A/N:

Hiya, I'm back~

Wow, who am I talking to when this fic barely catches any attention? ASDFGHJKL. But for those who spared some time reading this, I thank you from the deepest part of my hypothalamus. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY I AM WITH THESE LITTLE FAVES/REVIEWS/LOVES YOU GUYS ARE FEEDING ME!

It's just that, I am aware that after some cute fictional character goes main stream and loved by many, there'll be fics with fans that are...err...in terms...possessive and some other words I forgot...So, I went figure by giving you a feel of what it's like to be alienated in a perspective only someone like me can get to youz. Kids here in the Philippines have their folks working abroad to make a better living and they usually end up immigrating later on once their parents best decided to leave. It's kinda sad and painful really.

...

YOSH!

Enough of the back story and sob story, heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's SUMMER!

DISCLAIMER: RotG solely belongs to Dreamworks. I merely borrowed the characters and shiz.

Summer.

Approximately 3 months later...

It's a beautiful sun shiny summer day. The sun is shining brightly down on me, clear blue sky with fluffy clouds to and fro.

The sun feels absolutely blissful as it kisses my olive skin warming me head to toe.

The temperature was tolerable, the skies were ever so blue, and the wind blew ominously.

It was summer after all, and I couldn't feel any better.

This summer heat was everything that reminded me of home. Considering the fact that we only have 2 seasons, namely wet and dry, it just gives me pleasant memories and calmed down my nerves than I've had.

It's the season that made me more alive.

My legs are outstretched against the crisp grass, tickling my bare legs and arms. I'm wearing my blue shorts, pale blue tank and white off-shoulder shirt. Half of my long ebony black hair is tied up in an unfinished bun while my recently black manicured feet are bare, sinking deep into the fresh grass.

I feel like a lazy cat, rolling over to my sides basking myself into this wondrous softness of the grass, purring in satisfaction at this beautiful summer day that tells me that a promising day awaits me.

"Argh, I hate this heat…it's killing me!" a voice whines from my far left, it's Jack. I plainly ignore him, almost forgetting he was there.

Correction, I almost forgot that I was not alone sunbathing out in our back yard. The Snow siblings – Jack and Emma, Jamie Bennett and his sister, Sophie, and my cousin, Bobby Valdez, are all outside basking under this beautiful summer heat.

Apparently, Lola Carrie invited them over since the adults were all out. Also, she highly insisted that they hang out at our place being that we have a (surprisingly) spacious backyard, with its luscious, fresh grass, a hammock under the large tree (which separates our house from the Snow's), fresh potted flowers, and, my personal favorite, the mini-volleyball court.

So since they were here, we decided to have a fun game of volleyball - Which also happens to be my forte.

I remember my gym teacher highly praised me very well with the skill and familiarity I have with the game. Oh, and did I mention how Jack glared at me for 'showing off'? Hah! He can't even beat me!

So anyway, we spent an hour playing, and the next hour was me teaching them a few tricks up my sleeve. Emma and Sophie were helping my grandmother water the plants, before I decided to leave the boys on their own and lie down on the grass to be the lazy cat that I am right now.

"Haha, Lia looks like a cat right now." Jamie comments, tossing the ball to Bobby, who hits it back.

"Haha, kitty!" I hear Sophie coo. She's just so adorable. I've just met the 4-year old Bennett, and already we have some kind of wonderful bond. She and Emma are lounging on the hammock under the shade; they can't handle the heat much.

"Yeah, you're right Jamie!" Bobby takes a moment to watch me before he gets hit by the ball, I can't help but laugh.

"Don't keep your eye off the ball Bobby!" I say to him playfully "Looks like Jamie here is better than you at this game." I challenge him. It works and determination gets to him.

"I'm seriously gonna pass out in this heat…" Jack whines once again, loudly this time. Jack is lounging lazily beside her, clad in his red and white polo shirt, cargo jeans and is in flip flops. Rising up, I prop against my elbows to look at his lump state – lying against the shade of the tree with one leg perched up while the other lay against the grass.

