Title: This Year

Rating: T

Summary: This Summer was pretty interesting. A LOT has happened, and now that their back at school what will happen? Old flames will arise, the green eyed monster will come out, and when you add friends and interpersonal relationships in the mix this WILL be crazy. You could just call this a Soap Opera.

Genre: Romance/Family

Point of View: 3rd Person

Chapter Title: August 3rd: Part 3

Disclaimer: I do not own HOA.

A/N: Alright we finally made it through the first day of school, but trust me it only gets juicier and more dramatic from here. Also, I was thinking about making this into a series. You know go through senior year with them and beyond. Tell me if I should. Thanks!

Sean and Samantha ran hand in hand through the streets of New York as they tried to catch the 4 train. Out of breath and tired Samantha pushed through the crowds of people in front of her for the turnstiles. She swiped her new metro pass in a rush to catch the train. Sean, who was a few feet behind her, ran through the crowd and caught the train doors. Leaving them both to enter the train.

"Is it always like this?" Samantha panted.

Sean, who's been through this before vaguely answered, "Only if you're late."

Samantha rolled her eyes and plopped down in a seat, trying to recover from their mini "adventure."

"What do you mean the beginning?" Asked Nina.

"You know exactly what I mean." Eddie stated. "We start from where we first started dating. See where it all went wrong."

Nina stood and walked to the center of the roof and sat down on a bench next to some flowers. "We only have 10 minutes."

Eddie started to walk around. "I know that. You better start talking fast then."

"Are you serious!" Exclaimed Sean.

Sean walked around 59th street trying to find a place that apparently is closed.

"Sean chill," soothed Samantha. "We can just walk to the McDonald's down on 58th street. Besides, a Big Mac sounds really good right now."

"Damn! I've never met a girl that could actually eat! Well besides my sister, but don't tell her I said that," Sean smirked.

Samantha finished chewing before she replied. "I didn't know you had a sister."

Sean ate a fry and shrugged. "Yeah. Her names Nathalia but she has people call her Nina which I don't get, and she's in 11th grade. I have two older brothers. Jesus who's in our grade by the way is 17, and Marco who is 23."

Samantha nodded. "That's so nice. What about your parents?" She asked innocently.

Sean placed down his sandwich and struggled to get the words out. "They- they're." He stopped for a moment and tried to stay composed. He took a deep breath and let out a very shaky breath. "They- I'm sorry." He apologized.

A few tears escaped his eye. "It's okay Sean. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to," Samantha assured.

Her blue eyes shined with care for the young man in front of her. If you looked really close, you could see this twinkle in her eyes that she only got around him. If anyone really knows Samantha Connor, they'd know that she's never looked at anyone that way before. She began to feel the same pain as Sean. She's never done that before and it's really scary.

She extended her own hand and grasped his. An amazing shock filled her body as her hand connected with his. It was like a million volts of electricity shot up through her body, but in a good way.

Sean felt it too. It seemed to give him enough strength to say those dreaded words. "They're dead," he confessed.

Samantha looked up at him, and for once he didn't see what he usually does. He didn't see pity. He saw love. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Sean nodded and took a sip of his drink. "So tell me about your family," Sean mused.

They sat and talked for hours, and not once did they let go of each other's hands.

"We can't start that far back! That makes absolutely zero sense! We should just start at this past summer," argued Nina.

"I didn't come up here to argue with you! I came up here to talk about what happened to us! We have never fought like this before! And if you just want to argue about what we're going to talk about, then I'll just start!" Eddie retaliated.

Nina just sat stiffly and looked at the ground.

"I'm sorry Nathalia! I don't understand how many times I have to say that. I've said it enough to last a lifetime. What I do understand is that I wasn't here when you needed me. When you miscarried. I'm sorry that I ignored all your calls. What I did out there in England was a mistake, and I betrayed you in the worst way. All I want from you is second chance. A second chance to love you the right way."

He stepped towards her and lifted her to her feet. "A second chance to make things right. A second chance to do things the right way. A second chance to kiss you. A second chance to make love with you. A second chance to be with you."

They stood so close that their chests were touching. "Tell me you don't want that and I'll stop." Eddie spoke in a low voice as he leaned down towards Nina.

Nina, who now felt that fire for him ignite in her heart once more she didn't want him to stop. When his lips captured hers they fell back into their usual rhythm. They stood their for a minute in their heated lip lock.

When they pulled apart a voice broke their lust filled bond. "Wow Nina. I didn't realize my silence earlier would cause you to do this."

Nina and Eddie whipped their heads towards the steps and looked over at a heartbroken Nate.

Something dropped from his hand as he bounded down the steps in a haste.

Nina inwardly cursed herself for letting this happen. She walked over and picked up the note.

Dear Nina,

I never meant my silence to come across as a bad thing. I guess I was just amazed as to how beautiful you look. I know this is early, but when you walked away from me I thought you broke up with me right then and there in a slick way. I realized that when I walked back to my class and wrote this letter, that I love you Nathalia Juanita Maria Contessa Martin Cortez. And I hope you love me too. If you do come to the same movie theater we went to the first time you told me something about you. I love you.

~Nate

As Nina read this letter she only knew one thing. She didn't love Nate. She had tricked herself into thinking that they had a mutual attraction. When in reality it was just Nate who held these feelings. And she just hurt him.

