I am terribly sorry about how delayed this chapter became! I hit writers block and by the time I figured out where I wanted to take the story school got crazy for two weeks straight. When I finally had the time to write and edit I got asked to join the training of new members in Red Cross which was a great opportunity that I couldn't say no to. As that weekend went by I got sick with a bad cold and I stayed home from school for a week straight. Finally, I am feeling much better and I have been writing as much as I could.

You all are seriously amazing for sticking with me during my crazy update schedule! I am trying my hardest to update about twice a month but sometimes life happens and you have to prioritize.

Thank you so much for your lovely reviews Grace and pumkinking5 you have no idea how much you inspire me to keep on writing with your comments!
Honestly Grace I also did not expect Marcus to show up either but I thought what if and then it happened! *laughing*

Troy's POV
Tuesday March 18th

It still hadn't completely dawned on me the fact that Marcus was here in America. Last night I made enchiladas which he tried and loved. Gabriella had called me in the early hours asking if we should spend some time together and maybe try and finish up a project we were working on. After explaining that Marcus had arrived yesterday she was even more excited about coming over and meeting him. Hench, Gabriella were coming over at noon.

"So Gabriella is coming over at noon," I mentioned to him putting down the two bowls of breakfast on the counter in front of us.

"Exciting," Marcus grinned reaching for the chop sticks.

This morning I had opted for a more traditional Etrean breakfast. Gyudon. A simple and easy dish consisting of beef and onions laid on top of rice. "So how is it going living here alone?" he wondered placing each of the wooden sticks in his hand.

"I really enjoy it here," I grinned sitting down in the chair beside him. "Of course it was weird in the beginning, getting to know a whole new culture by myself, but I feel like I have somewhat adapted by now. Still, I am learning something new every so often," I commented taking my own pair of chopsticks as Marcus had already started eating. "Have things changed much back home?" I wondered turning to look at him taking a bit of my breakfast, thinking about how little attention I have paid to Etrean media. I didn't realize my own grandfather were hospitalized for crying out loud!

"No not really," he shrugged looking down into his food. "I mean in the start the media were really curios when they never saw you anymore. In the end they gave up, but when a rumour leaked that you were studying abroad they desperately tried to figure out where. Then just after Christmas when the tabloid leaked that picture, it was a circus all over again. Everyone were investigating which flight you took and what not trying to figure out which country, but after a month they gave up. Now they are still trying to figure out where you are and who you were with that day, but they are having no luck so far. At least I haven't seen anything," Marcus stated picking up another piece of meat holding it in between his chopsticks. "Have nothing really reached international media?"

"No," I laughed. "Thank goodness for that. I also love the fact that absolutely no one at school have made a connection besides a small rumour that died down after a week or two."

"School back home has changed a little. There is more academic pressure as finals are coming up soon along with last minute applications. Besides that, school is school I guess. The uniform policy has not become any stricter, rather the opposite."

"In all the years I have known you I don't think I have meet anyone else describing school in so few words," I laughed at him as Marcus were just smiling.

"Come on," he mocked, glaring at me, "you know I hate school in Ueta. I cannot wait until college starts in September and I am finally moving to Saint Germains."

Marcus hadn't minded when his parents announced their move but in the years they had lived in Ueta he hadn't really settled. After what he had shared with me he wasn't exactly un-happy there, but most of his friends were still living in Iwaki.

"To be honest I agree with you," I told him seriously as he frowned.

"What?"

"Living here for the past seven months without anyone knowing who I really am, I have given me a whole new perspective about the world and who I am. I actually like it here and leaving will be bittersweet. I have built my life for several years and leave it for ten months. Then I build a life for ten months and leave it forever. No matter if I return nothing will be exactly the same. We would all have graduated and moved on. It is happening for every one of us, weather we'd like to or not," I told him philosophically and Marcus stopped for a moment.

"I guess you're right. Life back home will change to. I mean we are actually moving out, living our own lives, making our own choices that will affect us and our future. You are just a year ahead already," Marcus laughed as I cracked a smile at the statement. "So you are not taking Japanese as a class here, how is that working with the graduation requirement?"

"It is going surprisingly well. I got the curriculum before I left with filled out assignments and deadlines. All I have to do is email it to my tutor on time. The rest of the requirements were mostly meet before I even started this exchange."

"Have you started the Japanese end of semester task yet?"

I nodded looking at my best friend. "I have. After reading the curriculum I realised how big of a task it turned out to be," I told him with a sigh, "but I don't really see how I will manage to have it finished with all the work we are giving at school, plus being involved in basketball and theatre."