"Wimp." I tease, rolling my hazel eyes at him. He pointedly glares in return.

"Lia, Lia!" Emma suddenly calls, distracting me from my thoughts. I stop whatever I am doing and turn to her; she's seated under the huge tree with Sophie beside her and a huge smile on her adorable face. Jack turns up curiously when Emma calls me.

"Yes Emma?"

"Can you braid my hair please?"

Upon hearing this, Sophie quickly pipes up happily. "Braid! Braid!"

"Sure thing," I smile at them both as I stand before taking a seat behind them both. Emma ever so kindly offers me to start with Sophie so she can watch me work. I start combing through her blonde locks with my fingers. Sophie giggles from the touch of my hand.

"Now which braid would each of you girls like? Twin braids? French braid? Fish tail? Waterfall? Double braid? Edwardian-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Jack cuts me off.

Just when I was to tell little Emma and Sophie the many braids they'd like, their eyes immediately sparkled with interest the moment I mentioned a few braid styles, Emma's oaf of a brother just had to butt in.

"What kinds of braids are those? And what's an Edwardian?" Jack asks dumbfoundedly and almost, exasperated. Luckily, the two other boys are too preoccupied with mastering their volleyball skills that they don't join in with our conversation. Whew, I can't handle being bombed with questions again.

I look up at him blatantly, he holds up his hands up in defense.

"Just asking" he says with a small carefree smirk. I roll my eyes at him, he pouts. I secretly smile at his childish behavior.

"Guys like you will never understand even if I tell you…" my voice is in a sing song, mocking and humoring him. And then I find myself sticking my tongue to the brunette.

His stare narrows but that smile is terribly not amiss.

"Hmm...Fish tail!" Emma says eagerly from beside me, tearing me away from Jack.

"T-Twin braids!" comes Sophie response as she struggles to pronounce the word, I'm giggling again as I begin to part her hair.

I chuckle lightly at their enthusiasm and start on the crown of Sophie's hair, starting there.

"Aye, aye captain!"

Then I'm focusing hard on my work, occasionally chatting with the girls as I do so. Emma is everything that I expect of her; a bright, happy and caring little girl that has a big heart for anything. Sophie on the other hand, is a big bundle of joy. She's obsessed with fairies and bunnies, of course since she's four. But other than that, she's very energetic, curious and obedient girl.

During the duration of our little girl talk, Jack is awfully silent and is carefully watching me from the side. Somewhat amused or in admiration of my work or to his sister, or how easy I get along with little kids, I don't know which, but it's distracting me.

Once I finish with Sophie, who thanks me with a hug, I turn to Emma and begin running my fingers through her silky chestnut hair before I start. Sophie moves to my side, slightly moving the hammock, as she watches me work in silence.

"You're good at this." Jack remarks, causing me jump but I don't take my eyes off my job. He's in awe.

I merely shrug, "I've had some practice back at home when we were bored during the summers."

I couldn't see him, but I could feel him raising a thick brow at me, highly curious. I continue talking without knowing.

"Back in my old dorm, there was this girl who worked as part-time at the salon who had a secret knack for braiding. I got a bit interested and asked her to teach me a few. So she taught me, and I braided time to time. Sadly, she had to leave because she was transferring to another college elsewhere, so I taught myself via Youtube. It then became a weird hobby of mine."

Jack chuckles. I assume he's impressed. I secretly grin but he isn't aware that I am.

"Can you teach me sometime Lia?" Emma asks excitedly. Sophie looks up to me with those big light brown of hers and a childish grin, these two girls infecting me, I mirror their expression.

"Sure thing."

I've reached the end of Emma's hair and I take a hair band from my wrist and tie it securely. I turn to look at her, brushing her bangs to frame her face with my fingers as she smiles brightly at me.

