big thank yous to the one's who gave this story a chance :)

i own squat but the plot.

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September

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Chapter one: Walking into a storm

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"So this is home?"

"Yes Nicholas," Denise Anne Cole said as she brought in another box into their new home, "This is home."

Nick nodded as he stood on his front door step of his New York City home. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and looked around the neighborhood from his footing. The sky had a hue of purple and pink from the transition from the afternoon into nighttime. He smiled as he looked at it for a brief second, it was the shade as it would turn in New Jersey. He mentally kicked himself for believing everything would be different in New York.

It was a loud state, cars honking and flashing lights everywhere. Driving through Manhattan was hell, many taxi cabs stopped in front of the Cole's moving van at random times to pick up or drop off New Yorkers. And each and every time, Paul Kevin Cole Jr would curse color fully and resist the urge to honk the horn. Nick cringed every time Kevin would make up a new version of curse words as they drove along. Joseph Adam Cole found pleasure in watching his older brother curse, he sat in the middle of Nick and Kevin, popcorn at hand and a smile from Kevin's choice of curse words.

"I'm hungry," Franklin Nathaniel Cole said as he tugged on his brothers shirt, "Tell mom I'm hungry."

"Mom, Frankie's hungry," Nick said dryly.

"I saw a sandwich shop a couple blocks down," Kevin said as he ran his fingers through his messy head of curls, "I can get some for dinner."

"You work too hard son," Paul Cole, the father of the family, said.

"I can do it," Nick said as Joe walked beside him.

"B-but it's a big city Nicholas," Denise said, "Joseph can't you go?"

"It's just down the block," Nick said with a bit of disappointment leaking in his voice, "Honestly mom, I'm not a kid."

"I can go with him," Joe offered.

"Here's thirty bucks," Paul pushed up his glasses and pulled up money from his pocket and put it in Joe's hands, "Get me a Philly cheese steak."

Nick nodded and walked away from his family with his younger and older brother. He breathed in the New York air, warm and slightly humid. He sighed as he passed a cloud of smoke from ahead walkers. His eyes watered in the smoke as the wind blew it in. He found himself hating New York within every step he took.

Nick stared at Joe, how easily he could just brush off anything thrown at him. His shaggy brown hair fell over his honey hazel eyes and touched the nape of his neck. He walked with such ease; without a care in the world. It was people like his brother he looked up; it gave him a guide to live by. Joe's guide; just live.

"We should've recorded Kevin cursing," Joe joked as him and his brothers stopped at Waverly Sub Station.

"That would've been brilliant," Nick laughed, "He was crazy."

"But wrong," Joe said to Frankie, "Very wrong."

Nick chuckled as he held out his hand to open the glass doors of the sandwich shop. The walls were colored with blue and were bordered with tiles. Circle tables and booths were a light gray and scattered across the shop. Somehow, Nick found himself loving the atmosphere. He felt himself familiar with it; reminding him of home. He's real home.

"Welcome to the Waverly Substation," a cheery short haired teen said as he passed the brothers, "Would you like a seat, or are you ordering take-out?"

"We're ordering," Joe said as he read his name tag on his chest; Justin.

"I'll take them, follow me to the counter."

The brothers followed him as he began to walk behind the gray counter and pulled out a yellow writing pad from his back pocket. He pulled the pen that was behind his ear and looked at his customers.

"What'll it be?"

"Justin!" a female voice came from behind him, "I was supposed to do orders today."

Nick's ears perked up at the voice. He followed where it was coming from; a petite brunette with curly brown hair and a slender frame, holding her own curves in the right places. He caught a peek at her eyes; a slightly light shade of brown. He scanned her from the top of her curly hair to the ends of her black Converses. She wore a red tunic under a pair of light washed skinny jeans.

"You're not responsible Alex," Justin said.

"Your only sixteen Justin," her eyes rolled, "You think dusting off your dolls are a daily responsibility."

"Their action figures," he hissed, "And they are too a responsibility."

"Hi I'm Alex," her hips bumped against her brothers, "What would you like at the Waverly Sub Station?"

"Your hopeless," Justin threw his hands in the air and back at his sides, "They were my customers."

"This is awkward," Nick said to his brothers.

"Justin, it's my job, and I get paid for it," Alex said, her hands at her hips, "Let me do what I'm supposed to do, okay?"

Justin looked away, and gripped onto his yellow writing pad and pencil. He eyed a new pair of customers walking through the door, and slowly he ran away.

"Sorry about him," she said with a chuckle, "He's a bit of a…weirdo."

"It's okay," Nick smiled.

"Alex, what are you doing taking take-out orders?" a motherly voice came from behind the brunette, "Justin said you guys switched."

"Justin was lying mom," Alex said.

"Are you guys new here?" the older woman asked, ignoring Alex' words.

"Just moved in on Seymour Ave," Joe said with a nod, "Is it that obvious?"

"Not really," she laughed extending her arm out, "I'm Theresa Russo."

Nick took it, shaking it with a smile on his face. His eyes turned to Alex, sticking out his hand in to her as well. She took it and shook it with grace, a small smile on her face. The contact of her soft skin gave him a rush. Their eyes connected; and instantly he pulled away as he felt his hands start to sweat. He looked down at the floor, blowing away the steam that began to gather up on his cheeks. Frankie nudged him in his ribs, snickering as Nick laughed in pain.

"Oh…little brothers," Nick head locked his brother.

"What would you like?" Alex broke the silence as she tucked strands of her brown hair behind her ear as her mother walked away.

"Three foot long Philly Cheese Steaks," Nick said as he released his brother.

She nodded. She snapped her fingers in the air, calling for her brother.

"They want three foot long Philly's."

Justin scowled at her sister, but obeyed her demands. Nick found himself laughing as Alex stopped snapping. She smiled at her brother wildly, batting her eyelashes in innocence. He felt himself wash of heat as she turned to him, with the innocence swirling in her eyes. He couldn't help but say; wow.

As the sandwiches were on the counter, he pulled out the money. She put her hand on his, and leaned towards him and whispered in his right ear. Her lips brushed against his ear, gently enough for him to smile.

"It's on the house, since your a newbie," she leaned back and putt he sandwiches in a bag, "Just tell you family how great the Waverly Sub Station is."

"I will," he smiled.

Nick and his brothers began to walk out. He turned slightly, wanting to take one last glance at her. She smiled at him and gave a friendly wave.

"Another paying customer," she exclaimed as her brother passed her.

She gave him a friendly wink as he turned around. As the walk back began, he couldn't help but smile as her name ran through his mind; Alex Russo.