12

'Other things may change us but, we start and end with family.'

Anthony Brandt

_ _ _

***2 months later***

-Kara-

trrriiinngggg!!!!!

The bell rang and my shoulders sagged in relief. Finally...

I grabbed my bag and hurried to my locker. Chloe was on sick leave, otherwise, we'd be going home together. It had been a week. I missed her.

Stuffing the unwanted books in, I took the few books I needed and headed out.

Madison had stopped bugging me but was constantly seen sticking to Caden like glue. Caden behaved quite weirdly and I got used to his hot and cold attitude towards me. I didn't dislike him but, we were somewhere between strangers and friends. Sometimes one more than the other.

My friendship with Chloe had blossomed and we were inseparable, more than BFFs, we were like soulmates. I missed my old friends, but for once in the past year, I was truly happy.

I headed out the school doors and toward my white BMW convertible.

Oh, wondering where it came from? Well, the simple truth is, Killian had started hanging out with Caden and the rest and most often not available. So dad thought the hell of it and got me a car.

I noticed a crowd gathered in the lot. Remembering last time, I thought it was a fight and again considering what had happened, I thought better than interfering and quietly walk away. I did not want to take a chance at ruining the peaceful days I was spending.

"Cocopop!", an all too familiar voice shouts.

Tyler?

I turn around and as the crowd parts, a tall blonde with twinkling hazel eyes, amazingly hot body and trademark smile walks out.

"Tyyleerrr!!!!!"

I squeal and run toward him. Who cares about image? I couldn't believe my eyes.

He envelops me in his arms and crushes me in a bear hug, enveloping me in his spicy cinnamon scent. Within a few seconds my excitement dies down a little, and I manage to whisper.

"C-Can't B-br-eathe."

He immediately let go and I look up, my face beaming.

"Hey! How come he's the only one who gets a hug?", another voice whines from behind.

Tyler steps back and I see a dark blonde with blue-green eyes step into his place. He too is brawny but compared to the others, he looks little.

"Seth!"

Giving me a big smile and putting his arms around my waist, he lifts me up and twirls me around. He suddenly stops and puts me down. And I'm immediately caged in a back hug and judging by the woody scent, it could only be,

"Sky!"

"Heyyy baby girl."

"It's my turn"

Hearing the voice, I free myself from Sky's cage and fling myself into another set of waiting arms.

"Jared!"

My eyes fill up with happy tears. They were here, my boys, my family. It had been months. The first one being where we fought every other text and then some sulking and moping. But seeing them filled my heart with warmth.

My mind fills up with a thought and I pull back.

"Where are Amberly and Liana?", I ask looking at them.

"Right here!", two female voices chorus.

The redhead and brunette - Amberly and Liana - who I had missed so much now stood in front of me. They were the other part of moving that had hurt me. I had Chloe but, I missed them a lot too.

"Group hug!", someone shouts ( I reckon it's Seth) and we all fling our arms around eachother.

When we finally break free I step back to look again at my family. Sky and Jared have their arms around Amberly and Liana (their respective girlfriends) protectively.

At least they're rational enough to know how pervy those boys around them are. Seth and Tyler however were arguing hotly. It was one scene I never thought I'd miss. It made me remember the good old days.

I roll my eyes and go towards them.

"Ow!"

They both protest when I smack them on the head. Loud gasps are heard and I realize that the whole school is gathered around us. They're pointing and whispering and eyeing my boys like they are meat. My little homely bubble bursts and pulling the boys away I say,

"Let's continue this at home."

"Okay.", they agree.

"I'm riding with Kara!", Seth and Tyler shout chorus, both eyeing my ride with scorching gazes.

"Shotgun!", they screamed together, raising their right hands upward.

Then turning to eachother, they began a staring match. The rest of us shook our heads smiling in amusement and I bit back a laugh.

"What about one of you driving and the other riding shotgun?", Jared, the most rational one of us, suggested.

"Okay.", they agreed.

Sky and Jared kissed me on my cheeks.

"We'll follow you home.", Sky said.

I nodded and we set off towards our respective vehicles.

Just as I got into my seat, Seth shouted, "Hey! Can we have ice cream on the way?"

I looked at the others, some in their seats and others getting in. We caught each other's eyes and burst out laughing.

"Of course Babyboo, you're only 5, not 17.", Sky remarked.

"Whaaattt???", Seth whined, his face turning a little pink.

"Will you two shut it. Get in the car. We have stuff to do.", Jared commanded.

It's not a family reunion without Tyler's bear hug, Seth's silly comments, Sky's Seth-teasing remarks, and Jared's bossy-side commands... I smiled.

"Get in.", I told him, shaking my head.

Seth might be the hottest one of the guys but he's the most childish. You can't say that by looking at him, 'cause you'll just think he's a player.

What can I say?

Don't judge a book by its cover.