"You look so cute Emma! Oh, and you too Sophie!" I commend happily.

"YAY!" Sophie cheers beside me as she applauds.

"It's so cool! Thanks so much Lia!" she's touching the braid behind her, admiring my handiwork. She's smiling uncontrollably that it breaks my face.

"Anytime. Now stop being so cute, you two are giving me diabetes! I swear! "I chime. They giggle and so do Jack; again, I almost forgot that he was there.

Bobby and Jamie suddenly stop practicing, I turn to them. I bite my lower lip to prevent my laugh to erupt from my mouth. Bobby's blush is priceless; he's staring at her mindlessly. Oh the sweet wonders of puppy love. Jamie is oblivious; he begins to pick up the ball and tries to catch Bobby's attention. I am the only one aware of this.

"Hey Lia, you ready for round two?"

My smile slowly forms into that of a smug smirk.

"Think you can beat me this time?"

Jamie nods vigorously. He's determined and it was enough to put my game face on.

"All right then, show me what'cha got and give me your all then!"

"ALL RIGHT!" Jamie shrieks happily.

"YAY LIA!" Sophie cheers from behind me.

Bobby snaps out of his infatuation and joins Jamie, putting his game face on as well.

"Two-against-one eh? Now that's a challenge-"

"Two against two," Jack suggested nonchalantly. It takes me by surprise; he's walking over to the one side of the net that isn't occupied. He's waiting for me, I look at him confusingly.

"Are you sure? 'Cause last time I checked, you couldn't even hit the ball properly."

"That's because I wasn't in the zone Li, cut me some slack here." He admonishes, highly insulted by what I've told him.

…

Well, beggars can't be choosers now can't they?

"All right then Jack Snow, you're on!" He grins.

"Yay! Jack and Lia!" Emma cheers, obviously for us. I'm right by Jack, taking my position and giving Jamie a single nod as our game begins.

Whoever hits the ball, Emma and Sophie are either way cheering happily from the sides. Not caring who was leading, but were both enjoying the game.

I somewhat feel like Emma's early cheer was conveying some sort of message other than wishing us luck in the game. I don't know; call it gut feeling or whatever. But it's getting to me.

I immediately shake it off and turn my focus to the game. I back away when I heard Jack say "My bal!" The ball swerves to the other side of the net, Jamie hits it but it hits the net.

"You guys are getting good at this," I praise the two, wiping sweat away from my arm as I received the ball and ready my serve.

With a score of 4 – 5, obviously, I and Jack are leading. Jamie and Bobby I must say have improved in such a short span of time, Jamie especially, who's a completely newbie to the game, while Bobby has less practice. Jack, on the other hand, I have to admit, does have skills. Not that I'll ever admit it to his face, that'll just add up to his little ego.

The ball hops from one side to the other. Emma and Sophie are turning their heads with their mouths open, it seemed never ending. That is, until Bobby spiked the ball. Jack and I were eyeing the ball; I realize that it was heading my direction.

"My ball!" I call out to Jack.

Sadly, he doesn't hear me and runs to my direction. Before I could stop him, he was already close to me ready to hit the ball. And I swore that in a nanosecond that the moment he was aware of me, twin brown orbs widened in shock and backed off, only for him to slip on his flip flops.

"Jack, wait sto-"I tried to stop him, but it was already too late.

He and I crashed, barely even hitting the ball as his body crashes into me to the plush grass with him.

"Jack!" says Jamie.

"Ate Lia!" says Bobby afterwards.

Emma and Sophie both gasp.

"Oww…" I groan in pain, trying to stand but there's a huge weight on me. I can't move. "Jack." I place my hand on his shoulders, pushing him off. Man is he heavy.

He groans, rising his head from the side with his hands pressed to the grass. "Geez, warn me next time Li…Oww…the ball hit my head you know."

I roll my eyes "I did, you didn't listen to me."

