The next morning, Otto is late for school, as usual. Reggie doesn't bother waiting for him; she has to meet Twister to discuss the filming of the weekly school news broadcast. As the school's top student journalist and filmmaker, they had been spending quite a bit of time together that year. Somehow, Reggie enjoys the time she spends with Twister away from the group; he makes her laugh, and she doesn't constantly have to be responsible for Otto or helping an injured Sam. With Twister, she can actually relax. Lately, she'd been starting to look forward more and more to their meetings, although she didn't quite know why. She was a little surprised when she saw him accompanied by a tall, slender girl at the front steps, but broke into a squeal of delight when she recognized her.

"CLEO!!!!"

'That's my name, don't wear it out…' Cleo managed a wry smile. She was happy to see her best friend, but less happy that her best friend wasn't accompanied by her brother.

"WHAT are you doing here?" Reggie threw her arms around her friend, not noticing the slight disappointment on her face. As Cleo explains her situation, her face softens into a look of genuine sympathy, and she puts her arm around her friend.

"Listen, Cleo… if you ever need anything… just know that I'm here for you, OK?"

Cleo smiles gratefully at her best friend, as they head towards homeroom, as they leave, Reggie flashes an apologetic grin at Twister. Twister responds with a nod and a smile, and turns to walk towards his own class, when he is accosted by a short haired blonde with glasses.

"What was THAT all about…" Sam Dullard is curious.

'Reg has to hang out with Cleo for a bit, and she'll call me tonight to talk about the filming, I was just telling her it was OK with me…' Inexplicably, Twister is starting to blush.

"You didn't SAY anything…"

'We've sort of been able to do that for awhile… Guess we know each other pretty well…'

"A real… connection… huh?' Sam is enjoying this. It isn't often that he is actually able to tease either Twister or Otto.

'Shut up, squid…' Twister's cheeks are now starting to match his hair. Internally, he is thanking every God he knows for the fact that Reggie isn't around to see this… and Otto…

"Otto isn't going to be happy, Twist…'Sam grins.

'Look… Sherry in her cheerleading outfit!'

"WHERE?" Sam turns, and curses as he sees his friend disappear down a corridor. Sighing, he shuffles in the direction of class, when he sees his best friend's brother… holding hands with a long haired brunette.

"Otto…?"

'Beat it, squid… I'm busy…'

"You seen Reggie… or Twist, yet?"

'No…' Otto is getting impatient. When is this squid going to get the hind that three is a CROWD?

"I suggest you go look for them…" With a doubtful look at the new couple, Sam retreats down the corridor. He knows that his friend has strong feelings for Cleo, who has just moved into town. He also knows that Reggie will be absolutely furious if her brother breaks the heart of another of her friends. And he also knows that Twister, who has never taken sides with anyone over his "best bro" had clearly fallen for Reggie.

"Only in Ocean Shores" he muttered to himself as he made his way down the hall. As he walked, he was lost in thought, not noticing his surroundings until…

BANG!

'Like… watch where you're going… Oh… Sammy…' a familiar voice rang out as Sam looked up from where he lay sprawled on the ground. In front of him was another short haired blonde, although much prettier, in his opinion, dressed in a cheerleader's sweater, with books on the ground.

"S-S-Sherry…" Sam wanted to crawl into the ground and die. Of all the people to crash into…Mumbling an apology, the blushing blonde adjusted his glasses and proceeded to gather her books. She didn't seem to mind, though, and as she took the books handed out to her, she decided to speak.

'You heading to the computer lab before homeroom?'

"Yeah.. I'm usually there every morning… like to get a little work done… cause work's important…"

'I know.. I mean… I'm having a little trouble with a new program I'm supposed to learn to use for IT class… maybe you could help me out?' For some reason, Sherry seems a little shy. Sam has never seen any hesitation in the girl before, and chalks it up to her being uncomfortable with the idea of having to ask for help from the school geek.

"Sure…"With a smile, she takes his arm. Trying to appear nonchalant, Sam leads the way to the lab, hoping against hope not to betray the tingles shooting up his arm.

Meanwhile, Otto has reluctantly left Trish to go to his own homeroom, where his best friend has been waiting for him.

'Dude… you know how you were going to ask Trish out?'

"What do you mean WERE, dude?' Otto responds with a smirk.

'Bro… you didn't…'

"Chillax, bro… like I said… I actually like her… there's only one girl I've liked more… and that's never going to happen… so yeah… I won't dump this one, and Reg won't get mad…"

'That one girl you've liked more…'

"She doesn't live here…"

'Dude… you talking about Cleo?'

"Er… hey look, Mr. Allen's here…"

Twister turns to his book with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. If Otto has already asked Trish out (which he admits he has), and if Otto really does have strong feelings for his cousin (which he knows he has, even though he won't admit it), Twister can only see one possible outcome from this situation: a heartbroken Trish, a hurt Cleo, a hurt Otto, and a very upset Reggie. For some reason, the thought of Reggie being upset seems to upset Twister more than the others. He doesn't know why, but he does know this: things are already starting to get complicated.