A/N: The fun thing about writing a story where we deal with the next generation of a beloved show is the parallels we make between the past and the present. Lauren unwittingly gained a bitter rival in the form of Vanessa Hiller. Sound familiar?

Another unintended parallel with my previous story is how out of sync I am with the real world calendar. You remember; I had the Christmas chapter out in NOVEMBER! And now here, (a week late!) is the Fourth of July chapter.

Pleased to hear the love for chapter 12 (SK, I see you) I promised to make Chapter 13 special!

ALSO, I had to re-write MUCH of this chapter as the site crashed more than once, losing my work before I saved! DUUUUDE!

I wanted it to be a bit longer but I'm happy with this, so let's release it already and I will see you next time!

Stay tuned...

Chase sat up in his old room, aware of the sounds from the kitchen.

His family home was a single-level residence. You know those houses that ship on flatbed trucks, oftentimes in half at a time? This community, Robin's Nest, was where such structures would eventually end up. By the time Chase was living there, some additions were still underway. Now that he had returned years later, the area was home to 112 houses. There were four different types of houses: two double-wide homes and two singles. It was convenient for potential residents to pick the size dwelling that suited them.

Chase's parents owned one of the double-wide homes on the corner of Pheasant and Loon. That was another thing: the neighborhood's streets were all named after birds, which was better than some places that have all streets begin with the same letter. Either way, one could get lost if not paying attention because there was so much sameness. Chase's father, Jim, had his eye on the other style of big house that had a small front porch, but he failed to get it. It seemed the ones who lived in those homes were the old holdouts who weren't moving away anytime soon. And when it was announced no new domiciles would be planned, he basically gave up.

These homes were sufficient and easy to keep. Because of their minimal designs and size, Chase would refer to them as "apartments with lawns." And people treated them as such; decorating for the holidays and caring for their grass (if they were so inclined). It wasn't much, but the majority of the residents did treat their houses with the same sense of pride as a subdivision with substantially larger buildings.

Truth be told, these houses were notches above mobile homes like in the nearby trailer park which was divided by a heavily wooded path. The kids would venture back and forth between the two vastly different neighborhoods, as kids did. You have no control over who you make friends with at a young age. But the grownups on the other hand would look down on the trailer park. Chase personally didn't see much difference. While his home was without wheels and had access to proper plumbing; he didn't fancy himself as better than the guys he hung out with.

Speaking of which, Dennis was inundating Chase with texts about when they were going to hang.

He was going to respond when he received a knock on his bedroom door.

"Yeah?"

The knob opened, revealing Jim. He was holding his trusty Tennessee Titans coffee mug, which was steaming.

"Morning!" he grinned. "Get up, your mom's got breakfast and she wanted to wait for you."

Chase nodded and got out of bed.

He wandered into the kitchen, which sat in the heart of the house opposite the living room area. The dark green carpeting felt so familiar beneath his bare feet. They ended starkly with a golden bar at the edge of the kitchen, which touted some nice white tile. Sherri and Jim were fortunate enough to obtain one of the newer houses at the time of moving in. The older houses on the block had gaudy retro-looking vinyl flooring. Dennis's house had some of that in his kitchen. Chase wondered if a supplier of home decor that thrived in the 1970's only to go bankrupt made a deal with the developer of the planned community on their unsold stock.

"Good morning, honey!" Sherri smiled brightly.

It was contagious because her son smiled in return.

"Morning, mom. It smells great."

Jim wandered over to the counter and grabbed the coffee urn to freshen up his cup.

"Want some, kiddo?"

Chase shook his head.

"Really? You still don't drink coffee?"

The boy shrugged, wondering what the big deal was.

His dad made a little raspberry noise.

"You're not twelve anymore, boy! You're seventeen; you're practically a man!"

"Jim," Sherri sighed. "Leave him alone."

She gestured toward her now seated son.

"Look how big he's gotten! Lord knows he doesn't need that hot drink stunting his growth."

Jim shook his head.

"That's just an old wives' tale."

