Falling Into Your Sunshine
Chapter Ten: Simple Situations
XOXOXOXOX
Riley Thompson had been in a lot of situations before.
There was that fire that raged in her apartment when she was only eight years old. Luckily, she and her family escaped unscathed, except for her guinea pig, Alfonso, who died tragically (a death Riley stills blames on herself). There was her first kiss with Patrick Walker in third grade, which she promptly screeched, "Ew!" and wiped her mouth on the back of her hand. Needless to say, she brushed her teeth at least seven times once she got home, trying to get the taste of the worm Patrick had eaten only moments earlier out of her mouth. There was her poor, innocent dog that had gotten run over by said Patrick Walker nearly six years ago "accidentally". Patrick was lucky the dog had lived, otherwise he wouldn't be here today. There was her huge fight with Robyn when they were both in eighth grade. That had went on for several weeks, and finally escaladed when Robyn punched her. However in detention, they both made up after they realized they'd forgotten what they had fought about in the first place, and skipped the rest of their after school detention, which only earned them more later on that week.
Yes, Riley had certainly been in a lot of situations before. But she could honestly say that she'd never, ever, been in this one; pressed tightly against the wall of the Palm Woods by none other than the most egotistical, arrogant boy in the world, James Diamond.
But first, let's rewind to earlier that day, and introduce our main heroine of this story, Robyn Rocque.
XOXOXOXOX
Robyn sighed loudly, boredom continuing to creep inside her.
"I'm bored," she announced to her uncle, who just stood there, back facing her, not saying anything. She scowled, and sighed loudly once again. She was laying upside down on the couch, her feet against the top of it, and her hair hanging down, brushing against the floor. She watched as various people walked in and out of the room, carrying different things with them, such as tables, sculptures, chairs, flowers…
"So, lemme get this straight," she started. "Your throwing a party for Big Time Rush… but they're not invited?" Gustavo nodded, and Robyn quirked an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because, Robyn, who refuses to LEAVE ME ALONE," Robyn rolled her eyes, "the boys are monkeys and monkeys don't belong in a fancy party."
"But its FOR THEM."
"And your point is?" Robyn scoffed, and crossed her arms. Whatever. 'Maybe this way I don't have to come…'
The sound of incoming voices filled her head, which she immediately recognized as James, Kendall, Carlos, and Logan. There was silence, and then… "I SMELL PARTY!"
There were cheers and shouts as rapid footsteps moved towards them, and Robyn smiled. 'Here they come…' The four boys entered the room, and looked around it in awe. "Hey, guys."
"Hey, Robyn," the replied at the same time, and Robyn blinked. 'I still don't know how they do that…' She lifted her torso, then swung her body back, lifting her feet over her head. They touched the floor, and she flipped back into an upright position, then almost immediately stumbled into Gustavo as the blood rushed to her head. She winced and grabbed her head as a headache came on, and Gustavo shoved her away making her stumble forward into Kendall, who then shoved her into Carlos. Carlos grabbed her arm, and pulled her towards him.
"You okay?" he asked, softly, and Robyn nodded, smiling slightly at him. He held her arm for another minute, before letting go. Robyn turned to look at Kendall, who smirked, and she scowled, knowing he'd done that on purpose, as she stood between Carlos and James.
"What's going on?" Kendall asked.
"Please tell us it's a party!" James and Carlos exclaimed. Robyn cringed slightly as their loud voices boomed in her head.
"It is the Big Time Rush party celebrating the making of your first album," Kelly informed them.
"Yes!" Robyn frowned as they all began cheering once again. 'Too bad they're not invited…'
"No! You're note invited." 'And once again, he just crushed their dream…'
"What? Why?" 'Seriously, how the hell do they say things at the same time? Maybe it's all synchronized or something, like a script… Ha, how weird would that be?'
Yeah, not so weird, Robyn.
"One, it's a classy party, for executives only," Gustavo began to explain. "Two, I don't need dogs around playing with their food."
"We don't play with our food!" Kendall and Logan protested. Kelly shot the two boys who had their backs turned to them a knowing look.
"James and Carlos, turn around," she ordered. Robyn turned to face the boys as they turned around, revealing that they do indeed play with their food. Carlos had two carrots shoved up his nose, while James had one, and two eggs in front of his eyes. The two boys roared as if they were monsters. Robyn resisted the urge to slap her forehead in exasperation. 'Oh my God… this is worse than the dinosaur chicken incident…'
Gustavo and Kelly gave Kendall and Logan victorious looks, as Carlos and James dropped the food.
"Wait, wait, wait. How can you have a Big Time Rush party without Big Time Rush?" Carlos asked.
"You'll be here… in spirit," Kelly said. "And in cutout form." Suddenly a giant cutout of Big Time Rush was placed into the room. Robyn scoffed, and Gustavo's attention was suddenly placed on her.
"Robyn, you're going."
"What?" she exclaimed. "Why the hell do I have to go?"
"You represent the Rocque family as well!"
"Then make Dad go along! Not me!"
"He's on a business trip! You're going!" Robyn glared, and crossed her arms, shooting her uncle a defiant look.
