Sunday night Amber sat in her father's study reading over her English text as her father typed away on his computer. Amber stared at the page as a question in her mind ate her away.

    "Daddy you know Jeff Willows right?"asked Amber.

    "Aaron Willows son?"asked Will still looking at the screen.

    "Yes,"said Amber,"Would you be upset if I dated him?"

    "Here's a little bit of a troublemaker but no why?"asked Will.

    "Would you be upset if I dated someone maybe out of uh, our league?"asked Amber.

    "Does this refer to Mr.McLean?"asked Will.

    "How'd you know about him?"asked Amber.

    "Darling, remember I pay Alanha's pay check I ask she tells,"said Will.
 
    "So?"asked Amber anxious for an answer.

    "Be careful is my only answer, I'd prefer it if you did date Jeff over him,"said Will sighing. Amber nodded and went back to her book.

    "Oh and I forgot to mention, Martin and Peter should be here within an hour they're coming early,"said Will.

    "What?"asked Amber.

    "Yes, they had trouble with their airline so they're coming here tonight,"said Will. Amber sighed and shut her book, she quickly got up and left the room.

    "Alanha,"called Amber heading towards the kitchen.

    "Yes Ms.Banks,"said Alanha as Amber entered the room.

    "Did you know Mr.Peter and his son were coming today?"asked Amber.

    "I believe your father mentioned it to me this morning,"said Alanha. Amber sighed once again and went directly to her room, she knew the only reason he father told her was because she was dressed in her pyjamas and ready to go to bed. Amber quickly changed into a jeans and white tank top, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and went back to her English book. Moments later the phone started ringing. Amber picked up her cordless.

    "Hello,"

    "Hey Amber,"said Alexa.

    "Hey,"said Amber.

    "So are rumours true?"asked Alexa. "Lex I've been by myself for the last two days fill me in,"said Amber once again closing her book.

    "That you and Jeff are back together, everyone is buzzing about it and Adrian's ready to kill Jeff,"said Alexa,"From what I've heard you two were close at the party."

    "No we're not back together Jeff's just my friend we were having a bit of fun at the party,"explained Amber,"Jeff's fun and everything but I've got someone in mind."

    "Oh yes, Alex,"said Alexa,"I want to meet him."

    "Eventually,"said Amber,"I'm taking things slowly and cautiously."

    "Gee ya'd think you were after some guy that was totally out of your league,"said Alexa.

    "Alex is perfectly fine. And another thing why does everything I do become the town rumour?"asked Amber.

    "Because your the innocent one,"said Alexa,"People are waiting with popcorn for your big move in to the world."

    "That's great to know,"said Amber,"Well I gotta go my dad's having guests."

    "Who?"asked Alexa.

    "Some guy Robert Peters, he's bringing his son, Martin,"said Amber.

    "How old is Martin?"asked Alexa.

    "Seventeen as well,"sighed Amber.

    "Um, well in that case I just might drop by tomorrow morning before school,"said Alexa.

    "Okay well I'll see ya,"said Amber.

    "Yeah see ya sweetie,"said Alexa. Amber hung up the phone and went downstairs to the kitchen.

    "So you tellin' Daddy about AJ huh?"asked Amber to Alanha. Alanha smiled and nodded as Amber pulled her self to a sitting position on the counter.

    "Well Daddy approved him,"said Amber.

    "I knew he would, your father would give anything to see your pretty little face smile,"said Alanha. Amber smield as the doorbell rang.

    "Company,"said Alanha rushing out of the room to the front door. Amber followed in quick pursuit of her as Will headed out from his offce, they both watched as Alanha swung open the door. Two men stood in the door way, the resemblance was the first thing that caught Amber's eye. An older man stood in a three piece suit with rimless glass, his bleach blond hair slightly as balding showing his tanned skin. The man standing next to him was about an inch taller than him, he had deeply tanned skin, bright bleach blond hair spiked slightly with the same glasses as the older man, he was also dressed properly in a pair of khakis and a suit tailor shirt tucked in. Amber felt his green eyes burn into her as he spotted her. Alanha stood back as they both walked in followed by a man easily recgonized as a limo driver carrying two large black suit cases along with four dress bags.