Chase reached for the orange juice and poured himself a glass. Upon taking his first sip, he noticed the calendar.

"Any plans for the Fourth?"

Sherri sighed.

"Well, we were planning to all go to the big fireworks display overlooking the lake. But I just found out yesterday it was cancelled!"

"This stupid town," huffed Jim. "One kid loses a hand and the rest of us have to suffer!"

"What happened?" asked Chase.

His mom poured herself some coffee, turned the heat off the stove, and joined them at the table.

"That Miller boy...um...Kyler? He was holding onto a firecracker for too long and it went off. Left a stump."

Chase grimaced.

"That's awful!"

Jim shrugged, "Like my father always said: Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!"

"He was only nine!" Sherri frowned.

"Then where were the parents?" he countered.

Sherri turned and remembered the bacon.

"Oh, sorry! Here you go, Chase" she said while plating the crisp strips.

"Smells great," he told her. "Thank you."

He took a few pancakes from the pile in the middle of the table and started buttering them before adding syrup. After some bites, and silent enjoyment of the coffee between his folks, Chase broke the quiet.

"I was wondering if it was alright I hung out with Dennis today. Kind of catch up?"

Something came across Sherri's face briefly. She didn't think very highly of the boy, but he was still her son's friend.

"That should be okay," she nodded.

"But be back for tonight!" Jim butted in. "Don't want to miss the show."

"I thought there weren't going to be any fireworks?" Chase looked at his dad, confused.

He crossed his arms and looked out the window.

"The city might have cancelled the show, but that's not stopping us setting off our own!" Jim grinned contentedly. "You can bring your friends along," he added. "Sure as hell want more eyeballs to see it."

Sherri closed her eyes, propping her face up with her arm.

"Just don't blow yourself up, Jim."

Tori was in official pre-pack mode.

Having not taken a proper vacation in forever, she was eager to do this right. The last thing she wanted to do was forget something important. She was doing the math in her head, determining how many outfits she would needs and the appropriate number of undergarments to go with them.

She shifted her eyes about, making sure Mia wasn't coming, before lifting up the couch cushion to reveal the book she had bought. Whenever she had some alone time, Tori capitalized on it to read further into the book. With the promise of a change in scenery and Jade potentially stressing seeing her in-laws for the first time in a new relationship; Tori was studying on ways to make her...relax.

The Latina loved Jade very much and was also warm for her form as they used to say. Tori could not tell you the number of times she fapped to the former goth if you put a gun to her head! Sex was a big plateau for them as a couple; that could not be understated. But what Tori had learned reading The Modern Sapphic was that physical love can take many guises. They were already affectionate with kissing, embracing, light touches and even sharing the same bed (sleeping, mind you).

Emotions were going to run high on this trip, she figured. Perhaps they can go a bit further. Maybe some borderline foreplay? There were options. Lots of them.

(Hey, the longer I can put off getting naked, the better! I will exhaust every on-top-of-the-clothes idea before that happens.)

It sounded counterproductive, but Tori was still worried about her figure. Jade said that she didn't care, but Tori did and that was enough. She figured if they did, it would have to be as dark as possible! She wanted Jade badly and yet was terrified at the thought of baring all to her one day. Maybe had they hooked up all those years ago when she was slim and trim it would be easier. But now?

Tori looked at the mirror across the living room.

(I know you tell me I'm beautiful, Jade. But it's hard to ignore the obvious truth.)

LATER THAT DAY...

The gang converged onto the beach, twilight overtaking the skies. At the end, away from everyone else, the pyrotechnics company was setting up their fireworks spectacular. It could allegedly be seen from the freeway. Those standing close to the coast will have a really amazing seat.

Jade had bought some fireworks on the way over for them to shoot while they waited for the main attraction to start.

She looked around for any sign of security personnel and grabbed one of the pinwheels she bought and jammed it into the sand. The former goth lit the wick and jumped back with a devilish grin.

"You didn't buy a big one, right?" asked a concerned Tori, noticing the size of the peg.