"No," she hissed. Gustavo narrowed his eyes at the one person who was possibly more stubborn than he was, and he was Gustavo Rocque.
It was times like these that reminded the boys and Kelly that the two were in fact related.
Kelly watched Gustavo and Robyn with interest. This wasn't the first time they'd clashed. She remembered when she'd witnessed one of their battles first hand. That was the same day she met Robyn Rocque…
Kelly smiled brightly at the 12 year old girl before her as Robyn stood up from her grounded dance at the end of her dance. Garret grinned and looked at Gustavo.
"Not bad, huh?" he asked, looking between Gustavo and Kelly. Kelly nodded vigorously, and looked at the child who stood in front of them expectantly. Though her face portrayed a confident smirk, her eyes displayed hopefulness for Gustavo's approval. Kelly opened her mouth to compliment her, but someone cut her off.
"Not good enough." The comment sounded in the otherwise empty room. Kelly shot Gustavo an incredulous look, as Garret frowned. Robyn's eyes widened, as her heart clenched.
Gustavo didn't know it, but his comment cut through her like a knife.
"What?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared disbelieving at the stoic man in front of her. Her voice raised. "Not good enough? Not good enough? What the hell are you talking about?"
"It wasn't good enough," Gustavo repeated, calmly.
"Bullcrap! That was good and you know it!"
"Robyn, it wasn't good enough."
Kelly frowned at the girl. Though she desperately wanted to say something, to stand up for Robyn, she was fairly new at her job, and didn't want Gustavo to be angry with her.
"How can you say that wasn't good enough!"
"If you had done better, I wouldn't have to say that!"
"If you would fall down from your high hose, you could tell me the truth; that that was great!"
"Do it again and do it better!" Robyn's eyes darkened.
"NO!"
CRASH!
Her arm swung out, as she knocked the lamp off of the end table. Kelly gasped, and quickly moved out of the way as it crashed to the floor. The pieces of green glass glittered, much like Robyn's eyes as she narrowed them viciously at the man who still stared blankly at her, unaffected by her action.
"NOTHING is EVER good enough for you!" she cried, tears glistening. "EVERYTHING I do is NEVER good enough! Even MY BEST isn't good enough!" She shook her head, trying to shake away the tears that threatened to fall, before turning around, and running through the door.
Kelly had fled after her as Garret berated Gustavo, and found the girl at the local park, sitting on the swing set.
"Robyn!" she called to the girl. She jogged towards her, and stopped in front of her. "Oh, Robyn, thank God I found you…" Robyn remained silent, staring at the ground. Kelly bit her lip, and then noticed how she was shivering. She was only clad in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and being December, it was only 30 degrees outside. "Oh, you must be freezing. Here." She shrugged off her jacket, and held it out to her. Robyn didn't move. Kelly sighed, and placed it over the brunette's shoulders.
"You'll get cold." Kelly jumped slightly at Robyn's statement.
"I'll be fine. I'm not the one in shorts and a shirt," Kelly said, gesturing to her long sleeved shirt and pants. Robyn said nothing else, and Kelly sighed again, dropping into the swing next to her.
"You don't have to stay here with me," Robyn spoke again, and glanced at Kelly.
"I know. But you shouldn't be alone."
"I've been alone before."
"Well, you're not going to be tonight." Robyn looked away, and it was silent before them. Kelly felt nervousness creep into her body, as she began to speak. "Robyn, don't listen to him. You did amazing." Nothing. "Seriously, that was totally awesome." Nothing. "Gustavo must be crazy to say that that wasn't good enough, because it was more than enough. It was great-"
"Why are you doing this?" Robyn suddenly asked, interrupting her. Kelly paused and turned to the girl.
"What do you mean?" she asked, and Robyn stayed silent for a moment, before turning to look at her fully. Kelly frowned sadly at her when she noticed the tear marks that streaked down her cheeks.
"Why are you talking to me? You don't even know me." Kelly shrugged.
"No, I don't. But I do know that you did nothing wrong and Gustavo's just being a…" Robyn smirked slightly when Kelly trailed off. "Well, you can substitute whatever noun you prefer in there. And you're doing better than me." Robyn raised an eyebrow, and Kelly smiled. "First day on the job, he yelled at me for a straight two hours. I cried as soon as I got home all night." Robyn bit her lip. "So yeah, you're not the only one who's gotten their butt ripped by Gustavo."
"But we don't deserve it."
"Sure, we don't. But it happens anyways. And the only thing we can do is hold our head up high, take his criticism, and then secretly curse him out under our breath, though I think you're the kind to do it to his face." Robyn made an amused sound, and Kelly grinned, before standing up. "Now, how's about you and me get some ice cream?" Robyn blinked.
"Ice cream? In December?" Kelly nodded, and Robyn grinned. "Well, how can I turn down ice cream?"
Kelly smiled at the memory that marked her and Robyn's friendship, and focused on reality. The two were still glaring at each other, daring the other one to go against them.
"Garret already agreed to it."
"WHAT?" Everyone winced at the volume of her voice. "What do you mean Dad already agreed to it? He's not even here! He's gonna be gone for a week on some business trip!"
