A/N: Sorry to those who liked Welcome to My Life and In Fate's Hands. I have them saved on my computer and I will eventually edit and re-post them but for now they have been deleted from FF. This story isn't anything like I normally write. This will be AU so CR never happened. I want to keep it at fewer chapters but high word count. I also will keep to one POV in this story.. It's much simpler. The places I use are places I actually go to during the summer but for the sake of keeping everything fictional I will change city, town, and place names. However everything including houses etc will be based on real places I have actually been to. Anyways reviews are appreciated.

Disclaimer : I don't own. Anything.

Chapter One: Summertime

Song: Summertime by Kenny Chesney.

I looked around my room one last time trying to make sure I had all of my summer belongings. My eyes stopped on my window that looked out onto Manhattan. I loved the city. It was my escape. I could walk down Fifth and Madison and just get lost in myself. I always just felt so content.

People automatically assumed that who my family was ruled who I was. It was actually kind of the opposite. My parents used to be that catalogue couple. The stereotypical happy, in love couple. Then my dad got a promotion. And then another promotion. And yet another promotion. He was a hard worker. He always did what needed to be done. With all of the promotions he got came money. At first I was overjoyed. We went from living in a good part of Brooklyn to living in Manhattan, to living in a better part of Manhattan, to the best part of Manhattan. We had a doorman. My first car was amazing. I had everything I could ever imagine. Money tears families apart though. My parents would never actually get a divorce. They still believe in staying married. They might as well be divorced though. They are never in the same house. Most of the time they are in different states.

My dad travels for work now. He is rarely home. Its not as hard and strained as it once was. My mother is always traveling too. We have our pent house apartment in Manhattan, our place in Martha's Vineyard, and our summerhouse on Long Island. My mother refused to stay in the city during the summer. It was unfashionable. Apparently, the only ones who stayed in the city during the summer were the poor people who couldn't afford to go elsewhere. She usually ended up going to Martha's Vineyard to relax and get away from it all then island hop with some of her friends she had met in the city. They were all in the same situation. They might as well be single because they rarely saw or even spoke to their husbands. Instead they just had another American Express Black Card made with their name on it and his name on the bill. Some summers they hopped to five or even six islands. From one spa resort to another. Whenever they got really bored they would fly to Europe and island hop there.

While my father traveled for business leaving almost no time for family and my mother constantly changing location I now fend for myself during the summer. I was thirteen when it became apparently necessary for me to have a nanny. For two and half years Francesca was my nanny. She made sure I got to where I needed to go, that dinner was made for me, and that I didn't die. Once I was fifteen and a half Francesca wasn't really needed anymore. We had enough money to hire a chef and a few maids not to mention the groundskeepers. Once I got my license I no longer needed a chauffer.

I learned how to fend for myself. I looked around my room one more time intent on finding something I needed. I didn't know what I was missing but I knew that there was something missing. I spotted it. My cell phone charger. I walked into my walk in closet took a quick glimpse around knowing that if I really needed more clothes I could just go shopping.

Content with the packing I had done I walked out of my room and shut the door.

"JD! SODAPOP! JD! SODAPOP!" I called out. With in seconds my two gorgeous dogs came bounding around the corner. They were boxers. Very big boxers. I named JD after James Dean. I had gone walking around the city and came across a little shop that had photography and that is when I found James Dean. I was completely obsessed after that. I had always loved old Hollywood but this just did it for me. Sodapop was named after Sodapop Curtis from the Outsiders. I felt like out of all the characters the name just fit my puppy. JD was tan with a white stomach and a black muzzle while Sodapop completely black on his back that went to brown toward his stomach and then there was a strip of white going straight down his stomach. He eyebrows were like a rotties. Tan. I originally wanted a rottweiler. My parents had put their foot down. More so my mother. When they said I could get a puppy they assumed I would do like all the other teenagers in Manhattan had done. Get a tiny dog. Don't get me wrong I love Chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers but always being alone made me want something more. JD and Sodapop are protective. A five-pound dog couldn't do a tenth of what JD or Sodapop could when it came to protection.

I went over to the intercom system and buzzed down to the ground level, "Hello?"

"Miss Torres, how can I help you today?" answered Mr. Swanton.

"Can you please have my car ready outside and have two men come get my luggage?"

