Okay...hi everyone! (Dodges the random objects that were thrown at her.) Um...I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to let this one sit for as long as I did. Believe me, I tried thinking about it, really I did. But here's the next chapter, hopefully this will sate your appetites until I figure out my major plan.

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Tyson looked up from the text in the Psychology book to watch Ozuma study Tyson's notes from the class period that morning. Tyson's eyes flickered over the other teen's features slowly. How his hair swayed in the slight breeze that came through reminding Tyson that is was about to become winter in no more than a month and a half. Tyson also noted the soft curve of Ozuma's chin, the tip of his nose, even...how his lips made the cutest curve whenever he smiled or even frowned.

Stopping his train of thought for a minute, Tyson blinked. Wait...did he just think about...Ozuma's lips. On that subject now, why was he now noticing things about Ozuma like the beautiful shimmering aqua glistening in his eyes? Clearing his head for a moment, Tyson frowned. Could he already be starting to like Ozuma more than just a friend?

He still loved Kai that was obvious. He would never want to forget his first love, someone he wouldn't have minded sharing his life with no matter what sort of hardship they had to go through to be together. So why was...why was he thinking about Ozuma on a higher basis than their relationship currently granted. They were friends, nothing more, nothing less. He doubted anyway that Ozuma was even into guys.

'But what if he is?' his brain told him. 'Remember, not too many years ago you were into girls, or thought you were and you said you didn't like guys, but look how wrong you are.'

His brain was right, he did believe he liked girls for a long time, but he did have to remember that somewhere in his subconscious mind, he did like Kai. That was why he didn't resist Kai when he kissed him that summer three years ago. That was why he loved everything about Kai, why at times he seemed jealous for no obvious reason, though deep down inside there was a reason. Maybe...Ozuma was like that, subconsciously in love with Tyson. Or maybe Tyson was just crazy.

"Tyson?" Ozuma looked up from the notes to find Tyson looking at him. For a minute or two, Ozuma had realized that the other was staring at him. Maybe in thought or maybe because Tyson liked the way he looked, who knew. "Tyson, are you okay?"

"Huh?" Tyson looked up from his thoughts to find Ozuma looking at him with a concerned stare. "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

"Are you sure, Tyson? If you don't feel up to helping me, I will understand. Are you sick or something?" Ozuma inquired.

"No, I'm fine," Tyson assured, turning his eyes back to his textbook. "So where were you stuck at?"

"Well...I was actually hoping you could help me with the entire lesson that Lashely preached today," Ozuma grinned. Tyson stared at his brown and red haired friend as the male continued grinning at him. Eventually Tyson shook his head with mocked exasperation.

"And how do you expect to pass this course if you keep falling asleep?" Tyson said humorously.

"That's where I have the greatest study partner in the entire class on my side. With you pumping knowledge into my brain, I'm bound to pass with a B or maybe even higher!" Ozuma explained.

"Is that so," Tyson chuckled as he continued shaking his head. So that's how it is? Well, I guess that we can work something out, Ozuma. But you know that we only have about a month and a half to go before the semester is over."

"What's today?" Ozuma blinked.

"That would be October 9th. So, you plan on trying to do better before the semester ends or what?" Tyson wondered, putting his pen down to look into Ozuma's aqua colored eyes, the sun causing the spheres to shimmer slightly. He watched the teen place his hand under his chin thinking like he tended to do often.

"October 9th huh? And when does the semester end again?" Ozuma inquired.

"December 18th," Tyson responded.

"Well, I still have plenty of time to goof off before having to get serious and do some work so I can pass," Ozuma grinned.

Shaking his head, Tyson couldn't help but think that Ozuma was really a nice person and would be fun to have as a boyfriend...but still a part of Tyson did not want to let go just yet. It may be kind of selfish, but he didn't want to lose his memories of Kai. Yet...maybe Rei, Kain, and his cousin were right and he needed to move on. Hadn't he mourned Kai's death enough by now?

Three years was no short amount of time, and he was tired of waking up some nights just to find tears in his eyes, realizing he dreamt about Kai leaving him all over again. Maybe Ozuma could fill in a gap that had been left wide open for far too long. Maybe he should give his friend a chance, if Ozuma really was into guys and decided to ask him out. Who knew, things between them may end up to be nice.

"Tyson, are you sure you're okay?" Ozuma said again, seeing Tyson go back into his reflective state. "Don't tell me I'm starting to rub off my habits on you."

