Kaleb's POV

Where's my Bjork CD?

It must be that Mase. He is forever taking off with my stuff without asking.

Kaleb stomped out of his room and walked angrily (though still elegantly) towards room 167, pressing on the doorbell impatiently and furiously.

The door swung open and he was greeted by a very disgruntled-looking Ray.

"What."

"Oh is Mase around?" Kaleb looked over Ray's shoulder for his blonde friend.

"No." Ray snapped and began to close the door, but the action was halted by a firm hand.

"Okay, fine. I'll just wait then," Kaleb said breezily and pushed past Ray, who suddenly appeared to be very tiny.

Ray, rolling his eyes, took a deep breath and slammed the door.

"Hey, careful! You might ruin the access card reader."

Ray grunted and returned to his work at his desk, scribbling away furiously as soon as he sat down.

Kaleb reclined on Mase's bed, crossing his legs at the ankles and started humming most annoyingly. "So. Nice weather."

Ray broke his pencil lead with a soft and almost inaudible snap. He made a low growling noise and ignored Kaleb, sharpening his pencil violently.

Kaleb grinned at the sight, where Ray looked like he was trying to murder the pencil.

"What did the pencil ever do to you? Chill… It's only graphite," Kaleb said flippantly.

Another snap sound ensued; Ray had broken the pencil in two.

"Whoa, the pencil must've really angered you,"

Ray slapped his forehead and reached out for a remote control, pressing on a button that drowned the room with the sound of Bjork.

"HEY THAT'S MY CD!" Kaleb yelled.

"WHAT!? I can't heeaaar you!" Ray shouted back gleefully.

Kaleb marched over to the hi-fi set and turned down the volume.

"What are you doing? She's my favorite singer!" Ray frowned, pressing a hand to his hip.

"It's my CD."

"No? It's Mase's. At least that was what he said."

"No……!? It's mine. He pilfered it off me."

The pair then launched into a heated conversation on the true ownership of the CD and whether track 13 was better than track 7.

"Hello! I'm back!" Mase announced, cutting short their argument.

"You rat! It's my CD and you know it! How could you tell Ray it belonged to you?"

"I think I forgot something! Bye!" Mase waved cheerfully, recognizing this was a bad time to return to his room and went out the door he just entered.

"Okay, you know where he is now, so get out."

"I will, I will, don't get so pissy," Kaleb retorted, wrinkling his nose at Ray before he flounced out after Mase.

-

It was Friday afternoon, and Friday afternoons are the most boring part of any week.

What better thing to do than stalk your idol? Okay, maybe not idol… But since Ray's so mysterious and all… Heh-heh. Kaleb poked his head out from behind a pillar as he spied Ray walking out the front gate of the school.

Damn idiot must be walking to town again. I don't understand why he wouldn't ask anyone for a lift. Let's see how long the walk takes. And let's annoy the hell out of Ray.

That was how bored Kaleb was. He followed Ray out, but not before making sure he would be rather far away. He trotted along in a very surreptitious manner, pausing to hide behind various objects and basically acting like a moron. At this point the author would like to apologize for having such an annoying protagonist, but you will see the light. After going along for five minutes like a very unprofessional James Bond, Kaleb was beginning to feel rather bored.

Why can't Ray do something more interesting? Like stop off to buy kinky stuff?

A distant roaring drew nearer, but neither of them were aware, until the grey vehicle raced rather unsteadily past Kaleb.

Stupid drivers with one too many tequil-

The sound of metal hitting skin reached his ears before he could react. A flash of color was noticeable at the front of the vehicle, which then swerved and went back on its way.

OHMYGOD!! RAY-

He ran over to the other, who had been the color that was knocked over onto the grass, and had rolled over into a ditch. Kaleb could not help but flail his arms about wildly when he saw blood trickling from the side of Ray's head, since he was really getting used to this girl-business. He placed three fingers to the side of Ray's neck to feel for his pulse. Thankfully, there was one.

Gathering his composure, he thought about the best course of action, and kicked off his heels, bolting back to school at a rate Speedy Gonzales would be proud of.

In two minutes flat, he was back at the scene in his Porsche. He threw his heels back into the car and then gingerly lifted Ray from the ditch. It must have been quite a sight; a girl carrying a boy?

Wow. He's as light as a feather. He must have hollow bones. Oh God, don't die, don't die. Especially not in my car.

