A/N. WARISHA! DO NOT STOP REVIEWING! DO NOT! I LOVE THEM AND ALL OTHERS LIKE THEY'RE MY CHILD (Even though I don't have any) THEY DO NOT ANNOY ME, I JUST GET OVERWHELMED! YOU, STOP THINKING NEGATIVELY BECAUSE I WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY UNTIL YOUR SMILE FALLS OFF! I do not think you're jerk. I do not think you're annoying. I do not think you should leave FF. I am not angry with you. I do not think you should stay fighting with your sister. Just calm down. Please. If you act rational, you may make decisions you do not like. Really, I like your reviews –I just wished you didn't review so much because I don't want my ego to explode, haha. You should not be embarrassed by your sister –I have a skin of iron. If she says something bad, I laugh it off, read it again, laugh again, then I'm over it. Aw, thank you. I worked hard on Puckabrina. Yes, I can't wait to write about the sisters. Here's a hug instead of killing you. *hug* Thank you again. Really, you and all the other reviewers make me smile. (This is replying to the rest of your reviews) People call me weird. :D …Crazy Shireen? So are you that other anon. reviewer, Shiree? Or is that your sister? Yeah, you're the 300th. So, prize. Do you have other accounts on sites that I may also have one? Thank you.

'Arisha': Thanks for saying so. But really, make up your mind. Do you like this story or not? Your second reviews says yes, but before you say, "Do I like this Fanfiction? NOT!" so…give me a straight answer. Seriously. And stop causing your sister annoyance –she really loves you, but you can get her mad. All big sissies are like that (including me; I just blew up at my siblings for putting rice in the trashcan instead of the sink. I'm temperamental outside of FF).

Shiree: (I think you're either Arisha or Warisha, mostly Arisha, just because you suddenly started reviewing, as did Arisha) Okay. Zzzz. Thanks. If it's boring, then why did you suddenly change your mind, saying it was good?

Hellokitty: Thanks.

TheyCallMeRed: *groans* NOT YOU TOO! Dude, I'm not offended by the amount of reviews at all. In fact, it's the complete opposite. They're so many, and wonderful…it's overwhelming. I know it's a stupid reason for you guys to lessen your reviews, but…It's how I am. I'm not used to be 'praised'. It's just never been done to me. Thanks for the review –don't be so hard on yourself. (Your ch. 31 review) Yup…I think I mentioned that in chapter 1 or so. Yup. I love Rio. Haha, glad you laughed. He's probably dealt with them before. I love Nerf guns. Aw, thank you. It's New Jersey now. Bye Disneyworld. *sniffles*

Cat: Lol, I know. So, you can only review twice per chapter. Sorry there's no update today. I had to deal with this anon. reviewing matter. Lol, I like that scene too. Red doesn't have to always go to school because she's not permanently staying in NY. She's going back to FPL later. Lol. And change of plans –we're going to a New Jersey aquarium instead. *shrugs* I guess I could use an airplane flight. I haven't been on one since last summer.

squirrel101: Haha, that's all right. I know. DocX Manager messed with the chapter. Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked chapter 32. Wendell and Sabrina are really observant, I guess. No one else would think of staring at Daphne's neck unless they were really bored/have good eyesight. Thanks.

yellow.r0se: I'm more like an angel –taking the time to upload for you all. Heehee. He's hot, isn't he? (When I picture him, that is) …LLLOOOOOLLL. I love that story. Dude, I dare you to! I'll try. Maybe Basil will appear in a few chapters. Oh, thanks for pointing those out. Thank you! (Reply to ch. 31 review) S'okay. Thanks. Don't pee your pants! Okay.

Alexie112: Thanks.

Sorry if I missed some reviews. I just went through 33 reviews –both anon. and signed in ones. So, yeah. I AM NOT ANNOYED BY THE MANY ANON REVIEWS. Please, stop making up assumptions that I am ticked off. I love all of them. Seriously. Do you know how long I've been on FanFiction, and how much I love it. A lot of reviews just makes me happier. The only problem with it is that I like to reply to every single reviewer. I can't do that if you're spamming me (Warisha, don't be so hard on yourself. You're a really nice reviewer –don't stop FF). So really, one review makes me friggin happy.

I don't know if I can make this any clearer. I have a confession to make: I LOVE YOU ALL! YOU'RE ALL LIKE MY SISTERS (OR BROTHERS IF THERE ARE ANY BOYS HERE) AND YOU'RE AWESOME! PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING! The only reason I ask for one or two reviews per chapter only is because I'm overwhelmed by happiness. And it's too many reviews to reply to. :3 So. Don't make me feel too happy by giving me so many reviews. I don't want to feel proud. I just want to make you guys happy.

