"Finding Harmony"
Chapter 11: Done Sneaking Around
It wasn't even six in the morning; the sun had yet to rise. Alli couldn't sleep. Although it was Saturday, she didn't have any real, solid plans for the day. The previous night with Johnny had her on an all time high, so she figured that was to blame for her insomnia. Sitting up on her bed, Alli reached for her phone. All night long it had sat there without moving.
She hadn't gotten any text messages or calls for more than twelve hours. It was really confusing. Last night with Johnny had been a lot of fun, but she wasn't really sure if they were back together or not. Of course it would make her seem really desperate and pathetic if she asked, but she figured she'd at lest talk to him and see where exactly they stood.
Dialing his number, Alli sighed into her phone and fell back on her bed. While she waited on him to pick up the phone, Alli chewed off both of her pinky nails and was about to start on her thumb nails when he answered. "You know it's 5:53 in the morning, right?" Alli pictured Johnny leaning up on his elbow, smirking. The smell of his cheap cologne filled the room, and the wife beater he was wearing had holes in the back.
"Yeah, I do." Alli giggled and put him on speaker phone.
"So, what are you doing right now?"
"Um...." Alli pursed her lips. "Just laying in bed."
"Oh. I am too. As a matter of fact, I was sound asleep until my cell phone came to life."
"I'm sorry I woke you up," Alli pushed her bed sheets over to a corner of her bed and giggled again. Just listening to Johnny talk made her feel warm and tingly all over. "I just wanted to hear your voice. I missed you."
"What? Alli, you saw me last night."
"Well duh. I'm talking about before. When we were apart."
"Look, I'm not the one to blame. You were the one who broke up with me, Alli."
"I know. It was a tough decision." With a sigh, Alli swung her legs over the edge of her bed and shoved her feet into her fuzzy bunny slippers. "And I think I'm regretting that decision."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Alli knew that Johnny was just messing with her. He wanted her to say what was on her mind, express her true feelings.
"Are we... us again?"
"I don't know, you tell me."
"Huh?" Alli felt her throat tighten.
"If you want to be, then yeah."
"Do you?"
"I asked you first."
"Come on, Johnny."
"Alli, I love you. I don't know how many times I'm going to tell you that and have you not believe me."
"I do believe you. For some reason, I'm not sure if I can trust you with my heart."
"We had a lot of fun last time, Alli. We can try it out again, or we can remain friends. I think you really should make a decision soon because you've got me all over the place with your up and down, friends not friends shit. I can't take it anymore!"
"Johnny, I didn't want it to be this way. I didn't ask for this... these feelings."
"I know. You're a woman." They both laughed.
"So... now that we're official again, can we celebrate?"
"Yeah, I'll start sending out invitations to our wedding."
"Shut up and stop acting like a jackass."
"Fine. Fine." There was a brief pause, and Alli sighed into the mouthpiece on accident. "Can I see you sometime today?"
"Yeah. Definitely." Currently, Alli felt as if she were shining as bright as the hottest sun.
"I really want to kiss you right now," Johnny whispered, and Alli felt like she feel the electricity spark from her phone into her veins.
"Really?" Her voice squeaked. Alli couldn't help it. She felt like they were back at step one again, and it was hard to figure out how to feel.
"Yeah. I do."
Johnny cleared his throat and then sighed. "Where do you want to go?"
"I'll let you choose. You're much more adventurous than me anyway," Alli said.
"Well, I think we should go to my special place," Johnny told her.
"You mean the lake?" Alli asked.
"Wow, you remembered. That's pretty cool."
"How could I forget? That was one of the most special moments of my life."
"Aw," Johnny said. "You made me blush, Alli."
"Yeah. Whatever. You're not exactly a hopeless romantic, Johnathan."
"So we're set then?"
"Definitely. I don't really want to talk to my parents anyway. I have to get out of the house."
"Why not?"
"I'll tell you later." Alli lowered her voice as there was a loud knock at the door.
"Don't forget your bathing suit," Johnny reminded her.
"I won't. Love you. Bye."
