God's in 7th Heaven, All's Right with the World

by Cypher

Chapter Seven: Trouble Stirring

"Ohayo."

Terry continued to watch the eggs in the frying pan, raising a hand to wave at his brother. "Good morning. When'd you get in?"

"Early, actually. Shortly after midnight." Jordon grabbed a mug from a cabinet and walked over to a thermos on the stove. "You make a new pot this morning?"

"Always do." Terry flipped the eggs over. "Only you would consider midnight early. And aren't you up a bit early for coming in so late?"

"I survive on caffeine. You know that by now." Jordon sipped his coffee. "So, how'd it go last night? Discussion go well?"

"You could say that. It's still experimental for him. We're officially dating, though. And you can't tell a soul."

"I won't. Who would I tell?" Jordon sat at the kitchen table. "Well, I guess it's a good thing I checked on you two."

Jordon tensed slightly. "Aniki..."

"I mean, I just want to make sure you don't prematurely decide to slee-"

"ECCHI!" Terry threw a spatula at Jordon, which struck him in the head, handle first.

"Itai! That hurt! And I'm not a pervert!"

"Then get your mind out of the gutter! It's not like I check when you're talking to Sakura to see if you and she-"

"Don't even finish that sentence." Jordon rubbed his head. "You have a mean throw, you know."

"Years of throwing things at you built up my muscles."

Simon, dressed in pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt, walked in and blinked. "Is...everything okay? I heard yelling."

"That was just my brother burning his tongue on his coffee."

Jordon grumbled and drank his coffee.

Simon shook his head and walked over to Terry. "You say my family's weird, but I don't think I'll ever get used to the way you two interact."

"You won't have to soon enough."

Simon glanced back at Jordon, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Hope you like eggs over easy." Terry scooped the eggs onto plates.

"Oh, yeah. You didn't have to, though."

"Ah, I enjoy cooking. I have some sausage and hash browns simmering in the oven, if you want to grab a mitt and pull them out for me."

"Yeah, no prob." Simon grabbed a hot pad and opened the oven door. "Why do you have two ovens, anyway?"

"For my brother." Jordon got up and grabbed the thermos. "So he can cook two things at once. Damned annoying."

"Jordon." Terry glared at his brother.

Simon placed the trays on hot plates on the counter. "Is he okay?"

"He's just cranky in the morning." Terry handed a spatula to Simon and a plate of eggs. "Just have what you want. I'll grab the orange juice."

Simon nodded. "What about Jordon?"

"I'll deal with it. If he goes near the trays, he'll burn himself." Terry opened the fridge and pulled out a pitcher.

"Oh sure, make me look clumsy."

"You ARE clumsy." Terry rolled his eyes. "Honestly."

Jordon snorted. "Oh, and I met the Camden girl. Lucy I think."

Simon sat across from Jordon and looked at the elder brother. "Where? I thought you were working?"

"We ran into each other when I stopped by the library. She seems pretty nice." Jordon's eyes drifted towards Terry. "She wanted to know how to seduce you."

Simon choked on his bite of sausage.

Terry patted Simon's back and placed a glass of juice in front of him. "You set her straight, so to speak, right?"

"I have a feeling she's not giving up yet." Jordon poured himself another mug of coffee. "You okay, Simon?"

Simon drank from his glass and nodded slightly. "Yeah, it's just...you said it at a bad time." He swallowed, making sure his throat was clear.

Terry brought two more plates over and a glass of orange juice for himself. Sitting between Jordon and Simon, he began eating. "He has a bad sense of timing, for all things."

"Shut up." Jordon munched on his breakfast. "So, I hear you and my brother are an item now."

Terry closed his eyes. Idiot.

Simon choked again, fortunately this time it was just on his juice. "You promised!"

Terry patted Simon's arm. "He's my brother. He would either figure it out or I'd tell him. Besides, who's he going to tell? He's an antisocial who barely interacts with others."

Jordon sniffed and sat back. "I resent that. I'll have you know I talk plenty with the other astronomers."

