A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I've been so busy with projects! Thank you for the reviews! Just a reminder, my responses to everyone's reviews are now posted at the link that says homepage, on my author profile. I hope you guys like this chapter. Sorry it's been so long! Enjoy!

Chapter Dedication: I dedicate this chapter to TimeIsOnYourSide. She's been so awesome in updating her fanfic! And I promised her!

Mom recognized the awkward moment. "Sydney, your father and I were just catching up," she said with a slight laugh.

Dad chuckled.

My Mom and Dad within arm distance.

This is an unusual sort of hell.

This could not be happening. Why the hell is Mom smiling when Dad is in the same room? I'd think that Mom would be tearing his head off right about now.

But apparently not.

I walked into the laundry room, putting my clothes in the washer to be washed. I wish that the laundry room wasn't right next to the kitchen, just so I could escape the awkwardness of the past three minutes.

"Sydney, honey. There's left over lasagna in the fridge, if you're hungry," Mom said when I walked back into the kitchen. "I know that you didn't have dinner."

"It was delicious," Dad added. "In fact, your mother just heated some up for me."

I just smiled at my dad. I didn't want to be rude or anything, but this was just too awkward.

"I'm not really hungry right now," I lied. I was actually starving. "But thanks."

Dad held open his arms, signaling that he wanted a hug before I returned upstairs. I quickly gave him a hug, and ran to my bedroom. The running part was unnecessary, but it was just too awkward downstairs.

Wow. Maybe my parents are getting back together. I can imagine that's not going to be too hot with Nadia. She'd probably be pissed that Mom got back together with my dad instead of her's. Sloane. I never liked calling him by his first name, Arvin. Sloane seemed like a much darker name. It just fit, because Sloane was dark. I never liked him. Probably because he was the man that Mom had an affair with, when she and Dad were married. Mom was once married to Sloane before she married Dad. But they divorced. Nadia was born about a while after me, when Mom and Dad were married.

I knew Nadia was my sister ever since I could remember, because Mom told me. But yet, she and Dad remained married. Even after he learned that she had an affair. But they tried to make their marriage work. The key word being tried. But I guess Mom didn't have her priorities straight then. I still love Mom and Nadia, but Sloane. Is there such a way for me to describe my hatred for that man? It's hard to believe that Dad and Sloane are bestfriends. How could Dad even stand the man that had an affair with his wife?

How could Dad stand that?

There was a knock on my door.

It was Dad.

"Sydney, I just wanted to say good-bye before I left," he stated softly.

"Where are you going this weekend?" I asked, straightening out my posture at the foot of my bed.

"I'm going on a business trip with Arvin."

Argh. I hate Sloane. I personally think he has something against me. He's been taking my family away from me. One member at a time.

"When will you be back?" I asked another question, fumbling with my hands. It's totally unfair that I have to share my dad with that asshole.

"Next week. We're only going to San Diego," he replied, sitting next to me.

I didn't say anything.

"How about next weekend for father-daughter bonding time?" he asked with enthusiasm. I could tell he was upset when he told me that he wouldn't be able to spend time with me this weekend.

"Yeah, I guess," I said with a sigh. What the hell did I ever do to Arvin?

Dad gave me a pat on the back. Then there was silence.

"Dad?"

"Yes Sydney?"

"Are you and Mom getting back together?" I had to know.

"Excuse me?" Dad coughed. I caught him off guard.

"Are you and Mom getting back together?" I repeated myself.

"Uh...I'm not sure if I'm th-"

"Well, I'm totally okay with it," I said quickly, so I didn't have to hear what he had to say. It would be great to have my parents back together again. But I don't think that would be anytime in the near future.

Dad blushed. "I best be going now. You have school in the morning," he said, switching the subject.

"Okay. Bye Dad," I said as he walked out of my room.

We've been on the run

Driving in the sun

Looking out for number one

California here come

Right back where we started from

"Just five more minutes Mommy!" I wailed, burying my head into my pillow.

Hustlers grab your guns

Your shadow weighs a ton

Driving down the one-oh-one

California here we come

Right back where we started from

"I said five more minutes. Please woman!" I screamed.

California...

I jumped out of my bed to throw a tantrum (yes, a tantrum) only to find that no one was in my room.

Here we come...

It was my cell phone ringing that woke me up (I set my ringtone to Phantom Planet's California).

Somebody was calling me.

"Hello?" I answered it.

"Syd? Where are you?" It was Francie.

"I just woke up when you called," I explained blearily.

"School started an hour ago!" Francie cried on the other end.

"What?" I must have forgotten to set my alarm.

"Mrs. Curtis is about to start class, so I gotta go Syd," she told me hastily.

