Kris Sanders's Story

Kate looked at Damien as he spoke about the very rumors she was remembering hearing. "Yeah,"He responded giving a slightly weakened smile. " It wasn't as glamorous as it was made out to be." He let it slip. "Girls would date me to elevate themselves, and I knew it."

"I carried on a tradition, that, was poisonous for any one. I didn't fight it because it would have carried drama with it and I have enough of that in my life." He truthfully answered.

Kate looked away as she thought about what he just told her, which further confirmed her thoughts that she was right in not believing a word that the girls had said to her throughout the school year. Personally she thought it was ridiculous and disgusting that people thought it was okay to befriend other people just to climb up the social ladder.

She could completely sympathize with him as she went through same the the same thing...on a day to day basis before she graduated from Ridgewood. "I never believed them really." She said firmly "I heard those rumors myself...the girls we're my 'friends' or so they called themselves" Kate said softly looking back at him. "They told me all about the dates that they had with you...and how great you were."

"I mean yes, at first I was kind of shocked but then when I found out I had a class with you I decided I would not judge you based off some rumor. That's what people did to me all the time...and I didn't like being the 'spoiled rich snooty girl', so I thought why would I do that to you?" She said a smile slowly forming on her face. "And once I got to know you a little bit ...you proved me right. That the rumors we're just that...lies by girls who were stupid and immature." She said simply, with a smile before turning back to face forward.

Walking in comfortable silence one agian until Damien spoke again, "I never got to say, you look truly beautiful in that dress." He commented, making Kate blush slightly which she rarely ever did.

"Thanks you." She said looking at him with a softy smile as she squeezed his hand gently in her own. She looked up at the stars, "You know when I was a little girl and my family regularly vacationed out here...I used to think everyone came from a star when they were born because everyone had a light in their eyes...that little twinkle you get when your happy." She said glancing at him.

"I used to say my star was a shooting star because they loved to dance across the sky, just like me..." She said looking up at the night heaven's.

She turned to face him. "I'll bet your star is probably one of the brightest...if you'd just let people see it. " Katelynn said with a smiled as they approached the house. Realizing she probably made no sense to him she laughed to herself... at herself. "You probably think that sounds silly huh?"


Meanwhile Kris pulled up to the side of the house wondering if Rosemary had gotten here yet.

Rosie sighed and skipped to the back porch, songbook in hand as well as a ball point pen and her creative mind. The blond haired girl plopped down on a bench outside, and kicked her feet up on the matching wooden table. A warm summer breeze blew by, tossing her hair in her blue eyes, and Rosie pushed it away, her spirits high. Honestly, she could care less what people thought about her right now, not saying high to everyone, but just isolating herself for a bit, so she could calm down from her excitement. A slow rumble clouded her thoughts and she bent over to peek through the wooden beams at the driveway, seeing another car pull in. At least she wasn't the only one late. She grunted, seeing as she wouldn't be able to settle down yet, and bounced to her feet and scampered into the cabin. She saw Delilah and Rosemary smiled, giving a little wave of hello, and then saw Kate having a little... trouble, and decided to stay out of it.

Setting her mind on unpacking, Rosie headed out to her little truck, and stood on her tiptoes to reach into the back, and grab her duffel bag, and a little portable keyboard, and a few books. She struggled to carry the load, tucking the keyboard under her right arm, and swung the strap of her bag over the same one, while holding the box with her left arm. Meanwhile, her sleeve slipped over her shoulder, and her hair got in her face She was strong, but the size of the objects were pretty big. At l east she got a room to herself.... hopefully. Rosemary mumbled some words under her breath and bounced to shift the position of the box and duffel bag in her arms. Her silver flip flops smacked the ground below her as she walked into the cabin. She heard another car round the corner and craned her neck around to see who it was. Another person got out of the car, and she realized it was Kris. Of course, ehr hands were full, so she couldn't wave, but she managed a friendly and welcoming smile and called over. "Hey Kris!" before a filled up songbook slipped from the box and she groaned, bending her knees slowly, to lower herself down, and her fingers scrabbled for the book, trying not to drop all of her belongings.

To mention, Rosie was wearing some old denim shorts, a cute tank top, and silver flip flops. Her blond but brownish underneath hair was down in it's usual beachy wavy style and her trademark, red flower, was tucked in her hair. Rosemary never wore a whole lot of make up, just a little mascara and eyeliner to make her blue yes pop, and every now and then, concealer to hide blemishes or spots. Usually, that didn't happen. Her tanned skin was usually, virtually flawless.

Then, she heard the sound of fists hitting people and she dropped her stuff. This was not going to happen on her watch. Then, she saw the little fight going on... well... not so little. It was between who she recognized, Damien, and Phillipe. She groaned and left her stuff on the driveway by her truck before stomping over. The summer was supposed to be fun.... not a drama fest.
"Hey! Knock it off! I may not know what is going on, but fighting is never the way to handle things!" she yelled, her small size allowing her to squeeze between the two guys and shove them away from each other by slamming her small but mighty hands against their chests. Usually, people were surprised by her. She was usually the one starting fights, helping people fight, or breaking them up... one way or the other. When Rosie yelled, authority rang in her voice, and her blue eyes hard.