"I talked to him earlier and he agreed. You're going. And don't even think about skipping it. Garret said you'd be grounded for a week if you did." Robyn glared and turned to the couch.
"God DAMMIT!" She kicked the couch swiftly, before storming out of the room. Gustavo smirked, as Kelly sighed, and shook her head, praying that nothing would go wrong tonight.
But, ever since the boys moved to L.A., had anything gone right?
XOXOXOXOX
"This is SO not fair," Robyn later complained to Riley as they lounged by the pool. "Why the hell do I have to go? I mean, I'm not part of the band. What, do I have to represent the Rocque image or something? Gustavo's better off not having me there!"
Riley, however, wasn't listening. Her attention was focused on something else, or rather, some else.
James Diamond was currently strutting towards her.
"Riley? Riley? RILEY!" Riley suddenly snapped out of her trance, and turned to Robyn.
"Huh?" she asked. "Did you say something?" Robyn frowned and turned to look at James, before rolling her eyes, and standing up.
"Whatever," she scoffed, before walking away. James gave her a confused look as she walked past him, and then turned to look at Riley.
"What's up with her?" he asked, sitting down next to her.
"Oh, you know, just Riley being Riley," Robyn said, dismissing the subject. "So, what's up?" James flashed her his perfect smile.
"Well, we're having this small… get together." Riley raised her eyebrows.
"Get together?" she asked. "You mean a par-" James suddenly shushed her, and looked around to make sure Bitters was nowhere to be seen. Riley nodded, understanding what he was saying. "Okay, you're having a get together. And…?"
"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go." Riley grinned, a light blush dusting her cheeks.
"I'd love to," she said, and James grinned at her, before standing up.
"Great. It starts at seven. See you there." Riley nodded, trying to hold back her smile.
"Yes, yes, you will."
XOXOXOXOX
After a heated argument with her dad on the phone, Robyn was currently sprawled across the couch. According to her dad, she had to go so she could "make amends" with Jerry Fitzpatrick.
The last time Robyn had been to an executive party, she met Jerry Fitzpatrick who apparently had the idea that women could not resist him, and had made some rather sleazy comments to Robyn. Needless to say, Robyn didn't take it so well, punched him, and then walked out. Jerry's father had threatened to sue Gustavo if Jerry didn't receive an apology, and so tonight was Robyn's chance to "make amends" with him.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Robyn? Are you in here?" Kelly called from outside the door.
"I'm here," Robyn called back, before adding quietly, "Unfortunately." The door opened, and Kelly walked in, carrying what Robyn presumed to be a dress covering in a zip up bag.
"I brought your dress for the party," Kelly said, and she laid it across the recliner. Robyn said nothing, and Kelly sighed. "Look, Robyn, I know you don't wanna go-"
"Obviously."
"-But you have to. If the Fitzpatrick family sues Rocque Records, Gustavo could lose the studio."
"Couldn't I just facebook him an apology or something? I don't even wanna talk to that creep on the phone," Robyn mumbled, crossing her arms, and Kelly smiled slightly.
"Sorry, but it has to be in person. Robyn, Gustavo could lose everything."
"So?" Robyn asked, childishly.
"Including the band. Which means they'll be sent back to Minnesota. Which means you'll probably never seen them again. Which means you'll never see Carlos again." Robyn groaned, and grabbed a pillow, burying her face in it to hide her blush, as Kelly smirked.
"So? It's not like I like him…"
"Whatever you say Robyn," Kelly said, standing up. "Make sure you're there by 6:30."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there…"
"And no skipping."
"Whatever you say, Kelly," Robyn mocked, and Kelly chuckled, before leaving the apartment.
XOXOXOXOX
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Come in," Robyn said, as she struggled to put on her necklace.
"Hey, Robyn, we're having this small get together, and-" Robyn looked up at the mirror when the person paused, and saw Carlos surprised face in the mirror.
"Oh, hey, Carlos," she said, and she turned around. Carlos' jaw nearly dropped.
Her dress was black, and long, nearly reaching her feet, which were in white, strappy heels. The dress was sleeveless, and had a white ribbon wrapped around the waist. Her hair was up in a formal looking bun, with a few curly strands hanging down, framing her face. She wore a little eyeliner, and light red lipstick.
Robyn felt uneasy as he stared at her with an open mouth, and fiddled with her hands.
"Wow, I didn't think I looked that bad…" she said, breaking the silence. Carlos snapped out of his daze, and shook his head.
"No!" he practically shouted. "No.. you look… great. Really… formal, though. Classy." Robyn rolled her eyes.
"I know. I hate it." She then took in his attire. Black pants, a white dress shirt over a black shirt, and… a cheetah vest. She blinked. "You look… like a cheetah." Carlos grinned.
"We're having a par-a small social gathering." Robyn raised an eyebrow.
"A small social gathering, huh?" she asked, smirking. Carlos grinned and nodded.
"Yeah! And, uh…" Suddenly a nervous look overcame his face. "Well… I, um, I kinda… wanted to invite you…" Robyn blushed slightly.
' "Oh, uh… well, I'd… I'd like to come, but…"
"You have the other party to go to."
"Yeah…" Carlos nodded, feeling stupid that he'd forgotten that while he and the rest of the band weren't allowed to go, Robyn had to.
