Chapter 7: More cray-cray

'WE'RE HERE! I'M SO EXCITED!'

Everyone looked around, a little shocked. Tyler was never one to shout, unless it was about dance, cake pops, Disney movies or FINDing things, but his excitement sent a ripple of anticipation through the coach.

Lauren parked up, almost killing a poor man dressed as a lion. She apologised from the open window, and received an angry retort about '12-year-olds being too young to drive.' He'd bitten off slightly more than he could chew with Lauren, which he regretted when the hopped out of the driver's seat and had a heated discussion, which involved some very colourful language. She placed her hands on her hips, which just added to the impression of her being an angry elf.

Brian was laughing from the bus with everyone else. There was something about Lauren. He couldn't quite put his finger on it though, it was certain times in the day when he saw her in a new light. It was never anything specific, sometimes a certain way she smiled, when she got angry and a little line creased the area between her eyebrows, the mad glint in her eye when she was thinking up a new idea. He wasn't sure what it did exactly, but it made something funny happen to his chest. He didn't think about it much, he only did now because it was happening. His chest constricted and his stomach dropped. To describe it sounds unpleasant, but it was actually a good feeling, like the one when you reach the edge of a drop on a rollercoaster and the only way is down.

He finally understood why people used the term 'falling for someone.' He wasn't entirely sure what he wanted, but Lauren was definitely a part of it.

All of them clambered out of the bus, Meredith pulling Lauren away from the angry Lion-man and dragging her towards the entrance. Jaime made sure the bus was locked and helped a very shaken Nick (he hadn't let go of the seat the whole time Lauren was driving) down from the back doors.

All of the StarKids mobbed towards the main ticket barrier, and there was a scene of general confusion over sorting out tickets. Lauren had to show her driver's licence to show she was over the age of 21. She was getting sick of all of this now, she didn't feel that short, but she supposed she was used to life at 5' tall.

Eventually they entered the park and all hell broke loose. They decided to split into two groups. Nick, Jaime and Tyler who were all exhausted just from looking at the others hyper-activeness decided to go on the Animal safari ride, to regenerate some energy before heading for the rides.

The other group which consisted of Brian, Lauren, Joey, Meredith and the Joes went straight for Dinoland. There was a natural break in the rides people would do. Although he hated to bring it up, Brian was awful with heights. He found flying in a plane terrifying, and that didn't even jerk around and go upside down. Lauren was fearless. She loved any kind of ride and would go on everything, as long as she was tall enough. The others fitted somewhere in between. Meredith was almost as crazy as Lauren with rides, and both of them went mental as they raced around the whole park with the others following in their wake.

Eventually they decided to try the Safari out. They were on benches of 2, and immediate squabbles broke out over who would sit with who. Lauren and Brian were flung to the back of the bus by the two Joe's, who took the seats in the middle of the truck. That left a very awkward Meredith and Joey to take the front seats.

'Hey, looks like it's us two then.' Said Joey, softly.

Meredith looked at him, he was giving her that adorable crooked grin that so many fangirls had fallen in love with. He was wearing that stupid blue headband, as always. This gave her a sudden desire to laugh, but she settled for a small grin and jumped over his lap saying: 'Shotgun this side!'

Joey laughed at her , he didn't know why they argued so much. Her huge brown eyes looked like melted chocolate and her curly hair bounced up and down in a ponytail as she turned and pointed excitedly out of the truck.

'LOOK, AN ELEPHANT!' came a yell from behind. The others turned around to see Lauren lying across Brian's lap in order to reach the window nearest the animal. She eventually gave up on this endeavour and climbed up to sit on Brian's lap. He hugged her around the waist, tickling her stomach. He kicked and struggled, having trouble breathing from laughing so much.

She's so tiny; Brian thought as he grasped his hands around her. When she's up and moving you don't realise quite how, small, she is! Lauren turned to look at him and he grinned at her.

'Having fun, Lady Muck?' Brian asked sarcastically.

Lauren immediately pretended to be the Queen of England and waved regally out of the window at all the bewildered looking African animals from her perch on Brian's lap.

'Oh God Bri, now you've got her doing that bloody British accent again' Joe Walker groaned as he turned to look at the pair of them. Moses was filming the entire scene, laughing at his little friends stupidity. None of them could keep straight face for long. They were all good actors, but Lauren was unquestionable the funniest to watch. She became a character without even having to think about it, and was especially funny with accents and dialects. Ever since AVPM she had had a particular attachment to the British accent and had set phrases that she would say each time.

'Would anyone care for a spot of tea?' She asked, miming giving out cups. Joey and Meredith accepted their 'drinks' while laughing, and turned to face the front again. Joe Moses had decided to join Lauren, and was interviewing Joe Walker as Snape. Joe was trying, and failing to not laugh.

For the rest of the day Lauren spoke in her accent, refusing to touch the ground and forcing everyone to carry her. They met up with the other group who had had quite a relaxing day, but this all changed when Lauren demanded to be placed on Tyler's shoulders. He sighed and lifted her up.

'Happy now, Queen Lopez?' He said tiredly.

'That's Mrs Queen Lopez to you, peasant' she said snootily back.

'Watch it, I'll put you in a tree and leave you there!'

Lauren flicked him in the head and kicked his sides. 'ONWARDS, TO PIGFARTS. CHAAAAAAAAAARGE!' She screamed. Tyler galloped along the stretch of path, closely followed by Brian and Joe Walker who were carrying one another and Jaime who was on Joe Moses' back, laughing as he tried to keep up with everyone else.

Joey turned and grinned at Meredith, 'Your steed awaits' He raised an eyebrow questioningly at her. She jumped onto his back and took off at full speed after the other StarKids, leaving a bewildered Nick staring after them, looking amused.

It's a good thing they're gone! He thought to himself. He'd needed to make this call for a while now. He pulled out his phone and dialled a number.

'Hey, how are you doing?' He paused for a moment, listening to the excited babble on the other end of the phone. 'Great, so you'll be there in a couple of hours?' He paused again and a grin spread across his face. 'Excellent, see you later then!' He smiled to himself as he gathered up his things. There was a great surprise waiting for the other StarKids later that evening. He ran down the path after them, following the laughing and shouting of his best friends.