CHAPTER TEN

~Liz~

I woke up early the next morning thanks to not only my alarm going off but to Chrissy humming and singing to herself in the bathroom. I had to admit though, the girl could sing, unlike many other people I knew of. I groaned inwardly as I climbed out of bed and went knocking on the bathroom door.

“What!” was the reply I heard from the other side.

“Come on Chrissy, I have no idea how long you’ve been in there but if I’m going today with you, AJ and whoever else is going than I want to take a shower!”

I heard her giggle as the door swung open. She was in her black bikini and a pair of white board shorts. Her hair was done in pig tails with the ends in corkscrews. Her make-up was done and to say the least she looked really cute.

“Planning on impressing anyone?” I asked with an evil grin walking past her into the bathroom.

“Not anyone here,” she replied back with a grin.

“Oh please,” I said rolling my eyes, “Don’t forget you’ve told me everything about your crush on AJ or your first run in with him at the mall.”

She smiled, “He doesn’t even know it was me,” she said stepping out of the bathroom.

I leaned on the door frame, “Then you might want to tell him then,” I said shutting the door before she could respond.

I smiled to myself while starting the shower. I knew she wasn’t mad at me but I also knew she knew I was right, and that pissed her off the most. I quickly took my shower before stepping out and wrapping a towel tightly around my body. I opened up the door to see where Chrissy was only to find her on her bed with her headphones on music blaring. I could hear what she was listening to and I was clear across the room from her. I had to admit the girl loved her music just as much as I did mine.

I walked over to her after getting dressed in my purple bikini and silver board shorts and after putting my make-up on. I slowly climbed onto her bed to where I was straddling her waist. Her eyes were closed and she was jamming with the beat of the music so I knew she didn’t even know what I was doing. For all she knew I was still in the shower. I yanked her headphones off screaming her name causing her to jump knocking me to the floor almost. I was laughing so hard while she glared at me before laughing herself.

“You scared the shit out of me LIZ!!”

“That was the point,” I stated, “When are we supposed to meet the guys?”

She glanced at her watch, “In like ten minutes.”

I let out a soft sigh, “Want to go ahead and head down to the lobby then?”

“Sure,” she said standing grabbing her back pack that had her wallet and our room key in it, “Madison rented us two cars before he left this morning so there should be plenty of room for all.”

“Who all is coming?” I asked while we walked down the hall both of us sporting white halter tops and flip flops with the rest of our semi matching outfits.

“Nick, AJ, Howie, Riss, you, and me,” she said counting on her fingers as we stood in the elevator waiting until it stopped at our destination.

“That’s cool,” I said stepping out when the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

“It’s gonna be a blast,” Chrissy said with a smirk on her face.

“I forgot you and AJ are still at war with each other,” I said with a smile, “I still say you should just tell him how you feel.”

She looked at me and smacked my shoulder playfully, “Only if you tell Nick.”

I groaned because I already promised myself I wouldn’t let my feelings for Nick be known to him.

“You win,” I said in defeat, for now.

“HEY LOOK AT THE TWO SEXY WOMEN!!!!”

Both of our heads shot in the direction of the voice making the cat calls to us. I laughed when I saw it was AJ and Nick.

“Looks like we don’t have to make the first moves after all,” Chrissy said before we reached where they were.

“You two are gonna give us a run for our money aren’t you?” AJ asked looking at both of us causing both of us to blush a little.

“That’s the plan,” Chrissy answered with a smile with her hands on her hips, “No one ever told you it was going to be an easy victory.”

That made me laugh even harder. Chrissy and him would make the cutest couple if they only knew how the each of them felt about the other. I sat down next to Nick while we waited for Rissa and Howie. They showed up a few moments later and we split up for breakfast planning on meeting back up at Busch Gardens.

~Rissa~

“So looks like you and Howie have been hitting it off really well,” Chrissy stated looking at me wiggling her eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes taking another bite of my Italian ice that we decided to stop and get.

“Yeah what’s with you two?” Liz asked pointing at me with her spoon.

