Artistic-Sims

After everyone finished eating, Maria took Kaitlynn's hand and tugged her to the living room area. Everyone was still having an in-depth discussion about what wall color is the most inviting, and Kaitlynn didn't really feel like she could bring any helpful input into that conversation, so she followed the toddler.

Maria: Who are you?

Kaitlynn: I'm Kaitlynn, your mommy Sienna's and your uncle Enzo's friend.

Maria: If you're friends, then how come I have never seen you before?

Kaitlynn: That's because I was friends with them a looong time ago, but I just met with them again.

Maria: You're not one of those friends that uncle Enzo brings over once and then we don't see him again for a few months, right? You won't steal him away from me, right?

Kaitlynn: No! Of course not! He loves you so much, I just couldn't imagine ever taking him away from you.

Maria looked at the ground in front of her, shifting her feet ever so slightly toward her.

Kaitlynn: Maria, I promise that your uncle will be okay. I promise.

Maria: How can I trust you?

Kaitlynn: Hmmmm, how about me you, and your uncle go to the park next weekend? Sound good to you?

Maria: Ok, that's cool with me.

She smiled up at Kaitlynn, and reached her arms up. Kaitlynn picked up the toddler, and Maria squeezed Kaitlynn.

Maria: By the way, you can just call me Mia. That's what everyone does.

Kaitlynn: Alright Mia. That's such a pretty name.

Kaitlynn: Hey, Sienna! How has the parental life been serving you?

Sienna: It's been rough. I mean, can't you see by my premature wrinkles?

Kaitlynn: Pffffff... WHERE?

Lorenzo: You're too nice. I can point them out for you if you want. See? There's one right there, another one to the left of her eye, and-

Sienna: Oh my God, you're so annoying. Anyway, how have things with you been so far? Have you met anyone special yet?

And there she goes. Back to the nervous place. She got used to this feeling all of those months ago, all before she met Lorenzo again. But she sat up and smiled.

Kaitlynn: No, not yet. But I won't give up, not now, not ever.

Sienna: That's the spirit! I mean, if I can do it, than you definitely can too.

Lorenzo: Haha, yeah. My poor man Romeo is barely surviving, so maybe not your best example.

Kaitlynn: Wait, Romeo? As in Caballero? Romeo Caballero?

Sienna: Yes, as in the ultimate highschool heartbreaker Romeo.

Kaitlynn: HE'S YOUR HuSbAnD?

Sienna: Yep, and the baby daddy to my two children, Vince and Maria.

Kaitlynn: Wow...

Sienna: I know...

Mr. Moretti: Alright everyone, dinnertime!

Lorenzo: I would actually say I'm more of a dog, but I guess you just can't agree to everything.

Sienna: You're so extra Enzo. Anyway, Kaitlynn, come over here so I can get a good look at ya!

Suddenly, Kaitlynn's attention is turned to one of the doors swinging open. Out of it came a woman who seemed to be in her early thirties. She had that look of an exhausted parent, but she somehow managed to pull it off.

Kaitlynn nervously approached the woman who has always expelled warm and kind energy towards her. So why was she so nervous? She had no clue. But what she knew was that now she was making eye contact with the very woman who she's been dreading to speak to.

Mrs. Moretti: Is that who I think it is?

Kaitlynn: Yeah, it's me, Kaitlynn.

Mrs. Moretti: Kaitlynn! Look at you! Una così bella ragazza! You've grown so much! What brings you here?

Kaitlynn: Enzo invited me over here, so I thought that I'd say hello. You are basically my second mother after all!

The two of them both laughed, and Kaitlynn became a lot more relaxed. She really did have nothing to be afraid of...

Mrs. Moretti: So, are you and Enzo dating?

Except for that. Kaitlynn became nervous again. Is that what everyone there is going to think? That's so awkward. Mrs. Moretti saw the embarrasment in Kaitlynn's eyes, and quickly gasped.

Mrs. Moretti: Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry dolcezza! I didn't mean to push-

Kaitlynn: No, no, no, that's okay Mrs. Moretti. Don't worry. But no, me and him aren't dating.

Mrs. Moretti: Oh, I see. I just though that maybe you were. Lorenzo has been, how do you say, lighter? More happier, if that makes any sense. He's been talking about you a lot.

Kaitlynn: Really? I guess it is pretty exciting to see your childhood best friend after years.

Mrs. Moretti: Yes... sure.

Unknown: Nonna!!!! Maria is stealing all of my toys again!!

Mrs. Moretti: Oh no, what now? I'm so sorry, dolcezza, I have to go resolve... that. I will talk to you later!

Lorenzo: You should go say hi. It's the polite thing to do.

Kaitlynn: Thank you, Lorenzo. You know, you should really teach a manners class. It would benefit soooo many people. I mean, I was NEVER going to just WALK over there and say HELLO. Who do you think I AM?!?

Lorenzo: Your sarcasm is killing me. Now stop talking to me and GO!

Lorenzo gently grabbed her shoulders and turned her towards the kitchen. He patted her on the back, smiled, and walked away.

Kaitlynn: You know, for a big guy like him, he's actually fairly gentle. Anyway, what am I waiting for?

A tiny toddler wobbled over to them and extended her arms to Lorenzo. He picked her up, and kissed her on the nose. She giggled and pushed his face away.

Lorenzo: Hey Mia! I hope you didn't cause too much trouble here.

Mia: Heheh, I wouldn't be so sure...

Lorenzo: What did you do..?

Mia: Oh, you know, just... I guess I... Well, I thought I could help out, but...