"Right… How did you end up in theatre? I knew about basketball but theatre?"

"It started out as helping Gabriella, but this year everyone in our class got signed up without knowing. In the end we all agreed that it would be fun to do something together as a class," I reasoned as Marcus nodded slowly. "What about you?"

"Me? Well we just heard about the assignment last week so we could start during the holidays, but I am having some trouble too," he admitted.

"Why don't we work together to see if we could help each other out?"

"Harmony, order and self-development have been important values which have become the foundation of the Japanese society. Mixed with a rich history and long traditions Japan have become an important country in the growing globalization of the world," Marcus read from the notebook I had started writing in. "This is a really good beginning. So you are going to write about values in the Japanese society, history, traditions and globalization."

I nodded watching as he placed the notebook on the table. "Yes. I hope that it will meet the requirements of in depth analysis and length."

"I think it's too much to hand write a research paper this detailed using hiragana, katakana and kanji. Fair enough they want to test our knowledge but it's not like this is our last year with Japanese," he huffed taking his own paper, writing notes.

"I see your point and to be honest I have to agree. We still have four years of college, and four more years of Japanese. To be honest I am really tempted to take the exam early and be done. Hopefully I could pass the curriculum within the first year," I confessed as Marcus looked up from his paper.

"Really?" he questioned astounded. "Why?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I looked at him. "I guess why not? I mean I learned Japanese fluently when I was young and throughout the years I have just completed the assignments because I had to. At the moment the tasks that I am doing is more time consuming than challenging."

I didn't notice how much time had passed until I heard the front door open and presuming that Gabriella were the one to enter. "Hi," Gabriella announced as she stopped in the doorway surveying all the books and notes scattered on the table between us.

"Hey. Marcus meet Gabriella, Gabriella Marcus," I briefly introduced them as Marcus stood up.

"Nice to meet you," he said, shaking her hand with a smile.

"You too," Gabriella smiled before she curiously looked at our work. "What is all of this?" she questioned as I glanced at the table.

"Oh this," I gestured towards all the papers. "We were just working on our Japanese project."

"Right," she stated awkwardly not knowing what to do.

I knew she was shy but had I made the situation that awkward for her? Was it the introduction to Marcus or was it the fact that we were doing homework? I knew from previous experiences that she never like interrupting me when I was trying to do homework, but this was something we were dong to pass time.

"Hey how do you spell depression?" Marcus questioned breaking the building tension.

Shit, why did he have to mention that? The incident was still rather fresh for all of us, but he didn't know. Just everyone else…

"Come on, we're soon finished," I invited Brie before looking at my best friend.

He was my brother but sometimes he reminded me a bit too much of Chad. No filter. But then again, how could he know when no-one told him? I had to ask Brie if it was okay if I told him some of what happened. It had to be her decision.

"Just out of curiosity what does that have to do with Japan? Aren't they within the top three statistics of happiest people on earth?"

"True, which makes it an excellent statement to prove and investigate why," Marcus stated confidently and I shook my head grabbing a piece of paper.

Quickly I wrote the two small characters before I showed it to Marcus. He quickly glanced at it before shaking his head.

"I know how to write it, but not I kanji!"

"Why do you have to make it so difficult for yourself?" I shook my head as I had to think. "It should be something like this," I told him as I started to write, or more like draw it.

I felt the sofa dip slightly beside me which meant that Gabriella must have sat down. She was getting more comfortable which made me relieved. I seriously had to talk to here. I never wanted her to feel this insecure around my friends. Was it the fact that I had known Marcus for the past 12 years and her barely 7 months? I would never shut her out just because I had known him longer. Despite the fact that we met each other in August, she was just as important to me as Marcus were.

"It should be something like this," I stated showing him the piece of paper. "The stroke count isn't correct though. I think it should be 29 strokes."

"That is one word?" Gabriella questioned baffled as I saw her look at the paper.

I nodded. "Mhm, but if you put it beside another kanji it could have a whole other meaning. The Japanese language is built on three types of written alphabets. They are hiragana, katakana and kanji. Hiragana and katakana is the easiest. That were the first one I drew," I explained to her showing her the piece of paper.

She took the paper out of my hands and looked at the two characters.

Pointing at the one I had just drew to Marcus I explained, "Kanji makes up the meaning of the words while the katakana and hiragana make the sounds of the alphabet. However, kanji is the written alphabet used in China and seen as the more formal one in Japan."

