Philip Lefeuvre's Story

Just around a few miles from the cabin, Philip noticed a car parked on the curb a few meters ahead. He was curious since this road only leads to one place which is the Madison’s Lake House. Since he doesn’t recognize the car and plate he thought that it must be a car of one of Kate’s friends. As he reached the car, he pulled behind and examined if there’s still someone there. It seems that the car is abandoned but there’s still a dent on the passenger seat. “Someone have walked all the way.” He thought.

---

It was almost twilight when he neared the garage, he already saw several cars parked along the driveway. He was thankful that he brought his Ducati instead of the coupe so he wouldn’t have hard a time looking for a spot. After settling his bike, he removed his helmet and savoring the sweetness of summer air. He carefully looked around; admiring the scenic view. Outdoor lights were already opened thus giving a certain glow on to the place. “Nothing has changed, has it?” He thought to himself. From his eyes somehow everything still looks the same except of the some parts of the house are worn due to age.

It has been 3 years since the last time he visited the cabin. He have had always liked this place. Somehow the atmosphere has always given him peace of mind. For him, the Madison’s Lake house has always been an escape. Every summer, when he was still living in Paris, his family would decide to fly to the country and stay at the Madison’s lake house. It was always a change of scenery, a change of thought; which he gladly appreciated.

As he followed the path towards the cabin, he caught the view of patio on the eastern side of the property. Memories of his childhood came rushing in. This is where Katelynn, Iris and him were first introduced. He remembers that they were making fun of him because of his thick French accent at that first Hello and he hardly can’t finish a complete a meaningful English sentence. He was always mixing up French words with basic English words. But in the end, they got along. He chuckled as he thought how silly they were. They would make use of body language or even draw in order to understand one another. But now he can proudly say that thick accent is now finally gone.

Suddenly, he heard his phone rang. It was a message from Kate. “Where are you? Are you even coming? We have booze! We’re gonna drink the whole week away!” He smiled as he thought how enthusiastic Kate was. “Kate never really fails me.” He thought to himself. As he was about to keep his phone, it was followed by another message. “Hi Baby! I’m on my way. See you in an hour. <3” It was from Tina, his current girlfriend. He replied with passive “ok” and “take care on the road.”

People were already gathered as he peered on the glass window. He silently entered the cabin without announcing his presence and headed quickly towards the kitchen. As he opened the fridge, nothing made him happier. “Kate has really planned this out. Beers from New Zealand.” He said gleefully. He grabbed a 8 Wired Batch 18 - Barrel Aged Imperial Stout bottle, and started drinking. “Nothing beats a cold thirstquencher.”

She turned to Phillip, glaring at him with a pursed lip. "Thanks for texting me back." She said looking at him. "And I ignored you because I told you that your girlfriend, is a jealous harpy so you shouldn't say stuff like that. I told you I didn't want to deal with that drama but, I let you invite her because your my best friend."

Tina, Phillip's current girlfriend hated the fact that Kate and Phillip had a close relationship from childhood. Tina also made it her point to inform Kate that he was hers and that Kate couldn't have him. Not that she ever thought of him that way, Kate would constantly say in denial of the feelings lingering it the back of her mind.

Kate turned back around smiling at Damien before she realized Tina wasn't here. "Where is Tina, anyway? Shouldn't you to have drove together?" She said without facing Phillip.

Kate sighed Phillip walked away from her. "Better prepare myself for a night of glares." She muttered to herself. Last time she had tried to connect with Tina over a nice dinner, Tina glared at her every time Phillip made Kate laugh or vice versa. That wasn't to say they weren't keeping her included in the conversation but she just appeared to be against any other conversation occurring between Katelynn and Phillip.

She turned back around to seeing Damien gone calling out that he was going to fix Piper's car, which was nice of him. Just then she saw Alex coming over, as she was climbing out to sit on the edge drying her hair.

"Have to say, this is a really nice place," Alex spoke sincerely. "Thanks a lot for inviting me out here."