"Why do you have to go, anyways?" he asked, and Robyn huffed.
"The last time I went to one of those stupid parties, this guy came onto me. So I punched him. Now I have to go and apologize or else his dad will sue Gustavo." Carlos smiled at the thought of Robyn punching the guy, but it slowly dissolved at the thought of a guy hitting on her in the first place. Robyn gave him a questioning look as his eyes darkened slightly, and she bit her lip. 'Is he… Nah.'
"Wait, I thought Palm Woods parties are illegal here. And if you guys get one more strike, Bitters will kick you out. Remember?" Carlos paused, and put his hand to his chin, looking up at the sky.
Robyn yelped as a pillow hit her, and she turned around. In the midst of the epic pillow fight that was occurring in the lobby, she made out Carlos smirking at her. She smirked back, and whacked him in the face. He stumbled back, and responded with his own hit, cheering and jumping. Riley appeared next to Robyn, and both girls hit Carlos. Everyone stopped, however, when Bitters appeared.
"Organizing a Palm Woods wide extreme pillow fight, strike one." Robyn and Riley rolled their eyes, and both throw their pillows at Bitters. He scowled at them, and they smiled innocently.
XOXOXOXOX
"I'm gonna name it Squidward!" Riley cooed to the giant squid in the pool, as Robyn stared incredulously. 'How the hell…'
"Putting a giant octopus in the pool, strike two!" Robyn rolled her eyes at Bitters, as Riley glared.
"HEY! Squidward is a giant SQUID, dumbass! Calling him an octopus is insulting!" She then proceeded to reach out to the squid.
"Um. Riley, I'm not sure that's a good idea," Robyn said. But her warning was too late, as 'Squidward' then wrapped a tentacle around her arm.
"AH! Bad Squidward!" Riley cried as she was dragged towards the pool. "That's a BAD SQUIDWARD!" Riley sighed, and shook her head, before going to save her best friend.
XOXOXOXOX
Carlos suddenly gave Robyn a grin that could only be defined as 'dangerous'. "Yeah, we know. But we're doing it anyways." Robyn didn't know why, but she found the smirk he was giving her incredibly… hot.
"Wow, what a daredevil," she teased.
"You know it." She laughed, and shook her head.
"Trust me, I'd much rather go to your guys' party-er, social gathering, but I have to go to this thing." Carlos nodded, frowned sadly.
"Yeah…" Robyn picked up the sparkling silver heart necklace that she'd laid on the island, and resumed trying to clasp it around her neck.
"I should've left earlier, but I can't get this damn necklace on," she grumbled. "It keeps getting caught in my hair. Dammit, how sad is it that I can't get a freaking necklace on?" Carlos chuckled.
"Here, let me," he said, and Robyn shrugged, turning around.
She jumped slightly when his fingers brushed against the nape of her neck as he took hold of the two ends, and hooked them together. He laid the chain on her neck, and his fingers trailed down the chain. Robyn bit her lip, and took a deep breath, as sparks shot through her body. A moment later, Carlos drew his hands away, and Robyn turned around, almost bumping into him from his proximity. She nearly gasped, and she looked into his chocolate brown eyes.
He was giving her a rare serious stare, as if contemplating something. It looked as if he was having a mental battle, and Robyn wondered what it was that made him so thoughtful.
And suddenly, it seemed as if he was moving closer towards her. Robyn gazed into his warm eyes, the same eyes that had captivated her since day one, no matter how much she tried to deny it.
And if he was going to kiss her… well, Robyn could honestly say she had no problem with that.
But, of course, something always seems to ruin the moment. In this case, it was her phone ringing.
A loud, shrill sound rang throughout the room, and it made the two teenagers practically jump apart. Robyn stared with wide eyes. 'Was he seriously about to… kiss me?'
If you had to pick a prominent thought from all of the ones that were racing through Carlos' head, it'd be this one; 'I hate whoever is calling her.'
Robyn avoided his eyes, and reached for her phone, pressing the 'accept' button. "Hello?"
"WHERE ARE YOU?" Robyn winced at the volume of her uncle's voice, and pulled the phone away from her ear."
"Gustavo-"
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TEN MINUTES AGO!"
"Gustavo, I'm on my way-"
"BUT YOU'RE NOT HERE RIGHT NOW LIKE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE!"
"Gustavo, shut up!" she shouted into the phone. "Look, I'm on way, okay? GOODBYE." She hung up, and then placed her phone in a her black purse. She avoided Carlos' eyes. "I, uh… I think I should go…"
"… Yeah…" In order to break the tension, Robyn punched him lightly on the shoulder.
"Now, go on, Cheetah Man. Go to your party. Don't feel bad cause I can't go. I'd just drag you down anyways," she joked. Carlos smiled slightly. "We'll hang out tomorrow to make up for it." His smile widened, which made Robyn smile back. He began to walk away, but stopped when he reached the door.
"Robyn?" he asked, and Robyn turned to him as she grabbed her purse.
"Yeah?" she asked, and Carlos looked away, before looking back at her.
"Trust me, you wouldn't drag me down if you were there." Before Robyn could say anything, he was already shutting the door.