"It seems awfully complicated," she hesitated a little, her eyes moving towards my notebook.

"It's really not that bad. It always seems overwhelming in the start but when learning Japanese you usually start with hiragana which will take you a long way."

"Right," Marcus added closing his book. "I think we're done for now. There's no point in doing this when Gabriella's here."

And there is the more considerate Marcus I first got to know. I glanced over at Gabriella to see her smile a little. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder bringing her just a little closer towards me.

"Is everything all right?" I murmured into her ear as Marcus had walked out of the room. She nodded not giving me a complete answer. "You sure?" I questioned kissing her temple gently.

"Yeah, just a little intimidating. He threw me off with that question. He doesn't know does he?"

I sighed shaking my head. "No, I didn't tell him," I shifted a little as she leaned even closer towards me. "I thought about asking you if you wanted him to know, and don't say yes just because he's my best friend. I won't be hurt."

"It's ok. I think I can trust him. I mean he kept your secret," Gabriella stated quietly as footsteps were heard.

"You sure?" I questioned just as Marcus entered the room.

Looking at us Marcus frowned, worry etched on his oval face. It was rare seeing him without his usual smile. He almost didn't look like himself without it. "Is everything okay?" he questioned as Gabriella nodded not looking away from me.

"It's nothing you did wrong," I started as he slowly sat down in the opposite sofa.

Marcus frowned a little, his dark brown eyes looking at the two of us. "You're starting to worry me Troy." His normal buoyant mood was gone, replaced with worry and uncertainty.

Taking a second I didn't really know how to proceed. How do I tell my best friend that the girl sitting beside me tried to commit suicide a mere month ago?

"A month ago," Gabriella quietly started taking my hand, intertwining our fingers. "I came to a breaking point. A rumour had been going around school about who Troy really were and because I am very involved with the math and science team at school people started picking on me."

Gabriella stopped and I knew this was difficult for her. The memories from that night came back to me giving me chills. All I could see were her passed out on the floor… I gave her hand a gentle squeeze just to assure myself that she was really there.

"It had been going on for a month," Gabriella continued taking a deep breath, her voice quivering. "It got worse. Much, much worse… It, it got to, to a point where I. Where I, actually tried…" her voice faltered.

Her breaths were somewhat shallow and I looked at her. Tears were gathering in the corners of her eyes. I couldn't find the right words to say. Was there anything right I could say?

Gabriella tried speaking again, her eyes glued to the floor. "I tried to… Tried to kill myself. As in suicide."

"Oh gosh. I am so sorry to hear that. I hope I didn't upset you earlier," he apologized but she shook her head.

"No," she sniffed as I kissed her temple softly. "You didn't. I, I just thought you needed to know. It happened just a month ago after all." Gabriella looked up, her eyes moving towards Marcus, their eyes locked for a moment.

"Shit," he muttered dragging his right hand through his short brown hair, shifting his usually neat hairstyle. As he sunk down in his seat I knew he had not expected what we just told him. "I did not expect hearing that… I am sorry, you are better now?"

"Yes, much better. Troy and our friends really helped me. I guess it's worth mentioning that Troy gave me a key to his house so I am here quite a lot even though I live just down the street," she giggled a little as the small sound made me smile.

"I am happy to hear that. Now I am interested in hearing more about how your life here in America is."

"Yes!" Gabriella exclaimed grinning, "and I want to hear more stories about Etrea."

"Why don't I make lunch and we could talk more? I am still making Etrean food for Gabriella to try."

"Troy come on. Join me on one party, even Taylor will be there," Chad argued trying to convince me. Chad's older brother, Chucky, were hosting a party at University of Albuquerque tomorrow evening and had invited Chad and by the sounds of it, many more.

"I don't know. I had plans with Brie and Marcus is here."

"Ask if they want to come to. I wanted to meet Marcus and Taylor said she would be there. Just ask Gabi all right? We don't have to stay long, just a couple of hours."

"I will ask them," I caved in, "but I won't promise anything. If either says no, I am not coming."

"Fine, see ya later," Chad proclaimed and hung up.

Sighing I started at the screen for a moment before I dialled Gabriella. Why did I have a really bad feeling about this evening?

"Hey Wildcat," her cheerful voice greeted me as she answered.

"Hey Brie listen, about Friday. Chad just called and asked if we wanted to joint this party his older brother was hosting. I told him no as I have plans with you but he persuaded me into asking you. Marcus were also invited but I haven't said anything to him. This is your decision and Chad informed me that Taylor would be there too."

