AN: This chapter's going to be kinda short so just bare with me. Happy Thanksgiving, even though I'm uploading this the day after Thanksgiving...Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review!

With a sigh, I closed the office door and tried to find a way to fix everyone's lives.

Dpov

It didn't take me long to find them at the beach, even with that disgusting smell.

I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to apologize and undo everything. I wanted to be with her. I missed her and I wanted to tell her that. But when I got there, Tori was crying.

It was gray and cold and Tori was crying her eyes out and I couldn't do it. I couldn't talk to her, not now.

So I just stood there on a sand dune half a mile away, staring at the water and listening to Tori cry for an hour. Ten minutes later, they left and I stayed.

Once I blocked out the smell, this place was actually kind of peaceful. Until the burner phone in my pocket started buzzing and I jumped. Seeing as I never really needed or wanted a cellphone, I was still getting used to keeping a cold, vibrating piece of metal close to me at all times. When we were little, Simon always kept the phone we shared and always used it. I never needed it so I never used it.

Where are you guys? It's been over an hour and you know the rules. Why is no one picking up their phone? -Dad

With one last look at the dark water, I replied and started back to the house.

We were all at the beach. Chloe and Tori already left. I'm leaving now. I didn't talk to her so don't bring it up. -Derek

10 minutes later and I was heading through the front door. Everyone was gathered in the living room. Lauren was the only one sitting on the couch. Tori and Chloe were standing together on opposite sides of the window while Simon sat on the kitchen island drawing. Dad sat in a chair from the office he must have dragged out, looking around the room and stopping on me when I walked through the door.

I took my chances standing next to Tori, seeing as she seemed the least intimidating at the moment, oddly enough. Over the last few weeks, she had been the most decent and I didn't want to mess with that. And there was no way I was standing near Simon or Chloe or sitting next to either of the adult here.

It stung a little to see Chloe physically trying to look in any direction but mine but I ignored it, focusing on my Dad.

"Good, Everyone's here. Now we can start."

"Start what?" All three of us said it at the same time, like it was planned. I would have laughed if it weren't so uncomfortable. Chloe blushed and I looked at my Dad. Tori actually did laugh though.

"Now that everyone's here, we can start evaluating my plan."

Simon scoffed. "Took you long enough."

"Simon, that's enough."

"Shut up Lauren."

This time, it was Chloe and Simon who spoke in unison. Simon glared at her and once again, she blushed. I had to remind myself to not smile, to not let it show on my face how cute she was being.

Lauren's shoulders tensed and she stood up from the couch, walking toward her room. Dad stood up too.

"Lauren, come on."

"Tell me about it later Kit. It's late and I'm going to bed."

Actually, it was only about 7 o'clock, but it was winter and it did look a little dark outside.

On that note, she closed her door and turned off her light. I heard her sigh and get into her be.

"She's not coming out any time soon. You should just finish", I said to my dad when her got up and walked to her door.

He looked at me for a moment, then nodded and sat back down in his office chair.

"What would you guys think about moving to Georgia? Permanently?"

AN: Dun, dun, dun. Stayed tuned for next week's (next week-ish. finals start next week.) episode folks. Thanks for reading; don't forget to review!

p.s.-I live in Georgia, but not in the area I'm going to be writing about, so...if you don't like it, tough beans.

Fletcher