Authors Note: Ok guys... First things first, I just realized that in the last chapter(chappie 2) the last line was "know her world was going to turn upside down in a matter of days." It should actually have been WEEKS instead of DAYS. :P a small typo. And im not really happy with the 2nd chappie cuz I think I was babbling a lot. Anyways, in this chapter ill be taking a time leap of about one week. And one last announcement- I NEED SOME IDEAS FOR CARTER AND ZIA'S ...um... moment of confessing their love for each other? I suck at these things... Ideas are appreciated and I might include you in the story :)

Ok enjoy!

CHAPTER 3

Zia's POV

When I reached home with Carter, I heard something I should NOT have heard. My mother's voice.

Oh you seriously didn't think I have no parents, did you? My dad is in Germany, for some business work. My mom and him work in the same company, so she left with him. They offered to take me along, but my love of America stopped them. Haha, just joking. They decided I would a burden on them, and so decided to leave me on my own. My neighbor used to check on me, but the old hag decided I was a "pretty, grown up young lady" and I could take care of myself. Anyways, back to present.

I just stood there frozen like an idiot.

Carter went, "Earth to Zia!" in his cute accent-wait, did I think his accent was cute? Good Lord, I need to spend less time in the sun.

He then said, "Someone's in your house, should I call the police?"

I managed to splutter out, "No, NO. Its just my mom." And then laugh like a maniac.

Carter frowned, looking extremely cute, and said, "But...she's in Germany."

For once I stared at him like he was crazy. "She can come back you know."

He laughed weakly and said, "Guess I'll be meeting her after all."

I shook my head . My mom was SO gonna blow up. She didn't urm...appreciate these transfer thingies. I was planning my funeral when something hit me.

Literally.

A kid's ball hit me on the head,.

But htne another idea hit me, Carter could spend the night at Sadie's! That way, I wont be embarrassed in front of him if my mom gets mad. I turned to Carter and said that he should go hang out with Sadie for a little while, and that I would call him back later. Carter just smiled and said, "Best of luck."

And he left for his long lost sister's awesome apartment. I braced myself and opened the door.

Now that I come to think of it, I could have done many things. I could have-

Hugged my mom to death, and in a friendly mother-daughter conservation, tell her about Carter.

Scowl as I see her holding the phone and ask her bluntly, "What are you doing here?"

Shout out all the things about Carter and run to my room.

But, oh no. I did something else. Or should I say, nothing else.

I just stood there like an idiot.

My mother gave me a warm smile and said, "Zia! My, how you've grown!"

I gave an awkward smile and said, "Yeah, well, its been a couple months. What brings you here?"

Wrronngg thing to say.

My mom's smile vanished and she looked hurt, making me feel guilty immediately. I quickly corrected myself. Or at least I attempted to.

"No! I meant it like, you were meant to visit next month! Is something wrong? Where's dad?"

My mom just gave another smile, though she didn't look so happy anymore.

"I missed you sweetie. You look so pretty. I bet you already have boys chasing you!"

And then the doorbell rang and we could see the faint shadow of a man outside our house.

My mom frowned. "I didn't mean that literally."

I went for the cool, relaxed daughter approach.

"That's just Carter, mom. My partner for the School Transfer Program."

My mom visibly relaxed and said, "Well, it's cold outside, go and bring him in. I'll get some coffee made."

I opened the door for Carter.

He grinned sheepishly and said, "Sadie is busy with um..someone called Walt?"

I found myself smiling. "Yeah, its OK. Come on in."

He came inside and we went to the kitchen. My mom was on the phone with someone. When she saw us, she looked pointingly to the counter. 2 mugs of coffee were kept. I took them and whispered to Carter to follow me.

We went and sat on the balcony. It was one of my favorite places. Carter cleared his throat and went "Your moms nice."

I snorted. "You haven't even met her."

He smiled. "Ok, -Pants. Your mom seems nice."

I laughed. "Well, your opinion. I think she looks really... business-like, ya know?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Where's your dad?"

I shrugged. "Last time I checked, he was in Germany."

His eyes grew wide and he said "You don't keep in touch, do you?"

I smirked, "Its hard when hes always busy."

He was quite. And then he spoke, "I know how you feel."

Obvisiously he didn't really know. He was just saying that to make me feel better.

Suddenly he grinned. "Lets play 20 questions."

And for the rest of the night, we sat on a mat laughing and talking about random things.