    "Robert, so good to see you,"said Will walking up to the older man. They briefly shook hands then the younger man stepped up.

    "Will this is my son, Martin, Martin Will Banks,"said Robert.

    "Please to meet you Martin,"said Will shaking his hand,"And this is my daughter Amber, Robert you met her years ago."

    "You've grown into a fine young woman Amber,"said Robert nodding his head,"This is my son Martin." Amber watched as Martin gentily took her hand and kissed.

    "What a pleasure,"said Martin quietly. Amber smiled modestly as she drew her hand back.

    "I'll show you both to your rooms,"said Will notcing the driver with the bags. Both men nodded and followed him up the stairs as Alanha grabbed Amber's arm and ushered her into the kitchen.

    "I see you have an admirer,"said Alanha smiling.

    "Alanha,"whinned Amber,"If you think I'm going after Martin you've lost all your marbles."

    "Well you two would look like a darling couple,"said Alanha.

    "What about AJ?"asked Amber with a bit of annoyance in her voice.

    "Is that fire he lit inside of you still burning?"asked Alanha. Amber bit her lip softly and nodded.

    "Then forget Martin,"said Alanha,"Be happy, just find a man."

    "I think I have,"muttered Amber leaving the room. She walked upstairs where she met her father with Robert and Martin.

    "Amber honey, Robert and I have boring business to talk about maybe you could take Martin down stairs to watch a movie and get to know each other better,"said Will smiling.

    "Sure,"nodded Amber nodding. She turned and lead Martin down stairs to the rec room, the room had two large black leather couches, an entertainment system next to a large fireplace. Amber flicked on the light and walked into the room with Martin on her heels. She grabbed the remote and settled into one of the couches, she looked over at Robert took a seat too close to her for comfort. Amber ignored it and turned on the TV, she flipped through until she hit HBO, a re run of The Rainmaker was starting.

    "Oh this is my favorite movie. Do you mind?"asked Amber.

    "No, it's perfectly fine,"said Martin with a cool confident voice.

    "So where are you from?"asked Amber trying to start a conversation.

    "Florida,"said Martin. Would explain the tan thought Amber.

    "So tell me Amber, does a beautiful girl like you have a boyfriend?"asked Martin.

    "Not really,"said Amber a little thrown off by his question.

    "Gee what a surprise,"muttered Martin under his breathe. Amber turned back to the TV trying to end the conversation and anymore personal questions. She could feel slowly Martin moving closer to her, god it's just my imagination thought Amber, I wish AJ was here, at least I wouldn't be here with this guy.

    Amber became totally involved in the movie almost forgeting Martin was even sitting next to her. She pulled her hair over her one shoulder and wiped a tear from her eye as she felt a hand quickly slip up her shirt to her bare chest. Amber immediately scrambled to her feet and stood in front of Martin.

    "What the hell do you think your doing?"she hissed at him.

    "Oh come on Amber, tell me you don't want me,"said Martin,"It's not like you'd be cheating on anyone."

    "That's what I'll have you believe,"said Amber.

    "You said you didn't have a boyfriend,"said Martin.

    "Ha, well I do and trust me he could kick your ass anyday for laying a hand on me. So let me warn you Martin, watch where your hands roam,"said Amber,"Anyways I don't fuck guys after I first meet." Amber cut herself off in the middle of saying meet, she couldn't contridic herself.

    "Well missy seems like you are exactly what I love,"said Martin standing up,"If you don't tell I won't." Martin rested his hands on her waist and travelled up her shirt to her breasts.

    "Come on Amber some instant pleasure,"said Martin.

    "Screw off,"muttered Amber pushing him away. Amber stormed out of the room and past a questioning Alanha, she ran up the stairs quickly and slammed her door as she got in.

    "God how I wish AJ was here,"said Amber out loud. She quickly locked her door and went to bed.

    Amber woke up the next day to Alexa swinging open her bedroom door and walking in.

    "Do you ever let me sleep?"moaned Amber rolling on to her back.

    "No,"said Alexa,"Now Amber how come you didn't tell me you had a hottie staying with you?"

    "You're not telling me that wasn't a nightmare?"moaned Amber.