"Hmm, I guess it won't be that bad if Taylor agreed to go. She isn't into parties that much either but what about Marcus?"

Scoffing I had several memories flooding my mind, with various outcomes... "He wouldn't mind either way," I replied dryly. "So you'll go? Don't feel like you have to say yes just because Chad is trying to drag me out."

"I know Troy, but honestly I want to. I'm sure it won't be that bad if Taylor agreed to join."

"All right, I'll let Marcus know. He has a car so we could meet them there and leave early if we want to."

"Sounds good I'll see you tomorrow."

March 19th
Wednesday

"Hello," Gabriella announced as she entered the door.

I smiled as I walked over and greeted her with a kiss. "Hey."

"Do I look all right?" she giggled doing a small twirl.

She looked stunning in her simple floral dress that she had accessorised with a brown belt around her natural waist. A pair of small red earrings drew attention to her face.

"You look beautiful Brie, as always," I stated as she blushed.

"Thank you Troy. You look good too."

I smiled a little as I took her hand, leading her into the house. "Marcus should be down any minute now. Did Maria say when she wanted you home? I would hate to get you in trouble for staying out too late." I lead her into the kitchen where I hopped onto the counter bringing her close.

She brought her hands around my neck, stepping closer. "Mom wanted me home by two o'clock, but to call if we somehow got delayed.

"Hey lovebirds you ready?" Marcus called interrupting us. Gabriella blushed profusely as I just laughed.

"You have the worst timing you know that?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he just looked at the two of us. "I don't know what the two of you do alone," he pointed as I swatted his shoulder walking past him.

"Ouch," he grinned following us.

Marcus parked the car and there were no doubts about arriving at the right place. A couple of beer cans were already strewn on the lawn and the loud thumping music were clearly heard.

"I thought you said it would be a quiet party?" Taylor remarked watching as a couple of people stumbled out the front door.

"That's what Chucky said but you know. It's a frat party. Endless drinks everywhere and school is out for the week," he pointed out and he did have a point…

A couple stumbled out the front door looking rather tipsy, as the music became more audible. The couple were giggling and talking quietly towards each other, clearly in love.

"Come on." Chad's voice brought me out of my thoughts and I watched as he leaded us towards the house. "Chucky wanted to meet you guys."

Entering the house, the music seemed to become much louder as some pop song were playing. Several people had gathered in the living room where the furniture's had been moved, probably to make it the 'dance floor'. A table were filled with different drinks and empty beer bottles. I watched the people as some were making out while other were simply talking. A couple of people stumbled past us headed for the drink, trying to find a beer bottle actually containing beer.

As Chad lead us inside and towards the kitchen I couldn't help but notice how hot and sticky the air felt like. The lack of light not helping the gloomy feeling the room gave me.

"Hey Chad! I didn't think you guys were coming," Chucky greeted us, almost yelling over the loud music.

There was no doubt that they were related. Chucky looked almost identical to Chad except that his shoulders were broader and he was at least a head taller, standing at 185cm.

"Wouldn't turn down an opportunity to see you, and a party is just a bonus. I want you to meet some of my friends. You already know Taylor but this is Troy his girlfriend Gabriella and Marcus who is a friend of Troy visiting from Etrea," Chad introduced us all. "This is my older brother Chucky. He's a senior her at U of A."

"Nice to meet you all. You two from Etrea eh. Thought you both looked familiar," Chucky smiled a little as I were shocked.

Marcus frowned looking at me. "What?"

Chucky smiled a little looking at Marcus and I. "I am majoring in Asian relations with a focus on the south east."

Marcus burst out laughing, "So much for keeping that a secret Troy." I nudged him in the sides gently.

"Can you make it any more obvious?" I questioned him as Chucky were laughing at the two of us.

Despite the drunk people stumbling past us and thumping music, I was actually enjoying myself. Even Gabriella and Taylor were having fun on the dance floor. Marcus was no-where to be seen. He had disappeared a couple of hours ago with some of the college kids, probably enjoying himself.

"See I told you they were here," Chucky stated as he were walking towards me.

One of the other guys looked at me. "You were right, he's really here."

"How did you meet?" the third guy questioned as Chucky and his friends walked up to me.

"Hey Troy. This is two of my classmates, James and Keith," he introduced us.

Shaking their hands, I looked at their faces which held disbelief. "Nice to meet you both."

"I had to introduced you guys. Neither of them believed me when I said that there were two people from Etrea here," Chucky explained almost a little apologetic.

"No, don't think about it. So you're all studying Asian relations? Have you ever been to Etrea?"