"Bye." She clicked off and rose from her bed to answer the door. Sav was standing there, holding a cup to his ear.
"Uh, hi... I didn't mean to knock; you can go back to your conversation if you want-"
"Were you trying to listen in on my private conversation?" Alli shouted, grabbing the cup out of Sav's hand.
"No, I just-" Sav stopped talking as a look of realization came over his face. "Were you talking to Johnny?"
"Why would I be? I haven't seen him in almost two weeks." With a sigh, Alli pushed past him. She walked into the kitchen and poured some Fruit Loops into a bowl. It was already almost seven, and she was going to have to start getting ready for church soon.
Walking into the living room, Alli turned on the TV and switched it over to the Style Network. A picture of Mia on the runway blew up on the screen and Alli rolled her eyes. At first it had been cool, but now Alli was just sick of her. Even though she had her autograph, she doubted it would actually be worth anything in the future.
After she finished her cereal, Alli washed up her bowl and her spoon. She figured it'd be best to take a shower while the bathroom was still free. Once she'd taken a nice, hot shower, Alli pulled her hair back into a ponytail and slipped into her ankle length black dress.
It was still early, so Alli decided to take a walk. As soon as she stepped outside, Alli saw Johnny's rented red convertible driving by.
"Hey Johnny! Wait!" She called out, running down the path that lead to her front door and flapping her arms wildly.
"What the-?" Johnny came to a stop in the middle of the road. Hopping out of the car, he wrapped his arms arms around her waist as she fell into his arms.
"What are you doing here?" Alli asked. "It's still so early it's a little bit dark out here."
Johnny shrugged. "Well, I know your friend lives, like, the street over," Johnny began.
"Yeah...." Alli winced. She could already feel a blister forming on her little toe from the friction it created with her flats.
"Well, I heard her sister was in town and I wanted to catch up." Alli vaguely remembered Clare mentioning that Darcy was returning to Canada for winter break. Wait.
"Darcy?!" Alli screeched.
"Yeah, Darcy." Averting his eyes, Johnny smirked. "Why? Does Clare have any other sisters?"
"No, but... why would you be talking to her?"
"Because she's my friend, Alli. Nothing more." He reached down and grabbed both of her hands. "You understand that, right?"
"I thought you said you hooked up with her."
"Yeah. Once. We were both trying to get rid of our problems. It was stupid and we used each other. Consider it a mistake."
Although Alli wanted to believe him, she wasn't sure that she could. "Yeah, it's fine. I understand." They began walking.
"I should probably move my car first," Johnny said. Alli nodded and stood on the sidewalk, facing the sun. Once he'd parked in front of a house farther down the street, Johnny jumped out of the convertible and began running up the sidewalk towards her.
"So," he breathed out. "Let's take a walk." His chest rose and fell steadily. His cheeks were a little pink from running and his nose and the tips of his ears were red from the cold. The jacket he was wearing was pulled tightly around his body and Alli wrapped her arms around herself and smiled. He was extremely adorable.
"You cold?" He asked.
"Well, obviously," Alli mumbled as sweetly as possible.
"Here." Taking his jacket off, Johnny wrapped it around Alli's shoulders.
"It's freezing out here," Alli complained. "Are you gonna be okay without it?"
"Anything for you, my love." Johnny threw his arm around her shoulders. "So where you headed, you sexy nun, you?"
"I'm going to church in about half an hour," Alli told him.
"You're gonna give those little Muslim boys a heart attack showing your arms like that," Johnny teased.
"Shut up," Alli grumbled.
"You know, I have some things to do." Johnny said, stopping on the corner of the street.
"What kinds of things?" Alli inquired, her tone now serious.
"Pick up my car, maybe go over to Bruce's place...."
"Oh, okay. Well see you later." Alli stood on her tiptoes for a kiss. Johnny immediately pushed her back towards a large maple tree and thrust his tongue into her mouth. After they broke apart for air, he began trailing butterfly kissed down Alli's collarbone. "I'm going to church soon; you're gonna make me feel guilty, stop it!" Alli giggled, pushing his face away from hers.
