Meeting Over Coffee

JP with Redsword, Jaxx and Cindy

Courtney and Matt had been the first to arrive at the coffee shop. They had gotten one of the larger tables near the back and hoped that it would be enough room as they weren't aware of everyone that might show up. Though a few were definite.

"Dawn says that her and Zanders moms arrived." Courtney texted some back quickly then put the phone down. "Hopefully, they can figure out where Doug is."

"Well, we'll make sure Mel is protected." Matt said.

"I know though we might need to include Dawn and Zander on that. And possibly Riley and April ." Courtney sighed. "I think we were so worried about Mel that we forgot it's not just her that's in danger."

"Well, we are a large enough group. Doug would be stupid to come after any of us." Matt explained.

"Well, it is Doug ... as my grandma would say. 'His elevator don't go all the way to the top.'"

Matt gave a wry smile at the remark.

Soon enough other members of the group started showing up.

Blossom was excited to hang out with Carter and the whole group again. He was very nice and gave her a lot of attention. She felt special when he only looked at her when other pretty girls were around. However she had not told anyone back home about her dating Carter yet since she didn't want to jinx it yet, especially if her father was against it.

Of course since Blossom was going it meant Ashley was going as well even though she and Mel were not very close. Since Ashley was going to a group event it meant that Jack was going as well whether he whined about it or not...which he did. Of course he was no match for Ashley and Roxy who were very happy to bully the poor guy. If he didn't agree he would have to do something else that he was more opposed to which was show shopping with Ashley and Roxy. Just thinking about being towed around and having to give his opinion on different shoes for hours made him cringe. So as soon as they entered they waved at the others and joined them.

The next pair coming in was Kyle and Justin who came in holding hands and waving at the others. It was clear they were now an item even though it was not publicly announced. Justin was a bit nervous but felt confident by Kyle's side.

JD and Rose walked in. The people behind the counter said hi to them as JD and Rose walked by. see the two in here were nothing known. As far as JD knew this was one of the favorite places the group liked to come to. JD saw the group in the back room. Whoever got that room was smart, JD thought. He did not see the brother yet. JD had a grin that made him look like he got away with stealing the cookie jar. They walked up to the table and JD pulled out a seat for Rose.

Conner was right behind him coming in looking a little disgruntled. He gave a nod to the people behind the counter as he walked by. Conner looked over to Kaylee and smiled. Conner looked into her eyes. He could feel himself melt some. Last night was one of the best nights, a new experience for Conner being with Kaylee. Caring for someone wanting to be with them. Conner kissed her. As they walk into the back room. "OK! I am here, we can start now." Conner said jokingly.

Mel and Adrian were the last to arrive. As they walked in, Mel stopped in her tracks.

"Something wrong," Adrian asked.

"No, I'm just surprised." Mel explained, "See that group in the back?"

"Yes." Her brother responded

"That's who we're meeting. I figured some of them would show, but not that many." Mel shook her head slightly.

"Well, that's a good thing." He smiled at her.

"Yes, it is." Getting a slightly better look. "It's about half the group, I think."

The two walked back to the group.

"Hey, everyone. This is my brother Adrian. Adrian this is everyone." Mel bit her lower lip.

Mel and Adrian were the last to arrive. As they walked in, Mel stopped in her tracks.

"Something wrong," Adrian asked.

"No, I'm just surprised." Mel explained, "See that group in the back?"

"Yes." Her brother responded

"That's who we're meeting. I figured some of them would show, but not that many." Mel shook her head slightly.

"Well, that's a good thing." He smiled at her.

"Yes, it is." Getting a slightly better look. "It's about half the group, I think."

The two walked back to the group.

"Hey, everyone. This is my brother Adrian. Adrian this is everyone." Mel bit her lower lip.

Blossom gave a small wave while holding Carter's hand. She was beaming with joy as she said, "Hello. I'm Blossom Booth from Map Dot, Montana. Nice to meet ya." Then Justin spoke up as he gave a small wave and spoke up, "I'm Justin. Nice to meet you." Seeing as they were all piping in Ashley spoke up and said, "I'm Ashley and this my friend Roxy and my Jack." Roxy waved and said, "Hey." Jack looked grumpy as usual and muttered as he gave a head nod, "Sup."

JD looked up as Mel and Adrian walked in. JD was dressed like he always did: Nike shorts, and a shirt with Adidas shoes. With his arm resting on the chair around Rose, he waited for his turn and introduced himself. "Hello, I am JD and this beauty beside me is Rose. Glad you could come out. Order something it is on him," said JD. Not sure if JD was joking or not motioning towards Conner.

Conner chuckled, "JD really, Hey, what is up, Ya, I am Conner and this princess next to me is Kaylee; and sure I will pay since JD over there volunteered me." Conner finished with a glare toward JD who just smiled.