Now that that's over, please enjoy chapter 33. (By the way, for the people that I said I wasn't updating to, sorry for the false alarm. I didn't think I'd have the energy and time to write the chapter.)

OH WAIT! THE WINNER! OF THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

I think it's Rosebud143. Whoever said they wanted to be a dog bed. I really thought that was interesting.

My Answer: A piece of sculpting ice. You can shape me into anything, into the person you want me to be. God would be the sculpting person, and I'd be the sculpture. We're all really pieces of ice or different material, like stone or diamond. We're different not only in material (genetic material ;D), but also in how we're shaped. Smart thinking, right?

Chapter 33: The 'S' Family

It had started to rain by the time we arrived at Sage's house. It wasn't a torrential rain, but one heavy enough to make my shirt damp before we entered the house. While I was taking off my shoes, a young girl with brown hair came up to us, a questioning look on her face.

"Daphne, this is Shaine," Sage said, holding gesturing towards Shaine with his hand. "And Shaine, this is Daphne." He gestured towards me.

"Hi," we both said in quiet voices.

Sage laughed, slapping my back. "Don't be shy."

I stumbled forwards from the force of the slap. A small smile slipped onto Shaine's face. I smiled back at the thirteen year old, figuring she was just smiling at my pain. She laughed now.

"I've heard a lot about you," Shaine told me, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Sage likes to talk about you."

"Really?" I asked, turning to give Sage a questioning look.

"Well, about you and Matt."

Sage looked at me sheepishly as my questioning look turned into a glare. I turned back to Shaine with a forced smile.

"Does he now?"

Shaine nodded. "Your life sounds like a drama, the way Sage describes it."

I scowled at Sage, who was now scratching the back of his head. I did my best to resist kicking him.

"Shaine, let's not talk about that, okay?" he suggested, guiding me further into the house with a hand on my back. "Let's go find Sairi."

"Sairi is your seven year old sister?" I asked.

Sage nodded. "Yup. She can be a brat sometimes."

"More like all the time," Shaine muttered, tagging along aside us.

"Sage, Shaine, and Sairi," I said out loud, a smile appearing on my face. "I see a trend here."

"Can you guess what our parents names are?" Shaine asked.

"Shawn and Samantha?"

"Close," Sage responded with a smirk. "Sam and Samantha."

I grinned. "That's cool. A family of S, huh?"

"Too bad our last names don't begin with a S," Sage said, steering me up a flight of stairs.

"What is your last name?" I asked, surprised that I hadn't noticed I didn't know it before.

"Ross."

"Oh…"

"I bet you're thinking Daphne Ross doesn't sound good together," Sage commented, a smirk appearing on his face.

I blushed and shook my head. "No!"

"Daphne Firay doesn't sound good either."

I glared at Sage. "I was thinking that either!"

"I never said you were."

"Sage, stop fighting with Matt's girlfriend," Shaine interrupted, rolling her eyes. "He'll kill you."

"G-girlfriend?" I repeated, staring at the girl in shock. "No! No, no, no, we aren't dating! Sage!" I glared at him.

Sage laughed sheepishly. "Shaine, didn't I say not to talk about that?"

"What did you tell her?" I demanded, crossing my arms.

"I was just putting my input in," Shaine said to Sage, shrugging her shoulders.

"Let's just drop it," Sage suggested.

"What did you tell her?" I repeated, grabbing Sage's shirt. "Girlfriend? What?"

"Actually I believe my words were 'soon-to-be girlfriend'," Sage corrected, easily pulling out of my grasp. "And don't worry, I don't tell her much."

"He only complains," Shaine interjected. "He's always saying how one of you should fess up your feelings otherwise it'll be too late."

I blushed again, scowling at Sage. "What are you? An old lady that likes to gossip?"

Sage shrugged. "I have to express my frustrations about you guys somehow."

"It's not even your business!"

"I just want Matt to be happy; he deserves it," Sage responded, ruffling hair. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then help me understand!"

"It's not my right to tell you."

"Well if both you and Mr. Firay won't, then who will?" I demanded, growing increasingly frustrated.

Sage sighed, pushing open a door, and ushering me inside. The scowl slipped off of my face, replaced by a horrified expression as I looked around the room we were in. There were doll parts everywhere. Heads, torsos, bottoms, legs, hair… everything.