"Hey, at least we were leading!" I narrow my eyes at him for a quick second. But then I notice it, it hits me.

This wasn't good.

Realization hits me hard like a cold gush of water, our position at hand – I'm underneath him, he's on top of me. Our legs are tangled, his eyes are widening down on me. His lips parted lightly, pants escaping in and out. His long bangs were sticking to his forehead and he smelled of sweat. A tinge of pink spreads across his face; I'm stuck in the moment.

"Oi, looks like I'm in the middle 'o somethin'" a familiar voice calls.

With all my might, I immediately push Jack off from me. Looking up, I see the wolfish smirk of my Australian gym teacher, Edmund Aster Bunny. The kids are magically right by his side and are watching us. I fight the urge not to blush but fail terribly.

"How're you two frolickin' in the grass?" he teases lowly, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"W-W-We weren't f-frolicking in the grass!" I defend, already on my feet. He arches an eyebrow in doubt.

"CHILDREN! KUMAIN MUNA KAYO NG MERIENDA!" Lola Carrie suddenly calls from the kitchen, oblivious to the situation at the backyard.

Mister Bunny whips his head to the kids and chucks his head towards the house. "Y'heard the old lady, in we go kiddies!" They nod and start to enter; sparing us teens a glance before disappearing altogether. With the kids gone, Mister Bunny strides toward us. His smug smile is still in place.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Granny Carrie invited you?" Jack asks as he sits himself.

"A'yup! Said she needed some company to go with you youngsters, plus, I figured I'd deliver those spices she asked from me."

"Huh…" I say. I silently adore that accent of his; I just love that deep masculine Australian accent of his. Control yourself Lia, control!

Mister Bunny turns to gaze at me proudly, nodding with great approval.

"Yup, I'm sure as hell proud we have ye in our volleyball team Dela Rosa!"I break into a huge grin.

"How long were you watching us?"

"Oh, I'd say about since I noticed a ball bouncin' side 'o side"

"Ahem" Jack calls, we both look down at him "Mind helping me up from the grass?"

He's frustrated for being left out, somehow he's its childish. It's rather cute. Mister Bunny glares down at him.

"Ah, go whine yourself out Snow. I'm amaze someone like you could actually play."

Jack smirks. I offer him my hand and he takes it, he stands taller than me. Mister Bunny is 6'2, shadowing down on our meager heights.

"Hey, at least I can still play right?" he exclaims, fawning over to me to prove his point. I push him away with my finger.

"Don't push yo luck boy."

At the worst timing ever, my stomach chooses this moment to growl, ending their petty argument. They both look at me and I flush, hard.

"C-Can we go? I'm starving."

Edmund Aster Bunny.

Or plain Mister E, err, Coach E. Whichever helps.

He's this really buff, no-nonsense and cool Australian with mad Boomerang slash Tai Chi skills.

I like him, he really knows how to make you tick, laugh with his snide remarks, how to challenge you, and he's got this really attractive unruly ash hair, muscular build and a thick Australian accent that I would squeal over. He lives on the other side of town from us, and is a huge fan of Easter Sunday and Bunnies.

Jack likes him too, just as his number one victim to his many pranks. Jack nicknames him "Bunny" due to the man's love for Easter Sundays and the Easter Bunny. Awkward. The two could really pass up as brothers-in-rivalry.

He's our gym teacher with a passion for Easter Sunday. Having claimed the title as "Master Egg Hunter" for 10 straight years when he was just a kid, and won egg painting contests for 4 years straight.

But despite being the big lug no-nonsense sort of guy, he's also very sweet towards kids. Like right now, as we're sharing and eating *bananaque and puto, he's telling the little ones a few stories from Australia and about his bunnies and stuff. Sophie and he seem to have an attachment, it's kind of cute.

He leaves half an hour later, thanking Lola Carrie for the treat and to the kids for listening. Then as he turns to both teens, he simply ruffles our heads and heads out. With Coach E long gone, the house resumes to its original state.