After Blossom introduced herself, Carter spoke up. "I'm Carter. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Kyle." Kyle smiled, as he held Justin's hand.

Rose smiled, "It's nice to meet you."

Kaylee waved with a smile.

Adrian smiled at the antics between Conner and JD.

Courtney popped in with, "Hey, I'm Courtney."

Lastly, Matt spoke. "I'm Matt."

"It's nice to meet all of you." Adrian said, with a friendly tone.

A waitress came over and took everyone's order, which took a few minutes.

JD glanced at Conner and then back at Adrian. "I am glad you are here and traveled all this way to check on your sister. We are protective of Mel more now than ever. I did not get involved. Some people decided not to let me know what was going on. That was for safety reasons for Mel and probably Doug. Now that we know some of the story she is safe in our hands," commented JD, his tone sounding frustrated slightly.

JD was still mad about being left out of the whole thing. JD knew why Conner had done it but still angered him. He was hiding it the best he could being beside Rose always had a coming effect on JD. He gently squeezed Rose's hand and tried to relax.

Ashely then smiled as she spoke up, "Blossom and I are in the cheer squad with Mel. We ended up getting involved late since we didn't know, but we will keep her close so any of Doug's lackeys don't get any ideas. Right B?"

Blossom smirked as she nodded and replied, "Ash is kinda still mad at Doug since he shoved me down at the dance while running away. I almost feel bad for him if she finds him."

Ashley replied, "I have no problem removing his man card by force."

Roxy chuckled as she replied, "Well he has it coming right Jack?"

Jack sighed as he replied, "Yeah he has a line of people who want a piece of him.."

Roxy then spoke up, "So there ya go Adrian. Mel will be looked after." The three girls were smiling while Jack was still grumpy as usual.

Courtney spoke up. "And Doug would have to get through me first."

Matt added, "The line is very long and not everyone in it is here."

Adrian nodded, "Good to know."

Mel looked at her brother, "Courtney and Conner were two of the people that came looking for me at the beach party. Dante, isn't here, but he was the other."

Melissa figured it wasn't too hard to figure out, any longer, what had probably actually happened that night.

Adrian nodded, "Well, thank you all for looking out for my sister. Especially, to you two, Courtney and Conner, for helping her that night."

There was gratitude in his voice no judgment for them not going to the school administration. Mel had explained all of that already.

Rose watched the interaction between Mel and Adrian, he reminded her of her own brother, William. Maybe, there was just a older brother thing about protecting their younger sister, at least in most families. It was always a good dynamic to see.

Adrian decided it was easier to get a feel for the group by getting to know them better. "Mel, mentioned the school was big on sports. Do all of you play?"

Rose then spoke up, "Ashley, Blossom and myself do Gymnastics but I don't do Cheerleading with them."

Courtney replied, "Basketball, and track and field."

Matt commented that he did the same sports as Courtney.

Carter said, "Football, track and field and basketball."

Kyle then added, "We don't all do sports. It is true the school is very sports driven but it also is very into competitions."

JD grinned and simply replied,"Everything" trying to keep a straight face.

Conner gave JD a look of, show off "JD, really?"

JD chuckled "Soccer, and track and field mostly, not sure for a winter sport though." JD answered this time.

Conner smiled, "I do weightlifting. Unless the auto shop is a sport." Conner said with his answer.

JD looked over to Conner, "Now who is joking around." commented JD.

Adrian smiled at JD and Conner's quips.

"I play soccer as well." Melissa's brother offered.

Mel was starting to have a good feeling about this. Adrian seemed to like her friends which was a good thing.

Their orders came, shortly after the talk of sports had faded.

Ashley listened to the group chat for a bit before she talked to Jack and Roxy about random topics. She tried to include the others who were not focused on any particular conversation. Jack of course was grouchy as he quietly sipped his coffee and Roxy helped Ashley tease Jack a bit as they took turns feeding him cake pops.

JD talked to Adrian about soccer. They talked about their favorite teams and players. Their positions they played. How long they have been playing and where they had been playing over the years.

The rest of the time was spent on various topics among the group. Of course, Adrian enjoyed taking about soccer.

The group starting leaving. Adrian and Mel left.

As they sitting in the backseat of the car service ride, going back to the hotel. Adrian turned to Mel. "Okay, you're right they seem like good people."

Mel smiled at her brother, "So..."

"I'll talk to Mom and Dad about letting you stay. Under one condition," Adrian said. "Any more problems - tell someone. Talk to one of your friends. Call me. Don't keep it to yourself. I get what happened with Doug wasn't your fault and trusting people is hard for you but going forward."

"I will, promise." Mel responded.

The car pulled up to the hotel. Adrian smiled at his sister. "Come on. Let's see if we can convince them to let you stay."