Suddenly, Johnny tripped over a tree branch and they both fell into a pile of leaves. "Ah!" Alli shouted. Johnny was on top of her. He rolled over and lay back on the grass. "Now my dress is ruined and it's all your fault!"
Alli brushed some leaves off the front of her dress. A leaf fell from one of the higher tree branches and landed on Alli's cheek. Brushing it off, Johnny ran his fingertips over Alli's chin. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," Alli replied. This time it rolled off her tongue effortlessly. She leaned in for another kiss and Johnny hugged her so tightly, she felt like the most beautiful girl in the world. "I should probably go," Alli said softly, pulling away.
"I just want to hold you for a little bit longer," Johnny insisted. He held her tighter as leaves fell around them.
--
By the time Alli got home from church, she was absolutely glowing. That morning, running into Johnny unexpectedly, had been so magical. She had to tell Clare all about it. "Hey!" She squeaked into the phone once Clare had picked up.
"Uh... wow. Alli, I haven't spoken to you in nearly three weeks," Clare snapped. Not such a warm greeting.
"Yeah, I've been kinda busy," Alli tried to explain, even though she knew it was a lame excuse. "With my boyfriend and all."
"I thought you broke up with him," Clare practically spat.
"Yeah, I did. But now we're back together. Is that a problem?" Alli was done playing nice if Clare was going to keep acting like a bitch.
"No, not that it's my business anyway," Clare mumbled. Alli sighed. Somehow, she needed to find a way to change the subject. "So, do you remember that party KC invited you to?" Clare wondered.
"Oh crap!" Alli shouted. "That was yesterday, wasn't it?" she asked, lowering her voice.
"No," Clare replied. "You're lucky we rescheduled it, though."
"Oh my gosh, yes!" Alli cheered. "Can I still come?"
"Of course, but don't bring a friend," Clare demanded. Alli knew that by 'friend' she meant Johnny.
"I wasn't going to," Alli replied, clicking off. She had never hung up on Clare angry before. Why was her best friend acting like that?
--
Two hours later, Alli packed her baby blue duffel bag with a beach towel, her favorite pink and yellow bikini, and some yellow flip flops. She thought better of it and decided to put her bathing suit on under her clothes. She slipped out of her denim jeans and pulled her orange Tommy Hilifiger T-shirt over her head.
Sliding into her bathing suit, Alli gazed into the mirror that hung on the back of the door to her room. She placed a hand on her hip and pouted. The straps of her bikini top were almost digging into her shoulders, but she still looked extra hot. Her chest was getting bigger too, so that was a bonus. The colors really complimented her and Alli already had a confidence that made her sexy. She knew Johnny would love it, too.
Pulling her tank top back on and stepping into her jeans, Alli checked her teeth in the mirror. Grabbing her bag off the top of her bed, Alli walked out the door. "Mother, Anya said the Power Squad could use some extra hands."
"Doing what, Alliana?" Mrs. Bhandari inquired.
"She said they need some alternate cheerleaders," Alli clarified.
"Oh?" Mrs. Bhandari raised her eyebrows.
"I'm auditioning. Today." Alli gripped the strap of her duffel bag.
"On a Sunday, Alliana?"
"Yes, mother," Alli said firmly, moving towards the door. "I should be home by eight or whatever," she grumbled.
"You better be!" Her mother yelled before the door slammed behind Alli. Technically, she wasn't lying this time. Anya had asked her to audition for Power Squad. The only difference was, she'd asked her to stop by the gym after school this Friday, not today.
Walking up the street, Alli beamed when she saw Johnny driving towards her. "Hey," she waved and got into the car. "I missed this car," Alli sighed, pressing her face into the head rest on her seat. "I'm so used to it."
"So am I," Johnny reminded her, placing a quick kiss on her over glossed lips. "Did you bring a bathing suit like I told you to?" he asked.
"Yeah," Alli said sweetly.
"Good, 'cause I can't wait to see you in it." Licking his lips, Johnny turned the corner and snapped on the radio. Alli placed her hand over his and he glanced over in her direction. "What?"
