DGG: Well, well. Look who it is! Yes, it's been awhile. And no, I didn't forget about this story. I've just been busy with life-decisions, and work, and just stuff I'm stressing about that I probably shouldn't be nor that need to be stressed over. Sigh. But regardless, I am back with another chapter.

I actually had to split this chapter into two. It was about 6 pages long, then I did major editing and added a crap-ton of dialogue, and it turned into nearly 8 pages. I was contemplating leaving it all as one chapter, but I was like, "Meh. This might actually work out better. There were certain things I wanted to add in that I couldn't because of the length of the chapter originally." Of course, after I took out the last half of the chapter and got it back down to about 4 pages, I added more stuff, so it's nearly 6 pages. Woo for detail!

Anyway, if I could focus for more than three seconds at a time whilst I am on the computer, that would help tremendously when it comes to writing/editing any of my stories.

Just a warning, some heavy language is in this chapter. Not too much. Cursing, yes, but the f-bomb is dropped only once. Trust me. I have other chapters where it's dropped quite a bit more. So enjoy! Read, review, favorite if you'd like. All that jazz.

The gang stared at him like a deer in headlights, their jaws grazing the ground.

"Wh-what?" Reggie finally squeaked out.

"Are you fucking serious?" asked Otto, shell-shocked.

"They want me there as quickly as possible…" Twister muttered while just staring at his feet.

"But tomorrow, Twist?" spoke Sam, his eyes wide. "That barely gives you any time to get your affairs together."

"They're eager to get started, I guess. They wanna talk and stuff."

"So why don't they just call you?" Otto's temper started to flare up.

"I don't know," the director shrugged while sheepishly raising his eyes toward his best friend's face. "There's the four kids, and their agent, and probably their parents. It's a lot of people to conference call with, Otto."

"So then what's the plan? Are you just going out there to talk first, or are you going there to talk and then start immediately?"

"They want to get started now, so I'll be taking my gear and everything I need, and I'll be staying there," Twister spoke quietly as though he thought it would lessen the blow.

"They want you to leave tomorrow? That's completely ludicrous! Why not just fly you out there in five minutes instead? Wouldn't that be better!" the female suddenly roared.

"Did I forget to mention that before?" Twister winced as he peered to his right.

"How is that something you forget to mention, Twister!" she shoved him, causing him to stumble.

"Take it easy, Reggie!" Sam cried as he braced the male so that he didn't fall.

"My sister does have a point," Otto concurred, also giving his friend a shove.

"Whoa! Geez, you guys!" Twister shrieked while attempting to keep his balance.

"I mean, what the hell?" the athlete continued. "Do they not realize you have family and friends out here? You have an entire life here that they're just expecting you to turn your back on for a year! And at the drop of a hat!"

"Yeah, Twist," Reggie folded her arms over her chest haughtily. "You just agreed to abandon everything and everyone toot sweet."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," the red-head gawked at her. "You were the one who told me to go!"

"Well, that was before you failed to mention you were leaving tomorrow!"

"Calm down, Reggie," Sam stepped between her and Twister and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"No! I will not calm down! I refuse!" she threw his hand away. "How could you not tell me that?"

"Reggie…" Twister frowned.

"I mean, that's not just something you gloss over, Twister! That's a huge detail!"

"I realize that, but…"

"I know you're absent-minded, but this really just takes the cake! You've seriously outdone yourself this time! Bravo! Well done!" she applauded sarcastically.

"Geez, Reg. I understand being pissed off, but you act like he singled you out personally," Otto raised an eyebrow.

"Shut up, Otto!" his sister snapped, not taking her glare off her boyfriend.

"Hey, whoa! Hang on a second!"

"Otto, chill. Now's not the time," Sam rushed over and began pushing Otto away from the group.

"What's your deal, Sam?" Otto cried. "I just wanna know what her beef is."

"Like I said, Otto, now's not the time."

"Why not?"

The geek bit his lip, deciding that not answering him was best.

"Seriously, Twister, how long did you know you'd have to leave so suddenly?" Reggie continued her tirade on her boyfriend.

"Only since today! I swear!" his voice cracked as he held up his hands.

"Since today? Since when today, Twister?"

