(A/N): Hello, I've been away! thank you guys! I know that this isn't having much action yet, but it will! thanks a million for the follows and reviews. sorry for any errors.

Amaya explained to him her ambitions; how far she wanted to go in her career. He was impressed with her frankly. She was Smart and dedicate to everything she set her mind to. She knew almost all that involved her career of choice, and she was very well and was fully aware of the difficulties her career choices brought along too. Before Romeo knew it the hours ticked by, their conversations had gone from professional to personal.

She giggled at his silly comments about buying stars and naming them for themselves, and when he told her it was true, she just laughed more. Romeo simply smiled at her reaction, he didn't know why she found it so silly.

He told her about his exploits in his career, and how he was holding on. How he had held on after he was alone without Mr. Romney. About his first gig as a Hoplologist and how nervous he had been when he presented his very first invention, for the national guard.

It was truly inspiring to speak to his protege. It felt as if he had renewed his own career. Remembering wasn't so bad after all, he decided. Maybe mentoring her would not only benefit her, but it would motivate him too. That would bring out the best in him.

The robo-baby had cried and ate a few times and slightly interrupted their conversations but soon it would fall back asleep, and again they would chat about everything. Their childhood and their despairs. Romeo had made sure to ask about her Crush on Kitty Litter boy, and after a few minutes of silence she had budged. He had assured her that love could wait if she really wanted a career, and that wating for the correct person was the best way to go. At least that's what he hoped. Better safe than sorry was the saying.

When Amaya teased him about giving off advice on romantic relationships and being 'single', he simply brushed it off saying that he was alone because right now he wanted to focus on his career.

Soon the sun set and the lights of the streets leaked in through her bedroom window.

Amaya was the first to notice how late it was. She turned to the clock and it was already 9:12 p.m. It sorta worried her that he would see the time and want to rush off. I mean, it would only be natural for him to leave. She was sure that he had other things to do, work was one of them. She reminded herself that she couldn't get too attached, just as he'd said. Careers were meant to climb up like a mountain; leaving behind everything to get to the top.

"You know, it's getting late, Amaya." He stood from her bed and stretched a little before facing her as he yawned, be made quick to covering his lips and fix his shirt, tucking it back into his belt. "I think we should call it a day. I'm very happy with our progress."

She timidly bit her lip as her eyes followed his hand. "I'm so sorry I made you stay and miss that important errand you had to run." She stood too, stretching slightly as well. Sitting for that much time surely had an impact on her back.

Romeo smiled and began to the door. "Don't worry about it, little bird." He suddenly furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm actually concerned about what your parents will say... because of the hour, I mean."

Amaya lifted her hand, "don't worry about them, they went to sleep a while ago. Mom said to give you dinner before you left," he raised his eyebrow, when had her mother-

"She sent me a text."

She lifted her phone to show him. And lo and behold the message was there beaming in her screen, 'now don't you let our guest go before having dinner!' He chuckled lowly in his throat and accepted the offer. It was already late, what did another 15 minutes do to him? He'd already spent the whole day there anyways.

"Good, I won't eat alone then." Amaya began walking towards her door and invited Romeo to follow down the hall and into the stairs of her home. Soon they were in the living room and walked through it to get to the kitchen. The food was still in the oven. He assumed it was to keep it warm. Mrs. Devearux had prepared some meatloaf and mashed potatoes, with boiled vegetables. It smelled quite nice, and he actually longed to taste it.

"That smells divine!" Romeo's comment brought a smile to Amaya's face.

"She's the best cook I know." She giggled at her own comment and welcomed him to the table. She walked to the cabinets and pulled out a couple of plates. Before Romeo knew it he was served with a whole heated dinner. His eyes went from the food to the little basket of bread she finished setting up for him. There was a big smile on his face as he thanked her. He couldn't wait to try the food! However, he knew his manners so he wasn't going to eat without her. He waited for her to sit across from him to start on his plate.

They ate their meal in silence until Romeo chuckled. He was savoring the flavors in his mouth and closed his eyes, it had been ages since he had last ate a homemade meal.

Amaya rose her brows and looked to him. "What is it?" She suddenly looked worried, "is there something wrong with the food?"

