Lemonade Bubbles

Lemons Jubilee

A/N So here is the story I gave you a brief preview of a couple weeks ago. You'll possibly notice the story and the chapter have been renamed. The surprise that Stella has in mind (coming in the second chapter) was indirectly inspired by a two year old. While this story is multi-chapter there are only three. Due to the length of each chapter and the busy schedule I have, it'll be sometime (a few weeks) before the next chapter is published. Please be patient. You'll notice that you'll be given an opportunity to see into every band members head at least once, and while there is a new romantic interest for Stella introduced, possibly one for Charlie as well, also a little more Mo/Scott relationship, my love of Wen/Olivia will keep their relationship the big romance, picking up a bit after my "Potential and Promise" story. The main theme of the story despite all the romance is the band's friendship.

Oh, before I forget, the bold at the beginning of some sentences indicates the moving of time not necessarily the change of character voice.

The standard disclaimer: Lemonade Mouth is a fantastic story created by Mark Peter Hughes and made into a great movie by Disney who were very smart to hire the cast that brought the characters to life. I have no copyrights to any part of the original works or characters and am simply borrowing them for non-(monetary)profit entertainment purposes. (I do have an emotional profit from sharing the tale though).

A side note... if you haven't seen it yet, Adam Hicks has a super funny video he posted on Youtube (channel is adamstyle702) about suffering from jet lagged his first night in London this week.

A smiling Stella Yamada checked the contents of the plastic shopping bag one more time, assuring herself that everything was inside, before sliding it into the back compartment of her backpack. Making sure it lay as flat as possible she finished packing the clothes and gear she'd need for the next couple of days. To say she was excited was a bit of an understatement. She and her fellow Lemonade Mouth band members had orchestrated an "End of Summer/End of First Tour Series" event.

The events would kick off this very afternoon, as soon as she could get her family in the car in fact, with a drive to Wen Gifford's house for a family barbeque his family had offered to throw. Technically, Wen had first suggested it to the band when Stella had begun devising her festivities but his Dad and step mom had willingly agreed. Everyone and their families were going to be there; the Picketts, the Delgados including Charlie's older brother, Tommy, Olivia White's grandmother Brenda, and even the Banjarees would be coming.

After the barbeque the plan was for the band members to camp out in a tent in Wen's backyard. The only thing that they weren't sure about was whether Mohini Banjaree was going to be allowed to camp with them that night. Her father hadn't given his permission but he had not said no either. They were all hoping that when Mr. Banjaree saw the sleeping arrangements that had been made he would give his permission. Regardless Mo would be joining them the next morning for the hike into the desert foothills and any other activities they came up with for the rest of the weekend.

Stella glanced around her room one more time, mentally tallying the contents of her pack to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. She glanced down at her denim shorts, green floral tank top and black Chucks, checking them off her mental checklist, again. Sure that she had everything she needed she slung the bag over one shoulder, grabbed her sleeping bag and bee lined it for the front door.

"Mom! Dad! Come on! We're gonna be the last ones there! All the food will be gone!" Stella yelled as she plowed down the stairs. "Timmy! Andrew! Aren't you ready yet?" She reached the front door turning to holler "encouragements" to her family once more only to see her mom coming from the kitchen with her purse, a potato salad, and an indulgent smile on her face. Moments later her father came down the staircase with the twins close behind. Stella was bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet trying to restrain herself from physically pushing her family out to her father's Volvo. Once in the taupe station wagon her restraint was further put to the test as her father decided he needed to readjust his seat and mirrors, though he'd already taken the car to run errands just that morning. Stella leaned forward and started digging thru her backpack in an effort to distract herself, needlessly taking another inventory of the contents. Then they were moving.

