Disclaimer: No I don't own these 3 fine ninjas but I wish I wish I wish!

School wasn't so bad. Kara found herself easily enjoying herself during her last class of the day. Being a T.A. was quite nice seeing as all she really did was jot down lap times and make sure the freshmen kids didn't fight each other. Coach Canon was easily distracted by his knee which he'd explained had been bothering him a lot lately.

Kara took a seat on the nearby bleachers and gazed around the field. The sun was set high and she wiped a few droplets of sweat from her forehead. Right now, she knew she'd be with her nose in a book or sparring with Taylor. She sighed, wondering what her ill-tempered sister was up to right now. Hopefully not trouble.

Taylor gave a heavy sigh as the rest of the juniors listened while Mrs Sawyer did a quick review on To Kill A Mockingbird. Tay rolled her eyes and shoved their assignment inside her notebook. She'd already done more reading than the rest of these kids. Comparing a sophmore level book was awkward especially when it was being called "timeless classic" when in her mind it was still recent. She owned that book and secretly enjoyed reading it from time to time.

A tap on her shoulder from behind caught her attention. She slowly turned halfway in her seat, pretending to stretch as she looked over her shoulder to find Noah leaning towards her. The girl from earlier. She smiled at Taylor.

"Does trouble follow you as much as it follows Jeff?" Noah asked.

"Jeff?" Tay repeated the name, confused. "Who's that?"

Noah smiled again. "Oh, that's Colt's real name!"

"Am I boring you, ladies?" asked Mrs Sawyer suddenly. Her eyes were watching the pair warily, as if unsure what to expect.

Taylor shrugged. "No, but I'm offended that you refer to my fave book as a timeless classic. It's much better than that."

Mrs Sawyer raised her brows as the class turned to look at Taylor.

Apparently, no one usually answered so honestly.

Taylor merely smirked and sat up straight in her seat.

"I hate math..."

"Aw don't worry!" Tum Tum told Rave as they headed towards the parking lot together after school.

"Hello Michael!" came a female voice from across the way.

The pair looked up to see the same group of girls from gym.

Tum gave a hal-hearted wave and continued walking.

Rave looked at him. "Michael? I thought your name was Tumtum?"

He shrugged. "That's my nickname. I prefer it more than my real name. Only my good friends can call me that though." He looked over at Rave and grinned. "YOU can call me that just so you know!"

Rave returned the grin. "Okay." She thought for a minute. "So, those girls...you don't seem to like them yet you still say hi back to them."

Tum shrugged. "I don't like them, true, but I don't NOT like them either. It makes no difference to me actually because we don't hang and plus my mom always says it's impolite to ignore a lady."

Rave gave a slight giggle. She'd never met a polite boy like this one! He was so liberal it was kinda cute! She reached out and playfully nudged him.

"That's so cute...mama's boy!" she taunted playfully.

"I am not!" he protested. He saw her trying to hold back her laughter and began to tickle her. "Dare ya to say it again!"

"I surrender!" she laughed as she allowed him to chase her to the jeep.

"Hey there!"

Taylor looked up from her locker as Noah approached her. One of the guys was with her...Michael.

"Hey." she answered. She grabbed her history book and shoved it into her bag. Homework on a daily basis seemed like such a drag but she could handle it better than anyone else. She was positive.

Michael and Noah occupied either side of her as she gathered her things and shut her locker.

"So, you got anything planned right now?" Michael asked. His hair was chin length, chocolate colored and curly. It nicely framed his face.

Taylor blinked rapidly and shrugged. Whew! Most of the guys were good looking in this town! She hardly had experience with guys in the dating department, and now she could feel herself actually turning shier than usual.

"Just homework..." she said slowly, trying not to look at the rest of the group approaching, including none other than Colt.

"We're heading over to the arcade. You should come." Noah said. She never seemed to quit smiling. "It's be nice to have another chick around for a change!"

Taylor found herself smiling. Having another chick around that wasn't her sister was definately not a bad idea. She nodded and swung her bag over her shoulder, nearly hitting Josh. "Sorry!" she said immediately.

He smiled down at her. "It's cool." he said to her with a laugh. "Let's go then. I can drive you home."

Taylor began to walk, then froze in place "Actually, I need to go let my sisters know before they decide to call the search party."

Colt snickered and Tylor shot a glare in his direction. "What's so funny Jeffrey?"

He stopped and stared at her, surprised. HIs jaw clenched as he stepped forward.

They glared at each other for a moment before someone else joined them.