He glanced fleetingly at the unconscious boy next to him every few seconds, and beat the red light, avoiding cars and taking turns like a Formula 1 pro. The worry he felt was numbing him over, and all he could set about to do was to drive like he had never driven before, and hope that Ray, however annoying he could be, won't die.

Such a pretty boy should not die.

Kaleb?

You're not gay, okay? Now drive faster, watch out for that VW.

-

Kaleb tapped his foot against the linoleum floor intermittently, waiting for some acknowledgement of some sort. People were dashing about to and fro, some with gaping, bloody wounds, some with broken bones and some just looking like they were at the edge of death.

Why are they taking so long? It's not like she needed a heart transplant. Do you think that maybe she is dead?

Just then, a lady in a stark-white lab-coat with a stethoscope around her neck emerged from the swinging doors of the emergency room. She seemed to be studying her clipboard rather confusedly.

"Are you the girl who brought Evans in?" she asked as her gaze fell upon Kaleb.

"Yes. How is he?"

The doctor frowned at him, perplexed.

"She should be fine, but we will keep her under observation for the time being to monitor her slight concussion. That girdle would have constricted her breathing and her condition would have been fatal if you hadn't brought her here sooner."

"What-what-what… Girdle? She? You got the wrong person, doc. I'm talking about that guy I brought here earlier, you know, Ray? Ray Evans?"

"You mean…" the doctor removed an old, laminated card from the top her clipboard, "Raylaa Evans."

"Wh-What are you talking about, doc? I brought in a guy, I think there's a misunderstanding here, I brought in a guy… Right?" he asked nervously, his nails digging into his own flesh to keep himself sane.

"Well, as far as we're concerned, she's a girl. Ward 540B."

Seriously…. A girl? Wow, who knew… I mean.. How? So he's like me? I wonder if he was forced to do it. She. Ray-LAAA.

Kaleb sat down on a plastic chair adjacent to Ray's… Or should I say, Raylaa's bed, cradling his chin as he stared moodily at his/her chest, looking out for that tell-tale bump.

So that's why he-uh-she doesn't like me. Every boy does except him. I mean, her.

Raylaa stirred, and Kaleb started up in his chair. He began to plan his confrontation.

Why? You liar! I'm a liar too but I'm not the one who got randomly knocked over and found out. What's so nice about being a boy anyway? I mean I like being a boy better, still.

Fifteen minutes later, Kaleb had his routine all planned out, and now he just had to wait for her to open her eyes. Well, it should be anytime now shouldn't it? He leant forwards so that he was almost breathing in her face.

An eyelid lifted open, and on seeing Kaleb's looming face, Raylaa jerked back into the mattress, eyes both open wide now in horror.

"Whatthefuck? What are you doing? Where is this place? I was supposed to be walking towards the fucking town," she croaked, oblivious to the bandage surrounding her head and the IV drip in the back of her hand.

Kaleb put on a wounded expression and said huffily, "I saved your life you know, Miss Raylaa Angelique Evans."

"Wha-what? You… you saved my life?? But… what happened… wait, WHAT DID YOU CALL ME???" Raylaa sputtered incoherently, frantically looking down at her unbound chest, gasping when she realized her girdle was missing. Blushing furiously, she pulled up the covers so that they went over her shoulders.

Kaleb waved the laminated and slightly yellowed I.D. card with a picture of a little girl in pigtails, smiling and looking towards the side. "Does this explain anything?" he asked shrewdly.

"Grarg," Raylaa mumbled and then snapped her fingers, "It's my sister's."

"Why would your sister's I.D. be in your wallet?"

"Uh, she gave it to me," Raylaa replied lamely.

"Oh come on. The jig is up. I saw your chest. And the doctor told me about the girdle."

"Ah. Okay. Uh…" her face was practically as red as a steamed lobster's, "Do you mind getting me an extra blanket. It's, uhm, cold,"

Kaleb looked around half-heartedly and decided there was no reason why there would be blankets lying around, and thus took off his D&G coat, draping it across Raylaa.

"Here you go," he said, "It was a car, knocked you clear into a ditch."

Raylaa blushed lightly and murmured almost inaudibly, "Thanks.."

"Why?"

"What?"

"I mean, why would you want to be a boy?"

"I don't think it is any of your business," she said bitterly, her expression immediately darkening.

"I saved your life, you'd think you should be more grateful,"

"How old-fashioned are you?"

