A/N: Here's Chapter 24 the thing with Ryan, his cousin's and his cousin's friends is the longest that's why I saved it for last.

Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or Crossroads (a real mall) or Interlake ( a real high school) and some other things.

The Day in the Life of High School

Chapter Twenty Four

Holiday Break

Greg had persuaded Taylor to go to the park to meet up with some of their other friends. Taylor had once again brought a book with her. They came upon the basketball court to see Danny, Don, and Nick already playing a game. “Hey guys can I join you?” asked Greg,

“Sure man why not,” said Danny.

“Greg, your mom’s weird about you playing sports,” said Taylor.

“Yeah, I know, but she doesn’t have to know does she,” replied Greg.

“No. I don’t agree with her Greg, but sometimes she just knows,” said Taylor.

While the four boys played, Taylor watched them for awhile. She noticed how much fun Greg was having and wondered why her aunt wouldn’t let her cousin play any sports. She also noticed that although Don’s lip was still puffy the swelling had gone down. She was so side tracked she hadn’t noticed that Mac and Alessandra had arrived. Alessandra had camera with her. “Hey, mind if I join,” said Mac to the boys playing.

Taylor was brought out of her trance. “Come on Mac, than we’d have odd teams,” said Danny.

“I’ll play,” said Taylor before she realized it was out of her mouth.

“You serious Tay? You never want to play, you’re always reading,” said Greg.

“Well I fell like playing today. Hope that doesn’t bother you,” replied Taylor.

“Not at all.”

Taylor got up. “So are we re-choosing teams?” asked Mac.

“Sure, why not,” said Nick. “Danny and Don are captins.”

“I’m first,” called Danny.

“Man,” said Don.

“I choose Mac and-”

“Wait a minute Danno you can only choose one at a time,” said Don.

“Since when?”

“Since as long as games have been around. Where have you been? I choose Nick.”

“I’ll take Greg than. You get Taylor.”

“Fine with me. I know she can throw pumpkin guts where as Greg can’t.”

“What?” asked Danny confused.

“Hey,” said Greg.

---

Sara sat on the phone in her room talking to Tony. “How’s your vacation going Sar?”

“Okay I guess. Normal as ever. What about you?”

“Take a wild guess where my parents are.”

“Not there I suppose. Another vacation that they didn’t want to take you on,” she said.

“Yeah and it’s not that far away this time.”

“Really, where is it?”

“Los Angeles.”

“It’s still pretty far, but still it’s not on the east cost or anything,” said Sara.

“Well I’m fine with it. I rather spend the holidays close to my friends than away from them.”

“Really.”

“Really.”

“Tony do you want to come over for Christmas Eve dinner or something. A lot of my foster parents are inviting their friends and I’d feel more comfortable if I had someone I knew there.”

“If it’s alright with you and them.”

“They won’t mind. I think they actually like you and they’re always bugging me about brining more friends over more often.”

“Alright, what time do you want me there?”

“Six would be good.”

“Six it is. Hey did you get the Halloween picture from Greg?” asked Tony.

“The one with the whole party in are PJ’s in it.”

“Yeah that one.”

“I got it. It was nice of Greg to make copies for everyone.”

“Ten bucks says that picture is how Ryan shows his cousins that Taylor is his girlfriend.”

“That’s not very nice. Betting on a friend, but I’ll see you to it,” replied Sara.

Sara said her goodbyes to Tony and got off the phone. She made her way down the stairs to get a drink when there was a knock on the door. “Sara, can you get that?” called Derek.

“Yeah,” Sara replied and head for the door.

She opened to reveal someone she hadn’t expected to see. She felt her mouth drop up but could gain the capability to close it again. “Sara Sidle, shocked to see me.”

“Am I ever. Don Eppes, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“It was sort of suppose to be a surprise,” he replied and gestured behind Sara.

Sara’s foster parents stood in the entrance to the living room. “Marry Christmas Sara,” said Jennifer.

---

It was close to the afternoon and the kids at the park were excausted and laying in the grass at the park. “Taylor you’re good,” said Don.

“No I’m not. You’re just saying that.”