"Everybody chill, and think things through!" she growled. "Honestly, since when was pounding people into a pulp ever solving life's troubles? Hm? Talk it out instead of fighting it out." she said and looked from one boy to the other, crossing her arms stubbornly, not moving in case they decided to go at it again. Now will somebody please tell me what is going on...? she thought mentally to herself.

Rosie raised an eyebrow in surprised. Hm, she managed to stop it, whaddaya know? She grinned and skipped away, as if nothing had happened, and she looked back over her shoulder. She had heard Izzie snort, and saw a few of them roll her eyes when she said fighting wasn't the way to handle things... if she had learned anything from the past ones she has been in, it was that... although her temper may get the best of her most the time, she tries to hold back. Rosie sighed and had ignored them, and then had headed back to her truck to receive her belongings.

One thing for certain, she was just glad Kris wasn't there. Seeing that, she would think that he would have made it worse. She didn't know how... it just seemed that one more guy injected into that situation would turn it into a blood bath. Rosie sighed and grunted as she lifted her stuff back up. dropping her book once more and she groaned loud. "Really?" she muttered to herself and slowly bent down once more, but this time more stuff fell out of the box. "Well phooey!" she squeaked. Rosemary never cursed, unless she was really ticked off.... which only happened once. She shuddered at the memory. So, she usually replaces the word with something weird. She never even said crap. That surprises most people. But Rosie just thinks its not nice.

Rosemary craned her neck around and saw Kris get out of his car. "Hey! Kris! Can you give me a hand?" she called over, struggling not to drop more stuff as she tried to pick the others up.

(Short posts... sorry >.<)

Rosie looked up as Kris had walked over to assist her. "Uhm, no way! I'll get the box, you can grab the keyboard." she said with a grin and handed him the precariously balanced keyboard under her arm. Then, the load was much simpler to carry, and they walked into the cabin, and up the stairs, until she found an open room to call her own. Kris had asked how she's been lately, and Rosemary shrugged. "Eh, same old same old... Practicing, beach, music." she explained. "Nothing too exciting." The blond haired girl opened up the door that led into her room, and she scampered over, and dropped the things flopping on her back onto her bed with a grunt. She shut her eyes, and then sat up, opening them and revealed glimmering blue eyes.

"Hopefully this summer won't be full of drama." she said unexpectedly. But, she wasn't too convinced after what had happened between Damien and Philip already. A few moments passed and she hopped to her feet, rummaging through her box of stuff and placed it on a desk that was vacant, as she did with some notebooks. Her keyboard was set up in the corner of the room, and she tossed some knick-knacks onto her bed. Novels, spiral bound notebooks, pens, a stuffed dolphin.... Don't ask why she had that. It was Swimmy. SHe then turned around to face Kris. "So! WHat have you been up to lately?" she asked curiously. Then, she held up a finger, gesturing to wait. "Lemme guess... baseball?" and she gave a teasing grin.

(Day Before)

Rosie grinned as Kris struggled to find words as he explained what he was up to. "Yeah, okay, got it." she teased and bounced on her bed, running a hand through her wavy hair. But, the question he shot at her, she wasn't ready for. "What are you planning to do after this summer?" She had to think about that one... Sure, she wanted a career in music... sure she wanted to play college lacrosse... But it was hard to choose. And so far, she was steering towards lacrosse because she already got a scholarship... And to the college she wanted to go to... A pretty good school in general, and also they had the number one team in the nation. So, she decided on her answer.

"I'm heading out to Northwestern University. Scholarship for lacrosse, so that's a biggie..." she said slowly and then grinned. "Or, I could try and get into music. Dunno if I could if I tried but that's worth a shot!" she chirped. Then, a few minutes later, she heard footsteps down the hall, people heading to bed. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow! See ya!" she chirped and herded him out of her room with a friendly grin, and shut the door. Although, she has been here for probably two or three hours, she was exhausted. Before she came she was practicing pitching and batting for baseball, and then shooting for lacrosse, and then she spent a few hours on her music. Writing, playing, and singing....

Rosemary took a few minutes to get ready for bed... Pulled her hair up into a messy bun, took off her makeup, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and got on a tank top and some black Soffee shorts and climbed into bed. Of course, she'd lie there a few minutes, and then she would either read, or right. Maybe sing quietly and turn the keyboard volume down so she could play. But none of that happened... she slowly drifted to sleep.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The next morning, Rosie's eyes fluttered open, and she lied in bed on her stomach, sheets tangled up around her legs and shoulders. She groaned and shut her eyes, already knowing she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. Figures. So, it was around 8:30 ish now, maybe 9, and she got up, moving turtle slow. She trudged across the room and grabbed clothes at random, settling for an orange swimsuit if they went swimming, a gray and black striped wide shouldered/off the shoulder top, and some old denim shorts that had a thin brown belt. And, her usual beachy wavy styled hair. But, she never had to take off her silver heart locket that hung around her neck. She never took that off... ever. Her mom gave it to her, and she had the key. There was a little key hole in the middle, that she had the matching necklace. At the thought, Rose ran her thumb across it with a sad smile, then got back to business. She applied her usual amount of makeup... barely any unlike some girls. She she slid on her black flip flops, and put her phone in her pocket and she was good.