Stella felt like her smile was spreading bigger and bigger the closer they got to the Gifford home. By the time her dad pulled in and parked in the dooryard she was sure she would be grinning like a 5 year old at Christmas for the rest of her life. She spotted Gran's silver Honda civic parked next to Mr. Gifford's truck but didn't see any other vehicles belonging to the Lemonade Mouth family. That Olivia was the first to arrive wasn't a surprise. By the time Stella and her family had gotten out of the car, the Delgado's black Mercedes was pulling in next to them. Stella gave Charlie a brief hug and then his mother as the two families greeted each other. Within moments Wen's parents, Norman and Sydney appeared from the back yard, greeting everyone with smiles, handshakes, and hugs. Stella was already feeling the warm family vibe that this barbeque was meant to create as they all followed the Giffords around the stucco sided home to the backyard. As she approached the brick patio at the back of the Gifford's home, Stella was enfolded in a hug by Olivia's grandmother and then a brief squeeze around the waist by Georgie, Wen's little sister. Stella glanced around the backyard, noticing the strains of "Somebody" echoing softly across the lawn but there was no sign of the real Olivia or Wen, just a portable speaker dock and Wen's (?) iPod on a small table on the patio.

"They went out to the stable to see Cookie," Sydney said noticing Stella looking around. "They should be back in a moment but you're welcome to go join them."

"Thanks, I might go say hi to Cookie, too," Stella said heading back toward the dooryard. Cookie was a little sorrel mare that the Giffords' used for riding lessons. Wen had allowed her to ride the little mare once during a visit though she knew Olivia had been gotten few lessons on the sweet tempered animal more recently. She slowed her progress down the stable aisle when she saw her two friends walking in her direction, the fingers of their closest hands lightly tangled. Stella, as well as the rest of the band, was curious about the relationship status of these two. Since the interview with Moxie Morris they had all expected that Wen and Olivia would be a definite couple with all the silly moments of PDA that often came with it. But to everyone's surprise, other than little private moments that were accidently interrupted, like this one, the two appeared to be nothing more than the best friends they had been since the forming of Lemonade Mouth. Even holding hands like they were at this moment could still leave one doubting since the group as a whole tended express their platonic friendships with a lot of hugs, dog piles, and horseplay. Except Stella was pretty sure that eventually the two would become either more obvious or make some kind of (ack!) "announcement".

"Hey guys" Stella called and stopped to wait for them to meet her.

"Hey Stell," Wen replied letting Olivia's fingers slip from his as she reached to give Stella a hug.

"How's Cookie?" Stella asked making small talk.

"She's such a sweetie" Olivia said. "Did you want to go see her?"

"Maybe later," the mare was cute but Stella was more interested in her friends.

"Has anyone else shown up yet?" Wen asked as they walked out of the stable to head back to the house, slipping his arms over both her and Olivia's shoulders. Stella was pretty sure it was just an excuse to touch Olivia again.

"Charlie and his family got here just after us but no one else as far as I know."

Stepping out into the door yard again they spotted the Pickett's red suv parked on the other side of Mr. Gifford's truck. "Well I guess that answers that question." Stella commented.

"Do you think Mo's dad is going to let her stay?" Olivia asked as they continued around to the side of the house.

"I dunno. It would be great if she can but, if they don't let her, at least she can still come with us tomorrow." Wen shook his head then glanced at Stella. "So what do you have planned for tomorrow, Stella?"

Instead of replying she just grinned at the two of them. She had been taunting the band with hints of a surprise during the following day's activities. It was something she had always wanted to do, well since moving out into a city with a desert and mountains so close to it. The group knew that tomorrow they would be hiking out into the near foothills but they had no idea what Stella had in mind once they got there. Stella intended to keep them in the dark until they reached the point where she was ready to reveal her surprise.

The sound of tires on crushed stone made the three teens look back. They watched the gold Subaru sedan of Mr. Banjaree roll to a stop beside the Delgado's black car.

Wen, feeling the duties of host press on him since neither his dad nor Sydney was present, stepped toward the newcomers.

"Hello, Mr. Banjaree," he greeted, offering his hand. Wen wasn't stupid. He as well as everyone else wanted Mo to spend the night. He knew Mr. Banjaree has particular opinions about his daughter in regards to boys and since Mr. Banjaree had spent a great deal of time with the group of teens while they toured, Wen hoped that the older man realized that he had no interest in Mohini romantically (his interests were firmly rooted elsewhere). But Wen wasn't going to take any chances. He would focus on Mr. and Mrs. Banjaree before giving Mo a brief greeting. The big greetings would have to come from Olivia and Stella.