"Alright, I'll be at school within the hour," I said.

"Bye!"

Why the hell didn't Mom wake me up? She probably went into work early. So that's probably why. But why the hell didn't Nadia even bother to wake me up? I'm her ride to school in the morning! She's probably still pissed at me. How the hell did she get to school then? Oh, Eric probably picked her up early.

Damn these morning people.

Has everyone just forgotten about me? Well by everyone, I mean everyone but Fran, because she's the only one who called to check up on me.

I think I need to start some kind of support system so I don't get anymore late starts.

What the hell has happened to this world?

It was hard to believe that today was already Friday. The events since Monday were minimal. And awkward. Vaughn and Kevin avoided each other as much as possible, and Nadia started to ignore me. She's just pissed because I didn't believe her when she said that Kevin stole those letters. I trust that Kevin wouldn't do that. Even after his out burst on Vaughn Monday. Regardless of what happened, I truely believe he would not do that.

I quickly made my way to the shower, so I could get ready for school.

I just knew that it would be a long day.

Even if I did have a late start.

"Ah, it's nice for you to finally join us Ms. Bristow," Ms. Simons said as I slid into my seat. It was forth period. Even though Francie called me an hour after school started, I thought it would probably be better to take my time on getting to school. So I finished up that dumb history essay that was due today (I just couldn't find the time to finish it any other time this week). "Late start this morning Ms. Bristow?" Ms. Simons asked.

No shit.

"That doesn't even begin to cover it," I muttered. It doesn't. Francie was the only one who didn't forget about me. I knew there was a reason why she was my best friend. Or maybe because yesterday I told her that today I would bring back that sweater I borrowed from her.

Vaughn just snickered from his seat by the window. I stuck my tongue out at him.

Well at least he thinks I'm funny.

"And then she flew like twenty feet man. It was awesome!" Will mused to the rest of our group. He was talking about one of Sydney's soccer games from a few years ago. The soccer game where the other team's players were twice the size of the players on her team. One of the opponent players was going for the ball at the same time Syd was. Well the other girl got to the ball first, and ran into Sydney. And like Will just said, she flew like twenty feet. Not really, but who actually measures flying distance? It was probably more like four feet..."Remember that Vaughn?" he asked, obviously entertained.

"Yeah," I laughed while Syd just glared at me. Well I guess getting pummeled by a girl twice your size wouldn't be a pleasant memory. "And then didn't she pass out for five minutes because she landed on her head?" I asked, adding to Sydney's embarrassment. She looked like she was going to throw her school-made nachos at me in revenge.

"Dude, she got a concussion!" Will answered.

He's having more fun than he's supposed to.

Sydney just kicked me from underneath the lunch table. I let out a small gasp while she quietly giggled to herself. Why doesn't she kick Will? He's the one who brought up the concussion part of the story. I don't even know why she's getting in a fuss if she doesn't remember any of this except from what we told her.

Before I could say anymore, a voice came over the P.A. system.

"Good afternoon Brookenbridge High," Principal Wood's voice echoed. "I know you're all probably wondering who the nominees are for Homecoming King and Queen this year," the man continued. Everyone in the cafeteria hushed their conversations to listen to the nominations. "The nominees for this year's Homecoming King are: David Mathis, Kyle Harmon, and Andrew Brown." There was slight clapping as each of the guy nominees stood up to be recognized. Of course they were all jocks. "And the nominees for this year's Homecoming Queen are: Steffanie Hubert, Genevieve Rodgers, and Sydney Bristow." Syd was nominated? Our entire lunch table broke into a fit of applause as Sydney blushed at her recognition. I guess so. "Voting starts Monday. Good luck with your decisions." And with that Principal Wood signed off the P.A. system.

Syd was nominated.

I turned to congratulate her, only to see Kevin holding both her hands in his. Sydney with a surprised look on her face.

"Sydney," Kevin started. I was listening to their conversation. "Will you go to Homecoming with me?" he asked.

There was sudden silence at our lunch table, as everyone anxiously awaited her answer.

She hesitated at first. But after a few seconds, which seemed like hours, she finally nodded her head in response.

Kevin pulled her into a hug.

I guess this would be the first school dance that I would attend without Sydney as my date.

A/N: How did you guys like that chapter? I know you guys hate me now. Sorry it's kind of short. But I hope you like it all the same. Please review! Just a reminder, my responses to everyone's reviews are now posted at the link that says homepage, on my author profile. Please review! I promise I will try my hardest to update ASAP this time. I've been REALLY busy this past week, so I didn't really have enough time to update. I hope you guys liked it! Please review. Go ahead, you know you want to click that little purple "Go" button to review. How could you even THINK about not reviewing? He he he...