Soon enough, she was in the kitchen, making some coffee, that she really didn't need. It was her jumpstart... Then, she pretty much raided the pantry, settling on a PopTart, a yogurt, and an orange. She pulled it all together, and sat on the counter eating and awaiting her coffee. She was the only one down there, but she suspected it wouldn't be long before somebody else came. She hummed quietly, fully awake now, and cheerful as ever.

Kate's eyelids fluttered open as she felt the sunlight stream into her window. She sat up stretching ash she looked at the clock only to see it was fairly early, along with the picture that had been in her room for as long as she could remember. It was a summer when they were about 8 years old and the Lefeuvre's had decided to take Phillip and his siblings back for two months of the school year.

She could remember being upset about having to start the school year without her best friend. One of there parents had taken the picture when Phillip was comforting her and gave one to each of them in a failed attempt to dull pain from their brief separation. Katelynn and Phillip had spoken to each other on the phone and the Madison's even took a weekend trip or two, to visit until the Lefeuvre family came back.

Looking at the picture she sighed, wondering how Phillip was this morning especially after the escapades with her and then Damien hitting him in her defense. Katelynn got up deciding to shower, do her morning dance session to keep herself in practice. As much as she wanted to see Damien she wanted him to get some rest, this was his vacation.

Kris walked into the kitchen still in his pajamas' like he did when he was home his eye lids still heavy with sleep. He went to the fridge grabbing the orange juice and pouring a tall glass of juice.

He jumped slightly hearing a noise behind him on the island. He turned around seeing Rosie eating breakfast. "Holy crap you scared me, Rose." He said leaning on the counter. "Make a little bit more noise next time, you're like a cat. Too quiet." Kris said with a grin taking a sip of his Juice.

"How did you sleep? Good?" He asked looking at her. "Dream about me?" He said playfully wiggling his brows.

Kate had gotten out of the shower dressed in her casual practice dance clothes. She was looking around her her room for her shoes, "Where are they..." She said to herself softly her brow furrowing in thought. "Maybe they are in my car."

Grabbing her keys she headed out the back door of the house closest to the drive and garage and saw Phillip walking back to the house his expression off. Unable to resist find out wrong with him she stopped him looking at him. "Hi..." She said softly tracing the bruise on his face before moving her hand away. "I'm sorry.... for everything. I shouldn't have have made such a big show about what happened otherwise this would have never happened. It's funny how one of us never fails to get hurt because of something the other did...More times then not its me who gets you hurt." She thought about stupid dare they had when they were 9.

Kate pulled him towards the garage with her. "I need you to come help me find my ballet shoes. I always miss place them and your the one who always is successful in finding them." She said with a frown. "I really need them. My morning practice is my favorite one of the day..." She said stating a fact she was sure he already knew. Kate walked into the garage turning on the lights and walking to her Audi."Besides, I want to get done before Damien...." She said digging in her trunk noticed he wasn't responding like he normally did. "Are you okay Phillip? You know I forgive you for last night right? So if your worried about that, don't. Unless something else is bothering you." She said having a feeling something happened this morning. "Is it Tina?"

Kazuya was about to approach the kitchen when he saw Kris Sanders pass by and enter it. He had been suppressing an unexpected yawn when he saw him walking sleepily still in his pajamas.

Kazuya actually slept until 4 am, when he suddenly woke up for no explainable reason at all. He tried all possible means to fall asleep once again but it didn't work. Instead, he just busied himself with playing online games on the portable play station that he brought with him. It was only around 7 in the morning when he decided to prepare himself for the day. He took a quick shower and changed his clothes. As he was sorting out the dirty ones for laundry he reminded himself to ask Katelynn about directions for the nearby laundry service later that day. He also planned to buy some of the things that his sister forgot to pack.

Speaking of his sister, he rummaged through his luggage and searched for his cellphone. Her sister repeatedly and adamantly told him yesterday to contact their parents once he arrive at Late Kenforth. It really amuses him with the way his family tends to him. Since he is the youngest of the three, he is usually babied to the point of being spoiled. His mother and sister for instance, never fails to check on him daily. It was also because of this that he got used to someone else taking care of things for him. His everyday needs such as laundry, preparing his meals or preparing his bag for school is always covered by one of the mother hens.

When he saw his phone, he immediately noticed the expected missed calls and voice mails. He opened one and saw the familiar face of his mom. She was asking if the he was satisfied with the place. He shook his head exasperatedly and pressed the options button. He quickly typed a reply and snapped his phone close as soon as he saw the message sent flash. Pocketing his phone afterwards, he stood up and turned to his room. He was about to debug another program when he heard his stomach grumble.

Feeling the imminent hunger, Kazuya reluctantly headed towards the kitchen around 8:45. He thought that nobody would be awake early this morning, he had been planning to get some food, prepare a cup of coffee and just lounge around his room the whole day.

He actually knew so little about Kris Sanders, and the little that he know about him, is that he's part of the baseball team and an active sport player. Aside from that he didn't have the chance to have a conversation with him and he really didn't want to start now.

