First Time For Everything:

When Paxton took Kris and Caitlyn on a tour around LA, Kris finally saw places that he always wanted to see in the city before he moved to Palo Alto. While they were at the Hollywood Sign, they saw a view of the entire city, leading Kris and Caitlyn to take some pictures.

While Paxton was driving them to meet his friends, Kris and Caitlyn were telling Paxton how they got along when their parents got married.

"It was a little tense at first, but we got along," Caitlyn explained. "I'm actually happy to have Kris as not just a step-brother, but also a good friend."

"So where are we headed?" Kris asked.

"To the mall that's close to Sherman Oaks," Paxton said.

"Hearing the word Sherman Oaks struck a nerve towards Kris's spine. That's because Sherman Oaks is around the vicinity where he used to live before he moved to Palo Alto," Tom Brady narrated when Kris showed an uneasy expression.

Despite feeling uneasy, Kris kept a normal face without looking anxious.

"You fear you're gonna see your brother?" Caitlyn asked Kris.

"Nothing gets past you, huh?" Kris said, indirectly answering in the affirmative sense.

"I'm your step-sibling. I pay attention to my loved ones," Caitlyn replied.

"Well, I hope I don't bump into my brother," Kris said.

"Wait, you never mentioned that you had a brother," Paxton said.

"Yeah. Him and I stopped talking when my dad married Caitlyn's mom. Actually, we stopped talking when he made some offhanded comments about our dad," Kris said.

"Sounds like a Modern Family situation," Paxton remarked.

"Ha ha, very funny, man," Kris sarcastically said.

"Look, just give it time. Actually, no one's at fault. It's just hard to adjust to change," Paxton explained.

"Paxton might be high on looks, but he's surprisingly wise," Tom Brady said while narrating Kris's thoughts on Paxton.

While they were at the mall, Kris, Caitlyn, and Paxton meet up with a few of his friends.

"Hey guys, this is Kris and Caitlyn. They're actually the first step-siblings of different ethnicities that I've ever met," Paxton said when he introduced them to his friends.

"Oh, for a second, I thought they were from another group of friends you had," a teen with hair like Troy Polamalu and wearing a baseball cap backwards.

"Not gonna lie, Paxton, but your chocolate-colored friend looks pretty chill," one of Paxton's female friend said.

"Right, Kris and Caitlyn, this is Trent, Eddie, Marcus, Shira, Zoe, and Carley," Paxton said as he introduced his friends to Kris and Caitlyn.

"Wait, is Kris short for something?" Shira asked.

"Well, Kris is short for Krishna, the Indian god of love, tenderness, compassion, and protection," Kris said.

"Wow, that's so hilaire yet very cool," Shira said.

"Yeah, no wonder why Paxton liked you and Caitlyn when you guys first met him, which is today, right?" Carley clarified.

"Well, I didn't know that Kris is a short stylized version of an Indian god, but he looks pretty good, doesn't he?" Paxton said.

"Yeah, he's pretty good looking for an Indian dude," Trent said while agreeing with Kris's good looks.

"Oh shit, not you too, Trent," Tom Brady's voice narrated when Kris felt annoyed over being compared to being good looking for an Indian.

"Ok, thanks," Kris pretended to thank without being sarcastic while looking a little annoyed in his tone.

"Actually, Caitlyn's new to LA. Kris explained that he lived in LA before he moved to Palo Alto," Paxton said.

"Wait, really? Which elementary school did you go to?" Eddie asked.

"Riverside Drive Elementary," Kris said.

"Oh, we actually went to East Elementary," Marcus said. "When did you move to Palo Alto?"

"Well, I moved to Palo Alto before I started seventh grade," Kris said.

"So you don't really remember what middle school you went to?" Zoe asked.

"Nah. Besides, I didn't have any friends there," Kris said.

"Are you guys going to Sherman Oaks too?" Shira said.

"Nah, they're both attending Beverly Hills High," Paxton said.

"Beverly Hills? Damn, your parents must be stacked in cash," Shira said. "Well, if you guys want the local scene of Sherman Oaks, just call us."

As they hung out together at the mall, Kris and Caitlyn felt like they made a few friends outside of Beverly Hills High. Surprisingly, the lady friends happen to be a little vapid and snotty. As for Trent, Kris believes that his heart's in the right place as he seems to be clueless at times.

"What made you guys move to LA?" Carley asked Kris.

"My step-mom, who's actually Caitlyn's mom, is working for an entertainment lawyer based in LA. Her job required that she shift to this city," Kris said. "Also, I'm actually interested in the performing arts. Entertainment runs deep in my family, even in my step-mother and Caitlyn."

