Mack's POV
"How did you get rid of them?" I asked Brady as I sat comfortably in his arms. Brady sighed.
"I hid them somewhere safe where they won't be noticed." Brady assured me, however, it didn't sound too convincing to me.
"Are you sure?" I conjectured, giving him my best glare.
He chuckled nervously.
"Don't worry Mack. They're okay, and where they are is very comfortable so they won't give anything away. I promise." He reassured me.
I nodded slightly.
Brady and I sat for a few minutes in each other's arms until we heard feet shuffling from the closet. My body jerked up from Brady's arms and I frowned slightly as I heard noises echoing around the house.
"Ouch!" I heard a shriek.
I frowned and glared at Brady who had a nervous face as he slightly hid his face away from my gaze.
I jumped off the couch and began sauntering fast over to the supply closet.
"Stop that!"
"You kicked me first!"
"Ooh! I know that's not me. Slowly remove your hand from there mister!" I heard Chee-Chee's voice erupting.
"It's so dark in here!" Lela cried out. "I don't like this game."
I spun around to glare at Brady who followed me from behind.
"You locked them in the supply closet and told them to play Hide-and-go-Seek?" I questioned as if it was rhetorical to ask. He shrugged and surrendered his arms.
"I didn't know what else to do. I panicked!" Brady exclaimed.
I groaned and rolled my eyes as I opened the supply closet to see the entire gang fall out almost in unison causing all the supplies to fall out with them. I widened my eyes.
How could they all even fit in there? Let alone breathe!
"Are you guys okay?" I asked in complete concern.
They looked extremely cluttered and when they came out I could have literally heard a bone snap.
Lela, Tanner, Butchy, Seacat, Lugnut came out and released the breaths they held in.
"That was like at Big Mommas on rush hour!" Lela stated.
"Which is every hour," Tanner added.
I looked between everyone and realized that somebody was missing…
Chee-Chee…
"Where's Chee-Chee?" I asked the gang.
Then I suddenly heard a groan coming from the closet and I ran over to see Chee-Chee in a dissembled state as she rubbed her forehead, yet her hair staying as 'poppy' as ever. They almost squashed that little girl to death!
I widened my eyes and immediately helped her up.
"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly. She winced at a sudden strike of pain hit her and dizzied away but I held her balance so she couldn't tip over her extremely petite body.
"I think I dreamt I was trapped in the princess castle." She oozed. Everyone stared at her with raised eyebrows and she just shrugged. "What?"
They shook their heads.
Then suddenly, we heard the screaming of Lela which grabbed our attention almost immediately as we spun our heads at her.
"O-on your shoulder!" She screamed as she motioned to Chee-Chee who slowly lingered her eyes to her shoulder to see a huge tarantula spider crawling up her bare skin and she released a piercing, squeaky scream which involuntarily caused the rest of the gang –except Brady and me – to scream.
Lela grabbed hold of the nearest object she could find and came charging towards her but Brady stopped her almost immediately by picking her up by the waist.
"W-wait!" he said to her. "You don't want to do that."
"Let me down you goon!" She kicked and screamed.
"It's just Sucker." He told her.
"Sucker?" I questioned as I frowned in befuddlement.
"The spider sucks people's blood!" Tanner cried out in agony, as he began running around the room which involuntarily caused the gang to follow. Chee-Chee shook her body and the spider fell onto the ground.
"It's a vampire spider!"
Brady shook his head.
"No. No. It's my pet spider." Brady said, sauntering over to where the spider was and picked it up and brought it to his face. "It's Sucker Billy. The tarantula I got in Australia,"
"You have a pet spider in my house and you didn't tell me?" I questioned as I glared at Brady. He had a nervous look on his face as he shrugged.
"Well I-" He began but I shushed him and everyone else as I heard footsteps coming from up the stairs. I widened my eyes and immediately hurried everyone back into the closet and closed it and pulled Brady by the hand and ran over to the couch.
Alyssa popped her head at us with a confused look spread across her face.
"What's going on down here? Sounds like a circus party I wasn't invited to?" She asked.
Brady and I laughed nervously in unison.
"No. Are you crazy? What party? Who are you?" I panicked and laughed as I played with the bracelet on my hand. Alyssa frowned at me.
God! Somebody help.
Brady rolled his eyes.