Hearing his stomach grumble noisily, obviously begging for the food that he wasn't able to eat yesterday night, he then proceeded to directly enter the kitchen. He'd just give him a small sign of acknowledgement, Kazu thought wanting to avoid any confrontation with the other guy. It wasn't anything personal really. It was just that from Kazu's personal experience, people like Kris and he doesn't mesh well. Still staring straight, aiming for the fridge, he walked inside.

He almost did a double take when he turned his head and finally noticing Rosemary Montez undeniably looking radiant this morning, sitting at the counter. "Ro-" He uttered stupidly gaping at the blond haired girl before him.

Tearing off a corner of her PopTart, Rosie giggled when she startled Kris. "Surprise!" she chirped and jumped up to sit on the granite island in front of her. She pulled her legs in =to a criss crossed position and nibbled on her breakfast, and took a sip of her now ready coffee. "Make a little bit more noise next time, you're like a cat. Too quiet." that was a lie. Sure, whenever she moved she had a knock of being almost completely silent. But that was only when she wasn't talking. And it was hard to keep her motor mouth shut, so that wasn't very often. "Well, I do have cat-like reflexes." she teased and with her hand made a claw-like gesture with her right hand. All of the sudden, Kazuya walked into the kitchen and Rosie grinned with a friendly wave. "G'Morning mate!" she chirped. Another sentence blurted from Kris' mouth and she arched her brow.

"How did you sleep? Good?" He asked looking at her. "Dream about me?"

Rosie laughed and walked past him to get to the trash can to throw away the wrapper of her PopTart. She grinned and shrugged. "Oh yeah. Definitely. But I'm pretty sure those are called [i][nightmares/i]." she teased and smiled mischievously. Rosie hopped back onto the granite counter top and held her coffee, taking a few sips. French Vanilla had always been her favorite. That and caramel. But, he number one favorite place had to be Starbucks. Nothing could beat that. A yawn escaped her, and she ran a hand through her hair, her shirt hanging lazily off one shoulder. Rosemary thrummed her fingers against the counter, her teal painted nails making a complex, but musical beat.

(Short post >.<)

Rose jumped when Alex came down and she smile with a small friendly wave. "Morning Alex!" she chirped, already in her usual happy-go-lucy mood. Whether it was in the moring, or at midnight, she was almsot always in a good mood... almost. Alex had asked if they've seen Izzie, and she shook her head.

"Nope! Haven't seen her." she replied honestly and innocently. To be honest, Rosie wasn't a huge fan of Izzie. She was practically her exact opposite. Violent attitude, kind of ignorant, but one thing she had in common with her, was that they were both independent, and didn't really care what people think about them. That is probably the one and only thing that doesn't have her at Rosie's throat, and Rosie at her's.

Kazuya began to talk, and he kind of stared at Rose, makin gher blinka nd look away awkwarly. Then Kris snapped.

"Did you need something Kazu or did you fry your brain with one of your inventions?"

"Because trust me when I tell you she's not interested in babbling moron."


Rosie narrowed her eyes. Kris had kinda gone too far with that one. He could have ignored it, just like Rose had. So, she leaned over the the bowl of fruit and grabbed a few grapes, and pelted them at Kris. "Hey, Kris! Hush! It honestly doesn't matter!" she said and threw a few more at him. With her throw, as a pitcher, it probably had a little sting or burn to each grape bouncing off his chest. SHe couldn't help but have a little giggle slip fro her lips. but, once again when she told him to be quiet, her voice rang with a unique sound of authority. Alhtough she was small, she was still tough.

When Kazuya saw Rosemary on top of the counter, all coherent thoughts left his mind. He found himself staring-no gaping, looking quite dumb, at the blond-haired girl. He promptly shut his mouth close and continued to silently study her, his face reddening when their eyes met. With her shirt hanging lazily off one shoulder and a smile pasted on her beautiful face, the black-haired Japanese boy couldn't help but be mesmerized by the girl.

"Did you need something Kazu or did you fry your brain with one of your inventions?"
He had been so entrance with Rosemary that Kris Sanders' statement totally surprised him. Quickly snapping his neck towards him, he found himself being directed with the baseball boy's narrowed eyes. "Because trust me when I tell you she's not interested in babbling moron." He then added sneering towards him.

Kazuya didn't honestly know what got to him. Aside from seldom crossing paths with each other, rarely in fact, on the school, he never really had a real conversation with him before. Kazu heard that he had a girlfriend, someone by the name of Rosemary but he knew full well that she wasn't the same Rosemary Dawn Montez. He didn't know what his problem was, but what the the baseball fanatic said was obviously crossing the lines.

Kazuya's aware that he did looked somewhat idiotic staring mutely at the petite girl, but it wasn't any of Kris' business to tell him on to it. If there is one thing he didn't like, it was those people who act all high and mighty as if they owned the whole universe. Those persons who seemed not being able to stop their mouth from opening and spewing out 'constructive criticisms' to those they don't like.

Narrowing his eyes despite his lackadaisical nature and general avoidance of argument or debates of the like, Kazuya opened his mouth, opting to answer him. But before he could feel his irritation increase and take over his passive attitude, Rosemary suddenly spoke out of the blue surprising him once again. "Hey, Kris! Hush! It honestly doesn't matter!" She said after pelting the other guy with some of the grapes that she got from a nearby bowl.

