"Will you drop it, Ellie!" Marco exclaimed, exasperated, as he entered the kitchen with Ellie behind him.

"Come on, just give it a try, Marco."

"No." Marco looked back at Ellie, square in the face.

"What are you two kids arguing about?" Paige interjected, leaning over the counter.

"Well, Marco here will not give Eric another chance, even though they are perfect for each other." Ellie stated.

Paige looked at Ellie, like she had grown two heads. "Are you crazy, Ellie? They have nothing in common."

"If they just got to know each other--"

"Ellie, shut up, okay? I went out with him for you, it didn't work out. Get over it. We have nothing in common. We had zero connection. Never mind the fact he was dull as a lampost, and frankly, I've had more fun at funerals." Marco looked down at the table, collecting his books and notes for the class he was about to be late to. "And well, he's no Dylan."

Ellie sighed, feeling testy. "Will you get over that guy? He left you, it's time to move on. To Eric."

Marco rolled his eyes towards Paige, showing his exasperation at her. Paige laughed to herself.

Marco grabbed his book bag, as he looked at Ellie. "I've got an exam to get to. Maybe if you like Eric so much, you should go out with him."

"That's not what I'm trying--"

"Well I have to go, children." Marco interrupted Ellie, as he grabbed his wallet and his phone, before turning around to Ellie. "Or at least get the guy braces. If not, he's probably only going to be able to get a career in the clown industry."

Paige chuckled, as she watched Marco leave, with Ellie storming out the opposite door.

A familiar ringtone caught Paige's attention, as she walked towards her cell phone to answer it, probably her mother, as the ringtone she used for her family filled the room.

She picked up her phone, to look at the screen, and smiled to herself.

"Hey, Dyl."

"Hey," Dylan answered back, whispering.

"Why are you whispering?" Paige asked her crazy brother. He could really be quite the goofball at times.

"Is Marco around?" Dylan asked, still whispering.

"No, he's at class."

"Oh, okay," Dylan answered, talking in his regular voice. "I need to tell you something, but you have to promise to be quiet about it."

"I can keep a secret." Paige replied.

Dylan snorted into the phone.

"What, I can!" Paige exclaimed, trying to defend herself. It wasn't her fault stuff seemed to slip out occasionally.

"Well, I think you'll be quiet if you want your big brother to be happy."

"You don't have to guilt trip me, Dylan. What's up?"

"The season ends tomorrow, and well, I'm going to be coming home." Dylan said into the phone.

"Really?" Paige shrieked. "That's great..but wait, why do I have to be quiet about that?" Paige wasn't sure she could keep this great of news quiet.

"I don't want Marco to know I'm coming home..." Dylan trailed off.

"What, why not?"

"I'd just rather he didn't know, so I can see him on my own terms, not because he feels guilty or whatever just because I am around." Dylan sighed. "I just have to talk to him, with no false pretenses...I don't want it to be a surprise persay, but I just need him to not know yet."

"I understand." Paige said quietly into the phone.

"You do?" Dylan asked, surprised.

"Despite what you may think, darling brother, I'm quite aware how much you love that boy," Paige told her brother sweetly. "And how much he loves you."

"I still hope that's true." Dylan sighed sadly.

"It is," Paige told her brother, as heartfelt as she could.

"So not a word, okay?"

"I promise, I wouldn't want to be the reason for this to be ruined, I wouldn't do that." Paige said.

"I know, Paigey," Dylan said. "It will be a few days, but I'll call when I'm back home, okay?"

"Awesome, I can't wait to see you!" Paige said, excitedly. "I've missed my big brother."

"Aww, look at you trying to be sweet. You feeling okay?" Dylan teased his sister.

"Haha, very funny, Dyl." Paige rolled her eyes.

"Well, I have to get back, but I'll see you soon, k?"

"Okay, bye, Dyl."

"Bye, Paigey."