"Nah, we were just watching some dumb action movie with the volume all the way up so…sorry we ruined your little spar treatment." Brady teased.
Alyssa screwed her eyes viciously at him.
"So are you coming up?" Alyssa asked me, completely ignoring Brady's presence. I looked back at Brady who shrugged I turned back to my friend who stood there waiting.
"Um…yeah sure, I'll be up there soon." I smiled. She nodded then walked off.
"Yeah and leave some cookies from the tea party for me!" Brady called out and I slapped his chest even though it was kinda funny. I immediately got up from the couch when the coast was clear and began running back to the closet but was stopped when I heard the home line go off.
I stared back at Brady who motioned to the closet filled with our 1962 friends.
"Where should I leave them?" He asked.
"Uh…" I began as I stared back at the ringing telephone then back at Brady. "The kitchen,"
He nodded then ran over to the supply closet and filed them all out and I went over to the telephone and saw that the Caller ID came from my Grandpa.
I answered.
"Grandpa?" I asked.
"Mack. Sweetheart, how are you?" He asked. I spun around to see Brady having troubles with the gang.
"Right now?" I asked. "To be honest…I'm a little flustered." I laughed.
"I told you about surfing early, but nobody listens to ole papa bear." He teased. I laughed.
"Anyway, I have something to tell you…" He began. "I bet you're a little worried why I'm not home yet but I have a perfectly good reason. You know Uncle Jack right?"
Uncle Jack. My Big Poppa's very close friend here around the neighborhood and who's also apparently Brady's grandfather…how ironic isn't it. He was probably one of the coolest grandparents you'd ever meet –right next to mine of course– and I wouldn't be surprised why they're so close, however, they're very competitive with each other which makes it even better.
"Yeah," I replied.
"Well he just told me that he and a group of ole friends are heading to a fishing trip at Mahi Mahi and they had one last spot for another member so they picked me." He told me.
I widened my eyes.
That was just perfect!
I suddenly heard the voice of Alyssa reaching my ears and I spun my head around to see her with a towel wrapped around her head.
"Hey Kenzie, I think we'll need a lot more avocado than we thought. Let me head to the kitchen." She informed me as she began descending the staircase.
I looked to see Brady sauntering over, and the gang following his trail. My eyes bulged and I immediately motioned them to move back and the scurried quickly away.
Alyssa stared at me confusedly and I laughed.
"Stupid fly," I smiled.
She nodded then mumbled something under her breath.
"Uh…I'm sure what we have is fine." I assured her. She nodded then ran back up the stairs and when I made sure the coast was clear, I motioned for the gang to head to the kitchen.
"Mack?" I heard my Granddad's voice call from the phone and I widened my eyes realizing I didn't keep him on hold.
"Sorry, Granddad." I cleared my throat. "You were saying?"
"Well. We left a couple of hours ago and I totally forgot to tell you because we were too caught up in all the fun." He said. I laughed out loud. "We may be old but we do know how to have fun."
I giggled.
"Sure thing grandpa." I laughed. "So how long did you say you were staying there again?"
"For two weeks sweetheart,"
Great! So that gave Mack and Brady two weeks to get the gang back to Wet Side Story before her grandfather came back from his trip.
"I really hope you'll be okay alone. I can get the first ride back here if you-" He insisted.
"No. Enjoy yourself grandpa. Don't worry. Let me get into all kinds of trouble here." I laughed.
"Hearing you say that only makes me worry Mack," He said. I tapered my eyes.
"Seriously, have fun. I'll be okay." I assured him with the most convincing tone I could muster.
He was quiet for a while.
Until I heard him sigh over the phone which caused me to I mentally sighed in relief knowing he took it. Yes!
"Okay, well… I asked Brady's family to help you out if you need anything at all." He affirmed.
"Thank you, Grandpa." I said.
"I'll call you back first thing in the morning. Good night Mack," He told me.
"Night, Grandpa." I dismissed then hung up the phone.
"So he's not going to be here?" I heard Brady's voice reach my ears. I spun around to see him standing five feet away from me with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the frame of the couch with his hair flopped just the right way.
I found it hot in some strange way…
Now's not the time Mack!
"Uh…yeah, for two weeks." I said as I set the phone back on its stand.
He nodded.