"And what do you talk about other than 'may I have that data' or 'come look at this' or 'good evening,' hmm?"

Jordon stuck his tongue out at Terry and continued eating.

"Real mature, bro. Don't worry, Simon. He won't tell anyone, and he's perfectly okay with my relationships."

"You're sure?" Simon eyed Jordon.

"Trust me." Terry retracted his arm and continued eating. "But Jordon? I think it'd be best if you shut up the rest of the meal so that Simon doesn't choke again."

Jordon rolled his eyes.

Simon just ate.

After another few minutes had passed, Terry looked at Simon. "So, next Friday why don't we go to another movie. This time you can actually pay attention."

Simon blushed and looked at his food. "I didn't think you noticed."

"I did. And you can pick the film."

"I should pay. I mean, you've done so much, and PAID for so much." Simon looked at him. "Does modeling really make that much money?"

"That and a few savings accounts. Plus I do oddball jobs here and there. I was in a commercial when we were staying in Hollywood one time. Apparently I'm not very talented at acting."

"How very, VERY true."

"Oh shut up. I was only nine. And you haven't even been on camera."

Jordon shrugged. "Doesn't matter. It's true, you can't act. You're great in still shots, though."

Terry shook his head and faced Simon again. "I don't mind going dutch."

"Dutch?" Simon furrowed his brow.

"I pay for half, you pay for half." Terry dipped his sausage into his egg yolk. "But I'll leave it up to you."

"I'll consider it." Simon tapped his plate with his fork a couple times.

Terry tilted his head. "Something wrong?"

"No. Yes. I don't know. Everything feels fine, for the first time in months, but I have this...this...upset feeling in my stomach."

Terry and Jordon exchanged glances.

"Excuse me. I have to get ready for class." Jordon stood up and left the kitchen.

Simon nodded. "See ya."

Terry listened for his brother's door before turning to Simon again. "Is it because you're afraid to go home? Of what others will think of you?"

Simon nodded slightly. "How do you do that? Just guess what I'm feeling?"

"I'm good at reading people. You're also not the first person I've helped. This isn't uncommon, when the family is left uninformed."

"I'm just...scared. I feel happy, actually happy, just by the decision I made last night. But..what if they reject me? What if they hate me?" Simon looked up at Terry, unshed tears hiding in his blue-tinted eyes. "I can't live without my family. They mean so much."

Terry got up and hugged Simon, closing his eyes. "Hey, it'll work out. I'll help you through this, and we'll make them understand what's going on."

"How?" Simon pulled back and looked at him. "Even I'm not sure I understand what's going on."

Terry sighed and knelt by the blond. "Simon, this is a major change for you, something that'll affect the rest of your life, your relationships with your friends and family, how they treat you, how the world treats you."

"That doesn't exactly make me feel better." Simon exhaled and looked away.

Terry reached up and tilted his head back. "Hey, let me finish. I was going to say that it'll only be temporary for some things. Your family, above most, will grow to understand."

Simon shook his head. "You don't know how strong their opinions are."

"I do know how strong I am, and how good I am at enlightening others. Even if it takes time, I know they'll choose your happiness over their biases, and eventually those biases will wash away too."

"I wish I had your certainty."

Terry took a deep breath and glanced at the floor. "Simon, until you know for certain, it's a moot point. Once you know, we'll cross that bridge. And I'll be there to help you do it. For now, though, your family is merely worried and cares for you." Terry leaned back on his haunches. "You're family loves you very much, or they wouldn't be making such an effort to help you now, even when you've told them you're fine. With love like that, it'll work out."
Simon thought things over for a few minutes. "Thanks."

Terry ran a hand through Simon's slightly disheveled blond locks. "It'll all work out. I don't know how, but it will. There is a Divine Plan, after all."

Simon chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Terry patted Simon's knee and stood up. "Come on. My brother will deal with the dishes. Why don't we clean up and get ready to head to your house."

Simon nodded and stood as well. "Alright. I am kinda curious about the Jacuzzi."

