What he doesn't know

Still here and still have this story rattling around in my head. I know where I want it to go, but don't know if I have the energy or time to continue this and Ruin. But I still love TS2.

So I played a bit this week as a break from "serious" writing, and as always can't resist sharing some of their stories. Especially some of the college kids. (And Ama, but that's for later.)


Let's see if I can remember approximate ages:

Ily ~ 19
Rich ~ 18

Ethan and Ashley ~ 21


Their very first dinner party together in their own little house. Rich hadn't exactly been for it. He'd tried to talk her out of it, but she'd been determined. And when she had that glint in her eye it was impossible to talk her out of anything.

She'd even tried practice cooking for their very first dinner party.

There's a reason she doesn't usually cook. But if she was that determined, then how could he say no?

Over all it went well. Ily's brother, Ethan, came and brought his girlfriend. Ashley was cute, but a little boring. Rich really had nothing to talk to her about.


Honestly, he tried. Giving Ily and her brother some quiet time to catch up, he followed Ashley to the living room and started chatting with her, but all she wanted was to work on her assignment for class.

Cute, but not the sort of girl he liked. Of that he was sure. Too bookish and shy. It was only a small get together, and she apparently couldn't handle being social for those two hours.

To top off the weird night, Alberta called.


"Ily? She's talking with her brother in the other room. Did you want to leave a message? You need to ask her opinion on something? Maybe I can help. Okay, okay, calm down. I'll tell her you called."

That was another one that mystified him. Gabe and Alberta made no sense to him. He'd told Gabe so more than once. She was young and shy and timid. Who wants to deal with all that? Gabe of course then shot back with his own thoughts on Ily. Definitely drew a stalemate and an agreement to not talk about it.


Ily was having the most fun of the two of them, especially considering the brotherly advice she received from Ethan.

"I'll tell you what you need..."

Ily wondered if Ashley, future librarian, had actually gone along with this plan for excitement. Ily herself hadn't allowed for much more than their messing around in the fitting room.

The furthest they got to doing anything really really naughty in a public place was the couch. And that was after much cajoling on Rich's part. She wasn't going to tell Ethan that though. Not if she wanted him to sit there later.


After having spent a semester with Rich, she still didn't feel it. Whatever it was. She just knew she wasn't feeling it. Rich was cute and had a bright future, and he seemed so into her, stealing glances like they were still sitting near each other in school and hadn't been sleeping together all semester.

It could be the day to day life stuff and how boring it really was. Eat, sleep, do homework, and have sex. Like it was on a list of things to do. She wasn't passive, by all means, though she generally let him make the first move. She went along with it usually hoping she'd get better. That she would love him back.

When he was out at class, she would take time to call one person a day. Her mother and father. Kate. And Water Mellon, her old boss.

It was stupid. Just a crush really. Still, he seemed happy to hear from her and hear about college. Their conversation lasted longer than her phone conversations usually did. In most cases, people just wanted to know she was alive. Water actually wanted to hear how she was doing.

And it made her stomach flip.


There was a very small list of valid candidates as far as Ily was concerned. They had to have a bright future, they had to love her, and they had to be good at taking orders. Rich was all of that. He seemed to generally strive to make her happy.

Did it really matter? Love wasn't something Ily was prone to believe in anyway. It was all about compatibility. And they were compatible. Better than most. Where there was passion, there was a chance for failure. With love came hate.


"Ily, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Just admiring the view. How do you cook so well and stay so skinny?"

"Don't overeat? You're weird, Ily."

****************************

I have too much fun with these two. I played through a semester, and Ily only has a crush on him. One bolt of chemistry.

I think these two will cause me trouble when they discover other people.

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Autumn Extra- Haphazard

"How did I let you talk me into this again?"


Ily let her new adult woman laugh bubble up from her throat softly as she handed him the hanger with the outfit she wanted him to try. "I said it would be fun."

"Right... clothes shopping." Rich looked at the outfit dubiously. "I get to pick out an outfit for you too, right?"

"Of course." She shone her most charming smile at him, making silent promises that swore it would all be worth it later. Maybe.

"Ily, you can't be serious. I look like a teacher."

"Or a future mayor."

"I'll definitely be outlawing outfits like this not wearing them."

When it was Ily's turn, she took her time in the fitting room slowly peeling off her dress. The one he picked out was something she wouldn't be caught dead wearing, but she was sure he didn't really pick it out for her to try on. She'd been working all her charms on him all morning until she was sure she'd driven him mad enough that he'd do anything to get her.