XOXOXOXOX
"Trust me, you wouldn't drag me down if you were there."
His words kept replaying in her head over and over again, as Robyn rode the taxi to Rocque Records.
"What the hell did he mean?" she murmured to herself, staring out the window. Thoughts were rushing through her head, and she groaned, leaning it against the window. 'Ugh, dammit. I seem to be getting frequent headaches because of him…'
She soon arrived at Rocque Records, and paid the driver, before getting out of the cab, and walking into the building. She rode the elevator up, and soon, it dinged. The doors opened, to reveal people crowded into the room, all dressed in suits and dresses. A soft melody was playing, as she walked into the room.
'Welcome to hell, Robyn.'
XOXOXOXOX
"Great party, Gustavo," Griffin commented. Robyn rolled her eyes. 20 minutes later, she was sure she was going to die of boredom any minute. "So, when does it start?"
"Uh, a half an hour ago?" Gustavo asked.
"No, it didn't. I come to your little music shop because it's funky. Happening. But tonight, I'd rather watch a Dutchman make molasses." Robyn smirked, and snickered as a woman knocked a tray out of a caterer's hand.
"I've been working on this party for three weeks."
"Cool!" Griffin tossed his food at Gustavo. "But right not, Fujusaki, your company's founder, is asleep." Robyn look over at the old man to find that, true to Griffin's words, he was asleep. "And I'm going to play games on my phone." Griffin then walked away.
"I told you this was boring," Robyn said to Kelly, as Gustavo appeared next to them.
"Hey." Kelly jumped, and flung her food in surprise. "We gotta liven this party up before Fujusaki literally dies of boredom." A moment later, said man fell off of the couch, and onto the floor. Kelly and Robyn gasped, as Fujusaki's men reached him. They took a breath of relief when his eyes opened. "His eyes are open! He's alive!"
"Oh, thank God," Robyn said, clutching her chest.
"Move it," Gustavo ordered to Kelly, before rushing off.
Robyn looked around the room for Jerry. She figured that the sooner she could apologize, the sooner she could leave and go to the guys' party. However, she couldn't seem to find him.
"Looking for me?" a voice said, and she turned around, to see a red haired, green eyed boy, and an older looker version of him beside him. Robyn resisted the urge to cringe. Jerry.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was," she said. She took a deep breath, and then gave the statement she'd rehearsed in her head. "Jerry, I am terribly sorry for punching you. I was completely out of line, and I hope you forgive me." With that, she spun swiftly on her heel, and began to walk away.
"Not so fast, Robyn," Jerry said, and she rolled her eyes. "I don't believe you." 'Because I'm obviously not sorry at all,' Robyn thought, as she turned around. "Perhaps a kiss would do." Her eyes flashed, as her lips pulled up into a sneer.
"You little-" She drew her fist back.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Robyn," Jerry's father said. "I'm not afraid to sue." Robyn growled, and lowered her fist.
"So, what will it be, Robyn?" Jerry asked, smirking, as Robyn scowled at him.
"Wait!" Kelly suddenly exclaimed, racing to Robyn. Robyn shot her a confused look, and Kelly shoved her phone in her face. "It says that his company's bankrupt!" She scowled at Jerry and his father. "They don't have the money to sue." Robyn gaped at the text on her phone.
"So… I can punch him?" she asked, and Kelly frowned.
"Well, I'd prefer it if you didn't, but yes, you can." Robyn nodded, and then drew her fist back once again. Jerry closed his eyes, and felt nothing hit him. He opened his eyes, to see her rushing out of the door, and make a beeline towards the elevator.
'Here I come, Carlos.'
XOXOXOXOX
The door opened, and Riley stepped inside. She noticed the disappointed look Carlos gave the door, and wondered what it was about, before a different boy blocked her view.
"Hello, Riley." She smiled at Chad.
"Hey, Chad. Great party, huh?" He nodded.
"Yeah. So, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to dance?" Riley grinned.
"Sure. I'd love to." Chad smiled and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the center of the floor.
Now, I know what you're thinking; What is she doing with Chad when she likes James?
Her relationship with James was complicated. You could say they were almost 'friends with benefits'. They flirted constantly, but nothing ever happened.
With Riley, it was always the guy making the first move. Not flirtatiously battling her, daring her to make it. She'd never done this before. It was completely new to her.
So, instead of sucking up her pride, and asking him out, she instead chose to do the opposite; make him jealous.
And by the way James' hazel eyes narrowed at her and Chad, it was working.
XOXOXOXOX
Even in the middle of an awesome party, with loud people and loud music, with flashing lights and many girls dancing around him, Robyn was still on his mind.
He couldn't deny it. It was obvious, so painfully obvious, that he liked her. Someone would have to be a complete idiot not to see it.
He was so excited to ask her to their party. But when he saw her, and remembered that she had to go to the party at Rocque Records, it crushed his hopes. And though she did look gorgeous in that dress… it wasn't Robyn.
She didn't belong at some fancy party wear people wore fancy suits and dresses and there was slow, fancy music and fancy statues and fancy caterers that carried fancy food that fancy people apparently didn't play with because they were too damn fancy to. She didn't belong with a cardboard cutout of them.