Looking astounded and a somewhat touched with her defense of him, Kazuya felt his ire waning. When he heard her giggle soon after, the black-haired man almost let out a chuckle as he saw her charming and childlike face.

He decided not to answer Kris' comment and instead focused to Rosemary. She had looked convincingly authoritative even in her small stature. He let out a small smile once their eyes met and turned to the fridge on the side. "Morning to you too, Montez." He said as a response then he looked around and finally noticed Alex inside the kitchen too. He faced him and gave him a nod of acknowledgement. Once he got over the pleasantries, about to approach the refrigerator and get his food, he was after all itching to leave for his room, the glass door of the kitchen was silently opened.

In came a stumbling Damien who acted drunk but actually looked like he'd been to hell and back-- with his pale skin, tired eyes and the beads of sweat dripping down his face. Kazu was about to ask for his well being as he had just noticed the other guy bracing himself a little conspicuously against the bar but quickly changed his mind once he saw him preparing a drink.

"This will a be long summer." He heard him say and Kazuya found himself lost for words as he just stared at him, wondering. He wasn't aware of what happened last night. After he realized how stupid he was asking both Izzie and Alex uncharacteristic questions, he immediately went to his room and slept early. Studying the drinking guy, he noted that Damien looked sicker than he did yesterday. 'Did he got himself drunk all night?' The black-haired asocial guy thought to himself, still looking at him quietly.

Rose grinned in triumph. She had done it again1 At the thought, she laughed and playfully threw another grape, just for the heck of it. It was pretty fun. "Hey, Kris, open up." she chirped, wanting to see if she could throw one in his mouth. Then, Ray entered, and she grinned with a friendly wave. "Hi Ray!" she chirped happily, still up on the island. It was pretty comfortable up there.

The energetic girl ran a hand through her hair and hummed , eating a few grapes herself. Hey, they were tempting.


(Horrible writers block >.<)

"Mornin'," Hearing Alex greet him, caused the black-haired man to turn to him. "Hello Webster", he greeted with an acknowledging nod, walking towards the refrigerator to retrieve food. "Sorry about yesterday", he started, stopping his words in the middle, seriously judging on how to resume his statement. He didn't think that Alex would like it if Kazu will broadcast the scene that he had unintentionally intruded to yesterday. He just hoped that the other guy had readily understood what he had been trying to say and left it at that. Else he may spout words that he shouldn't have, if he continue speaking.

Focusing on Kris' apology, he just shrugged to show that there is no problem between them. "It's OK." He simply answered, shrugging one more time, "No harm done, Sanders". He opened the fridge and took the first form of food that his eyes came across to, which is actually an apple. Not really caring what he will eat, he grabbed it and closed the door of the fridge.

It was during that time that he saw Rosemary playfully throwing grapes towards Kris. Feeling a sudden case of dislike at the baseball fanatic, Kazuya just settled himself with clenching the apple a little tighter than he intended to.

He knew he don't have a reason to dislike Kris. Nothing really. They are just schoolmates who don't have anything to do with each other if they can help it. Rosemary too, whatever she's doing, he actually don't have a problem with it. This sudden bout of ill feelings shouldn't have sprouted in the first place. The cheery girl had just been her normal playful self; and giving Kris' more attention than usual does not concern him. It wasn't as if he and Rosemary Dawn Montez were together in the first place.

He also unfortunately knew about the said girl's feelings towards the black-haired athlete. With the way that he's watching her, its bound by now that Kazuya learns some of the facts about her. Though it wasn't easy, trying to hide his feelings and urging himself not to care with Rosemary's obvious infatuation to Kris. There are times that he just wanted to corner her and confess; just to be able to let go of everything. The catch though, is that try as he could, he can't have the courage to say how he liked her in front of her.

He did try other methods before. Of course with the urging of his sister, he had undergone different ways in order to confess his feelings. Unfortunately none had been successful. He had once resorted into making letters, something the girls from Japan always did to their objects of affection but he wasn't able to push it through. Sure, he was able to write a decent 'love letter' but when he was about to put it inside her locker, he suddenly got the proverbial cold feet and found himself backing out.

After that, the other methods also greatly failed.

The little courage that he had slowly dwindled, until it only came to a time where he just wanted things to get over with. It doesn't help him on how adamant his sister had became just to make him confess. She used to tell him to let everything out so that he can finally move on from this standstill that he put himself into. It was also one of the reasons that she had tirelessly urged him to come into this vacation.

"Hi Ray!" He heard the blond-haired girl with her 'adorable' accent greeting Ray when he entered . Kazuya resorted on giving the other guy an acknowledging nod. He don't have anything to say to him and being a guy of few words, he just decided to shut his mouth close.

Looking around the room, he then recalled how Damien Lewis appeared in this kitchen moments prior. He looked sick. Sicker than the normal type of illness perhaps, if he's not mistaken. With his brother being a renowned doctor, Kazuya have gotten some knowledge and tips or so, to be able to see at first glance if a person has a serious sickness or not.