"Not old-fashioned enough to want to dress up as a boy," he countered.

"Well, I…" she bit her lower lip, and it was apparent that her eyes were getting misty.

At this point Mase poked his head into the ward. "Hi!" he greeted, brandishing a bunch of lurid sunflowers.

Bummerrrr! I was so close to knowing.

Another head poked in, less welcoming than the last. It was Mr. Oliver Mann.

What in hell's name is he doing here??

Wrinkling his nose, Kaleb forced a smile on his face.

"Hi Mase… and Mr. Marrn. Are those for Rayl… Ray? Aww how sweet of you Mase. But sunflowers?" Kaleb shot Mase a questioning look while giving him a simpering grin.

"Well, Ray is my little sunshine! Aww, you look so sad, don't cry," replied Mason, returning grin for grin, shoving the colossal bunch of flowers at the stunned Raylaa. "Look at the card. I'm sure you will like it. Come 'ere Kay, let's go get something to eat."

Mase, being, well, Mase, put an arm around Kaleb and steered him towards the door, but not before giving Raylaa a discreet wink.

-

Raylaa's POV

Sniffing suspiciously at Kaylee's coat, Raylaa found that it didn't smell bad like she would expect everything to be about Kaylee. As Mr. Mann blabbered on about how children should not drink and drive, Raylaa gazed out of the window and watched as a breeze ferry golden brown leaves off into the crisp air. It was a hell lot more exciting than being told the alcoholic content of a can of beer.

Surely Kaylee didn't really save my life. Failing to assassinate me, perhaps, but, 'save my life'?

A droning voice punctured her train of thoughts.

"Oh, valiant Miss. Windsor was quite lucky to chance upon you by the side of the road. Stroke of luck, it was. Though I would wish that some of this luck would rub off on her MC class grades," Mr. Mann rambled off to himself, being the demented old man he was.

So Kaylee did save my life, but then again, why would she be peering into a ditch and go "Oh, there's Ray, let's save him"? Why would she be there in the first place? I thought she had a car…

"Oh, do you need financial assistance? I understand you are here on scholarship…" Mr Mann said kindly, smiling benignly at her through his thick glasses.

He really looks like a tortoise. Mase is right. And a very annoying one at that.

"No, I think that would be unnecessary," Raylaa affirmed, closing her eyes as if to show that she wanted to rest.

"Okay, then I'm off now… Take good care!"

"Yes, bye."

"Oh yes, I'll extend your MC paper deadline."

"Yes, thanks."

"Oh, and if you need to talk to anyone, I'm available."

Please go now, you are giving me a headache.

Finally, he was gone.

Raylaa picked up the pink card which had fallen out of the bouquet of sunflowers Mase had thrust at her.

"Get well soon, girl:)

Hugs and Kisses from your Favorite room mate, Mase, xoxo."

She scanned the card and Mase's stubby penmanship, re-read it again, and nearly passed out.

Surely this is too much for one day? Did the whole world know now?

-

Kaleb's POV

"He was talking to me about his stamp collection!" Mase whined over a paper cup of instant coffee and a sandwich, referring to Mr. Mann, "I don't think I have ever been more bored in my eighteen years of existence."

Kaleb, who was not really listening, was wondering which barber cuts Raylaa's hair.

It's so ugly and old-fashioned. And choppy.

"Oi," Mase nudged Kaleb roughly with his elbow.

"Huh? What?" Kaleb snapped back into reality, rubbing the aching spot on his rib.

"Mmf. You weren't listening to me," Mase complained, "Were you?"

"Uh, no,"

Mase pouted childishly, wailing, "You never pay me any attention now that you are stuck on my little sunshine. He's mine, you know."

"You mean she- OH. Yes, he, yeah, damn right," Kaleb muttered in a flustered fashion.

Frowning at Kaleb, Mase raised an eyebrow curiously, "You know?"

"Know what."

"Ray's a girl."

"Oh, that, yeah."

"Since when!" Mase demanded, eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.

"Today?"

"Oh! Hahahaha. I knew earlier than youuuu-hoo!" Mase sang irritatingly.

"How did you know?"

"I've associated with many many many more girls than you can ever think of, bro… She gets all pissy once a month and chucks something at me... I caught her watching Beauty and the Beast on TV… It all added up." Mase nodded knowledgeably.

Kaleb exhaled loudly, "Let's get back there, I think we've left Ray, uh, Raylaa in there for too long with Mann."