"No...I was just thinking about some things that's all," Tyson smiled.

"Like what?" Ozuma questioned, his eyes studying Tyson carefully.

"Not much, you know, just the normal stuff that goes on in the head of someone who worries about getting good grades," Tyson teased.

"Hey now, I'm worried about good grades, I just haven't decided what I want to do with my life right now. Before I transferred up here to go to school, my parents were always telling me I had to do good to become something that they could be proud of, but I got to thinking, no matter what I choice to do, shouldn't they be proud of me still," Ozuma said. "So, Tyson, you still haven't given me an answer."

"About the movie?" Tyson smiled.

"Well yeah. Have I asked you for something else between now and this morning?" Ozuma raised a brow. "Please tell me if I have, I can't get rid of this habit of hounding people down and shooting off random questions they are likely to kill me for." The grin on his face stretched even further across his handsome face, as he peered across the table at Tyson.

"No, you haven't asked me any other questions," Tyson laughed.

"So what about that movie?" Ozuma wondered.

"Well...I have to work every day up until Saturday," Tyson said.

"Then I'll pick you up Saturday evening then. I have two classes in the mornings. So is this a yes or no because I can always find some cute girl that wouldn't mind coming to see a free movie with me?" Ozuma teased. "Though I don't think I would find as many girls as cute as you."

"Are you flirting with me, Ozuma?" Tyson inquired quietly. Could Rei and Kain really be right when they said that Ozuma had a thing for him? Maybe he was just joking around. Or maybe he could really be serious about this.

"Are you flirting back?" Ozuma countered with a grin. "Or would you prefer that I shower you with gifts so you will continue to help me with my Psychology work?"

"Ah, I see what this is about. Fine, you can pick me up on Saturday then," Tyson said, knowing he was foolish to think that Ozuma was gay and had an interest in him. Tearing a sheet of paper out his notebook, Tyson wrote down his address and phone number on the sheet and slid it over to Ozuma. "There, my address and phone number, so you don't get lost."

"All right, so Saturday it is."

"Now, should we get back to pumping information in your brain, or are you going to run off and jump with joy that I'm not going to leave you hanging?" Tyson smiled, not denying that it would be nice if he could like someone again. Maybe he should start to date it had been quite a while after all.

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Kenny unplugged his carry around notebook from the wall so he could fold it up and put it back in his bag. Combing a hand through his wayward hair, he pushed another lock of hair out his way. Continuing his task, he didn't notice the figure behind him until he was tapped on the shoulder. Looking up, he caught sight of a pair of amethyst eyes watching him with a smile.

Finishing what he was doing, Kenny turned to the person behind him wearing a dark burgundy colored long sleeved shirt with a light pair of brown khaki pants. "Well, I haven't seen you in a few days, been busy?" the figure with short green hair said.

"What do you mean have I been busy?" Kenny said. "I should be asking you that question, Oliver. I haven't seen you at the store in a while."

This young man was a sophomore at the college who actually lived in an apartment provided by the campus. He transferred to the states from Paris maybe three or four years ago so he could pursue his dream of not only being a painter, but a master chief too. The first time Kenny met him was at Starbucks, when Kenny was on break working on his story. He hadn't noticed Oliver until the other commented on Kenny's style of writing, and smiled.

At first Kenny could only say thank you, but then Oliver, being as friendly as he was, sat down and started a conversation with Kenny. The two young men found each other's company to be likeable and it wasn't too long before they became friends. Exchanging numbers and email addresses if they wanted to get in contact with each other. So far with his book, Oliver was Kenny's main critic, and editor.

When Oliver first asked him where he got the material for the story from, Kenny was more than hesitant to reply, until Oliver eventually bugged it out of him. Kenny thought for sure that Oliver would stop talking to him, but the French teen just smiled, like he tended to do, and say that he had no bias against anyone's sexual preferences. And that it shouldn't matter as long as he cared and loved someone, no matter what sex they were. The brunette found himself more grateful to his friend all the time for helping him.

"You know how I am," Oliver said, his French accent mingling with his speech.

"Always at home reading something, am I right?" Kenny said, picking up his bag and sliding it onto his shoulder. "I swear, whenever I call you, you always have a book in your hand. And everyone thinks I would be a nerd. So, what is it this time?"