"Since…since they called when we were at the beach…"

"Are you kidding?" Reggie's voice seemed to go up an octave in disbelief. "And it didn't strike you to tell any of us that they wanted you to leave tomorrow? You just decided to act sad, not say anything, then surprise us with this news after we convince you to go?"

"Hey!" Twister pointed an accusing finger in her direction. "You're the one who…"

"I don't wanna hear it!" Reggie held up her right hand to silence him, causing his jaw to drop. "You have to leave, so go! Just go!"

"Reggie, come on," Twister frowned, his anger having already subsided as he put his arm down.

"No! Just go!" she yelled as she turned around and stormed into the house, slamming the door behind her.

"Shit!" cried Twister as he kicked a stray pebble across the floor.

"Geez, what the hell was that about?" Otto raised an eyebrow at Twister. "I think that was the biggest freak-out I've seen from her in a long time. What's the deal man?"

"She was just taken off-guard. We all are," Sam jumped in quickly. "I think I'll go check on her," he started for the door.

"No," Twister barked as he grabbed the blonde by the shoulder. "I'll talk to her."

"Twister," the geek's voice had a warning tone in it as his eyes briefly flitted toward Otto, "I think right now you should probably get ready to leave. We'll catch up later."

"Squid, no! You guys have keys to my place! Why don't you two start packing some clothes or something?"

"No way! I'm not your butler, dude," Otto spoke with a scowl as he shook his head.

"C'mon. Please? I'll make it up to you, guys!"

"Twister, you know that…" Sam started.

"And you know that I've gotta make this right," he interrupted.

"Why do you specifically have to make this right?" the athlete raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"Because…because I messed up. She's upset because of me, and she's my…friend. So could you please just start for me, guys?"

"Dude, don't worry about her. My sister'll come back around. She's probably on the rag or some stupid shit like that."

"Lovely, Otto…" grimaced Sam with a roll of his eyes.

"She'll eat some chocolate. She'll come around," he continued. "Until then, let's just hang out since you're apparently leaving tomorrow."

"I want to, Otto, but…"

"Twist, c'mon! Don't worry about Reggie!"

"Sammy, please?" the Hispanic suddenly turned toward the blonde and actually got down on his knees to beg. "Pretty please? I have to pack and I have to make sure she's all right! I can't do both at the same time! You've gotta help me out here! Please!"

"Dude, she'll be fine," Otto spoke sternly.

"But I have to make sure she'll be fine," Twister answered his friend while still staring at the computer whiz.

"Twist, just forget her for now!"

"Can't do that. She's my g—" he stopped himself, took a gulp, then continued. "She's my friend. I can't leave with her mad like this! I would run after you if it were one of you guys."

"Dude, I'm bent out of shape about it, but not like her. Just c'mon. You have all night to pack. We only have the rest of the day to hang before you go! So what do you say?" Otto huffed.

Sam sighed; Twister's iron-clad gaze hadn't waivered one time since he got on his knees. He knew Twister did have to do this. He just didn't want Otto getting too terribly suspicious. The Rocket male had come dangerously close to finding out the truth already today. Not that Sam would have complained had the truth come out, but since his friends were still Hell-bent on keeping Otto in the dark, the blonde could only worry for them.

"Squid, no!" Otto barked, seeing his friend's resolve crumbling down. "Don't you dare!"

"Get up, Twister," Sam sighed again. "Go check on Reggie. We'll head over to your place."

"What? No way!" protested Otto.

"I won't be long. Thanks!" the red-head popped up with a grin and ran inside the house faster than a cheetah running after its prey.

The tech-geek scratched the back of his head as he stared at the doorway two of his friends disappeared through. Hopefully Twister could smooth things out in a jiffy. Twister had the uncanny ability to make anyone feel better; however, he felt that this time Twister may have his work cut out for him. He'd seen and heard of a few fights that erupted between his two friends before, and Reggie was able to hold a grudge. Not usually for long, but for at least a couple days. Unfortunately, if she wanted to squeeze in any more time with Twister before he left, she was going to have to bite the bullet regardless of how she felt. Sam hated to think that he could possibly leave with her being so angry. Suddenly he felt his other friend's gaze on him, snapping him out of his thoughts as he turned to his left to look at him.

"What?" he knitted his eyebrows in confusion.

