Chapter 2: Family Trip

New York, 3:00 p.m.

Jake paced back and forth in front the steps of his house. He'd been waiting for Trixie and Spud to arrive for nearly half an hour. What was taking them so long? It was a Sunday afternoon, for crying out loud. All they were gonna do was go over to the park and hang out, as usual. They'd been doing this almost every weekend since the seventh grade. "Guys!" Jake yelled out to no one in particular. "WHAT'S WITH THE HOLD UP?"

He heard a shuffling noise to his left and turned to face a confused little kid staring at him with his eyebrows raised.

Jake grinned at him sheepishly. "Er, uhmmm, heh heh . . . run along now!" he said, shooing the boy away. "You saw nothing!"

As the kid scrambled off across the street and around a corner, Jake groaned and rubbed his temples. Ever since the day he saw Rose for the last time, things had never been the same. Now he was constantly on edge, as if he were just waiting for something to sneak up from behind him and attack. It was harder for him to be happy, too. Spud and Trix could say what they wanted about getting over this and finding someone else, but Jake knew that wasn't going to happen. Ever. Rose had been his soulmate, that one perfect person for him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get over her. He could be on a date with a supermodel and still not give a damn, because the only thing on his mind would probably be RoseRoseRoseRoseRoseRoseRose. As always. In fact, these past few weeks, he'd been failing most of his classes because she truly was all he could think about. Get over her? Find someone else? Yeah. Right.

His train of thought was interrupted when he saw a very dejected-looking Spud walking down the street towards him, his skateboard under his arm. "Well, that took you long enough! Where's Trix?" Jake said, standing up and dusting his pants. Spud sighed and pursed his lips. "uh . . . she's on, like, y'know. A date. With that guy." He looked at a lamppost with fire in his eyes as he spat out, "Kyle Wilkins,"

"Oh. Sorry, dude."

"Yeah . . . me too."

"Well, I told you," Jake said as he gave Spud a light punch on the shoulder, "You shoulda told her. Right when you had the chance."

Spud shook his head. "You were right, man. Ugh, why was I so stupid?"

"No," Jake said in a barely audible voice. "Trust me, I've done worse."

Spud sighed. "I'm sorry, Jakey. I – I didn't mean to remind you of . . . look, bro, she's. . . . Rose is, like gon–"

"Yeah," Jake interrupted. "I know. Look, just forget it, okay? You'll be fine." And then, on a lighter note, he added, "Trixie'll find out what a loser Kyle is and you'll be back in the game. In no time. I swear."

Spud's face lit up. They both smiled and did their secret handshake. "Oh yeah!" Spud exclaimed, cheered up by Jake's reassuring words. "Now let's go ride some concrete waves!"

Jake chuckled as they both boarded their skateboards and rode off towards the park.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the Long's sitting room with the last few rays of the sunset. Hayley sat curled up on the couch, stringing pieces of uncooked macaroni onto a piece of string. By her feet lay a sleeping Fu Dog. It was one of those rare, glorious moments in a day when he wasn't gabbing about or making smart-ass side comments. All was peaceful.

And then the front door burst open. Hayley groaned. So much for a peaceful Sunday afternoon. "SEE YA LATER, SPUD!" Jake hollered out from the steps of their brownstone. The door loudly slammed shut, and Jake waltzed into the sitting room.

"Hey, sis," he said, plopping down on the couch. Amazingly, Fu remained asleep.

"You're in a good mood," she said. "Look at this macaroni necklace I made!"

Hayley held out the craft necklace for her brother to see. "Took me all afternoon, but I'm finally done."

Jake nodded as he rested his feet on top of the coffee table and reached for the remote. "That's nice, Hayley, but are you sure it'll fit that big head of yours?"

Hayley made a swing at Jake as he burst into hysterics. Her nostrils flared as she frowned angrily. "Hey! Don't be mean!"

Jake put his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Chill, Hayls. It's really nice. Swear. And don't be all hysterical, you'll wake Fu."

She cocked her head and considered his apology. "Fine," she shrugged. Jake pressed the on button on the remote and the TV blared with music. Taylor Swift made doe eyes at the screen.

Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel

This love is difficult, but it's real

Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess

It's a love story, baby just say yes.

Hayley bounced up and down on the couch, practically shaking the entire room. Fu snored. The talking dog really did sleep like a rock. "Wooot! I love this song!"

Jake smirked as Hayley started singing along loudly (and not very pleasantly) to the song.

I got tired waiting

Wondering if you were ever coming around

My faith in you was fading

When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said –

Just as the song began to ascend into its climactic chorus, Jake's parents burst into the living room, their faces plastered into huge, happy smiles.

"Kids, we've got great news!" Jonathan Long exclaimed. "Dad!" he hollered to his father-in-law. "Come on, we're gonna tell the kids! Hayley, honey, would you please turn off the TV? DAAAAADDD!"

"Alright, alright. Patience is a virtue," Came Grandpa Lao's voice from the kitchen. "I'm coming."

The old mad walked, or rather, glided - he was so graceful that whenever he walked, it almost appeared as though he was almost floating across the floor – to the family room. He sat down on the La-Z Boy next to the couch.

"Okay, kids," Susan Long, said, grinning. "As you know, summer will start in a week and a half –"

"AND WE'RE GOING TO HONG KONG!" Jonathan interrupted excitedly. "Isn't that great?"

"Do we have the tickets, dear?" Lao asked his daughter serenely. He looked calm enough on the outside, but anyone who knew him could instantly see the happiness in his eyes. He spent his years as a young man in Hong Kong before he moved to America, so the place would surely bring back good memories.

"Yes, Dad. We just got an email verifying the tickets. We're actually going!"

"Mommy, I'm sooooo excited!" Hayley chirped. "Can we go shopping?"

As Hayley and Susan chattered animatedly about their shopping excursion plans, Jake sat still. No one had noticed anything, but he hadn't said a word since his parents broke the news. Hong Kong. Rose lived in Hong Kong. Or at least she did, as far as he knew. Things could have changed in the past two months since she left. But there was still a possibility – a big, big possibility that she was still there. His heart was racing and he couldn't think straight. He needed some time to think, to be alone, not in the middle of all this excited chatter.

"Um," he croaked, "Gotta go. Bathroom."

Grandpa Lao looked at him suspiciously, but decided to leave him alone. Jake bolted up the stairs and into his room, where he would finally have some room to breathe.

Woot! Finally done with Chapter Two! Please review! :)