THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING! Ah! All of your reviews made me smile! I wasn't planning to update until Friday but the gears in my head have been working over time since I posted the first chapter. I would like to apologize for any typos I had in the last chapter and the typos in the future...lOl It always happens.

Almost Lover

--

Day Two: Colton

I woke up late. REALLY late. Late enough to know that it isn't worth getting up anymore. I dragged myself out of the squishy bed that was part of the reason I slept in. The other part? I didn't sleep a wink at night because Shane tormented the dreams out of me. When I did get the chance to rest the time burned in my memory. I finally fell asleep at 7 in the morning. I woke up 10 hours later.

I literally dragged myself to take a shower, brush my teeth, and dress myself. I don't know why, I said before that it wasn't worth it to get up, much less to ready myself. Either way I knew my mom would kill me if she came back and found me still in bed. I braided my wet hair so I wouldn't have to bother with the blow dry today.

"Erica?"

I froze.

The thought that I was completely alone was erase, the sound of my dads voice startled me. I peeked around the corner of the bathroom to see my dad sitting in front of the tv. He looked completely absorbed in the game he was watching.

"Dad?"

His eyes never left the screen, "Nice to see you up."

I crossed my arms and leaned on the door frame of the bathroom,"I couldn't sleep."

"Uh-huh"

A few seconds passed and I figured he forgot about me. I was about to sink back to the bathroom when he spoke again.

"There's a guy waiting outside for you."

I froze again, repeating what dad said over and over in my head. Was there a slight possibility that it might be him? I dodged into my room again and slipped on my bright yellow flip-flops. Excitement surged through me. Maybe I'm gonna get an apology for yesterdays rude behavior. OR Maybe he'll just be an arrogant jerk like before. The same thoughts that taunted me all night, came back.

"Who is it dad?" I whispered, in fear that Shane might have his ear glued to the door. Dad turned away from the tv for the first time and smiled.

"A very nice boy." That all he said before he turned back to the tv.

As I approached the door I took a deep breath and reached for the knob.

"very nice boy?"

Maybe he apologized for his behavior to dad before he summed up the courage to apologize to me. Or maybe he brainwashed Dad to think he's just a nice person.

Or maybe it's just Colton.

"Hey Erica." He smiled, flashing his perfect set of teeth.

I was greatly disappointed.

"Hey Colton." I tried imitating his enthusiasm, but it was a failed effort. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Woah, that was harsh." His eyebrows knitted together, studying my expressionless face. I instantly felt guilty.

"I'm really sorry, I just woke up and I'm still a bit tired and-"

"No need to explain." He cut me off, "I just came by to see if you would like to join us."

Curiosity filled me. Here was a boy that was completely handsome, funny, incredibly nice, and totally out of my league, asking me to join him. I didn't understand. Back home the only guys after me were the sweet underage boys. I come here and I get this.

Thank you Hawaii.

I finally broke into a smile,"Who's us?"

"Well a bunch of us are preparing to go Christmas Caroling down at the beach. Your mom told me to get you since you haven't done anything all day." Another smile. Well he wasn't exactly asking me out but it still a step up.

I couldn't say no, that smile is too much. I nodded and I stepped out of the suite, closing the door behind me.

"I knew you wouldn't refuse!" He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and with his other hand placed a Santa Hat on my head. "You need this."

I took if off.

"You're not wearing one" I protested, Santa hats look terrible on me.

"Put it back on! Don't be such a holiday bum!"

I looked up, meeting his honey colored eyes, he sheepishly smiled, seeing a slight blush creep onto his cheeks.

Yup, this definitely doesn't not happen back home.

--

We arrived at the beach, heading over to a group that consisted of:

Miles

Sofie

My mom

Three other parents

Two random girls

Connect Three

The moment I knew Shane was there I tried to dodge my way out of this. I was a cow moments away from being sent to the slaughter house. Colton kept a firm grip on me so it was impossible to escape. We got near enough to be noticed by half of the crowd, including Shane who narrowed his eyes at me.

I felt a dizzy spell coming on.

"Erica!" My mom waved me over. Colton let me go, walking over to a man I assumed was his dad. I wobbled over to my mom who was chatting up a storm with the familiar woman I saw yesterday. Connect Three's mom. They both seemed like high school girls giggling and telling jokes. A man towered over C3's Mom. He had the same striking eyes as of Shane, except his eyes were as warm as hot chocolate. I automatically knew it was their dad.

"This is my other daughter." Mom proudly announced, "She is about to finish up High School and head off to college."

C3 dad raised his eyes brows, "Wow, Which school are you thinking about"

I hated when my mom brought up college, I really haven't given a though to what school I really want to go. By force, I sent out about 50 applications to schools all over the country, including Puerto Rico.

"Um I been looking into Ferris State."

"Farris? Ooo, sounds Great." Jason said joining in. Shane was with Nate, talking as if they were passing on secret information. The night before flash in my head. I think I'll have a word with Nate after this. He must know why Shane is a complete jerk.