"Wow. I honestly thought you'd be like a bookworm when I first met you, but you seem pretty chill," Carley said.

"Thanks for that. To be fair though, I didn't like it when Trent called me 'good looking' for an Indian dude. I don't know if he knows this, but it's an insult to me," Kris said.

Carley was slightly surprised, but understood

"Oh, I didn't know you felt that way. I apologize for Trent. Besides, Trent's clueless. Don't listen to whatever he says," Carley said.

"It's alright. I figured that out when we inadvertently made that comment," Kris said. "When you mentioned bookworm, that label is actually associated with people who've really strict parent or are suffering from parental validation issues. As parents believe that education is the key to a successful career and a happy life, the children drown themselves into books and academics, leading them to become bookworms. EVentually, those bookworms will lack social skills to some extent."

"Were any of your parents strict?" Carley asked.

"Nah, I had chill parents. Actually, my parents divorced and my dad met Caitlyn's mom a year after his divorce was finalized," Kris said.

"Hmm. If I being truthful to myself, you're way more cooler than the Indian girl in our school," Carley said. "And more hotter."

"What do you mean by 'more cooler and more hotter'?" Kris inquired.

"What I mean is that you've the physique of a god and an alpha-male. Plus, you're more chill and smart at the same time. They say geniuses can often go crazy," Carley said with a flirty tone.

"Look, frankly, it would look weird. But, this is the first time a girl's giving him attention. By attention, I mean sexual attention, specifically," Tom Brady narrated.

"Tell you what. Give me your number and I'll ask you out sometime later," Kris said.

"Or you go on a date with me right now," Carley suggested.

"Look, Carley isn't someone that Kris wouldn't date. But, there comes a time where he needs to have some experience in dating," Tom Brady narrated Kris's feelings.

"Aight," Kris said. "Just this once. Besides, we don't buy a car without doing a test drive."

While Kris and Carley went out for ice cream, Caitlyn saw Kris and Carley going to an ice cream shop.

"So, is your step-brother insanely hot? I mean, he's very attractive to the point where Carley flirted with him. I mean, she never does this with a guy she meets for the first time. But, he understood that Carley was interested in him and decided to go for it," Shira said to Caitlyn.

"Well, he actually had a growth spurt that happened before he started high school. I mean, he's got like six-pack abs and a physique to die for. Let me tell you, I was also attracted to him at first. Not wanting my attraction towards him complicate our strong friendship, I decided to not tell him. Plus, he's not really into Carley. He decided to go out on a date with her because it's his first time getting asked out by a girl," Caitlyn replied.

"Say what?" Trent said, surprised.

"Kris has a rule: There's always a first time for everything. Since this was something he never expected, he decided to give it a try. Depending on the experience, it'll determine if he's open with going on dates with girls who asked him out," Caitlyn said.

"Hmm. That actually sounds like a pretty nice rule for someone to have. I need to follow that rule too," Zoe said with interest. "That way, it'll help me figure out what I really like in life."

"Well, likes and dislikes change with time," Caitlyn said.

"Yeah, that's certainly true," Marcus added on.

While Kris and Carley were on their pseudo-date having ice-cream together at Cold Stone Creamery, they were seen by a middle-aged Indian woman and a teenage Indian boy.

"Kris?" the middle-aged Indian woman said when she saw Kris.

"Hey, mom. It's been a while," Kris said to the woman.

"If it hasn't been clear already, this is Rhyah Yadav, he's Kris's mother. And the teenage Indian boy that was with her was her eldest son, Nirdesh "Des" Yadav," Tom Brady narrated.

"When'd you move back to LA?" Rhyah asked.

"Yesterday, Caitlyn and I met a few friends at the mall. Carley and I were just getting ice cream because we got tired of walking around the mall," Kris answered. "What's up, Des?"

"Hey," Des said a tense look. "Long time, no see."

"Well, I've been busy," Kris said back to Des.

Kris and Des looked at each other tensely.

"The tension you're seeing between them is due to an incident that occurred between Kris and Des back at Lohith and Amanda's wedding reception. Rhyah chose not to come to her ex-husband's wedding for obvious reasons. Des was invited and Kris found that idea to be worst. Kris's fears came true when Des made a couple of offhanded comments towards his father by calling him a womanizer. This silently infuriated Kris, leading him to make a snide remark on how Des is a momma's boy while indirectly referencing the Oedipus complex. This led to a physical fight between them, leading the brothers' relationship to become strained as well," Tom Brady explained.