"Honestly, I think we've been listening to enough metal."
"And what are you suggesting?"
"Maybe some...." Turning the dial, Alli waited until she heard a song she recognized. "SexyBack?" Johnny grimaced.
A minute later, Alli heard Johnny singing the words softly under his breath. "What? You know this song; you like this song? Get out!" She punched him in the arm.
"It's a club hit, Alli."
"So? You don't just like pop music, you like Justin Timberlake and Timbaland! This is rich!"
"I'm open-minded, okay?" Johnny groaned and his cheeks turned a light pink.
"I am so telling Bruce, Aaron, Reese, Delia...." Alli ticked off the names on her fingers.
"You wouldn't."
"No, I wouldn't. Relax." Alli giggled. "It's still funny, though."
"Not really." Johnny poked her in the stomach and Alli dropped the subject. It was nice that Johnny could enjoy pop music. He wasn't the typical teenage boy at all.
Once they arrived at the lake, Johnny opened the left back door of the car and pulled out a large picnic basket. "Rissa made this," he told her.
"Really?" Alli's eyes widened. "That must have taken forever."
"Yeah, but she works in weaving, so she's good at it." They held hands as they walked over to Johnny's favorite spot. They put their bags behind the rock and Johnny spread out a classic red-and-white checkered picnic blanket.
"What's in here?" Alli opened the picnic basket and peered inside.
"Oh, just some goodies I know you'll love." Smirking, Johnny patted the empty space next to him on the blanket and Alli sat down with the picnic basket on her lap. "But," Johnny removed the picnic basket from her lap and set it down beside him.
"I think we should swim first. You know, so you don't get cramps after you eat."
"Well..." Alli shrugged. "Sure." She tugged her top off over her head and then held it in front of her. Jumping up, she scurried behind the rock to take off her shorts.
"What are you doing?" Johnny laughed.
"What'd you think I was gonna do? Change in front of you? Keep dreaming."
"Wow," Johnny breathed out, as Alli stepped from the behind the rock. He took in all of her body with his greedy green eyes. "That bathing suit really... suits you... so well."
"Of course it does," Alli agreed. Her long legs and arms glinted as the sun peeked down on then. The bright colors made her eyes pop. "Now it's my turn."
She fell into Johnny's lap and pulled his shirt up over his shoulders. Johnny barely had time to react as Alli tugged his shirt off. He'd just been fantasizing about her sexy body and now here she was all ninety-nine pounds, sitting in his lap. "Easy there, tiger!" Johnny shouted as Alli reached for his belt buckle.
"Just let me work my magic," Alli whispered as seductively as she could. Grabbing Johnny's hands, Alli dragged him to his feet and unbuckled his belt. Removing the belt from the loops on his jeans, Alli tossed it onto the ground and looked up at Johnny. "Don't worry," she said softly, just like that time at the ravine.
Unbuttoning his jeans, Alli leaned down and pulled them down until they were around his ankles. Johnny stepped out of them and smiled at Alli. His skin was exceptionally pale, and his blonde hair curled over onto his shoulders.
His swim trunks were navy blue and the drawstrings hung loose between his legs. Alli smiled back mischievously. "Race ya!" She yelled suddenly, running towards the wide open body of water. Chill bumps formed on her arms and legs before she even felt the muddy water on the banks of the lake squish between her toes. She could practically feel Johnny running behind her as they splashed into the chilly water.
Alli dove down into the water, not caring how deep it was. Her long, jet black hair was soaked, and her scalp was tingling for some reason. She whipped around to see if Johnny was behind her. He'd already almost encircled his arms around her waist. Alli shot up to the surface for air and Johnny popped up beside her. "You're a pretty good swimmer, Backwoods," Johnny commented, slicking his hair back and away from his face.
"I know."Alli winked at him, and he swam a little closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, so tightly, Alli had to suck in her stomach. "God, you look amazing, you feel amazing... you are amazing."