From the corner of my eye, a long-necked, traditional wooden string instrument catches my attention. Consciously, I walk towards it and take my Tito's guitar from its stand and strum my fingers through the chords; not knowing that everyone has their eyes on me. I almost forgot that they were there as I tune the strings deftly. I'm caught in the moment, tuning each string as I sit myself on the sofa.

"You play the guitar?" Jack inquires me, breaking me off.

Shoot, I haven't really played in a while. I fluster.

"Um…yeah?" my voice is a bit sarcastic. Frankly, I'm hurt he thinks that way. "Why is that so surprising?"

"I dunno really." he admits with a light shrug.

My face is pointedly blank as I gawk at him; I then roll my eyes.

"Ate's a really good guitarist Jack!" Bobby beams proudly.

"Oh yeah?" his brow arches, striding to sit across me. I give him a stare.

"Yeah, she does!" Jamie agrees. Shoot, I forgot that he once heard me sing in choir.

"I've never heard you sing before." Emma says quietly, she's sitting beside me. Sophie joins in, frowning at me. Dang, they're sad. My heart clenches in guilt.

"S-Sorry Emma, Sophie, it just didn't cross my mind." I stammer with an apologetic smile. They say nothing, but the look in their eyes shows the slightest they're hoping.

"Besides," I clear my dry throat. "I'm not a good singer." I defend offhandedly.

"Not true!" Jamie shrieks, Bobby nodding in agreement beside him. They look like my fan club or something; I bite down my lip to stop my laughter from erupting.

"Don't laugh Ate! What Jamie said is true!" Bobby waves his hands frantically in the air. "Ate Lia is a great singer!"

"Please." I groan, rolling my eyes at his comment. Though, I'm glad I lowered my head to hide the blush spreading from my cheeks, my dear cousin knows me too much.

"Lia!"

"I'd like to hear you sing." Emma said out loud.

Sophie joins in, nodding her head up and down. "Me too! Sing! Sing! Sing!"

I turn to the two girls beside me, warming up instantly to them.

"What do you want me to sing?" my voice is soft, playing a random tune in the process. Their faces suddenly scrunch up into a myriad of uncertainty. Surely they haven't thought of any songs for me to sing?

I notice Lola Carrie's soft gaze from where she stands by the wall post. She loves hearing us play to music. She married a music lover after all, and he made sure that everyone knew how to play instruments that suited their character.

"Why don't you sing your favorite song for them hija?" she suggested kindly, saving the trouble for the youngsters. They all nod at Lola's suggestion and look at me expectantly, I fidget a little.

Huh, haven't really thought of it actually. But I might as well do that. I take a moment to brainstorm a song from my mental playlist, having decided with a song I start out.

Hey, hey, hey

My head sways side to side, my smile terribly not to amiss as I lose myself to the song.

Your lipstick stains, on the front lobe of my left-side brains

I knew I wouldn't forget you and so I went and let you blow my mind

Your sweet moon beam the smell of you in every single dream,

I dream I knew when we collided you're the one I have decided who's one of my kind

It's one of my favorite songs and the first piece that I have successfully mastered.

Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo,

The way you move ain't fair, you know

Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight

And since my audience was a bunch of kids, I helped myself into altering a few lyrics. So you know, their innocence would be protected.

Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one track mind like me

You gave my life direction, a game show love connection we can't deny

I'm so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out of Mister E's untrimmed chest

I believe in you, like a virgin, you're Madonna, and I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind

Sophie, Emma, Jamie and Bobby erupt into childish glee as they sing the chorus with me.

Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo,

The way you move ain't fair, you know

Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do, tonight

Oh yeah, my favorite part! I can't help but to sing a little faster from the song's original pace.