"Let me take that for you Mrs. Banjaree," he said accepting a plastic covered plate heaping with pastries. He was about to mention that the pastries looked delicious when his stomach rumbled audibly. He flushed slightly and made to apologize when his friends giggled and even Mrs. Banjaree gave a small chuckle.

"Don't worry," Mr. Banjaree patted his shoulder sympathetically, "My wife's samosas can make you hungry just by looking at them."

"Or he's just a typical teenage boy," Stella smirked at him, "Always hungry."

Wen shot her a warning glare before glancing at Mo and Olivia. Mo just grinned as Olivia opened her mouth to defending him.

Mrs. Banjaree responded unexpectedly instead, "Well of course he is hungry. Look how tall he is. You do not get that big by just breathing air."

Wen cleared his throat still very much embarrassed, "Well, we should join everyone out back. It's this way." Wen led the group to the back yard, where his dad and he had set up two tables on the lawn, end to end with enough chairs for everyone. It was placed close enough to the patio to make transferring food to the table from the grill easier. They had been very cautious about the menu for today, settling on grilled brats, chicken drumsticks and thighs for those that ate meat as well as a variety of vegetarian sides for Stella and anyone else if they chose. Fresh salsa, dips and chips, from the Delgado's and Picketts, were arranged around a platter of vegetables with ranch dressing. There was also a couple plates of cookies and a big basket of brownies made from scratch compliments of Gram and Olivia, who Wen thought still smell wonderfully of baking brownie. What was missing was anything with beef in it. Mo never seemed to care when anyone ate it in front of her but with her family's Bengali beliefs they hadn't wanted to offend them.

Wen placed the plate of Indian pastries in an empty spot on the table before turning around. He saw his dad and Sydney showing the Banjaree's the 10-person tent he and his dad had dug out of storage and set up to one side of the yard. Inside you could see sleeping bags and backpacks piled on two sides of a large blue sheet that hung in the center, the nearest bottom corner tied back to allow accesses to the tent, though it would hang completely dividing the girls from the boys tonight. Wen knew his dad would be telling Mr. Banjaree he would personally be coming out to check on them a few times during the night. Wen could see Mo staring at her father, waiting for his response, willing him to give permission, but he gave noncommittal smile to his dad and Sydney - stepmom was still too weird a label for him to use, as was the word parent but he was slowly warming to it, thanks to Olivia for giving him a swift kick in the…

He looked around for his blond best friend, spotting Charlie and Scott near theirs and Stella's parents, the boys chatting together, both watching Mo covertly; Scott because he didn't need to cause issues with her dad today and Charlie because he wasn't supposed to be infatuated with the dark haired girl anymore. Wen sighed and glanced around again, spotting the beautiful blond sitting in the gazebo with Gram, Stella and Georgie, laughing at something Georgie was saying.

He walked up to them just in time to hear Georgie exclaim "And just as he flew over the pool, the shark jumped out of the tank and took a snap at his skateboard! But he missed and Zeke landed safe on the other side!" Figures, her new favorite show and she told everyone about the episodes she'd watched.

"So, ladies," Wen smiled at the grin on Olivia's face, "is Georgie keeping you entertained?"

Gram chuckled, "Yes she is. I may have to watch this show she's been telling us about. It sounds very funny to hear her describe it."

"Oh yes. You'll like it," Georgie gushed, "There's even a Gram on the show though Luther calls her Nana, not Gram." And she launched into another story as Wen sat down on a cushioned bench across from his sister and Olivia.