Wrapping her legs around his waist, Alli placed both hands on his chest, leaning into him. She planted a kiss on his lips and deepened it as soon as he thrust his tongue into her mouth. Alli turned her head slightly and circled her arms around Johnny's neck, thrusting her tongue into his mouth. When they pulled apart for air, Alli felt as if she were on fire even though the water was ice cold. Johnny squeezed her butt cheeks and Alli shivered, dunking back under the water and slithering out of his grasp.
He grabbed her again and pulled her back to the surface. Cupping her face in his hands, Johnny smashed his mouth into hers, kissing her as passionately and fervently as he'd wanted to for so long. He couldn't resist any long. Usually he was the one stopped the action, but now he was happy to be starting it. "Oh my gosh," Alli exhaled and shivered in Johnny's arms. "I never thought I'd go swimming in late November," Alli said, kissing him again.
"And I never thought I'd fall in love with someone like you, Alli Bhandari." He pressed his lips into hers, and Alli realized they were starting to feel numb. She pressed her left cheek into his chest and whispered, "I love you more than anything."
"I love you with every fiber of my being." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. Then he backed away so they were facing each other. Alli kissed him on the lips quickly and he snapped the strap of her bikini top against her shoulder.
Dipping his head down, he pressed a kiss to her chest and then inched her a strap of her bikini top down the side of her arm. "I want to kiss you all over," Johnny said softly, but Alli barely heard him because she was too buys imagining all the things that could happen in the next few minutes... and how unsafe it would all be, in more ways than one.
She could already tell that Johnny was aroused. His swim trunks were pretty thin, and she could feel him pressing into her upper thigh. "Johnny," Alli said urgently, pulling away and adjusting the straps of her bikini top. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she smiled. "I don't think we should... I mean, we don't even have...." She looked away. "A condom."
"I never said anything about sex, Alli. I just...." Johnny rubbed a thumb over her shoulder. "I missed your body, that's all." Alli lay on her back, floating. "I respect you, Alli, but you have to remember that I'm a guy."
"Oh, I do." Alli chuckled, turning and pulling his swim trunks down in one swift motion.
"You're lucky I'm wearing underwear, Backwoods!" Johnny shouted, pulling his swim trunks up as Alli back paddled away from him.
"You'll never catch me! Ha ha ha!" She fake laughed. She dipped her head underwater and felt the cold liquid rush into her eyes. When she reached the edge closest to the rock, Alli walked towards it until the dark green water just lapped around her ankles.
Squeezing her hair out, she jumped when Johnny smacked her ass and splashed water into her arms. "That was fun, wasn't it?" he asked. They both took seats on the picnic blanket, even though they were still soaking wet.
"Yeah, it was. Definitely." Alli nodded, running her hands over her face. Trails of lake water trickled down her back and onto the patchy grass below. Johnny opened the picnic basket and removed a huge chocolate cake wrapped in plastic. Next, he pulled out a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Alli's jaw dropped.
"How'd you know I love chocolate?"
"Doesn't every girl?" Johnny wondered, removing the plastic from both plates. He took out a knife and cut two slices of cake for them both. Dipping her index finger into the frosting, Alli smiled and licked it off.
"It's so sweet."
"Just like you," Johnny said before biting into the large slab of cake.
"Aw, thanks." Alli licked more frosting off the top of her slice of cake. "This was really nice of you."
"Well, they had a bake sale at Rissa's work, and she brought home a shitload of leftovers, so there's plenty more where that came from!" Alli reached over and picked Johnny's piece of cake up from the plate.
"Open," she instructed, and Johnny opened his mouth to take a small bite. Deciding it'd be fun to get back at him for his moodiness, his bad choices, and for making her life so complicated, Alli shoved the entire thing into his mouth.
"Ah!" His eyes flew open, and his cry was muffled by the chocolate cake, which was now falling out of his mouth in clumps.
Once he could actually speak, Johnny shouted, "What was that for?"
"Just for everything you've ever done to hurt me," Alli replied with a smirk.
"Okay then, here's payback for dumping me last Saturday," Johnny retorted, smashing the chocolatey confection against Alli's upper chest.