Terry put an arm around Simon's shoulders. "I'm warning you now, it's heaven."

~*()*~

"Where is he?" Matt ran a hand through his hair and sat forward on the couch. "It's nearly eleven."

"What are you nervous about? I mean, he said he didn't get anyone pregnant." Ruthie flipped through the channels on the television.

"Doesn't matter. Dax was right, I don't trust him. I mean, someone like that taking an interest in Simon? There's got to be a reason."

"Maybe he's trying to get Simon into the modeling business."

Matt blinked and looked at Ruthie. "You know, there's a thought. Maybe that's what's kept him preoccupied. He's wondering if he got in. It's obvious Dax has money, and Simon has always had an affinity for making money." Matt rubbed his chin. "If that's the case, I wonder if he could get me a job."

Ruthie snorted.

Matt looked at her. "Hey, it could happen. I am pretty good looking."

Ruthie's reply was cut off as the front door opened and Simon walked in. "Hey, thanks for the ride." Shutting the door, he headed for the stairs.

Matt got up and left the living room, following Simon.

When Ruthie was sure Matt was gone, she rolled her eyes. Happy raised her head to look at her a moment, before hopping off the couch and heading up the stairs to see Simon as well. Pushing open the door, Happy walked past the two humans and hopped onto the bed.

"I still can't believe you said that. Don't you trust me and in my judgment? I'm not going to do something stupid like get a girl pregnant. The family had enough problems with that when they thought YOU got someone pregnant."

"That's a low blow." Matt put his hands in his pockets and rested against Simon's dresser. "And we're just worried about you, that's all. Besides, now I think I've figured it out."

Simon paused in his unpacking, frowning. "Oh?"

"You're trying to be a model."

Simon groaned and rested his head against the wall. "Matt, that's about as dumb as me getting a woman pregnant."

"Why is it dumb? You'd make great money, and you'd attract girls." Matt took a hand out and rested an arm on the edge of the furniture. "It fits with you."

Except I don't WANT to attract girls. But I can't tell you that. Of everyone, I think you'll be as hard to tell as mom and dad. "It may, but I'm not. For your information, I attract girls just fine. Now," he placed his bag on the floor and turned around, "if you'll excuse me, I have to go do my laundry."

"Fine, fine. But I am here if you want to talk."

"Yeah, I know. You've been reminding me for weeks." Simon left to get a basket.

Matt shook his head and headed for his room.

Honestly, a girl pregnant? Where does he get these ideas. I mean, I expect that paranoia from dad, but Matt? Grabbing a laundry basket, he paused as the phone rang. Glancing around, he shrugged and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Simon? Long time."

Simon leaned against the counter, the basket dangling from one hand. "Hey Mary."

"How've you been?"

"Okay, I guess."

"That's good."

Simon waited a few minutes. "What?"

"You got a girl pregnant?"

Simon thumped the back of his head against the cabinet. "No, I didn't. Who told you that?"

"Lucy. She also said something about hanging out with a model?"

"Yeah, he's a new friend."

"Is he single?"

Simon sighed. "No. Look, do you want me to get you someone?"

"Well, I was trying to reach mom."

"Mom's not home, actually." Simon stood straight. "Something wrong?"

"Not really. I'll just call later. Nice to talk with you."

"Yeah, you too."

"Bye."

Simon listened to the dial tone a moment before hanging up. "From Lucy?" Hanging up the phone, he headed upstairs, the basket trailing behind him. Stopping at the head of the stairs, he listened at the door to the attic. Not home. Figures. Making a mental note to talk to his older sister later, he went into his bedroom and started filling the basket.

~*()*~

"So, is it true?"

Terry stretched his bare chest and glanced at his female companion. "Is what true? Go ahead."

A young woman, about Jordon's age, stood a few feet from Terry. Her raven hair was tied in a bun and her aquamarine eyes scanned over Terry's body a moment. "About the new guy you had over last night." She raised a spray bottle and squirted him.

"GAH! That's cold!"