Romeo looked to her with a warm smile. "No, far from it."

Conner shook his head as he looked towards Amaya's house, how much longer was that guy going to be in there? Or what, was he going to spend the night with her? He crossed his arms and turned to his friend.

Greg was leaning on the mysterious guys car and mimicked his friend. "Conner, I say we go home. It's been 5 hours since we've been standing here waiting for this subject to come out. This guy could be Amaya's relative for all you know? He might even spend the night here." He looked on towards the house.

"No."

"You think her parents would be ok for someone other than us; spend so much time with Amaya?" Greg went on.

Conner kicked at a little pebble on the driveway making it fall into the green grass to never be picked on again.

"What's your problem anyways? You say she's overprotective, yet here we are 5 hours later standing outside her house-"

There was a click on the front door, and Conner quickly hushed Greg as he pushed himself off of the black Nissan. "See I told you they wouldn't be long."

They could hear laughter as the door to her house closed shut and the clinking of keys as the two walked down the pavement. The voices were getting louder, and their shoes clicked against the ground that lead to the driveway.

When the two could be clearly seen, Conners eyes went wide and almost immediately went angry. Greg on the other hand blinked with his brows knitted together.

"Romeo!?" They both seethed in unison.

Greg sent daggers his way. "What are you doing here?" It was more than obvious for the two boys that the little couple had not expected them at all. Their faces were expressing surprise.

It wasn't long before Romeo held his hands behind his back and looked unimpressed. After all Kitty cat, and Lizard legs, were always out to get him. "Good evening, Greg, Conner. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Conner shook his head, "what are you doing here!?"

Amaya placed her hands on her hips and stood in front of Romeo. Who did they think they were to just show up and start screaming at her guest? "What are you two doing here!?" She shook her head and crossed her arms.

Conner softened his eyes and tilted his head in confusion. "We were just worried about you, Amaya... we didn't see you in lunch nor 6th period... and when you told Greg that you felt sick, and came home... the very first thing we came home to do was... come here-"

Greg went on, "and when we saw this car... we hadn't expected for your 'friend' to be here still... se we decided to wait-"

Amaya was angry now, "how does my personal life affect you guys?"

Conner knitted his brows, "Amaya, its...you've always been our priority... has he been getting to your head?"

Greg's blood suddenly pumped like fire, "why... I'd otta-" he was held back by Conner and Amaya refused to move. Romeo placed his hands on her shoulders, and it almost seemed to the two boys that the genius had brainwashed her into doing his bidding.

Romeo couldn't help but smirk at the two boys ridiculous reaction. Hadn't they grown in the least bit? Of course there was always going to be that little thorn etched in their skin; old rivals if he may, but they had grown, and each obviously into different paths.

"Greg, Conner, I was just leaving." Amaya looked to him and smiled apologetically, Romeo smiled back and placed his hands behind his back, walking away from the trio and into his car. He bid goodnight to them before he entered his car buckled up and drove off.

Amaya's eyes stayed on his car until it was nowhere in sight, and Conner didn't like that.

"Mind telling us what, Romeo was doing here?" The jock asked in a very stern voice. When the girl refused to look back at the two he walked over so he was standing right in front of her.

"What would you like to know?"

The blonde crossed his arms and went to stand with his friend and looked at the girl with angry eyes. "What was Romeo doing in your house, Amaya?"

"I can spend the days with whoever I WANT, CAN'T I?" She crossed her arms too and looked at them with a fierce gaze. "You guys spent the day with lala Dee and lala Doo. Why do I have to explain to you guys what I do with my life?" Her eyes threatened with tears.

Conner suddenly softened, and Greg blinked also loosening his temper. So that's what had her so worked up. "Amaya, you didn't have to go on and make friends with Romeo just to have someone to hang out-"

"I actually want to hangout with Romeo, in fact so much that I just quit my job to hangout with him!" She was partly lying about that, but she really did enjoy his company, it was something fresh, something out of normalcy. Not just that he was very interesting, and her guide.

"You did what!?" Greg blinked confused. "Are you and Romeo a thing, Amaya?"

