“I’m ready to be Angelica’s mother with you, Tina, and even be your friend. But I’m not ready to be your ex. Let’s just not talk about it.”

            “Okay.” I said, not knowing weather to be ecstatic or depressed again.

                                                                           ***

Kit’s POV:

            “Hello, what can I get you today?” I asked the blonde haired woman in line. She smiled and said

            “Just a plain mocha-latte.” I scribbled her order down on a receipt and handed it to her.

            “I wouldn’t bother waiting in line, it’s never ending at this time of day. I’ll have someone bring your latte over to you soon.” I always tried to take orders right from the line so people didn’t have to stand there for 15 minutes. It was part of the new system, along with a new staff, new budget, and new bands to play at night. I moved down the line taking orders until I heard my name being called. I looked up to see Shane and Carmen waving me over to a table. I sat down, falling into the chair with exhaustion.

            “Hey guys.” I said, noticing Alice and Dana were there too. There as a chorus of ‘hey, Kit’ from them.

            “So what have you and the nanny been up to?” Alice asked. “I haven’t seen him around here lately. Have you been keeping him busy?” She raised  her eyebrows suggestively.

            “Yes, we’re always busy. Kind of like you two?” I laughed as they both blushed, bowing their heads.

            “Well, you know…”

            “No, he hasn’t been around lately because he’s been with Angelica. That girl is going to start thinking we’re her parents if she doesn’t start spending some time with Bette and Tina, you know what I’m saying? Where is that girl, anyways?” Shane looked up at me.

            “You haven’t heard?” She asked.

            “Heard what?” I asked hesitantly. When someone had gossip about my baby sister it normally wasn’t good.

            “Bette took Angelica to the zoo today, and she asked Tina to come along.” Alice said, eager to tell the story.

            “Well that’s good, right? They’re finally spending time together, maybe working some things out.” I said, not seeing the problem.

            “We’ll see. Normally when those two are alone together without one of us to act as a buffer things get ugly. Hopefully not this time.” Shane said, taking a sip of her coffee.

            “Hey, I think we should make a rule, ya know, not to be too ‘couple-y’ around Bette and Tina.” Carmen said.

            “Yeah, alright.” Shane said, nodding.

            “That’s real considerate, guys.” I said, grateful that my sister and I had friends like this.

            “Hey, Dana, doesn’t that kid look like Howe?” Alice said, pointing to a blonde teen sauntering over to our table.

            “Oh, no. Al, that IS Howe.” Dana dropped her head into her hands.

            “What?! What’s he doing here?” Alice whispered as he reached the table.

            “Hey, Dana!” He ruffled her hair and she winced, moving closer to Alice for protection.

            “Hey, Howe. What are…what are you doing here?”

            “Well, mom and dad finally kicked me out.” He said, shrugging.

            “What?!” Dana and Alice said together.

            “What happened?” Dana prodded.

            “They um…caught me with a guy in my room. It was this dude Tommy from a collage swim team. So hot…”

            “Ew, Howe!” Dana cringed.

            “So, where are you going to stay?” Alice asked, and we all knew she was dreading the answer.

            “Well I know there’s no room at your place,” Dana and Alice both let out a sigh of relief. “So I thought maybe you knew someone who was looking for a roommate.”

            “I can check with Mark later.” Shane offered. “I know he gets kind of lonely in the studio.”

            “Thanks, I’d really appreciate it.” He said.

            “Oh, yay. He’s staying.” Dana said to Alice in monotone.

            “It’s okay.” She replied, pulling Dana’s head to her shoulder. “We’ll be alright.”

                                                                             ***

Better than the other chapters, worse? Let me know!