The sun was sinking and the people on the beach began to disperse. In the mist of the chitter chatter one of the random girls yelled, trying to get everyones attention.

"HEY! Guys they're about to light up the palms trees lets start walking!" The girl, who was extremely pretty, pointed down the beach where a tiny group of people surrounded a small stage. In the background, the row of palm trees that decorated the front of the Hotel swayed lazily, unlit.

She began walking, quickly being joined by Nate who grabbed her hand, looking at her with the biggest smile he could put on. What a perfect couple. It just reminded me of how I'm incapable to pair up with any guy. Colton suddenly burned in my head.

Forgot about him.

I mean, you can't really count him. He's just a really nice guy, who appears to enjoy my company.

"Erica!"

I looked over my shoulder to see Colton dragging the other random girl with him. I stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"Hey, I want you to meet my sister, Emily" He motioned over a little pre-teen girl with blonde hair and in need of some food. She politely shook my hand, flashing a similar smile like Coltons.

"Ready to sing?" She asked looking enthralled about the whole thing.

I shook my head, noticing that everybody was already set up on stage. The three of us rushed over.

"I don't sing." I whispered to Emily. She grinned almost like it was a joke.

"Neither do I."

--

So, we didn't sound awful. I mean at least three people out of thirteen could really sing. Half of the time, me and Emily tried to hold back giggles at how horrible we sometimes sounded. Numerous of times Shane shot glares at me and I successfully returned some. After countless of carols a large crowd formed around us, mainly teenage girls screaming for Connect Three. I knew their fan base would eventually find them.

Nate, Jason, and Shane stepped forward to the one microphone that magnified our mediocre caroling. Shane quickly took the mic as Nate and Jason stepped off to grab their guitars.

"Alright, we are only seconds away from the lighting of the trees..." Shane said joyfully, as if he was excited himself. I never would of guess such a sour person could appear so carefree.

"...but before they light them up, my brother and I are gonna sing one more song..."

The crowd screeched sending my ear drums ringing. Nate and Jason returned with shiny black guitars hung on their shoulders, ready to play.

"...I'm sure all of you know the words so feel free to sing along."

There was a silence before they began.

"FELIZ NAVIDAD!"

--

After the encore, and the tree being lit I somehow (don't know how I did) manage to grab Nate. He seemed shocked that I had enough courage to drag him him down to the shore line, away from the screaming fas that still lingered.

"What's wrong?" He asked, seeing the urgency in my eyes.

"Nate, I don't know why I get this feeling about Shane that-"

"Feeling? Are you crushing?"

That left me speechless for about two seconds. Then I exploded.

"OH GOSH NO! Shane's a complete jerk, which is why I want to talk to you."

Nate grinned,"So you like him?"

I glared at him but I took a cleansing breath before I spoke again,"I don't, I promise. I just don't get why he seems to hate me when I haven't done anything."

Nate shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pocket, "Shane isn't the person to ever hate anybody."

"Yeah, except for me."

Nate shrugged again, clearly hiding something.

"I just want to know why." I stated.

We stood there in complete silence, I, waiting for a response that made sense. This was ridiculous. If my suspicion was unsure before, it was made very clear in those moments of silence.

"Why don't you ask him yourself." Nate said almost in a whisper.

I was thrown off. For a second, I thought I was going crazy. Was I hearing things? I looked at Nate whose eyes where averted to something behind me. I turned. Two figures were marching towards us. One of them was Colton and the other...

Well, blood rushed to my face as I finally go the clear view of the stone face that belonged to Shane, walking mechanically. His stride look much robotic compared to Colton who confidently lead the way.

"There you are!" Colton enveloped me into a big bear hug.

Only in Hawaii.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Shane pulled on Nate's shirt.

"Hey, Listen I was wondering if you would like to go Horseback Riding." Colton asked, letting me go from the embrace was not an option.

"A date?" I blurted out. I shouldn't push my chances. Maybe this Hawaii illusion is a trick.

Shane looked over at us. He didn't glare at me this time. His face looked angry, he turned back to Nate who was explaining thing to him in a indecipherable hush .

"I hope it can be date, or am I just getting my hopes up?" Colton breathe out as if he has been holding his breath for an answer.

Shane began to walk away, Nate following closely behind.

"A date sounds fantastic." I said. I wasn't about to throw away my chances on this piece of meat.

Shane stopped dead on his tracks and our eyes met up again for a split second. Colton picked me up and spun me around, excited that I accepted his date offer. I thought I should be happy too. Never in my mind would I think that such a perfect guy would be after me. I should be happy... right? I smiled up at Colton who finally put me down and gave me a peck on the cheek. I just didn't understand him.

They say the eyes are the windows to a person soul. So why did Shane just look like he was hurt?

--

I hope I didn't disappoint those who like the first chapter! Ah, the suspense is killing me. Tell me what you think. REVIEW PLEASE!

And I want to thank the five people who gave me reviews for my opening chapter. I can't believe you guys liked it that much!