"Actually, I've been attending a few night sessions in this program that my cousin told me about. I'm learning a lot of new things, especially about mixing spices," Oliver replied, beginning to walk in step with Kenny as the brunette headed out the door. Kenny noted that the weather was slowly changing day by day. Soon it would really feel like fall instead of the last remnants of summer.

"So, when do I get my first meal that doesn't taste salty?" Kenny joked, receiving him a lightly scolding look from his friend.

"Never if you keep up comments like that, Kenneth," Oliver said.

"Will you stop that," Kenny groaned. Kenny hated people using his full name, because he had heard enough of it when he was younger from all his relatives. He found the act extremely annoying and was very quick to remind anyone how much he hated it. But of course it would be Oliver that did it just to irritate him. "You how much I hate that."

"Well stop picking on your elders," Oliver laughed. "I only do that when you decide to humor yourself about my cooking."

"And you know that I'm only kidding when I say that you have black thumbs when it comes to the kitchen," Kenny countered. "So, on a level, when do I get my first meal? After all, I've provided you with reading material for the past four months. I hoped you would at least reward me for my endeavors."

"I suppose I can do something for you, tell me what you want me to cook for you," Oliver said, looking over to the younger teen beside him, who thought it over in his mind.

"I think I will let you decide what to cook me. I want to be surprised. So, when do I come over?"

"Are you free next Thursday, I don't have classes that day," Oliver questioned.

"Next Thursday...yeah. I don't have work that day. That would work out perfectly. And I'll bring over the prototype for chapter five for you to read. It's not all the way completed, but I think it's at a point where I've hit a huge writer's block. I know I'm adding in aspects of my life when I get to the parts going over that summer, but...I have no idea what I want to add right now," Kenny stated.

"Well, it takes time to create a masterpiece," Oliver voiced. "You'll get over your block and I'm certain that the chapter will turn out nicely. The next chapter will lead up to your main character finding out that he will be sent away for the summer, am I correct in asking?"

"I don't know anymore. Sometimes when I sit down to work on it, the ideas in my head seem foolish and idiotic. I want the story to go well, so I can say that I accomplished something in life. Something that I can leave in this world and have people know, it's more than a story, it was someone's life story," Kenny declared.

"And I know you will be able to do that because you are a creative and talented person, Kenny. I know that if you take your time, no matter how much time goes by before you publish it, you will be able to get it published and people will be touched by your story," Oliver assured.

"You think so, Oliver?" Kenny questioned. His question received a huge smile from his friend, who placed a hand lightly on his shoulder.

"Of course," Oliver stated. "You know, Kenny, do you mind if I invite someone else to come over next Thursday for dinner. A friend of mine who might give you a better opinion of your work than me, he's an English major finishing his third year of school. He doesn't go here of course, I would have already introduced you. He's suppose to be coming this week to stay two weeks over here to visit."

"How long have you two been friends?"

"Well...let's see...I think I first met Robert when I was nine. His family lived in Paris for maybe five years. After he left we kept in touch as often as possible. His family originates from Germany, but he's traveled all his life to different places. Paris, Italy, Greek, Russia, Spain, and I think Japan once or twice. He's lived here in the States for maybe four years," Oliver commented.

"He must be well versed in several languages then. So where does he live, since it's obvious he doesn't live here in Massachusetts?" Kenny looked over at his friend as they continued walking across campus. A few students that were out were playing catch or relaxing, enjoying the warmth that would probably be gone in two weeks.

"He lives in Washington right now," Oliver replied.

"I assume he goes to State?" Kenny voiced.

"That's right," Oliver nodded. "He said that after he graduates, he plans to relocate to Virginia or New York. He plans to be an editor for a publishing company, so he's the perfect person to help you out."

"So, this is his third year, he's graduating next fall?"

"Actually, he graduates this coming spring. He graduated from high school when he was sixteen and went immediately into college. With him being home schooled a lot, he was ahead of other kids his age. Come this April he will finish out his last few credits out," Oliver laughed a little at the expression on Kenny's face. "I'm sorry if I didn't explain so well."

"Damn...I think he's put the rest of us to shame. Well, I'm sure that it will be interesting to meet him and get his opinion on my work," Kenny shook his head.

"Oh, don't worry about it. He's not as bad as you make him sound. It's not like he's going to rip you to shreds or something. He will give you his honest opinion and where you might need to improve," Oliver guaranteed.