The black-haired Japanese man had been thinking of calling his brother. Just in case Kazuhiko can find someway to help Damien and before he knew it, he had been staring quite long at the older guy. Inwardly groaning at his unthinking actions, he settled himself into abruptly casting his eyes into another direction. He didn't know what Damien felt about his inquiring gaze but he didn't worry himself into giving it much thought. He and Kris had been in a misunderstanding so early in the morning and he didn't want to add another person on the list.

Not long after, Damien had left the room. Presumably to make himself presentable which in turn caused Kazuya to momentarily forget his interest about contacting his brother.

He turned back to Rosemary, who was still sitting at the counter, looking comfortable to where she currently is. Hiding his smile by taking a bite out of the apple, he leaned towards the wall and tucked his other hand on one of the pockets of his pants.

Izzie entered the kitchen, talking with Alex once again which made Kazu think that whatever problem they had yesterday have been now resolved. Not knowing how to treat the girl, he just stayed quiet and continued to eat his apple in the corner.

He had been contemplating whether he should get a glass of coffee before retiring to his room. He had never let a day pass by without taking his coffee. Still not used to being with other people that much; he's a little antsy with his prolonged stay at the kitchen specially with Rosemary nearby. He knew that an apple is not enough to feed his hungry stomach but he's also reluctant to cook in front of them.

Sinking his right hand deeper into his pocket while still munching the red apple in the other one, he felt a piece of paper tucked inside. He took it out and immediately saw his sister's notes. "Kazu, remember to eat a decent breakfast! :)" It read, complete with the happy smiley post-scripted with his sister's signature at the end. Shaking his head in fondness, he then decided to toast some bread and prepare a coffee.

He was concentrating on searching the counters for a cup when he noticed his clothes. Suddenly, he remembered what he had discovered earlier this morning. He thought he had checked all that Kazumi packed for him, making sure that he is well-prepared for this summer vacation, but it turned out that he was wrong. Like what is usual, his sister failed in packing the correct things for a trip.

Yeah, she did prepared him clothes enough to last for his whole stay here at Katelynn's summer house, however what she did was pack a very few pieces of clean clothes and a lot of dirty pair of clothes. Unconsciously grimacing at the bleak thought of his clothing supply, he decided to push through his one and only choice. That is to go to a laundry service center and to shop for more clothes, soon as he could.

The worst thing though is he that didn't know the nearest shop here.

Kazuya is unfortunately born with having a bad sense for things that concerns geographical directions. He usually gets lost once or twice before he can perfectly memorize the way to a particular place. Even his travel here to Lake Kenforth had actually been quite an adventurous trip. His overly concerned sister had to drive him to this place more than twice in order for him to perfectly know the right roads to take from their home.

He was thinking of asking Katelynn to give him directions towards the shops or accompany him if she can, but he saw her leave together with Damien. He later got an idea though. An actually very apprehensive idea but his only last resort. He knew that it would take him lots of guts to continue this plan and he steeled his will.

Rosemary is the only person- aside from Katelynn that is, that he's familiar with right now among these group of people. She may say yes and may also reject him. He's not sure, but at least he tried to ask her. It would be actually weird for him to ask help from Alex, Izzie or Ray or worse, Kris. And because of that he gathered all the courage that he can find and faced the smiling girl.

"Mon-Rosemary, Are you busy later this afternoon?"

(Yeah... kind of waiting for MusicLover to reply with Kris xD)

Rosemary munched on some more grapes. Man, she couldn't help it. Although, she was neatly built, slender and quick, she was a bottomless pit. Well, that is what her dad used to call her. She grinned sadly at the thought, her father's face painting itself in her mind. She shook her head, trying to clear it before she cracked, and bounced up and down, regaining her usual happy behavior. Of course, she didn't force her personality. It was just her natural self. But although, sometimes, mostly whenever she thought, or even saw pictures of her family, usually alone because she knew the outcome, she would break down.

It just killed her to remember. She wanted to, but not the crash. Nobody knew about that other than Kate. Not even Kris.

Rosie was abruptly yanked from her thoughts, when she heard her name, followed by if she had anything to do later. It was Kazu.

"Nope!" she chirped. "Why?" she asked, clueless.

Kazu kept talking and talking.

Rosie didn't want to be rude or anything by telling him to give her a second to actually speak, but frankly, she knew her way around here just as well as he did. Although, yes she had been here countless times throughout her past two years livng in the United States, because she becamw pretty much best friends with Kate the next cuople of days after she had arrived.

How should she put it? She kind of wanted today to be a day of just hanging out around the house, maye go down to the lake, and not run around anywhere. "Well, I don't really know my way around here that well..." she began to say, her voice musical and upliftng, showing no signs of anything other than her ususal persona what so ever. She opened her mouth to speak once more, but Kazuya beat her to it.

"If you want we can also ask others to accompany us. It'll be fine with me, it's just that my sister packed me several of clean clothes and a lot of dirty clothes for this trip. I don't think the clean ones will last for my whole stay here and so I'm thinking of having those laundered."

So, more people could come? Hm, maybe a group of them coiuld go with him, and then head into the little town she passed on the way here. So, Rosemary had a change in thought.

"Okay!" she decided with a bright smile. "But, I think some more people should come that know this place better, because, honestly mate, I am just as lost as you are." also slipped from her lips. Bright blue eyes darted around to everybody else in the room.