"What are they doing?" I asked as I leaned against the wall with my arms crossed. He shrugged.
"They're too preoccupied being fascinated by the water dispensed fridge and Dr. Thunder." He said. I laughed.
Then I sighed.
"What are we going to do Brady?" I asked him as I stared at the ground. This was not what I envisioned for a perfect reunion with our friends.
"Hey," Brady murmured as he came over to me. He held me by the hands and lifted my chin up. "We've got two weeks to get to that right?"
I nodded.
"I just really hope it works." I sighed.
He snickered.
"It will." He replied and then I felt his warm, soft lips press against my temple. I smiled as I moved my face on the crook of his neck and then he pulled me into a tight hug.
"Brady, my Knight in Shining Board Shorts." I repeated the words he said to Lela back in the movie. He laughed. "I'm sorry that I'm being on edge-"
"Hey, don't worry. Mom's are worse." He laughed. I lifted my head and pulled away as the thought came into my head. "Mack, I'm sorry I didn't-"
"I know." I replied.
He looked disappointed and pained…at himself.
"I think I better attend my other problem," I told him and walked off, up the stairs to my bedroom to see vanilla scented smoke vaporizing the air. I coughed as I tried to fan away the clogged up air.
"What the heck is this? Your own personal sauna?" I asked Alyssa.
Alyssa was lying on my bed.
"Actually, yes," I heard her reply. "I thought maybe I should try something new since you were too busy with Brady."
I rolled my eyes.
Then she switched the ceiling fan on and rushed over to open the windows and the smoke vanished gradually.
"So, what are you hiding from me?" She questioned as she sat crossed legged on the bed. I frowned.
"I'm not hiding anything." I shrugged.
She screwed her eyes at me and even took the liberty to insert her glasses on so she can locate any giveaway. I had to be precise with the truth.
"Okay, I believe you." She said. I rolled my eyes. "For now…"
I tapered my eyes yet again as I sat on the bed with her.
"Still can't believe you don't wear these awesome glasses to school." I said as I swiftly took them away from her.
"Yeah…I really don't know hey…Because I have a reputation to protect!" She said as if it were obvious. I smiled at her silliness.
"You're perfect just the way you are Aly." I told her. "Don't put on a fake smile because somebody could be falling in love with your true smile."
"Hey, you took that from me!" She accused. I motioned to her, signaling that she just got the answer.
"And we have a winner!" I exclaimed.
She giggled.
"You remember Spencer right?" She questioned.
"Of course I remember him. He's the guy you've been crushing on since Kindergarten." I answered.
"It hasn't been that long." She blushed. "And plus, you hardly even knew him then." Alyssa said.
"Which is why I know him because he's in my High School, Aly." I told her as if it were obvious.
She rolled her hazel eyes.
"Alright, fine. You don't have to be sarcastic about it." She said. I smiled. "Anyway, I hear he's going to ask someone out to the Beach Party this Saturday,"
"Oh…well, that's cool!" I exclaimed satirically.
"Stop with the sarcastic remarks Kenzie!" She rolled her eyes. I nudged her arm. "Anyway, I really hope he'll ask me. I mean of course he will…Right?"
I shrugged.
"I already have my date downstairs." I laughed. She sighed then lay back on the bed with her head fitting perfectly on the pillow.
"He's just so different than most guys. He's not the cool bad boy type, he's just…Spencer, kind eyes, beautiful smile and striking dimples. He's amazing…"
"Okay, little miss Team Spencer. You want something to drink?" I asked my best friend.
"All I want is to be dancing in his arms, in the candlelight and fireworks shooting up in the moonlight." She recited.
"Orange juice it is!" I stated as I got off the bed and began running down the stairs. I was immediately met by two eager faces, and four with the same amount of sternness.
"So, what do you do at a Beach Party?" Lela asked.
I widened my eyes…
This ain't good…
… …
A/N: How did you like that chapter huh? Review please, for the next chapter update to come soon. Again, I've terribly sorry for the delay I just haven't been brainstorming much on the plot but I assure you, I'm fine now Lol. I was listening to the playlist I made for this chapter and it kinda gave me tons of motivation hey…anyway. We'll be experiencing tons of bombshells and cliffhangers on next chapters so get ready, grab a box of popcorn and slushies!
And enjoy the waves…