"Oh my. I guess I accidentally left it in the refrigerator when I got my soda."

"Accidentally my foot." Terry grabbed the bottle and set it in the sun. "Let it warm up a bit." He crossed his arms and leveled his eyes at her. "And yes, it is. You can't tell anybody."

"Okay, okay." She hopped on a chair. "So, details? What's he look like, is he smart, what?"

"Kouhaku..." Terry uncrossed his arms and sat in a director's chair, his right hand fiddling with the leg of his jeans. "Amber, look, I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone. He's from a religious family."

"Religious? How religious?" Amber raised an eyebrow.

Terry nodded a bit. "His father's a minister."
"No way! I guess what they say about alter boys is true."

"Hey!"

"Kidding, kidding. And I won't tell anyone. Come on, gimme some details. Is he the one?" She looked at the bottle.

Terry sighed and leaned back, staring at the ceiling of the studio. "My brother asked me the same question. To be honest, I think he is. He's smart, handsome, a dancer from all accounts, and he knows who he is and what he wants to work in."

"Well, that's more than you."

Terry looked at his friend. "Urusai." He crossed his arms again and crossed his legs. "He's just a really great guy, but his family would also probably get really upset at him. And family means a lot to him. If it comes to choosing me or them..." Terry looked away.

"You would do that. Stop being so self-sacrificing."

"When you love someone, you make sacrifices to make them happy."

"Love? You're using the L-word this soon?"

"Shh. He doesn't know, and I'm not going to complicate things for him by telling him until he's ready. He's still experimenting. If he decides it's not this thing-"

"You'd be heartbroken and probably go into a suicidal depression."

Terry snorted. "Being a little dramatic, aren't we?"

Amber shrugged. "Maybe."

"Besides, I think he knows it too, on some level. He's just scared. It's a lot for him to take in, especially after living the life he has. I'm not going to rush things."

"What if you weren't gay and he was a woman."

"I'd ask for his hand in marriage immediately."

"Hoeee! This IS love! Invoking your Japanese acceptance of marriage at a young age! He must be a looker."

Terry shot a look at her. "Hey, you know, looks aren't everything."

"Still, there are some basics for you. Let's see...he must be blond, fair skinned at the least, and have nice eyes. Intelligence has never been high on your list."

"Remind me, why am I friends with you again?"

"Because we've been modeling together for over five years. So am I right?"

"You know me too well, that's the problem. And for your information, he is highly intelligent."

Amber smirked. "So when do I get to meet him? After all, not just anyone can go out with you."

"Oh, so now you're in with aniki on approving my boyfriends?" Terry grabbed the bottle and tossed it to her. "You'll meet him when he wants to meet you." He stood. "Now squirt. We've got a shoot to do."

"Yeah, yeah."

~*()*~

"Is it just me, or does Simon seem better than he was yesterday?" Annie folded a shirt and looked at her husband.

Eric nodded, folding some towels on the other side of the table. "Yeah, he does."

"Maybe Dax was right, it was just a little phase he was going through because of high school."

"Maybe, but I'm not going to call it a closed case just yet. He's still hiding something."

"Don't bug him about it. He'll come to us or Matt eventually."

"It's that eventually that bothers me."

Simon padded down the stairs, opened a jar, and grabbed a cookie. Putting the lid back, he walked over to the table and took a bite out of the treat. "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just doing some laundry." Annie began folding a bed sheet.

"And talking about me." Simon put the cookie down and dusted off his hands. Grabbing the other end of the bed sheet, he helped his mother fold it up. "The stairs really carry sound, you know."

"Well, we're still a little worried. And Matt doesn't trust Dax." Eric grabbed some of the twins' socks and began sorting them. "Can you blame us?"

"Dad, I'm fine, now. I was having a rough spot, and Terry helped me through it." Grabbing the semi-folded sheet from his mother, he finished folding it and placed it on the table. "It's just something that I couldn't take to my family yet. I'll tell you about it some day." Picking up his cookie, he headed up the stairs again.

"Think we should worry about that?" Eric looked at Annie.