"Yeah, she's so cute, Mann probably can't take his eyes off her."

"Why do you reckon she'd want to do something like this?"

"From my expert point of view, I deduce that it is probably post-trauma behavior."

"Yeah, yeah, you're the professional."

The pair stepped back into the ward, but were ushered out because Raylaa claimed that she wanted to rest. Granting her wish, they returned to campus, debating as to her reasons for dressing up this way. Given that they were both tied down with rushing out some projects and acting assignments, neither could visit Raylaa over the week in which she was hospitalized. By then, Mase had found himself a new girl-toy, leaving Kaleb to be the only one available (after assuring Mr. Mann Raylaa was in good hands).

Lying in bed all week had taken its toll on her. She was all wobbly on her feet, so Kaleb had to help her to an automated teller machine so she could withdraw money to foot the hospital bills. But alas, it was not meant to be.

"Oh no!" Raylaa exclaimed as she held on to the sides of the machine as if letting go would kill her. Kaleb peered over at the screen. $25.85 flashed at the top of the page, under 'Account Balance'.

"The scholarship people haven't deposited my allowance for the month!" Raylaa said sadly as she pressed the screen to remove her card.

Kaleb smiled understandingly and led the unwilling girl to a bench. "I can pay for it first," he told her, and without giving her a chance to protest, he fished out a Hermes leather wallet and walked towards the reception area.

-

Raylaa's POV

Life had been kinder to Raylaa ever since her secret was out, for there were two people to whom she could really talk to now, namely Mason and Kaylee (duh?). The latter had proven to be a huge outlet in the sense that she was a very good person to rant to, although there were times when she had absolutely no advice to give whatsoever. She also exuded a certain protective sort of behavior over Raylaa and always looked out for her in classes, helping her from being less alienated by the other schoolmates. Both were careful not to ask the reason for her crossdressing, something that she appreciated, but increasingly felt like she needed to tell someone.

It had been two months since the accident, and the temperature had gradually dropped until the first snow of the season fell and when the long-awaited school break was finally just around the corner. This day, Raylaa sat together with Kaylee in the room balcony,which overlooked a vast expanse of white, and in the distance, just a few tiny specks of skyscrapers could be observed.

"Why are we sitting out here even though it's fucking cold?" Raylaa asked, hugging her knees close to her chest as she retreated further into the only jacket she had brought along from home.

"Beats me,"

"How did you find me in the ditch anyway? I've been meaning to ask you this," Raylaa looked questioningly at Kaylee.

"Oh, I was just following you because I was bored. Serious! I just sort of stalked you."

"I see, well, thanks for stalking me,"

Raylaa chuckled a little, and then grinned at the small clouds of mist speaking had produced from her mouth. This, however, was cut short by a dull spasm of pain in her lower abdomen. She grimaced and huddled into a tighter ball.

"What's wrong?" Kaylee asked, genuinely concerned.

"It's just cramps," Raylaa answered, her lips drawing into a tight line.

"Oh…"

"Do you ever get those?"

"Uh… no… But it's normal right? There are girls who don't get cramps, right?" Kaylee responded rather nervously.

"Yeah… it's normal either way… You lucky duck," Raylaa held a hand to her middle as an amused smile crept to her lips.

Kaylee relaxed visibly, grinning along with Raylaa, "For a moment I thought I had to make an appointment with my gynecologist."

Raylaa sighed, "I'm sure it hurts as much as boys who get kicked in the groin."

Paling slightly, Kaylee mumbled, "I feel for you."

"Huh?"

"Oh, it's just, yeah that must hurt. Will a hug make it better?"

"I don't think so, but it wouldn't make it worse would it?" Raylaa smiled and hugged Kaylee loosely around the shoulders.

"By the way, you have anything planned for the upcoming holidays? Going home?"

Raylaa stood up; the cold tiles were beginning to get too unbearable for her. "Hmm, I don't have the money for a plane ticket home, so, yeah, I'll be here, I think."

"Ah… I was thinking of asking you to come along with Mase to my place,"

"Oh, that's nice, where is it?" Raylaa asked as they both went back into the room.

"Connecticut,"

"Okay, but how are we going to get there?"

"Eh, domestic flight or by car," Kaleb replied.

"Oh…I don't have the money to pay for the airfare…" Raylaa said vaguely, disappointment creeping into her face.