The way you can cut a rug watching you is the only drug I need

So gangster, I'm so thug you're the only one I'm dreaming of you see,

I can be myself now finally in fact there's nothing I can't be

I want the world to see you'll be with me

Whew, that was a lotta work. Thankfully, I catch my breath as I near the end of the song.

Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo,

The way you move ain't fair, you know

Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight

Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do, tonight

Hey, hey, hey

Tonight

Hey, hey, hey

Tonight

The room bursts into a fit of tiny applauses and cheers. Cheers mostly coming from Sophie as she bounces up and down the ground. Bobby, Jamie and Lola Carrie are applauding me politely, eyes sparkling with glee and pride. And Jack's face is indescribable to decipher – it's a smirk, and yet it's also a gentle smile. I can't tell.

It's disturbing, especially when I connote that his dark amber eyes have some sort of unreadable expression on them.

Fumbling with my window open, I take a quick peek of the time behind me. Reading my digital alarm clock, it reads 10:19 PM of the eighth of May. Summer of course. I smile to myself nonchalantly before I return to my damned window. The damnable window, of which I have discovered a few months back, needs to be manhandled a few times until it finally opens, much to my annoyance.

Successfully having my window wide open, I welcome the cool evening summer air that springs into my room. The air whips my jet black hair, making it flyaway behind me. I take a deep breath of the air, relaxing a bit before I stretch out my legs out the window.

A few months back, after I've arrived here and became Jack Snow's new friend; I have discovered that the tree between our houses is a really large and thick tree. It's somewhat, a connection between my house and Jack's, much to my utter horror. The fences are horribly any help to prove that there should be a space between our houses. I can't really what kind of tree this is, I'm debating between an apple or oak tree, but I salute the man who planted it. It's become my current favorite tree.

Dangling my bare legs, I grip the sides of the window and hop unto the branch, using it as a support to make a full 180-degree twist. Using all my arm strength, and trusting my climbing skills, I successfully climbed atop the rooftop. Which, I hate to admit, has a great bird's eye view of the place and the open sky above me. So much better this view is than that of the one I have back at home.

"Whew," I breathed, gaping at the beautiful nightlight surrounding me, all natural and unnatural, near and far. This was putting me at ease.

"Oh, I can get used to this." I say to no one in particular as I stretch my arms over my head, lifting my favorite over sized maroon jersey shirt and revealing my white beach shorts and chubby legs.

"Mmm," I make a satisfied sound as I hear my bones crack the more I stretch. "I must've really had a long day. Playing volleyball, teaching volleyball, tolerating annoying behaviors off of neighbors, having fun with kids, playing guitar, helping Lola Carrie cook, chatting with friends online. Yeah, that might have been it."

I slump back, resting my butt against the gravel roof. Folding my arms to my knees, I bury my head shaking off my mind trying to empty it. I quickly lift my head, watching at the twinkling stars that are looking down on me.

This wide open sky above me is exhilarating, peaceful even, and serene.

It reminds me of home. It's the only thing that makes me feel at home, my real home.

These are the same stars that I see back at home. It's an assurance that I hold on to. But it saddens me to the fact that despite having these stars, it just doesn't feel the same.

Home, back at good old Cagayan de Oro City, back at my bunky dorm, where the tenants are my brother's classmates, friends and some junkies I can turn to. I miss them.

Looking down to my knotted fingers, I'm feeling cold and numb. And without realizing, I somehow find myself lying against my back to just stare at the stars better. I am only aware that I am absentmindedly tracing the stars and naming their constellations one by one.

The action is childish, yet comforting. But it doesn't help me at all, I still feel homesick.

I sigh, quickly dropping my hands to my belly while the other rests securely cushions my head.

I'm sidetracked by time; I forget how long I've been stargazing. But I don't care really; I could lose to these celestial wonders. Most especially the moon, it's just...wow.

Entrancing, hauntingly beautiful, luminary beautiful, the list is endless. This is one of the moments I can take on forever; it's just simply...relaxing. It takes my mind off of things.