“ I just don’t say stuff. I mean what I say your good. Have you ever thought of trying out for the girls team.”

“No I’m not really a sports person,” replied Taylor. “I guess it’s more of recreational fun.”

“Suit yourself.”

“I got some pictures of you guys playing. I’m trying to go for a section in the year book titled ‘Students in their off time’. This would be perfect if it goes,” said Alessandra.

“Do you guys mind if I use them.”

“I don’t it’s probably the only way I would end up in the year book,” said Taylor.

“I’m game,” said Danny and Don.

Mac, Greg, and Nick just nodded their heads in agreement. “Great,” said Alessandra.

---

Ryan woke up later than he normally did. He sat up from his spot on the couch. The smell of breakfast came to him. He got up from the couch and headed for the kitchen and saw Eliz cooking. “Where’s Erin?” asked Ryan.

“She’s walked to the store to get some orange juice. It might be a little while longer before she gets back, it’s a half hour walk there,” replied Eliz.

“Where’s your mom?” asked Ryan.

“In bed watching Television.”

“Is that all she does?”

“Lately. Erin and I have been running the house. The only problem is, we can’t get jobs yet. By the way Jeffery called he’s on his way from Sea-Tac.”

“How?”

“Rent-a-car. He says he’ll watch over Caitlyn and Bryce when he gets here. Your mom and dad are going to try and get my mom out of bed.”

“Why’s he going to watch those two?”

“Ryan, do you honestly want to watch your brother and sister when Jeffery’s offering to do it. Besides Erin and I were planning on heading out to Crossroads to meet up with our friends. With Christmas just being two days away, they’re families want help getting things ready for the Christmas dinners. The next time we will be able to meet is probably New Years Eve.”

“So I get to be properly introduced to all your friends.”

“Yes, you get to be properly introduced. We still have to wait for Erin to get back, but Annette will probably pick us up. I should call her and make sure she has enough room for everyone.”

“Everyone?”

“Well not everyone. She drives a five seater. I just need to make sure she has room for the three of us, but she probably only has Bobby with her.”

“Annette? Billy?”

“Don’t worry I’ll introduce you when we get there.”

“You sure do have a lot of older friends,” said Ryan.

“Well I am a thirteen year old Sophomore of course I’m going to have older friends.”

“How have things been since…. you know?”

“Okay I guess. I’ll be back, I’m going to take breakfast to my mom. Can you set out the plates for the others?”

“Sure.”

Ryan was setting up for breakfast when he heard stomping feet run down the stairs. “Breakfast!” came the screams of Caitlyn and Bryce.

“Caitlyn, Bryce, hush. Your Aunt Megan is still in bed,” said Julie.

“Sorry mommy,” both replied.

“It’s nice to see you helping Elizabeth Ryan, but where’s Erin?” asked James.

“She went to get orange juice at the store.”

“You let her walk to the store alone,” said Julie.

“She had already left before Ryan was up Aunt Julie,” said Eliz returning to the kitchen.

“You two just walk everywhere. Do you realize how stupid and dangerous you’re being Elizabeth,” said James.

“We’re very careful. You don’t have to worry and sometimes our friends take us places.”

“Your much older friends,” said Julie. “I hope you’re careful around them. Erin I know knows how to be careful, but I’m always concerned about you Elizabeth.”

“I’m thirteen, I know who I can trust as a friend and who I shouldn’t,” said Eliz.

“Hey guess who I ran into on my way home,” said Erin coming into the kitchen followed by an older man.

“Jeffery!” yelled Caitlyn and Bryce. “We missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Jeffery replied. “You cooked breakfast Eliz. I never thought I’d see the day when you cooked.”

“Well thanks, but you must have me confused with Erin. Everyone dig in.”

“Are you not eating?” asked James.

“No Erin and I are eating later when we meet up with our friends.”

“Ryan do you want to come with us?” asked Erin.

“Can I?” Ryan asked his parents.

“I don’t know Ryan we don’t know their friends,” said Julie.

“Come on mom. I don’t think Aunt Meg would let her kids hang out with a bad group,” said Jeffery.

“Julie let him go. It will get him out of our hair for awhile and Jeffery’s watching the other two,” said James.