"Oh, that was so wrong!" Leaning forward, Alli pointed to Johnny's left cheek. "You missed a spot," she whispered, scooting closer to him. He stuck his tongue out and tried to lick the remnants of cake off his face, but Alli was quicker.
She reached forward and pinched both of his cheeks at the same time, extra hard. They both smiled at each other. This game was getting better and better. Grabbing both of Alli's wrists, Johnny pinned her to the ground and began tickling her sides. "Ha ha ha!" Alli screeched, trying to wriggle free of his grasp.
"I'm not gonna stop until you say you're sorry," he whispered into her neck.
"Fine. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The tickling ceased and Alli sat up. Johnny pushed her back down onto the blanket and stroked her cheek.
"You're so adorable, even if you are covered in chocolate cake." Johnny chuckled and kissed her on the lips. Alli felt so great. He still tasted like chocolate, and the way their bodies were pressed together felt like the pieces of a puzzle.
When he pulled away, he lay down next to her and entwined their fingers. "You really need a tan," Alli quipped, snuggling closer to him and laying her head down on his chest.
"I'm not a Malibu Ken doll, okay?" Johnny scoffed. "I think I prefer staying white over spraying myself burnt orange."
"Whatever, Mr. Vampire," Alli joked, squeezing one of his nipples.
Johnny winced as if he were in pain, causing Alli to laugh. They lay like that for a bit longer, in the chilly November air. Johnny started eating a cookie, and Alli yelled, "Hey! I want one!" He took one off the plate and handed it to her.
"You know what else chocolate's good for?" Raising his eyebrows, he smirked at her. "Bedroom stuff." Punching him on the shoulder, Alli shook her head.
"Leave it up to you to kill a moment with your pervertedness!" Johnny sat up and dragged his Black Sabbath T-shirt over his head.
"We should probably get going," he suggested. Standing to her feet, Alli squeezed her hair out again and pulled it back into a ponytail. Stepping into his jeans, Johnny removed his car keys from his back pocket. Drying off with her beach towel made Alli feel a little warmer. She slipped into her tank top and jeans quickly.
Johnny returned the plates of baked goods to the picnic basket while Alli folded up the picnic blanket. They grabbed their other bags from behind the rock and began walking towards Johnny's car.
Before she turned around, Alli thought she saw Sav's red Subaru driving past on the other side of the lake. But it couldn't be. Alli knew that Anya lived in Johnny's neighborhood, but what are the odds he'd be driving by at the exact same time she was at the lake with Johnny? Was he spying on her?
When they got to Johnny's car, they threw their bags in the backseat. Once they were inside the car, Johnny turned towards her. "Alli, I need to talk to you." Shrugging, Alli knitted her eyebrows together.
"So talk. I'm listening."
"No, I mean, I think-" He stopped and licked his lips. "I want us to have a serious conversation."
Alli sighed. "Whatever." The ten minute ride to Johnny's place didn't feel that awkward, but it was kind of tense. They unpacked his car and walked to his trailer.
Once the door had closed behind them, Alli put her bag down and followed Johnny into the kitchen. "So, what was so important that you couldn't talking about it in the car?" Turning around, Johnny shook his head slowly.
"Never mind that for now," he told her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"That sure is a lot of leftovers," Alli commented, glancing over at the countertop closest to the sink, which was filled with plates of muffins, cakes, cookies, and pies.
"Yeah, and apparently my aunt was the only one who got to bring stuff home, huh?" Johnny chuckled and kissed Alli on the cheek. He moved past her, towards the doorway of the kitchen. "You know," he began, "I kinda had a hot date planned for tonight."
Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, Alli cocked an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? With who?"
"Oh, just my scissors and a brush," Johnny explained. Alli sighed with relief. For some reason, she'd been scared for a moment there.
"Do you want me to drop you home?" Johnny wondered. "'Cause I'm just gonna wash my hair, take a shower, and then chill."
"No." Alli pulled Johnny towards her and gave him a quick kiss. "I have an idea." Leading him out of the kitchen, Alli dragged her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor.
