If there is a reference you do not understand, feel free to PM me. I only found out recently myself, and it actually inspired this chapter. Enjoy!
After a while, they all ended up back in the cabin, getting ready for their formal dinner. Alicia had to send Joe back into the room four times before actually laying out an outfit for him. "Honestly, you've done this how many times without me while you are at school?"
"Honestly, usually I borrow Frank's suits. They are so much spiffier anyways."
"Hey, I heard that. No stealing my suits," Frank called from the open bathroom.
Nancy laughed as Ned was still trying to decide on a tie. "I thought girls were supposed to take longer to get ready."
"I guess we are just more practical," Callie said with a smile. "Or we already planned it out." She poured herself a glass of water and shrugged. "The world may never know."
"Not me," Alicia said. "Joe packed my bag. I'm just glad he picked up the right heels for with the dress."
"And Bess would have had Alicia and I in actual makeup and actual fancy hairstyles had she been here, rather than faking it as we so cleverly have," Nancy said with a very Bess like smile.
Ned rolled his eyes and dropped both of the ties on the chair. "I'm ready."
"Just wear the red one. It gives the illusion that your hair is red too." Nancy said, picking it up and proceeding to tie it around his neck. Ned smiled.
"Is red hair better?" he asked with a grin.
"Definitely," both strawberry blonde and auburn answered immediately.
Joe stepped out, running a hand through his hair to mess it up. "You two are so full of yourselves."
Nancy laughed as Alicia slapped his hand and smoothed his hair back into place. "I think we have every right to be."
"Alright, I'm ready. Let's go." Frank walked out and Callie nearly choked on her water. Ned was trying very hard to keep his Ned-like composure, but it was fading fast. Nancy had to see what was going on, and her eyebrows shot up as she quickly covered her mouth. "What?"
Alicia blinked. "Um… Frank? Don't take this the wrong way, but—"
"What is growing on your face?" Joe interceded.
Frank rubbed his chin. "It's an experiment."
"From what planet?"
"Joe!" Alicia gave him a stern look.
"What? He looks like Colin Gray!" Joe said with an arm wave towards his brother. He walked over to him and rubbed his face, muttering something about 'fuzz'.
"It's just for this week, to see if I like it. I figured being judged by you five wouldn't be nearly as bad as getting it from Aunt Gertrude when we go home for summer. Apparently I was wrong." Frank looked slightly abashed until Ned walked up and clapped him on the shoulder.
"I think it's a fine idea. Maybe I'll join you."
"Ned!" Nancy called after the two of them, who started walking for the door.
"I don't know about a goatee, but maybe a mustache," he mused.
Callie shook her head. "Well, there go our plans for the Caribbean."
Nancy sighed. "You can say that again."
"At least I can find a cute local," Alicia teased. "You poor things."
Joe straightened up. "Well, I'm still available and clean shaven, ladies, if—" Nancy and Callie laughed as they followed Frank and Ned. "I didn't think it was that funny."
"You just tried to steal your brother's and your best friend's girlfriends away from them," Alicia said with a patronizing pat. "It was kinda pathetic."
"Yeah," he admitted. "But one can hope though."
Alicia chuckled. "Come on, Casanova. Food, remember?"
"Oh is that what we were dressing up for?" Joe stretched out his arm to his sister,which she took. "Maybe we'll let Captain Brownbeard and his trusty sidekick take their dates to meet with the real captain."
"I think you mean first mate, not sidekick" she laughed.
Joe smiled. "I knew we were related. Touche."
"Rhymes with 'Buffet.'" She tugged him out the door. "Let's go."
Please Review. Each review makes someones day brighter.
