Thank you so much to pumkinking5, Grace and Ruby for your reviews on my last chapter! It truly means the world to me! I feel so bad for not being able to make my update schedule but I do try my hardest… If people have ideas, I would love to hear them even if it is for future chapters as I am stuck on which direction I should take the story, there are so many possibilities!

As for your questions that have come in the reviews I think I have managed to answer most of them within the text, but if I am mistaken please let me know!

Again thank you, thank you so much each and everyone who read, follow, favourite and review this story!

"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.

Troy and Gabriella stood by the front door looking at Taylor who had a rather tipsy Chad following. "I am glad you had fun Brie," Troy stated taking her hand looking into her eyes.

"I actually didn't think I'd enjoy myself at a college party but with Chad and you there, everything becomes more interesting. Also, Marcus and Taylor were a great bonus," she giggled as Troy also smiled.

Troy looked around for Marcus and spotted him with the same girl he had been with earlier. "I thought about driving Taylor home before taking Chad back to my place. Would you be all right driving back with Marcus?"

"Sure, I don't mind."

"Good, then he won't get lost," Troy teased as he saw Marcus coming.

"Yeah see you," Marcus told the girl as she headed over to one of the many crowds. "Who won't get lost?" he questioned as Gabriella shook her head.

Troy didn't reply at once as Chad now came with Taylor in tow. "We're ready to leave," Taylor confirmed gently nudging Chad out the door.

"Leaving?" Chad questioned confused turning to look at his girlfriend. "But I didn't even get to say bye to Chucky!" Shaking her head Taylor grabbed his hand leading him towards their cars.

"You already did sweetie. Don't you remember?"

"Ya know," Troy commented turning his attention from the couple towards his best friend. "Usually the sober one have to drag their drunk friends from the party."

Placing a hand on his chest, Marcus made a face. "Ouch. Why do I have a feeling that was meant for me?"

Laughing Troy unlocked the door as Taylor helped Chad into the car. "Hmmm," Troy pretended to think for a minute before shrugging his shoulders. "No idea."

"Well at least the police aren't involved most of the times when I am driving," he called back as Troy burst into laughter. "Nice one!" he called back before he got into the car.

"Just so you know" Marcus stated as he started the car, "my sense of directions isn't that bad."

"Good to know," Gabriella replied as Marcus turned out of the parking lot.

Turning onto the main road they could spot the other car not far in front of them. "I think I should give you an explanation about what just happened. So, we both got our licence as we turned sixteen. Troy in March and I at the end of July. Troy came to visit me that summer and a mutual friend of ours had a small gathering. Long story short, the gathering escalated into a quite large party and someone had, of course, brought alcohol. After a couple of drinks, I became a little tipsy and had no grasp of what the time was. In the end, Troy dragged me out of there at three in the morning."

"It's a good thing you look out for each other. I know many people don't do that at parties and the outcome isn't always that fortunate."

Marcus didn't say anything, just thinking about what she had said. "Troy is like a brother to me. Both of us being an only child, the relationship came naturally. To be honest I don't think much about it. All I know is that was what I would want my brother to do, besides I have had my chances to return the favour."

Gabriella chuckled as a question came to her mind. "How is drunk Troy? I have a hard time imagining how he would be."

"Some people state that people ultimately end up in certain categories when they are drunk but I don't believe that's true. Troy turns out to be happy and carefree. I won't describe it as the overly cheerful and happy types you normally witness. He acts more like a normal teenager without the pressure of who he eventually will be, and to be honest if you didn't know him personally you couldn't tell he was drunk," Marcus disclosed as Gabriella frowned.

"So you mean he shows no signs of being drunk as we are being told? No slurred speech, no incomplete sentences, no trouble walking?" Gabriella questioned astounded as Marcus smiled.

"No, not really."

"So Troy did tell me a little about the two of you but when did you move?"