Mo was sitting with her mother, Wen, Stella's mom, and Wen's dad, Norman while the latter was grilling. Down the table a little way Stella sat with Charlie and Scott talking about the band, Charlie shooting long, hungry looks at the grill. The smell of brats and caramelizing barbeque sauce was even making her mouth water. Snacking on chips and dip and her mother samosa's was barely holding her appetite at bay. To distract herself she watched her father talking with Stella's dad, Leonard, and Olivia's grandmother. She could see him glancing across to the tent then at Scott and Charlie. She wished she knew what he was going to decide. She had had a discussion with him shortly after Stella and Wen had announced their plans. Her father had been willing to allow her to participate in all the activities with the exception to the co-ed sleepover. He had told her he would think about it though but that she must accept his final decision without complaint. She'd agreed since she knew he was being reasonable about everything.

Suddenly a platter of steaming chicken was placed in the center of the table in front of her and Norman's voice was calling out that the food was ready. Mo accepted a bowl of potato salad from her mother, taking a helping before passing it along to Olivia who sat down next to her. Glancing down the table she spotted her father, sitting next to Scott! Her father caught her looking and smile serenely at her before turning back to his conversation with the tall guitar player.

The meal passed amiably, the large family group chatting and joking happily while the food gradually disappeared. Eventually as the plates of cookies were slowly depleted conversations lagged. Mo, Stella, her mother and Sydney began grabbing empty plates and serving ware to bring in the house. Inside the kitchen Mo thought she recognized one of her schoolmates, Kate Gould or something, loading a dishwasher while chatting with Sydney. Mo offered to help her but the girl just shook her head and urged her to go have fun with her friends. Surprised at how thorough the Giffords had been in planning this gathering, she returned to the backyard to find everyone was standing around, preparing to leave. Olivia's grandmother was giving her granddaughter a hug then one each for Georgie, Sydney and Wen before waving goodbye to everyone. Mo approached her father and mother who were talking with Norman again. Her father placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a small squeeze. She smiled sadly at him. When her parents turned to leave, having said their good byes to everyone, Mo made to follow behind them.

"Hey Mo, where you goin'?" Stella called to her. Puzzled, Mohini stopped and looked back.

"I'm going home, I guess." She replied, confusion pulling her brows together. Stella, Olivia, Wen, Scott and Charlie were all grinning at her. She looked back at her parents, who were also smiling. Comprehension was dawning on her; disbelief fading to a delighted smile. "Really, Baba?" she asked her father.

"Yes Monu, as long as you promise to behave." He smiled kindly at his daughter.

"Yes, Baba, Mama" She hugged her parents.

"Your things are in the tent. Call us when you finish the hike tomorrow. Have fun," Her mother kissed her cheek as they left.

Twenty minutes later, with dusk beginning to settle over the lawn, only Wen's family remained in the yard with the band. Wishing them all goodnight, Sydney ushered Georgie inside to get ready for bed. Before heading inside himself, Norman helped Wen move their fire pit closer to the tent while Charlie and Scott shifted four cushioned chairs and a small table around the pit, as the girls heading into the house to change for the night. As he left them starting the fire, Norman promised to be out in a little while to check on them.

The three boys changed and settled around the fire attired in shorts or sweats and tee-shirts. Within moments Mo, Stella, and Olivia emerged from the house carrying a couple jugs of lemonade, fresh cups, and fixings for s'mores. Scott and Wen laughed, causing Charlie to turn in his seat to look, when they spotted Stella wearing men's boxers for shorts and an oversized tee-shirt. She struck a pose for their amusement, her jug of lemonade held up like Lady Liberty's torch, one knee bent out toe on the ground and her other hand open and framing her grinning face. Olivia, in her navy blue sweat shorts and silver/navy striped tank top, walked by her laughing before tossing the bag of marshmallows over her shoulder at the guitarist. The girls deposited their snacks on the little table upon reaching the fire, Stella snagging the last open seat with a wicked grin at Olivia who just stuck her tongue out in reply drawing more laughs. Mo in black yoga pants and a tank top, passed an extra cushion to Scott when he gave her his chair, then watched in amusement as Wen gave Olivia his chair, accepting the cushion she offered placing it at her feet to sit on it and lean against her bare shins, mirroring Scott's position.

"Why do our parents all feel the need to remind us to behave? What do they think we are going to do?" Stella whined, pouring herself a glass of lemonade. Mo stared at her before casting a glance at Scott, a flush starting to creek up her cheeks.