"What kind of idea?" Alli decided to ignore Johnny's question. She stepped into the bathroom and flicked on the light. "Seriously Alli, what's going on here?" He followed her into the bathroom.
Pulling the elastic from her hair, Alli walked over and began filling the tub with water. "I'm gonna wash your hair for you. Sex it up a little bit."
"Wow. Okay." Johnny stepped out of his jeans and removed his shirt for the second time in two hours. Alli took off her shorts and sat down on the edge of the tub.
Johnny took out his shampoo from the medicine cabinet. Sliding into the tub, he sat down between Alli's legs. Taking the bottle of shampoo from his hands, Alli squeezed it until heaping globs of the shampoo fell into her palm.
The thick shampoo was so heavily scented, Alli was sure that she'd be smelling it on her hands for days. Slathering it onto Johnny's dark blonde head, Alli kneaded her fingers into his scalp as hard as she could.
Although she hadn't been trying to make it that sexual, Johnny titled his head back and groaned. Alli dug her fingernails into his scalp and smiled down at all the suds and piles of bubbles that were falling into the water. Once she was sure Johnny's hair would towel-dry to be squeaky clean, Alli dunked his head under the water and made sure he didn't get any soap in his eyes.
"Wow," Johnny said, smoothing his hair back from his forehead. Alli got the feeling that he didn't wash his hair often in the first place. "Do you wanna, uh, take a shower?"
"Johnny, you know I'm not ready for those things... yet."
"Not together, Backwoods. I thought you would want to scrub yourself until you turned pink after being in the lake water all that time."
"Gosh, Johnny I am not that much of a primadonna!"
"Whatever you say Backwoods." Johnny stood up and drained the water from the tub. Swinging her legs over the edge of the tub, Alli stepped out and dried her calves and feet on Johnny's towel.
Johnny towel dried his hair and glanced into the mirror as he walked out of the bathroom and down the hall to his room. Alli was already waiting for him on his bed. He looked closer and realized that she was wearing his favorite Slayer T-shirt. "I'm gonna go drink a beer," Johnny mumbled as he slipped an old Woodstock T-shirt over his head.
Shuffling back towards the kitchen, Johnny felt Alli encircle her arms around his abdomen. Grabbing a beer from the fridge, Johnny made his into the living room.
Alli kept at his heels until he plopped down on the couch. "Look Alli," he said. "I'm about to get wasted. Are you gonna be able to watch without partaking?" Cracking open the beer, Johnny sighed and sat back. Alli laid her head on his shoulder.
After Johnny took his first sip, Alli pried the can from his hands and took a long gulp of the ice cold brownish gray liquid. "Alli, I honestly don't think that's a good idea." Removing the can from her hands, Johnny smirked and began chugging the can's contents.
"You know," Alli declared, her voice already warbling, "I don't want to hide you anymore. We need to come out."
"We're not gay, Backwoods. And besides, us coming out would just make everything worse."
"Says who?" Alli took the can from him and took another, even longer sip. "I'm tired of having to go through hoops and bend over backwards just to see you. It's not fair."
"Oh yeah? Well, life isn't fair, Ms. Alliana. I thought you would have heard that saying by now."
"I have. And it's stupid. Just like you're acting right now." Tilting his head back, Johnny drained the can of beer and slung his arm around Alli's shoulder.
"I was gonna ask about me meeting your parents, but I'm just not-" Alli scooted into Johnny's lap and started nibbling on his neck.
"I just wanna have some fun!" Alli shouted, all of her words running together.
"You know, Alli, you get drunk way too easily. You should really work on that."
"I will... eventually." Alli fell into him and planted a wet kiss on his thin lips. Johnny slid his arms around her waist and pressed her into the couch, sliding his hand up under her shirt. This was going to be a long night....
Whoo! Last update before the new season! I can't wait! Two Johnny/Alli centric episodes in the first batch – yes! I'd like some more reviews for this chapter. It's extra long, and I really don't like the inconsistency with the reviews. I appreciate them of course, and I'm not trying to complain, but if you read the chapter just drop a line please! Don't worry, there are some loyal reviewers out there and I know who you are. =)