"Sairi," I heard Sage start in a scolding voice. "How many times do I have to tell you not to take apart your dolls?"

I looked to where Sage was looking and saw the cutest little girl ever. She had honey colored hair that was in pigtails, and large green eyes that reminded me of Sage's.

"Mom's going to be mad," Shaine said in a smug voice.

Sairi's eyes snapped onto mine and she smiled sweetly. I felt myself smiling back and I glanced at Sage. He was watching me with an amused expression.

"She's so cute," I told him, wanting to hug her close. "I've always wanted a little sister just like her!"

"No you don't," Sage and Shaine snorted at the same time.

Sairi walked over towards me, grabbing onto my shirt. "Sissy?"

My jaw-dropped and I looked between the little girl and Sage, my mouth now working, but no words coming out. I gestured with my finger between us and Sage laughed.

"Sairi this is Daphne, Daphne, Sairi," he introduced us.

"But you can call me sissy!" I told the little girl, squatting down to her level.

"Okay," Sairi said, giving me a huge smile.

"So cute," I gushed, looking back at Sage. "I guess cuteness runs in your family."

"You think I'm cute?" Shaine and Sage responded at the same time, both sounding smug.

I smiled half amused, half annoyed. Shaine and Sage were a lot alike personality wise. They sort of reminded me of Mr. Firay when he acted narcissistic. The same—

I shook my head. Now wasn't the time to be thinking of Mr. Firay.

"You're a very cute girl," I told Shaine, smiling.

"Well thank you," she responded, grinning at me.

Her grin reminded me of Sage's. It was scary how much these siblings were alike.

"What about me?" Sage asked, nudging my back with his elbow. "Admit it. You think I'm cute."

"I do," I responded honestly.

He smirked. "I'm going to tell Matt."

"Matt is here?" Sairi spoke, re-entering the conversation. "I want to see him!"

Sage shook his head at her. "Not today."

Sairi's expression fell instantly and a smile came to my face. I looked at Sage with a questioning expression.

"Matt sometimes comes over to keep me company when I baby sit," he explained. "Sairi is very attached to him."

"That's cute," I commented, grinning at the little girl once more.

"Sure, until she asks you to make him come over every five seconds," Sage responded with a shrug. "But anyway, I want to show you something so follow me."

"See you later," I said to Sairi, ruffling the hair on her head.

"Bye sissy," she responded and then turned to Shaine. "Will you play videogames with me?"

"Sure," I heard Shaine respond as I followed Sage out of the room.

He led me down the hallway all the way to the other end and opened up the door. I went in first, and stood still, waiting for Sage to turn on the light. When light flooded the room, I noticed I was in another bedroom.

"This is my old room," Sage told me, walking over to a dresser. "Take a seat on the bed."

I did as ordered and watched as Sage shuffled through the top drawer of the dresser before pulling out a large black book. He came back over to me and sat down on the bed as well. I peered over his shoulder to read the cover of the book.

"A yearbook?"

"Yep," Sage responded, opening it up. "I only have Matt's senior year photos because that's when I arrived at the school, and graduated the next year."

"How do you know each other then?" I asked, frowning as Sage began to flip through the color-filled pages.

"Mostly through the gang," Sage responded. "But he was also dating my cousin…"

"Who's that?"

Sage either didn't hear me, or ignored me, because he didn't reply. I stayed quiet as he continued to flip through the yearbook. Finally he came to a page that had the word "seniors" in large, fancy writing. He flipped two more pages then grinned, pointing down.

"Here's Matt's senior page."

Sage pushed the yearbook onto my lap and I stared down at the page. At least ten photos of Mr. Firay in his younger days stared back at me. A blush made its way across my face as I stared at the pictures. He was so handsome.

"Thinking something naughty?" Sage teased, his face inches away from mine. "Hmm?"

"N-no!" I denied, shaking my head quickly. "He's just so… handsome."

"He was popular with the ladies even though he was two years younger than them," Sage told me, moving his head away again.

"Was your cousin two years older than him when they dated?"

Sage nodded. "Everyone he dated was older than him, or so I've heard."

"So then he likes older girls."

"Probably."

I glanced at Sage quickly, a look of surprise passing on my face. Sage agreed? Shouldn't he deny that and tease me? Or did that mean it was the truth? Did Mr. Firay really only like older women?

Sage suddenly started laughing and I turned to look at him, a frown on my face. He continued to laugh for a few moments, putting his face in his hand. When he was done, he cleared his throat and looked back up at me.