She was right. Rich wasn't horrible, but he wasn't the best lover. Not that she had anyone to compare him to. He was her first after all and her only so far. People could call her anything they wanted, but slut was definitely not one that they could use against her.

It was only their second week of college. So technically, she'd only been not a virgin for about a month. Right before they left for school, Rich had invited her over one last time.

Ily had been the one to make the first move for once. Well, physically anyway. Rich had been the one to call her and he had been the one prepared.

What ever experience he had was all high school girls who were also inexperienced. Ily would honestly have preferred someone older and wiser with more experience than her, but she needed some experience of her own first. She would not play the helpless maiden in bed.

Maybe her charms worked too well. Sometimes she felt like a tool Rich used for his own pleasure. His hands worked so haphazardly running along her curves and her breasts that she sometimes has to stop him to explain what she would like.

But mmm... it is a nice fantasy that older man who's had a few woman who would touch her in ways she can only dream about right now.

*****************

Time line wise, this was of course towards the beginning of Autumn, but I just played them last night. These two are actually WAY more fun to play than the other three students I have who are a year ahead of them.

Right before they were to leave for college, Rich made a booty call. It was a very clear, "Why the hell not?"

As for the last picture, it's been a while since I've seen someone reject the make out interaction. But he's in love with her, she's not in love with him at the moment because they had recently aged up. I thought it was fitting and totally confirmed the voice I heard in my head.

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Fit

She fit in his arms perfectly.




Hot water bubbled in the spaces between their bodies so that there was no space; the water connected their bodies as if they were already pressed against each other and Rich dared himself to pull Ily close and squeeze the water from the spaces between them.

Ily didn't fight him. She didn't suddenly rise claiming that she had to head home as he expected she would do. Gently, she lifted an arm to wrap around him as she softly caressed his back with her thumb. Her lips kissed along his scruffy jaw to his ear lobe which she gently and playfully nipped-- catching his lobe between her soft lips and grazing them with her teeth.


Rich closed his eyes and pressed his face into her silky, peach-scented hair as her kisses began working their way down his neck to his shoulder oh so slowly. His arms squeezed her tightly. The always in control Ily was in his arms and nipping at his ear. If rumors were true, there weren't many men who could say Ily Stratton had nipped at their ears.

Richard was very aware that just next door was his room. In the large house it was like being alone. No one would expect him up for breakfast. His parents would leave early for work.


There had only been one other girl in his bed. But at the time he had been so young and inexperienced that any noise he heard broke his concentration. Not much had happened that night. Now he was close to being an adult. He would be leaving to college soon. So would Ily.

Ily's sigh tickled his ear. "I have to go," she whispered.

"Why?"

She smiled as if she knew exactly what he had been thinking only moments before. "Because it's almost 2am."

As Ily put her clothes on over her swim suit, Rich wished he could be the sort of man who could grab her and plant an unforgettable kiss on her before casually dismissing her with a "See ya."

Rich repressed a sigh. Ily was a trap that he had fallen for and now he was wrapped around her little finger.

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I am so falling in love with these two. I left them alone for a minute and found them in the hot tub together.

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After Dinner

"I'll put the dishes away, man." Gabe put a hand on Rich's arm to stop him from grabbing the plate in front of him. "It's only fair since you cooked."

Ily looked at Gabe quickly. "I'll help."

Alberta glanced at Rich in her own surprise to see his reaction. Rich only glanced from Gabe to Ily before he suggested, "Fine. Alberta and I'll be in the game room then."



The darts weighed heavily in Alberta's hands. She'd played the game before with Gabe, but playing with Rich was different. Rich had never spoken much to her at school, as if the years difference between them were a massive chasim that couldn't be bridged.

Now the older boy stood watching her with a smile as she tried her best to aim.


Rich cringed at the dart in the wall. "Uh, Alberta, maybe we shouldn't have you throwing sharp objects at the wall," Rich gently removed the darts from her hands.

Alberta stood back to watch to watch Rich expertly toss the darts. Rich would be heading off to college soon. The next time she saw him, he'd be a proper adult. It was amazing what just a few years between them could do.


Gabe would be leaving for college next year. He'd become an adult and she wouldn't see him until he came back on his break.* She had never dared think about it before, and at the thought her chest painfully pressed against her heart. Gabe would be gone next year, and she would be completely alone.