She shook her head. "Its no problem really. I much rather spend summer out here with friends than go on a 5th trip to Europe. Its getting kind of ridiculous." Kate said rolling her eyes. "So thank you for coming."

Looking at Alex I saw his eyes shifting back and forth to the chair where Izzie was. "You should come with me to the kitchen." She said standing up. "I need to figure out what we are eating and go shower, get changed." She said offering him a hand and helping him out of the water.

They both walked to the main kitchen where Izzie was at drinking her beer. Kate looked in the fridge seeing the fresh produce the help had put in there. "I guess...we could do the grilling out tonight." She said pulling out the Steaks, Burgers, Tofu Burgers and Hot Dogs. Turning to Alex she spoke again. "I should shower and go talk to the others about what they might want." She said purposefully leaving Izzie and him alone to solve the little tiff they had with one another. "Feel free to meet me out there guys. Also whenever Phillip and Tina make it down can you tell them or ask them what the want." She said not really wanting to deal with him at all

Kate went upstairs to her bedroom on the west wing of the house, quickly hoping into the shower to rise off the chlorine before getting out and putting on her summer dress . She walked downstairs to the entrance of the cabin, before walking down to the main road where Ray, Piper and Damien were with her car; enjoying her walk along the way.

Kate smiled as Delilah came over and hugged her. Disappointment ran through her body as she was forced to release Damien's hand. "Hi De. Hey Rose." She said smiling at her two friends.

“Kate, can I talk to you for a bit?” There was a sense of urgency within his voice. "Yeah, just give me a-" He didn't even wait for her to finish speaking Philip took hold of her free wrist and dragged her towards the other side of the cabin. Kate looked back at the others and Damien apologetically but there seemed to be something that was bothering Phillip and she couldn't just ignore him. She had to find out what was wrong, that's why she ignored the glare Tina was sending her way.

As they reached almost the other side Kate put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Whats wrong Phillip?" She asked genuinely concerned

“I know it’s not like me to interfere. But Katelynn, don’t you know who he is?” He asked her with a stern face.

Katelynn looked at Phillip confused as to what he meant. "Of course I know who he is? Whats your point." She asked her brows furrowing in confusion and fustration.

“He’s an ex-con! It was all over the news. Don’t tell me that it’s one of your charity work that’s why you brought him up here?”

Kate stared at him shocked at what just came out of his mouth and before she could stop herself her hand pulled back slapping him across the face. "I can't believe you just said that to me.... " She whispered as tears filled her eyes realizing what she had just done. "I know what the news said, I saw it too. You should be the first to know there are two sides to a story. If I believed half everything everyone else said about you, I would want nothing to do with you." She said fiercely as tears filled her eyes. "I judge based on what I know about you, instead of stupid rumors say. Damien is the same way."

Shaking her head her best friend she continued. "What really hurts is that you said I would bring him up here for a charity case! My best friend...the person who is supposed to believe the best in me said I treated someone like a charity case! Did you ever think maybe I invited him because maybe I like him." She whisper yelled at him as tears continued to fall.

She saw him about to open his mouth but stopped him. "No you don't get to do that! You don't get to say, you disapprove of a guy I am interested in and expect me to agree with you, and follow your advice blindly; when you don't to the same when I don't approve of the tramps you go out with. " She said shaking her head at him.

Kate backed away from him. "I would have expected this from anyone else except you, Phillip." She said softly wiping the angry tears from her eyes as the headed back to the cabin, she stopped saying one last thing. "Remember when I told you that Tina and I didn't get along...you asked me to 'deal with it for you.'? Now I am telling you, whatever happens with me and my 'charity case' as you called it, just deal with it." Katelynn said walking away wiping away her endless stream of tears.

Her heart was broken as she thought about the fact that Phillip said she would use someone as a charity case. The one person she knew would always be in her corner and tell her the truth just spoke to her so horribly. As she ad her way to the front of the house she ignored the others shaking her head as tears continued to flow from her eyes as she all but ran to her room, slamming and locking the door behind her.