But I get the strangest feeling that someone's watching me. My brows furrow together at the absurd thought, I scoff it off.

…

But the longer I do, the stronger this feeling nags me.

Begrudgingly, I crane my head to the sides.

…

…

…

Punyeta. Someone is watching me!

His legs are up his chest, as he is crouching. That trademark maroon hoodie is covering his face, basking a portion of his face in darkness. His hands are on his pockets, and his gaze locked unto mine. Somehow, he reminds me of a Hunter in Left 4 dead. Don't ask me why I know of the game, but I could say that I blame my brothers.

I realize that it's him, Jack Snow. Probably struck with sudden insomnia and decided to pass it off by heading up his roof to go stargazing like me.

Huh, go figure.

Raising my hand from my belly, I wave at him. He waves back momentarily. He abruptly stands up and I turn to him curiously. Supposed he's going to bed already?

He doesn't make a motion to climb down though.

Instead, he takes a few steps back before he runs and leaps off his roof. I stop breathing and frantically sit upright.

"Jack-"I almost scream, biting back on my tongue when I almost forgot that were sleeping tenants.

Momentarily, his laughter erupts, he probably heard me. And then I look more closely, he has successfully landed on a tree branch as it swinging himself towards me. I am gaping unattractively at him the whole time, and in a mere moment, he's landed on my roof with a loud thump.

He's smirking that trademark smirk. Great, I thought with a groan.

"You never cease to stop creeping me Jack Snow." I grumble angrily. I feel my pulse starting to slow down a bit, that little stunt was enough to give me a heart attack.

His mouth parts, a sharp breathe taken in before I hear him laughing at my snarky comment. I only narrow my eyes at him.

"Fancy seeing you out here Lia." was all he said.

"I couldn't sleep. So sorry if you find me out here anything but fancy." I say flatly before I turn away from him defiantly, knees to my chest as I hug them.

"Yeah," I feel him walking closer before I knew that he was already sitting beside me "me too, rough day."

He's wearing flannel sleeping bottoms and is bare footed. I realize what he had just said and break into a grin.

"Please," my twin hazel eyes roll at him "all you did was laze off in my backyard whilst whining about the summer heat. Almost like a silly little baby aching for his mommy." I jeer, smirking triumphantly at him. His face falters cheeks puffs childishly as he glares heavily at him.

"Well sorry for not liking summer! It makes me feel melted and wasted."

"You rhymed." He raises a brow.

"Your point is?" I shrug.

"It's funny, especially when it's coming from you." Narrowed dark amber eyes.

"So what brings you here Li, can't sleep?" The topic suddenly changes. I don't retort about it though, the conversation would have gone nowhere anyway.

"No, I'm sleepwalking." I throw ironically "Yes I can't sleep."

Jack chuckles in a way I know that he's entertained. "Yeah, me too." he says easily, sitting himself beside me to look up at the moon.

"But other than that, I'm stargazing."

Jack turns to me, a questioning expression etched on his face. "Stargazing?" I nod.

"Yep, stargazing. It's a hobby I picked up when I was 13, something I do to take my mind off things."

"I get what you mean." he agrees with me. "They're pretty aren't they?"

"Yeah," I whisper, tilting my head sideways. "They really are, most especially in the summers." Jack scoffs but doesn't retort. We're both silent for a while, heads looking up to this twinkling starlight to lose our minds into.

"What's your favorite season?" I suddenly ask him curiously, leaning my head against my one knee to take a better look at him.

Almost instantly, he breaks into a wide, childish smirk with his brown eyes twinkling with excitement. Like he's anticipated this question beforehand.

"Winter."

"Why?"

"Because," he can hardly keep his excitement much longer. I note his smirk widening, if that was even possible. But he looks kinda cute that way, his carefree self-domineering him. It's so Jack Snow. "ah, what's the word? Winter is just...winter is just...simply heavenly."

