Chapter 2

LIZ'S POV

I am so excited about the cruise! Dan told us we're going on a 7-day California Coastal roundtrip, starting from LA with stops in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ensenada and then back to LA. I don't like the ocean that much. I prefer mountains, but I'll have the chance to have a good time with my friends and Avan! I can't stop thinking about that kiss. I don't know if that was just a friendly "really nice to see you" kiss or a "I don't wanna be just friends with you" kiss. Suddenly, my phone started vibrating in my hand. I had a new message...

Jogia: "Hey McGills! Just wanted to tell you to tune in Nick to see who's the winner! And I bet that trip will be fun... ;)"

I smiled and wrote an answer...

AVAN'S POV

Yes! You're an idiot, Avan! That was the most lame excuse you could find to talk to her. Well done! Now she definitely won't answer or like me! I'm such a... My phone just rang! New message

McGills: " I will, Jogia! And yeah! That trip will be amazing! I'm pretty sure... ;)"

Ok. The fact that she answered is good! Reallyyy good! Now, I have to pack my things cause tomorrow... we're leaving!

LIZ'S POV

I sat on my couch in the living room and turned the TV on just as soon as the winner was announced by Dan.

"And the winner is... Caroline Adams from LA, California." Then a picture of a petite blonde girl around 10 showed up on the TV screen. " So Caroline get ready, because you and your family are going on a cruise with Victorious!" Dan shouted with a happy voice. "The cruise will last a week and will be a trip to the coasts of California, with a private yacht. I'd like to thank all the other contestants for participating! Thanks guys! Maybe next time!"

I turned the TV off and went to my bedroom to finish packing... I really don't know what to bring with me! Swimsuits, couple of dresses, shorts, tops and underwear. Done! What else? Sunscreen, flip flops, heels, my favorite hat and I think I'm ready. I can't wait for tomorrow morning! Then my phone rang, distracting me from my thoughts!

"Hey Ari!"

"Hiiii Lizzie! How are you today?" She asked me with a happy voice.

"I'm fine and excited about tomorrow! You?" I told her while I was trying to decide which dress to bring with me! A really simple red strapless dress or a short black pencil dress? Ok. I'll take both!

"I'm great! I just have to get some things done for tomorrow! Oh! Almost forgot. I can't pick you up tomorrow morning, cause I'll go to the studio. I've to take care of some things before I leave! Is that a big problem?"

"No, silly! I'll find someone to pick me up. Don't worry!"

"You should ask Avan. You know he would do anything for you!" She said subtly.

"Shut up!" I told her laughing. Ari is the only one who knows about my crush on Avan. And she was right. Avan would do anything for me and I would do anything for Avan!

"See ya babe! And call Avan."

"Ok. Bye!"

Should I call him? I don't know what to do. No one else can! Daniela won't come because she had already scheduled a trip to Europe with her boyfriend, Leon will go with Matt as they live really close and it's far from my place and Vic will be working all morning just like Ari. So, I guess I have to call Avan.

AVAN'S POV

"Hey Avan!" I heard her magical voice and grinned.

"Hey beautiful!"

" Can you do me a favor, Jogia?"

"Hmmm, let me think! What will you do for me?"

"Anything you want!" She told me playfully.

"Anything? Are you sure?" I teased her.

"Yes."

"Ok. I'll think about something! So, what can I do for you?"

"I wanted to ask you if you could pick me up tomorrow morning. No one else can and I just..."

"Of course McGillz! I'll pick you up at 10:30." I cut her off.

"Thank you so much, Avan"

"Anything for you Liz...See you tomorrow."

"See you"

The next morning

Phone, keys, suitcase. I'm ready. I can't wait to see her. Her house is only 10 minutes away so it doesn't take that much. I park my car in front of her house. I get out of the car and ring her doorbell. I can hear quick footsteps and then she opens the door and I can't hold back a grin. My heart skips a beat when I'm around her and it's like the whole world stops when she's looking at me with her beautiful blue-green eyes.

"Good morning, Jogia!" She said kissing me on the cheek and hugging me.

"Good morning, Liz!" I told her hugging her back. I could smell her perfume. Sandalwood and vanilla. I love her smell. It drives me crazy.

She broke our hug and went in the living room telling me to come in! I saw her bringing another suitcase from her bedroom and then laughed and tried to help her!

"Why are you laughing?" She asked handing me the suitcase.

"You already have a suitcase and a hand luggage! We are only leaving for a week! What did you bring with you, McGills?"

"Girls stuff! I need a lot of things with me!" she said punching my arm!

"OK! Let's get that in my car. We shouldn't be late!"

I took the two large suitcases and put them in my car as she handed me the hand luggage! God! That's heavy! Now we're ready! I opened the car door for her and she smiled!

"You are such a gentlemen, Avan!"

I laughed shyly and got in the car. She turned on the radio and searched for a good song! And then we both smiled and laughed when the "walk on the wild side" was on! She was going to turn the volume up as I was going to do the same thing. And that's when our hands touched. That simple touch could drive me crazy! I looked at her and melted. I really want to kiss her. But I can't. We are friends and I can't ruin our friendship. I don't even know if she likes me back!

"That usually happens in movies, you know? At those chick flicks!" She tried to joke with a small grin on her pretty face, but I was lost in her eyes.

LIZ'S POV

I can't believe it! He is coming closer and I stare in his eyes as we're both leaning closer. I'm lost at his gaze and our lips are about to touch. I slightly open my mouth so as to kiss him. I can feel his breath against my lips and as we are going to kiss a loud horn can be heard. Damn it man! Are you serious? We look outside the car and realize that we were blocking all the other cars as the red traffic light turned green. Avan started driving again as I was still mad at the guy who interrupted us. Oh God! He was going to kiss me! That means that he likes me! I think! We weren't filming, we weren't Beck and Jade. We were Liz and Avan. Alone. In his car. I smile like a fool and then look at Avan. His eyes are on the road but a smile is formed on his face!