"Sorry," he apologized, a grin on his face, "I was kidding. I'm sure Mr. Firay doesn't prefer an older woman to a younger one and vice versa. You just have cute reactions."

I blushed, scowling at him. "You're just like Mr. Firay."

"But I don't have a crush on you."

"He doesn't either!"

"Well if I'm just like Mr. Firay and I have a crush on you, that means he does too," Sage said simply.

My eyes widened a fraction of a centimeter. "But you just said you didn't have a crush on me."

"I lied."

"But you said you weren't interested in high school girls."

Sage grinned evilly. "I lied."

"But—"

Suddenly he leaned over me, placing one arm behind me and one arm across me. He then brought his leg over mine and straddled me. I stared at him in surprise, not even thinking of moving away.

"Want me to prove it?" he asked in a husky whisper.

"Huh?" I said dumbly, feeling my face grow hot from our position.

Sage pushed down on my collarbone, making me lie completely down on my back. I was too shocked to resist. Sage smirked as he brought his head closer to mine, and I felt his hand begin to lift the back of my head back.

"W-wait," I finally stuttered, putting my hands against his chest. "Sage, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to kiss you," he said in a singsong voice.

"What?"

His face was only inches away from mine now and I shut my head, trying to turn away, but Sage's hand kept it still. I felt something soft press against my lips and I froze up. When I heard chuckling, my eyes shot open.

To my confusion, Sage's head was a good two feet away from mine. I looked down and realized Sage had his pointer and middle finger pressed to my lips. I quickly opened my mouth and bit them.

"Ow!" Sage cried, yanking his hand back in pain.

I shoved his chest, making him slide off of me backwards. He toppled to the ground, and erupted in fresh laughter. I glowered at him, my face hot.

"What did you think you were doing?"

"Teasing you," Sage responded, still laughing. "I can't help it. It's so fun. It's not fair only Matt gets to do it."

"I don't find it very funny," I snapped at him.

"Oh? Did you want me to kiss you?" Sage responded as a smirk appeared on his face.

"No," I responded immediately. "You know I like Mr. Firay."

"Yup," Sage responded, returning his attention back to the yearbook. "Want to see a picture of Matt and my cousin?"

I hesitated for only a moment before nodding my head. I didn't even know why I hesitated. This was a past girlfriend of Mr. Firay's, not a current one. But for some reason I was still feeling jealous. I silently cursed myself. I didn't want to be one of those over-jealous people that wouldn't even let their love interests talk to someone of the other gender.

"Here it is."

I followed Sage's finger down to a small colored picture of a pair of people with their arms around each other. Mr. Firay was about a foot taller than the girl, and I almost laughed out loud at the girl's face.

"Nice red-eye," I commented, smirking at the picture. "I thought year book editors were supposed to fix things like this?"

Sage grinned, tapping the girl's face with his finger. "I bet they kept it like this for amusement."

I nodded, looking back down at the picture. Mr. Firay's old girlfriend was actually really pretty, if you excused the red-eye. She had light nut-brown hair that went to just past her shoulders, and a pale complexion.

"She's got the same hair color as me," I commented with a smile. Did Mr. Firay like that color hair?

"Well, I guess so," Sage responded, taking the yearbook away. "Enough of that, let's move onto another memorable picture of Matt."

"Would he kill you if he found out you were telling and showing me all of this stuff about him?"

"Probably," Sage responded casually. "This is senior prom."

I glanced down at the yearbook and the younger Mr. Firay in a black suit and deep red tie stared back at me, a huge smile on his face. His hair was gelled back the tiniest bit.

"He looks like a model!"

"Don't let him hear you say that," Sage responded with a snort. "You'll boost his ego too much. And trust me, it's big enough."

"How come Mr. Firay never smiles like this anymore?" I asked, turning my gaze to Sage, a frown appearing on my face.

Sage gave me a small smile and ruffled up my hair with his hand. I immediately snatched it away, frowning at him.

"Daphne, Matt changed a lot after the accident."

"What accident?" I demanded, my irritation growing again. "I'm so sick and tired of being left out in the dark!"

Sage sighed. "I'm sorry, Daphne."

"It's okay," I grumbled, swallowing my frustration. "I shouldn't take it out on you anyway."

"I'm sure Matt will tell you when the time is right."

"I don't know," I responded skeptically. "He seems pretty dead set on not letting me know."

"There's a small… complication," Sage started slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. "I don't think he wants to have you get the wrong idea before he can fully explain things…"

I raised an eyebrow. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm guessing he's afraid of you being hurt, emotionally."