"No!" the writer scoffed.

The thing began to twirl with a loud shriek, a brilliant display of yellow and orange. To ignore it was impossible. As it spun wildly, the teens were whooping and hollering; even those quite a way away cheered on. One minute after being activated, the pinwheel ran out of steam and went dim. The crowd clapped.

"You said it was a SMALL ONE!"

Jade shrugged, "Oops."

"HEY, YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING OVER THERE!"

The author's eyes widened, and she picked up the rest of the fireworks and shoved them into Ryan's arms.

"Mom!" protested Alice.

"CHEESE IT!" Jade exclaimed as she took Tori by the hand and ran.

"Jade? Jade!" Tori's shouts falling on deaf ears.

"The responsible adults, everyone!" sighed Mia with embarrassment.

Lauren touched the charm bracelet Chase had given her last Christmas, the musical note reflecting the light from the bonfire. Several had been made to assist the crowd to keep warm due to being a stone's throw from the water.

She blinked, unleashing tears.

It felt rather lonely watching everyone else pair up.

"Hey," Mia nudged her shoulder. "You alright?"

"Yeah," the singer sighed.

She glanced at her friend, wondering if this was how she felt at the New Years Eve party at her house. Before Ryan came back to town.

"SORRY I'M LATE!" came an out of breath voice.

The former athlete ran up to join her friends.

"Damn, Jenna!" exclaimed Mia. "We were worried you'd miss it."

She stretched and stifled a yawn.

"Did you just wake up?" asked Lauren.

"More like an hour and a half ago. I slept most of the day."

"If she yawns any more, I'm driving!"

Jen turned to her boyfriend.

"I'm not joking," Billy added.

"What are you gonna do?" she smirked. "Drive me home? What about you?"

Billy shrugged.

"I'll figure that out. Last thing I want is your sleepy ass crashing."

Jenna sighed and rested her head against his.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Just been a mess lately."

Lauren caught Mia looking back at Ryan who was standing alone.

"Go," she told her.

"Huh?" asked the tan girl.

"I'm fine...go!" the singer insisted.

Mia gave her a side hug and walked over to her boyfriend. Lauren sighed as the pair met back up.

"Hope you're having an okay time, Chase."

Back in Nashville, a much smaller fireworks show was underway.

Jim Brooks was setting up for his audience. Chase was there with his friend Dennis, soon joined by Stu and Bart, two guys who they also went to school with.

"Everybody, stand back!" commanded Mr. Brooks.

The youths hung several feet back as Chase's dad prepared what looked like a mortar that he made himself.

Jim chose a clearing on the edge of the park. The trees and power lines were all quite a way away from the action. Since they weren't in the street, the roman candles were a no go. With the surrounding grass, they had to rely on the honest to goodness rockets.

"Is this safe?" Chase asked.

Jim guffawed.

"The goddamn Leonards' were setting off the same shit in their backyard!"

"Yeah, don't be a pussy Chase!" laughed Stu.

The other boys joined in, Chase shaking his head at them.

(I was a little excited to see the gang again. Now I see why I was so much happier in L.A.)

To say he's outgrown his circle of friends in Nashville would be the understatement of the millennium.

The musician ran into his old chum Dennis earlier that day and went over to Luigi's Pizza for some lunch. Chase and Dennis were then surprised by Bart and Stu. If his old friend was problematic, these two were even worse. At least Dennis had something resembling charisma. Those knuckleheads were as immature as they were in middle school. Chase shot them looks when they would say something inappropriate to some girls passing by the window of the pizzeria, or when they called the tall guy who worked there a "high-functioning retard."

(Can't believe I used to hang out with these chumps!)

"Fire in the hole!"

Everyone was sure to be out of the way following Jim's command.

With a bang, the projectile took off couple hundred feet before detonating in a cavalcade of red and green. The boys cheered at the display. Chase thought it looked cool, though the loud sound made him flinch.

"That was a good one, Mr. B!" clapped Dennis.