"Of course, Miss Torres, your car will be waiting for you when you get down and I'll send those two me up now."

"Thank you!"

I looked out at all of my luggage. I quickly put leashes on JD and Sodapop. I looked over to the wall where a large mirror hung. I did a once over to make sure I looked acceptable to go out. I wore a pretty yellow and white striped sundress, a gold necklace that was thick and looked like I was actually wear twenty or so necklaces. My hair was up in a messy bun with my bangs hanging out and my big black sunglasses sitting on top of my head. Lastly I looked down at my feet. I was wearing cork wedges that were pretty high for casual wear at almost four inches. The wedges on top were black leather that was studded. I grabbed my big black leather bag that was also studded. I felt like I should be doing a photo shoot. Behind me all my luggage was Louis Vuitton. This outfit had been put together to look as if they all belonged together and should be sold as such. JD and Sodapop both had black leather expensive looking leashes on. They looked so handsome. The doorbell rang and I walked over to the door to open it.

"Hello Miss Torres, what can we do for you today?" One of them asked.

"These three need to go into my trunk," I pointed to three large suitcases. "And then those two bags need to go in my front seat. And then the rest of the things need to be sent to Long Island for me."

"Of course, Miss Torres."

I waited for them to load the two carts they had brought up to gather my things before locking up the apartment. There were four elevators in the building. They were all in the center. One of the men went and pushed the buttons for two of the elevators. The first elevator that came up I went into. The man in the elevator asked, "Where to, miss?" to which I replied the lobby.

I walked JD and Sodapop over to the main desk. Mr. Swanton was there attending to someone already so I waited behind the woman.

"Miss Torres! How are you doing today?" Mr. Swanton asked enthusiastically.

"I'm doing well. How are you doing Mr. Swanton?"

"Fine, of course. How can I assist you today?"

"I'm off to Long Island for the summer. I need you to keep an eye on the apartment. I'm not sure if anyone will be back before I come back for school."

"Of course. I'll make sure everything is kept up. How often would you like a maid sent up to clean?"

"Weekly should be fine. They will only need to dust and wash the windows. Half the staff is already and Long Island and the other half is going today so the place should be empty."

"Have a nice summer, Miss Torres!"

"Thank you, Mr. Swanton, you too!"

I walked toward the door with JD and Sodapop trailing behind me. The doorman immediately opened the door, "Good day, miss."

I smiled and said thank you. I walked outside and flipped my sunglasses down so that I could wear them. My car was waiting on the street by the valet. I walked toward it with two men with my luggage trailing behind me.

My car was amazing. It was a 2010 Ford Mustang convertible. The car was a shiny silver with white racing stripes done the center. I walked over to the driver's side, opened the door, and put the seat down to let JD and Sodapop in. I secured them in the back so they wouldn't be able to jump out while the top was down or anything. I put the seat back and got in. All of my belongings had been put in my car and I was free to leave the city.

Sometimes I call the city my escape but the only place where I could be myself with no one to judge me was Mill Cove. It took over an hour to actually get to my summer place but it was worth the ride. I drove past the Manhattan skyline as I exited the city.

Soon I was on the Long Island Express Way making my way toward my paradise.

I arrived at almost ten AM. I forced myself to wake up early so that I could send the day at the beach and hanging out with friends. I had a different set of friends while I was here. Like my city friends they were all ridiculously rich, the difference was they actually enjoyed the same things I did. We could hang out and enjoy each other's company. It wasn't all about what party we needed o be seen at that night. Of course we were still popular here and all but here there was more to life than popularity.

I drove into the driveway, which was shaped like a large U with a fountain in the center. I pulled up to the door and hopped out of the car. The staff had been expecting me today so as soon as I had gotten out of the car people were taking my luggage inside so they could unpack it. JD and Sodapop jumped out of the car and I handed my keys to one of the people so they could put my car in the garage.

The door was opened for me and I looked inside. It looked the same as last time. There were two grand staircases leading upstairs and through the foyer there were several rooms like living rooms and dining rooms and the kitchen. I walked all of the way to the back ad took the dogs off there leashes. I let them out into the large fenced in back yard. I hung up their leashes on the hooks and buzzed the kitchen through the intercom.

