For the next several months both relationships flourished. Breanna and Howie built an actual friendship with each other. They would talk on the phone for hours each night about everything and anything. They talked about their pasts, their families, friends, and what they wanted for the future. It wasn't unusual for Howie and Breanna to be on the phone *and* on the internet at the same time playing around. They were known to Instant Message each other on AOL with silly little lovey dovey messages while being on the phone with each other talking about something completely different. They had many inside jokes and felt extremely comfortable around each other. Once in a while Breanna loved to make Howie uncomfortable about silly little things like the discussion of "woman issues". She loved to tell him when she was PMS'ing because his reply was either 1) "that's more information than I needed to know" or 2) "How about them Dodgers?" He and Breanna were always laughing with each other. A few times Breanna actually fell off the bed from laughing at Howie when he told her stories about the guys. Eve and Kevin however, were more quiet. Breanna and Howie knew little to none about that relationship other than things were going very well. Howie and Kevin flew out to LA on the weekends as much as possible and the girls tried to keep a low profile when they were out in public with their boyfriends. Howie was constantly surprising Breanna by sending her roses, chocolates, and outfits from the little boutique in Orlando that he loved. Breanna would phone him just to tell him to stop sending chocolate or she would become too fat to fit into the new clothes he sent her. His reply was always the same, "I'll love you no matter how fat you become."

During the weeks before finals at school, contact with Howie was slim to none. Breanna couldn't explain to him in enough detail that she was honestly studying 24/7. She didn't have time for talking on the phone, traveling or entertaining company. Eve on the other hand dropped two classes, both unimportant classes on Fridays, so she could spend more time with Kevin. Eve was far from vain but she truly believed that Kevin was "the one" and his earnings were enough for the both of them. If Eve dropped out of school she would be okay with Kevin by her side. Breanna was a little bit more realistic. She had seen enough love, hope, romance, pain, and heartbreak to know that this love could deteriorate at any given moment. She wanted what she considered a "back-up plan" ready just in case things with Howie didn't work out. After all, it had only been two months.

With two week left before finals Breanna gave up her social and shopping time to spend with her nose in the books. Whenever Eve called she would just say "I'll call you back." and hang up. The same thing happened when Howie called except he would get an additional three words from her, "I love you". By the end of the night, Breanna would become delirious with text book information circulating in her head that she fell asleep forgetting to call Eve and Howie back. He started to become worried about Breanna and their relationship. Even though Breanna and he hadn't seen or really talked to each other in the past two weeks he was starting to doubt if she still felt the same way about him. Instead of calling her to discuss this (he knew she would hang up without allowing him to get a word out) he decided to fly out to LA and surprise her. He informed Eve of his plan and she agreed to meet him at the airport but he was on his own from that point on. She had seen Breanna pissed off only a few times and she had no intentions of seeing her pissed again. Howie arrived in LA on a Friday evening with Kevin in tow (of course). He explained to Eve that he just wanted to drop by her house and see how she was and to meet her parents. Even though he had been to LA to see Breanna many times he had never met her parents. She was always fearful they wouldn't approve of him or his career and she couldn't stand the thought of the two most important people in her life not approving of Howie.

"So, Eve? What's up with you and Kevin? You two are really secretive about your little love affair." Howie teased as Eve merged onto the 405 freeway. "There's nothing to talk about. We're the same as you and Breanna except you two have bigger mouths." She smiled into her rearview mirror at Howie. "No, big mouth was left at home." Kevin said with a slight laugh. "No shit! AJ has the biggest mouth known to man!" Howie said laughing. "I'm kinda glad he does have a big mouth." Eve said glancing sideways at Kevin who returned the glance. "You should be, too!" She said to Howie who could only nod his head. For the rest of the ride to Breanna's no one said much except for the occasional small talk about certain landmarks. "I've talked to Breanna's parents this morning, D. They can't wait to meet you." Eve said as she exited the freeway. "Yeah, me too." He mumbled staring out the window. "Hey D, don't look so worried. They're cool people. You and Alexei are already buds. He's quick to defend you whenever they say anything." Eve stated. Howie glanced up quickly. "No, they haven't actually *said* anything but he's still quick to defend his sisters judgement." She said trying to reassure him. "It's not them I'm worried about. It's Breanna." He said quietly. "D, I wouldn't worry. She's so headstrong. When it comes to school she spends all of her time trying to prove that she's better academically than anyone else. These are the last finals until we head off to graduate school. These classes count big time. She has harder classes than I do because she thought she could handle 20 units. Now she's paying for it by spending all of her time studying. She's gonna be kicking herself in the ass later if she doesn't make herself sick first." Eve rambled on. After a few more minutes they arrived at Breanna's house. Alexei was quick to jump out of the door and run over to see Eve. "Hey girl!" He said giving her a large hug while an overprotective Kevin watched on. "Better watch it, Lex! My bodyguard will kick your ass if you hug me any tighter." Eve joked as she pointed to Kevin who was visibly more relieved after Alexei stopped hugging Eve. "Hey man, whassup?" Alexei greeted Kevin as he, Kevin, and Eve walked to the back of her car to get Howie's luggage out. Howie had just stepped out of the car to stretch before Alexei walked over to him. "Hey man, how are you?" Howie greeted Alexei with a his hand held out. Alexei lightly gripped his hand while pulling Howie in for a light "man hug". "She's in her room...studying." Alexei explained. "You go on in. My mom's making dinner. She'll probably make you set the table." Alexei said laughing. Howie nodded and walked into the house with his suitcase and backpack. Kevin, Eve, and Alexei stayed outside talking for another 15 minutes while Howie meet Breanna's parents. He hit it off with her father instantly. Her father approved. He was a nice successful man who seemed to treat his daughter well. Howie was probably one of the first boyfriends that her father liked. Breanna would have loved to see this only she was still in her room clueless that Howie was even in the same State. It wasn't long before Breanna's mother approved as well. It was an hour after Howie arrived before her parents and Alexei started talking to him about Breanna. "She's had her nose glued to those books for the past month. But for the past two weeks she's always in her room. The only time we see her is when she rolls out of bed to go to school only to be more bombarded with homework, term papers, and whatever else she's been given. That's a major reason she's not working during Finals. School's been tough but it's because she's wanted it that way." Her father said with a sigh. He was worried about her as well. "That's why I came. We used to talk all the time on the phone. For the past two weeks we haven't really said anything to each other." He explained. "Well, dinner's almost ready so why don't you go drag her in here, Howie?" Her mother asked. He nodded his head while Alexei directed Howie to Breanna's room. "I'll see ya in a bit!" Alexei whispered, patting Howie on the back as he walked out of the hallway towards the dining room.