Peter was watching his girl friend talk to Emmy, while some dude with drealocks approached them. "Hi." He checked him out, then saw he looked trustworthy. ""We're just talking about going to the mall. WHat's your name?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin agreed. "We would love to."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stacey chuckled at Declan's remark, then said, "Okay. Well, maybe I have shirts at my house that may go with it. Let's pay for it."

Emmy smiled a bit at Jen's kind words. "Thanks, Jen. Sometimes he's a bit of a jerk, but that's not why I want to go home. It's just that..." she paused, and let out a sigh. She was going to say she was tired, but as she thought about it she knew that wasn't true. And the real reason she didn't want to go wasn't because of Logan, either. She knew the real reason, but she didn't want to face up to it. The reason was that all this time - hanging out at the park, talking with friends - was reminding her more and more of the friends she used to hang out with. The ones who she used to laugh and talk with. The ones who completely abandoned her, or worse, betrayed her, after her father came to be known as a criminal and a corrupt judge throughout the city. How could she explain all that, all those feelings, to Jen?

Emmy realized then that she didn't have to. She pushed the memories and self-pity away, and strengthened her resolve. She gave Jen a small grin. "Okay, I guess I'll come along this time," she said, deciding to make new memories with new friends. No more dwelling on things of the past.

-------

Logan watched Jen and Emmy closely, though he couldn't hear what they were saying. Finally, he saw Emmy smile a bit. "Hey, whaddya know, she got through to her," he chuckled. "Jen could have her own show: 'The Emiline Whisperer'."

Logan looked over the kid who had just approached them, deciding what kind of a person he was. He grinned, flipped his hair, and extended his hand. "Hey, I'm Logan."

The Names Syre, Syre Parker." Syre said. "I just came back from spending some time with my Uncle Denzel in Chicago." Syre explained. "My family and I have lived here for a while, but the reason you all don't recognize me is probably because I've been gone for a while." Syre explained, Yeah, Man just give them an entire synopsis of your life. Be cool man, stop bein' so talkative. "The mall sounds like a smash, I'll hang there." Syre said with a smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sweet!" Declan said, "Then let's go to the food court and get some free samples."

Stacy laughed, as they stood in line. She looked over to Ally, waiting for her to respond, then turned back to these new people she just met. "Sounds good. After we pay for this." She never felt this happy in years, not even with Ally alone. This was more fun than causing trouble for Peter and Jen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter gave him an amused grin. "Oh, and my name's Peter." Once Logan, Peter, Brian, Syre, Emmy, Jen and Miley go to the mall, Peter asked, "Anyone want to grab a bite?"

"Free samples!" Rosamunde whooped. "I love the Chinese ones."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sydney smiled, pulling out her phone. She sent a text to her sister, letting her know that she'd be out for another hour or so. "To the food court, then?"

Declan's smile grew as he heard the others agree with his plan to go eat. "Yes!" Declan said, "I love the Chinese ones too! Delicious and magnificent. C'est Si Bon!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"That sounds cool." Syre said. "I was actually heading to the mall when I saw you guys here."

Looking around, Peter siad, "Well, I'm going to get something from the Chik-fil-a stand. Where you all going?"
Jen was glad to be with her boyfriend and that things were getting better. She was glad they were making new friends. "I'm going to chik-fil-a also. "
Miley had allready told her parents where they were going when they were in the car, so she didn't need to worry about getting in trouble. She looked aorund, noticing the Chinese place. "I'll go to teh CHinese place and find us a table, unless you all get your orders first."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stacey laughed. "That's French."
Once they paid for their clothes, they headed for the food court. She noticed Logan standing with Brian and Emmy. This was her opportunity. She walked up to them, tapping on Logan's shoulder. "Hey. I"m sorry about earlier. I was out of line." She fingered his broad chest. "Peter is right to warn you about me, but I promise I would never let anything happen to you."

"I'd be more than happy to help you move in," Johnny said. "I'm free for the week, anyway."

----
Things were turning out of her control, and Ally didn't like it the least bit. She turned to Zach, who had been obediently trailing Peter for the past half an hour.

"You're quiet," she observed. "Cat got your tongue?"

Bridget smiled. "Thanks so much."

She moved her cup to her other hand. "I should be heading home now...to start unpacking."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sydney smiled as she followed the others. Despite being new, she felt like she had lived here for a while.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Rosamunde flipped her blonde hair behind her shoulder. Her pink headband glittered in the lights above as she skipped to catch up with her cousin. "Declan, what do you think of Sydney? She seems kind of quiet, yeah?"

Justin asked, "When would you like us to come?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Miley ordered her food, then took her seat at a white table near an indoor plant.

Bridget looked at her watch. "Well, if it's not too much trouble...now would be a great time."

"she's cool." Declan said, "I mean she's got orange hair, great possibilities in the circus for her I'm sure. Though I don't think she would do so well as like a Private Investigator."
Declan got in line at the Chinese restaurant, and was soon making his order. "I'll have three egg rolls, Beef Lo Mein, A large cup of Egg drop mixed with wonton soup, and a side of fried rice." Declan said, placing his order.
The man behind the counter took the order, and after waiting for a little while , his meal was done he paid the man and he made his way to the table.
"Ah food." Declan said as he sat down, "You are good to me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Syre walked with his new found friends, all the while trying to keep his pants from falling down. "So, what kind of food do you all like to eat?"