She belonged at their party where the music was loud and the lights were colorful and there were chips and soda and everyone was having a good time and her friends were there. He was there. She belonged with them. With him. Not with some stupid sleazebag who hit on her too hard who she had to apologize to. It was simple, really. She should be with him.
His grip tightened on his cup of pepsi, and he shook his head, trying to shake her away. But he couldn't. He didn't want to. He didn't want to shake thoughts of Robyn away.
They had almost kissed. They had almost kissed. But Gustavo couldn't wait a minute and just had to call.
Maybe if they'd kissed, she'd be here now. Maybe if they'd kissed, she'd be with him, not with that other stupid guy.
He hoped she didn't apologize. He hoped she punched him again if he tried anything.
But he had no right, because Robyn wasn't his. He had no right to hope that. But he did anyways. He had no right to wish Robyn was his. He had no right to act like she was. But he did anyways.
Because, at the end of the day, no matter how many pretty girls he met, no matter how many times The Jennifers walked by him in slow motion, it always came down to Robyn, the girl who abused him verbally and physically, the girl he couldn't get enough of.
Carlos had never been in this situation before. But as far as he was concerned, he wanted to stay in it with her as long as he possibly could.
XOXOXOXOX
James was never really one to curse. He can count a total of three times he'd ever done it. All three had been involved with hockey. But now, he found it appropriate to say, "Dammit."
They were dancing too close. He was touching her too much. She was smiling at him too much. She was enjoying something that didn't involve him too much.
Chad was too close to something that was his.
To James, any girl he flirted with on a regular basis made her his. So, according to him, Riley had been his for a good two months. She belonged to him. Not to Chad. Him. And it was different with her. He actually liked her. Any guy at the Palm Woods knew that, and didn't make a move (Um, have you seen his muscles? He could easily take them).
So what if he never asked her out. He asked her to the party! And this was the first thing that she does? Dance with a guy who wasn't even as good-looking as he was?
Was she trying to make him jealous?
He received his answer when she threw him a smirk as Chad spun her. James smirked back, and turned to the cute blonde beside him.
"Wanna dance?" he asked, and the girl nodded, grinning. He smiled and grabbed her hand, before they began dancing.
If she wanted to play that game, he'd play it too. And better.
He was James Diamond, and in the end, he always got what he wanted.
XOXOXOXOX
She knew something was off from the moment he'd given her a defeated look when she walked into the room. And she intended to find out what it was, though she had a pretty good idea.
After taking a break from dancing with Chad, she walked over to the boy who stood by the food, staring at the door.
"Hoping someone will walk through it sometime soon?" she guess, and Carlos jumped, turning to her.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, and Riley rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please. I know something's wrong. It's a party. You're the last person I'd expect to not be going crazy."
"I was earlier."
"But then you stopped, and you've been standing here for ten minutes," Riley pointed out, and Carlos sighed, before turning to look at the door. "It's Robyn, isn't it?" Carlos opened his mouth to protest. "Don't even try to deny it. It's so obvious." Carlos sighed again, and Riley smiled. "Carlos, Robyn would be wanting you to have fun. Not mope all night because she's not here."
"How do you know?" Carlos mumbled, and Riley looked over his shoulder towards the door that had opened.
"Well, you can ask her yourself." Carlos gave her a confused look, before Riley pointed behind him, and he turned around. His eyes widened.
Robyn.
XOXOXOXOX
To say Robyn was nervous was an understatement. She was absolutely terrified.
What was going to do once she walked in? Would Carlos eve talk to her? Would he want to talk about the almost kiss? Oh God, what if he tried to kiss her again?
"Ugh, dammit, Robyn, calm down," she told herself once she reached the door. She could already hear the music outside of the apartment, and she took a deep breath, before grabbing the doorknob.
'Well, here goes nothing.'
She opened the door, and immediately felt more comfortable. A few people greeted her, and she smiled back, waving. Her eyes fell on a cheetah print vest. Carlos had his back turned towards her, talking to Riley, who suddenly pointed at her. Carlos then turned around, and his eyes widened.
Her curly hair was down now. She wore dark wash, ripped skinny jeans, with a black halter top that ended just above her thigh. She wore a gold, wide belt around her waist, and black shoes, with a slight heel that was low enough to wear she could walk in them properly and not stumble around like a drunken idiot. Her eyeliner was thickened, and mascara and pink lip-gloss was added. She was also wearing two gold bracelets, with a black one also on her right wrist.
This was Robyn. This was his girl. And damn, did she look good.
"Robyn!" Robyn smirked at Carlos' awestruck face, and she sauntered towards him and Riley.
"Damn, Robyn, way to show off," Riley muttered sarcastically.
"Jealous," Robyn accused, and she looked at Carlos, to find him staring at her. She blushed lightly, and grinned at him. "What's up, cheetah? What're you doing over here? I thought you'd be going totally crazy on the dance floor." Riley smirked.
"He's been waiting for you," she said, and Robyn raised an eyebrow. Carlos blushed, and Riley grinned. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone to make jealous." She then strolled off, leaving Robyn and Carlos alone.
