And there it was. He didn't want to talk about it and while she knew keeping it bottled up wasn't good for him,she wasn't going to go off and force him to talk. No sirrey Bob. Whit nodded a bit but didn't say anything else about it. She couldn't.

Trying to lighten the mood, she got a brilliant idea. "Why haven't I heard from you mister?" she asked seriously,trying to sound upset. "I haven't heard from you in weeks. Who is she?" she asked,on the verge of laughing. No,she did not think Chase was off seeing someone else,and she really really hoped he wasn't,but messing with him had always been so much fun.

The mood had changed quickly and Chase was glad for it. Of course he would tell Whit later about what was going on but when they were alone and not in a crowd of people as they were now.

ANother girl. It was almost too funny. Chase laughed. "Welllllll.. her names Cathy. She's pretty and allbut has nothing on you. Thats why i left her to come to the party and spend time with you." he said jokingly. O course he would never have another girlfriend. He loved Whit. "Ive been busy." he merely said trying to devert the subject once again. The reason he hadnt written because of the simple reaosn Chase had been busy trying to catch his mothers murderer and had become obsessed with finding the culprit. He smiled though, swinging her arm lightly into his.

Shana was squished into one of Whit's huge hugs,But she didn't mind.Wayy Way Wayy longer,Oh well we're seeing each other now.She beamed.I've been Great! She jumped up on the word great.And how have you been Whitaloo ? she smiled.

As a boy came up that Whit seemed to know,Whit mentioned her name.Ermm Helloo ? she smiled kind of confused as to who this boy was.He looked abit like Whit's boyfriend.She stood on her tip toe's and whispered in Whit's ear.Whit is that your boyfriend ? she smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

Gasping, her eyes went wide as she listened to Chase's reply. That was not what she expected. Luckily,she could tear up on cue. Two could play at that game,apparently."Busy my aunt Sally!" she said with a sniffle. 'Let's see just how far this can go.' Hiding an evil smirk she turned away from Chase and said, "I knew it. If not Livvy than this.......Cathy person." Who in the world Cathy was or where the name came from she had no idea. 'Oh great.' She was stuck. Couldn't think of another response. "Erm...yeah well...I was actually busy, Flirty McFlirtpants." With that last comment she made sure he couldn't see her face and silently giggled to herself. 'Wow.' Now this was fun.
Whit loved Shana,she was the best first year,soon to be second year,ever. "I like that nickname." She said with a big smile before anything else. "That's really really good. You seem a little hyped." At that she laughed a little and continued, "I have been pretty good,thank you. I couldn't wait for today though." She'd been dying to see everyone.

When she heard Shana whisper in her ear,she blushed and started laughing. "Yes ma'am he is." she said but remembered what was going on between her and Chase and that moment and said loud enough for him to hear, "He used to be the best boyfriend ever." Then she lowered her voice and added, "He still is" with a wink.

Chase shook his head knowing the game that Whit was playing. She knew as perfectly well as he did that there wasnt any other girl for him than her. Even his best friend couldnt win his heart who would some random person named Cathy mean to him? Thinking about Livvy... he ad gotten a letter from some dude explaining why she left. The memory came back to him and Chase suddenly wanted to talk about it to Whit but of course, she was turned from him.

Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her to him and whispered into ehr ear, "Theres noone else in the world for me but you." he said softly barely above a whisper but his smile could be heard. He let go when he saw Chloe talkin to her but smiled.

Shana hugged Whit again,Whit was like a older sister to Shana.She nodded.I'm Good at making nicknames with other peoples names but my Name you cant really make any nicknames with,Its just Shana. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.Whit had to be one of the nicest people Shana had everrr met.She was a awesome second year.Yeah I am hyped a bit,just excited about seeing everyone I think.She smiled.Me too I was like its almost time,its almost time all day! she beamed.

Shana giggled when Whit blushed.Whitney and her boyfriend sittin' in a chair K-I-S-S-I-N-G.She sung and giggled some more.She looked at him.He's not stealing my Whit.She clinged on to Whit and looked at the boy.She squeezed her really tight And didn't let go.What's his name ? she asked not trying to be nosey but she needed to know,if she was going to talk to him.

