Author's Note:Hey. It's been a while since I've wrote a fic and this is my first Rocket Power fic.
Disclaimer:I do not, in any way, shape, or form, own anything from Rocket Power. With that said, on with the fic!
Reggie ran up to her room to grab her skateboard. She glanced at herself in the mirror as she walked past and stopped in her tracks. With everything that had happened at class, Reggie had almost forgotten about the photo shoot that morning. She studied at her reflection. The makeup she was wearing made her eyes look somehow larger. Her hair fell in soft waves partway down her back. I look different. Prettier, even. Reggie shook her head and turned away from the mirror, reaching for the skateboard leaning against the wall. She was not about to get into the whole appearance matters thing.
Otto, Twister, and Sam were all waiting when Reggie walked out of the house with her skateboard. Otto rose from where he was sitting on the curb. Sam sat up from his position lying in the yard. Twister straightened up from where he was leaning against the side of the garage and Reggie was suddenly aware of how much her friend had grown up. He was taller than Otto by three inches and taller than Sam by five. Twister was shirtless, like the other two boys. He had a deeper tan than either of them and a very nice body. Reggie eyed his lean six-foot-three frame. His arms were well muscled and his abs a perfect six-pack. Reggie suddenly became aware of Otto talking to her.
"About time, Sis. What took you so long?"
"I had to get my skateboard out of my room."
"Well, then let's go," Twister said, already skating down the road, with Otto and Sam close behind. Reggie got on her skateboard and followed. As they skated, Reggie took some time to look at Sam. Even though he had been the Squid for years, the nickname was rarely used now, except by Otto. Sam had matured just shy of six feet. He now had a nice tan and a surfer's body. He had gotten rid of his glasses years ago and now had contacts. He doesn't look half bad anymore was the first thought that came to Reggie's mind.
Reggie heard a shout from in front of her and turned her attention to Twister and Otto. They were racing down the hill that led to the pier. Twister had a slight lead, but Reggie knew that Otto would catch up soon. Sure enough, as Reggie watched, Otto flew past Twister. Twister tried to catch up, but Otto was already gone. By the time Reggie, Twister, and Sam got to the Shore Shack, Otto was already sitting at the counter waiting for them.
Ray walked up to the counter from the back room. He gave Reggie a shocked look when he neared them. Seeming to decide against saying anything, Ray waited for the boys to notice him standing there. Twister was the first to notice.
"Hey, Raymundo." His greeting as soon echoed by the others.
"Hey, guys. Having fun?"
Just then, Allie, Reggie and Otto's stepmother, walked over. Ray had married the pretty, thirty-year-old blond eight years before. Otto and Reggie genuinely liked Allie. They had never had a problem with Ray dating her and had been thrilled when thy decided to get married. They were happy that Ray had found someone else after he found out that Breezy was cheating on him and his marriage with Noelani failed.
Allie gave the group a warm smile. Her eyes were sparkling, like hey always did when she had some kind of secret. The group all returned her smile before placing their orders. They all knew that Allie wouldn't keep a secret from them for very long.
"How did the photo shoot go this morning, Sweetie?" Allie asked Reggie.
"It was great. I have a feeling that it's the last time I'll be at the beach before daylight, though." Allie laughed before asking the others a few questions. Allie turned toward the kitchen, watching Ray com back with the food. She waited until Ray had reached her side to turn back around. Then she gave them a bright smile. "We have an announcement to make," Allie said, smiling at Ray.
Otto didn't like the way that sounded. The last time he had heard those words was when Conroy announced that he was getting married to Breezy and moving to Hawaii. He had a feeling that whatever Allie as about to say would change his life.
"We're going to have a baby!"
Reggie just about fell off her bar stool. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She was happy, sure, but she couldn't believe it. There was no way. Her dad was way too old to have a kid.
Sam and Twister just sat there watching Otto and Reggie's reactions. Otto was just sitting there and Reggie hadn't said a word. Reggie was the first to react. She mumbled a quiet congratulations before standing up to give her parents a hug. Otto still sat stunned. Slowly he came to his senses and hugged his parents before quietly walking off.
Ray and Allie exchanged a worried look. They knew that Reggie would get used to the idea quickly, but they were concerned about Otto. He never walked off without saying anything. It just wasn't in his nature. They hoped that he was letting the idea sink in.
Otto walked down to the beach and sat watching the waves. He heard someone come up behind him. He knew that it was Reggie when they didn't say anything. Sure enough, Reggie sat down next to him on the sand. Thy sat looking at the waves for several minutes before Reggie broke the silence.
"Not quite what I was expecting when I decided to come to the Shack." Otto could tell from Reggie's subdued voice that she was still in shock. He was too. This was the last thing that he ever expected.
"Why do they want to have another kid? They already have me and you. We're a happy family.," Otto said. Reggie could sense a touch of restrained anger in his voice. She knew that's just how Otto was. He usually didn't mind change but this would be a huge change.
"I don't know Otto. Yeah, we're an awesome family. But me and you won't stick around the house forever. I've only got another semster of college. After that, I want to travel some. Hit every great surfing spot. Become an international competitor. And you graduate the year after me, so does Twist. Sam will be done the same time as me. When we leave, so do our friends. I know that you want to tour the country, skating in every big competition. Twister wants to surf in Australia and Hawaii. Sammy wants to do every extreme sport. When we leave, Dad and Allie are gonna be all alone. No more kids, no more skateboards and surfboards laying everywhere. I know that they'll miss that."
