Rocky stared at his notebook. He was intending to write sentences in Japanese, but his thoughts were only in English. Each sentence condemning him for being a liar. Has he always been a liar? He wondered. Has he always lied when it was necessary and benefited him? When they were a bit younger, and went out for pizza after getting rescued from Snyder's ship. Their father asked them why had they not called the police? Instead of saying: "We wanted to prove to you that our ninja training was not for nothing. That we made a mistake."

No. He said in a blatant lie: "We were in our bedroom, and we heard all the commotion when they attacked Mrs. Allen." He then went on to say very humbly. "We defended the house the best we could."

And his brothers backed him with a nod.

The mental distractions continued to list themselves as he recounted everytime he blatantly lied to someone. Namely Emily. His sweet Emily. So innocent. 'She trusts me so much.' He thought. He scooted himself back from the desk and stood. 'I have to come clean.' He started for the door but froze when the alarm beside their bedroom went off. He didn't wanna get hit by the door.

"Hey," Tum Tum flew through the room then grabbed something from the closet then exited back out.

"Tum Tum, wait," he left the bedroom, but his brother was already gone back outside.

Rocky walked down the stairs and sat on the couch. He listened to his mother in the kitchen while wondering when he'd be noticed without having to call attention to himself. It was ten minutes later that his mother finally emerged from the kitchen. She looked surprised to see him there.

"Is something wrong?" Realizing what she'd said, she restated it. "Or should I ask, what happened?"

"I lied to Emily." He admitted quickly. The words were readily waiting to spill out. His feelings were ready to flee the facility. "I told her that we were dating, but that I didn't tell her because the doctor told us not to." He sighed. "Instead of just saying that I'm uncomfortable with her dating Darren, that I like her… But, I said we were together."

His mother sat down on the armchair and took his hand giving it a squeeze before letting it go. "Rocky, don't beat yourself up." She said, "you didn't lie to her."

Rocky blinked, wondering if he was in some sort of weird dream. "How can you say that?"

"Well, think about it this way… You weren't lying. You really did withhold the truth from Emily." She went on. "Emily had agreed to go on a date with you before the accident. If the accident had not happened odds are the two of you would be dating."

Rocky absorbed those words. Is that really how it was?

"Rocky, you're an incredible guy. Of course Emily would be your girlfriend."

"Then why would she turn me down each time I asked her out?"

"You'll have to ask her when her memories come back. But, she agreed to go out with you that night, and she would have become your girlfriend."

He sat quietly in those words. His mother sounded so sure of those words. So right about the scenario.

"Trust me." She stood up. "Things are going to settle down. And when they do, you two will have a happy ending and there will be no need to feel as if you lied, because you didn't."

A small smile appeared on his lips. "Thanks mom."

She gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I'm going to see Mrs. Rogers for a while. You gonna be ok?"

"I am now." He thanked her again.

Rocky couldn't believe he's in the clear! He felt the weight on his chest removed from the power of mom. She was right. He and Emily were going to go on a date. That, in most situations, is a couple or at least a budding couple. All he has to do now is enjoy being with Emily. He couldn't wait for school.

The day moved on uneventfully for those not wrapped in an emotional tailspin. Rocky happily calmed his nerves thanks to the help of his mother. His brothers talked a great deal during dinner about this and what they'd done in the day. Their father was absent from the table, but was said to be returning home from work at around 10 pm.

"Rocky? Are you still up?" Emily's voice came through the can.

Rocky had actually just started drifting off, but he was wide awake when hearing his girlfriend's voice. "Yeah, no, yeah, I'm up. What's up?"

"I just wanted to say goodnight, aaaand…"

"And?"

"Maybe a little kiss through the phone?"

Rocky was pretty sure it was still spring, but he heard summer as bombs bursted in the air. He's never heard anything so adorable and sweet. "Umm…" He looked to see what his brothers were doing. Colt is currently in the bathroom brushing his teeth. Tum Tum just left the room to dispose of his candy wrappers in the bathroom waste bin. Perfect.

He sent a vocal kiss through the can to an awaiting cheek, or possibly lips. Then received a cute "Mua" in return. Everything may come crashing down on him at any time, but he can at least have this moment forever saved to his emotional cloud.

"Good night, Rocky."

"Good night."

"...I.."

"Yeah?" His heart raced.

"I… I'll see you at school."

Oh. "Ok. Night."

"Sweet dreams."

"You too."

Tum Tum rolled his eyes. "Sweet dreams, dumpling-lumps." He laughed. He took the bathroom after Colt to brush his teeth.

Colt took his mini-trampoline to get onto his bed rather than use the ladder. He couldn't wait for tomorrow when they'll be detached from each other. They're still in murmured fights over who'll be getting the newly redone bedroom. But, until it's settled, they've settled for separation of furniture.

"You seemed awfully blond at dinner. Everything good with Emily?" He asked.

"Mhmm. Mom reminded me that I'm not wrong for busting up Emily and Darren. And I'm also not wrong for telling Emily that it's because she and I are together."

"That's what you told her?"

"Yeah." He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. "I panicked."

"Hey, I don't care." He swiped his hands through his hair to yank it from his face; definitely time for that hot weather cut. "You and her belong together. And as awkward as you two are, it was bound to happen in an odd way."

Rocky let out a silent. "Psh." and then fell asleep.

...

Everything was bright. Bright, but hazy. Emily felt like she was floating, however she's certain she's seated. Her vision sharpened. It was then she realized she's in a car, and driving it.

Her heart rate sped up. This was… familiar. Too familiar. But why?

'I must be going somewhere. Maybe with Rocky…?' She can see her hands on the steering wheel.

She's singing a song on the radio but stopped after a chorus. She watched her hand reach from the wheel to the screen on the dash. When the light turned red she dialed Rocky's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, I wanted to ask you about our date,"

"Umm, huh?"

"Do you know what we'll be doing? I don't wanna end up bowling or going to State Mayhem or something."

"Emily?" A woman's voice said from somewhere far away.

"Emily?" A man's voice mimicked.

In her dream she watched as traffic rolled forward.

"No.. No, no, no, no!"

Emily shot up in bed screaming! Screaming and screaming! She can hear her name being called. She can feel the car wrapping around her keeping her locked in place. Another car hit her!

"Emily! Emily, wake up!" A woman shouted.

"Emily!"

She's being shaken back and forth as the cars pile up.

"Emily!?"

Her eyes pop open looking around frantically. She wants her mother and father. Turning her head, she sees the wreckage.. No.. That's not right. It's her bedroom. And she's in her parents' arms, held tightly. Not in a car, sealed in by damage.

Her eyes scrunched as tears welled. She then leaned into her mother and cried.

X x X

Commentary: Thank you for reading. I'm sorry for the long wait, but things have gotten so busy for me. August is not my friend. I hope you're all having a good summer, though. Stay cool, hydrated, ventilated, and find something that can cheer you up when you're feeling down.