Annie shook her head. "Not yet."

Simon came back down to the foot of the stairs and leaned against the wall. "By the way, is it okay if I go to Terry's church tomorrow?"

Eric blinked. "Well..."

"Dad, he's trustworthy. And it's a church. What could happen there?"

Eric opened his mouth.

"It'll be fine. Just be back by one."

Simon nodded and gave his mother a small smile. "Thanks mom. Dad." Taking another bite out of his cookie, he headed back up the stairs again.

"Are you sure that's wise? Jordon and Dax don't seem the most stable of characters."

"The same could be said for Lucy or Matt. It's just one service, Eric. It'll be fine." Picking up the folded laundry, she placed it in a basket and lifted it. "He'll be fine."

Eric sighed and nodded. "I know. It's just, the thought of my kids going to a different church." He dropped the pair of socks he was working on and folded his hands together. "It won't look that good."

"Robbie doesn't go to our church and he's practically family." Annie stood at the foot of the stairs. "It'll be fine. It's not like he's converting religions or anything."

Eric nodded. "Okay, good point." Looking back down at the socks, he shook his head and began sorting them again. "I'll be up in a few minutes."

"Take your time." Annie headed for the linen closet.

~*()*~

"So, we'll go in August and I'll be back around late September?"

"Maybe early October." Jordon looked through the calendar. "Are you sure you can miss those first few weeks?"

"I'm only going to be taking three AP classes. The rest are basic courses to ensure I meet college requirements. And I'll just get the books and such before the year ends." Terry sat back with his own planner and flipped through the pages. "So you're staying with Sakura?"

"Only at the same house."

"How long before you and she get married?"

"Oh, you know. Probably a couple years."

"What about that legend of two todai students who enter together?" Terry smirked.

"Oh shut up."

Terry chuckled and closed his planner. "You make it so easy."

"Urusai." Jordon tossed his calendar onto the coffee table and sat back on the couch. "I will be calling, you know. To make sure everything's okay."

"I'm not a child, bro. I can handle myself easily. After all, I've handled you for the past few years, and you're harder to take care of than me." Terry put his hands behind his head. "Besides, I'll have Simon and his family to help me a bit."

"You sure the family will accept you after he makes the announcement?"

Terry looked at the ceiling. "I don't know. I'm praying that their love for Simon and his happiness will overcome any biases they might have."

"And if they don't?" Jordon eyed his younger brother. "You could be ostracized."

"I'll finish high school at a JC. It wouldn't be hard considering what I'm taking. And then I'll just go away to college."

"Tokyo U?"

"Not a prayer. They snagged you and that's more than enough. Not Stanford either. I'll go where I want to, and not because of some stupid family tradition."

"Don't let dad hear you say that."

"I haven't talked to dad in years. Remember, he doesn't like me."

Jordon sighed. "You really should try to make peace with him. You never know if there'll be a laboratory accident."

Terry shrugged. "Jordon, he's hardly played a role in my life. WHEN he dies, I'll be upset and mourn, but I won't be as hurt as you or mom. And someone has to be the designated driver."

"That's a poor excuse for not talking with him."

Terry snorted. "Having to do research was a poor excuse for him to ignore me. He could've put it on hold."

"Maybe, but you should be the bigger man and make the first move. And he didn't ignore you. In fact he took better care of you because he couldn't be here."

Terry crossed his arms and eyed his brother. "Meaning what?"

"Who do you think insisted you be home school by a Japanese sensei? Certainly not mom. And who paid for all those special lessons when you were younger, both the field trips and the martial arts? Mom was at home. In the long-run, I got gypped. I had to transfer to Japan to get a decent education. You were given it in the comfort of your home on your time."

Terry remained silent a few minutes, thinking. "And my orientation?"

Jordon winced slightly. "Okay, so he's still stuck in the old school of thought a bit. But what do you expect? He grew up in a very traditional household. Mom was probably the most modern thing that he ever experienced."

"And look how long that lasted."