“Alright, whatever, it’s not like he’s listen to me anyways.”

A honk sounded outside. “That’s probably Annette,” said Erin.

“We’ll see you all tonight,” said Eliz.

“Erin keep track of time,” said James.

Erin nodded her head. They left out the door and the three of them got into the back of the car. “Crossroads right?” asked the female driver.

“Yep, unless plans have been changed without my knowledge,” replied Erin.

“Who’s joined us today?” asked the driver.

“Sorry Annette this our cousin Ryan, he’s visiting over the holiday. Ryan the driver of this car is our friend Annette Oldridge and sitting in the passenger seat is our friend Billy Brennan,” said Eliz.

Erin laughed throwing her head back. “What’s so funny?” asked Ryan.

“Nothing, just Eliz her can be so… I can’t even think of the word for it,” laughed Erin.

“And I thought you were smart,” said Annette.

“I still don’t get it,” said Ryan.

“Billy’s my friend and Eliz’s Boyfriend,” replied Erin.

“I’m right here,” said Billy.

“Sorry Billy,” said Eliz.

“Wait you have a boyfriend Eliz?” asked Ryan confused.

“Yeah why is that a surprise? Erin has a boyfriend.”

“Okay yeah, but Erin’s had a boyfriend since last year,” replied Ryan. “How long have you two been going out?”

“I think sometime in November, right Billy,” said Eliz.

“Something like that.”

“How these two ended up together is beyond me,” said Annette.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” said Eliz and Billy at the same time.

“I mean Eliz is the safe smart one and Billy’s the adventures one,” explained Annette.

“I’m smart,” said Billy.

“Yeah, but your not Eliz and Erin smart, your dinosaur smart,” said Annette.

“Dinosaur smart?” asked Ryan. “Is that some kind of reference to old school smart?”

“No silly. Billy knows a lot about dinosaurs, you know 65 million years ago dinosaurs, not your grandparents dinosaurs,” said Annette.

“Well our group is an odd one in the first place Annette. People with all sorts of personalities,” said Erin.

“Too true.”

“That’s so weird,” said Ryan under his breath as they pulled into the parking lot.

“What’s weird?” asked Erin as they got out of the vehicle.

“It’s nothing,” replied Ryan.

The group of five walked towards the mall entrance. “Come on Ryan you know you can’t hide anything from us,” said Eliz.

“I can if I wanted to. It’s just weird that I got a girlfriend around the same time as you and Billy started dating.”

“Ryan the only difference is, Eliz got her first boyfriend at thirteen and you got your first girlfriend at what fifteen,” said Erin.

“Your funny,” said Ryan.

There was a large group of kids sitting at a few tables that they had shoved together. “Hey guys over here,” shouted one of the boys.

The five of them made their way over. “Hey everyone,” said Erin. “This is our cousin Ryan.”

“Ryan these our are friends, Jason Brady, Scott Fonda, Sabrina Handy, Erin’s boyfriend Oliver Limbaugh,” started Eliz. Erin playfully shoved her sister.

“And the two on the laptop are Adam Ross and Riley Poole. Next to them is Audrie Hansen and exchange student Peyton Driscoll. The last three are Aiden Burn, Mich Oliveira, and Martin Fitzgerald,” finished Erin.

“Nice to meet all of you,” said Ryan.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” said Oliver. “Erin and Eliz are always talking about you.”

“Oh yes Ryan, don’t think you’re going to get out of it, what’s her name?” asked Erin.

“What?”

“You told us you had a girlfriend, what’s her name?”

“Oh, Taylor Sanders,” replied Ryan.

“Do you have a picture of this girlfriend of yours man?” asked Jason.

“Kind of,” replied Ryan.

“Kind of what do mean kind of?” asked Mich. “You have one it’s just not here.”

“No it’s a group picture from when we had our Halloween party at her cousin’s place.”

“Well let’s see this picture. I want to see who all your friends are,” said Oliver.

Ryan took the picture out of his back pocket and showed to the group. He pointed to Taylor who was standing next to him. “We weren’t dating at the time this picture was taken,” said Ryan.

“Wow, who’s that he’s fine lookin’,” said Aiden..