"Are you and Luna a thing, Greg?" She was acting immature, but gosh darn it she didn't know how else could she get back on them for standing her up for Luna and Daisy. Greg knew that she was not on the best of terms with Luna, and Daisy... well as far as she knew, had been a Ninjalino. She knew... heck everyone knew that Daisy was a marital artist, that was part of the reason Conner had fallen for her. Ugh! That very thought burned her to her core.

"Amaya, calm down." Conner placed his hands on her shoulders when she shook him off roughly and turned her back to them, Conner backed off. Her eyes were stinging so badly, that she knew that if she said more she would cry.

"Romeo and I, aren't a thing... he's here on school terms."

Her throat burned, "I'm stuck with him for a while. So I wont be able to hang out with you guys until I'm-we're done with the project."

"I'll see you guys tomorrow at lunch. I wont be attending 6th period until I finish with Romeo." Her voice was slightly thick and the two boys were confused.

Greg was the first to come along to speak again. "No matter how many girls I ever meet and gain interest in, Amaya; I promise non will ever be as dear to me as you are." He placed his hands over her and held her in the warmest hug she had ever recieved. "I'm so sorry you felt left out, Amaya. You know I love you." There was no holding back now. Now she was crying. Her arms wrapped around Greg and she cried into his shoulder. Conner suddenly hugged her from behind too, and again they were squished like a sandwich just as the picture her mom had in her living room.

"Greg's right, even if there's other's, you will, and always have been, our most favorite girl, Amaya." She gave into their warmth and began laughing. This is why she was so spoiled. The two treated her like she was a delicacy, and she loved them for it. "I'm sorry too-"

She pulled away from them and grabbed onto each of their hands. "For acting like a total jerk... I should've explained my feelings to you guys," she made sure to not expose her feelings for the jock, "are we ok?"

The two boys nodded. They stayed in silence and Amaya blushed as Conner smiled sweetly at her, she knew it would be hard to see him with someone else, but maybe Romeo was right, she would have to leave behind feelings and all to succeed. She would make sure to enjoy their company as long as she was here, as long as life didn't separate them.

"Now, about Romeo..." Conner began, his brow rose high and he let go of her. "Has he been getting to your head?"

The girl clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes, did he really think that she was an airhead? And besides that, Romeo was a good guy, a little complicated compared to other men, but she really didnt find much flaws to him. He had changed and if that's how it was, then there was no way she was going to suspect of his actions in any way. Everyone deserved second chances. '"Don't worry about, Romeo."

Greg pulled on Amaya and held onto her in a hug, "does this mean we'll have to get used to sharing you with, captain smarty pants?"

Amaya giggled as Gregs hands' rested on her waist, his brows were high. She felt slightly awkward and pulled away from him, "not for too long, I promise." Conner frowned at Greg's touchy behavior and smacked him upside his head. "C'mon Greg, let's call it a night. We got school tomorrow." The blonde chuckled and rubbed at his hurt area. "Alright."

He walked off biding a goodnights rest and soon the cat and the owl were alone standing in her driveway. There was a tense air between them and Conner couldn't find it in his throat to talk. When he was sure Greg was in his house, he looked to the girl. "Is he trying something funny with you?"

Amaya suddenly looked to him like he had lost his mind, "what?" She took a slight step back from him and crossed her arms. "Romeo, I mean. Is he trying something funny with you?"

"If your question is; is he romantically interested in me? Then the answer is obviously NO, Conner. What's wrong with you?" She stared him down and the jock sighed.

Conner didn't understand why he was so worked up over this, he just was. "If he tries something funny... you know you can trust me right?" He took a step closer to his friend and placed his hand on her left shoulder. "With anything." He rose his brows in sincerity, and Amaya nodded, his blue eyes bore into her brown ones.

His deep voice rumbled down her spine, and she could smell the cologne on him. Suddenly she softened, now she remembered why she liked him so much, he always made her feel safe. He was the first and only guy she had ever full blown liked. She just wished that he liked her back. Her eyes were to the ground all of a sudden and tears threatened again. He would only see her as a sister, someone he 'had' to protect, not like a girl he could like. He had made that so obvious.

