I wonder if people even read the author's note…Anyways, here in the next chapter. It's two and a half months later, right before winter break. Also, there are a few things I wanted to ask you guys:

Do you like me putting quotes in the beginning that go with the chapter?

Would you like Jasmine to have a boyfriend that's in the story a lot, or just makes small appearances?

Let me know what you think of the story and if I should continue on.

Chapter 6: Safe and Sound

"The most important thing in life is your family. There are days you love them, and others you don't, but in the end they're the people you always come home to. Sometimes it's the family you're born into and sometimes it's the one you make for yourself."

2 and a half months later-

Chloe POV

Laughing, I answered "Hey, if I had known you were going to win that game, I would've chosen the carnival."

Alek let out a small chuckle before continuing, "And then we went to dinner and you couldn't get over the fact that you lost."

"That is so not true!" I exclaimed, reaching across the table to playfully slap him.

With his usual smirk, he replied, "The problem is that you're too competitive."

"I wonder where I got that from," I retorted, reflecting his smirk back at him.

At that moment, Jasmine and Terri walked in smiling at us. Alek came to sit over by me and they sat across from us. Like back home, we had a favorite place here too. It was actually a pizzeria.

"Hey guys, I hope you don't mind, but we already ordered for you. We got the usual," Alek mentioned as they sat down.

"No problem. Hey Chloe," Terri greeted me with a warm smile.

Now, most would wonder what Terri was scheming, but the truth is she's just a good person. After realizing that I wasn't out to hurt Alek again, Terri was welcomed right into our circle of friends. She'd even Skyped Paul and Amy with us a few times.

"Hey Terr. What's have you two been up to?" I asked.

"We went shopping for an outfit for Jasmine's date," Terri hinted, nudging Jasmine's shoulder.

"Date?" Alek inquired, perking up in his seat to listen, "What date? Do I know him? It better not be that Kyle guy."

"Relax Alek. I'm sure he's nice. What's his name?" I questioned, continued on.

"Jake. Jake Samuels. He's in my chemistry class," She responded, her smile growing as she said each word.

"Don't forget to mention how cute he is, or how sweet. He's the polar of opposite of Alek," Terri added in, sending a pointed glance at Alek before everyone but him burst out laughing.

As if our obnoxious laughter called him over, the waiter arrived with our pizza and set it down before hurriedly running away. About five minutes passed before anyone said anything. It was Alek who spoke up.

"So, what's our plan for break?"

"Well, you, me, and Chloe are going back to San Francisco on Friday. Six hour car ride, here we come!" She answered, igniting smiles all around.

"What about you Terri? Are you going anywhere?" I questioned, debating inviting her to come with us.

"I'm going home to Tennessee. I haven't seen my horse in forever," she complained, her love for horses showing.

"Oh, that's right. You have a horse farm," Jasmine acknowledged.

"It's great, but with college, I can't get back to see her much. Everyone other weekend or so, I've been able to get up there, but not in the past month. It's hard. She's like my kid," Terri elaborated.

"Really? I've never ridden a horse before. Is it fun?" I continued.

It was now that I noticed Alek had sat back with an amused expression as he watched us.

"Is there a problem, ?" I said as he continued to watch.

"I should really hang out with the guys more," he responded with a shaking of the head.

"No, we love you too much," I whined mockingly.

"Correction: you love him too much," Terri emphasized, her and Jasmine trading looks.

"You know you love me," he insisted, slightly laughing at her mock disgusted look.

"Back on topic," Jasmine butted in a 'Right, Alek. Right' tone, "I hope you have fun up there Terri. You'll have to fill us in when we come back."

"I plan to," Terri agreed.

"I can't wait to get home," Alek spoke up, though it was more to himself.

"You just miss Paul," Jasmine noted.

"Not just Paul. I miss the apartment, the rooftops, even the smell. Being away from home only makes you love it more," Alek reasoned.

"The point is, there's nothing like home."

There is absolutely no place like home.

Are we satisified with this chapter? Next chapter, the gang is reunited. Oh, and I might do a one shot or two, so you might want to watch for those too.

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