Before she knew what was happening she felt a new pair of arms wrapped around her and giggled again. She was,obviously, in a laughing mood. Whit shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know..." with another wink. Hearing that from him never got old. Whit kissed his cheek as he let go of her once he noticed Shana. "Smooth." she added under her breath with a smirk. 'Okay,I think I'm done.' That was enough messing with him. She just had to do it. Whit moved back,next to Chase and held his hand once again,an unconscious habit,looking at Shana.
Whit hugged Shana back as she hugged her again. In her mind she realized that she was like her younger sister. 'Yay!' Now she had two. Lima was her older and Shana was her younger. Whether they knew that she had no idea. "Oh that is not true. You can do...Shana Banana!" she exclaimed,proud of herself. "Oh oh oh! Have you ever heard of the name game?" Surely her name would work perfectly for that. God knows Whit's didn't.

As Shana started singing the age old song she started laughing again and looked up at Chase to see if he remembered Livvy singing that to them when they first started dating. Whit hadn't seen her since that quidditch game and hoped she'd show up at the party. "Shana hun,we were never kissing in a tree." She didn't know if they ever would,especially since she was afraid of heights and it'd be a little odd. Either way she smirked and listened to her next comment. And now Shana's arms were wrapped protectively around. Whit playfully rolled her eyes. "You can share me." she replied happily. She felt so so loved right at that moment.

When she heard her ask for Chase's name,she frowned. Not able to remember if she'd already mentioned his name she shrugged and said, "This lovely man's name is Chase Matthews." With a huge smile she turned to Chase and said,just for a very formal meeting, "Chase this is the lovely Shana Miller. She's like my little sister." she added just for the heck of it. How cute, her boyfriend and little sister meeting. She quietly laughed to herself and waited to see what would happen.

Shana smiled.Shana banana ? I like that.She nodded.The Name Game ? what was that ? she shrugged and decided she was going to ask Whit.Whitaloo whats the Name Game ? she smiled and gave the 'Ima very confused' look.She shrugged her shoulders and looked at chase,she gave a sort of smile.

Shana laughed.Sure about that,Whit ? she nugded Whit's arm playfully.I sing it too everyonee.I sing it too Lima too.Well I havn't seen her since the 'incident'.She smiled,the 'incident' being when Lima told Jake Shana liked him,that was embarresing on soo many levels.Shana carried on clinging to Whit.But your My Whitney Ashford,but I suppose I could share you.She popped her tounge out in a nice-ish way at Chase.

She smiled at Whit and looked at Chase.I'd Say Hello but my mother told me not to talk to strangers.She joked.He looked alot older than Whit but oh well that wasn't any of her bussiness.Hiii Chase nice to meet you.She waved her hand in his face and smirked.Little sister ? yeah! she liked that.And this is the lovely Whitney Ashford.She's my big sister.Shana nodded she felt she needed to add that Whit was Whit too make her not feel left out.

Reese took one last look at the stairs then looked at Whitney after she did a little sigh.Maybe she was being harsh on Jake.He didn't deserve to miss the party since some of his friends were here,but-he was just way too much to handle at the moment. "Okay,I'll cheer up...for now.When that little monster comes back now,I can't guarentee I'll stay calm,"she told Whitney and added a little wink to go along with the statement.Ohhhhh,the tour.She couldn't wait for that either.She was going to be able to get away from the house until school started. "I can't wait for the tour either,but-you know-I still haven't told my stepdad anything about it.I doubt he even knows I'm in the band.Hopefully,he won't mind me being away for a few months,"she said. "Oh,I knoooooow.I'm so happy to see you,again,along with everyone else." She smiled at Whitney. "Oh,yeah.My mom got remarried,I was forced to come live with her and Heath,and it turned out Jake is my new stpebrother,"she explained to Whitney. "Happy story,isn't it?"

