Susanna's POV

 "Do you have your camera ready, James?" I turned halfway around in my seat to look at the teens in the backseat of Joey's car.

"Yep both actually. With extra sets of batteries too." James nods, holding up the camera bag. Within minutes the teenagers are deep in conversation.

Joey reaches over at pokes me in the side at a stop sign. "Hey, watch it, Joey." I laugh, as I joke back at him.

He shoots me a triumphant grin. "So... Paducah festival?"

I glance back at the two in the back seat to make sure they aren't listening. L.A. is telling James how to improve his dance moves, so neither will hear what I'm saying. I grin back at him, "Yeah it should be fun. I've always wanted to come to it. Paducah's right beside the Ohio River."

"Oh well. Then there is hope for this thing then." Joey smirks as he gets the car rolling again.

"Buckeye." I murmur under my breath.

Joey glances at me out of the corner of his eye. I spot him mouth the words "I'll get you for that." To which I grin.

We pass a sign that says 'Welcome to Paducah, Ky' and I turn to L.A. and James. "We're here." Joey calls out.

"But where do we need to go for the festival?" I asked to no one in particular. I spot a girl with long red curly hair and "big nerd" glasses reading at a outside table. "Let's ask her. Hi, I'm Susanna Stephens. This is my boyfriend, Joey Stamper. And this is some of our friends, L.A. and James.

The redhead flashed a big grin, adjusting her sweater. "My name's Carrington! Is the rest of Anthem Lights coming." Her wide eyes looking hopeful.

Joey gave her his classic charming Joey grin. "Nope only 1/4 of the gang. In other words just me."

"Thanks. What am I, buckeye, chopped liver?" I joked, then glanced back at James and L.A. "And don't forget the kids. Er...  I mean teens."

Carrington smiles. "Any Anthem Lights member is better than none. So it's all good." She tapped her chin. "I remember seeing your name on the show list, Susanna. If you want to check it out you can go that way."

"Sounds good. I have to have a few words with this one." Joey puts his arm around me. Uh oh I'm about to get it for the buckeye comment.

"Would you show us around, Carrington?" L.A. asks, our new friend.

"Psh. Of course. I can show you the flood wall mural. There's even this awesome competition with food, for like 'best ribs' and all that. Super crowded down by the shops with toys, clothes and that sort of thing. Oh and the rockwall. They brought back the hamster balls on water again. It's really fun! Oh look it's Jethro, the clown, he makes cool balloon animals." Carrington carried on telling our teen counterparts about all the things the festival offered.

Just as they were getting out of ear shot, I heard the laughing tone of Carrington saying, "You know... You two should totally date. I ship it."

I laughed shaking my head. Then I glance at Joey, eyeing me. "What? What's that look about?"

"Oh I don't know ... maybe it's just a buckeye thing!!" He reaches out to grab me and tickle me, but I take off. There's a full on chase in session as we dart and dive through the crowded streets. Then just as I think I'm out of his reach I feel his arms wrap around my waist and he spins me 360°. "Joe. Let go. People are staring." I whisper in between laughs.

"Not a chance!" Joey says. He releases his hold of my waist, and trades it for holding my hand. "Let's grab a bite to eat. I saw a Chick-fil-a during our chase scene."

"But there's barbecue! We have Chick-fil-a back home." I say pointing at all the different food vendors.

"Why is there so much barbecue?" Joey says curiously.

I shouldn't laugh, but I do. "Joey. Hon... it's called the BBQ On The River. What did you expect?"

Joey looks at me, then puts a hand to his ear like he's listening. "Was that a challenge I heard? Yes, I believe it was."

"Not again, Joey." I say in a fit of giggles as he catches me (much quicker this time) and starts tickling me.

He finally stops when a cough comes from behind us. It's Carrington, L.A., and James. They are staring at us. "Are you two having fun?" Carrington says with a laugh.

We agree that we are having fun and then after some debating decide on where to eat. Having our inside person helped quite a bit too. We all talked and laughed together, and after we finished eating, I couldn't shake the fact that it was time to talk to L.A.

I glanced to Joey for help and he grinned. "Hey James, wanna battle against the Joe-miester on the rock wall?"

James grins, "Challenge accepted... old man."

"Oh it's on now, kiddo. To you wanna get your pacifier before we go?" Joey tosses back the "big tough talk" as they race for the 'battlefield', and again I'm thankful to have that big goof as my boyfriend.

Carrington parts ways with us, and I notice L.A. is happy and looks so free. "This has been so much fun." Her eyes are lit up as she grins at me.

"It really has." I agree. I wring my hands, I feel so nervous. "L.A. … I would like to ask you a question."

I see her guard almost go up, but instead a slow smile seems to block the way. "Well I have dubbed you the question lady, so shoot."

I laugh and it calms my nerves. "I've been deep in paperwork lately for a special purpose." I can tell by the look on her face, she's not really following me. "Well... if you want to. There might be a way. Well... Would you like to come live with me in the apartment building? You'll have your own room, within the same apartment as me and my best friend, Lynn."

I see a shocked look come up in her eyes, as if she's having an inner battle.

L.A.'s POV

I stare at Susanna. I can hardly believe the words that I just heard come out of her mouth. I'm that special purpose. Me. The girl who just goes by initials. I can't seem to find the words.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have suggested it." Susanna says, shaking her head, I can tell she's beating herself mentally.

"No... it's not that. I'm honored. It's just I didn't expect it."

"You would still have some freedom, because you have your own room. But you wouldn't be alone." Susanna explains.

Forget freedom, it would be like having a family again. "Could I call you two my sisters?" I say my voice quiet and innocent.

Susanna's eyes brighten back up. "Well I would be offended if you didn't!"

When the boys come back all sweaty, but smiling, Susanna and I have already discussed the living arrangements in more detail. For once in my life, it really feels like things are going right. I got to hang out with my crush and a new friend. I got to laugh at the antics of Joey and Susanna. And I find out I'm actually going to have a home again. Not just a roof over my head where I sleep, but an actual home with people who love me.

This has been my best day!

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Author's Note…

Hi everyone. Sorry about the delay on this chapter. I've been writing it very slowly cause I have came down sick this week and the only thing I could was sleep.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Let me know what you thought.

Oh by the way. No one ever successfully guessed L.A.'s full name. :)