"Hey." Jordon shook his head. "That's not fair. It was an amiable divorce. Both of them wanted it." Jordon reached out and patted Terry's shoulder. "Now stop pouting and make amends. I want you to do that by the end of this year."

"Yes, mom." Terry sighed and got up. "I'm going to play for a bit, you going to join in or not?"

"I've got to look over some observatory pictures. Sorry."

"Sure. Night."

"Night." Jordon watched his brother head to his room and took a sip from his soda. If only he realized how much dad has done for him. He may say yes, but I know him. The notes of a flute floated into the room. He doesn't understand that in dad's field of work, if it goes nuclear, he's gone. Then again, he does have a point that dad hasn't really talked to him. Hell, he hasn't talked to any of us for almost six months. Still, he took care of Terry in other ways. Setting his soda down, he dug through his backpack and pulled out a couple manilla envelopes and a laptop. "Now let's see..."

~*()*~

Despite Simon's anticipation of going to church with Terry, he managed to sleep through his alarm. It wasn't until Matt came in and woke him that he realized that he had only thirty minutes to get ready. Rushing through his morning routine, he somehow managed to get dressed and be presentable by the time Terry rung the bell. Grabbing his watch and wallet, he left his room and headed down the stairs.

"You're not driving, are you?"

Simon frowned. Why is dad asking Terry that? Turning the corner, though, he saw that Jordon was at the door, yawning and looking very much like he had just woken up. Where's Terry?

"Terry is. He thought if he left me in the car I-" Jordon yawned again. "I'd fall asleep."

"Have you tried coffee? Or going to bed earlier?"

Jordon gave Eric a glare, one that came off as annoyed look. "I've had two cups already."

Simon stepped up behind Eric. "Dad, I'll handle it. You're going to make us late."

"Sorry." Eric stood aside and Simon walked by, grabbing Jordon by the wrist as he did. "Be home by one. And be careful."
"I will." Dragging Jordon along, Simon saw Terry motion for him to place his older brother in the back of the car. Nodding, Simon did just that, raising an eyebrow when Jordon fell over and curled up on the seat. "Is he like this EVERY morning?" He climbed into the passenger side and buckled up.

"Only Sundays. The rest of the week his classes start at noon, so he gets up around ten and has time to wake up." Reaching back, Terry squirted Jordon with a water bottle.

"Uh, pto, wha?" Jordon blinked and sat up, some water dripping down the side of his face.

"Stay awake. You'll drool on the back seat." Terry handed the bottle to Simon. "If he falls asleep, would you mind squirting him?"

Simon looked at the bottle. "Uh, I guess."

Terry smiled and turned back to the road. Checking around, he pulled out and drove away from the Camden house. "So, you have a good morning?"

"Kinda. I sorta slept in so I was rushed. I didn't get much to eat."

"Take comfort in that you don't look as bad as my brother."

"True." Simon looked in the back seat, making sure Jordon was still awake.

"Oh shut up. Not like you're fun in the morning, either." Jordon stretched and crossed his arms. "He's cranky as hell until he has tea."

"Tea? Not coffee?" Simon tilted his head. "But, the other day..."

"I drink coffee a couple times a week as a treat. Tea is healthier for you, though. And if you get the right type, the flavor alone will curl your hair."

"Huh." Simon thought about it.

"Oh, before I forget, look out for a girl with black hair and blue eyes." Terry watched a stoplight.

"Why?"

"She's a close friend, and rather...anxious to meet my current boyfriend."

"You told another-"

"She figured it out. She's known me practically my entire modeling career. I know her secrets, she knows mine. She figured it out on her own. Don't worry, she won't tell anyone. She doesn't even live in this town."

Simon blinked and frowned slightly, wondering if Terry could really keep his promise. "Then, how did she know?"

"She lives a town over, and the photo studio is on the edge of Glen Oak. Everything else she learns through deductive reasoning, or her inside source."

"Inside source?" Simon glanced at the back seat.

Jordon shrugged. "She asked why she couldn't come over Friday, and I told her it was because Terry was having a boyfriend over."