"You don't have to worry about that," Kaleb said casually as a soft click from the door announced Mase's return.

"I can't make you pay for me,"

"Why not? I'm loaded," Kaylee said with a broad grin, messing up Raylaa's hair.

"Well, it's not very nice…"

"C'mon, we're friends."

"We are?"

"What do you think we have been so far? Strangers?"

Something in Kaylee's words warmed her heart… For once she took note of the absolute kindness and sweetness Mason, and especially Kaylee had shown her, and against her will, she felt herself getting choked up with tears.

Maybe now is the time to tell…

"You must be wondering… about why I'm dressed like a boy…"

"I am, but if you prefer not to tell, that's fine, do whatever you are comfy with," the other girl said, almost tenderly.

"I was… I was… Edison.. He…" a sob escaped her throat, and Kaylee instinctively curled her arm around Raylaa, but the physical contact only made her break down into all-out cries and whimpering. Amidst her hyperventilating, Kaylee could distinctly pick out the word 'rape', and that was all that she needed to know as Raylaa cried like she had never cried before, allowing the tears to carry away what she had locked up so tightly and securely behind her façade.

"It's all right, everything is okay now," Kaylee assured soothingly, "We'll protect you."

"You will?" she asked stupidly, her face now red and splotchy.

"I swear."

A weak smile broke the sadness that had hung over them, and everything was brighter now. She should have told Kaylee a long time ago.

Mason had to pick this second to poke his head out into the balcony and announce they were having a pizza party. However, on noting Raylaa's fervent wiping of her face with her sleeves, he looked curiously at Kaylee, who mouthed, helping to keep her secret, "Cramps."

-

Kaleb's POV

Oh God, I feel so horrible for lying to her like this, after she has told me… I need to tell her, somehow. She has to know me as me.

She has to.

"Psst," Kaleb hissed at Mase.

"Uh?"

"I invited her to my house,"

"Oh yeah, your parents and sister are away in the Bahamas,"

"Yes, but the point is that I also really want to get rid of this annoying hair,"

"Then get it trimmed?" Well, well, it seemed as if Mase was as dense as ever.

"I mean it as; I want to stop pretending for those two weeks."

Mase dropped the pack of potato chips he had been holding, "No more boobs?"

"Yeah," Kaleb finished quickly, "We can tell her that I'm really Kaylee's brother, or something. I'll work it out, you just play yourself and not say anything stupid."

-

Raylaa's POV

"But what about the plane ticket?" Raylaa questioned worriedly as Mase put the rest of their luggage into the boot of his Jaguar.

"How many times do you have to ask, my little sunshine?" Mase grinned mysteriously as he put on a pair of sunglasses, adding to the effect.

"Aren't we waiting for Kaylee? Oh, I mean, I wouldn't be able to pay..."

"She didn't tell you?" Mase asked incredulously as he held a door open for Raylaa, "Her dad made her go for a crash course in some musical thing, so she's not going to be there. It's just me and my little sunshine."

Raylaa stared at Mase in horror, her mouth slightly ajar.

"Just kidding. Besides, that hurt my feelings. Am I that bad? Anyway, her twin is going to be there though. Don't worry, he's just as nice as Kaylee is, and, about the airfare; we're going on my family's private jet plane," Mase chuckled lightly as he reversed expertly out of the lot and into the freshly shoveled roads.

"Why is her car still here?" she inquired, pointed to a protective-covering draped Porsche that she recognized as Kaylee's car.

Mase stepped on the brakes suddenly, "Uh, maybe she's just leaving it here, or having it sent over to New York soon,"

"Oh, okay, so where are we going now?"

"To the airfield."

"Right."

-

"Why are you guys so rich?" Raylaa asked rhetorically, her eyes following the smooth curves of the clouds as they flew over plots of snow-covered land.

"What kind of a question is that?"

"Nothing, I'm just thinking that my family would probably get by a lot easier if I was one-tenth as rich as either of you two." Raylaa responded as she tapped at the polycarbonate window.

"I haven't heard you talk much about your family… Got any siblings?"

Yes…

Raylaa kept quiet. Mase was unsure if she heard him or maybe she was just lost in reverie.

Being the big-mouthed eejit he was, he continued, "I'm an only child,"

"That's nice," Raylaa replied absently.

"Why do you act as a boy anyway?" Mase asked out of nowhere, "They always say that girls have the most fun in bed. So why do you want to be a boy?"