Reese giggled. "It sounds like you have a good life so far,"she told him. "Yeah,I know.But-I liked staying with my godmother.I like being an only child.Now,I'm stuck with 3 brothers.One who is the brattiest thing in the world.The other two are just plain annoying." She gave Josh another firm nod. "She married this guy named Heath.All I know is that they met up in Ireland while he was on vacation.They didn't give me any details on where and how they met,"she informed Josh. "Hehe.I got detention,alright.Detention with Kazimeriz.I'm telling you,that Professor is haunting my dreams now.But,back to me getting in trouble, this guy named Jack strangled Jake and I was being an idiot and decided to help Jake with his battle.I hunted down Jack and threatened him with a wand.That's about it.I got 20 points taken away and had detention."

Reese looked at Jai when she said she was keeping Josh all to herself."Heyheyhey.We can share him,"she told Jai and then stuck out her tongue at her. "There's enough Josh to go around."Reese laughed at what Jai told Josh,but she didn't say anything. "Yes,let's get inside to the party.Now,since Josh is here,they party can offically start,"she told them and winked.

Emiliano shook his head. No way he was going to tell her what was going on his mind at that moment, the confussion, that his heart was ripped in two almost equal pieces. "Nope...and you're most welcome." He told her with a smile. As an impulse, he just hugged her. It sure seemed weird but she had all summer to hold his gestures of affection.

"I know...and I'm sorry. But I know if I didn't tell you...it would be a lie. And that's something I just...can't do." He told her. "But...do not worry. Letters, maybe every week will arrive to you...and you're welcome to my house anytime you wish." He assured Reese with a firm nod.

Emiliano smiled and chuckled when he heard Whitney speak her few words in Spanish. "I'm great, Señorita..." He answered with wide smile. "...happy that...I convinced my parents to stay in England." He informed with his usual happy, excited smile.

Chase, Whitney's boyfriend had arrived and made the girl just walk out of there. It felt great...to just be back home.

"Oh,fiiiiiiiine,then.Don't tell me,"Reese said and then crossed her arms.It really didn't matter why the bracelet reminded Em of Reese.When Emiliano hugged her,she uncrosed her arms and wrapped then around him. "Em,I'm sorry about Jake.I bet you already now he doesn't like you,but-I can't do anything about it.He is so stubborn."

"It's okay,Em,"Reese reassured him. "I understand and I'm sort of glad you told me you might have to move,but you know,you could have picked a much better time to tell me." She winked at him. "Haha.Okay,I'll rememeber that.Maybe next summer,I'll come over.I have a band tour this summer,and still,that's an if Heath lets me come and see you."

"Heeeyy!" Miles beamed as he picked her up to give her a hug. He was so happy that he wasn't going to be lonely at this party, he knew Reese, but that seemed to be it. Meh. "You all right?" He set her down, and gripped her hand.

"OH!"

Miles' face turned bright red and he looked anywhere else which wasn't Reese's face. Rubbish. He'd completely just embarrassed himself infront of her. Why would he say something stupid like that? Well, in his defence he didn't know that they were related, and Jake was being quite protective over her when she went near guys. AND, they were step-siblings! So it's not like they looked like each other. "I'mreeeaaallysorryreese." Miles mumbled under his breath.

Astrid ran up to the door, throwing little kisses to her Dad as he pulled away. She hated being this late for a party. Especially Reese's party. She always seemed to come late for those. Darn it! She knocked softly on the door and took a step back. Waiting for Reese to answer, she rocked back and forth on her heels in excited anticipation.

Reese heard a soft knock on the door and went to answer it.Who could it be?It seemed like everyone was here,well,everyone that was coming.She opened the door and squeeled when she saw Astrid. "Astriiiiiiiiiiiiid,"she said as she ran over to hug her bestest friend. "I'm so glad to see you.I've missed you so much."

Reese and Jake:boyfriend and girlfriend?Haha.That made her want to laugh.Jake couldn't even qualify as her boyfriend.Her standards were too high.He'd have to get a step ladder to reach her qualifications. "Oh,it's okay,Miles.You didn't know,"she told him. "I promise I'm not mad at you." She slightly smiled after she said that. "Honestly,I could never be mad at something you say.I love you too much."

From his bedroom, Jake let out a muffled yell at the pain in his right earlobe. he had woken up and decided on a whim that he quite liked those ear piercings people had... so he'd borrowed an earring... and... you get the idea.