"Can someone bring a smoothie to the deck?" I always ate the same kind of smoothie. I was very picky about it. I had mine with plain yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Instead of adding milk I added pomegranate juice. It was lighter and tastier. It was my favorite breakfast. Well, one of two favorite breakfasts. If I wasn't in a hurry or I'm craving it I ate yogurt parfaits. I loved them. They looked so pretty in those tall glasses too with all the layers of color. From the bottom it would be yogurt, strawberries, granola, yogurt, blueberries, granola, yogurt and then a sprinkle of granola and a sliced strawberry and two or three blueberries.

The deck was my favorite place. It was high enough to look over our huge yard and pool so that I could see the ocean. The beach was a private beach so only those who lived on the street had access. Most residents had other summer places so even seeing neighbors on the beach was rare.

I sat at the table in one of the comfy chair. I pulled my phone from my bag and decided to find out who else had arrived. School had only been let out two days ago so I might be alone for a few days.

I had a new Blackberry, which my friends and I all called them Crackberries. They were addictive. I decided it would be easier to send out a BBM then call everyone individually.

Anyone in LI yettt???

I sent the BBM to my best friends Caitlyn and Lola. It took a few minutes before I got a response. One of the maids had brought my smoothie out in the mean time. Caitlyn responded first saying she wouldn't make it until next week. Her parents decided to play family and go on a family vacation to the Bahamas. She would fly back as soon as possible. Lola responded not long after saying she was going to France and would be back around the same time as Caitlyn. They both told me the same thing. Hang out at the club till I get there.

The club was a local country club. It was called Winding Road, because from the gates at the front, through the golf course, and to the parking lot, snack bar, restaurant, pool, and ocean was one long winding road.

We went to the club a lot. It was a luxurious place to hang out. The pool was next to the beach and the water was always warm. There were cabanas that were like tiny apartments with furniture and small bathroom. The food here though was amazing. The snack bar had the best salads, fries, and anything else you can imagine. The best part of it all was you never paid there. You gave them your account number and they just put it on your tab.

I suppose going there would be something fun to do. I would be able to work on my tan and possibly beat Caitlyn who always got an amazing tan. I decided that I should go freshen up and then go.

"JD! SODA!" The dogs came running as soon I called their names. I had finished my smoothie so I brought everything into the house and closed the door behind me. I went into the kitchen to drop off my dirty glass and grab a water bottle.

"Can you make sure JD and Sodapop are fed by four? The food should have been bought already." I asked one of the maids.

"Of course, Miss Torres. Anything else?"

"I don't think so. I'm going to the club. I'll be back for dinner. Make sure all of my things are unpacked and that the luggage goes in the basement."

"Of course."

"Oh! And can you make sure my care in waiting outside for me? Thanks."

I ran up one of the sets of stairs in the foyer. My bedroom hadn't changed since the last time I had gone in. The walls were a Tiffany's blue like everything else with white accents. I walked into my bathroom so I could touch up my make up and change into one of my bathing suits.

I quickly changed and ran down stairs. It was already 11:30 and I decided to grab a salad at the club. My car was waiting in front when I got there. I jumped in headed off to the club. It was a two-minute drive.

I got to Winding Road quickly and headed straight to the snack bar. I picked up one of the small pencils and one of the pieces of paper that had a checklist for what you wanted in your salad. I checked off a few things like croutons, cucumbers, tomatoes, and that would like the salad chopped up. I also checked off that I would like the dressing on the side. I ordered mint chip milkshake with it. I rarely splurged when it came to eating healthy but the first day in Long Island was a perfect reason to. I picked the table that was in the back right hand corner. I could see the ocean and the docks from there. I looked out down the beach and waited for the people to call my name for my salad and mint chip shake. It was pretty mellow and not a lot of people had come so I didn't wait long.

I quickly ate and headed to the beach. I liked lying by the beach better than by the pool. There were always fewer people on the beach. I headed to my cabana and put my belongings inside and grabbed a towel.

I walked to the lounge chair furthest from the club. I laid back and put my iPOD on and just relaxed. About an hour or so later I felt cold all of a sudden. I looked up and saw three guys standing around me.