"… You were waiting for me?" she asked, hesitantly, and Carlos looked away.
"Well, I was hoping you'd come…" Riley smiled at him, and crossed her arms.
"So, you gonna ask me to dance or what?" she asked, bluntly, and Carlos grinned.
"Wanna dance?" Her answer was grabbing his hand and leading him to the center of the floor.
XOXOXOXOX
20 minutes later, Robyn was desperately thankful she'd left Gustavo's party.
Despite his weird, crazy, and totally insane dance moves on the floor, it was way better being with Carlos than at the other party.
He grabbed her hand, and spun her around. Robyn laughed as the scene whirled around her until she stopped spinning and practically fell on him, but he didn't seem to mind.
Robyn didn't seem to mind it when Carlos suddenly jumped back, and accidentally knocked over some blonde girl. After helping the poor girl up, and apologizing profusely, she continued on dancing with Carlos. So what if she went against Gustavo's word?
All that mattered was that she was there, with him.
XOXOXOXOX
The doorbell rang, and Carlos and James looked at each other, before rushing towards it. Robyn rolled her eyes at their enthusiasm and smiled, and continued dancing. James and Carlos opened the door.
"Welcome to the-AHHHH!" Robyn whipped her head towards the scream, and saw a large crowd of people suddenly run James and Carlos over. They ran into the room cheering and shouting loudly. 'What the hell? Bitters is gonna find us any minute!' She rushed over to James and Carlos as they stood up, and Kendall soon made their way over to them.
"Who invited all of these people?" he demanded, eyes wide with fear and shock.
"I don't know!" James protested. "I only invited the three hottest girls on my phone." Robyn glanced at Riley, who glanced back. The latter gave an arrogant smirk, and Robyn rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, and I invited Robyn, but she said she couldn't come, but now she's here. But after she said no, I couldn't decide, so I texted the first three people on my phone." Carlos whipped out his phone, as Robyn blinked. 'Was I his first choice…?' Robyn couldn't help but smile at the thought, and Carlos read off the names of the first three people on his phone. "Abigail Aarons, Andrea Adams, and Al Contacts." 'What?' Robyn grabbed his phone, and she and Kendall looked at it. Her eyes widened. 'Oh my God…'
"This says ALL CONTACTS," Kendall corrected him, James yanked the phone away from them, and looked to see for himself.
"You invited your whole phone?" Carlos face took on an apologetic look, and Robyn felt bad for him, before more people came running and screaming into the room. Robyn quickly got out of the way as the boys were run over once again. A moment later, they say up, and simultaneously said, "This is bad."
XOXOXOXOX
"This was supposed to be a small gathering, and now it's an uncontrollable party that gets us kicked out of the Palm Woods!" Kendall said.
"Oompa!" Kendall, James, Carlos, and Robyn turned around, to see Russian acrobats enter the room.
"Serge! Irena!" Carlos exclaimed, grinning, as the two went towards the dance floor.
"You have Russian acrobats in your contacts list?" Kendall asked, disbelieving, as Serge lifted Irena above his head.
"I'm a people person," Carlos said, casually, and Robyn smiled and shook her head.
"Emergency party plan!" Kendall announced, as James and Carlos took a drink of their soda. "I'm gonna go get my date, who doesn't like hockey-" Carlos and James spit out their drinks in shock, as Robyn raised her eyebrows, "-I know, right?-and go downstairs and keep an eye on Bitters so we don't get our third strike while you guys get rid of this party!" Kendall took off.
"Right. On it," James and Carlos said, and they and Robyn walked towards the crowd, before James put his hands out, stopping them.
"We can't stop a party this good," James said.
"We won't be party kings," Carlos added. "We'll be party killers!"
"Yeah, this party is the first at the Palm Woods in, like, a year." James and Carlos looked at Robyn surprised, and she shrugged. "What? I'm actually with you guys on this one."
"Teenagers should NOT have to make decisions like this!" James said. A second later, Logan was in front of them.
"I've got a huge problem!" he exclaimed. "There are two girls at this party who are in love with me!"
"Got it!" James called over the music. "Now, what's the problem?"
"Dude, two girls have a crush on you at the same time? This is not a problem," Carlos said.
"This is the best party of your life!"
"Think about it!" James and Carlos said, as Logan pictured it in his mind. Robyn raised an eyebrow as he began pulling himself left to right over and over again.
"I think I see what you mean!" he said.
"I don't think you do." Robyn rolled her eyes.
"Logan, take it from a girl's point of view," she said. "We don't like it when guys play us like that. And what's gonna happen when you get caught?"
"I won't! I'm Secret Agent Logan Mitchell! I never get caught!" Robyn stared at him blankly.
"… What the hell are you talking about?" Logan just grinned and took off, and Robyn rolled her eyes and turned back to the guys. "So, how are we gonna get these people out?"
XOXOXOXOX
'I've become totally irresponsible since I met these guys,' Robyn thought to her self deadpanned as she moved to the music. Instead of dispersing the party like Kendall had ordered them, instead, all three teenagers were dancing again. A call from Kendall brought them back to reality.
"We're working on it!" James exclaimed over the music.
"Are you on the dance floor?" Kendall demanded.