"Taylor!" Scott said from behind her suddenly. He stepped between her and Colt, of course giving Colt his back.

Taylor blinked in surprise as Scott just about dragged her away. Or at least, he began to.

"Hey man!" Michael said, stepping between Taylor and Scott.

Taylor frowned. Why was everyone stepping between her and her foes lately? Did she seriously look so weak?

"She doesn't want to go anywhere with you." Colt suddenly said to Scott. He turned Scott to face him and stepped close in a challenge.

Scott looked down his nose at Colt.

Before either guy could make a move, Taylor grabbed Scott's arm and pulled him away. "No one speaks for me. Let's go Scott."

As they walked away, she glanced over her shoulder and took in Colt's face. He actually looked more angry now than when it was merely her stepping up to the plate.

Hell, was it just her or did he actually seem a bit...jealous?

Either way, she kept on walking with her arm through Scott's until they were out of sight.

"Look Scott..." she began, not sure what to say, which was rare.

He cut her off. "Those guys are trouble. Don't worry, I forgive you." He smiled down at her.

She scrunched up her nose at him. "YOU forgive ME?" she scoffed. She took a step away and walked off to meet Kara and Rave in the parking lot. This was so lame it actually hurt her brain trying to figure out how these small town people ticked.

"Watch out, here comes Tay." Rave said to the others as they all stood around the Jeep.

Rocky had joined them and was leaning against his mountaineer. He looked over at Taylor and somehow had the feeling she was fuming over Colt again. She wore that same look yesterday when she'd so unexpectedly smacked him in the face. Rocky had to smile at the memory. It was amusing to find a girl who could finally get under his brother's skin.

"Hello Taylor." he greeted as she tossed her bag into the back of the jeep and jumped behind the wheel.

"Sam." she nodded.

He smiled at the use of his real name. He could get used to someone like her. She somehow lightened the mood.

"We'd better go." Kara told him.

"Well, if you want a ride..." he said, motioning to his vehicle. "We live next door to each other so..."

Kara looked from him to Taylor and Sighed. "Sorry, but my sister needs me. She's prone to trouble if I'm not around when she's letting steam out of her ears."

"Good luck!" Rave said and jumped into the backseat of the mountaineer with Tum Tum.

Kara shook her head but then nodded. "Take care. We'll be home soon okay?" she told Rave as she climbed into the Jeep with Taylor.

Rocky watched as Taylor pulled out of the parking lot. He felt a bit sad that Taylor and Kara were soon going to be at each other's throats. He knew this because it was how he and Colt were when he was fuming. Oh well... they'd be okay. At least, he hoped.

He climbed into the vehicle and glanced in the direction where Colt was climbing onto his motorcycle. He looked as he usually did, yet even from this distance Rocky could tell that something was bothering him. He prayed that Colt wasn't about to do something stupid.

He shook his head and began to pull out the parking lot as well.

Out of nowhere, a corvette sped up and into his path.

Rocky hit the brake just in time and glared as he recognized the car.

Scott sped away from the school and out of sight.

Rocky had half a mind to go after him. About to do just that, Tum Tum spoke.

"Hey Rocky, can we go get some pizza before going home?" he asked with wide innocent eyes.

This was enough to calm Rocky to his senses. He was not about to be a bad influence on his little brotehr, especially not in front of the new neighbors. Not in front of Rave...Kara's little sister. Taylor's little sister.

He shuddered. Nope! If they were anything like him, then he'd definately be fearing their wrath if anything happened to their baby sister in his care.

He drove towards the Pizzaria. "Sure, I'm feeling kinda hungry myself." he answered Tum Tum.

Sooner or later...someone was going to get Scott...

Colt drove his bike hard and fast, not afraid of being pulled over. He knew these old roads to know the times when the cops were posted with their speedometers. Now wasn't the time.

He went straight to the nearby lake. No one really knew it was there, so he enjoyed the privacy.

He parked the bike beside a nearby boulder and went to sit by the makeshift bench he made last summer when he first found this place.

Here, he could always think clearly. Here, he felt peace.

A tear came to his eye as he remembered his grandfather. It was last summer that he'd passed away. That was how he'd found this place. He'd run away after the funeral. Of all the people, it was grandpa who understood him the most. And of all the people, it was grandpa who had been taken from him. He felt incomplete. Now all he had to do was find his own peace, the way grandpa had always taught him to. A quiet, private place that was safe for meditation.