Delilah saw Kate run away from phillip. She walked up to him, "Phillip don't you think you were a bit" she paused thinking of a word that wouldn't anger him even more. "Harsh?"
She had to admit Damien had a pretty bad rep but so did Phillip. And she, kate, and rose still stuck by his side. Even when he starting dating a gold digging bitch they still stood by him.
She smiled " Plus when you think about it you may hate Kate liking Damien but we ALL hate you dating Tina and we put up with her for you. So why can't you give him a chance?"
She laughed and tilted her head back, making her long blonde hair rest on her lower butt. "god I need a drink"

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 >.<)

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?"

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...)

"Well, I don't really know my way around here that well..." Rosemary started to say and Kazuya found his hope dropping into nothing. He knew what will be the next statement after that. He may not socialize with others that much, still he knew enough when someone is aiming for a 'nice' way to reject an invitation. He was still cursing his luck inwardly, having gone through most of the Japanese curse words that he knew and now he is going over the recent American ones that he learned on his stay at the States.

He actually knew next to nothing about cursing. Aside from the usual 'shit' and other 'mild' ones, the black-haired man doesn't usually curse. It wasn't that he aimed to be the all around nice boy, someone weak and totally unknowing of how the society works. But he can't help it. His mother's never ending preachings and reminders had been instilled into his very soul that he just grew used to it without ever thinking anything else.

Still, inwardly blaming and belittling himself for ever opening his mouth and asking that dreaded question, Kazu stared at Rosemary in utter surprise when he heard her reply. "Okay!" She had stated, smiling widely before adding, "But, I think some more people should come that know this place better, because, honestly mate, I am just as lost as you are."

He noticed her looking around, apparently searching for someone else to come along. He wished to all the Shinto Priests he can find to not have Kris Sanders accompany them. Anyone else can come, even the 'scary' antisocial Izzie, or the other nerdy guy in the group, Ray. But never Kris. He might just endlessly annoy him with his unwanted and sometimes useless comments.

When he heard Philip volunteering to guide them for the exploration, Kazu is actually torn between feeling relieved or stressed. This is another guy he never had a decent conversation with. After that, Izzie and Alex have both decided to join and the boy had felt the control of the situation slipping out of his hold. He wasn't a social person first and foremost. The only reason he was here with them was because of Rosemary and Katelynn. Though Kazumi repeatedly reminded him to make some friends along the way, Kazu actually care not much about that. His main concern for joining them was to 'confess' to Rosemary. It was his way of closure. He has had this feeling ever since he met Rosemary and got to know her better and being a man of logicality and rationality, Kazuya would rather rid of this romance thingy instead of pursuing it.

It wasn't in his character to do so, he never imagined or planned himself into the scenario where Rosemary and him would become more than what they are right now. Call him pessimistic or a loser, like what Kazumi always never failed to tell him, Kazuya is not the type of person to fall in love and sail in the sunset type of guy.

"Is that a yes, or a no! You coming mate?!" He then heard the blond-haired girl's musical voice calling towards Ray, who he didn't know when he came in the kitchen. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he failed to notice certain things about his surroundings. He had actually been mildly surprised when Philip suddenly piped up before.

He held back an incoming sigh, with the way Rosemary is inviting everyone who is currently in the kitchen, he's quite sure that in one way or another, Kris would undoubtedly accompany them. If he didn't need this, and if he didn't have a blasted problem with reading the map or looking for the right directions, things would not progress into this. Don't misunderstand him; he does not hate any of them. Besides Rosemary who he knew for quite a while, the others are total strangers to him. Yes, they usually meet at the campus grounds. Once or twice he can see them at the cafeteria during lunch time. But as far as novelty and the cliché go, he doesn’t know anything about them.

He just hope that he wouldn't end up regretting ever asking that question more than he currently does. A week's worth of clean clothes and some time with Rosemary might not be worth the stress that would soon to follow now that the whole entourage seems to be coming with them. He groaned inwardly with his anti-social thoughts and instead cleared his mind. Yes, it would be stressing to be with these people longer than he normally wanted to, but at least he will have his change of clothes. He may not like how the circumstances came to be, but at least, Rosemary will be with them.