    "What? Your upset that Martin is here?"asked Alexa,"Now c'mon you've got forty five minutes to get ready."

    "Martin put some unnecessary moves on me last night,"said Amber.

    "He could any move he wanted on me,"said Alexa as Amber pulled herself from bed.

    "Well I've got things other than him to think about,"said Amber rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

    "Like Alex?"asked Alexa sitting on Amber's bed.

    "Like Alex,"answered Amber smiling,"God how I wish he was here last night."

    "Sounds like you've fallen head over heels in lover,"said Alexa.

    "You have no idea,"said Amber openning her closet,"I'm in a little bit of a lust stage." Amber pulled out a black pleaded skirt.

    "Tights?"asked Alexa.

    "No,grey knee highs,"said Amber tugging off her pyjama bottems. She pulled on her skirt as Alexa looked for a pair of grey knee high socks. Twenty minutes Amber was dressed in her skirt and knee highs with a tight white button up top over a grey bra.

    "Okay come here, I'll do your hair,"said Alexa standing next to Amber's vanity. Amber sighed and sat down on the vanity seat well Alexa started brushing her hair.

    "Lex, what time do you get up at to come over here and get me dressed for school?"asked Amber as Alexa started french braiding her hair.

    "I get up at six am everyday, I'm dressed by seven and I'm here at a quarter after seven."said Alexa.

    "God, do you ever sleep?'asked Amber.

    "Sometimes,"said Alexa grabbing a hair tie and pulling it in to Amber's hair.

    "Okay breakfast time,"said Amber standing up.

    "Well grab a coffee on the way,"said Alexa.

    "Fine,"muttered Amber as she grabbed her book bag.  During third period Amber sat behind Jeff and next to Luke as they sat in English.

    "So Amby Bambi dispose of all those rumors about me hookin' up with the hottest girl in school?"asked Jeff turning around.

    "Yes, I've gotta guy all ready,"said Amber.

    "Who and why hasn't the football team heard about this?"asked Luke.

    "Well geesh Luke we'll have to sit down over tea and discuss the local gossipe sometime,"said Amber sarcastically.

    "Who is it?"asked Jeff.

    "Well we're not offically together, but things are looking good,"said Amber smiling.

    "Well who is it?"asked Jeff.

    "Can't tell ya,"said Amber.

    "Tell me,"pleaded Jeff.

    "Promise?"asked Amber holding up her pinkie.

    "Promise,"said Jeff locking pinkies with Amber. Amber leaned over and whispered in his ear, "AJ McLean."

    "What?"asked Jeff with an open mouth.

    "Who?"asked Luke.

    "We're having that tea after this block,"said Jeff,"I wanna get the whole story on this. Does Alexa know?" Amber shook her head.

    "Who?"pleaded Luke,"It's obviously someone she wouldn't usually date."

    "Jeff you pinkie swore,"said Amber raising her eye brows.

    "I know,"sighed Jeff turning around.

    Ten minutes later the bell rang and Jeff dragged Amber from class and to the parking lot.

    "You take your care, I take mine we meet at your house,"said Jeff as they walked into the parking lot.

    "Yup,"said Amber nodding as she lit up a cigarette.

    "I still don't believe this,"said Jeff. Just then someone grabbed Amber's arm from behind, she quickly turned to see AJ standing behind her. Jeff usually would've been on defense but he backdown a bit.

    "Skipping?"asked AJ.

    "Yeah Jeff and I gotta talk some stuff through ,"said Amber.

    "Oh,"said AJ.

    "Busy later?"asked Amber softly.

    "No why?"asked AJ.

    "Well maybe you could come over and we could work on that project for science some more,"said Amber.
 
    "All right, I'll see you later,"said AJ.

    "Yeah see you,"said Amber smiling before turning and walking towards her car.

    "I don't believe you,"muttered Jeff.

    "Believe me,"shouted Amber running over to her car. Amber got in and immediately put her keys in the ignition. Within twenty minutes she pulled in to her driveway behind Jeff in his black Dodge Viper. Amber cut the engine and got out slamming her door behind her.

    "Anyone home besides Alanha?"asked Jeff.