Keith shook his head. "No, I wish though."

"Yeah," James added. "It's such a beautiful country. Especially during the flower blossom festival. I wish I got to see that once." Keith nodded agreeing

"Yeah you should. If you're ever there give me a call and we could meet up?" I questioned as all three of them seemed interested.

"We'd love to."

"Have you meet Marcuse yet?"

"Yes, he was just outside," Chucky motioned with his arm towards the back yard. "Seemed to be enjoying himself."

"Good. I had no idea he would be coming, he just showed up on Monday. It's nice to show him about life in America."

"Taylor," I stated catching her attention. "I believe there is alcohol in the punch. How much have Chad been drinking?" I wondered as she were shaking her head.

A couple of hours had passed as the clock were nearing midnight. The music was just as loud as ever, and the crowd hadn't thinned out the slightest, it almost seemed like even more people had joined the party.

"I should have known someone had spiked it," she muttered as I frowned at the expression.

"Spiked?"

She looked at me dumbfounded. "Um, yeah. It's an expression, but I think Chad have had one to many…"

Her eyes moved towards a small crowd of people where we could clearly see Chad's bushy hair. Or was it Chucky?

"I didn't drink any of the spiked punch so I could drive Chad's car if you get the keys. I hope Marcus is sober as well."

"I haven't seen him…." Her voice faded as she looked behind me. I turned and watched as Marcus entered the room with a girl that were clearly interested in him.

"I'll give him a warning," I promise Taylor not moving my eyes from Marcus.

"I will find Chad," Taylor said and she moved into the crowd.

"Hey Marcus!" I almost yelled so he could hear me over the music.

"One moment," he told the girl as she giggled before he met up with me. "Hey, something wrong?"

"No, I just wanted to let you know that someone poured alcohol in the punch. Have you had any recently?"

Shaking his head, he glanced back at the girl. "No. Nothing. Did you meet James and Keith earlier?"

"I did but not now. Chad is drunk, or close to, so I'll be driving his car home. Gabriella nor Taylor have their licence," I warned him but he was just as carefree as ever.

"Don't worry Troy!" he slapped my shoulder gently. "Everything will be all right. I am responsible," he stated as I snorted.

"Don't do anything stupid!" I called out to him as he walked back to the girl.

"Never!"

"Is he all right?" Taylor questioned standing beside me.

I laughed as she looked at me. "He have never been, but he's just like normal."

"Right, I got the keys from Chad." She held up the black key with basketball chain as she dropped them into my hands. "Thank you Troy."

"No problem but do you know if his parents expect him home?"

"I don't think they do. He mentioned that he might stay here. What about it?"

"I thought he could stay at my place. I recon his parents won't be happy that he has been drinking. Isn't the legal age 21?"

"Yes you're right. If you could that would be great," she stated relieved, giving a smile towards me. "I wish I could have taken him home with me but my parents would flip if they saw him."

Shrugging my shoulders, I glanced into the crowd to see if I could spot Chad again. "Don't apologize Taylor. I'll keep an eye on him," I promised her, looking back at her as I weren't able to see him. "I should get back to Brie. She's over there somewhere," I gestured looking towards the chair where I left Gabriella some minutes ago.

"It's all right," she giggled as Chad wrapped his arms around her torso.

"Heeey beautiful," he slurred slightly.

Laughing I turned to leave the two of them alone. He had never been shy in a crowd so he was probably fine on his own, or with that girl.

"Hey Wildcat," she greeted me as I sat down. "Everything turned out all right?" she wondered as she sat down on my lap, her feet over the edge of the chair and my arm around her back.

"Yes. Chad is drunk so I have his car keys and are going to drive his car back home. Marcus seems sober and disappeared with some girl. He should be fine," I laughed as she rested her head on my shoulder.

"Can you drive with your wrist?" Her concerned voice made me smile as I kissed her forehead.

"The doctor said I could start driving at my last appointment about two weeks ago but seeing as I don't have a car," I shrugged and she smiled. "Are you enjoying yourself? I know it isn't exactly what you had in mind for tonight."

"I am having fun Wildcat, and you're right. This isn't what we planned to do but this is kind of fun too. Doing something different for a change. I have heard a lot about Chad's brother but never meet him. Tonight changed that. Also Marcus seems to enjoy himself and he also got to experience an American college party along with us so I would say the night were a success," she finished giving me a kiss.

That was it hope you all liked it! Please leave a review they are always greatly appreciated!

-FreeFlyingWriter