At this, Raylaa turned to him with a wry smile, but her eyes appeared to be glazed over.

Please don't pry.

Mase seemed to get the hint because he had found the article he was looking for in his fitness magazine and shut up.

An hour or so later, the pair were on the road again in a chauffeur-driven BMW. It was almost too much of expensive automobiles for Raylaa, who sat stiffly in the backseat with Mase, afraid that any movement would scratch the brand new leather seats.

"How long does it take to get there?"

"About forty minutes," Mase mumbled as his head lolled to the side. He was dozing off. Well, it was expected since it was rather boring, and the driver played soft and lulling classical music on the sound system.

Raylaa shrugged and turned carefully towards the tinted windows towards the field outside, they had fences lined, but no livestock could be seen since it was winter. Kaylee had once told her they had quite a substantial number of cattle here.

"Are Kaylee's parents at home?"

"No… They are on vacation with her little sister."

"I see…"

"Hm," Mase muttered and went back to snoozing a little.

-

"We've arrived," the driver's voice cut into the picture, awaking both Raylaa and Mase.

They were at a very long driveway before a very large house that had three levels, with blue curtains behind every window, ornate pillars and tall white doors. It looked like it was from some movie set. The garden had fountains and neatly clipped grass. Any traces of snow were minimal; they obviously had workers to specially remove them every time they fell.

"Am I dreaming?" Raylaa poked Mase curiously.

"No, silly," he had begun to walk up the several steps to the front door.

One side of it swung open to reveal someone who was a splitting image of Kaylee, except without the long curly hair, makeup and feminine curves, and in a pair of jeans and crisp navy blue shirt, with short but stylishly tousled hair.

"Mason, hi," Kaylee's-almost-mirror-image spoke in a semi-baritone voice, then looked towards Raylaa with his pair of familiar-looking grey eyes, which twinkled with laughter, "And you must be Miss. Evans. I've heard a lot about you."

He extended a hand to her as soon as she had ascended to the doorstep. Raylaa scrutinized the hand he had offered, which was almost as delicate as Kaylee's, but looked a lot more masculine due to a thick silver band he wore on an index finger and the ID bracelet he sported on a wrist. They shook hands firmly, and he held the door open for them.

"You know, for a girl, you really look like a boy," Kaleb said as he shut the door soundly behind them.

"Uh…" Raylaa glanced embarrassedly at Kaleb, who was as tall as Kaylee was.

Wow… they really look alike… Maybe the good-looks really run in their family, too.

"Thanks," she finished unsurely, looking down at her three-layers-of-t-shirts -with-faded-black-jeans combo plus a jacket thrown over, "If that's a compliment."

Kaleb smiled, digressing, "Let me have your coat,"

"I'm hungry," Mase whined, hanging his own coat up in a side cabinet.

"Go help yourself in the kitchen," Kaleb told him, and then to Raylaa, "Would you like me to show you around the house?"

"Fine! Leave me alone here," Mase snapped, wandering further into the house.

"Don't bother about him, he's always like that," Kaleb said, moving to help Raylaa with her jacket.

"No! Don't!" Raylaa said, stopping him, "I only have one jacket, so I better have it with me in case it gets cold in here."

Kaleb raised an eyebrow, which was definitely similar to Kaylee's, and glanced pointedly at the fireplace, "I'd doubt that. We have a fireplace and a heating system." He tapped his bare foot on the tiled floor, saying, "It's warm too." Then he took her coat and hung it up next to Mase's.

"Oh, okay then," Raylaa nodded, looking at the furniture and design, minimalist, yes, but in an obscenely enormous house. It was sort of an irony, actually. The walls and ceiling were painted off-white, and all the furniture were made of black and cream leather, with ebony and chrome frames. There was a family portrait hanging by a shelf with neatly-lined books, and there were no other photos to be seen.

There was a stern-looking man in a suit, with light brown hair and grey eyes like Kaleb/Kaylee's, a smiling Chinese lady with jet black and pin-straight hair, a string of pearls around her elegant neck. She wore a turquoise dress with a Mandarin collar and on her lap sat a grinning little girl with her dark curly hair in a neat ponytail, tastefully dressed in a simple blouse and branded overalls.

That must be Kaylee.

Her green eyes then traveled to a slightly older boy with his hair combed right back and with the facial features of Kaleb and Kaylee, standing next to his father in a white shirt and black pants with red suspenders.