"Why?"

Sage shook his head. "I can't tell you. I've already said too much."

"But now I'm more curious than before," I complained, a frown pulling at my lips.

Sage chuckled and closed the yearbook, tossing on the bed. "Come on, Daphne. Let's go round up the girls and watch a movie."

"But—"

"Hmm, which movie should we watch?" Sage pondered while moving towards the door. "Final Destination?"

"A seven year old shouldn't be watching that," I responded, following Sage out of the room. "How about something a little more PG? Or at least PG-13."

"Those movies never have sex scenes them."

I rolled my eyes at Sage's comment. "That's so typical of a guy."

"You know, Matt got around in high school a lot."

I froze in my tracks, staring at Sage's back. Was he serious? What was that supposed to mean? That Mr. Firay was a player? But I thought he had a steady girlfriend?

I furrowed my brow. Did that mean Mr. Firay cheated on girls? He definitely didn't seem like that type. But if what Sage said was true…

Suddenly Sage started chuckling and I pulled myself from my thoughts.

"What's so funny?"

"Your expressions," he told me, pretending to wipe tears from his eyes. "I was only kidding. Matt didn't sleep around."

I scowled, kicking him in the back of the leg. "You're a jerk, you know that?"

"But you love me."

"Sure."

"Ouch…"

"Where are the girls?" I asked before Sage could continue to tease me.

"Game room," Sage responded, abruptly stopping and pulling open the door. He stuck his head in and I assumed that he caught the attention of the girls when he began to speak. "Do you two want to watch a movie with Daphne and I?"

"Yes!" I heard Sairi squeal, soon followed by the sound of light footsteps. Sairi emerged looking at me with a big grin.

"Hi there," I said to her, squatting down to her level.

"So what were you and Daphne doing all alone in your old bedroom, hmm?" I heard Shaine ask Sage as Sairi grabbed my hand.

"Adult stuff," Sage told Shaine, a smirk on his face.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't listen to him, Shaine. He's delusional."

A low rumble of thunder suddenly filled the room and Sairi flinched. She looked terrified. I held onto her hand tighter and gave her a comforting smile.

"What would you like to watch?" I asked.

"The Brothers Grimm," she responded, and began to tug me down the hall. "Let's go."

How ironic. I smiled to myself as I followed her, hearing Sage and Shaine's footsteps behind me. We entered the living room and I sat down on the couch with the girls while Sage got the movie started. I could hear the rain pounding down on the roof as it continued to grow heavier. Sage flicked off the lights and plopped down on the chair adjacent to the couch, using the remote to start the movie. I settled into a more comfortable position, Sairi clinging onto me.

Three quarters of the way through the movie, both girls were passed out. I looked at Sage in amusement only to find out he was half-asleep as well. A small chuckle escaped my lips as I shook my head. The movie wasn't that boring.

I reached into my pocket and grabbed my cell phone, aiming to check the time. When I flipped it open, it showed I had ten new text messages, thirteen missed calls, and three voice mails. I clicked on the new text messages first. Nine were from Ariana, and one, the first one in my inbox, was sent by Wendell. I decided to read his first.

Tell me how the Everafter boy is when you get this message.

I stared at the message in confusion and re-read it a few times to make sure I had read it right. What was he talking about? I didn't know any other Everafters people besides him, Red, and Mr. Firay! And Puck. In New York, of course. I sighed, hitting the up button to read the ones from Ariana.

The first four were telling me to pick up my phone; the fifth was saying to get in contact with her ASAP; the sixth was telling me again to pick up my phone, so was the seventh; the eighth message told me to check my voicemail, and so did the ninth. The tenth said, "It's about Wendell."

I frowned deeper, unease beginning to set in. What was about Wendell? Did something happen to him? My stomach twisted uncomfortable as I went back to my cell phone's home page, trying to get to the voice mails. Before I could press call, however, my phone started vibrating in my hand. The caller I.D read "Ariana".

I immediately pressed the talk button. "Hello?"

"Daphne!" Ariana cried, sounding panicked. "Why haven't you picked up your phone?"

"I must not have had service," I told her, my eyes widening at her tone. "Ariana, what's wrong? What about Wendell?"

I heard Ariana sniffle and my heart skipped a beat. My pulse spiked and my hands became clammy. I struggled to think straight.

"Ariana?" I finally started, grasping my phone tightly. "What happened? Is something wrong with Wendell? Tell me!" I demanded when she continued to sniffle.

"Daphne, Wendell was shot!"

A/N. Goodnight.

~Lara