"Hey Luke?" Marissa and Summer were sitting in a restaurant ordering breakfast.

"Yes doll?"

Marissa hesitated a second before asking. "You know Alex right?"

"Kelly? Yeah."

Zach laughed. "They've been friends since diapers, they're parents tried to set them up at one point but Alex shut him down."

Luke shook his head and turned towards Marissa. "She didn't turn me down, we're good pals and we didn't want to mess that up." The brunette nodded in understanding, that was how her relationship with Ryan was back home. "Why'd you want to know California?"

"She has been looking all over for her, and she can't find her. In a town this small it shouldn't be that hard so where she hiding?" Summer had a 'down to business' look on her face.

Both guys laughed slightly. "Al is away with her family, they always do a two week break after the end of school."

The relief was evident in Marissa as she shoulders relaxed and a small smile creased her face. She was glad know that Alex hadn't been avoiding the girl and that her hopes that the amazing night she felt they had still could hold true for the other girl as well.

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A while later across town Luke driving home when his phone rang. "Hello." He answered without checking the caller i.d. He laughed when he heard the other end of the line. "How goes it Kelly." His accent coming across a little thicker than he let it with the two girls he had recently been spending time with. "Good, good. So Marissa Cooper asked about you today... Yeah the new girl, stop actin' like you don't know who I'm talking about." He knew his best friend a tad to well. "I'm going to feed 'em now. Give a guy a break there are two beautiful girls new to town I'm showing them a good time... Can it I'm not after your girl, that's right Luke seen how ya looked at her... Give her a call and buck up....My hat is not on to tight, g'day Alexandra." Shaking his head he hung up his phone and sent Alex the text that she said she didn't want but he knew she did. Straightening his hat he mumbled to himself. "To tight my arse, stupid girl."

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A couple hundred miles later and a truck stop later Alex stepped off her family's RV and headed inside for a cup of coffee and a couple dollars change. It had onle been one night, but it was by far the best night she had had in a long time and it was all thanks to the new girl. She had been thinking about her alot and was excited to get home so she could get to know the girl a little better. That in itself shocked her, she wasn't one to get crushes, especially not so fast. Another thing that shocked her was her wanting to go back to that little town she called home. Normally on her family vacation going home was the last thing on her mind; she loved the place she had called home since she was an infant but she knew there was a lot more out there.

Ordering a coffee and getting change from a twenty she asked where the pay phones were, her phone had lost reception a few miles back. Her accent came through even though she was trying not to let it, people seemed to enjoy it more than she liked. The cashier pointed her in the right direction with a large smile on her face before Alex nodded in thanks and walked off. She clutched the coffee in one hand and the cell phone that was burning a hole in her pocket in the other. Taking a deep breath she stepped into the booth and put some money in before pulling her phone out and dialing the number.

"Hello?" Came the questioning voice on the other end of the line and for a second it left the blonde stunned. Taking a sip of her coffee, burning her tongue as she did it brought her back to reality.

"Son of... Oh sorry, uh, it's Alex, blonde that tried to teach you to line dance." She tried to focus while the burn on her tongue subsided.

The voice on the other end laughed slightly. "Are you okay? And I think the word you were looking for was Bitch. I remember who you are by the way it was only a week and a half ago."

Alex couldn't help but smiling as she leaned against the glass wall of the booth. "Yeah I'm good, I just burnt my tongue on my coffee is all." There was a bit of pause. "Luke gave me your number by the way, I didn't stalk you or anything." She let out a nervous laugh.

"Didn't think you had since you disappeared."

"Sorry about that, I was having such a great time I forgot all about the family vaca."

"It's okay, good to know you were having a great time because I was too. If that's not to forward."

The blonde grinned and took another sip. "Not at all, I'm glad your first night in town was pleasant. Marissa yawned and Alex instantly realised how late it was. "I'm sorry it's late I didn't mean to wake you or anythang."

There was a small giggle. "Not at all, I was just laying here listening to a cd Luke gave Summer and I to get us a little more accustomed."

"I'll make you one when I get back." The words just came out like she had known the girl for years. "Why the giggle by the way?"

The brunette blushed, she hadn't realised Alex had heard her. "You said thang instead of thing I liked it."

Ten minutes later both girls heard a voice come over the phone. "You have 1 minute remaining." Alex groaned and Marissa laughed as the blonde put some more change in the phone.

"Take it you've got to go?"

"No, I mean not unless you want me too. I just put more money in, my cell phone has no service, damn hick ass towns I tell ya."

Once again she caused the girl to laugh, but she liked it. "Tell me about it, mine goes in and out around here. Luke said you and your family were on a bit of a road trip, where are you now? If you don't mind me asking that is."

"Course not, we are just outside Baton Rouge, Louisana."

"Like the in the Garth Brooks song?"

Alex looked a little shocked. "Yeah, exactly like that. Except I'm calling Gatlinburg, doesn't have the same ring to it."

"No it doesn't but I'm glad you called. Don't be too shocked, my mom is a Garth Brooks fan."

"Ah, I see, that's cool though, I am too." At that moment there was a knock on the wall she was leaning against; scaring the crap out of her. "One second." She opened the clear door. "What Brody?"

"Mom and Pop say its nice to get back on the road. He just downed to coffee's he's pumped and ready to go apparently. Nodding Alex closed the door. "Sorry I got to go, I don't want to but would you might if I called you again at our next stop?"

"The pleasure would be mine. Have a safe trip until then Alex, and thank you for calling I had a good time talking to you."

"Likewise lil' lady, sweet dreams."

"Oh and Alex?"

The girl smiled. "Yep."

"Make sure you ice that tongue." They both laughed. "Sweet dreams to you too."

With that said Alex hung up the phone. "I think I might always remembr Baton Rouge." Walking out of the small building and across the parking she sang quietly to herself. "Hello Marissa dear, I hope your feeling fine, and it won't be long until I'm with you all the time. Til' then I'll spend my money down to my last dime."

She stepped back onto the RV and her parents instantly noticed her change in mood. "What's got you all happy?" Her mother asked as her father sang a Journey song under his breath.

"Didn't ya hear Alex made friends with the new girl."

"That's wonderful Alex, I'm glad you made a new friend you hang out with those boys far to often and Jodie is nice but new friends never hurt."

Smiling to nodded. "I think you're right ma." Even with the coffee she had become tired and climbed back into her bunk as she felt the vehicle start up and start to move. All she could think about was the next truck stop a 100 miles away and a call to Gatlinburg.