Conner gripped her chin, and lifted her face. "Now I don't want you walking to school tomorrow." Amaya chuckled, "I'm serious." He actually was, so the girl smiled and nodded. "I'll wait for you in the morning, ok?"

He leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead but Amaya accidentally looked up and their lips brushed together. Conner froze and Amaya did too.

To say she was embarrassed was an understatement, this was not how she wanted her first kiss to be like. She had always dreamed of it being romantic, not an accident. So before the boy could register what had just happened she pulled away, her eyes were stinging with embarrassment. "Oh my goodness, Conner... I'm so sorry!"

The jock blinked and before he knew it, her hair whipped his face as she ran into her home. Her shoes clicked against the concrete, and the loud bang of the door startled him. Had they just... kissed?

Conner touched his lips and stared at her door, the soft smell of her lip gloss lingered on his lips, and he could register it in his mind. This was the first time ever he had thought of Amaya as girl. In fact... why had he never seen her as a girl?

He licked his lips and the soft of strawberries took his taste. Walking away with his hands in his pockets he looked back. Before he knew it he was in his bedroom in his pajamas and his mind clouded with that kiss he'd just shared with his friend. His dark blue eyes were to the ceiling and he knew rest would not come until very late in the night.

Romeo tossed and turned in his bed. His white sheets covering his body. He couldn't decide whether he was warm or cold, or if he just had anxiety. He tossed again and this time stuck one leg out of the sheets. Sleep was out of the question.

It had been like this for many nights. He needed a cold room, that was his remedy. With a sigh he angrily tossed the sheets to the side and stood from his bed. His mind was clouded with the girl he had just spent the day with, another big reason why sleep wasn't coming to him. He neared the thermostat and quickly turned it on. The noise of the old thing hummed and suddenly cool air leaked through the vent. When the vent rumaged he made a mental note to update his climate. He walked back to his bed and laid again. His mind clouded by the girl named Amaya.

His phone suddenly vibrated and he came back into reality, when he checked it he lost interest. It was Anna, again wanting attention from him. He wouldn't have it. No he wouldn't play her little games... the back of his head screamed, if he wouldn't budge with Anna, who was supposedly his love interest, then why would he budge with Amaya who was simply his protege? He simply excused himself, thinking along the lines that she was someone new, it was obvious that he would find her interesting. She was also a very good distraction from his current failed relationship. Yes, that's all she was to him. A distraction... then why couldn't he sleep, with his mind clouded with her? She was new... he laid back into his bed, now the coolness relaxing him, finally he would rest.

Amaya cried. She cried so hard that she felt like she was suffocating. That was not how her first kiss was supposed to be. She was saving herself for someone important... she suddenly blinked... and that someone important was obviously not Conner. Her mind raced and he heart did too. How and why did things have to go as they did? She didn't want to kiss him, it was an accident. She didn't want to see him anymore. She closed her eyes and tears slipped down her face. She didn't know why... but Conner being her first kiss had ruined her; for some reason.

Amaya fiddled with her phone and the screen was unlocked. She scrolled past her contacts and came to a stop to Romeo's number. She didn't know why... but she had to talk to him... he was her guide, right? She could tell him anything. She began typing away on her screen. 'Are you awake?' She blinked at the screen for a few minutes before there was a vibration on her hand.

Romeo grunted, he was barely starting to doze off. He read Amayas name on his screen and furrowed his brows. When he read her message he replied, 'yes. What is it, little bird?'

There was no reply again from her end, he placed his phone on the nightstand and stared off blankly into the darkness of his room. He decided he would talk to the girl in the morning. Yes, he would pick her up, something must've happened between her and her friends. He quickly grabbed at his phone and without expecting it he typed away, 'I'll pick you up tomorrow. Rest, you'll need it. You have a test in the afternoon.' As her mentor, he would watch over her and help her with anything he could, he decided.

Amaya closed her eyes, the sence of normalcy filling her in, yes school, Romeo... maybe she shouldn't of quit her job at the cafe. She shook her head, no she needed to focus on studying and getting what she needed to head to Knightsfairy. Her eyes went down to her phone and she thanked the lord for Romeo's offer.