Well except for Kate. But it wasn't the same with Kate. Kate wouldn't gently pat Alberta's hand if she happened to notice Alberta was uncomfortable. Kate's skinny arms wrapped around her in a hug weren't nearly as comforting as Gabe's muscular forearms wrapping around her shoulders and drawing her near enough to smell the warmth from his chest.


Gabe returned from washing the dishes with Ily following close behind him. His eyes fell on Alberta with a small smile as he put a hand on her hip. "It's getting late. I should take you home so your Grandmother will let you out again."

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*A sim goes to college for only two years (I play through two college years in one neighborhood year). The deal is that they can't return home and family can't visit them. Only once in those two years do they get a break where they can come home. It's okay to call and write emails and letters, but the college sims are meant to experience life on their own with no support.

I call the college Vision Quest after the Native American passage into adulthood. It sounded like a good idea for stories. I already have some ideas going on for when Gabe leaves. A two year leave-- will his relationship with Alberta last?

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The dinner

"Alberta, it's nice to see you here."

Alberta nodded and thanked Mayor Mellon politely. She sat in front of a very apetizing looking salmon which seemed to only make her even more nauseous. If anyone knew of her situation, Mayor Mellon would. After her grandmother passed away, Alberta had to register the cemetary as hers. She had made no contact with Mayor Mellon himself, but she was sure he had to know.

Fortunately, he didn't say anything.

His wife sat down at the table close behind Gabe and turned a warm smile on Alberta that almost cured her stomach enough to take a bite of her salmon. "I'm glad you could come. Please feel free to come visit us any time."

Did she know? If Mayor Mellon knew, then it could be possibly that he had told Gabe's mother as well. "Th--thank you."

Gabe gently patted her hand which sat on her thigh. Alberta glanced around the table to be sure no one had noticed his pat, but everyone was already paying attention to Ily who also hadn't realized that Rich was such a good cook. "I want to have one of the biggest parties on campus when I graduate. Like maybe fifty sims. You could be the chef for it!"


Rich looked shocked at her audacity. Alberta could see Gabe's mother trying not to laugh. "First off, fifty sims? Are there even that many students? And second off, I wouldn't be invited?"

Ily's smile dropped suddenly, and for a moment, Alberta wondered if Ily was being serious. "What? Of course you'd be invited!"


"To cook, right?"

Alberta was thankful to both of them for providing the entertainment for the rest of the dinner. It took any attention away from her. Gabe's parents didn't ask her any awkward questions.

At some point during the dinner, everyone became quiet and focused closely on their food. Alberta took her time with her bites, chewing slowly and letting the flavors bloom in her mouth. Something in the air had changed it seemed, but it was hard to tell what it was with her face in her plate.


Gabe's mother was the first to stand. "Well, girls, it had been a pleasure having some ladies around the house for a change. I hope we can do this again before you leave Ily."

Mayor Mellon also stood with a nod. "Please excuse us."

Gabe and Rich began snickering once their parents were out of sight, and even Ily had to cover her mouth.

"They do this pretty much every night," Gabe explained.

"Best thing to do is stay downstairs," Rich said with another snigger.

Alberta's cheeks burned when her thoughts caught up with their snickers.

****************

Oh ACR. Genesis and Richard are as bad as Lucy and Walter. But they actually get things done. (Like little Doug here-- who I couldn't work into the story.)

Richard is, of course, the mayor, and I'm pretty sure he is aware of Alberta's situation. But there isn't anything he can do unless she asks for help, and she hasn't asked.

Genesis owns the local magazine Legacy Living which I explain in detail here. I actually haven't visited it in a while because I've mostly been caught up in the boys' stories. But it's a pretty good business venture. It can make about 2,000 to 3,000 every time she visits.

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By the poolside

Ages: Alberta - 15 Gabe - 17 Rich - 18 Ily - 19


Alberta sat back in the chair letting the sun hit her pale legs and arms. Normally, she wouldn't feel comfortable sitting so exposed, even in a one piece, but she was determined to relax and have fun-- and bond with Ily if she could. The older girl, Kate's sister, had pulled Alberta over in one of those girl moves that Alberta was only familiar with from watching other girls. She had suggested that they sit in the sun and relax while "the boys" played. Although Alberta really wanted to play, she felt it was a good opportunity to thank Ily for helping her get ready for the dance which had brought Gabe and her together.


Ily sat quietly taking in the sun each time Alberta glanced at her, trying to find something to say. Ily looked more comfortable in her two piece than Alberta did wearing clothes. The confidence simply oozed off of her in a way that made Alberta completely understand what annoyed Kate the most about Ily.