All throughout the exchange, Kazuya kept a passive face. He didn't look happy but he never showed himself being disappointed or anything of the like. His expression looked passive, and he tried to paint a small smile in his face to cover whatever turmoil he felt inside. This people may not deserve all the negativity he has for them. Though naturally not-social by nature, still Kazu tries to pave his way to ensure that his judgment about others will not be purely tainted and based on initial impressions.

He pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose and stared at Philip, giving him a somewhat grateful nod.

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."

Kazuya stared at Philip as he started to speak about some of the places that they can visit downtown. Suppressing a sigh as he eyed the baseball fanatic who wrapped his arms towards Rosemary, he settled on tucking his hands on his pockets.

Today wasn't really one of his best and now that they were about to get an impromptu 'tour' for an exploration of Lake Kenforth, he can't imagine how things will get good.

He lightly patted his back pockets to check for his wallet and took it out. He knew he had enough cash to pay for a week worth of laundry but it wouldn't hurt to be certain that it would be enough. There were some cases after all where his brother swaps wallet with him. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal for the Japanese-bred boy. It would have been more interesting actually, more often than not he gets blackmail material towards brother whenever such exchange happens. The bad thing is, though his brother lives well-off--being a professional doctor at such a young age, his older brother had the habit of emptying his wallet off cash and solely depending on his credit cards. It was such a pain for the black-haired boy whenever he needs to buy something only to see 'his' wallet out of money.

Upon seeing his own black-colored wallet, he looked at the others and quietly watched as Izzie and Alex interact. Those two are such good friends that an outsider can easily assume that they are in a relationship. He wasn't a romance gossip or anything of sorts, but he can't help notice them and think about that way. However he wasn't going to expound on this thoughts. It wasn't any of his business and he actually doesn't care if they end up being together.

Studying the small group in the kitchen, he wondered silently. He didn't know how they are planning to go downtown. It would be more practical to share transportation instead of bringing each car, after all they are going to be on the same way. Though if it was up to Kazuya, it would be probably better for everyone else if they will go separately.

Approaching their improvised tour guide, he addressed him, "I'll just go upstairs and prepare my clothes. I will meet you guys outside." He didn't knew if anyone else heard him but he figured that some of them may be actually antsy to leave sooner and so he quickly left and went to his temporary room.

He scrounged around his bags to see if his sister prepared a paper bag. He found some and took out two paper bags. He scooped the dirty clothes inside those. Kazumi had the strange habit of packing him paper bags enough to last a lifetime. He once asked her why she felt the need to pack him those and she vaguely answered that he would need it sometime in the future. Good thing, there are times that his sister's warped common sense works in favor of him.

After finishing with his current task, he grabbed his car key from his bag and turned off his laptop. He was planning to continue revamping one of the older systems that he made this morning. It was only one of the many prototypes that he had experimented beforehand and so it was a little buggy than normal. He then thought of finishing it later once they get back from going downtown.

Closing the door and holding the paper bags in both of his hands, he trudged towards his car. After placing the bags into the back seat, he waited for the others to go outside.

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 listened, feeling rather sympathetic for Kate. That must be hard, having to choose between two guys. Rose smiled softly and leaned over, lightly bumping her shoulder against Katlynn's.

"Why am I not surprised?" she teased in a friendly manner when she told Rosemary about Phillip's little swimming incident. She wished she was there to witness it, but she hadn't moved yet.

Well, actually she was making a bit of sense, reliving her times with Phillip. Rosie laughed quietly and blinked her big blue eyes while letting her foot rest in the clear, calm lake water. "Well, actually, you kind of are..." Rosie sighed, looking up at the light blue morning sky. Rosie would always do that. Daydream, wanting to tell people about her family, people she could never see again. But it was different for Kate. He was here, she could see him, and was only within an arms reach. This was different than dreaming about what could have happened. For Kate, it can happen.

Rose didn't want Kate to end up like her. Dreaming of things that could never be. And taking your loved ones for granted before it was too late, and they eventually slip away.