She would not take the ride Conner had offered, it would be too awkward. Amaya walked into her livingroom and through it all the way to the stairs. She held at her shoulders as she took baby-steps towards her room. She decided she didn't want to remember anything anymore, and that she did need the rest. She had things to accomplish... and... and... and... that her first kiss... had been an accident.

Tears ran down her face and before she knew it she was tummy down on her bed, crying into her pillow. She mumbled a few things and curled into a little ball, she didn't want to go to school, she didn't want to see anyone right now. Maybe she was too pressured, yes that was the reason she was so emotionally unstable. School, that robo-baby, her career, her decisions... Romeo... rest finally took her into its blissful darkness. It felt good to not feel anything.

Romeo woke early, he ran a quick shower before brushing his teeth and walked down to the hall dressed and ready for er-work. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat at the table. He was always an early bird, it really wasn't much if a choice. No matter what time he went to sleep, he would always wake at 4 in the morning. He drank his dark coffee and pulled on his phone, he would request an update on the lining of the cells he had left down south. Soon there was a reply, but he didn't like who it had come from. The notification popped in his screen and he couldn't avoid the conversation. 'You're interested in your research, but not our relationship.'

Romeo took a deep breath and simply stared at his phone, and exited the message tab. He didn't know if Anna was out to get him, or if this was her way of getting his attention. He had clearly told her already that he was no longer interested in a relationship with her. Yet she didn't want to understand. Putting his phone down he rubbed at his temples. He made sure to mentally note to never get romantically involved with a colleague ever again, in fact he would make sure to warn his protege against it as well, that could avoid all sorts of problems. Why had he even considered a woman with a career? He sipped on his coffee as he blankly stared across the table, he knew since he'd been a child that he wanted to marry a woman who would accept to be a stay at home mom. Then why had he even dared to try with Anna? He hadn't thought about the consequences.

He clicked his tongue at his actions and shook his head as he sipped on the last bit of coffee. He hoped so much, that he would never make that kind of mistake again. He sighed as he opened up his phone, without much thought he scrolled to his proteges name and typed away, 'does the early bird get the worm?' Then his fingers went on again, 'rise and shine pigeon.'

He placed down his phone without expecting a reply, but a few seconds later his phone vibrated on the table. He smirked as her name appeared on his screen. 'Goodmorning, Romeo."

He rose his brow as he sensed something off, 'did something happen last night, with your two friends?' He finished typing and made to put his dish in the sink, he quickly washed it off and rinsed placing it to air dry on the dish rack, before he dried his hands off at the towel. He walked back to the kitchen table, picked up his phone and walked off into the living room to sit on the couch and turn on the television. He flipped through the channels and landed on CNN it was a daily routine.

His phone vibrated against his leg and he made to pick it up, 'actually yes... something did happen... I know I shouldn't be creepy about this... but what time will you be picking me up? I really don't wanna see my friends today.'

Romeo couldn't help a chuckle, why would she say such a thing? 'That's not being creepy, Amaya. I offered the ride. A little past 6:30 so we could go by McDonald's, I'm in the mood for a mcmuffin, does that sound good to you?'

It was a little while before he received a reply, so he went on to watch the news. Again the world was filled with evil. He shook his head as he heard about police brutalities and immigration officials caging children. As a kid he dreamed to have his own order, and he was classified as a villain for the same reasons. He shook his head at the unfairness and decided that he would try and help out some causes later throughout the day.

He rubbed at his neck and checked his phone. It was already 5:17, the hours ticked by quickly. Before putting down his phone he recieved a reply from Amaya, 'yes McDonald's sounds good for breakfast.' There was a winky emoji at the end of the text and he smirked.

Conner woke early took a shower and made to get himself ready. He text a good morning to his friends and he bit his lip as he sent one to his girlfriend. His mind was clouded, with a hurricane actually. He wanted to play it casual, as if nothing had happened between Amaya and himself, but he knew he was lying to himself, or he wouldn't have put in the extra effort into getting his hair done, or putting on extra nice clothes. He looked at himself in the mirror after brushing his teeth and he bit his lip. He could hear his parents chatting about in the kitchen, as they readied themselves to head out for work.