"She's freaking Ms. Perfect!" Kate had confided. "She knows it too. She is so annoying."


Rich climbed out of the pool, and Alberta watched as Ily turned her head in his direction. Rich noticed too, and with a wicked smile flicked water at her. "You should get in the pool. We can play a game of Marco Polo."

"Are you serious? That's a kid's game." Ily sounded serious. Alberta worried that she really wouldn't play a game as childish as Marco Polo. Was it childish that Alberta wanted to play?

Rich flicked more water at her. "I don't joke about games. And you're going to play later." He winked at Alberta as if he knew that she wanted to play right before he jumped back into the pool. Alberta seriously hoped that he wasn't insisting on playing the game because Alberta was so young. At the thought, she cringed.

"Boys," Ily said to Alberta with a smile that betrayed her snide tone. "They're like children. Always."

Alberta tried her best to not seem like the child she was, but she didn't really know how to make herself seem older. Gabe's playful side was what she loved most about him, and she could match him for immaturity. Most surprising was to see the usually studious Rich, future mayor, flicking water playfully at Ily, then cannonballing into the pool.


"So Gabe really likes you."

Alberta didn't know what to say with Gabe only feet away wrestling to give his brother a noogie in the pool.

"I knew it! You like him too." Ily leaned in, "Here's my tip to you though. Don't let him have his way-- it's all part of the game."

"Game?"

"Oh my god, you're so cute and naive. No wonder Gabe's so smitten. You know, guys really want one thing from us girls, and it's our mission to make them want it more, but make them wait while not being a total tease. That's the game."


Alberta made sure to blink while trying to take in Ily's advice. She could see right away this was not a game for her. Maybe it was an older person's game? Ily did have quite a few years on her as did Rich. But then Gabe was closer to Rich and Ily's age. He had never said so or done more than kissing her, but what if he did want more? How could she ever satisfy him?

At Alberta's silence, and possible look of confusion, Ily pried farther. "Oh, c'mon. Surely he's tried something-- a hand down your blouse? Undoing your bra? I mean, it's Gabe."

Alberta shook her head. She wondered what Ily would know about it. What did she mean by "it's Gabe." Had he ever made a move on her? Or maybe he made a move on someone she knew, and that was how Ily would know how Gabe should behave around a girl.


"Oh, Alberta! You're so cute... and weird. Somehow that works for you."

Rich called from the pool, "C'mon, let's play before it gets too late.

************************

Rich was it.


Alberta thought she was SO sneaky. But she slipped and fell into the pool with a big splash. (Actually she did a cannon ball-- which is a silly thing to do after trying to be so sneaky so I'll pretend she slipped.)

Rich was on to her. Ily pretty much stayed back and out of the way, and Gabe clearly had other things on his mind so only Rich and Alberta seemed to take the game seriously.

For all her sneakiness, she still ended up being it next.


Alberta was the last person I expected to cheat.

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Melanie's First date

It's tradition that I send kids out with their parents to buy new clothes when they age up. So when Melanie Love aged up, her father, Water Mellon, took her out and they ran into Hobart, the best friend of Mel's cousin, Ama.





Well Hobart must be tired of Ama's shifty ways and rather taken with sweet little Mel. Mel and her father went out for burgers after shopping and Hobart showed up at that lot too. They went skating under Water's watchful eye.



Then I was playing someone else the other day and Mel showed up at Bonnie's clothing shop thinking about buying a quilt oddly enough. And who shows up and stands right beside her?




I love when coincidences like this happen, but Hobart's just asking for trouble. Mel is totally her father's little girl.



That incident Kate mentioned off hand in BFF about Gabe & Rich and the SSX competition, that actually did happen. I just forgot to post the picture.

All I did was tell Rich and Gabe to have a gaming contest. (They both wanted to win one and, for the record, I'm pretty sure Gabe won this one.)



I think it's very clear what Gabe's excuse will be.

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Kate's Warning - For the Love of Alberta

Alberta stood in front of the school in her PE outfit, letting her eyes wander across the front lawn. Her eyes came to rest on the basketball court where Gabe and his brother, Richard, were playing a rough game of basketball.



Alberta felt a pull to watch as Richard made a basket then playfully teased Gabe by grabbing him in a headlock and giving him a noogie. Gabe pushed him away roughly, but he was laughing when he turned his head in Alberta's direction. His laugh seemed to fall away, but it left a smile so soft and sweet Alberta blushed and turned away.