Colt straightened himself and then reached beneath the bench and pulled out his sketchbook. There was never a need to worry that it was going to be lost or stolen since no one knew of this place. So he always left it here.

He opened it up and began his newest sketch. He started with the eyes, being very careful to capture each detail from his memory. Each wrinkle, each dimple, hair and perfect mischievous grin.

It was grandpa. Smiling and waving. Colt could almost hear his familiar laugh and sighed. He closed the pad and placed it carefully beneath the bench. Checking his watch, he realized time had flown by quickly. It was already 5pm. One hour until dinner. Mom would be worrying soon, especially since he'd forgotten his cellphone this morning. He smiled. He could hear his mom now. She sounded so much like grandpa when she nagged at him.

He wandered back to his beloved bike, taking one last look around his private place and then took off.

"Mom, I'm going out." Taylor said as she walked through the livingroom.

"Have you done your homework?" asked her mother. She looked very much like Taylor, but had blue eyes instead of green, and was much sweeter of course. Her hair was curly as well.

"Yes." Taylor answered. "Even got to unpacking my things."

Tanya Margera studied her most free spirited daughter. She knew her well enough to know that she was always responsible with her studies and chores, but had a knack for trouble once she set foot out the front door.

She smiled and nodded. "Okay, but be home by 9pm. It's a school night." She turned towards the kitchen, then glanced once more at Taylor. "And sweetie, don't forget a sweater. It's chilly out tonight."

Taylor frowned but obeyed. New town, new friends, new life. Now she needed her own new private place to be alone and let her mind wander.

She leaped into the jeep and headed to the nearest highway, though lonely. It was the best choice for that reason alone.

Her mind went back to today. School had been...eventful. She had to smile at the look on Colt's face when she'd decided to leave with Scott. She couldn't help but like it. It was priceless. She glanced around both sides of the highway. It was quite lonely out here.

Her eyes glanced at the clock on her open cellphone. 5:30pm. She still had some time to find a private spot to call her own before dark.

There! She slowed down and followed what looked to be a self-made path through some trees. There were plenty of trees around so she could easily park it behind somewhere.

She spotted some trees, just half a mile from the road and parked. She hadn't seen any tracks towards this direction so whoever else came here wouldn't bump into her. Perfect.

With a yawn, she stepped out of her vehicle and walked eastward. She wasn't sure where she was heading, but she spotted a clearing ahead and headed farther out.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight as she stepped into the clearing. There was what appeared to be a slightly smaller version of a lake not too far ahead, and the trees were so much more...green. She could hear the birds chirping and spotted a family of rabbits hopping behind some bushes. This place was absolutely perfect.

Something on the other side of the lake caught her eye. She looked around and began gathering small rocks into a pile where she stood. She made it large enough to be able to see and made sure it was shaped into an arrow pointing in the direction she'd come from. Once that was done, she headed around the lake, towards a large makeshift bed...or was it a bench? It was a tree thick enough to hold a sitting person. Laying down flat, the tree continued to sprout green leaves and there were plenty of flowery bushes around it. There was a chunk carved out of it into the shape of a sitting spot. It was nice. She sat, wondering who could be the one person who came here. Whoever it was, she'd have to be careful not to come here whenever they did. They must want as much peace and quiet as she does. She could respect that.

Something else caught her eye. She leaned down pulled a booklet from beneath the the bushy area of where she sat.

She bit her bottom lip. Curiosity was her strong point, but should she really open it?

Taylor sighed, looking around. She decided that no one was comming...yet...and opened it only to find herself gasping.

The drawings were beautiful. Made from life. There was a sketch of a girl on a bike, her hair pulled back into a half ponytail. There was a boy holding a basketball, but he was looking at her, away from whoever was doing the drawing.

There was another sketch, and another, and more. One in particular had her attention the most.

It was a little boy holding a teddybear. His semi-long hair covering his eyes a bit as she grinned. It looked like a picture almost. The boy looked about 4 years old maybe. He was holding hands with an elder looking man. The boy was smiling up at him, the most adorable smile Taylor could ever had admitted to witnessing.

She sighed, pulling out a pencil and opening up to a new page. She scribbled a heart and inside wrote "Keep up the good work...a true artist can not only look, but see. YOU are an artist." She thought for a moment, then added "P.S. sorry for invading your privacy. Only the smarter ones like us find our peace in a garden of Eden like this one."

Taylor placed the skatchbook carefully back into place and headed back to her jeep. Apparently, there were some sane people in this town after all.