Sara yawned as she made her way downstairs. If she was remembering correctly, the kitchen was to the left and the living room was to the right.

Before she could decide which way to turn, Brian's mother, Jackie, came walking out of the living room.

"Oh!" she said surprised. "I didn't think anybody would be up yet."

Sara chewed on her bottom lip and tried hard to think of something to say. Anything to say! But the only thing that came out was, "I'm sorry."

"Well, whatever for," Jackie said smiling while she took Sara's arm. "I'm actually glad you are up, you see, in about on hour, Brian, Harold and 'Lil Tyke are going to come running down those stairs wanting breakfast. Do you know how to make sausage, bacon and french toast?"

Sara stared at her helplessly. "Uh...actually I've never made any of those things before."

"Then what have you made dear?" Jackie asked curiously.

"To get really technical, not a whole lot. I can heat up frozen microwave meals, pour milk and cereal, and I'm very good at making toast," Sara said trying to smile but she knew it came out pitafully.

"Didn't your mom teach you how to cook?" Jackie asked walking into the kitchen still dragging Sara by the arm.

"My mom didn't actually cook a lot," Sara said truthfully.

Jackie stared at her before she turned and opened the refridgerator door. "Then we'll have your first cooking lesson this morning. I know my son, he especially likes breakfast food."

Sara felt her face flushing as she stammered," well, uh...we...uh...aren't that serious."

Jackie looked straight into Sara's eyes as she turned completely serious. "Like I said, I know my son, and he is that serious."

Sara froze as she stared down at the ground. Brian couldn't be that serious. Sara wasn't ready for serious. She waited for that feeling of fear to invade her body but it never came. Instead, a feeling of peace settled over her.

"I'll let you handle the sausage and the toast then. Just make sure neither one burns, black toast is horrible and even I hate crunchy sausage," Jackie said making a face.

Sara giggled. "I'm not a fan of it either."

They settled into a companionable silence well the meal began to progress. Sara soon got the hang of turning the sausage patties over before they burned. Jackie watched as Sara buttered some toast, she had been right. She was good at making toast.

Sara was just setting a plate of french toast on the dining room table when she heard pounding on the stairs and then Brian's voice coming from the kitchen.

"It smells great mom. I really miss your cooking while I'm gone," Brian said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Well, there's already some ready on the dining room table if you want to get started," Jackie said smiling. "And tell Sara she can eat now too."

Brian turned to head back to the stairs when Jackie stopped him. "She's already up, she's in the dining room."

Sara looked up as Brian came into the room. "Goodmorning," She said, her voice coming out hoarse.

"Goodmorning to you too. How long have you been up?" Brian asked curiously heading over to the chair that Sara was standing by.

"Since 8, I helped your mom with breakfast," Sara said proudly.

"You cook," Brian said surprised.

"As of this morning," Sara said blushing again. Brian chuckled and Sara hurried to defend herself. "Hey, I cooked the sausage and toast."

Brian looked toward the platter of sausage. "Do I dare?"

Sara slapped his arm as he started chuckling again. "It's good, here, take a bite." Sara picked up a sausage pattie and held it out for Brian to take. Instead though, he leaned down and ate it right out of her hand.

"Mmm, that is good," Brian said licking his lips. "Needs syrup."

Sara gasped. "You too! I can only eat sausage with syrup."

Brian smiled and leaned down to kiss Sara softly on her lips. "You are so beautiful.

Sara turned away quickly and brushed discreetly at her eyes. It had been so long since someone had said that.

"Kayla!" Brandon, her younger brother yelled running into her room. Well the guest room that once had been hers.

"What!" she said annoyed. She looked up from her guitar and glared at her younger brother that had use to terrorize her. But not anymore. He had grown into a very nice 14 year old.

"Sorry, just thought you'd want to know Dustin's here," Brandon said smiling.

"Dustin Puffe?" Kayla asked shocked. "What's he doing here?"

"Well, he claims he heard in town that a certain musician or two were returning home and he couldn't help but come over," Brandon said.

Kayla jumped up and began tro check herself out in the reflection of her mirror. She had on a red sweater and blue jeans. Nothing special but this was suppose to be a break from show biz. She missed dressing down while on the road.

Kayla followed Brandon up the stairs and into the living room. She rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans as she was suddenly attacked with nerves. What did he want?

"Here she is," Kayla's mom said smiling as Kayla walked into the room.

Dustin looked about the same as he had in high school. A complete, 100 percent hottie. He just looked a little older. His brown hair with blonde streaks was in the same hair cut and he still possessed the smile that made girls swoon.

"Hey Kayla,' Dustin said standing up. Kayla smiled as he looked unsure of what to do. Give her a hug or handshake.

"Hey Dustin," Kayla said making the first move to give him a hug. "Long time no see."

"Yeah, we did fall out of touch didn't we?" Dustin said sheepishly.

Kayla rolled her eyes. They were never really "in touch" in high school, before she had left, he hadn't given her the time of day. But he seemed to have forgotten that.

"Something like that," Kayla murmured sitting down in their green easy chair. "So what brings you here?"

Dustin's face turned pink as he stammered, "Well...uh...you see...I want...can I get your autograph?"

Kayla chuckled as she nodded. "Sure, I'll go get some paper and a pen." She was back in a couple minutes and looked up at im expectantly. "What would you like me to say?"

"To Dustin, I'd be glad to go out with you tomorrow night," Dustin said which made Kayla freeze mid-sentence.

"What?" Kayla whispered.

"Would you go out with me tomorrow night?" Dustin asked hopefully. He waited, not quite patiently, for her response.

Kayla took a deep breath. "Dustin, I'm kinda seeing someone. I mean, we aren't a couple...yet but I doubt he'd be pleased if I went out with another guy. In fact, I know he'd be furious."

Dustin got a pitiful look on his face. "Well, we could still go out but as friends. Would he mind that?"

Kayla thought about it for a moment. AJ and her had never really talked about it. She didn't even know if AJ wanted to be with her. He was closer to Dani than to her. Why shouldn't she go out with an old high-school crush/friend?

"You know what, I will go out with you tomorrow," Kayla said making her decision.

Dustin smiled. "You will! Awesome!" He made his way to her front door. "I'll pick you up around 6."

Kayla was still sitting in the living room, when her mom walked back into the room.

"What did Dustin want?"

"We're going out tomorrow night," Kayla said shrugging her shoulders. "I'm not sure where but he's picking me up at 6."

"What about AJ? Weren't you two going out?" her mom asked confused.

"I don't know mom, AJ annoys me so much. He has never really committed to anyone and our relationship should be no different," Kayla said more to her self than to her mom. "But then Dustin annoyed me too. Why does he want to date me now. I wasn't good enough in high school, but I'm good enough now?"

"Then maybe you need to examine your feelings for both guiys. Maybe you shouldn't be with either of them," she said before heading into the kitchen.

Kayla sat in the living room staring off into space, the only thought running through her head was "shouldn't be with either of them."