"You're right, Reggie. But why did they have to tell us this now? In front of Sam and Twist?"
"They're just like family to us. Does it really matter?"
"No, I guess not."
"Come on, Otto, let's head back and finish breakfast."
Back at the Shore Shack, Twister and Sam congratulated Ray and Allie and then settled down to eat their breakfast. They weren't worried about Otto's reaction. Reggie had gone after him, so they knew it would be okay. They glanced up to see Otto and Reggie walking toward the table. Otto looked more relaxed than when he left. Reggie gave them a smile before sitting down and eating her breakfast.
They ate their breakfast in silence. After they were done, they all took their dishes into the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher. People were starting to filter onto the boardwalk and into the Shack. Ray and Allie were both taking orders, so Reggie and the guys waved to them before leaving the Shack.
They took their skateboards and headed to Madtown. When Conroy had left two years before, he had sold the park to a twenty-two-year old skater from L.A. Jason had kept the park in great shape. It was still the favorite hangout of many Ocean Shores skaters.
As they skated through the gate, Jason waved to them. He was standing by the half pipe with a can of spray paint. Half of the ramp was already coated with bright turquoise paint. He had been careful to only paint the sides, leaving the part that you actually skate on as wood.
"Hey, Reggie. Otto. Sam. Twister. I figured you all would have been surfing." That comment reminded Reggie of her one-thirty appointment at the beach. I'm glad he said something. I had forgotten all about it. Reggie gradually became aware of Jason staring at her. She decided to ignore it.
"Do you need any help painting or anything?" Twister asked Jason.
"Yeah actually I could use some. There's some more paint cans in the office. They're all different colors, so you'll have to look at the lids. Each of you grab a color and I'll let you know what to paint."
Twister reached the trailer first and grabbed a can of lime green paint. He handed Sam an orange can and gave a yellow can to Otto.
"Pink or purple, Rocket Girl?"
"Purple." Twister handed her a can of bright purple paint. Reggie turned to follow Otto and Sam out of the trailer when Twister's voice stopped her.
"Hey, Reg," twister started, then stopped. Reggie could tell that he was searching for the right words.
"Yeah, Twist?"
"I, well, there's something that I wanted to tell you."
"So tell me already Twist."
Twister had just opened his mouth to say something when Jason stuck his head in the doorway.
"Are you two coming?" he asked, with a wink at Reggie. Reggie blushed slightly. Twister didn't miss it.
"Yeah, we're coming," he said with a sad sigh.
Reggie turned to Twister before following Jason. "We can talk later, okay, Twist? I have a photo shoot at one-thirty at Rocket Beach, but come by and we can go surfing or something after."
"Okay," Twister said with a smile. He'd have another chance to tell her soon. He followed Reggie and Jason across the park to the half-pipe, where Otto and Sam were already waiting.
"Okay, Reggie, we're getting a new graphic for the Madtown sign. We've already got it down and we took the old graphic off. But the sign needs to be repainted. It's laying over by the fence. Otto, the rail needs to be repainted. All the paint has chipped or rusted off. I think that it will look good yellow. Sam, the steps need to be repainted. Twister, can you paint the fence?"
"Sure," Twister said, already heading over to the chain link that separated the sidewalk from the skate park. Jason went over to where Reggie was painting the sign.
"Looking good, Reggie," he said. He wasn't looking at the sign though. His eyes traveled from her gorgeous hair, down her body to herblack and purple Etnies and back up to her pretty face. "I was wondering I you want to go to dinner Friday?" Jason crossed his fingers. He was praying that she would say yes.
Reggie looked surprised, but she recovered quickly. "Sure, but only if it's dinner and a movie."
"Okay. Dinner and a movie it is. I'll pick you up around seven?"
"Sounds good."
"It's a date then," Jason said, leaning in to give her a quick hug.
Reggie just smiled and went back to painting. Jason rose from his spot kneeling next to her and walked around the park, checking on everyone's progress. Otto was almost done with the rail. Sam was halfway don with the steps and Twister had finished half of the fence. The park looked better already.
Jason gave them something else to do as they finished each task. Reggie glanced toward t beach. She could see several people gathering in on spot. She glanced at her watch. 1:20.
"Hey, Jason, I've got to go. I have an appointment at one thirty," she said, walking over to a paint can sitting a few feet from the wall thy were painting.
"Okay, Reggie. I think that we're done anyway." Jason turned to Otto, Twister, and Sam. "Why don't you all take off? All that's left is putting up the sign once we get the graphic." He turned back to Reggie. "I'll see you Friday, if not before," he said, giving Reggie a soft kiss.
Twister saw the interaction between Jason and Reggie. He grabbed his skateboard and walked out of the park. Otto and Sam followed him. Great, I can't tell her now. It'll screw up whatever was going on back there. Twister was planning to go to the photo shoot and act like nothing was wrong. Reggie will probably know that something is wrong.
"Hey, Twist, what's up?" Otto asked him, Twister hadn't even been aware of Otto standing next to him.
"Nothing, bro. Let's go get some lunch. I'm starving."
"Okay. No prob. Shore Shack okay wit you?"
"Yeah. It's fine."