"Let's keep this party going!" Jim pointed, noticing the bottle in his hand was empty. "Hey, Dennis. You're next to the cooler, give me a cold one, will ya?"

He opened the ice chest and dug out a Coors and handed it to Jim.

"Alright," he grinned. "Let's do another one!"

Jim prepped the canon with the next rocket and launched it, this time without a warning.

It didn't travel very high compared to the previous ones. This projectile ceased ascending less than a hundred feet and fell to earth, still not bursting yet.

"What happened?" asked a concerned Chase.

"No idea," squinted his dad.

"DUCK!" shouted Dennis.

Chase let out a scream as the falling dud was much closer to him. He leapt and landed in the fetal position, his back to the perceived landing zone. No big bang. Instead, the other guys were approaching him. The younger ones were laughing at how anticlimactic that was.

"Eh, this one was junk!" Jim huffed, kicking it with his foot.

He glowered at his son, who was still on the ground.

"Would you get up? Jesus Criminey! Grow a pair."

Chase got back to his feet but didn't take his eyes of his father as readied the next one.

(Seriously? He had to say that in front of everyone? Sorry I reacted to a possible explosion!)

The musician was beginning to regret making this trip.

The two moms were done laying low after the teens insisted "The Fuzz" had moved on.

Tori convinced Jade to stave off the more ostentatious fireworks and she distributed sparklers instead to the teens.

Alice and Becky were running with their extra-long sparklers. The small ones fizzled out too quickly. These ones earned you a few minutes because they were the size of yardsticks. By the time they splintered off from the group, the girls' sparklers were halfway spent.

"You having fun?" the brunette asked.

The blonde smiled.

"I am. Thanks for inviting me."

Alice chuckled, "You kidding? I love doing junk with you. It's always fun when you're here."

That made Becky drop her stick, which continued to burn brightly on the cool sand. She was about to retrieve it when the tide came through and snuffed out the spark.

"Oh, no!" Alice frowned.

"Well, that's me," Becky shrugged. "Regular butterfingers."

The shorter girl was about to hand her sparkler to her friend when it petered out on its own.

"Aw, man! Ripoff."

The blonde chuckled as she picked up her dead stick. Both girls then walked over to the metal trash can to dispose of their refuse.

"Well, what do we do now?" Alice asked.

Becky peered to where they came from.

"Wow! We really wandered far!"

Alice noticed how minuscule the bonfire was at this vantage.

"Hey, you're right. Well, now that we're alone let me ask you something."

Becky's eyes bugged out.

"Um...what would that be?"

"Are you seeing anyone yet?" asked Alice. "You know I'm a steel trap," she added with a smirk.

The other girl's fair features (albeit with more color than Alice) turned red.

Alice grinned like the mischievous cat from Wonderland.

"There IS someone! Who is she?" Alice then thought a second. "Or they?"

Becky knew this was a delicate situation. She found that Alice was more than accepting of her (no surprise there) and that she had kept her word and didn't blab to anyone, not even Mia or her mom. Though she pondered if Alice's mom, Jade, had a sixth sense. Could she put together that she wasn't like her other friends?

A fleeting glance perhaps? A noticeable inflection in the voice when talking to her? Did her eyes dilate upon seeing Alice?

(Was gaydar real? Kind of a "we can smell our own" thing?)

(OH NO! Was I doing the "triangle" shit and not realized it?!)

Whether intentional or unintentional, the triangle is a phenomenon in the art of flirting. You would gaze at a person but focusing on different parts of the face (eye to mouth to the other eye, hence the triangle). The idea was to keep someone in your sight, but shifting your eyeballs around so that it wasn't unnatural or creepy. People obsess over pickup lines, but the non-verbal aspect of flirting - body language - when done right, plants the seed to the other person that you're interested much more effectively.

It's the opposite of when you look in someone's direction and they suddenly turn around, which prompts you to begin looking around them with a very deliberate stance to drive the point home that you weren't looking at them.

(I wasn't doing THAT, was I? FUCK!)