"Anybody else up for some exploring?" she chirped in a voice that almost nobody could say no to. Rosemary didn't try to make it that way, it was jsut natural and she didn't even realize it. Then again, she didn't realize half the things she did. Like for instance, she was now on the ground, sitting on the floor, back resting against the cabinets clsoest to the ground. Since when did she get down from the island? The thought made her laugh quietly.

Rosie perked up when Philip said he was up to showing them around. At least that was some reassurance that she wouldn't get lost. That would have been embarrassing.The Australian girl flashed a smile of gratitude at the guy across the kitchen. "Thanks mate!" she chirped and tapped her heels on the ground, unable to contain her movement, always moving. Her legs were stretched out in front of her, and the faint thumping of her heels bouncing off the tile floated to her ears, and meanwhile, her fingers thrummed a steady beat against the floor as well.

Rosemary looked at everybody in the kitchen to see if they were truly up and at em or not. Philip seemed a little... down, so to say? Kris seemed kind of ticked, and Rose should know, but was clueless that it was because of Kazu. And meanwhile, the Japanese American boy seemed kind of nervous, and once again Rosemary was oblivious. The only thing she seemed to recognize, was the fact that the past day has been drama filled, and she didn't want, or need, the next months during the summer, to be identical.

(short...)

Dakota nodded without exception. " I like the little mermaids." Damien, he simply nodded calmly and then sat Annabell down in the chair softly and stepped out of the kitchen, into the living room and out the door.

Kate looked at the door as he exited worried that maybe she had over stepped her boundaries with Annabell. She knew Damien wasn't really comfortable with the fact that she had a lot of money.

Annabell hopped down and watched her brother close the door. She scurried through the living room and ran down the small hallway as Kate looked after her in confusion. She kept her eyes down the hallway that Dakota ran down for a few moments until the child ran back back and extended her hand up, picture in hand towards Katelynn, smiling with great enthusiasm.

" Cherished are the memories that,
brought us to this day.
For yesterday was a just a dream,
A wish to contemplate,
A fantasy where in my mind,
A fleeting glimpse I'd see
A vision of the true desires
I longed for endlessly.

And when I dreamed I did not know
The love I'd feel today
The height of my truest feelings
And the depths that they would portray."

Kate ran her fingers over the words back of the picture. She could remember that day exactly, Phillip had just told her that he didn't get accepted into his number one choice for school. Katelynn had tried to cheer him up but, he didn't want to hear it and went off with his girlfriend to give himself a 'distraction' after getting in an arrangement about his talent. Katelynn had decided to go to the dance studio in an attempt to cheer herself up. It was then that she decided she wasn't gonna live with any regrets and that she would try to get into Julliard despite her own self doubt. That she wasn't gonna give up on something that gave her so much joy.

She looked at Anabell with a smile, "Your brother wrote this did he?" She said scooping her up, Kate sat Anabelle on on her lap so they were facing each other. "Your brother really likes me, doesn't he?" Kate watched as she nodded enthusiastically. "I like him too...but I want to make sure he has plenty of time to spend with you..because he loves you more than anything else."

Kate hadn't noticed that Damien walked back in. "He wants to make sure your happy and safe...and successful. I would like to be with your bother like a prince and princess...." she trailed off finishing the sentence in her head 'but if he's with me he won't have time to spend with you while he's here. Because I would want him with me more often then not and I can't do that to you.'

Looking up as she heard movement only to see Damien standing there. She smiled at him as Anabell ran over. "Hi..." She said softly.

Kris went upstairs grabbing his small back pack. He came back downstairs grabbing some water from the fridge. "Alright." He said pulling on a baseball cap. "Lets get this stuff rolling." He walked over to Rose wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her back to the kitchen with the others. "Don't worry about Ray...Today's just not a good day for him...I think he just wants to stay in the house." He said not noticing the look Kazu was giving him.

He looked at Phillip. "So where are you taking all of us." He said with a grin grabbing an apple from the table. "Any places you and Kate think are really cool? I mean she told me you guys had been coming here for a while."

The wind felt awesome. Her braid didn't move very much over her shoulder but she giggled in excitement the whole way. Soon, they came to a halt. Probably a light. BUt no, it was the shopping plaza. She saw Kris peek over his shoulder at her, and ask if she was okay. Yeah, she was great!

"Awesome mate!" she squeaked with a laugh, feeling the adrenaline rush through her veins. She had always loved motorcycles. Her dad used to have one, and they would always speed down an old, quiet street. She sighed locked in her daydream. She still had her arms wrapped around Kris so she wouldn't topple off, and rested her chin o his shoulder with a giggle.

Then, she wandered what was towards town. Who knew? She had never been down there.

Soon enough, the engines comforting purr died down to nothing, and she lifted off the helmet. LUckily, the ride was short, and she didn't have helmet hair. She fluffed out her braid a little bit so it wasn't flat and smoothly hopped off the bike, and waited for Kris with an excited smile on her face.