“Yeah spill girlie, you can’t keep it a secret from us much longer,” Chrissy added taking another bite of her cherry flavored ice.

I smiled looking at my strawberry flavored treat then back at them.

“Well we have lots in common and he seems to be interested in me which is a complete first.”

Chrissy smiled then looked over her shoulder where the guys were playing a game trying to win stuffed animals for us.

“Told you it was a matter of time Riss, so do you think that there might be a future between you two?” Chrissy asked returning her attention to me.

“I don’t know,” I said being completely honest.

“I know Howie and I can guarantee there probably will be. He seems like he really really really likes you,” Liz stated before taking another bite of her Pina Colada flavored Italian ice.

“I hope so because I really like him,” I said staring at where the guys were now fighting over who was going next.

“It’s obvious,” Chrissy said and I knew she was right. We’ve been friends for the longest time so if anybody knew I liked him it was bound to be her. “Just be yourself, if it’s meant to be it’ll happen.”

I nodded then laughed when Nick and AJ went at it in a wrestling match.

“Hold this,” Chrissy said handing her snack to me before getting up and walking over to where the employee was holding the mallet that you hit the meter with.

Liz and I watched as Chrissy paid him for a turn. The guys stopped bickering and watched as she slammed the hammer down sending the disc all the way up hitting the bell. She grinned when the guy gave her a bear. The guys started fighting again saying the other was weak because Chrissy at least hit the bell. She sat next to me handing me the bear while taking her snack.

“They don’t seem too happy to be beat out by you Chris,” Liz stated laughing at them.

“They’re just little boys, what do you expect?” she asked with a shrug, “Besides, they would be able to do it if they would stop trying to show the other up.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. She was right and there was no denying it. If those three would spend half their time worrying about what they were hitting then who they were trying to beat they would have won each time they’ve played so far. Instead they’ve lost every time they have tried.

Chrissy let out a soft sigh as she looked on at the three ‘little boys’ as she put it.

“This is totally boring!” she said standing.

“Where ya going Chris?” I asked watching her walk away.

“To the Montu. It’s right there so while those three dick around trying to win us toys I’m gonna go ride at least another ride.”

Liz laughed while she jogged to catch up to her, “I’m with you.”

“HEY WAIT UP!!” I called after them. They stopped and I caught up to them. “Think they’ll miss us?”

Chrissy laughed, “No because they’re right behind us.”

I looked over my shoulder while we waited in line to see them running into the entrance to catch up with us. I laughed, “I guess they realized we weren’t going to wait around forever huh.”

“We would have waited for you,” Howie said the moment he got to us.

“Well we didn’t so get over it,” Chrissy said with a smile, “You guys were taking too long, though the gesture was sweet.”

“Why thank you,” AJ said.

“Yours wasn’t his was,” Chrissy said pointing to Howie while looking at AJ.

“Ouch, that hurt,” he said with a smile.

“The truth hurts doesn’t it,” Liz said with a giggle.

Nick wrapped his arms around her shoulders, “Only when Chrissy points it out.”

“Sorry I’m blunt, it’s in my blood,” Chrissy said moving up in the line.

“We forgive ya,” AJ said cutting in front of Chrissy.

“You’re such a jerk!” Chrissy screeched at him pushing him lightly with a smile on her face.

AJ caught her arm and pulled her closer to him smiling, “And you know you love it.”

For a moment there I thought I saw something between them but I wasn’t completely sure. Chrissy rolled her eyes and pulled away but AJ didn’t let her hand go and she never pulled away. I knew she liked him so I couldn’t help but wonder how long it was going to be until the two of them hooked up.

~Nick~

After the ride we decided to go back to where the games were. AJ and Howie were still bent out of shape about winning the girls some kind of stuffed animal. We past by a little games stand where you shoot water at a bulls-eye and the first to fill their tube with water wins and decided to play that game.

The seating arrangement went AJ, Chrissy, Liz, and then me while Howie and Rissa sat on the other side of the game stand. I was so intrigued at trying to beat every one else out that I never saw the silent pact made between Liz and Chrissy. I guess AJ didn’t either because as soon as the buzzer sounded AJ and I were being bombarded by water from Chrissy and Liz’s guns.

