Regular

Text message

"This is the sitting room. Through that door there is the kitchen, and in the kitchen is a hallway that will take you to the door to the cellar. The living room is on the other side of the foyer, and a doorway in there leads to my room which is strictly off limits. Up the stairs on the second floor will be where the boy stays and Nina, you and the girl will stay one floor above. I trust you can show them where that is. I've given Myrna the week off due to an illness in her family, and I have bridge tonight at the Wilson's, so I trust you'll find something for dinner. Other than that, Dinner will be at 6:30 every evening, 6:00 on Sundays." Aunt Catherine stopped in the middle of the room and turned to face the three teens. "Do not touch anything that looks even remotely important or valuable and, for Heaven's sake, don't break anything." She turned towards Nina. "I've already taken care of the details of the funeral, which will be held next Saturday as to avoid any major scheduling conflicts with those who plan to attend. The day after you will go to your grandmother's house and go through her items. Understood?"

"Yes, Aunt Catherine," Nina replied in a flat tone. Catherine nodded.

"Good. Now show everyone to their rooms. And don't slouch, it makes you look sloppy." With that, Aunt Catherine walked past Nina, Amber, and Fabian and went straight into the living room, out of sight. A few seconds later, they heard a door slam shut.

"She's fast for an old woman, isn't she?" Fabian said after a beat of silence. Nina and Amber started laughing.

"Aunt Catherine is…well, she's Aunt Catherine. She's been pretty bitter ever since I could remember," Nina replied. She started walking towards the stairs, Fabian and Amber following.

"Does your aunt have an equally scary husband we should know about?" Amber asked. Nina shook her head.

"She was married to some guy named Harry, but he was killed Vietnam. She has a couple kids, but I've never met them." Once they got to the first landing of the house, they stopped. "Well…I guess just pick a room," Nina told Fabian. She pointed to her left. "Down that hallway is, like, three room, I think. And then over here," Nina turned around and pointed the other way. "There is just one room here. But it is right next to the stairs that go up to the next floor." Fabian nodded.

"Nina, this house is huge! This is probably the same size as Mick's house! I thought you needed the scholarship?" Amber asked as she looked around.

"I do. This was handed down to Aunt Catherine. There isn't a mortgage or anything she has to pay for."

"I guess that makes sense. So, where are we sleeping, Nina?" Amber asked.

"Oh, right! Um, this way," Nina said, walking towards the stairs. She stopped and turned around to face Fabian. "So, I guess just pick a room and do whatever and come find us when you're ready?" Fabian nodded in agreement. After the girls disappeared up the stairs, Fabian wheeled his suitcase to the room beside the stairs to the next floor.

-Upstairs-

"Nina, are there any rooms with two beds? It can be just like back at school!" Amber exclaimed. Nina gave a laugh.

"I have no idea Amber, we'll have to look. This is only the second time I've been here, and the first I'm actually staying over," Nina replied as she started opening doors and looking in rooms.

"You mean your aunt is that old and you've only been here once?"

"My aunt and my Gran were not close, to put it mildly," Nina replied. "Oh! here's one with two beds. Come on." the girls dragged their bags into the room, Amber having the more difficult time since she had about twice the amount of bags that Nina did. As they were putting their stuff away, Nina's phone started buzzing.

Nina- get ur brit frnds ready in 30min.

-A

"Who is it?" Amber asked. Nina looked over at her.

"It's Ayla, my friend from earlier? I guess she's taking us somewhere."

"Oh really? Where?" Nina shrugged.

"Not sure, she just said be ready in half an hour."

"Well did she say anything about where we're going?"

"Not a clue," Nina replied, shaking her head.

"Then how am I supposed to know what I'm to wear?" Amber asked. Nina laughed.

"Honestly? Knowing Ayla, you'll probably want tennis shoes. Other than that, it probably doesn't matter."

"Tennis shoes..."Amber looked thoughtful. "Do I own a pair of those? Are we playing tennis?" Nina laughed.

"No, we're not playing tennis. I don't think so, anyway. But I'm sure you own some. Didn't you say you went running with Mick a couple times when you were dating? What did you wear then?"