    "Dunno, we have guests staying with us,"said Amber shrugging as they walked up the stairs. Amber turned the knob and found the door open. They both walked in and Amber slipped off her jacket and slipped out of her shoes. Jeff dumped his jacket down next to Amber's and pulled off his shoes.

    "Oh Amber your home,"said Alanha popping her head into the front room,"Early?"

    "Yes,"said Amber not needing to make up an excuse,"Jeff and I have to talk about some things."

    "Well just to warn you Martin is roaming around the house,"said Alanha quietly.

    "Who's Martin?"asked Jeff.

    "A disgusting pervert,"said Amber.

    "Interesting choice of words,"Both Amber and Jeff turned towards the stairs to see Martin coming down towards them.

    "Oh god,"muttered Amber under her breathe.

    "So Amber is this the apparent boyfriend who's here to kick my ass?"asked Martin.

    "No, he'll be here later,"said Amber in a harsh tone,"This is Jeff, my close friend, he plays football."

    "Isn't that great to know,"said Martin nodding.

    "Look I don't know why she dislikes you but keep yourself away from her,"said Jeff stepping in front of Amber.

    "Jeff he's not worth it,"said Amber softly setting her hand on Jeff's shoulder. Amber shot Martin a sour look before walking into the rec room with Jeff. They both took a seat on the couch and Jeff looked at Amber with a bewildered face.

    "I thought you were joking,"said Jeff,"But then you talked to him and it was like, yeah it's real."

    "He's so nice,"said Amber,"Like I've heard from what people say at school and I dunno, I guess I just don't see that."

    "Well I'm not really conserned with who you date but how they treat you,"said Jeff,"Amby, you've been a friend to me for as long as I can remember. I care for you so much and I only want to see you happy, if he makes you happy then I'm happy. I just want you to be safe and be careful your not getting into anything you don't want to be in."

    "I know,"said Amber.

    "So I guess this pushes Alexa's little fantasy of you and Adrian together out the window,"said Jeff.

    "I guess,"smiled Amber. Amber sat back and smiled,she could always depend on Jeff.

    "So what's up with this Martin guy?"asked Jeff.

    "He's my father's friend's son, who's staying with us,"said Amber,"He started putting some moves on me."

    "Shitty deal have you got to put up with him for a while?"asked Jeff.

    "Two weeks,"said Amber streching out. Amber rested her feet on Jeff's lap as she reached over and grabbed the TV remote.

    "Anything particular?"asked Amber clicking on the TV.

    "Nah whatever cheesy talk show is on,"said Jeff. Amber channel surfed until she found Montel Williams. The topic was teen mothers unsure of their children's father, the usual. Amber leaned her head up against a pillow and tried to watch but her thoughts kept wandering off to AJ, she truly hoped he could come over just so she could feel his touch and everything about him. She wanted his eyes watching her, they caputred her like prey, she could've fallen in love with him just for the beauty of his eyes.

    "Jeff are you going to tell anyone?"asked Amber softly.

    "That's your job,"said Jeff resting his hand on her feet. Amber sighed and went back to the TV.

    After Montel was over Jeff and Amber made their way out to the patio where Amber sat under the patio table umbrella freezing as she had a cigarette.

    "You should stop smoking,"said Jeff,"It'll kill you."

    "Death stares from Alexa can kill but you still seem to get them,"said Amber.

    "Ouch your right,"said Jeff,"She's gonna be pissed that your dating AJ."

    "Well we're not really dating, I would like to be in that position but I'm seeing how things do on their own,"said Amber taking a puff of her smoke. Amber looked down at the ground as she felt a chill run over her.

    "Shit, it's four,"said Jeff checking his watch,"I gotta go, practice starts soon."

    "Okay I'll see ya tomorrow,"said Amber looking up at him.

    "Kay, well if you need to talk you know where to find the Jeff Man,"said Jeff hugging her.

    "I will,"said Amber smiling. She watched as Jeff let himself back inside then disappear, she looked back down at her cigarette then brought it up to her lips. she was immensly surprised Jeff was so cool with it, oh well Alexa will tell me off for everyone, but it's not her place, I can date who ever I want to thought Amber, god I wish things could just be normal for once.