Chapter 2

I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.

Wait...In this story, I created most of the characters, so I actually do.

Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.

And as I created most of them, who they are is up to me, so...

Abby just stood there looking back and forth between her brother and her new roommate. If it wouldn't draw so much attention to everything, she would have busted out laughing. And to her amusement, she noticed she was getting a questioning look from the new guy, Derek. But, this wasn't the time or the place to talk about it. So, she decided to try to get things moving again.

"Well, I have my stuff now. Why don't we all head up to the skydeck and meet up with everyone?"

Everyone finally focused their attention on to what she said and nodded their agreement. Charlie opened the door and held it open for everyone. Marissa smiled at him as she left, and Abby and Derek followed out behind her. After locking the cabin door, they were off.

On the skydeck, the quickly introduced everyone to everyone and began formulating their plan of attack for seeing as much of the ship as possible. Of course, as they were all standing there, the all thought the world just went dark. Turns out, it was a very large man standing there.

"Are any of you Martins?"

Abby, Charlie, Brady and Beth all raised their hands. "We are..."

The man smiled. "Good to have you all aboard. I'm Kirby Morris. I knew all of your parents when they were students here." He looked over and noticed Nathan. "You wouldn't by chance be a Fink would you?"

Nathan nodded. "My parents are Woody and Addison Fink..."

Kirby grinned. "I had a feeling they were. The hair was a dead giveaway. Well, I just wanted to officially welcome you all to the S.S. Tipton and Seven Seas High. If you all are anything like your parents, this should be a fun four years."

Brady paused and grinned. "So, you know stories about our parents then?"

"That I do..."

Brady turned and whispered to Nathan. "Dad's told me about this guy. Seems you give him a sandwich, and he'll tell you anything..."

Nathan grinned. "Yes...We finally get to know some things..."

Brady turned and saw Kirby staring right at him.

"You're Zack Martin's son, aren't you?"

Brady nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Mr. Moseby has told me to keep an extra close eye on you..." He turned to Nathan. "You too...I liked your parents an awful lot, but I'm not so old that I don't remember some of the things they used to pull. So, try to keep your noses clean."

Abby smiled at him. "We will, Mr. Morris."

Kirby smiled back at her. "Call me, Kirby. Let me guess...You're Cody and Bailey's daughter, right?"

Abby nodded. "Yeah, how did you know?"

"Call it a gut feeling. You remind me of your mother. You're parents weren't so bad, just don't let me catch you making out with someone behind the smoothie counter..."

Abby and Charlie turned to look at each other and busted out laughing. "Oh my gosh! Mom and Dad did that?"

Kirby paused and tried to cover it up. "I didn't say that...ummm...I should get back to my rounds..." And with that Kirby began to head off. Then, he stopped and turned back around. Looking at Charlie and Abby, he spoke up. "Either one of you good at accounting?"

Charlie was about to answer when he noticed that Mr. Moseby was now standing behind Kirby. He just pointed, and Kirby turned and saw his boss. "We'll talk later..." And with that, Kirby ran off.

Moseby just shook his head and looked at the group of ten teens standing around him.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure there aren't any problems this semester. I already know the Martins and Fink, and I know what they are capable of. If the rest of you choose to hang out with them, I should let you know there is a brig, and I'm not afraid to use it."

Brady grinned. "Ever throw my Dad in the brig?"

Moseby paused. "I was close to once, but I was talked out of it. But, I have given my fair share of detentions. Anyways. This is Saturday, and classes begin on Monday. You have the rest of the day today to get your sea legs. Tonight, the ship leaves the port and we will be on our way. Tomorrow, there is a freshman orientation at 2:00 to be followed by a school wide assembly following it at 5:00..."

Matt spoke up. "Orientation is going to last three hours?"

Moseby grinned. "Of course. We learned a long time ago that if we didn't go through the student handbooks with freshmen, they tended not to read them...with a few exceptions. So, instead of relying on students doing it on their own, we're taking care of that."

Almost everyone groaned, but Abby spoke up.

"You said we were leaving port tonight. Where are we headed first?"

Moseby smiled. "We're heading across the Atlantic towards Lisbon and on to Barcelona."

Nathan grinned. "Mmmmm...churros..."