"I was the summer of 2006 a year and a half ago, the year we turned sixteen. Did Troy ever disclose why he choose to do this exchange?" Marcus questioned and Gabriella nodded solemnly

"I can't help but feel sorry for him," she started letting out a sigh. "As he choose to return to school you had to move away and in the end, he decided that the best option would be to travel halfway around the world away from everyone he knew."

"In a way it tells us a lot about how bad he truly had it, more than he shared at the time. I know for a fact that he spent quite some time with Ted's three children, especially the two oldest as they are about his age. Both at his home and theirs. As far as I understood it was usually when his family were travelling abroad."

"I know what you mean," Gabriella stated ever so regretfully. "After he told me the secret about who he really is, he shared with me his worries. Especially after I spent Christmas with him I gained a better understanding about what he was talking about."

"Did he tell you anything special about his 18th birthday?"

"You mean the fact that he could legally taker over the country?" she questioned as Marcus nodded, not taking his eyes off the road.

"He did. The news about his grand-father didn't help the situation either."

"To be honest I haven't seen him as happy as this in a long time. I think one of his greatest fears is suddenly having to take over the throne. He has been preparing for this for quite a while but you never expect to suddenly have to take over a country. Especially as we're not even finished with high school, let alone college."

"Yeah, I couldn't imagine being in that situation. But from what I have seen I am sure he will do a great job when the time comes."

"Take a left here," Gabriella commented as she saw the sign and Marcus switched on the turn signal. "What was it about the comment with the police?"

Marcus smile chuckling a little. "As Troy became the brother I never had we tease each other quite a lot. The thing is whenever Ted or anyone is driving him, there usually are several cars including a police car in a motorcade."

"I noticed that."

"Right," Marcus nodded. "But the thing is that Troy enjoys driving himself. Therefore, it has been more than one occasion where Troy has been the one driving, much to the dismay of the security team. I think Ted is about the only one who lets him do it."

"But why is that so frowned upon? I mean he got his licence why can't they find alternative ways? Wouldn't he be sticking more out with a police car than just driving a regular car?"

"I know!" Marcus exclaimed quickly looked over towards Gabriella, before focusing his attention back on the road. "That's what we have been arguing about too, but sometimes it feels like talking to a brick wall. Anyway, last time he drove to Ueta, where I live, he somehow managed to ditch security and come alone."

"I don't remember security following us much during Christmas but Troy mentioned something about most of them having time off."

"Oh, they were there. It is true that many of them have time off but there are still several people on duty because of the church ceremony and the Christmas parade. Besides, Troy was never a fan of security following him every time he walked outside, so he asked to be left alone."

"And that really worked?" Gabriella questioned uncertainly as Marcus nodded. "To a certain degree." There was a pause as Marcus thought. "Still, Ted is following him around just about everywhere as his personal security, and as threats have risen he was just forced to accept that he had to have security following him."

"He told me one of the best things about being here," she started smiling at the memory, "was that no-one knew who he truly was. He got to be himself and explore a different culture as he wanted. Much the same as whenever he speaks about your adventures together," Gabriella explained as she laughed.

Marcus smiled by the girl sitting beside him. "I like you," he stated as Gabriella burst out laughing. "I don't mean… like…" Marcus stuttered as Gabriella looked at him still laughing.

"Relax," she assured him. "I didn't take it like that and thank you, you're not too bad yourself," she smiled as Marcus turned into their street.

"I live in the white house there," Gabriella pointed out as Marcus stopped the car.

Reaching down to unbuckle herself she glanced at the house at is was dark. "I hope I get to see you more before the holiday is over, maybe even in Etrea one day?" His face was hopeful as Gabriella turned to look at him.

"During this holiday most defiantly, about Etrea who knows," she winked at him. "Thanks for the ride," she added before she closed the door, walking up towards her house.

March 20th
Thursday

Walking into the kitchen the first thing Marcus saw was his friend sitting by the breakfast bar with his computer. "Morning," he greeted him as Troy looked up.