"Why didn't you tell us you were at LA?" Des asked. "I mean, it's best that we don't run into each other after what happened a few years ago."

Kris nodded his head in agreement.

"What happened a few years ago?" Carley curiously asked when she chimed into the conversation.

"Carley, this is a personal matter between me and my brother. I think it's best that you give us a moment to talk," Kris said.

Seeing the stern look on Kris's face, Carley decided to leave, respecting Kris's request. When Carley left, Kris, Rhyah, and Des decided to have a talk.

"I wanted to ask you. Why'd you make the offhanded comments at the wedding? Couldn't you be happy for dad?" Kris said. "Also, Amanda had to move to LA for her job as an entertainment lawyer. I'm currently staying in a house that Amanda bought in Beverly Hills."

"Didn't you wanted mom to be happy when she got remarried?" Des asked. "She even sent you a wedding invitation."

"Look, I respectfully told her that I couldn't come because of what happened between you and I at Dad's wedding reception," Kris said. "I mean, if I came to Mom's wedding, a lot of people are gossip if something happened at Mom's wedding reception."

"Look, I get that, honey. But I just really wished you were there. I understand it wasn't your intention to cause me sadness when you refused to come to my wedding, but still," Rhyah said.

"Mom, you don't get it. These aunties are just insecure and want something to gossip about to make themselves look more 'normal,' " Kris said.

"Look, what you're saying makes sense. By not coming to the wedding, the aunties started rumors saying that mom disowned you when she married Varun," Des explained.

"Let them think that. They're just wasting their time by not minding their business," Kris said.

"When you put it that way, it's reassuring," Des said.

"What're you so worried about, Des?" Kris asked. "What do you want?"

"Look, I just want to apologize for everything that happened back at Dad's wedding reception. I was definitely out of line," Kris said. "If it makes you any better, Mom didn't talk to me for a week when she learned what happened."

"Hearing that didn't make me feel any better at all. But I appreciate you owning up to your mistake," Kris said. "I should also apologize for not handling the divorce well. I was in a tough spot. Although I loved Mom, I wanted to be closer to Dad. You know, because I never got to spend time with him," Kris said. "Didn't you want spend time with Mom when you never got time to spend with her?"

"Wait, so you chose to be under your father's custody so you can spend time with him?" Rhyah questioned. "And it has nothing to do with me?"

"Yeah. But if I'm being honest, I didn't know Dad really well because he was so busy spending time with Des. I thought being with Dad is a good idea. Didn't Des want to stay with you since he never spent time with you when I saw spending time with you?" Kris said.

After some thought, Rhyah and Des found a certain logic in Kris's words.

"I didn't ask for that, but I appreciate you doing so," Rhyah said. "But, I feel that your decision drove us apart. However, there's nothing broken in our relationship which can't be fixed."

"I also want to spend time with you. I've seen that I've missed you guys," Kris said. "I'll come to dinner two times a week."

"Deal," Rhyah said. Before they left, Rhyah and Des give Kris a hug.

When Rhyah and Des left, Kris was happy to have cleared the air between his brother and mother.

As he left the Cold Stone Creamery in the mall, he was met up by Caitlyn.

"I've seen you reconciled with them," Caitlyn remarked. "I'm glad Paxton gave you an indirect push."

"You know, it felt good reconciling with them. Also, please don't tell my dad about what happened," Kris said. "I want the news to come from me and nobody else."

"I'll keep it a secret," Caitlyn said. "Also, Paxton and the others are gonna watch a movie at the theater. You coming?"

"Yeah, I am. Is Carley alright?" Kris asked. "I know I told her to leave so I can talk to my brother and mother. I just hope I didn't come off as mean when I told her to leave."

"Oh, don't mind her. She's alright. Besides, I can see you didn't like her. You were just going with the flow and being polite," Caitlyn said.

"As you're my best friend, you know me so well," Kris said. "Oh, I forgot. What about the tour that I was supposed to give?"

"Don't worry. I told your dad and my mom that we're hanging out with a few friends we made today. Plus, they also needed some alone time together. So, they're gonna drive around LA," Caitlyn said.

"Sounds cool," Kris said. "Let's go, then."

After watching Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw, Kris and Caitlyn left the theater with their new friends.

"Yo, Hobbs was sick as fuck, man! I mean, damn!" Trent said, commenting about Dwayne Johnson's character while eating the remaining movie popcorn.

"Yup. It was a nice movie to watch," Kris said.

