A/N: It's been a while since I've updated this story. I'm sorry about that--I've been busy, and I'm also struggling on how to end this story. I had a particular ending in mind...but I don't think it'll work now. I'll make up my mind soon--I do want it to stay in sync with SS 8.

Thanks again for the reviews.

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"Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's morning. Doo-doo-dee-wah-wah-wah," a voice sang out very early Friday morning.

I turned in my bed and pulled my pillow over my head. I haven't been able to sleep in since we've arrived at Shadow Lake. It's tough when you're sharing a room with four little kids. I'd be better off pitching a tent and camping out for the rest of the trip.

I opened my eyes. It was Andrew. He was up-- singing and dancing in the room. Sam yelled at him to be quiet.

"It's too late, we're all up," I groaned as I sat up. Everyone started to climb out of his bed. I yawned and sat up in bed. Sam and I were letting the younger kids use the bathroom first. We waited until they were done and then went in.

I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I reached into the cabinet and grabbed my shaving cream and razor. As I was spreading shaving cream on my chin and above my lip, I caught Sam watching me, kind of intently. I laughed.

"Another five years or so Sam," I joked. He sprayed me with water. I just recently started to shave. I kind of get whiskers after a few days. I'm thinking about growing some sort of beard or goatee, but it might be embarrassing because it would probably take six months.

After I had finished and patted my face dry, I left Sam alone in the bathroom. I was pretty sure he would be in there for a while, studying his reflection--searching for any sign of facial hair.

I got dressed in my black Nike swimming trunks and a white NYU sleeveless shirt. I set my silver Oakley shades on my head and walked into the kitchen. I quickly sat down next to Kristy. Stacey was sitting across from her.

I eyed her with interest. I could have watched her all day, until Claudia said something about entering our little speedboat into the boat parade. Claudia went on and on about decorations and costumes.

"Excuse my lateness," Sam called as he stepped into the kitchen. Kristy rolled her eyes as Sam grabbed the pitcher of orange juice and poured himself a glass, but only after he refilled Stacey's glass. Sam sat down two places down from Kristy.

"You guys are entering our little Faith Pierson in to the parade with all those fancy yachts?" I asked dubiously. I watched Claudia glare at me and turn a deep shade of red.

"Yes! So?" Claudia answered testily.

"Nothing. Never mind," I mumbled back. I avoided Claudia's icy glare and gulped down half of my orange juice. It was an uncomfortable breakfast. I mentally planned out my morning and afternoon--making sure to stay away from my family and Kristy's friends.

Suddenly, a Cheerio O flew across the table and landed on Stacey's buttered toast. Sam. Stacey freaked out.

"Gross! You're such a pest, Sam!" she groaned loudly. She pushed the tainted toast towards him, as if to say there was no way in hell she was eating it now.

I laughed to myself. Although, I knew that I could probably never attempt to hook up with Stacey, it was nice to know that she wasn't going to be hooking up with my brother any time soon.

After breakfast, Sam and I walked down to the lodge. We were going waterskiing again. It was only our second time, but I was getting pretty good. I loved gliding back and forth, being pulled by a speedboat. The water splashing in my face. It's an incredible feeling.

As Sam and I returned to the lodge to pay for our two-hour water skiing activity, he started asking me for advice on Stacey. He was genuine and concerned. I realized that he really did like Stacey, and that his childish actions were just an attempt to get her attention.

"Sam, I've been watching Stacey...and you," I added quickly. "I've witnessed all those childish attempts to get Stacey's attention," I told him. "Have you actually really talked to her? Or just thrown cereal at her?"

"Well…you know," he said, looking ashamed. "Just the Cheerio," he added shrugging his shoulders. I nodded.

"Talk to her, man. Tell her how you feel," I said, feeling slightly pained.

"Maybe I should sort of push her in and then dive in and save her,"Sam said as he grinned wickedly. "I could, you know, give her CPR," he added.

"She can swim, idiot. Besides, you try CPR on her when she's breathing and you'll get arrested or at least a good kick in the stomach," I said. He agreed. Sam started to head back to the cabin. I hesitated. Right now, I just wanted to be alone. But, I wanted to be nearby if Stacey did turn Sam down. I told Sam I'd meet up with everyone again a bit later. I watched him disappear down the road.

I walked over to the large wooden deck that looked over the lake. There were a few people at tables eating a late lunch. I grabbed an empty chair and pulled it over near the ledge. There was a lot of activity on the lake. Boats, jetskis, you name it.

"Hey, stranger," a familiar voice called out.

I looked up. It was Kate. She was smiling nervously at me. She was wearing a bright pink top that was kind of sheer. I could see her pink and purple bikini underneath. She sat down near me.

"Hey, how are you kiddo?" I asked.

"I'm good. I've missed you," she added quickly. I nodded. We hadn't spoken for a few days…since our first talk.

"Me, too," I added. I took her hand and gently squeezed it. She moved her chair closer to me. We talked a little. She told me her parents were entering their boat into the parade. They had done it up in a Mardi Gras theme. I told her about water skiing and our cookout. We never mentioned our last conversation.

She looked at something over my shoulder. I turned around and saw Stacey running to the lodge.

"Isn't that...um," she asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, Stacey," I said as I watched her fling the door open and disappear inside.

"She's the one who was running from your brother, right?" Kate asked. I laughed and filled her in on how Sam was teasing her and throwing food at her to get her attention.

"Poor guy just doesn't know how to act around her. He really likes her, he just can't express it. He doesn't know how to woo her," I said. Kate shrugged.

"I think he's doing a good job," she replied. I looked at her.

"Really?" I asked…a little too eagerly. I looked down at the table. I was a little bummed out. According to her, Sam was doing well, while I was striking out.

"Well, how do you woo a girl?" she asked softly while stroking my arm.

Right then, I pushed all thoughts of Stacey out of my mind. It was just a little crush I had on her. I was acting like a sixth-grader—like a guy too pathetic to even tease a girl he liked. Maybe I wasn't even attracted to Stacey, it was just because I see her so much. I turned to Kate. Her long wavy hair was still a little wet. She was probably swimming earlier. Her face was tan and had a golden glow.

I leaned in and gently placed my hand on her neck. I reached down and kissed her lips. I pulled back a bit to look her. She slowly opened her eyes. I leaned in and our lips met again. I slowly opened my mouth and flicked my tongue in her mouth. She exhaled deeply and I reached my other hand down to her waist.

Kate and I were, ahem, busy on the deck for only a couple more minutes. We stopped after we realized we had an audience. Embarrassed, Kate buried her face against my shoulder and we walked down the porch and towards the main road. She kept her head on my shoulder and her hand laced through mine the entire walk to her cabin. It was...nice.