It then hit Becky that she had been harboring her own nervous thoughts for too long and should probably answer before it gets more awkward.

"I... uh...I d-do," the blonde sighed. "Like s-s-someone..."

"Really?" Alice lit up. "Who is it? Wait, don't tell me! No, do tell! No!"

She wasn't even the one meant to be pining for someone and she was about to pull her hair out in excitement.

"Alright, alright, alight! What's she like?"

Becky covered her face.

She couldn't believe that the girl she's crushing on was asking about her crush.

"Okay..." the blonde said, dragging out the word while doing the surveillance camera pan. The coast was literally clear. "She's amazing," Becky finally sighed. "Just the funniest, sweetest, kindest..."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"But that's her best feature!" insisted Becky, forgetting for a second who she was talking to. "She's got the warmest personality...a joy to be around."

Alice looked on pensively, letting out a quiet "Whoa."

Becky huffed as she sat down on the sand.

"What's wrong?" asked Alice.

"I've got a problem."

Alice joined her side, sitting cross-legged.

"Are you nervous?"

The blonde nodded.

"I just...don't know if she's into girls, you know?"

Alice held her mouth.

"Becky, she's not homophobic, is she? That would suck..."

She shook her head vigorously.

"Absolutely not! No way!"

"Oh!" Alice nodded. "So, she's down but..."

"Is she down...personally?" Becky finished.

Both girls looked off into the distance, watching the fireworks display getting set up. Should begin in a few minutes.

"Mmmm," mused Alice. "I guess you won't know until you shoot your shot."

Becky groaned and tipped over to her left, away from her friend.

"That's what I was afraid of!"

The brunette scratched her chin thoughtfully and smirked.

"I've got an idea!"

"What?" asked Becky.

Alice sprang up and took Becky by the hand, vainly trying to pull her to her feet. The blonde chortled at her feeble attempt and gave in, getting up on her own.

"Here's my idea," she smiled. "Obviously you need experience talking to a girl...that way. So, why not practice on me?"

Now the blood had drained from her face.

"What?"

(WHAT?!)

"Uh, I don't know...Alice. Wouldn't it be weird?"

She rolled her eyes and snorted.

"No different than when we rehearsed for the play, right? Besides, it's not like I'm the girl you like."

(OH...SHIT! Now I'm in a box! If I refuse to do this, it gives the game away too soon!)

(I want to tell her so badly but I'm just so NERVOUS! Is it dishonest to do this, though? Practicing on your intended love? Is this really okay?)

Becky breathed in deeply and held it for some time before releasing it.

(I mean...I am speaking from the heart, aren't I? Maybe I will feel better getting those words out...somehow.)

She reasoned with herself that while this is kind of a grey area, holding onto her feelings was only depriving her of sleep and haunting her waking life. A wise man once said love should never be a secret. Here she was, standing a couple of feet from the girl she was enamored with. And Becky was getting ready to spill her guts, but it was almost like a simulation, a dry run. Putting your heart on the table is deathly serious and she wasn't sure if she was ready were she doing this without a net.

As unexpected as Alice's suggestion was, Becky felt a little more relaxed as she mentally psyched herself out. Alice through happenstance created a risk-free environment for her to be honest. Alice always had ability, making others feel at ease.

"Okay, let's begin" the former director sighed. "Hi, Becky! You look like you have something to say...to me!"

Becky shook as the giggled bubbled up, much to Alice's disappointment.

"What?"

"You!" she smiled. "That last part, I'm sorry!"

Becky went from a mess of jangled nerves to laughing. Alice's ability to disarm was so unreal.

The shorter girl folded her arms.

"I know, that's why I work behind the scenes. But let's do it anyway."

"Sorry, sorry..." Becky controlled herself. "Let's start over."

Alice cleared her throat and smiled.

"Hey, Becky! Something on your mind?"

(It's now or never, girlie!)

"Um..."

"WAIT!" interrupted Alice.

"What?"

"Better use my name so you don't accidentally say her name."