“WHAT THE…” AJ yelled before he started laughing.

By the time both of us managed to respond Rissa had already won and the guns stopped working.

“YES!” Chrissy and Liz exclaimed at the same time giving each other high fives before running out of the area before AJ and I could grab them.

I shook my head chuckling to myself because I had to admit they both got us good.

“Told ya AJ you are going to lose the war,” Chrissy taunted while her and Liz started to walk away.

“Oh yeah!” AJ called as he run behind her throwing her over his shoulder.

I watched him curiously then remembered that we were now near where the Tidal Wave was which only meant he was taking her to the bridge.

“ALEXANDER JAMES PUT ME DOWN!!!” Chrissy screamed but you could tell that she was smiling.

“YOU’RE SO DEAD!”

At that moment both her and AJ came running from where the bridge was and right past us.

“Looks like we have two love birds on our hands,” Howie said laughing to himself while walking over to me with Riss.

“I would say so,” I agreed.

“You don’t have any idea.”

We all looked at Liz who just watched as Chrissy chased AJ around finally catching him jumping on his back. I laughed at the sight some how feeling a little bit jealous that I couldn’t openly flirt with Liz like that for the mere fact that I knew she didn’t feel the same way about me that I did her.

“I’m sure we don’t,” I replied as she leaned on me. I had to admit though I wanted so badly to become more than just friends I was happy having her as a best friend.

“Man did you guys know it’s like five in the afternoon?”

We all looked at Riss.

“No,” I replied. No sooner had those words left my mouth did my cell phone ring. I looked at the caller id only to see that Kevin was calling.

I excused myself from the others while I took the phone call already knowing what he was going to say. Sure enough I was right and in a matter of twenty minutes we were all in our separate cars on our way home. As a joke we left AJ and Chrissy in one car just to see what would happen between them, both didn’t find it funny but I knew we all would later.

~AJ~

I glanced over at Chrissy while we started to pull out of the parking lot. She looked like something was bothering her.

“Hey what’s wrong?”

“Huh?” she asked looking at me then what I said hit her, “Oh, I’m just wondering why they left me and you in the same car.”

I shrugged returning my attention to the road so I didn’t rear-end someone or something. She returned to staring out the window and I wondered what she was thinking.

“Hey have you heard anything about your mall girl?” she asked returning her attention back to me.

I glanced at her before returning my attention to the car ahead of us which had the other four in it.

“No not really. I have all my friends looking for her back home and not one of them know who she is. I’m seriously ready to give up.”

“No don’t do that. If you want something badly enough you shouldn’t just give up. You never know she might be right under your nose and you’d never know it if you gave up.”

“What are you saying? You know her or something?” I asked my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Maybe,” she said with a little smirk before returning her attention back out the window. “HEY LOOK!” she exclaimed pointing at something.

“What?” I said trying to see what she was pointing at beings we were sitting at a stop light.

“Want to get back at Kevin for making us leave the park before we were ready?” she asked looking at me mischievously.

“What the hell are you cooking up in that little head of yours?” I asked not sure if I wanted to know.

“It’s a tattoo and piercing place, I’ve wanted to get another tattoo and my tongue pierced for a while now, so let’s go. It’ll surely get back at Kevin,” she said a glimmer showing in her eyes.

“Sure,” I said pulling the car into the parking lot of the place. I had to admit none of us were too happy that Kevin called and told us to get home. It didn’t seem like we were even at the park for how long we were but we were there practically the whole day.

Chrissy hopped out of the car the moment I put it in park. I jogged up to her catching up to her.

“How many freakin tattoos do you have?” I asked her knowing only about the one on her belly.

“Two. I have one on my lower back and then the one around my bellybutton,” she said raising her shirt and lowering the back of her pants revealing a huge butterfly with tribal behind it on her lower back.

“Nice, it looks like it hurt,” I said running my finger lightly over it.

She shivered a little before letting go of her clothes and walking into the parlor, “Not really.”