Nina folded the letter and looked towards Eddie. "It felt so right, but it was wrong and we both know it. It wasn't fair to him. You understand that I have to make this right. Give him the proper goodbye. Because this wasn't right. I'll see you later Eddie."

Nina made her way down the steps and looked down the hallways. Nothing, but lockers and plain white walls. Nina inwardly cursed herself, and walked to her locker. She took some of her books out of her locker and shoved her bag in. She whipped out her phone and started calling Nate. No answer. "Shit," she muttered.

She really messed up now. Most girls would kill to have two guys fight over her, but this? This a nightmare.

"Hey Ro!" Marco called out.

He walked into their bedroom and looked over at Rosie who was looking through one of the crib sets. "Yeah?" she answered.

He looked down at some of the papers in his hands. "Why is it that we are suddenly two and a half million dollars richer!" he exclaimed. Rosie flinched as he slammed the door. "Rosie! Did you go to your parents?"

Rosie eased away from the crib set and glanced over at Marco. "Marco," she began.

"No!" he screamed. "I'll be damned if you figured out a legitimate way to get that money!"

"Marco calm down!" Rosie demanded.

"I'm not gonna calm down! Rosie, did you or did you not get this money from your parents?" Marco yelled. Rosie just stood there stiffly. "God damn it answer me!" Rosie still didn't answer. "So, you're not gonna answer me? Great." He just paced around the room for a minute before he started talking again. "You know I knew you could be persistent at times, but we agreed to never go behind each others backs!" Marco paced around more as he struggled to get the words out. "I'm going out. I'll be back later."

Marco practically ripped open the door and left the apartment in a mad rush. Rosie has never seen him so enraged. She did this for them. For the people they were going to bring into this world. She had to do this. A mother does what she needs for her family, and Rosie did this for hers. Soon Marco is going to realize what she did was right, and they'll get what they need. They'll figure out exactly what they need to do, and they'll live their lives. Right?

"Are you sure no one's here?" asked Jesus. School finally let out and his girlfriend, Lexi brought him back to her house so that they could "hang out."

"Yeah. My parents are out of town for the weekend dealing with some boring stuff with my cousins," Lexi replied. She pushed Jesus into a recliner and straddled him. "So, we have the place all to ourselves."

She leaned forward and kissed his neck. "Lex, can we not today. I just don't want to do this. We can just talk. We don't do that enough."

Jesus pushed her off lightly, and she stubbornly sat on the other couch. On the other side of the room. "Fine," her arms were crossed. "We can talk. I just don't see the point in it. I mean we don't talk. We- how do I put this? Screw like rabbits. So you can talk. I'm going to Jonathon's house."

Jesus was taken aback by this statement. "Wait- did you say Jonathon? As in the Jonathon who is always talking about getting with you?" Lexi nodded. "Why are you going over there? Am I missing something or what? Because I'm getting real pissed off by the second."

Lexi picked up her phone and turned towards Jesus. "Look, Jesus. While you were ignoring me all summer, I found company in someone who cared. And let me tell you he is great in bed! So I think we should take a break. You know? See other people. Alright bye!"

She walked out of the room, leaving Jesus speechless.

Jesus walked home in complete and utter shock. So, Lexi was secretly sleeping with Jonathon on the side? Honestly, Jonathon isn't even cute. He's average looking, cocky, arrogant, and he's a football player. Anyone who goes to Memorial knows that basketball rules. What Jesus still can't get over is that it wasn't even a real relationship. He heard Lexi. "We screw like rabbits."

He had tricked himself into thinking it was real. Looks like Jesus Caleb Emillio Javier Martin-Cortez is now a single man.

"I had a lot of fun today Sean. The most I've had in a very long time," Samantha said.

The pair walked down towards the subway station with smiles on their faces. "Me too. Now are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?" Sean asked.

Samantha laughed at his care. "I'm sure I can manage."

Sean threw her one of his signature smiles. "Alright. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Bye Sean," Samantha breathed.

"Bye Samantha," Sean breathed.

They parted ways, each left with a slight tingle in their stomachs. One that just refused to go away.

Rosie stood from her seat as she heard the front door open. She had hope as she looked towards the door, but was disappointed to see Nina walk through. She made a big dramatic sigh and plopped down into the seat. "Long day?" Nina asked as she walked by.

"You wouldn't believe," Rosie said.

Rosie was so worried about Marco that she didn't notice Nina's new clothes.

"I understand. I had a pretty long one too. I'm just gonna head to bed. Night Rosie!" Nina called as she walked into her room.

Rosie yelled back a small night, and barely stayed awake as Sean and Jesus came in. They each bid their good nights and retired their rooms as fast as they came in. Still, she sat in her seat waiting. Just waiting for Marco to come home. Finally, at about 11:45 he came in wobbling all over the place. "You can't be serious," Rosie murmured as she rolled her eyes.

"Hey Rosie!" Marco slurred.

"I'm not doing this," Rosie decided. "You are going to sleep on the couch because your not sleeping in our room like this." She began to walk back to the bedroom and turned around. "And trust me this isn't over. We are keeping the money and I won't forget about this little incident. Good night Marco," she coldly said.

Wow. Isn't it trouble in paradise. Life surely is interesting. It's a path full of twists and turns, and definitely some speed bumps, but we have to take it on whether we like it or not. One step at a time.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review it motivates me and check out my other stories! Thanks!