Lorenzo: Mia...

Mia: Okay... I tried to carry the lasagna to the table, but I... dropped it, and it slid across the floor, losing each layer the farther it went. I was really sorry! I didn't mean to do it, I promise! Please don't be mad at me!!!

Lorenzo: Ah, I really do love lasagna...

Mia: Please, please, PLEASE don't be mad!!

The toddler looked at him with giant, pleading eyes, and stuck out her bottom lip. Lorenzo laughed.

Lorenzo: I'm just kidding. Of course I can't be mad at you. You're my favorite niece after all!

She smiled, and ran down the apartment, yelling out random, uninterpretable sounds. Lorenzo crossed his arms, and looked over at Kaitlynn.

Lorenzo: See? I make all the girls go crazy.

The apartment she entered into looked exactly the same. Apart from some toys crammed into little nooks and crannies. But that was to be expected, especially since Enzo told Kaitlynn that Sienna had two kids. Everyone seemed to be busy doing something. Suddenly, Kaitlynn heard a high-pitched scream.

As she stood outside the apartment door, Kaitlynn couldn’t be any more excited about seeing everyone. It’s been a few weeks since she’d last seen Enzo, so she was glad to see him again.

Kaitlynn: I’m kinda nervous, to be honest.

Lorenzo: Why? They all love you.

Kaitlynn: But I haven’t seen them in so long. The last they saw me, I was eight. EIGHT! What if they don’t like my personality now that I am older?

Lorenzo walked backwards, his eyes never leaving the hoop. The way he squinted his eyes meant that he was really focused, or really scared. Either one could be true. Or both. Then he started to run. He ran toward the hoop so fast that he tripped over his own shoe. He attempted to redeem himself by still jumping up, and throwing the ball. However, the ball just bounced against the backboard. Lorenzo fell to the ground, and the ball bounced right on top of his head. Then he sat and watched the ball roll away.

Kaitlynn: Weren't you supposed to be good?

Lorenzo: Shut up.

Kaitlynn: Are you okay?

Lorenzo: Yes, of course...

Kaitlynn: I'm not really buying that.

Lorenzo: Good. Call 911 for me.

Kaitlynn: Sure thing.

At this point, the two of them cracked up as if it was rehearsed. As if they planned out this exact moment. Kaitlynn put out her hand for Lorenzo, and he gladly grabbed it and stood up. Then he pulled her into a tight bro-hug.

Lorenzo: I missed you, K.

And so she did. Call him, that is. That evening, however, Lorenzo's sister, Sienna, was working, so he told her that it would be the two of them for that night. They met up on the basketball court in the center of the district, and Kaitlynn challenged Lorenzo to a dunking contest.

Kaitlynn: Let's see if you're still just as bad at this as you were 18 years ago.

Lorenzo: I was awesome at this, what do you mean? And also, way to make me feel old.

Kaitlynn: I make myself feel old! Anyway, less talkin, more dunkin'!

Kaitlynn took a few seconds to focus on her breathing. She can't just lose to Lorenzo, right? That little child Kaitlynn within her just wouldn't allow it. She opened her eyes, ran to the hoop, jumped up, and slammed the ball into the hoop. She hung on with one arm, which was her signature move. She jumped down, and looked over at Lorenzo.

Lorenzo: {clapping slowly} Impressive, for someone like you.

Kaitlynn: HEY!

Lorenzo: It's true! Now, step aside and let the REAL pro show you how to do it.

San Myshuno

Kaitlynn looked around her old neighborhood. Feelings of longing filled her head as she walked the streets that she used to walk so long ago. The memories that she had created along with all of her friends made her wish that everything would just go back to the simpler days.

Unknown: Hey! Watch where you're going!

Oh shoot... Kaitlynn got so carried away that she crashed into a man who seemed oddly familiar.

Kaitlynn: I am SO sorry! I was just really carried away with my thoughts. I had a lot of things happen to me recently, and I decided to go back to my old neighborhood and...

Unknown: Woah, woah, woah, I wasn't asking for your whole life story, signorina.

That smirk. That thick Italian accent. Kaitlynn couldn't quite believe it.

Kaitlynn: Lorenzo? Oh my gosh, no WAY! It's me, Kaitlynn, remember? We grew up in the same apartment complex.

Lorenzo: {smirks} I remember you. How could I forget the girl who decided to stuff spaghetti into my backpack? Very funny, by the way.

Kaitlynn: Ugh, I'd rather you not bring up my past stupidities, thanks.

Lorenzo: I'm just messin' with you. Anyway, I have to go pick up my niece from daycare.

Kaitlynn: Sienna has a kid now?!?

Lorenzo: Two actually. You'll have to visit sometime. I'm sure my family will appreciate a visit. They loved you more than they loved me.

Kaitlynn: Oh, stop it. But I will definitely visit. Give me your number!

Brindleton Bay

Weeks have passed, but Kaitlynn still felt as lonely as ever. She decided to get a puppy to keep her company. She went to a local animal shelter and picked out the cutest puppy ever. She was so tiny and perfect for Kaitlynn to cuddle with. She loved the copper parts of her fur that, in the right lighting, would look rose colored. That's exactly why she named her Rosie.

Kaitlynn: I'm done with you. That's it. It's OVER! You can go and date JESSICA over there.

Wes: Yeah, I will, and I will be TEN times happier!

Kaitlynn: Fine then!

Wes: Fine by me as well!

Kaitlynn: I hope you have a nice life!

Wes: I hope to never see you again!