The sky was a perfect blue with not a single cloud in sight. You could smell the salty sea in the light California breeze. Jade was sitting on the front porch with her feet on the ledge, engrossed in a book.

Her friend Liam walked up the sidewalk and sat down next to her. "Hey Jade what are you reading?" Liam asked knowing what he was getting himself into.

Jade looked at her friend knowing that he was not in the mood to discuss spiritual matters. "Why don't we head inside? My mom and I made some stuffed peppers for lunch. We know that those are your favorite!"

"Sounds great!" Liam said a little too enthusiastically, but grateful for the change in subject.

Mrs. Mayfield was setting the table when they walked through the door. Jade grabbed some utensils from the drawer and helped finish. Liam sat in his usual spot at the beach house table. "How is your mother doing Liam?" Mrs. Mayfield asked as she set a pretty yellow flowered plate in front of him.

"She alright it sounds like her condition is improving from what the doctor told my father" Liam said taking a sip from his water glass.

"Send her our love, and let her know that we are praying for her daily" Mrs. Mayfield said.

"Will do" Liam said. Liam's family had been friends with Jadyn's since they were both babies. Their parents met at church before Jade and Liam were even born. Liam went to church, but it meant nothing to him. He sat through the boring preaching because it made his parents happy, and with his mother battling cancer he didn't want to risk making her condition worse by not going.

Jade sat down next to her friend. "A few friends from church were going to get together tonight for coffee if you want to come?"

"You hate coffee..." Liam said laughing at Jade.

"I like coffee... when you can't taste the coffee" Jade smiled. "And besides I don't go just for the coffee it's nice to see my friends"

"Well I promised Tori that I would go to the football game with her tonight" Liam said softly. Tori was Liam's girlfriend they had been going out for over a year now. Tori was the total opposite of Jade, but that seemed to be the type of girl Liam was interested in. She was the head cheerleader, and the most popular, prettiest girl at West High.

"Sounds like fun" Jade half smiled.

"Ready to eat?" Mrs. Mayfield said changing the subject.

After lunch Liam thanked Mrs. Mayfield for the delicious stuffed peppers then excused himself, and left to go meet Tori.

Tori was waiting for him down by the pier wearing her blue and gold cheer outfit. He knew how much everyone hated that he was dating her, but Liam loved Tori.

"Hey sweetie I tried calling you a dozen times" she said frustrated "Where were you all day?"

Liam knew that Tori hated when he hung out with Jade so he lied, and told her he was sleeping and had his phone on silent. Well at least the last part was true.

Tori looked at him "You were with her weren't you?" she said angrily "You know how much I hate you being around that family"

"I know you do Tori, but her family is like my second family I enjoy hanging out with them. But I love spending time with you more" Liam said taking both of her hands and staring into her deep blue eyes.

"Prove it" Tori said looking at him "Prove to me that you enjoy my company over theirs".

Liam looked at her not ready for what was coming next.

"Stop hanging out with her,and being friends" She said with a sheepish smile.

"Your being a child, Tori this is so stupid you have no reason to worry" Liam said pleading with her.

"Then prove it to me, Liam. It's either her or me" Tori said angry