He looked at himself in the mirror a couple of seconds before deciding he would go and have a quick breakfast with his parents.

Amaya bit her lip as she finished off getting herself ready. She looked at herself from front and back and she decided that she looked good. A pink crop top, and high waisted jeans, she wasn't showing off much of her tummy. Her hair was loose in slight swirls at the tips and she wore lip gloss and slightly thick eyeliner. She blushed terribly at the thought of Conner again. She decided she didn't want to impress him... she would pretend nothing had happened between the two, it was an accident and she would treat it as such.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she quickly pulled it out. It was Romeo, 'I'm outside.'

There was a skipping in her heart, knowing that she had taken sides already, she would get an earful later on at lunch from Conner, she was sure.

She ran from her room out into the hallway and rushed through her living room, she rushed so quick that she barely even bid farewell to her parents. She crossed through the door and rushed stepping out into the driveway and onto the street finally.

Her eyes landed on the Nissan and she pulled on her backpack and robo-baby. She had made sure to bring it along today.

She smiled as she neared the car, stepping in she pulled her backpack off and bid Romeo a good morning. "Hello, sorry for the delay."

Romeo smiled and looked unworried, "you're fine, I wasn't too long anyways."

There was a small pause as the two looked at each other and suddenly Romeo blinked. Amaya blushed at his attention and he cleared his throat. "Should we-should we go?"

The girl nodded her head and pulled on the seat belt, buckling up safely and comfortably.

Romeo looked out his window and without the girl noticing he smiled towards kitty litter boy. Romeo had seen when Conner had spotted him, he had seen how his eyes had followed Amaya as she had rushed across her lawn and into his car. He quite enjoyed making his old nemesis uneasy, yet he was forcing no one; it felt good to win.

Romeo shifted the gear, and soon the two were off as the boy drove them on and about into the intersectio Romeo was busy driving, until he broke the silence. "What happened?"

Amaya fiddled with the robo-babys hand and but her lips together. She didn't exactly know either, what exactly had happened. She knew it had been a mistake.

Romeo rose a brow at her as he scanned her she was out of it. "It was that bad, huh?"

Amaya suddenly looked to him, he was facing the the road and concentrated, until he came to a stoplight and turned to face her. His eyes were intense and he softened up suddenly. "Don't worry about it, Amaya sooner or later you guys will make up... I mean you have been friends with Greg and Conner since I can remember."

"It's not that... it's just that... Conner and I... we accidentally kissed..."

Romeo stayed silent for a few moments, and Amaya became nervous until he spoke again. "How can you accidentally kiss someone?"

There was a relief to her face and the light turned green, he went about driving off again and Amaya looked out the window, she wasn't used to being out so early in the morning. She'd usually go on and wait in her house until it was time for her to go to school.

"I can't explain it... I cried." She teared up again, she wasn't sure why.

Romeo rose his eyebrows and shook his head, "I thought you liked him, Amaya."

"I guess I don't like him as something more than just my friend... I guess I was infatuated with him... and nothing more." She bit her lip as a tear rolled down her cheek. "That was my first kiss, and I... regret how it went... it was nothing like I thought it would be."

Romeo chuckled and his voice vibrated down her spine, "maybe he's not the one." He pulled up into the McDonald's drive through and patiently followed behind a car into the ordering window. It was a busy morning.

Her eyes went wide and suddenly realization struck her. She had always admired Conner, but she had never thought of him being the father to her children. She was sure of it now. He was not the one. She was angry at herself suddenly, she was so infatuated with Conner that she had denied so many opportunities with other guys. Once including Greg...

She was so caught up in her thoughts that when Romeo asked her what she wanted she simply replied with, "whatever you're getting."

The young man ordered for the two and he noticed her absence. "You know, it's ok Amaya. It's not the end of the world. If you feel nothing for someone you thought you did, it doesn't mean that your life will lose its purpose. People grow and change. And change is always a good thing, even if at the moment it doesn't seem like it." Amaya noticed him drive as he said this. She admired him. He was so well put together, he didn't care about emotional stress.

"I wish I could see life as you do, Romeo."

He suddenly faced her with a confused look. She giggled and thanked him, a blush on her face.