AN: Like I mentioned, I had this idea for a prequel to Romeo and Rocket… to all those who wanted a sequel, I'll try to come up with one, but no good plot ideas are coming to me right now… anyway, enjoy! PS reviews inspire me ;)

At Ocean Shores High School cafeteria, Otto Rocket, his best "bro" Maurice 'Twister' Rodriguez, and their friend Sam 'Squid' Dullard are sitting at their customary table, waiting for Otto's sister, Reggie to arrive from her last period journalism class. They are discussing the upcoming Halloween hop, one of their last chances to attend a dance as a group before Sam and Reg graduate at the end of the school year. They usually attend school dances together, but this time, Otto has a spanner to throw in the works.

"Dude, I'm telling you, she TOTALLY digs me.. and she IS fine… why CAN'T I go with her?"

'Otto… the last time you asked out one of Reg's friends, you stood her up, and wound up at Madtown with my visiting cousin.'

"Your point, Maurice?"

'His point is that she'll kill you.'

"But this is DIFFERENT, Squid… I LIKE Trish…"

'Sure… like you liked Britney, Charlene, Miranda… Reggie didn't talk to you for a week after the incident with Ginger..'

"What was her beef, anyway? I'm her brother… she should be on my side!"

'Bro… it's kind of hard for her when her friends get mad at her for what you do…'

"Since when are YOU her spokesperson, Maurice?"

At this, Twister blushes, earning a sharp look from Sam. Otto, thankfully, doesn't notice his friend's obvious discomfort, as he sees his sister approaching the table, accompanied by a tall, short haired blonde and the (current) object of Otto's affections.

'Hey, guys… what's up?'

"How're YOU doing?" Otto completely ignores his sister's greeting, and turns to her friend with his trademark grin. The petite brunette giggles, and twirls a strand of her long, black hair shyly.

'Knock it off, Otto… guys what's our deal with the Halloween hop? Are you coming over to get ready, or will we all meet there?'

"Actually, Rocket girl, I was thinking we could go with dates this year.." Otto punctuates his remark with another grin aimed at her friend, who is starting to blush slightly.

'You're kidding, Otto… you guys DO realize Sammy and I graduate this year, right?'

"Yeah…"

'And you DO realize both of us applied to mainly East Coast schools, so we won't be back that often, right?'

'Yeah…' this response was muttered by Twister, who has suddenly become sullen. Otto, on the other hand, is only half paying attention as he winks his sister's friend.

'So… it's settled, we're all going together!'

"Yeah, yeah, sure Rocket girl… but I'm sure your two best friends would like to join us… Let's all go!"

At Otto's invitation, Twister and Sam's heads snap up, each for different reasons. Sam eyes the blonde in front of him, and smiles slowly, while Twister, realizing that this arrangement would make him Reggie's unofficial "date" is unsure whether to grin ecstatically or pummel his best friend. The look of anger in Reggie's eyes, however, decides the matter for him…

'Bro… maybe they don't want to come…'

"Like… no way! We don't have dates, and it's always fun to hang out with team Rocket" Sherry, who had been uncharacteristically silent throughout the conversation, now breaks in with a beam.

'Rocket boy… outside… NOW..' Reggie manages to utter through clenched teeth. Sam and Twister exchange worried glances. Although Sam is secretly pleased that Otto has invited Reggie's friends, one of them in particular, he knows Reggie's "you're dead" tone too well. Twister too is fully aware that his friend was in for a world of hurt. However, the glint in Reggie's large brown eyes is also sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. Otto, on the other hand, is unconcerned, and with a final wink at Trish, slopes off after his sister.

"ROCKET BOY… HOW COULD YOU?!" Reggie thunders as soon as they are alone and safely out of earshot.

'What… We're all still going together, aren't we?' Otto tries to pull his "I'm innocent" grin, which, unfortunately, has never worked on his sister…

"You promised never to hit on ANY of my friends after you stood up Ginger to take Cleo out skating…"

'What…I said I was sorry! In my defence, I didn't know Cleo was going to be in town when I asked her out!'

"So you choose to stand up someone who USED to be a good friend of mine, who won't even talk to me now?"

'Cleo was upset about her parents fighting…' Otto says quietly.

Reggie rolls her eyes and sighs. She knows that her best friend had been truly sad that day, and her brother's uncharacteristic kindness had infinitely cheered her up. This doesn't however, excuse the fact that Otto had called up her friend pretending to be sick, and cited a "miracle" when he was caught.

"Rocket boy… please… just don't make me lose another friend in your quest to become Ocean Shore's Don Juan?"

'I do like Trish… she's hot, smart and athletic. I think we might actually be good together… besides, this isn't entirely for me, you know?'

"Oh, really?" Reggie quirks an eyebrow; her brother is NOT known for his selflessness.

'Yeah… this is probably Sam's last chance to ask Sherry out… you know he'll never get up the nerve to do it without some help… in a group, at the dance, he might even ask her to dance…don't you want to help the Squid?' Otto, once again, flashes his charming grin at his sister. He knows that this time, she'll have to give in. She had a weakness for helping people, that Otto wasn't afraid to exploit, especially if it gave him the opportunity to legitimately spend time with a hot girl.

Reggie groans, knowing full well that Otto actually has a point, for once. "One wrong move, and you're dead, Rocket boy," she growls as she walks away. Otto heads back to the cafeteria, a smile of victory on his face.

"Everything, OK, O-man?"

'Yeah… escaped without a scratch' Otto gives his best friend a cocky smile.

"No… I meant, is Reg OK?"

'She's cool…although not as cool as her friend here…' Otto turns towards the blushing brunette with a cheeky grin. Sam, noticing Twister's question, turns towards the younger boy with a knowing look, while Sherry just appears curious. The bell rings, and the group splits up to head towards their various classes. Otto and Twister head off to study hall, while Sam, Sherry and Trish walk in the direction of the chemistry lab.

'So, Thomas just transferred to Ocean Shores community college…'

"Thomas… as in Cleo's brother? Why? Is Cleo moving out here, too?" Otto tries not to appear interested in his friend's piece of news.

'Dunno… wasn't really paying attention when mom told me… something about their parents…'

"Yeah, Cleo mentioned that they've been fighting a lot lately…"

'Dude… you talk to Cleo?'

"Yeah… sometimes… we email from time to time… IM… and call each other…what's wrong with that?" Otto's tone suddenly turns defensive.

'Bro… is there something you want to tell me?'

"Come on, bro… you call Reggie all the time and you don't like her as more than a friend… it's like that!"

'You talking to Cleo is like me talking to Reggie?' Twister's voice suddenly sounds high and thin.

"Exactly, bro! She's a good friend, and she's going through a real tough time right now, that's all…"

'Mmmm… whatever bro…' Twister is now distracted, as he thinks of his long phone calls chatting with his best friend's sister. Their conversations always seem platonic, yet Twister knows that his day doesn't really feel complete without hearing her voice. Twister knows that if Otto feels the same way about his cousin, AND plans to ask Trish out, things are probably going to get complicated in a hurry.