"Look, I am just so impatient right now. I have had to deal with moving, dealing with a new job and getting to know people all over again," Christine said, flashing her green eyes at Adam. Adam was always a sucker for her eyes and for the certain way she could curl up her lips. "I know, let's just start all over. My name is Christine Micheals. Adam and I go back a few years."

Alyssa was not amused, but she looked up at Adam. It was apparent that the lame apology was going to be accepted. She did not like it, but she did not want to cause any trouble. Adam loved her and there was no need for her to be jealous.

"This is Alyssa Clarke. We met when she moved from North Carolina with her family," Adam said, putting his hand on Alyssa's shoulder.

Christine extended her hand. "I bet we have some stories to swap on this character." Alyssa smiled, even though she secretly wanted to strangle her "new friend". Alyssa nodded and looked up at Adam.

"Adam, we had better get to class before they send out the search parties. Besides, this is your first day down here," Alyssa spoke up, trying to break the glance that Adam had locked on Christine.

"I have been gone for five minutes so you are very right. I just have no concept of time anymore," Adam said with a laugh. He then started to wheel Alyssa towards her classroom. Christine started to walk slowly with them. It was only a few feet and Adam stopped by room 9, Mr. Saunder's room. He bent down and sweetly kissed Alyssa on the cheek. She was about to open the door when Christine spoke up.

"Look, I just thought of something. Are you doing anything this weekend?" she said. Adam and Alyssa just looked at each other, each trying to answer for the other. Not hearing an answer, Christine made her move. "They are having a small get together at the theater. I work there and we are allowed to invite whomever we want. Why don't you bring Alyssa and yourself? You can also bring your brother and his girlfriend, if you like?"

Before Alyssa could speak up, Adam replied for her. "That would be great Christine. It would be nice to get caught up. I know that my brother never cared too much for you, but things have changed since then. I think that sounds great, right Alyssa?"

Alyssa just smiled at Adam. Inside, she could kill him. But she knew that was the reaction that Christine was searching and she was not about to play into that trick.

"Great! The party is going to start right after the first showing, about 9 o'clock. So I will see you there?" she asked in a flirtatious manner.

"Sure, but in the meantime maybe you will join us at lunch tomorrow. That way you can get reacquainted with the gang," Adam offered. Even though the party was Friday, he knew that it was only polite to invite her since it was now Wednesday. Christine's eyes lit up at the invitation and it was a set deal. Alyssa then went on into her classroom and Christine walked with Adam down the hallway to the special education wing.

Adam stopped in front of Mrs. Roberts' classroom and started to say good-bye to Christine.

"What are you doing? This is for those slow kids or do I have my rooms mixed up. I thought that the principal said that all the junior and senior classes are on the top floors except history?" Christine asked, looking very confused.

"You are right. Let's just say a lot of things have happened since you left Christine. Alyssa is not the same, I am not the same, everything has changed," Adam said quietly. He felt a little awkward with Christine's confusing stare. He did not want to go into all of the details right then, maybe not ever.

"But you were always at least on the honor roll with me?" Christine almost squeaked out again. She still did not understand and she wanted an explanation. 'You never belonged with these kids." The way she said it was almost like she was talking about people with the plague.

"I was, but I was in an accident with Alyssa," Adam replied. "Look, I really need to get in there. This is my first day and I am not going to goof off anymore." Then he smiled at Christine. She was always involved in a lot of his elementary pranks. "Well, at least not on the first day."

Christine laughed out, remembering for a moment the weird tie that the two friends had when they were in grade school. Chuck was also usually involved, but he was also the one who always got the rest of the threesome caught.

"Adam? Is that you? I don't mind you helping Alyssa, but I don't have all day young man," a voice boomed from inside the room. It was Mrs. Roberts.

"Yes, Mrs. Roberts," Adam called out and slowly waved good-bye to Christine. He could not help but think that it was going to be an interesting the rest of the school year. Alyssa was going to love Christine when she got to know her.

At the same time, Christine was regrouping from her discovery. Things had changed, but Adam was still the same handsome boy that she left behind in sixth grade. She had him wrapped around her finger once; she could do it again. "You might be different, my dear. But I still love those eyes."

After school, Jason was waiting for Adam at the van. He watched as Adam wheeled Alyssa to her Cherokee, like he did everyday. Then he helped her into the driver's side and gave her a good-bye kiss. Jason smiled at the sight. It was not long ago that he did not like Alyssa, but it turned out that he was very wrong. But that smile soon faded as Adam made his way to the van, followed closely by his worst nightmare, Christine. He watched Adam stop for a minute to talk to her.

"Adam, don't you dare ask her over here," Jason muttered to himself as he pulled out one of his compact discs. He decided on Brooks and Dunn, a country group that Adam did not like at all. However, Jason needed something to calm him down. He looked again through the side window. Adam was slowly walking away from Christine, much to Jason's relief.

Finally, Adam climbed into the van and looked at Jason. He knew his brother had something to say just by looking at him.

"What?" Adam said looking at Jason.