"Guys!" I screamed excitedly. They were my best guy friends around here. I had forgotten to call to see if they had come to Long Island this year. There families traveled a lot and the boys just did whatever during the summer. The had all been best friends since they were younger and a few years ago one of them, Aldo's family, bought a place not too far from mine. He didn't feel like spending the summer by himself so two of his best friends Carlo and Max.

We met at the club and had started hanging out ever since.

"Hey Mitchie!" Aldo said.

I got up and gave them each a hug, which I later regretted. They were all wet and they got me wet. They all looked so much older since the last time I had seen them. They were all Italian and their families went way back. Their grandparents had all known each other back when they still lived in Italy. They all had the dark hair, olive skin, and dark brown eyes. They were of course all gorgeous.

We talked a bit and caught up. They filled me in on what was going on at school and I told them how I was alone until next week when Caitlyn and Lola were coming back.

Time flew by. It was five o'clock. We decided that we should go change and meet up for dinner at 7:30 at Marra's. I told them I would make the reservation.

We headed to our respective cars and I pulled my cell phone out to call the restaurant and saw I had several missed calls. All of which were my dad's work number. I decided to call him back before I called to make a reservation.

"Steven Torres office. How may I help you?" some secretary answered.

"This is Michelle Torres. May I please speak to my father?"

"Oh! Of course, I'll transfer you now."

The phone rang a few times before my father picked up, "Steve Torres."

"Hi, dad," I answered back.

"Michelle! I've had Margie call you at least a dozen times. Why are you just answering now?" Oh joy he was angry.

"I was at Winding Road. You know they don't let you talk on your phone while your there."

"I don't care. Listen," He sighed and said the next part in a quieter tone. "You know how important my job is. Well, some of my decisions weren't the best. What I chose I thought would be the best for the company but turns out I was wrong. To make up for what's gone wrong I need you to help me with something."

I figured it would be some family like gathering that would show that we are some happy wholesome family. Some work party or another. "Yeah… Sure… I guess."

"You've seen the tabloids, probably more than I have. Well, you know that boy band? The one whose lead singer is always acting out and all?"

"There's more than one band like that, dad."

"Well, anyways. They are losing money left and right on this group because he is making sponsor pull out. He needs to stay out of the limelight and hopefully realize how he is pulling the whole band with him. I offered to let them stay with you this summer."

"No way. Summer is my time. I'm not going to baby sit some stupid pop star. I already have plans for this summer. Absolutely not."

"If you do this for me by the end of the day there will be an American Express Black Card with your name on it waiting for you."

"I already have three credit cards." I said in a bored tone.

"With no limit?" He waited for my response. I refused to answer. "Fine. One of the maids when I called the house said there was a horse you were looking into buying. Or something. Consider it done."

"He's not for sale. That's why I haven't bought him," I told him with a slightly rude tone that made it sound like isn't it obvious?

"You do this for me and consider the horse yours. The Black Card too."

I grudgingly agreed.

"They will be flying in tomorrow and should be there by midmorning make sure you are there to welcome them and that you are on your best behavior. That means waking up early. None of this waking up past ten."

I hung up.

While I was on the phone I had driven home and gone up to my room. I finally called Marra's and put in a reservation for four at 7:30. I have two hours to get ready. I jumped in the shower. I took a forty-five minute shower attempting to cool down before I called Caitlyn and Lola to complain about the fact that this summer was going to be torture.

I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in a robe and my hair in a towel. I walked out into my room. I walked to the other side where my walk in closet was. My new favorite thing was skirts and dresses so I looked at all of the clothes that were hanging up. I picked out a high waist blue ruffled skirt, a lacy black camisole, and a short black jacket. I went back to the bathroom to do my hair and make up. I wore my hair naturally curly and my bangs swept to the side. I kept my make up light and natural.

I still had an hour to kill before we were to meet. I called sent out a BBM to Caitlyn and Lola. You need to come back sooner. I need major help.

With in seconds Caitlyn sent a BBM back. Whats going on? Everything alright?

I replied that things were not alright and I proceeded to tell her about my father's plan and how I was for the summer a babysitter. After venting my frustration to her she told me to: Get the Black Card and go wild. Good luck with your new Horesy too, love!

I had to smile. That was so typical of her. I would do just that. Maybe I'll make the boys go shopping at the Miracle Mile with me tonight. Hello Luis Vuitton.