"Seriously, Squid? You let him sucker you again! Seriously, dude! You always cave into him and anything he asks of either you or us to do!"

"All he wants is to check on Reggie. I'm surprise you didn't want to," Sam inwardly smacked himself as he realized what he said, afraid he actually implanted the idea in the other male's head. He didn't know just what Twister would be doing or saying, but he didn't want to risk Otto walking in on something he shouldn't. Well, walking in on something that he should walk in on, in all actuality, but his friends still thought their secret relationship should remain so, so again the nerd was trapped fearing for them.

The aspiring athlete briefly glanced at the doorway in thought before shrugging.

"Twist's got her," he spoke flatly, causing Sam to let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "C'mon, then. I guess we have to go start his packing."

"Reggie?" Twister walked into the kitchen finding the girl sitting on the couch in the living room across the house.

"I told you to go," she snapped, though Twister caught the hint of tears in her voice.

"Reg, I'm really sorry," he moved toward her before tentatively sitting down to her right.

She remained silent, refusing to look at him.

"C'mon, Reg, you said before that it would be okay!"

"That was before I knew you were leaving tomorrow!" she roared, keeping her gaze averted. "I thought we'd have a little bit more time! How could you not have mentioned that before?"

"I don't know. It never came up," he shrugged, ashamed.

"Never came up?" her eyes bulged as she finally turned her head to gawk at the red-head. "Twister, we were just sitting outside talking this out, and it never dawned on you to mention when you were supposed to leave!"

"I don't know! I just…you know my brain works weird like that!" he sighed as he took out his phone. "I can always call back and tell 'em no."

"No," Reggie softened a bit as he plucked the device from his hands. "No, Twist, don't do that."

"But this isn't fair to you…"

"Twister, you're my boyfriend, right?"

"As far as I know," he grinned gleefully.

"Well, I want you to be happy," she placed a hand on his left shoulder.

"But how can I be happy knowing that you're not happy?" he frowned again.

"Twister, it's not that I'm unhappy, I'm just…shocked, I guess. I didn't know you'd have to leave so quickly. But we've known each other since we were kids, and I know that you have been waiting your entire life for something like this to happen to you. And I can guarantee that you will regret it if you don't do this," she moved her hand to place it on his left cheek.

"You're sure?" he placed his hand over hers.

"Yeah, I'm sure," she smiled as she leaned over to rest her forehead against his.

There he was. No matter how angry she was, he always seemed to melt her frosty mood whether she wanted him to or not. Curse his charm.

"How do you know that I wouldn't regret leaving you behind more than I would not going there in the first place?" he suddenly asked.

"Twister, please," Reggie leaned back then shoved him playfully, "you're stuck with me. I'm already here. But when's the next time you'll get an opportunity like this for your career?"

"I don't know. Someone else will come along with something big…" he shrugged sheepishly.

"Come on! Quadruple Image is the hottest thing right now. If you were the one to do their documentary, then you'll for sure get all the recognition you deserve. Don't let that credit go to someone else, Twist."

"I guess so," he smiled. "But I definitely hate seeing you upset, and I wanna make it up to you."

"Oh yeah?" she chuckled.

"Mhm," he nodded as he leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

Their one kiss soon turned into many passionate kisses as they lay down on the couch with Twister on top of Reggie. But after a few moments, the female broke from their moment, and shoved the male back a bit.

"Hold on," she panted. "Shouldn't you be getting ready to leave?"

"Don't sweat it. Otto and Sammy are helping me pack right now, so we've got some time," he arched his eyebrows.

"Seriously? You have them packing for you?" she raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Yeah! Now come on! I wanna give you a little preview of what'll be goin' down later tonight," he grinned.

"You've already got a romantic evening planned for tonight?"

"I actually already had one planned for tonight anyway," he shrugged.

"Of course you did," she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Hey, now the pressure's on me! If we're not going to be able to see each other for almost a year, then I really have to make tonight a night to remember!"

"Well, I hope you don't crack under the pressure or anything," she joked as she sat up slightly and nuzzled her nose against his.

"No way! I'm an expert when it comes to romancin' my lady!" he spoke cockily.

"More like an amateur!" Reggie laughed.

"Man, whatever!" he grinned. "Let's see if you still think that after I give you a little preview of events to come."