Hello everyone! HURRAY! This is my first fanfiction story that I've ever posted up! Celebrates Even though I've written many stories. I think this one will suit CCS just fine. So since I'm a newbie, please go a bit easy on me But! I also hope you'll enjoy my story!

In that case, here is the first chapter to….

Summer Essence

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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the CCS characters. Or that famous quote from it! "Expect the unexpected."

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Chapter 1: The End of One. The Start of Another.

It had been a week since my grandmother died… The same week since my life flipped upside down. Like being on a rollercoaster. Once you're on that loop, it either ends up good or bad. Well this one didn't turn out bad, it was worse then bad. I hadn't seen her since I was probably around the age of 6…

I had always wanted to see her, visit her. You can say the longing and desire was the same between a mother and child. But my parents were always so busy with their jobs that we just lost track of time. Still… No one could ever bring back the time that I lost. That I wasted.

If grandma Sakura were here, she'd probably say, "Now, now Faith! Even if we don't or can't expect the unexpected, things will be just fine."

At least I called her once in a while… Right? Now is it just me, or am I hearing voices calling for me? Must have been my conscience, right? Nope. Could it have been grandma? Sadly, the answer was still no.

"Faith! FAITH! It's your time to give your speech," my mother whispered impatiently.

I totally forgot I was at grandma's funeral. I jerked up and walked towards the stand, where everyone was waiting for me. I lost my balance and almost fell over. I took my place, took one last breathe before I started.

"I'm sorry to keep you all waiting. I just wanted to say that, even though I haven't seen her for a very long time now… I know that my grandmother, Sakura, lived a happy life. She didn't regret a thing. She was a patient woman. Even when things went wrong, she would still have that amazing smile on her face… I'm sure she has taught us all valuable lessons in our lives. And yet again, there she goes again! Teaching us something… Or maybe giving us a reminder again," I paused before I continued again. I felt my heart intense a bit more…

"Throughout our lifetime we'll share many smiles, tears, and laughters. And the hardest thing that we'll probably have to do right now is to accept her death… And move on," this time my heart started to ache really badly, "I know, how could I say that? It just felt like someone stabbed a knife right through my heart… It aches. And I know it's aching for everyone in this room right now," was it raining? Because I could swear I felt the raindrops falling down my face… "But I also know grandma would want us to continue on with our lives. She would also want us to live a happy life, like she did. She wouldn't want us to suffer. Even if we don't or can't expect the unexpected, things will be just fine. That was her saying…"

"Oh, Faith…" I could hear my mother whisper that… It was as if the wind carried it to my ear. Softly… and slowly.

"Now, I'm going to leave my heart with time. Thanks to grandma Sakura, she taught me that everything took time. So now I'm going to let time heal my painful, sorrow heart," I looked out the window into the sky, trying to figure out if she was watching me, "Grandma Sakura, if you can hear me… I just wanted to say, thank you. For watching me grow. For all your lessons and unforgettable words. And I wanted to let you know, though I'll let time take over… You'll always be here," I placed my right hand over my heart, "Where my heart is…"

One last final tear fell down my face. Then I finally whispered something so delicately, "Grandma, you'll continue to live as long as someone still remembers you… You'll still live on with me."

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The funeral was over by now. Everyone was, well almost everyone was in tears. As people walked out of the church and passed me, even when they were still crying they managed to give me a smile. Of course, with all my strength I smiled back at them. Then I felt a gentle tap on my left shoulder. It was my father.

"Faith, dear… That speech you gave was very touching," before he continued on I saw the tears build up, "You know grandma would have been very proud of you." And at that moment, my father pulled me into his arms. Showing that what I had said earlier was appreciated a lot.

"You know, maybe grandma was right."

I gave him a puzzled look, "What? What are you talking about?"

"Maybe your mother and I should have told you sooner. But it was your grandma, who named you Faith. She said: Whenever you feel like you lost hope. Look at your daughter… She'll give you the faith that you need."

As my dad said that, my mom came over with fresh tears in her eyes. 'Oh my gosh,' was all that I could think, repeating it again and again. Both my parents gave me an embrace. My mom whispered again, "Hun, she loved you so much."

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Another week passed. Some people wanted to burn down my grandmother's house. When my parents heard that, they nearly flipped. So here I am, moving into my new home… The house that I longed to visit for so many years. Everything was already in its place, since my parents arranged everything within a few days. Well, I don't blame them. They panicked and went crazy over this house. But I'm glad they did.

My mother was preparing for lunch, while my dad had to go out and get something. And where was I, you may asked. Well, for your information, I was in my room reading until I was interrupted by the doorbell.

"What? That can't be dad. He just left," I said with a perplexed face, "I GOT IT!" to let my mom know I had it.

I hurriedly made my way downstairs, while my mom screamed to be careful. As I opened the door, there stood a boy right in front of me.

"Faith?"

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OH MY OH MY! Who could be that person at the door! O Hehe…

- Velvet Teal