Raven smiled back at Laurel. "Yeah," he replied.

Laurel looked happier then quickly turned embarrassed, "Sorry..." she murmured.

Raven shook his head. "Don't apologize," he told her. "Actually I'm glad I finally had an excuse to talk with him."

Laurel looked rather surprised, "Wait... he actually talked back?" she asked with widening eyes.

"I was a little surprised to," Raven admitted. "Though he didn't say too much. That conversation with another person probably would have taken a few hours."

Laurel looked a little confused but let it go, "So, he likes you?" she inquired, a little happy at the fact.

"Uh, yeah," Raven replied a little more awkwardly than was necessary. "I think so... So what have you two been doing?"

"Frei suggested we go swimming." Laurel said with a small smile.

Raven chuckled. "You mean go on the water slide," he corrected.

Frei actually stuck her tongue out at Raven a little. Laurel chuckled at Frei, "I think it's about suppertime... I'll meet you guys there." she said, seeming much more like herself as she stood.

"Alright," Raven replied. "Come on, Frei," he told her, gesturing for her to follow him.

So Frei hopped up and followed Raven.

A bit later Laurel entered Nic's room with a tray. She seemed pretty normal though she didn't really look at Nic.

Nic was back at work on his computer. He didn't glance up, but that wasn't unusual.

So Laurel put the tray down beside him and turned to leave.

"Thanks," Nic managed to say. But he didn't look up.

Laurel suddenly paused, "Are you Bi?" she asked, not turning around.

"Wha-?" Nic asked, still clearly distracted by the computer. It took him a few moments to pull away, and he turned to Laurel. "What?" he repeated.

"Are you Bi?" Laurel repeated, voice not judging but rather blank.

"... I wouldn't say I am," Nic replied.

Laurel nodded and then started towards the door again still without looking at him.

So Nic turned back to his computer.

"... We're going swimming if you'd like to join later." she said from the door before shutting it behind her.

At the pool and a few drinks later, Laurel was having a blast. It was quite clear she got drunk easily and was very overly affectionate to anyone in sight. Nic should be warned. She was currently going down the slide with Rosen, who had heard the commotion and had come out to join in. He and Laurel seemed to be a little too close after all their dance practices together and Laurel's intoxication.

Frei was sticking close to Raven but was enjoying herself. Quite a few of the girls had joined in on this night party, Missy had been invited by a number of them.

Missy didn't have to be asked twice. She didn't seem to be too much of a party girl, but she still seemed to be enjoying herself. Even Dan showed up for a little while. Nic never showed.

Raven kept an eye on Frei, Laurel, and Dan. It was a little hard for him to find the right balance between being a babysitter and letting everyone have fun, but eventually he got somewhere close.

Rosen seemed to be a little bored but was having a bit of fun with Laurel. When Laurel broke away to go play with Raven he walked over to Missy, "I guess we haven't met yet." he shrugged, "I'm Rosen."

Laurel, meanwhile, was giggling as she danced around Raven to the music. Frei rolled her eyes slightly at Laurel.

Missy tried not to, but she blushed a little bit. "Miss Q," she replied. "But everyone here calls me Missy."

Raven chuckled at little at Frei. "You don't like dancing?" he asked her.

Rosen blinked before sighing a little, "Should I put a shirt on?" he offered like he was used to this.

Frei gave him her blank stare but there were definite undertones of the typical teenage "Really?"

"Uh..." Missy cleared her throat a little. "I don't know how much it would help." It was more an observation than flirting.

"You should give it a try," Raven suggested with a smile.

Rosen snorted a little, "Whatever." he replied, "So you going to swim or not?"

Frei looked back at the slide just as Laurel proceeded to kiss Raven. At least Laurel seemed to be having fun.

"... I don't really swim," Missy replied.

Raven pushed Laurel away gently. "You're drunk," he observed with a chuckle.

Rosen blinked, "That's boring." he informed her.

Laurel frowned a little before suddenly hugging Raven tightly. Really tightly actually. Almost painfully tight.

Missy shrugged a little.

At least Raven would have someone to blame when he was old and couldn't walk. "A little tight," he noted.

"Can you sit?" he asked.

Laurel muttered something before abruptly letting go and going to get another drink, humming to herself.

"Sit?" Missy asked, a little confused.

"Don't drink too much," Raven called after her and sighed. She wasn't going to have fun tomorrow.

"Let's sit in the Jacuzzi." he explained, turning.

Laurel didn't appear to hear him, "She'll probably come to you tomorrow." Frei, who was suddenly at his side, informed Raven.

"I don't have a swimsuit," she said weakly, knowing full well there was a wide selection to borrow from.

Raven sighed again. "Tell me about it," he replied.

"Then go in with your clothes on." Rosen shrugged.

Frei glanced up at him, "It's like she's dating both of you, but you end up with all the messes and emotions." she stated, "She babies Nic but falls apart around you." That was a rather long sentence for Frei.

"... I'll go find a swimsuit..." Missy muttered, not really thinking about her words since she was surprised by his.

"Huh..." Raven said, musing on Frei's words. "Yeah, I guess that about sums it up..."

Rosen shrugged again, "Whatever." and headed towards the jacuzzi.

Frei continued to stare at Raven, "She trusts you won't fall apart too if she leans on you." She paused as she suddenly wrapped her arm lightly around his, "Nic has too many secrets from her." she said in a quieter voice before looking at the slide once more.

So maybe ten minutes later, Missy made her way to the hot tub. She had found a polka-dot two piece that fit her nicely.

"Hmm..." Raven muttered. "I need a vacation..."

Rosen was spread out in the jacuzzi, eyes closed as a jet worked on his back.

There was a small but very mischievous glint in Frei's eyes for a moment before it vanished under the blank look.