I walked downstairs and threw on some black high heels. I used the closest intercom to buzz into the kitchen were the maids usually were when they weren't doing anything. I asked if anything had come for me. The maid told me my luggage from the city had come and an envelope from my father was waiting for me. I told her that I needed the envelope immediately. Upon receiving it I walked out the door to my waiting car. I drove to the restaurant in less than twenty minutes. I was a little early so I parked the car and walked toward the restaurant to see if they could seat me early.

I told the hostess my name and that I had a reservation. She told me she would seat me momentarily. I looked down at my phone to check the time. In about six minutes the boys should be arriving. The hostess came back to seat me. "Right this way." I walked through the dimly lit Italian restaurant to a cozy table in the corner. With in a few minutes Max, Aldo, and Carlo were walking toward me.

We exchanged small talk and ordered drinks. I ordered my favorite a Shirley Temple. I told them about my father's deal with me. "That's a pretty good deal," Carlo said.

"Really? Because I am pretty sure I'm not a babysitter. I don't do well with stupid people."

They all laughed. Aldo said I might as well milk it, "You never know. Maybe you'll find something that you want but can't have."

I gave Aldo a look, "That's what the Black Card gets me. Just charge it. Which by the way I'm paying tonight."

Before I knew it was nine thirty and we were leaving Marra's. "Ughhh. I can't be out for much longer. The idiots are coming tomorrow. I need to be awake before nine which means no parties tonight for me."

I was home by ten. I decided to go on iChat and see what everyone was up to. With in seconds of signing on three messages were sent to me. The first was from Sierra. We need to party soon. Call me when I can come down and hit up the clubs with you. When I was here I didn't go to clubs. It was harder to get into these ones for one and two I didn't mind hitting up a few parties but clubs really weren't my scene. The next message was from Adam. Way to ditch me. When you gonna be back in the city. Gag. We broke up forever ago. Some people just don't understand that if you have sex with someone when your going out with someone else then you are going to get dumped. It's not that hard. The third message was some invite to a party tonight. Ignored. I sadly need to go to sleep early. Luckily my sleeping pattern hadn't changed much from my school life sleeping pattern.

I was dreading tomorrow. I didn't want to be responsible for three brats. Ugh. I shut my computer off without replying to anyone. They could deal with being ignored. Maybe it would teach them how the world doesn't revolve around them.

I decided that I needed to just go to bed and deal with things as them came. I wouldn't worry about them until they actually got there. I wished hopefully that all of the rudeness was just a publicity stunt. Then again if it were they'd be off on some tropical island babysitterless. Not coming and invading my summer. I thought to myself that it was hopefully temporary. If they were so demanding and pop star-ish then they would be gone soon. They would figure out a way to leave. Why would they want to come here, right? They'd find a way out. They had too.

I decided that it wouldn't ruin my summer. I'd show them a few places. I'd tell one of the maids to get them a rental car while they are here. I'd be free of them. This would work. They will want to spend about as much time around me as I want to spend around them. Problem solved. Show them the club, a few restaurants, and some stores tell them where the nearest hospital is. Everything would be fine. They should be able to fend for themselves. They're probably old enough too if they are able to throw enough fits to land them a ticket here. I was actually optimistic about them coming now. I'd get my new horse and an American Express Black Card all for the low price of showing some egotistical and arrogant boys around town. Maybe this won't be that easy.

Who am I kidding? I'm screwed.

A/N2: I stopped writing for a while to go on Facebook. I noticed that this kid I know posted something odd on this other boy I knew's Facebook wall. Didn't think much of it. Then his ex girlfriend/my old best friend posted a long thing and to rest in peace. He died. I didn't know him well but I can't believe it. RIP so many people miss you so much. I still can't believe it. Watch over your brothers and you parents. They love you so much. This shouldn't have happened to you. Your life was cut too short. I honestly barely knew you yet I am ready to cry right now. This just doesn't feel real. There's already an article up. It made it real. I wanted to leave a comment because no one had left one yet. I couldn't bring myself to. What would I write that hasn't already been said? Who could I do that hasn't already been done? This isn't how it's supposed to happen. You shouldn't have died. You were supposed to end up with her. I remember talking to her about it. You guys were meant for each other. Rest easy, man. You will be missed.