A/N – Hey, got the second chapter up (even though I'm not done with the other two stories). Anyway, thanks to all those who don't care about the age thing. To those who did reply that I was wrong, you gotta read carefully. This is an Alternate Universe. Plus, I clearly stated that and that they were the same age in the summary and in the Authors Note.

Okay, I have to change a little something. Someone mentioned about the whole Syd's mom killing Vaughn's dad not working when they are the same age. If you look back in on the last chapter and read the ages that I put again, you'll notice I changed them… after the person pointed it out.

Info – Vaughn and Sydney are 14 (still) in 9th grade. It's the same week as in the last chapter. Vaughn's dad died when he was six, Sydney's mom died when she was eight. BTW, David is a year older then Francie. Just so you know and don't bicker about a ninth grader and tenth grader having Bio together in my sister's high school they do. So ha!
This chapter is mostly Sydney… I guess. There's the info, get on with the story (finally).

Vaughn POV

                "Hey David." I sat in the seat across from him, like always.

                "Hey." He didn't even look up from his book

                Second period hadn't officially started yet and I was still frustrated that it's wasn't over already.

                "What's the matter with you?" David finally looked up at me after the bell rang. The bell is way too loud I noticed.

                "I'm just… fidgety." I answered.

                "You never used to be…" David opened his notebook and copied down the notes that were on the board.

                I did the same. "Well, today is different." That's right today is different. Today I am going to talk to Sydney again. All I have to do is figure out what to say.

                "Why is…"

                David was cut off by Mr. Wendill. "While you're copying your homework and notes I'm going to come around and check your homework. Leave it out on your desk." The teacher is so annoying that my frustration rises and it wasn't even five minutes into the period yet.

                David and I both took out our homework and left it on the edge so that Mr. Wendill could see it.

                "I don't get it." I started to whisper to David. "Why would anyone become a teacher? Low pay, annoying kids, and you have to go to school all over again." I pulled out my agenda and scribbled in the homework then shut it quickly.

                "Don't know." David looked over to a girl in the back of the classroom. "Only one good reason to be a student." He smiled at her and she smiled back.

                "The girls' right." He nodded. "You say that almost everyday." I looked at the girl and shook my head.

                "Well… what about you? Got a girlfriend?" He smiled in my direction and I looked at my notebook, pencil flying across the page copying notes.

                "I don't think… you'd consider her a girlfriend." I shrugged then went back to copying as Mr. Wendill came to our desk.

                "David. You did your homework. What a surprise." Mr. Wendill's voice is a bit sarcastic but surprised. "Michael." Not at all surprised. Finally he moved on and I looked to the clock. Twenty minutes to go.

Sydney's POV

                "Hey." Francie pulled my shoulders for me to turn around. "So, what's up? I haven't seen you all weekend!"

                "I've been busy." Busy thinking of what I was gonna do when I saw Michael again.

                "Busy?" Francie walked down the hall with me. This is our daily meeting. We both take the bathroom pass at a specific time (set the day before) and we go to the bathroom were we can see each other. Drives our teachers' nuts.

                "Yeah. Busy." I looked at her closely. "Ever heard of it?" She slapped me and I laughed.

                "Come here." She pulled me to one of the Bio classrooms and peaked in. "There is David."

                I practically gasp when I see Michael sitting with his side to us.

                Then I jumped when David spotted us. He waved and raised his hand. "Can I go to the bathroom?" We heard him call to the teacher.

                "Go David." The teacher waved his hand.

                David whispered something to Michael and then came into the hallway. "Hey sis. Hey Brownie." He pulled me into a hug and almost picked me up.

                We heard the door open again and see Michael walk out. Smiling when he saw me he said, "I think our teacher hates me."

                David laughed and threw an arm around him. "Michael here is going to learn how to cheat, cut and all that good stuff."

                "David." I slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't make him into you." I glanced quickly at my watch. "Crap. My teachers gonna have a fit. I'll see you guys later." I stopped when Michael put his hand on my shoulder.

                "Hold on." He whispered something to David and then followed me to my classroom. As we walk he fidgeted nervously. "Listen…" He started without looking at me. "We sorta have to talk about that kiss."

                "What's there to talk about?" God, I did not just say that.

                "We just met each other." Finally he turned towards me.

                "Can we talk about it after school? My teacher is gonna blow if I don't get back inside now." I pointed to my classroom.

                He leaned in close, close enough that I can feel his breath on my face. "When can we talk?" The look in his eyes tells me that he wants to talk about where to go, not how to leave it all behind.

                "After. At my house." I started to walk backwards to the door to my math class. "You remember where it is?"

                His smile came and he laughed. "Remember? How could I forget?" One more smile and then he turned and went back to class.

                "Ms. Bristow! Take your seat. You've already wasted enough time." My teacher snapped.

                For good reason Ms. Shayd. For good reason.

Vaughn's POV

                All my other classes went by in blue and green flashes. Finally ninth period arrived. My all time favorite gym class. Mr. Nac is a cool teacher, plus I get to play sports.

                There are two gyms in this school. Pretty much, the boy's gym and the girl's gym, depending on what period you have gym. Today for some reason, the girls were in the boy's gym.

                "Boys!" Mr. Nac called to the class. "The windows in the girl's gym are being fixed and it's going to take a while, so they are going to be in here for the next week."

                 "And since we are in the same unit we are going to play a little game of kickball." Ms. Blaze, the girl's teacher, smiled.

                "The girls are up first. So, my class, out in the 'field'." Mr. Nac went into the gym store room and grabbed the kickball. He headed out where we all were and threw me the ball. "Mike, you're the pitcher."

                "Come on Mike!" I heard a couple of my friends yell. Everyone who knew me knew that I was the best kickball player and the best pitcher… but I don't like to brag.