"I can't hear you! We're… dancing into a tunnel!" James hung up on Kendall, and turned to Carlos and Robyn.
"Kendall says Bitters is on the hunt for our amazingly INCREDIBLE super party," James explained to them.
"What do we do?" Carlos asked. James shrugged, then Carlos tilted his head, and suddenly, they were dancing again, jumping and screaming as Robyn laughed.
"Wait!" Robyn exclaimed, and James and Carlos turned to her. "He said that we just had to get the party out of the apartment…" James and Carlos grinned.
XOXOXOXOX
Like she said; totally irresponsible.
Indeed, they had moved the party out of the apartment… and to the pool area.
'In my defense, we did what Kendall asked. He should've been more specific.' Robyn smirked at her thoughts as she danced with Carlos.
"I told you to get rid of everybody!" Robyn turned to Kendall and Jo.
"No, you said to get everybody out of the apartment!" James corrected.
"And we did!" Carlos said. James began shouting and Carlos blew on the party horn. Robyn nodded enthusiastically and did the same. A minute later, Logan was thrown into the pool. James, Carlos, and Robyn looked at each other.
"He got caught," they decided, pausing for a brief second, before dancing again.
"Okay, Logan's in the pool, James and Carlos think they're the kings of party land, Robyn thinks she's the queen of party land-"
"And Bitters is not gonna stop until he finds a party to bust."
"Then I guess we should give him a party to bust." Jo grabbed two party horns, on of them being Robyn's, and yanked them away. Robyn pouted, before Carlos gave her another one, and she grinned. Kendall grabbed the stereo, and the music stopped. The dancing ceased as everyone 'awwed'. James quickly replaced the lost stereo, and the dancing and shouting started up again.
XOXOXOXOX
"Hollywood Super Party Kings of Hollywood! Party King speaking!" Robyn laughed Carlos' greeting. "No can do, Gustavo! We're having the greatest party of our lives!" Robyn 'WOOed' into the phone, as she was supported up in the air, much like Carlos and James. Suddenly, Carlos held the phone out to her. "He wants to talk to you!" Robyn grabbed the phone.
"Party Queen speaking!"
"Robyn? What are you doing there?"
"Well, I'm currently being lifted up by people I don't know! What're you doing?"
"You're supposed to be here!"
"I'd rather be here!"
"What about-"
"It was a lie, Uncle G! They're bankrupt! They couldn't do anything!"
"Oh, you crazy Russian acrobats, put me down!" Carlos called, his voice loud in the phone, and Robyn handed the phone back to him. "Gotta go, Gustavo! Woo!"
XOXOXOXOX
The brunette stormed away from Chad angrily. After failing to keep his hands in appropriate places five times, she finally gave up, and walked away. She looked around the pool area. It seems as though people were busy constructing something on top of the tables. Her eyes searched the room, before they landed on James. Who was dancing with someone else.
Why hadn't he asked her yet?
She sighed, and then walked towards the lobby.
XOXOXOXOX
'I can't believe someone actually built these. But whoever did it… I freaking love you.'
Robyn, Carlos, and James sat on chairs which were placed on top of tables. Each had a shiny paper crowd, and pool noodles.
"Well, it's official," James said.
"We're the Hollywood Super Party Kings and Queen of Hollywood!" Carlos said.
"Um, you said Hollywood twice," a girl passing by said, and Robyn nodded, giving her a cool look.
"You bet we did," she said, and the girl shrugged, before walking away. Robyn looked around, and spotted Riley walking into the lobby with a sullen look on her face.
"Hey, Hollywood Super Party King of Hollywood," she said, and she nudged James. She pointed at the other brunette with her purple pool noodle. "Go get your Hollywood Super Party Queen of Hollywood." James looked at Riley, and nodded, before climbing down, and going after her.
"Would you like to dance, my Queen?" Robyn turned to Carlos, and her eyes sparkled with mischievousness.
"I would love to, my King." Carlos grinned, and grabbed her hand, pulling her down.
XOXOXOXOX
Fast forwarding to the present, Riley stared up at James with a look of shock and confusion.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, smirking at her. A hand was placed on either side of her, effectively trapping her in. Not that she wanted to get out anyways.
"Um, to my apartment?"
"Why? Did the Hollywood Super Party King of Hollywood say you can leave?" Riley raised an eyebrow. "No, he didn't." Riley shivered slightly at the sound of his deepened voice.
"Well, the way I see it, if the Hollywood Super Party King of Hollywood wanted me here, he would've asked me to dance." Her eyes narrowed, a challenging look on her face.
"Maybe the Hollywood Super Party King of Hollywood was waiting for you to ask him."
"Maybe the Hollywood Super Party King of Hollywood should've sucked up his pride, stopped dancing with other girls, and asked me himself."
"Maybe you should've sucked up your pride, stopping dancing with other guys, and asked him yourself."
"Well maybe I secretly wanted you to be jealous and ask me."
"Well maybe I secretly wanted you to be jealous and ask me."
"Just ask me already."
"Fine. Do you want to dance?"
"It's about damn time."
Riley grabbed his hand, and then walked back to the pool area.
And it was as simple as that.