Moseby rolled his eyes and muttered. "I see some things are genetic..." He spoke up and smiled. "Anyways, I expect you all to be on your best behavior. Because once we are on the open sea, there is nowhere for you to run from me..."

Matt leaned over and whispered to Brady. "I liked the way you said that better."

Brady could only nod. Moseby headed off to take care of something else leaving the group of ten there to their own devices. Brady spoke up again.

"I hear the place to be is the lido deck. I say we head there first."

Charlie nodded. "It is a lot of fun from what I remember, but I wanted to check out the school deck again. Last time we were on the ship, it was summer and I wasn't paying too much attention."

Brady rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Cuz? We'll be spending plenty of time there soon enough."

Marissa smiled. "I'll go with you to check it out, Charlie. I missed seeing it the last time I was here."

Charlie smiled back at her. "Lets go then. We'll catch up to everyone later..."

Abby spoke up. "I think I'll come too.." Somebody had to keep an eye on her brother. She gave Derek a look suggesting he come along too.

"Yeah, me too. This I have to see."

The other six shrugged, and they headed for the lido deck. Charlie and Marissa were out in front, and Abby and Derek were following behind them. When there was some distance between the two pairs, Derek whispered to Abby.

"Is there something going on here that I should know about?"

Abby grinned and whispered back. "You see, several years ago, we came to the ship for a family vacation and to celebrate my parents' fifteenth anniversary. They met here on the boat and got married here when they were twenty-one."

Derek nodded. "Cool."

"Anyways, while we were here, we spent a day on the lido deck. My Mom was reading a book while Dad was playing with us kids in the pool, throwing around one of those pool frisbees. I saw this young girl sitting on the edge of the pool by herself looking lonely. So, I invite her to join us. Well, for the next little while, we're all playing. At one point, she and Charlie both went for it at the same time, and they ran right into each other. After that, my brother seemed to go stupid talking to her. And a few minutes later, that girl was called away and had to go. We never saw her again..."

Derek paused. "Until earlier today...That girl was Marissa, right?"

Abby grinned. "Correct. For a long time after that, it really bothered Charlie why he went stupid around her. My opinion is that's when he realized girls weren't icky."

Derek laughed. "Always a major breakthrough for us guys..."

Abby laughed too. "I guess so. But the thing is, he never forgot about her..."

"And here she is back in his life...Should I have a word with him not to get his hopes up too high?"

"Normally, I would appreciate that. But for some reason, I get the impression the attraction might be reciprocated..."

Derek's eyes went wide. "Really?"

Abby nodded. "I think so. But, one's my roommate and one's my brother, so I'm going to stay out of it and watch the show."

Derek grinned. "Should I bring the popcorn?"

Abby laughed. "We might need it. I have the feeling we're going to hear about this more than we will ever want."

"Probably so..." He paused. "Maybe we should meet up every so often to compare notes?"

Abby paused. "Maybe we should..."

Up in front of them, Charlie and Marissa were walking along as well. After a few moments of initial nervous energy on both of their parts, they began talking too.

"I still can't believe you're here. I never thought I'd ever see you again."

Marissa smiled. "Me either. But last year, my parents told me it was time for me to pick where I went to high school. It was either her or a boarding school in Switzerland...and I'm not much of a skier."

Charlie laughed. "Good choice then..."

"Well, I figured here, I'd get to see the world. But I'm quickly learning there's some perks..."

"Perks?"

"Yeah...People I know somewhat...Like you."

Charlie swallowed. "Like me?"

Marissa realized what she said. "Yeah...Like you...and Abby."

Charlie paused. "Oh...Like me and Abby...Of course. Well, you'll get to meet some of the others we grew up with. They can be pretty cool once you get to know them..."

Marissa smiled. "I hope so. It seemed like I was never in any school long enough to make real friends before."

Charlie smiled back. "Well, you've got us now..." And to himself, he thought that being friends would give him even more time to get to know her even better.

"I appreciate that." And to herself, she thought being friends would be a good way to get to know Charlie even better.

"No problem." And to himself, he figured if he gave it enough time, he might make a move then.

"So, shall we check out these classrooms?" And to herself, she figured if she gave it enough time, she might make a move then.

"Yeah...Let's do it." And to themselves, they each thought...six months should be enough time.

To be Continued...