Drew and Ashley hit it off.

The group went out the doors of the school making conversation about the gas leak and whether or not they would have school tomorrow. Ashley and Tanya headed to Tanya's car, while Steph, Brenda and Amy went to Brenda's vehicle.

"So, has Frank asked to get in your pants yet, and is he going to bang you every chance he gets?" Ashley inquired.

Tanya groaned. "We discussed sex, and we will probably be doing some things this weekend. He didn't seem to be sure about not using a condom, but I nixed that idea."

"Good to hear, especially since you would probably break out in a rash if you got anywhere near one." Ashley goaded but then quickly switched to a different subject. "Your brother is a sophomore at college this year, right? I thought you mentioned him before, and I'm interested in hearing about college life in dorms. Did you say is name is Drew?"

"Drew is a sophomore this year and will be leaving for classes next week. He's majoring in Political Science, but I'm not sure how well he's doing." Tanya contemplated her brother at college and continued, "I wonder if he's going to college just to meet girls?"

"What college is he going to again?" Ashley asked. "I thought you said USC, but I couldn't remember exactly."

"No, that's right. He is going to USC." Tanya confirmed.

The conversation stalled and Tanya didn't feel like starting a new one. Ashley thought about what she was going to make Tanya buy. Do they have some fun lingerie stores in the mall, or am I going to have to take her to some specialty shops for more interesting stuff? Will the other girls go along with what I'm doing? Maybe I can get Tanya to ditch them at the mall if we go in different directions. I should have asked her not to invite the others. With those thoughts in her mind they arrived at Tanya's home. The other three girls were not far behind and arrived a minute later parking at the curb.

"Who's car are we taking to the mall," Brenda asked. "Mine needs gas if we're taking it."

"I think we'll take mine, Brenda." Tanya responded. "It has more room, and it was my idea to go in the first place."

The group of five enter through the back door into the kitchen. The sound of music can be heard upstairs. The bass pounding especially loud through the open floor plan of the two story house.

"God, Tanya, your brother is such a dumbfuck, what is that shit he is listening to?" Steph cursed. "Can he hear anything at all after listening to that heavy metal crap?!"

"No, wait," Ashley said. "He's listening to YOB and this is Beauty in Falling Leaves. I love this song, and it really spoke to me this summer after my dad lost his job. Even though all this crap happened to my family, I can still look at the beauty around me and see the good in it. Just look at me now, I'm at a new school and have already found four great people, who I think can become my friends.

More to come ...