I forgot to reply to some guest reviews yesterday- SORRY ABOUT THAT!

To the other me- I may love choccie and violence, but I don't like someone stealing my name 'cos it looks like I'm reviewing on my own story and even more crazy than normal.

To Guest- thank you so much!

If I missed any guest reviews, I'm sorry! Just shout at me or something.

And this is so typical- cleaning my room today, I found an old writing book with ideas that I've been meaning to use and found out I'd written meaner ideas for Alvie's story! I can't do those now! *very upset*

But I can still use some of them. I found a bit for Elsie's story, but it's not much, so I don't know if that'll go up soon.

"Right, you sit there and just read, OK?" Alvie stared at his older brother. "Don't give me that look." Tobias sulked. Alvie continued to stare at him. Eventually, Tobias smiled and ruffled Alvie's hair. "Shout if you need me, OK?"

"OK. Thanks." Crystal had shown an interest in diving and there was no-one better to teach her than Tobias. He had taught Sophia after all and she had been terrified of jumping from the edge. Crystal had more fire and was eager to get to the top board now.

Alvie was sat about a metre from the pool, on a wide ceramic bench that ran the length of the wall- nearly twenty metres, give or take a few. Windows all along the wall allowed people in the café behind to watch swimmers, although there was no-one there seeing as the pool was still closed to the public. He had several books with him and spent a few minutes deciding which one he would read first.

He lost himself in the world of Harry Potter for over an hour before Crystal's cold hand rested on his shoulder.

"Hi!" She beamed. Her silvery-blonde hair was dripping wet and scraped back into a high ponytail. Her soft blue swimsuit bought out the colour in her eyes.

"Hi." Alvie replied quietly, moving his books so she didn't drip water on them.

"Diving's so cool!" She sat next to him, picking up her white towel and drying her face on it. "You're going to have to do some when your leg's better." Alvie bit his lip nervously. "You're not scared of heights, are you?"

"No, I just… not a diving… person…"

"No, you're a book person." She rolled her eyes at him, wrapping the towel around her shoulders. "The pool's cold though. I'd have thought that considering your dad is a son of Poseidon, he could magically heat the water or something."

"He used to, but he doesn't come here as often."

"Why?" Alvie shrugged.

"It's Dad." He said, as if that summed everything up.

"I won't be much longer. Tobias said I could have one go on the high board, but then he has work." Alvie just nodded. Crystal stood up, dropping her towel on his head. Alvie removed it in time to see her jump in the pool, splashing Tobias.

Ten minutes later, Alvie was waiting outside the changing rooms for Crystal. He had his bag of books at his feet- Tobias had carried it out for him.

"Alvie, books don't jingle."

"What?"

"Books don't jingle." Tobias repeated, shaking Alvie's bag. "What have you got in there?" Alvie just stared blankly at him, but he felt the heat rising in his cheeks. "Ooh, is it a pressie for me?"

"No."

"Aw…" Tobias pulled a sulky face.

"It's not your birthday." Alvie told him.

"I know, but I'm your lovely big brother. I should get compensation or whatever."

"OK." Tobias smiled.

"So, what is it that's making the jingly noise?"

"Haven't you got work?"

"I'll go when you answer my question."

"You'll be late." Tobias shrugged.

"I will go through your bag if I have to." He warned playfully, smirking.

"It's a present for Crystal." Alvie mumbled, blushing further. Tobias grinned.

"What is it?" He asked excitedly.

"It's not anything special…" Alvie insisted quietly.

"Can I see?" Tobias asked. His younger brother hesitated. "I won't tell her or laugh or anything, I promise." Alvie found himself nodding, much to Tobias's delight.

"I thought you had work."

"Goddammit!" Tobias exclaimed.

"What?" Crystal blinked at him. "Did you forget?"

"No."

"What then?"

"Nothing." Tobias smiled sweetly, returning Alvie's bag to him. "We are having serious words later, alright?" Alvie nodded. Tobias grinned lopsidedly, quickly hugged the pair of them before running up the stairs two at a time.

"Well come on then, walk me home." Crystal smiled, taking his bag from him. He tensed. "Are you OK?"

"Mm-hm."

"I'm not going to steal your bag, don't worry." She looked up at the ceiling, like 'what an idiot', but she was smiling in amusement. "Or do you have a million dollars in here for me?" She started rummaging through his bag.

"Wait-" Alvie started, but she had already found the white box wrapped in lime green tissue paper with a silver bow amongst the books.

"What's this? Ooh, it has my name on!" She glanced up at Alvie, who looked nervous. "I wasn't supposed to get this yet, was I?"

"Um… no, it's OK."

"Are you sure? I can wait for a little while."

"No, I was going to give it to you today anyway."

"Promise?" He nodded. "So I can open it?" He nodded again. "Positive?" She teased, drawing out the word with a cheeky smile.

"Before I change my mind." He replied quietly. Crystal gently tugged at the bow, unravelling it before ripping away the paper. She held the white box in her palm.

"Are you sure you're sure?"

"Yeah." She watched him sceptically, carefully and teasingly removing the lid slowly. Slowly.

"Oh wow!" She squealed when she saw what he had gotten her. It was a silver charm bracelet with a four leaf clover, a giraffe (her favourite animal), a trident and an owl for charms. In the centre was a slightly bigger charm- a 3D emerald green heart.

She felt Alvie watching her anxiously, chewing his lip, but barely reacted to this, studying the bracelet from all angles. "I- Alvie- it's-" She ended with an ecstatic squeal and hugged him fiercely. "I love it!" He sighed in relief, tension leaving his shoulders. She laughed, pulling back. Her arms were around his neck. "You're the best." She told him. "Come on, I can't wait to show Mom!"

Alvie walked her home. She kept studying her new bracelet happily and loved it more with each passing second.

"Cinema tomorrow?" Alvie asked.

"And McDonalds." He nodded in agreement. "I love it!" She squealed, shaking her hand to make the charms jingle. Alvie smiled. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She chanted happily.

"You're crazy."

"Says the one that jumped in front of a car."

"Hey, I was helping."

"I know, I was just teasing." Crystal studied his face. "Why can't all guys be like you?" Alvie looked at her quizzically. "I mean, you read, know how to do a girl's hair, you can cook some things, you buy nice pressies," She shook her hand again, making him smile, "and you risked yourself for me." Her tone was more serious at this last bit. "I owe you my life, Alvie. Except my left wrist." She said, deadly serious and fixing him with steely eyes. "You nearly broke that."

"Sorry." He mumbled, looking sheepish. "I didn't mean to, I just- why are you laughing?"

"Mom was right- you're adorable."

"I'm not adorable." He muttered, his cheeks fading pink.

"Yes. You. Are." Crystal glanced round and saw her house ten paces away. "Ooh…" She complained. Alvie bumped her with his shoulder.

"Tomorrow." He reminded her, lifting her spirits instantly.

"OK. Tomorrow." They stopped in front of her steps.

"I would walk you to the door properly, but I'd never get back down those steps." Crystal laughed.

"You're getting a sense of humour, Mr. Jackson."

"Thanks. I think."

"It's a good thing!" Crystal insisted. "You're not so shy and jumpy. Well, not as much as you used to be, but hey." She waved it off, making the charms jingle again. She beamed at that. "Thank you!" She surprised both of them by kissing his cheek. "See you tomorrow." She smiled, bounding up the stairs before he could say anything. She waved at him as she pushed the door open. He nodded back, looking stunned. Crystal closed the door after a final wave, her heart racing as she came to terms with what she'd done.

She kissed Alvie! (On the cheek).