"Willa! Did you pack your bag yet? I'm leaving for Charlene's house in 5 minutes!" her mom yelled up the stairs. The Keepers decided to spend the 4th of July together, but they knew Disney World would be too crowded. Charlene had recommended a park walking distance from her house, so that's where they went.
"Yes! But could you grab me a beach chair out of the garage?" Willa yelled back, stuffing the rest of her things into her red, white and blue bag. She grabbed the headband that topped off her outfit, ran down the stairs and got in the car. This is gonna be awesome!
Amanda walked to the window. It was such a nice day out, especially for the 4th of July. Amanda always loved fireworks, but Jess wasn't fond of the sounds they made. She sighed contently and walked back toward her bed, where she checked the contents of her bag one more time. She looked over at her sister, who seemed to be stuffing the first 10 things she saw in the room into her bag. Amanda laughed. The definition of Jess: once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator. She helped her sister, and before she realized it, it was time to go.
"C'mon!" Amanda said, and they both brought their bags down the stairs and into Ms. Nash's office.
"We'll be back before midnight." Jess said.
"No later." Ms. Nash replied. The two nodded and walked out and into the beautiful summer day.
"We're off to Charlene's! The wonderful Charlene of Oz!" Jess sang. Amanda threw her head back in laughter, but soon enough the two of them were skipping along the sidewalk singing Jess's ridiculous song. They had almost walked past Charlene's house, and they would've if Charlene hadn't been outside to greet them.
"Maybeck! Stop trying to fix Philby's hair!" Finn said as he his sweatshirt into the backpack he was bringing and zipped it shut. Maybeck was currently trying to "fix" Philby's hair for Willa. Philby blushed and swatted Maybeck's hand away. Dillard laughed from Finn's laptop chair.
"Fine, but yours doesn't look right either, Finn." Maybeck replied, turning his back to Philby and started walking over to Finn. Finn backed away from Maybeck and slapped the incoming hand.
"Okay fashion police. How about we get going before we keep the girls waiting?" Dillard commented, standing up. Maybeck gave up on attacking Finn's hair and looked at his watch. He sighed. "Alright let's go."
They each grabbed their own bag and headed for the stairs. Philby and Finn walked to the mirror and checked their hair. Just in case. They all set out to Charlene's house, the sun practically melting them. As they walked, Finn asked the question Dillard and Maybeck had been waiting for. "You gonna ask Willa out tonight?"
"I don't like her!" he protested. All the boys shot him glances. "Ok, fine, I do. You win. But how do I ask her?"
"Oh c'mon! You're the genius here! Even I have a plan!" Maybeck said.
"For who?" Dillard smirked.
Maybeck blushed, then said "Charlene. But that's not my point!"
"For once, I agree with Maydork." Finn added.
"Oh, don't get me started on you Whitman! It's about time you asked Amanda!" Maybeck looked at Finn mischievously. Finn slapped him across the face and Philby started hysterically laughing.
"What about you Dillard?" Maybeck asked, while rubbing his cheek.
"Well, I'm still thinking, but I am not as desperate as Professor over there." He pointed his thumb over at Philby, who was still laughing.
"Stop it will you? You're drawing attention to us!" Finn exclaimed, elbowing Philby in the ribs.
Hah! As if being famous wasn't doing that already." Philby shot back, but controlled his laughter.
"C'mon! We're not far." Finn said, trying to change the subject.