"Why so?" I inquire, wanting to know more.

He takes a deep breathe, running his hand through his brown locks as he continues.

"Actually, it's indescribable. Don't rush me Li. Winter is just, the season of true wonders, magic of joy and of...fun! Yeah, absolute fun! White wonderland decorating this boring old town, hot Chocó by the fireplace, snow ball fights, eggnog, cinnamon cookies, sledding, ice skating...oh, and snow day! You simply can't forget about snow day!"

"Uh-huh...that sounds nice." my tone is unceremoniously that of awe. Jack snaps out of his daydream and focuses his attention to me, inching beside me with mild curiosity getting to him.

"So what's your favorite season?"

The side of my mouth twitches up into a small smile. "Summer, obviously."

Jack's face falls into mild horror. "Summer?!" "Yep." "Why?"

I turn to him, now it's my turn to have his carefree expression on.

"Because, it's everything that reminds me of home." Jack, I note, is suddenly interested and silent. "Summer is always about fun and games, the great outdoors, lazing on occasions, having advance summer classes and beating the heat. But really, summer is everything that makes me feel more alive..."

I'm rambling about the summer memories I have at home where we go to the beach, the braiding days I've spent, my brothers and I traveling off to places, Kenny, my oldest brother, teaching me how to play the guitar, and so on.

"...and after spending the days, may they be good or bad, I always find myself out here -stargazing into the night."

"That sounds like a lot of fun." I nod childishly, returning to the celestial bodies above me.

His gaze softens, I pretend not to notice. I pretended more not to mind when he rests his head on my shoulder, bearing his weight on me. Though I want as much as to push him away, I let him be. Something quick and bright catches my attention; I realize that it's a shooting star.

"Hey Jack! Look! Look!" I nudge him; he groans but doesn't raise his head. "What?"

"A shooting star, quick make a wish-" I stop when I realize that another gleam follows after, one after the other falls down. "A meteor shower? W-Wow..."

I couldn't see him, but I could feel him smile against my shoulder. "Quick, make up your wishes Li."

I nod quickly and clasp my hands together, shutting my eyes and wish silently.

I wish for...

After I've wished, I sincerely hope that I don't open my eyes only to find that the meteor shower had just ended. I slowly open my eyes to find that the meteor shower is still going on, my childish glee swarms over me. I gasp in awe, craning my head upwards to behold this spectacle.

"It's beautiful, right Jack?" I turn to the brunette beside him, only to have him snoring on me.

"Jack?" I try, shaking his shoulders lightly. He doesn't budge. "Hey Jack?"

He mumbles something under his breathe. Something tells me that no matter how much I try, Jack Snow would not wake up. I assume that he's a heavy sleeper. Nah, he once woke up to the sound of me hyperventilating a few months back. He's just probably knocked out tired, I leave him be.

Having decided what to do, I scoot closer so that his head is well rested against my shoulder. I don't touch him, keeping my hands to myself as I return up the falling stars.

My eyes are half-lidded, but I fight to stay awake. Unconsciously, I lean my head against his, eyes not leaving the night sky. Jack stirs sleepily; I roll my eyes at him.

"Oh Jack Snow," I shake my head with a smile, my face flushing lightly "you are the weirdest friend ever..."

I failed to notice a small smirk on his face or the soft gleam in his eyes as he secretly watches me.

Wow, that was way longer than I had originally planned. Hihihihihihi~

*Filipino delicacies! Bananaque, it's banana smeared with margarine or no margarine at all, grilled and sprinkled with white sugar. Chicharon, is pork fat deep fried until it's crispy. It can be lunch or plain snacks. Puto is steamed cupcake-like food that's made up of coconut and is ube or cheese flavored. dang, now i'm hungry!

I might upload the last 2 in a while. Have a Merry Christmas folks!

12/30/12: Changed the name because I found that it was way better than mine. :)

Review 'aight?