Kate came up behind her and poked her in the shoulder. "Watch out with Gabe, okay? He acts sweet here, but let me tell you he's anything but!"



Alberta's heart thumped so hard she could hear the rush of blood in her ears. She had wanted to ask Kate about Gabe, but never had for fear of giving away much too much information. "Really? What does he do?"

"Oh he's horrible. He goes through girls, like, constantly. Plus, you know the bar in the slums?"



Alberta nodded in what she hoped was an innocent answer to the question. She definitely didn't want to tell Kate that she lived in the apartment building next to that bar. It was a scary place even when it wasn't open during the day.

"He visits there frequently. He drinks. And he smokes. And he plays cards. His poor brother usually goes along with him to keep him out of trouble."

Alberta's mental image.

Alberta dared to glance over at the basketball court again. Based on what Alberta had heard and seen, Richard was being groomed by his father to be the next mayor.

But if Richard was being groomed to be someone as important as Mayor, what was Gabe being groomed for? Alberta watched him as she wondered about his home life. Did he ever feel ignored or unwanted? Did he ever feel out of place too?



Kate elbowed her. "So, space cadet, you wanna come over to my house after school?"

Alberta squirmed. "I'd love to, but I have to ask permission first. Maybe some other time?"

Kate's smile suddenly became huge. "Sure! Some other day. But, hey, we should probably start throwing this ball back and forth before Ms. Kerr sees us."

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Extras: Just thought this was cute.

LOL at the two boys in the background. What ARE they doing?

Both Gabe and Richard are a little on the mean side (Ok, they are both grouchy sims with only one nice point), so it's noogies galore with those two. It seemed the plan they hatched on this free day I gave them was rather simple. Richard wanted to talk to Kate (I would guess to distract her). Gabe stood by Alberta waiting. Kate refused to stop throwing the ball back and forth with Alberta. So Gabe, with nothing to do, grabs Richard and noogies him.


Well Alberta must have been paying attention because later in the girl's bathroom (despite being a nice sim):

Alberta noogied Kate.


Alberta then noogied Glenda who she hasn't really even talked with yet. (I can tell you she'll pay for that later.)

I hope this isn't a trend. XD

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Welcome to Maria Rodriguez Elementary

These events take place before Tierra De Legado.





Amberle woke early on Sunday to find she was absolutely terrified! The kids would be there tomorrow. Was she prepared?


She had a brilliant idea. She would invite the kids over on Sunday for a few hours to calm her nerves and to meet the children.



Currently, there are six children enrolled- Gabe and Richard III Mellon, Aaron Stratton, Glenda and Maxen Stratton, and Kate Stratton.







It worked well. The next day, the kids were prepared. They come in at 8am sharp. One child feeds the animals in the morning.














The gerbil's name is Pepper, by the way.


After doing their chores, the children sit down to a lecture for an hour, generally from 9am to 10am.



Then they break for group work. Since there are exactly six children, they break off in groups of two.



For the first day, Gabe and Richard worked on fertilizing the Garden using the compost. (An important lesson in ecology and nature-- Amberle's specialty.)

Each child got to plant one plant each.

Here is Glenda and her Partner, Kate planting their tomato seed. Each morning, one child waters the plant and another child tends the plants. Because weeding takes so long, the child doing this chore misses Amberle's lecture to the class, so they get a one on one session with Amberle imparting her knowledge.


This time after the lecture ends until lunch is skilling time. The children study out of the library various skills (the first being cooking-- Amberle was very adamant that they get enough skill points to bake a good muffin.)


Once the children are done with their skilling (usually by meeting some pre-set goal), they are free to do what they would like.



Here Kate and Gabe collect bugs.

Glenda reads one of the many hobby magazines laying about.



Everyone has lunch around 11:30 or so. Depending on when Amberle is done fixing one of her simple and healthy lunches. This is a great time for the kids to hang out and bond with each other.


After lunch, it's free time. Here, Richard practices on the piano as the boys practice dancing. The girls practice painting.



The funnest part about this set is that I can pretend to have Amberle give lectures. That's thanks to Rose_maman at TSR and her AbelVille Elementary School Items. The items of this set are simply beautiful, and there is one item, a craft basket which you see off to the right of Amberle's lecture picture that allows it to look like Amberle's teaching the class. Meanwhile, without having to turn off free will, the kids will have a seat and stay there when I tell them to, so while Amberle is lecturing, they're chatting and building friendships. Thank you, Rosie!

And I call the students in using Simlogical's meeting controller.

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