"I see, well I suppose that eventually I would have to get another critic besides you, not that you haven't been the best help in the world. Okay then, I'll see you next Thursday then, right now I have to get home so I can get ready for work. I will talk to you later Oliver." Kenny waved his friend good-bye as he ran across campus to get to the bus stop on time.

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"Hey Kenny, do you think you could tell Joshua to add more whip cream to my order?" inquired a lady in her mid thirties with short blonde hair, as Kenny walked by carrying a tray with two large mocha lattes.

Kenny turned his eyes to the lady with a smile. "Of course Natalie. I'll tell him as soon as I get these to the girls by the window."

"Thanks a lot sweetie," the lady named Natalie said as she went back to her book. Kenny weaved his way around the chairs and tables in the shop that he worked in. Okay...so this Starbucks really wasn't as small as a shop since it also connected to a Barnes & Nobles bookstore. So really is was maybe twice the size of a normal Starbucks. Most of the people sitting in the shop now were regulars from when Kenny began working there his senior year of high school.

He's moved up from just having a cashier position. Most times he was a waiter, which is how he made a little extra money with the regulars that left him tips. Other times he trained the new people that came into the job, a few times he rang up customers, but as said before, he didn't do that quite as often as before. On occasions, if one of the boys that usually made the drinks were out, Kenny would help out in the back.

Reaching the table by the window, he set the drinks down in front of two giggling junior high school girls. The girl with bright blue eyes and black hair done in a long braid batted her eyes up at him. "How are you doing today Kenny?"

"Hi Vicky, how are you doing today? I see that Jeri isn't with you today, she had detention again?" Kenny smiled. The girl with the black hair was a regular there, along with her friend Jeri who was not present today. Kenny knew that both girls had a huge crush on him, but neither would say a word and only giggled whenever he brought them their orders.

"Yeah...oh, this is Latrice, she just transferred to the school today. I volunteered to show her around, so we ended up here. Say hi Latrice," Vicky chimed.

"Hi. You're cute, are you single?" was the first thing out the girl's mouth before her face looked as if it caught on fire. She lowered her eyes from him to the latte in front of her. Kenny chuckled inwardly at her boldness and decided that it wouldn't be nice if he didn't reply, even if it was to humor her.

"I'm glad someone thinks I am. So, do you know anyone that I can date since I am single?" he replied. As expected, she turned a whole new shade of red.

"Hey Kenny, I have table four's order ready!" a guy with curly dusty brown hair shouted from the pick up.

"Coming! Oh yeah, Josh!"

"What?" the man called back.

"Natalie said add more whip cream to her cappuccino," Kenny shouted back. Turning back to the two girls, he gave them a little wink. "Sorry I can't stay longer and talk, work calls." Making his way from the two girls, he heard a squeak and rapid whispers. Ah, to be that young again.

"Hey, Chief!" Tyson made his way through the sections that separated the Barnes & Nobles from the Starbucks and flopped down at an empty table. "Kain and Rei said they would be here in a few minutes. Call for break soon."

"I'll see Tyson," Kenny said, picking up the order that was waiting to be given to the man in his early twenties. Kenny weaved his way through the crowd of people that were walking into Starbucks to the cash registers to order drinks and sat his drink down at the table where the man in his early twenties with the purple hair, who was reading what looked to be a manuscript or report. "Here's your vanilla cappuccino, sir."

"Thank you." The man looked up at Kenny with his dark eyes, a smile on his face. Kenny momentarily got lost in his dark eyes.

"Hey Kenny, order for table ten is ready," Josh shouted, breaking whatever spell that held Kenny in place.

"I'm coming!" With a slight flush to his cheeks, Kenny turned away from the man and headed back to take the order to the assigned table. He couldn't believe that for those few moments he stood staring at some complete stranger as if he was the most amazing thing in the history of the universe. Was he really that desperate to move on that he would drool over a complete stranger?

'That's a good one, Kenny. You might as well go home tonight and watch some porn for all the drooling you've already done.' his brain taunted.

"Shut up," Kenny muttered to his brain as he weaved in and out of the tables. What he didn't realize as he went back to work was a pair of eyes watching him momentarily before going back to reading the papers in his hand.

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Okay, that's it! No more! I'm done! Nine pages, leave me alone all of you!! Now let me go before my head collapses in, later guys! Hope you liked this chapter and all the nice little plots that I'm building up in this one. And don't worry, about two or three more chapters and Tala and Kai will make an appearance, please be patient.