Chapter 11: Rising Up Through the Air

The next day, Cody was so pre-occupied by what happened at the pool hall, he couldn't concentrate on his lines. When they finally got the scene finished, James pulled Cody aside.

"Ok guys, that's a wrap." James said before turning to Cody. "You all right?"

"Yea," Cody replied dully. "Why?"

"It took ten takes to get that done," James continued. "That's not like you. What's going on?"

"N-nothing," Cody stuttered. "Just kinda tired."

James eyed him for a few seconds. "Ok," he said finally before turning away. Cody just stood there for a minute, taking in the tone James had used. A moment later James turned around again. "Just get some sleep, you got three scenes to get through tomorrow."

"Yes sir."

Cody walked out of the studio and slumped against the wall, staring into the distance. Try as he might, he couldn't get Rhuben out of his head. Part of him told him to follow Chris's advice and just forget about her. The other half however told him that Rhuben liked him, and he should keep trying. Suddenly the sound of a slamming door brought him back to reality. He looked over and saw Rhuben and her brothers walk out of the studio.

"Hey Cody," Sydney said as he walked over.

"Hey guys," Cody replied. He glanced at Rhuben before quickly looking back at her brothers. "How's the CD coming?"

"Awesome!" Patrick said.

"Yea, except we had to re-do the same song like five times." Noah added. "Cause someone kept messing up the sound." He said looking at his twin.

"Hey!" Patrick retorted. "At least I don't sound like a dying walrus."

Noah leapt at Patrick, so Rhuben stepped between them. "OK! That's enough!" She said firmly.

"Yes Rhu-Rhu." They chorused hanging their heads.

A moment later Rob pulled up, and Patrick, Noah, and Sydney climbed into the car. Rhuben helped strap each of them in before heading to the front seat. As she opened the door, Cody ran over and stopped her.

"Hey Rob, you mind if I walk Rhuben back?" He said impulsively. Rhuben gave him a stunned look, which he returned with a pleading one. In the back seat Sydney covered his mouth giggling while Patrick and Noah each looked away with big grins on their faces.

"Yea dad," Rhuben said. "I could use some exercise, and it's not that far." Cody looked at her in surprise for a moment, but hid the look before anyone else noticed.

Rob smiled. "OK, just don't take too long. And make sure you're back before it gets dark. I'll call your dad so he knows to pick you up from our place."

"OK."

Rhuben stepped back as Rob put the car in gear and drove away. Cody eyed her as she walked back over to him. "Look," She said as her gaze caught Cody's. "I thought this would be a good time to explain a few things to you."

Zack finally caught up to Riley near the back of the ship. She laughed as he bent over panting.

"Aren't we a little out of shape?" She said with a smile. Zack looked up. She wasn't even sweating.

"N-no," Zack said between breaths. He wiped some sweat of his forehead. "Just give me the phone back."

"What's the magic word?" Riley said, grinning devilishly. After the trouble he caused earlier, she loved watching him squirm.

"Now?" Zack said looking up.

"Nope, sorry." Riley said before taking off again. Zack groaned as he got up and chased her again.

"Man, she's fast." Zack said to himself as the two bolted through a glass enclosed hallway. He grinned as he got an idea.

Suddenly Riley heard a thud followed by a yell, and looked back. She saw Zack laying on the ground on his back, not moving "Zack?" She said. No answer. "Zack! This isn't funny."

Zack's body stayed still as a statue. Riley turned around and shook him. Suddenly Zack's eyes snapped open as he grabbed the phone from her and reached up and kissed her.

Riley's face was covered with a look of shock, which was quickly replaced by a look that could kill. "YOU"RE DEAD!" She roared.

Zack laughed as he whirled himself around and leapt to his feet. He then bolted in the opposite direction, Riley was close on his heels, and bearing down on him. Zack knew it was only a matter of time before she caught him, so he quickly thought up his next move. He grinned to himself as it come to him.

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