"Gee perhaps the warning is coming from not wanting a repeat of having to pick us up from police custody last fall," Charlie said sarcastically completely missing Mo's pointed look at Scott.

Stella's cheeks reddened slightly, an angelic smile on her face. "I try not to repeat my mistakes."

Everyone laughed at that, though Mo thought that it did seem to be true. Stella rarely got punished for the exact same thing twice. Mo grabbed the bag of marshmallows, handed a few to Scott before passing the bag along. Soon everyone had marshmallows skewered on slim branches perched over the low fire. She leaned back into her cushions thoroughly enjoying the camaraderie she hadn't been expecting to be allowed to join. Her father was surprising her at every turn these days allowing her freedoms, granted not complete but certainly reasonable amounts of it. She was determined to not give her parents a chance to regret giving her that freedom.

Olivia giggled at the look of puzzlement on Charlie's face, staring at the card in Mo's hand from across the fire, as if hoping he could read it from where he was. "Um, Hercules?"

"Errrt, nope!" Scott grinned, "The correct answer is Fantasia"

An hour before Wen had disappeared into the house and returned holding three boxes of cards from a Disney Trivial pursuit game and as the night progressed the questions were getting harder to answer as their teenage brains became fogged with sleepiness. All in all the evening had been a blast, between toasting s'mores, Wen moving his iPod speaker dock closer to the fire and drawing Olivia into a clumsy swing dance to the Squirrel Nut Zippers while the rest of the band had jumped up and joined in their own ways. Finally they had all paired off for the impromptu quiz game with the trivia cards that Wen (thanks to having a little sister) and Olivia were winning with "Chella", as Mo had dubbed the team of Stella and Charlie, a close second. (Who knew that Stella was such a Disney fanatic?) Now Olivia was sitting back in her seat, her right leg tucked under her while the other had Wen leaning on it as he continued to sit in front of her chair. Across the fire Mo sat snuggled in Scott's lap on their seat while Charlie and Stella had pulled their chairs closer to designate their partnership in the game.

Stifling a small yawn, Olivia stretched her arms out in front of her bringing her hands to rest on Wen's head then leaning forward to proper her chin on her hands. Sighing softly she breathed in the spicy scent of Wen's soap and the hair wax he used. Despite a temptation to wrap her arms around his neck and rest her cheek against his soft hair, she was content to keep in her current position for a while. Wen took that moment to reach across with his right hand to squeeze the top of her left knee with his strong fingers, causing her to squirm away as the tingling sensation of the tickle zoomed up her leg. He caught her left leg pulling her foot into his lap and held her ankle prisoner in his gentle grip for a moment before using her leg as a keytar jamming to Foster the People as the opening lines of "Pumped Up Kicks" echoed in the yard. Olivia giggled as she continued to try to squirm out of his grip while the others just smirked at him, eyebrows raised at the performance. Finally breathless she felt her leg released and nearly fell out of her chair when he let go.

"Oops, sorry," He said reaching out to steady her. His half smirk told her he still thought it was funny. She stuck her tongue out at him like a 4 year old, but a moment later she was yawning again.

Stella laughed, "And on that note we should call it a night."

They packed up the remains of the s'mores ingredients, straightened up while the fire was doused and began to wander toward the tent. As she returned from bringing the food into the house Olivia caught a movement in the shadows of the trees behind the tent. She looked away quickly when she realized that it was Mo and Scott sharing a final "good night". She glanced at Wen as he doused the flames, and firmly squashed the small impatience she had begun feeling toward him. It wasn't fair on her part when he'd been very honest with her, promising what he had two months before. Moreover, she could sense a change coming and she knew a little more time and patience could make all the difference. She sighed and headed into the tent.