Raylaa frowned.

"Where's Kaylee?" she asked, pointing to the portrait.

Kaleb was suddenly tongue-tied. He grinned nervously, looking at the floor, "Uh, Kaylee had chicken pox at that time so she wasn't in the picture,"

"Oh…" Raylaa said, staring, puzzled, at the portrait once again.

Couldn't they have it taken at another time? How sad it was to be left out!

"Why don't I show you around now?" Kaleb said suddenly, offering her his arm.

"Uh, sure," she said, taking his arm as he led her into another sitting area, but this time there was a plasma TV and an Xbox 360 and several other game consoles sitting in a corner upon a tiny cabinet. It looked a little more welcoming than the previous area, what with two beanbags, along with a leather couch.

"This is the real living room. The other one is where my parents entertain guests," he told her, leading her further in until they stopped at a door, "That is my father's study,"

On they went until they reached the place with a three-storey high ceiling, clear and equally high windows that overlooked a water fitting of sorts outside, and a rather long dining table with flowers, silverware and all the trimmings. "…The dining area."

He then pushed open a door that was almost invisible to an unobservant eye, "This is the kitchen, and that's Mase raiding our fridge." Indeed, Mase was currently stuffing his face with some crackers, a jar of jam in one hand while he held the refrigerator door open with his body. He grinned, revealing bits of stuff in his teeth and said "Chi!"

Raylaa snorted in laughter. "Yes, bye," Kaleb said, letting the door spring back into its original closed position, "Let's go back out now and I will show you what's upstairs,"

The girl smiled shyly, and took the chance to take a secretive glance at Kaleb's grinning face.

Well, he is rather handsome.

Okay, he's handsome. I'm not saying anything more.

A strange sensation rose up her throat, and if she concentrated on it, she could taste a sort of bitterness. Guilt.

Wait, he's Kaylee's sister… Why do I feel like I'm betraying her? Just because I think he's attractive?

They climbed up a spiral staircase to a level with a recreational room that had a pool table, a pinball machine and another TV with more game consoles, and then guestrooms. Raylaa nearly tripped over a few steps in her reverie, but Kaleb caught her by the arm every time. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she muttered her thanks. His touch was warm and steady like Kaylee's. The uppermost level had even more guestrooms, the main bedrooms and the master bedroom, with a mini pantry-like thing and a tiny elevator that serve it from the kitchen.

I kind of miss Kaylee and her bubbly ways… (but this isn't bad, too, so why do I still feel so…)

Odd?

"This will be your room," Kaleb placed a hand on a doorknob, "The servants have already brought your stuff up. I'll be next door to you, and Mason's room is downstairs just in case he brings home a brunette from nowhere and crashes here. I don't really want to be awakened by disturbing noises,"

Raylaa laughed slightly at this comment.

How true. He even speaks like Kaylee.

…Kaylee Kaylee Kaylee, are you lesbian, girl??

She chuckled again, nervously this time, at this strange reflection.

"What's so funny? He fancies the girl who lives down the road, and has been telling me how much he wants to screw her," Kaleb quickly corrected himself, "I mean, woo her. Excuse me for the language."

"But I thought he liked Kaylee's room-mate…" Raylaa trailed off confoundedly.

"Only she's a nymphomaniac," Kaleb said quickly and bluntly.

Raylaa raised a slightly bushy eyebrow, "How did you…? Oh yeah, your sister. I forget."

Seriously, they are so alike it's quite puzzling.

"Yes, so, just make yourself feel at home!"

Just then, a faint tinkling of bells could be heard, and a tiny ball of brown fluff came tottering out of a hallway. It had pointy ears, small glinty eyes and a big bushy tail, with very thin limbs and a pointy snout. A Pomeranian, it was, with a long, slightly blue tongue dangling over the side of its mouth.

"Oh shat, it's Belle, my sister's dog. I mean, not Kaylee's. It's Kristanna's." Kaleb frowned in dismay, "I wonder why they didn't bring it along to the Bahamas."

"Aw, but it's quite cute," Raylaa grinned toothily at the fuzzy thing and then at Kaleb.

It trotted over to Raylaa, sniffed at her socks-covered feet and immediately rolled over to expose its tummy.

"Looks like you got yourself a new friend already," Kaleb quipped.

Yes, perhaps this holiday would be a lot better than all the others that I've been through.

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