Wiping the tiniest amount of blood from his finger, Jake thanked his high pain tolerance before stepping over to the door and blinking the tiredness away. Opening it up he called out. "Can I come down now?"

Astrid nearly jumped for joy when she saw Reese appear. It had be AGES since the last time she saw her. With that thought, she flung her arms around Reese and squeezed her tight. "Oh my gosh Reese, I've missed you so much!" She exclaimed before releasing her hold. "I am so sorry that I'm late. Here." She said, holding out a small Tiffany's box, with a white ribbon. "This is for you."

Inside:

"I've missed you mooooooore,"Reese told Astrid.She finally let go of Astrid go and looked at the box Atrid was handing to her.Awwwww.She was getting another present. "You didn't have to get me anything,"she said as she took the box from Astrid.Hmmmm.What could it be?She bit her lip as she opened the box up.She sat the top of the box on a nearby table and puled out a necklace and a bracelet. "Ohmygosh,Astrid.These are so pretty.Thanks so MUCH!"

While trying to get her necklace on,Reese heard Jake's voice from upstairs."No,you can't,"she called out to him.

"That is so UNFAIR!" Jake shouted back down, kicking the door shut hard with his foot so it slammed. Scowling, he gave it one last kick and headed back to his bed, throwing himself down and wincing at the burning sensation in his ear. "I HATE YOU!" he screamed down, eyes watering up a little and voice giving away just how upset he was.

Astrid beamed at her friend, pulling her into another tight hug. "Really, Reese it was nothi..." she jumped as a door slammed shut and looked up towards the ceiling? "What was that?" She whispered. "You holding someone hostage up there?"

Reese rolled her eyes as Jake slammed the door."Oh,I'm just holding the beast hostage,"she informed Astrid.She heard Jake said that he hated her and she shook her head.She was NOT unleashing the beat. "Actually,the beast is my stepbrother.Jake Upstead."

SEE what happens when you go away. Crazy stuff happens and NO one let's you know. Your best friends don't even owl you to tell you that they have a new family. "Your stepbrother?! When did all of this happen?" She asked. "You have to tell me everything!" Still looking up, as if she'd see him fall through the ceiling, another thought suddenly occurred to her. "Uhh Reese... is he hot?"

She was still playing games but Chase laughed it off as she came back over to him grbbing his handonce more. It was more of a habit now. A great habit though. Chase loved when thier fingers entertwined. He gave a flashing smile as he looked down at her and then back to Shana.

Laughing shook Shana's hand. "So Whit is your big sis huh?" he asked when Shana had told them that Whit was indeed like a sis to her. She must have been a firstie. "She's pretty awesomehuh?" he asked Shana giving a wink to WHit. he knew she liked the little compliments he couldnt help but give. He gave ehr hand a squeeze his eyes darting back to Shana

"Yeah,stepbrother.It all happened over the summer.My mom met the dashing man and just HAD to get married.Now,I'm stuck with three brothers,"Reese told Astrid. "I didn't even want to move here,my mom forced me,too.She said I need to live in a real family and that I didn't need to stay with my godmother anymore." Eviiiiiiiiil mother.Reese enjoyed being an only child and living with her godmother.She had fun.Over here,she had responsibilities.Gahhhhhhh.Is he hot?Did Astrid just say that?Did she literally just say THAT? "Why don't you go see for yourself?I'll walk you up there."

Astrid nodded along as Reese tried to catch her up with the goings on of her family life. She couldn't really remember if Reese had ever mentioned her Mom to her before but from the sounds of things, this whole situation had come as quite a shock. Then suddenly, Astrid realized that she was having an awful hard time paying attention. Had to have been the 'three brothers' comment. Oh really?! She thought, unable to keep the smirk off of her face. After Ross and her had lost touch, Astrid had been pretty much alone all the time. The time for meeting interesting, new people was long overdue. "Lead the way!" She said, dramatically offering Reese her hand.

Reese smiled as she took Astrid's hand."Let me tell you,Jake has a little temper.You never know when he's going to b l o w,"she warned Astrid as she headed up the stairs.She went up to the door that had Jake's name on it and knocked three times and waited for someone to answer.