but he had other plans surprisingly…

“So how about a little one and one?” I said as I  moved in to the kill.

“What are you doing Amerie? I didn’t want to go this far, I thought it was just a fling, not an effort to get me into bed!”

“Aww but Andee,” I tried pouting and acting all sad but he didn’t buy it.

“I mean it Amerie, I don’t want it to progress to this level.” he said leaving the room.

“I’ll see you later Amerie.” he called over his shoulder.

How surprising. It’ll be interesting enough when I break his shell.

Thankfully Sylphie wasn’t there to see me crash and burn. She was out at the chess set the whole day. As well she finally got a new outfit and stopped going through my wardrobe. Thank God. Heaven knows what people will think if they see my clothing on her! Sylphie literally did NOT come in for the entire day or for dinner for that matter..

…which caught up with her later.  Sylphie was addicted to coffee before we moved here and we lost our espresso maker during the move, which resulted in her passing out after taking a shower.

I saw more of my sister than I ever needed to, dragged her into her pjs, and tossed her into bed before heading to bed myself. My lonely cold bed. The itch was still there. A remedy was needed, and I knew exactly where to find it.

Abjiheet. Now dont’ get me wrong, Abjiheet is only here to release some, tension if you may call it. He was more easy to win over than Andrew.

And he also has quite a nice butt. I’ll get Andrew soner or later, just you wait.

Yena came up to me at bloody 6 in the morning saying we needed to talk. Talk about what? Last time I checked we had a deal. She stayed out of my way, and I stayed out of hers.

“What do you want?” I asked as I got out of bed.

“Well,” she began rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly.

“Well what?” I wasn’t in the best of moods as it was 6 AM in the morning.

“Could you get a job somewhere and help out with the bills?”

“Me a job.” I repeated.

“Yeah a small part-time job, because if you haven’t noticed our “living room” is still on the lawn. We’re kind of strapped for cash.”

I scoffed at the idea. “Nice joke sis. Me? A job? That would seriously cut into my social life. I’m not like you who can live without a social life.”

Her shoulders slumped at this comment as she walked away.

“Why did I even bother,” I heard her mutter as she walked to the bathroom, and I did feel a little guilty afterwards.

I decided a morning romance would be in order to get rid of my conciousness for a bit. Luckily the paper girl didn’t seem to mind me holding her hands.

And not to mention the lovely surprise which came home with me today which made me completly forget about my sister’s problems. Caitlin O’Koren, one of the hottest girls in school took me up on my offer to come over.

I was worried because our house was such a dump but when she got off the bus with me, she assured me that she didn’t care, as her house was in the same state as mine. Talk about assurance I got a kiss out of the deal. Sweet!

It was all good until Yena returned from her after school soccer practices when I started to feel guilty again. She just walked past me and got ready for work.

This continued for a couple of days and I didn’t really care about it at all until one day when I came home with a failing report card.

I felt pretty bad about it, I mean I didn’t even have the responsibility of a job and Yena juggles schoolwork and a job.

Grandma tore into me pretty hard too.  The usual, “you might be the succeeder of this house”, “you don’t even have a job”, and “would it kill you to have some responsibility?”

Before grandma left she made sure I was doing my homework. I must admit, not doing homework for a week finally bit me in the ass. I couldn’t get ANY of it. So I did the only thing I could.

I invited Caitlin O’Koren out for some fun.

I should’ve been happy that one of the hottest chicks in the school agreed to go out with me, but my grades were bugging me in the back of my mind.

I pushed it out of my mind as I convinced myself that convincing Caitlin to go out on a date with me was as good as doing my homework.

“So, you wanna go in and have some fun?”

“Come on, come on, yes!”

“How do you play that thing?” Caitlin asked glancing curiously at the machine.

“You’ve never played before?”

“Nope.”

“Here have a go at it.”

Caitlin hesitantly grabbed the controls.

“Here, lemme help you get started.”

After a while she started to get the hang of it, but she still got frustrated with it.

“Damn it Jackson! I can’t get this right!” she cursed angrily as she tried to keep the ball from falling.

“Here let me see if anything’s wrong with your hands,”

She giggled as she let me examine her hands.

“There is something very peculiar about your hands.”

“And what would that be?” she asked jokingly.

“Here, I’ll tell you,”

“What is it?”

“I just wanted to hold your hands for a bit that’s all.”

She swatted me playfully and I grinned.

I lit a fire to set the mood. Too bad I didn’t notice it was 40 degrees out and Caitlin then complained it was too hot and she was hungry too.

“Hey there ,” I said as I approached the redhead at the counter.

“Can I help you?” she asked flashing me a huge smile.

“You have any…you know,” I trailed off.

“Any what?” she asked her curiousity piqued.

“Food?”

Her face fell at my answer. “There’s a couple of grills outside so you can grill some hotdogs.”

“Oh but you see I’m not very good at grilling things. Perhaps you could whip something delicious up?”

“Umm, well, I could,” she stuttered and I knew I had her. She just needed some encouragement.

“You’re quite a pretty thing yourself, how about we get together sometime?”

“O-okay!”

“So, what do you think of meeting new people?”

“I have nothing against that.” she replied as she munched on her hotdog.

“How would you feel if I met other new people?” I asked testing the waters, I needed to know what kind of girl she was.

“Depends on who you’re meeting.” she replied. “If it was other girls I’ll tell you up straight I don’t like that.”

Ah. She was one or none type of girl.

“Why would you bring that up?” she asked testily.