Finally they were all gathered in the tent and began to arrange their sleeping bags chatting among themselves as they worked. Without complaint Mo eventually settled closest to the outside wall of the tent and with Olivia nearest the dividing line on the girls' side, while Scott was the farthest from Mo as possible and Wen on the sheet side. Their bags made messy piles on either side of the tent door. Norman Gifford took that moment to make his first appearance to check on them. He surveyed the sleeping arrangement and Olivia noticed the slight mouth twitch when he glanced first to her than at his son, but he didn't say anything about it.

"You guys all set?" He asked and received a collective affirmative reply. He reached out between Wen and Olivia and unclipped the clothes pin holding the sheet out of the way, letting it drop into place. "Ok, have a good night. Behave!" He said pointing sternly at Wen though his smile softened the reprimand.

"Dad!" Wen complained as Scott and Stella reached to extinguish the camp lanterns on each side of the tent. Norman chuckled as he zipped the tent closed as he left.

"'Night guys," Stella said thru a yawn. "I'm so glad we can do this. I can't wait for tomorrow."

"What are you scheming Stella?" began Charlie as the others were giving their own responses.

"This was a great idea."

"Yeah, this is fun."

"I haven't camped in forever."

Stella chuckled and said, "Well Mr. Delgado, the sooner you get to sleep the sooner we'll be out tomorrow. Then you'll all find out."

"Good night Stella," Mo told her dryly.

A murmur of "'Night," moved around the tent and then there was silence. Olivia lay listening to everyone breathing quietly until the sound of nylon sleeping bags rustling broke the peace. The low hiss of whispers and quiet laughter suddenly started from the boys' side of the tent. Olivia glanced over at Mo and Stella just visible in the dim light of the back door light that filtered thru the canvas walls. Stella and Mo traded looks, as they propped themselves up on their elbows. The three girls shared puzzled smiles, while Stella asked aloud, "What are you guys up to?"

Her only answer was a whispered comment from Wen (Olivia was sure she recognized his soft sibilants even at a whisper) and a slightly louder laugh from Scott. Suspicious, Stella pushed her sleeping bag open and got to her knees, preparing to go investigate while Mo and Olivia sat up completely. Before Stella could do more and rise a few inches, light and music filled the tent.

"Barbie Girl" filled the air as Wen's silhouette danced against the sheet, his robot movements fitting the song while he beat boxed along. The girls burst out in laughter and soon Scott and Charlie could be seen dancing alongside Wen. Olivia had tears on her cheeks from laughing so hard, while Stella and Mo catcalled and whistled at the boys, egging them on.

Finally the song ended and the girls struggled to catch their breath from laughing. "Seriously? You have "Barbie Girl" on your iPod?" Stella teased.

The grinning boys pushed aside the sheet to see the results of their antics. "Ha ha" Wen replied making a face at Stella.

"We thought we'd give you something sweet to dream about tonight" Charlie laughed.

"I'm not sure your spinning chicken dance can be classified as a sweet dream," Mo teased back. Charlie grabbed at his chest like he'd been shot and keeled over disappearing from view for a moment.

"Well sweet or not, we're in your heads now," Scott smirked.

Smiling briefly at Stella and Mo before his eyes came to rest on Olivia, Wen added, "And we wanted to say good night again."

"Good night," Olivia replied ignoring the elbow Stella nudged her with.

As they finally settled in their sleeping bags for the last time that night, Olivia was suddenly acutely aware that Wen was stretched out a mere foot from her. She could hear him breathing softly, the memory of his scent in her nose, the feeling of his strong hands on her ankle. She suddenly had a tremendous urge to run her fingers thru his hair, touch his face, and stroke her hands across his broad shoulders and chest. The thoughts caused warmth to bloom in her abdomen and spread throughout her body. She shifted restlessly, imaging how it might feel to have his large sensitive hands tenderly caressing her skin, his lips hot against hers…

"Olivia" the soft breathy whisper barely reached her ears, the longed for voice pulling her from her fantasy. She rolled to face the sheet, imagining the red-haired youth on the other side doing the same. She gazed up to where she thought his eyes would be. A soft rustling of the sheet near her shoulder drew her attention. She reached out until she found his hand, slipping her small hand into his.

Smiling blissfully, she fell asleep dreaming the sweetest dreams of the boy beside her.