Her blue yes wandered around her, and she saw about six stores. A pharmacy, car shop, retail shop, a McDonalds, and some other stuff. She sighed, slightly disappointed. Although she did help her dad back home in Australia with his truck, and she fixed her own little old truck, the car parts shop was rather small. Well, she could make do eventually if she just wanted to twiddle with some stuff. Then again, her truck was making squeaking noises again, maybe she could fix that if she got bored.

You think Rosie is afraid to get her hands dirty? NOt in the least. THe greasier, the dirtier, the better. Makes situations more... interesting. Not afraid of a fly or a broken nail like most girls are. It was a good thing she was rather... unique.






(still not in a creative mood...)

Kazuya stared in amusement as everyone else went out in groups heading to each of their preferred modes of transportation. What he had predicted in the kitchen just moments ago had indeed happened.

Instead of carpooling as what is more practical and thrifty, still all of them had chosen to leave in their own cars. He watched as Philip got inside his car and maneuvered it towards the porch. It looked like Philip would rather ride Kate’s white Audi for this impromptu tour. Though his mood had obviously dulled the moment that he noticed Kris cockily revving his motorcycle and asking out loud (when all of them knew who he had been directing his question to) who would ride with him.

He silently watched while taking his seat behind the wheels as Rosemary happily grabbed the helmet and placed it in her head. He studied her quietly as she sat, beaming, next to the baseball fanatic.

‘At least someone is happy in this tour.’ He murmured to himself, gazing at the girl’s brightly shining face. Shaking his head, he started the engine and turned to look expectantly at Philip.

The man gave them a signal and not long after, he followed the leaving car. Moving away from the lake house, he concentrated on following the escort in front and decided that once he got their destination it might be best to buy some additional supplies too if he can. While following the others in a steady pace, he in turn took time to study the place. Looking at it, there had been two exit routes for Lake Kenforth. One of those was where Kazumi had painstakingly persevered Kazuya to teach the directions and the other, they are currently taking towards downtown.

He didn’t know how much of these landmarks and road signs, his brain will retain and seeing the place looking isolated from where the summer house currently is; he then lost the focus to take note of the directions and instead settled on just staring straight ahead, quickening his pace a little as he trailed after the others.

They went past the highway into the town central and zooming on the Laundromat near the Grocery store, he parked in front of the establishment. Getting off his car, he opened the backseat door and took out two paper bags.

He saw Philip standing in front of the Kate’s car just in front of the Grocery store, obviously waiting for their arrival. He gestured towards the bags in his hand and said pointing towards the Laundromat, “I’ll just drop these here.”

He nodded at him and saw in the corner of his eyes, Kris leering at Rosemary in such an irritating way, as he parked near the Audi. Quickly crushing down the ire that was rising in his being; he didn’t wait for Philip’s reply and walked inside the laundry shop.

He approached the girl behind the counter and conversed with her about his clothes and asking when it would be available. He was trying not to hasten his pace. In fact, he preferred that the others will leave him on his own now that they are downtown. The thoughts of going home and what path to take back to the Lakehouse left his mind. Instead, all that he can recall is Rosemary's smiling-widely grinning face as she gazed towards that comment-it-all sports boy. He sighed, causing the girl in front to look at him in alarm. She was about to open her mouth and dish out an apology when he nodded. Trying to paint a small grimace, he tried to pacify the girl and settled for giving her the payment.

With the way he is currently acting, it would really be better for him to go back the house after leaving his clothes, else his mood might get darker than it already is. He didn’t want to be a reason to foil the already thin line of thread connecting these people with his unfriendly and accommodating presence.

Rosemary chuckled quietly at Kate's comment about her making no sense. So, she playfully punched her friends shoulder. "Excuse me? I thought I was good at reading people too!" she teased with a playful twinkling in her eyes. But, Kate then changed the subject and brought it to her and Kris.

WIth a stressed out sigh she shrugged and kicked the water, sending sparkling droplets scattering across the glassy surface, rupturing the placid look. "I don't know. I guess it's working out. I mean, her seems so... tense." Rosemary tried to explain. It was true though. One minute he was fine, playful and sweet, and then the next he was all tensed and protective, territorial almost. "It's like, we're fine one second, then the next if someone walks into the room, he is acting like... I don't know, nobody else can talk to me.." she explained with a frustrated groan.

But, Rosie knew Katelynn was going through some more boy problems. A lot more.

"Ugh," she moaned and flopped back onto her back. "Why can't we still be like, 7, and thinks boys had cooties?" she questioned with a giggle.

Rosie gave a small, yet mischievous grin at Kate's comment. "Oh Katie," she practically sang and patted her head lightly while hopping to her feet in a single, fluent motion. ".... you know me so well." she finished and nudged her leg with her toe.

"Good luck with whatever you are going to do." Rosemary chirped and gave a deep, blue eyed wink. THen, the hyperactive blond dashed off to the forest, keeping up with Kris easily, not running out of breath. Being a very active lacrosse player and running up the field non stop for an hour helped a lot. Also, she was very fit. So, Rosie jogged alongside Kris with a cheerful white smile.

"Hiya mate!" she greeted him. She spun neatly so she pranced backwards, so she could talk and move... at the same time. Luckily, she was probably the worlds best backwards runner, and moved around trees and over stumps like she had eyes in the back of her head.