Ryan looked to where she was pointing. “Oh that’s Don Flack, but he has a thing for her Alyssa,” he replied pointing to where Alyssa was in the picture.

“Sucks for you Aid,” said Adam not looking up from the laptop.

“It wouldn’t ever work out anyways Aiden. He lives in a whole separate city than you,” said Annette.

“Yeah, but a not so far away city,” said Aiden. “It’s no big deal though. I can find some closer home.”

“Yeah like Martin here,” said Mich.

“What? No,” both Aiden and Martin replied.

“Ah come on, practically everyone in this group is dating someone else and you two are always moping about not having anyone,” said Audrie.

“Than who are you dating Audrie, last time I checked you weren’t seeing anyone especially someone from this group,” said Aiden.

“Well that’s not true,” said Audrie.

“Okay which one of you boys asked EMT out?” asked Aiden.

There was silence for moments on end. “Oh come on guys just tell Aid or she’ll just keep persisting until she gets an answer,” said Martin.

“Mich asked me out alright,” said Audrie.

“Chicago?” asked Aiden.

“Yeah what’s the big deal. It’s not like you were going to ask her out were you Aid,” said Mich jokingly.

“No, I wasn’t was I. Kinda a hard when I don’t exactly swing that way now is it,” replied Aiden..

“Exactly so why don’t you just ask Martin out,” said Annette.

“Who say’s we’re the only one left. I know Billy and Eliz were the latest couple till Audrie and Mich apparently. Than there’s Oliver and Erin, Sabrina and Jason, and you and Scott,” said Aiden to Annette. “But what about Riley, Adam, and Peyton.”

“Peyton’s got an excuse, she’s only here for a short amount of time and I wouldn’t want to get tangled in a relationship,” said Erin.

“Fine that works that works but what about those two,” said Aiden.

“Maybe they have girlfriends outside of the group,” said Eliz.

“I’m confused?” said Ryan.

“About what?” asked Riley he looked up from the laptop at Ryan.

“You guys keep calling each other weird things,” said Ryan.

“Oh, well we have nicknames for each other,” said Eliz.

“Ready for nickname introduction Ryan or do just want us to call everyone by their name names?” asked Erin.

“Well you guys will probably end up calling everyone by their nicknames out of habit, so you better tell me.”

“Alright,” said Eliz “Mich is Chicago because that’s where he was born. Audrie is EMT because that’s what she wants to be. Peyton is England because that’s where she’s from.”

“Billy is Dinotologist because he wants to be one of the people who dig up dinosaur bones,” said Annette.

“That’s a Paleontologist,” said Billy.

“Anyways,” said Erin. “Adam is tech, Riley Specs, Annette’s Gator because that’s her favorite animal. Martin’s FBI because that’s what he wants to be. Aiden’s CSI because that’s what she want to do. Scott’s Dog because if you call him Scottie it’s also like saying Scottie dog.”

“Oliver’s Cop because he want’s to be a Detective. Jason’s Ice because of his blue eyes. Sabrina’s Senior because she’s the oldest in our group,” said Erin.

“And Erin’s Smartie and Eliz’s Brains,” said Jason.

“Wow you guys are so different. It’s so weird to see you all getting along,” said Ryan.

“Well Interlake’s like that. We aren’t as clicky as other schools we hang out with whoever whenever and no one really cares,” said Mich.

“You guys kind of remind me of the group of kids in Beverly Hill 90210,” said Ryan.

“Wow we just got our first comparison to a Television show,” said Adam, shutting the laptop. “Who’s ready for lunch? I vote Chiles”

A/N: Okay so the Special Guest characters are: Aiden Burn, Adam Ross, Peyton Driscoll (CSI:NY) Martin Fitzgerald (Without A Trace) Don Eppes (Numb3rs) Riley Poole (National Treasure) and Billy Brennan (Jurassic Park 3). I wasn't into CSI:NY when I first started this and had to find away to include these there plus put in a few more of my favorite characters. I also don't own Beverly Hills 90210 it's a real show. The other friends were OC's of mine that have appeared in other stories or will appear. Thanks for reading. Please Review and tell me what you think.