Rosamunde shook her head at her cousin, chuckling. She turned to the group and said, "Anyone wanna split a pizza?"

Sydney looked up. "I'll have pizza."

"Pepperoni?" Rosamunde asked.

Sydney nodded. "Sure."

"Awesome." Rosamunde skipped over to the Sbarro's and placed an order for a large pepperoni pizza.

Brian sat on the warm bench, glad that attention had drifted away from himself. Unlike Logan, who seemed to be drinking up the words Stacey was talking to him. His face and signature flip of the hair was getting....old. And I've only known him for like, two days! thought Brian. That's when a new girl, who looked around his age, came sauntering in; her red/orange hair laid mostly across her face. Her hands were shoved into her pockets....and she struck him as a secluded quiet girl who just wanted to be left alone. That's when everyone flocked to her. They all said something, and he just wanted to tell them to leave her alone. Saying a polite hi was fine, but not bombarding her with conversation. He just sighed and staid there, leaving the situation to grow as fate would have it. That's when Emmy slipped from the throng of kids, and came to the same bench as he. As she sat he shot her a warm smile, feeling a little surge go through him as she looked returned it. She said a few words to him and he was about to answer when Peter, and the rest approached them....including Logan. Then at once he noticed Emmy. The color in her cheeks rose, she stammered and tried to explain why they were there, sitting together. Brian sat up a bit straighter and thought of words to say in their defense. Nothing was happening, they were just sitting there. That's when Logan began saying things. Slightly rude things toward Emmy. Brian's brown eyes flashed, and he flicked a look at Logan. Can't you just leave her alone.... he thought. Then he sat between then. Right between them. Brian felt like springing away. The very suggestion of being closer then 6 feet to Logan was repugnant, but there he was; right there.

"But seriously, Emmers, you need to learn to hang out with better company" Logan then said. Brian felt the stab. He felt like someone had just jabbed him in the ribs. Hot anger rose up in his face, his chest, and his gut. He didn't even look at Logan. The boy was provoking him, slamming him, intentionally. The boy had something against him, and he felt the same way back. He wanted to say a million things, but sealed his lips. I'll regret what I say. Though nothing sound better right now then yelling at him He thought gazing up at the sky. Trying to cool down. The verbal cut still hurt. It was clear Logan not only didn't like him, but wanted him to stay away from Emmy. Well he can't stop me....

That's when the suggestion of going to the mall was brought up. Brian still kept silent, and without his opinion it was decided they'd all hike up to the mall. It sounded find to him anyway. Maybe the noises, smells, and crowds would take his mind off of this. Or maybe just going home would be better. The quiet secluded space of his bedroom sounded just as appealing. Maybe he could talk to his Mom. Then Emmy declined the offer to go. "No thanks, I'll head home" she said.

Brian stood too, thinking maybe he could walk with her there. He suspected they had similar feelings on Logan right now. But then her brother again started his picking. Brian growled and had to walk away. He went to the shade of a oak tree growing near the park. He could vaguely hear everyone's voices, but the words were garbled. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Emmy stride away, but Jen followed quickly after her. Then after some moments of hushed conversing Emmy slowly came back. Brian cracked a smile. Maybe the trip to mall wouldn't be so bad....

He slowly came back to his circle of friends (and one enemy) for the walk to the mall.

********

When they all got to the mall, two things had changed: A new kid had joined their group, and Brian's mood had lightened. As they entered through the glass doors, the smells of restaurant food filled his nostrils. What smells! A din of conversation was the back drop sound and he smiled and looked around. It almost reminded him of a medieval dining hall, with gay talking. His friends began suggesting certain food choices and he just shrugged. He wasn't quite sure what to choose. Finding an empty eating table he sat down, to rest his legs, and to decide what to eat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Melisah appreciated how gentle Brooklyn was with her. She did wince as the salve stung, but bit her lip to prevent tears. Every bruise and cut ached.....it couldn't be any worse. Then Brooklyn handed her a water bottle. She took it numbly in her hand and drank it down in long gulps. The cool liquid felt so good. She was dehydrated and felt constantly thirsty; even the cold water didn't quench it. Taking a minute to breathe, Melisha gasped "Yes....I'm hungry, very hungry" saying those words reminded her of the days she went without food at home. The hours she would cry in her bedroom, and look out at the rain clouds. Then she remembered her big brother. The one that would always come in and softly take her in his muscled arms and let her cry. He usually there when she needed him most. But the past month, the days when her Father had been so cruel he was always at work. "Timothy....." she mumbled and almost began crying.

~~~~~~~~

After some more conversation, Ian offered Micah his apartment to stay in for now "Hey, listen, it sounds like you got no where to go. How about you stay here for now? I got a cot we can set up." Micah accepted and Ian smiled "Great. It will be nice to have some company too"

Then he went about preparing a little bit and supper and Micah's bed.

After buying their food, Peter and Jen motioned for Miley to join then. When she came, the three of them made their way towards Brian's isolated table. Peter said, "Hey, crazy day, huh?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Since Logan wasn't responding, Stacey joined Rosmunde at Sbarros. "Declan is so funny. You his girlfriend?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin agreed that they would help BRidget with her house. WHen tehy got their, Justin picked up a huge box, about to carry it up the stairs. "Where dose this go?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MIcah was grateful for Ian's kindess, feeling as if he didn't deserve it. Accepting his dinner gratefully, Micah asked, "What od you like to do?"