"You know, Kris, you're a really chill dude. At least more chill than the Indian girl at our school," Marcus said.

"Yeah, about that. Carley mentioned her as well. What's so strange about her?" Kris said.

"Well, her dad died from a heart attack at a spring orchestra concert a few months ago and the girl's legs weren't working a week later," Marcus said.

"Damn, that's sad and strange," Kris said. "Even though I haven't met her, I feel kind of bad for her. You know, for losing her dad."

"Well, same here. But, she's a complete bookworm and someone who's insanely competitive. She has this feud with another brainiac in our school. That "another brainiac" is also Shira's boyfriend. He isn't here because we didn't invite him," Marcus said.

"Sounds like you guys have a distaste for brainiacs, huh?" Kris questioned.

"Tell me about it. I get that smart kids are quite diligent, but, there's a limit on how one can obsess with being focused on getting into Ivy Leagues," Marcus said. "Oh, by the way, let me get your phone number."

"Sure, Marcus," Kris said before he began to give Marcus his phone number.

After Marcus and Kris exchange phone numbers, Marcus shared Kris's phone number with Paxton and his friends. Paxton also shared Caitlyn's phone number with them as well. After forming a chat group with Paxton and his friends, Kris and Caitlyn said goodbye to Paxton's friends.

While Paxton was dropping them off at their residence, they started talking.

"So the people you were talking to at the mall, were they your brother and mother?" Paxton asked Kris.

"I presume Caitlyn filled you in while we were watching the movie," Kris said while looking at Caitlyn.

"Yeah. Honestly, I don't know a thing or two about children of divorce, but seem to be handling your parents' divorce well," Paxton complimented.

"Thanks. Well, the divorce was actually amicable and it led my parents to marry other people. They knew their marriage with each other wasn't going to end well. Although I knew that the divorce would affect me in some way, I had no idea my brother would be affected as well. I mean, he was mentally stronger than I was," Kris said.

"Well, I'm glad you guys talked it out," Paxton said. "So how'd your date with Carley go? I never expected her to ask you out as she seems a little snobbish. To be frank, she's a nice girl. Nicer than Shira or Zoe."

"What's Shira's deal? I heard she's dating this brainiac from Sherman Oaks. Is she in a casual relationship with him or using him? What's so special about him?" Caitlyn asked.

"Glad you asked. The brainiac you're talking about is Ben Gross. His father's a grossly rich entertainment lawyer. Him and that Indian girl who got paralyzed are competing for the spot of being valedictorian of their class. They're currently rising sophomores right now," Paxton mentioned.

"How the hell do you know that?" Caitlyn asked out of surprise as this was the first time Paxton mention some gossip.

"People gossip. Especially the teachers. From the way I heard they're acting, they're like teacher's pets that suck up to them," Paxton said.

"Sounds like desperation to get good letters of rec and strong grades," Kris commented.

"Turns I have to be in the same class as them because I failed that class last year. I'm not that great at school," Paxton said.

Caitlyn was stunned. She didn't expect that she'd be dating a stone-cold hottie with a small slacker attitude.

"Ok, although Caitlyn has good taste in guys, this is the first time she had sex and that too with a stone-cold hottie with a bit of a slacker attitude," Tom Brady commented during Caitlyn's stunned reaction.

When Paxton dropped them off at their house, Kris and Caitlyn said bye to him. As they entered the house, Caitlyn said something.

"I'm done with Paxton," Caitlyn said.

"Say what?" Kris questioned.

"Look, he's a good guy. Maybe I'm being superficial, but hot-looking guys who are academic slackers are not my type. I guess I was seduced by his good looks," Caitlyn stated. "However, I'm glad we're just friends. He didn't seem that into me."

"Well, first time for everything," Kris remarked.

"Tell me about it. Also, can you not tell my mom and your dad about what happened?" Caitlyn asked.

"Caitlyn, your secret's safe with me. Besides, there's nothing wrong with being curious about sex. It's the consequences after the deed we need to worry about," Kris said.

"Already took care of that. I brought condoms and birth control pills. I had one before you knocked on the door. Besides, how'd you I was engaging in sexual activity? I know it wasn't Paxton cause he spoke after I pretended to act like I was frustrated," Caitlyn said.

"It was the sounds of moans that gave it away. You got to keep quiet up there if you don't want your mom and my dad to know about your amorous activities," Kris said.

"Fair point. Anyhow, we're tired for the day. Why don't we hit the hay and call it a day?" Caitlyn suggested.

"I'm in. Except, where's Deepthi?"

—- End of Chapter —-