“Nothin’, just wanted to assure myself you’re in love with me.” I replied smoothly.

“Do you even have to ask?” she laughed. “Everyone’s in love with you.”

Chalk up one for Jackson.

It turned pretty dark pretty quick and the guilt of forking off my homework came back. Yena and granny would be home soon.

“What’s wrong?” Caitlin asked.

“Nothin’ just thinking about some things.”

“Something you can’t toss out of your head?” she asked.

“Umm, something like that.” I replied kinda sheepishly.

“Don’t worry about it.” she laughed and smiled.

“Hey I’ll make it up to you some time okay?”

“Well, I don’t know about that…”

“Come on Cait,”

“Very well, but I’m a busy girl you know?” she said putting her hand on her hip.

“I know,” I replied as I gave her a kiss on the cheek and left.

So I left, my heart a bit lighter at scoring with Caitlin. But I still felt the weight of the uphending homework pile of doom, and not to mention thinking of Yena reminded me of our financial situation.

It was even worse when Yena came home.

She passed out on as soon as she got back home from work. Grandma had come home earlier than I had expected and taken a chunk out of me when she realized I went out instead of doing homework.

“Yena! Yena!”

“Are you okay?”

“Shut up Jackson, you’re louder than a bloody foghorn.”

Yup. The girl was fine, despite her haggard appearance.

“Are you sure?” I asked as I opened the door for her.

“I’m fine.” she said as she stormed into the house.

“Shit,” Yena cursed. “I still have to pay the bills.”

“Don’t worry about it. I paid them earlier.”

I felt pretty bad. Her paycheck goes to paying our bills, and not to mention my spending habits.

I felt like shit when I went to bed that night.

The next morning grandma and Yena acted like nothing happened. Until I caught her checking herself out in the mirror.

She didn’t notice me passing by but I could tell something was up. Yena usually didn’t do stuff like that.

I didn’t really hear about it until I invited Sophie over for a little fun.

“You going to the party tonight?”

Party. Right. I’d forgotten about the party Ricky Cornier was holding tonight. Too bad I was grounded.

“Can’t make it babe, granny got mad at me because of my grades so,”

“But even your sister’s going.”

That was new.

She left at night, in a limo with a whole bunch of other people. I thought it was about time Yena got out and did teenage stuff! She acts like my mother more then granny does!

I was stuck at home anyways, so I decided to do her homework for her. Call it a sentiment if you will.

I heard her crash and fall when she came in at 4 AM. Thank God granny’s a heavy sleeper.

Eventually she got up and troddled into bed. She evidently wasn’t used to going out and partying.

I guess it was about time I started helping out and looked for a job.

You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to study for an exam in this daycare. I ended up having to study 10 minutes before heading out the door! I knew I wouldn’t have time to study tonight, as the triplets were having their birthdays, so I tried to get as much in my brain as possible.

Can you believe it! Daniel grew up in the same outfit as me…

Daniel grew up into a tracksuit….

Dad came home halfway through the birthdays….

…and Danielle apparently thought she was Asian and grew up in an Asian outfit.

Nice to meet you, I’m Corrina, the one with the blonde hair. There’s my twin sister Caitlin, and my father Luke. Me and Caitlin are completly different. Well for one thing, I’m blonde and she’s black-haired (I dyed my hair a while back for kicks), and not to mention I probably have more brain cells than her right now than in her entire lifetime.

Some visitors came to greet us and Dad immediately started talking to the redhead over there.

They were both very smitten with each other as you can see.

I was happy enough just collecting money from our money tree.

Caitlin occupies herself by making friends…

and dad got a job in the military.

I was extremly happy with my first report card, A + all the way baby! Dad was happy he got a promotion and the fact that we could finally afford things.

Like this tv sitting on front of our lawn. Too bad nothing good is on.

Round One Biscoe:

Mom managed to keep her job as part of the police force when we moved here. Mom split from Dad because he was an alcoholic and dragged us here. I (Cricket) don’t mind, but Rogerson, my brother, minded a lot. Apparently he had this real serious girlfriend back there and because of that he doesn’t take any of the girls here seriously.

Mom wants me to be a lawyer. I don’t mind the idea, but she should really take care of her own affairs.

There’s this army guy that keeps hanging around hitting on my mom. He’s always hanging around, but he hasn’t tried anything funny yet. Rogerson says he just wants to get into mom’s pants. I think he’s hallucinating. I don’t want mom to see another guy, so soon but I guess I can’t say anything right?  

I still love mom either way, I mean she’s my mom!

It was no surprise when I got A’s here in Lush Valley too. Mom still cheered for me anyways.

And every morning before going to work she’d make sure I’d get on the bus first

Round One Petersons: Dreams

As you can see, we’re all dreaming of stuff we can never have. Pianos, barbeque stoves, a teddy bear, yes. We are so poor we cannot afford a teddy bear. I’m the one in the red sweater. No not grandpa! I’m the one with black jeans!

I’m beginning to think my families losing it. Fish? We have no time OR money for fish!

Mom and Leon greeted the visitors, although Mom was too friendly for this guy’s liking.

Leon’s introduction went better.

“Hi my name’s Leon! Wanna be best friends in the whole world?”

“Okay! My name’s Cricket!”

Kids.

Hopefully this rough start won’t last forvever.

I’m beginning to think my computer is eating up images or going senile almost half of the images disapeared for the Petersons and Biscoes, which mean short updates for the first round for these families =(