(Are we really doing this right now?)

"O-o-o-okay, g-g-got it!"

Becky composed herself and started over.

"Alice?"

"Yeah?"

"You are one of my dearest friends and I really like you. But not like the others."

Alice leaned in for her to continue.

She brushed back her blonde hair.

"Alice, I have...feelings for you," she swallowed. "Romantic...eh...feelings."

"Oh?" she queried, playing the part.

"Listen, please..."

Becky felt a jolt of adrenaline and took Alice's hands into hers.

(Oh, my God! I am holding her hands!)

"I like you, Alice. A lot. You're the smartest, gentlest and most selfless person I know. I couldn't imagine a better person in my life to want to date."

(Wow, Becky is really selling this.)

"It's scary getting all of this out because I don't know your reaction," Becky's blue eyes were intense, looking deep into hers. "But you make me feel less scared, if that makes sense."

Alice was impressed by Becky's acting before but nothing like this. She was aware of a genuine warmth in her chest hearing these heartfelt words. The younger girl had never experienced being in such close proximity to somebody talking with this much conviction. Alice couldn't help but focus on Becky's mouth as she spoke, and her eyes as they focused on her like blue lasers.

(I really hope this helps! Whoever this girl is, she's lucky.)

"I don't want to jeopardize our friendship."

(Oh, they're friends! Anybody I know?)

"And I hope that no matter what happens, I want us to always stay friends. I just needed to express how I feel. It's hard..." Becky sighed. "To be this close and not able to hold you or...kiss you..."

(Ah...that's pretty hot! Wait, what?)

Becky was overcome with gooseflesh. She did it. The words came out and she managed not to trip over herself! She let the air that was left over when she was done talking out. It was almost like Becky was blowing out the candles. If only, because she would make a wish right now.

"Wow!" breathed Alice. "That was...real great."

"You think so?" Becky asked.

Alice nodded.

"Sorry, words are failing right now. I was blown away to be honest."

Becky smiled as Alice's face became more expressionless.

The blonde girl rubbed her hands together, feeling shy.

"We'd better get back I guess."

"O-Okay," coughed Alice. "I'll be right behind you."

The pale girl allowed Becky to get a little ahead of her, just several feet, as if she wanted a buffer between her and her thoughts. That whole time Alice was looking Becky in the eye, she saw a side of her she had never noticed before. Becky was a lot of fun and really kind. But before tonight, Alice never noticed this passion and drive. Holding Becky's hands was akin to holding high voltage wires.

(I never had someone look at me like that before.)

Thinking back to those piercing eyes directed squarely at her, Alice shoulders perked up from the shivers.

Alice was happy for Becky. More than happy. She came out to her, giving her trust. And Alice helped Becky with another hurdle. So why doesn't she feel the same joy as that other time on the beach?

(Damn! Why did I tell her to use MY NAME? Could've had her call me anything else!)

Suddenly, the fireworks show took off, offering a cornucopia of colors. They were so bright, they illuminated the ground. As her unsteady feet followed the blonde, Alice's eyes were going back and forth from the loud explosions above to the back of Becky's head just in front of her.

Her mind wandered and took an unexpected left.

(I know it was just pretend...and she wants someone else...but...it would be so cool if it were me.)

They were both pretty quiet once they returned to the group as they watched the rest of the fireworks.

Becky glanced only for a second over to Alice during the show, catching a green tint overcome the younger girl's face. She lamented not just coming clean tonight. It was evident that Alice was going away soon and wouldn't be back for the better part of the month.

(Are you really gonna wait until August to spill your guts?)

A/N: Not gonna lie but I am bit relieved that this is the last of the "holiday chapters." While we had some fun moments, they are personally draining for me to write. I fare much better when I don't need to check up on every main character on a given day, often in various locations! It's a lot and I'm happy to have more streamlined chapters from this point forward. I am proud of how Christmas and New Years turned out in VictoriNEXT, don't get it twisted but they are a gargantuan task to proofread and edit.