Simon hung his head. "You sure he can keep this a secret?"

"Oh yeah." Terry pulled into a parking lot and parked the car. "Here we are. I know it's not much to look at, but it's warm on the inside."

Simon unbuckled and leaned forward, examining the simplistic rectangular building. "You're right, it's not much to look at."

"But they're friendly inside, and they won't tell anyone. None of them go to our school anyway." Terry unbuckled as well and got out of the car. "Come on, aniki. You can sleep through the sermon like you always do."

"Har har." Jordon sluggishly climbed out of the back seat.

Terry walked around and put an arm around Simon's shoulders. "Don't worry, they'll welcome you, and help you answer any questions I couldn't."

Simon looked at Terry, then nodded and shut his door. "Alright. Thanks."

"No prob." Terry headed for the church. "Come on, bro."

"Hai, hai." Jordon stumbled after them.

~*()*~

When Simon returned home, he leaned against the fence, looking at the back door, hands in his pockets. He knew where he was, but his mind wasn't fully on the present. Part of it was due to how stuffed he was, thanks to the breakfast Terry and Jordon had treated him to after the service. The other reason, though, was due to Terry kissing him again. This time far stronger, more intense, than he had kissed the night before. Simon wasn't stunned because he didn't want Terry to kiss him, or because of how powerful it was. He was stunned because unlike last night, he fully returned the kiss, and it felt great. Not good, not okay, not like all the times he had kissed a girl, but great, almost euphoric. He was a little set off by the sounds Terry's friend, Amber, had made while they were kissing, but she soon vanished from his thoughts, as Terry's mouth, arms, and body became the sole focus of his existence. Without realizing it, as he relived the memory in his mind, a smile tugged at his lips.

That's how Lucy had found him. She called him a couple times, then waved a hand in front of his face. The dreamy look on his face told her that nothing short of pain would snap him out of his haze. Well then... She reached out and pinched his upper arm, hard.

"Ow!" Simon pulled away and rubbed his arm. "What was that for?"

"Finally. I've been trying to get your attention for a while." Lucy crossed her arms. "So you met a girl at his church, huh?"

"What? What makes you say that for?"

"The dreamy look. Must've been some attraction you felt."

Simon felt his ears burn and he hunched his shoulders a bit. "It's none of your business." He pushed off from the fence and headed for the house.

"Oh, everyone will make it their business. Trust me. So what's she like? Tall and gorgeous? Great talker? What?"

Simon looked at his sister. "I said it's none of your business. Go bug Matt or something." He grabbed the handle to the back door.

"Tell you what," she stepped in front of him, "get me a date with Dax and I won't tell Matt."

Simon scowled and opened the door. "He's not your type. Besides, he's got a date for the rest of the school year, so he can't go out with you."

Lucy blinked. "He has a date? I thought he went out with you on Fridays."

Simon mentally kicked himself. "Yeah, he just wants to hang out with me, okay? Dating isn't on his mind. So stop trying to bug him. He said he wanted to be friends, isn't that enough?" He walked past his mother in the kitchen and went up the stairs.

Lucy stayed at the door, staring where Simon stood a moment. Hmm...this is curious. Going in and shutting the door, she went into the kitchen and leaned on the counter, thinking.

"Is something wrong with your brother? He looked a little upset when he came by." Annie took another knife-full of mayonnaise and continued making sandwiches for lunch.

"I'm not sure. I said something that upset him, I think. Or maybe it's a girl. I'm sure Ruthie will find out soon enough."

Annie sighed and looked at the ceiling. First her family had to deal with her mood swings, and now they had to deal with her middle son's mood swings.

Lucy headed for the stairs as well. Simon and Terry are hiding something. Just hanging out with Simon for the school year? Yeah, right. Like he'd rather spend time with Simon than me. I think I'll go out next Friday as well.

~*()*~

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Ohayo: good morning

Ecchi: mild pervert
Itai: ow

Kouhaku: amber

Todai: Tokyo University Student

Hai: yes