                I watched as Sydney walked up.

                Hold it… reverse that. Sydney?!

                I smiled at the irony and she smiled back. "Ready?" I called out to her.

                She just shrugged and got into her position. I threw the ball and it went straight to her. You could hear the smack of her sneaker connecting with the ball and then the applause when it hit right above the blue mat. Home run.

                She smiled as she ran around the bases and as she touched the third base she started walking to home. Smiling at me she yelled over, "That is the way to start a kickball game."

                Once her foot touched home one of the guys yelled. "Hey Mike! You've got some competition!"

                This was gonna be a fun gym class.

Sydney's POV

                I wiped my hand across my forehead. Wow. I always used to hate gym, but for the next week it is going to be heaven.

                The kickball game was fantastic. The guys lost 10-12. My first turn had been the first home-run of many and Michael also had a few.

                I ran into the locker room and found Francie. "That was cool." I said as I started to change quickly.

                "I never knew kickball could be so much fun." Francie exclaimed as she pulled her bag over her shoulder. I did the same and followed her out of the locker room. As we made our way to our lockers to pack up she made conversation. "Do you want to come over today? I got this new CD and David would love to have some company besides me…" We both laughed and I turned the dial on my lock.

                "I'd love to… but I'm busy." I reached into my locker and pulled out my backpack and start filling it with my math and science books.

                "Really? With what?" Francie is one of those who can't get over something once it's started.

                "Just some stuff I gotta do." I smiled at her and then slammed my locker. "I gotta get home. I'll see you here tomorrow." I gave her a small wave and then raced off. I have never in my life wanted to get home so badly. I just hope dad isn't home.

                "Hey Theresa." I muttered as I walked in the house to find her sitting on the couch watching her soap.

                "Hey sweetie." She replied not taking her eyes off the television.

                "I thought I said don't call me sweetie." I shifted my backpack onto my other shoulder and made my way to my room.

                "Hey Sydney." I heard my dad's voice come from his room.

                "Dad?" I walked into his room and looked at him. He looked so beat and tired. They give him too much work. I never even see him most of the time. He's always away on trips.

                "Are you giving Theresa a hard time?" He put his pen down as he looked at me.

                "She calls me sweetie and I don't want her to. What's wrong with that?" I asked looking very confused.

                "Nothing. I just heard that yesterday you didn't come home for dinner…" His voice trailed as if he wanted to add more but didn't.

                "I told her I wasn't." I was on the verge of complaining.

                "You were supposed to come home Sydney. I hired her to take care of you. If you're not around then what's the point?" He looked at me sternly.

                "That's my point exactly!" I complained using my hands to gesture. "I hate her. I'm not even in the house most of the day and I don't eat any of the food she cooks and neither do you… so what's the point?" I slid my backpack into the hallway and stood in the doorway to dad's room.

                "Sydney." He has this look that makes me shut up, but today that's not gonna happen.

                "Just fire her already." I said to him. "She's pretty much getting paid for nothing anyway." I fiddled with the door knob.

                "Sydney if you keep this up…"

                "What? You're going to send me to my room." I asked clearly and matter-of-factly.

                "Yes." He nodded with this serious tone.

                "Too late." I grabbed my backpack and went into the hallway. I found Theresa in the living room again and say to her. "If someone named Michael comes just tell him I went out."

                I left before I could hear her answer.

Vaughn's POV

I listened as the nanny opened the door after I had knocked three times.

                "Theresa." I watched Sydney's dad walk into the room and then over to the door. "Who is this?" He looked at me with an angry gleam in his eyes.

                "I'm Michael." After no one spoke I added. "Sydney's friend."

                "She ran out about twenty minutes ago." Theresa finally told me and then went back into the house.

                "Do you have any idea where I can find her?" I asked her dad. I swear that I could hear crickets chirping in the silence. After a minute I started to leave.

                "Michael… Michael Vaughn?" Her dad stopped me as I turned around.

                "Yeah. That's me." I nodded. I don't think Sydney mentioned him to me, so I have no clue how he knew my last name. "How'd you know that?"

                "You look just like your father. I met him while I was working in France." I shook his hand hesitantly. "He was a great man. I was very sorry to hear about his… death." He choked out.

                "Yeah." I looked down then back at Sydney's dad. "I'm gonna go try and find Sydney." Before he could say anything I left.

                After walking around for about half and hour, looking for Sydney in places, I decided to head over to 'my spot'. Of course, it's not really my spot because I'm positive that some people know about it. 'My spot' is in the park, in the far corner where a few trees turn into woods. In the middle of all of it is a small clearing where there are rocks and bushes. It's quiet and peaceful and a great place to sit and think.

                The leaves rustled as I brushed past them and I heard someone gasp when I entered the clearing.

                "Who's here?" I moved so that I could see the rest of the clearing.

                "I am." I heard the person say behind one of the larger rocks.

                "Sydney?" I jumped on the rock and leaned over so that I could see her. "Hey!" The smile rose on my face. "I was looking all over for you, I had just given up all hope of finding you today…"

                She looked up. Her smile wasn't there, but there weren't tears either, so that was a good sign right?

                "Sorry…" She started to stand up. "I wasn't gonna leave, but my dad just got me so frustrated that I had to get out of there."

                "That's okay." I went and stood next to her. "You okay?"

                "As much as I'll ever be…" She looked down at her hands and then back at me. "Listen… we gotta talk." She jumped onto the rock and sat crossed legged. I sat next to her. "Do you mind if… do you mind if me and you just be friends for a while? I just can't…" She didn't finish her sentence but I didn't care.

                "Yeah, sure." I lied.

                "Thanks." She said and then kissed me on the cheek. Then she left… and I never felt more alone in my life.