"Oh, like trainers! I have those." Nina laughed and shook her head. They heard a knock on the door and Fabian poked his head in.

"Hey guys, mind if I join you?" he asked as he walked in. Because, really, do you think they would've said no?

"Nina's friend is taking us somewhere in 15 minutes!" Amber told him excitedly.

"Well that's...nice? Where is she taking us, again?" Fabian asked, not at all sure if he was ready to be around Nina's strange friend for an extended period of time.

"Nina won't tell us," Amber replied.

"I won't tell you because I don't know myself!" Nina laughed.

-15 minutes later-

Amber, Nina, and Fabian were talking to each other when they heard a horn start beeping obnoxiously.

"Is it safe to assume that's your friend?" Fabian deadpanned. Nina rolled her eyes, laughing, and the three made their way down the stairs and out the door. Once they were on the porch, Amber stopped.

"Nina...how are we all going to fit in that truck? There are only two seats." Nina opened her mouth to reply, but before she could screams erupted in the air.

"NINA! We missed you so much!" Three girls had run up and practically jumped on Nina. The girls were too preoccupied with their reunion, and Fabian and Amber were too frightened to notice a fourth party walking up.

"Is there a hug for me in there?" the boy asked after the girls finished hugging. He was tall and tan with brown hair, and he had a lazy half-smile on his face.

"Jonah, hi, it's been awhile," Nina greeted, giving the boy a half wave.

"Aw, come on Nina, what kind of a greeting is that?" the boy, Jonah, laughed. He walked over and picked Nina up in a hug, spinning her around. The other girls laughed, and Amber and Fabian looked on, feeling slightly akward and maybe a little bit out of the loop. The only question on Fabian's mind was who was this Jonah kid? After Jonahfinally put Nina down she seemed to remember Amber and Fabian were there.

"Oh! Guys, this is Amber and Fabian, my friends from school. Amber, Fabian, this is Bailey, Jaime, and you already know Ayla, and this is Jonah."

'Nice to meet you's, 'what's up's, and 'how do you do's were exchanged. After everyone became somewhat acquainted, the group walked over to the truck. Jonah got in the driver's seat, and Ayla in the passenger. Nina and the other two girls, Jaime and Bailey, climbed into the bed of the truck. Fabian, not knowing whatelse to do, followed behind. Amber was left looking uncertainly after them.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Amber asked.

"Of course!" the girl with black hair replied, Bailey, she thought. "We do it all the time!"

"Okay..." Amber reluctantly climbed into the back of the truck.

"So, do you guys know where we're going?" Nina asked the two girls, who gaped in response.

"You're kidding, right?" Jaime asked, shocked.

"Um...am I missing something?" Nina asked.

"Nina, do you know what today is?" Bailey asked. Nina looked confused.

"Umm...Saturday?"

"And what was yesterday?"

"Friday?"

"Nina...you're totally missing the point. What is today's date?"

"June 3rd?" Nina still looked confused. Then, suddenly, a look of realization crosser her face. "Ooooooh, it's June 3rd!" It was Amber and Fabian's turn to look confused now.

"What's June 3rd?" Fabian asked. Bailey and Jaime looked at each other.

[A/N] Ohhhh what's June 3rd? I bet you all want to know! Or not, you know, whatever. And now...

Nicolette_May_Summers- Whoa…I didn't even consider that. That would have been such a nightmare for Fabian! Haha! And Nina is crying because, the way I see it, her Gran just died and now she figures out that she is living with someone she absolutely hates? That seems like it would be more than a little stressful to me. So…basically she was crying out of stress? I probably could've explained that in fewer terms…

rockenweirdo- I know! Haha I was like "awww!" when I wrote it :)

name_here_please- Hmm…interesting theory. It does seem like something that would happen in a television show

Hiya- Don't worry; Ayla IS pretty much the teen American girl stereotype, but I have other incoming characters that are the typical American teenager as I know it. So it will get better haha!

Sakina-chan- Yeah, she scares me too! And I wrote her in! And don't worry, I am gradually working my way up to some more Fabina. Just waiting for one more character to show up…

NebraeExbaren- Hmm….you have a good point. Victor is a little too…Victor to be good. If that makes sense?