"Morning, did you notice if Chad were awake?"

Placing the cup down on the counter he turned towards Troy shrugging his shoulders. "Can't say I did," he commented as he poured hot water from the kettle into his cup, following by a tea bag.

"What time did we come home? Two-ish?" Marcus questioned before he continued as Troy nodded. "That would approximately be six hours ago, as it is way too early to be up anyways, and based on your track record I would give him about three more hours," Marcus concluded as Troy snorted.

"Thanks a lot," Troy commented sarcastically taking a sip of his drink. "Did you sleep at all?"

"Barely. I felt like I went to bed at five and woke up just before midnight… Oh wait!" he interrupted himself. "That is exactly what I did," he stated dryly as Troy were just about to choke on the tea he was swallowing.

"Cheerful this morning ey? Oh, I know why. There's no breakfast," he stated as he nudged Marcus lightly walking past. "Let's see what we can make," he questioned himself as he opened the fridge. "I could have made pancakes but I don't have milk… but I do have a lot of cooked rice."

Troy turned to show him the bowl as he nodded. "Yes please!" his voice held a childlike enthusiasm, "have anyone commented on the fact that you eat rice for breakfast?"

"No, not really. I don't know if anyone noticed."

Marcus shrugged as Troy found the ingredients. "I guess it is an Asian thing."

Troy turned raising an eyebrow. "Did anyone mention you tend to stereotype?"

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed," Marcus replied dryly as he took the avocado, cutting it into slices.

"What breakfast bowl is complete without nori sheets," Troy stated showing Marcus the package.

"Yes please," he agreed as Troy teared up a couple of strips adding it into the pan with the eggs.

Hearing footsteps coming down the stairs Troy turned his head as Chad entered the kitchen. "Good morning," Troy greeted with a smile as he saw the state his friend was in. His normal afro was now in a mess and he were dressed in the same clothes as yesterday.

"God, what happened yesterday?" he questioned flopped down in the chair by the counter.

"The punch was filled with alcohol at one point and no-one noticed until you were rather tipsy," Marcus told him as Chad rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "Breakfast?" he questioned as Troy handed him two painkillers.

"Yes please," Chad stated before he swallowed the two pills. "How did we come home yesterday?"

"I drove your car dropping Taylor off at home as Gabriella rode with Marcus," Troy explained adding another egg to the pan.

"Aha," Chad nodded ruffling his hair slightly. "My head is killing me. Is drinking this bad?" he questioned looking up at his friends.

"Not always," Troy shrugged looking at Marcus.

"Depends on how much you drink. Getting drunk or tipsy yes. Speaking from experience it gets better throughout the day," Marcus assured him as Chad groaned resting his head in his hands.

"I am never going to drink again," Chad muttered as Troy laughed softly.

"Eat up, drink some water and sleep for a while then you should feel better," Troy stated giving him a bowl of breakfast. "Chopsticks?" he questioned as Chad stared at the contents of the bowl.

"How is it possible to eat this with chopsticks?" he frowned looking at the two of them.

Shrugging Marcus took his own pair of chopsticks getting a piece of egg and rice. "Suit yourself."

"I still don't understand," Chad shook his head as he accepted the cutlery from Troy. "Really you to hoops?" he questioned as he watched Troy.

"Trust me if you don't eat this with chopsticks in Japan you're going to stick out like a sore thumb."

"I don't think I'll ever understand Asian culture," he stated tasting the foreign food.

"It really isn't that complicated if you just look away from the history. Now I heard a rumour that you play, so I challenge you to a game later," Marcus stated pointing his chopsticks at Chad.

"Oh you're on!"

Hope you liked the chapter! My main focus was for Marcus and Gabriella to get to know each other, as well as you guys getting to know Marcus! Please feel free to tell me your thoughts and comments on my story and writing! (And I swear I will try to stick to updating twice a month!)

-FreeFlyingWriter