"So you were able to get away from Vampira?" Jason muttered, putting the van into gear.

Adam grinned, knowing that his gut instinct was right. "She wanted to come over and help me study, but I told her that mom needed us home tonight and that we were still unpacking. Plus Jacob is supposed to call tonight."

"At least then you are going to keep your distance," Jason answered with a sigh of relief.

"What do you mean? She is joining us for lunch tomorrow and she even invited us to a party at the theater this weekend," Adam said without any concern. Jason could not believe what he was hearing.

"I don't know about that Adam. You know that I never.." Jason started in, but his younger brother interrupted him.

"I know, you never liked her at all. But Jason, maybe she has changed and is really trying to make a new start again. It is not going to hurt you to come to the movies," Adam interrupted, looking over at Jason. Jason was making his usual disgusted face. "Look, can at least give her a chance for me."

"And how does Alyssa feel about this?"

"Alyssa is fine. They started out on the wrong foot, but now that Christine knows who she is, she will treat her better."

"I am not so sure about that. I bet Alyssa does not like her as much as I do," Jason muttered back. They were nearing the Kramer's two-story home by the Pacific. He could not wait to hear his parent's reaction. They never cared for Christine either. Mrs. Kramer always tried to mother her, but Christine did not listen to anyone.

"Jason, if you are thinking what I think you are thinking, you are totally wrong."

"Am I? How do I know that you are not going to take up with her?"

"Alyssa is the one for me. I never felt like that towards Christine."

"Why not? You used to pal around with her all the time doing some of the stupidest stuff, including fighting with me!"

"She is not my type. She is just too girlie for me. And I promise you this; she is not going to cause us to fight. No one is coming between us. We are a team, right Jas?" Adam said with a grin and playfully punching his brother in the arm.

Jason smiled, but he did not feel totally convinced. Christine has caused them many hours of silence. Hours of silence caused by time outs and just plain being too mad to talk to each other. Jason did not want to go through that again.

Adam did not seem to mind the presence of Christine. Jason thought for a minute that maybe he was over-reacting, but that thought quickly subsided. He pulled the van into the driveway. Adam reached out and grabbed the mail and the boys continued in silence and to complete their chores.

After completing their list of daily jobs, the boys sacked out in the living room to relax before supper. Jason was going through the channels when he spotted Britney Spears. Adam immediately jumped up, his eyes glued to the screen. Jason playfully threatened to change the channel, but he liked looking as well. Adam was so engrossed in the video that he did not even notice that the phone was ringing. Jason got up to answer the phone and then brought the portable to Adam.

"It is your twin," Jason teased. Adam grabbed the phone.

"Hey Jake, you will never guess what I am watching," Adam said into the phone. "No, it is the school girl one.---- Yes, that one, hear." With that, Adam put the phone up next to the television's speakers. Then he put it back to his ears.

"Calm yourself down buddy," Adam laughed. Jason and Adam both knew that Britney was their cousin Jacob's favorite woman. They had just visited him in Ohio over the holidays. The joval boy reminded them a lot of Chuck, Adam's best friend. His mother had got a cell phone for Christmas and ever since then, he called Adam once a week. Adam completed the call with Jacob until his mother came in the door with Chinese food in her hands.

"Have to go Jacob, mom brought Chinese!" Adam said, excited about getting one of his favorites, chicken and broccoli. "No, Jacob, I swear sometimes I wonder about you. Chinese people do not use that for their meat. You just need to try it when you visit at spring break." Adam was soon off of the phone and joining his mother at the kitchen table. She was sitting out her favorite, pepper steak and onion while Jason always opted for shrimp lo mien. Everyone quickly sat down at the table.

"Where's dad?" Jason asked, fumbling with his noodles.

"He got called to Los Angeles for the night so it is must us tonight," Laura said, pulling her long brown hair back out of her face. "Some type of briefing and then he will be back tomorrow."

"I am sorry mom," Jason said. He knew that his mother hated those last minute trips.

"Thank you honey. But at least I still have my two boys to keep me company," Laura said with a slight smile. Then she turned her attention to Adam. "So how was your first day with Mrs. Roberts?"

"Fine, she is going to be able to help me study for my tests and stuff," Adam said in between chomps. It had been a long time since they had Chinese food. They only got it when their mother came from town. Usually it was McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Steer Inn or some of the other small town restaurants.

"That is good honey. How was your day Jason? Are you still doing all right in your side?"

"I am fine mom, no need to worry about me. It is little brother that you had better keep an eye on," Jason said in that "telling" voice that sibling use when they are informing parents of the "good stuff".

Laura stopped eating and looked at Adam. Then she looked at Jason.

"Well, is someone going to enlighten me?" She said with a sigh. "Please tell me you did not get into trouble today Adam. I would rather you just come out and tell me before I get the phone call."

Adam looked at her wildly. "I haven't done anything."

"Yet," Jason added. "Ask little brother who is back in town, mom."

Laura looked over at Adam for an answer. Adam instead, at first, glared over at his older brother. Always a snitch, he thought.

"Well, what is going on?" Laura asked again.