I smiled loving the effect I’ve been having on her lately, though she didn’t know she was causing the same thing on me. I followed her in and we started looking at the designs.

“Are you gonna get one?” she asked looking at me.

“Ummm….” I wasn’t really sure if I was ready to get another one.

“Oh come on! You have too!” she said giving me a puppy dog look.

“Fine,” I said giving in causing her to smile, “Just stop with THAT look!”

She giggled and gave me a hug, “You also got to get something pierced cuz I’m getting my tongue pierced.”

“WHAT!” I exclaimed, “You never said that was going to be part of the agreement.” She started to pout again, “Fine just stop with the pouting please.”

She smiled again and walked up to the guy behind the counter. She went back before I even had a tattoo picked out. I sighed and returned to the designs finally deciding on a dragon for the back of my shoulder. She came back out with gauze around her ankle. She immediately stuck her tongue out at me showing me that it was pierced.

I sighed, “Did it hurt?”

She shook her head no and for some reason I figured she was lying.

“Actually she didn’t make a peep which is unbelievable because getting your tongue pierced hurts really badly,” the guy said smiling at her.

I looked at Chrissy and she smiled at me. At that moment I was attracted to her but I knew she was in no way my mall girl. I really needed to find that girl. Not knowing who she is is driving me up the wall.

“Your turn,” Chrissy said her speech a little slurred thanks to her new piercing.

I nodded and sighed, “Ok, I want that tattoo,” I said pointing to a dragon that I was staring at the entire time Chrissy was in the back getting her stuff done, “And I guess I’ll get this pierced,” I finished pointing to right under my bottom lip.

The guy nodded, “Ok we can handle that,” he said motioning me into the back of the building where they did everything.

About an hour later Chrissy and I were back on our way to the hotel. Chrissy kept giggling while she stared out the window every once in a while looking in the mirror and sticking her tongue out.

“Chris what the hell is so funny?” I asked trying to pronounce my words with out slurring.

“The fact that the moment you got your lip pierced you screamed like a baby.”

“I did not,” I said looking at her as we pulled into the parking lot of the hotel.

“Oh yes you did. The entire parlor heard you,” she said with a smile as she climbed out of the car grabbing her back pack.

“Well it hurt,” I said knowing that my pride had already been shattered.

“I won’t tell anyone,” she said draping an arm around my waist.

I placed my arm around her shoulders, “Good, I don’t need the guys to have any more ammo to pick on me with.”

She nodded leaning her head on my shoulder as we made it through the lobby of the hotel unnoticed. The ride up to our floor was nice and quiet, sort of peaceful, but that was quickly about to change. When the elevator doors open we were greeted by none other than Kevin, and that was the last person we wanted to see.

“AJ, CHRISSY, WHERE HAVE YOU TWO BEEN?” he boomed the question his voice echoing throughout the hallway.

Chrissy giggled and literally ran down to her room leaving me with him. Kevin watched her and I watched as his eyebrow wrinkled so I knew he was looking at her ankle. He turned his attention back to me and his eyebrow furrowed even more letting me know he saw my new piercing.

“Where have you two been? The others were back here a couple of hours ago,” he said crossing his arms over his chest.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed, “We stopped at a tattoo and piercing parlor on the way home.”

“What!?”

“Yeah, we both got a new tattoo and as you see I have a new piercing and so does she,” I answered already feeling my patience running thin which wasn’t a good sign.

Luckily Kevin just shook his head giving in knowing that the damage was already done and irreversible.

“What did she get pierced?”

“Her tongue, nothing big,” I answered waiting for the lecture to be over.

Kevin nodded, “Fine, get your stuff packed, we’re leaving as soon as you two are ready,” he said as he walked away.

I let out a soft sigh as I headed back to Howie’s and my room thankful that he didn’t stand there and bitch. Though, just because Kevin didn’t say much about it now doesn’t mean Chrissy and I are in the clear from his wrath. I let out a sigh while thinking of everything that happened today and found that for the first time in a while I was actually happy and had a great time. Deep down I knew I had only one person to thank for that, Chrissy.