Love from a Distance
Ch 11
"4th of July Celebration Morning"
The 4th of July Brittany was the 1st one up and woke up her sisters.
"Jean and Elle come on we have to get ready. Simon and the boys will be here any minute to pick us up so we can get a good spot on the beach. We're using his brand new SUV since it's the only car capable of holding all 6 of us without parent supervision also! It feels so good being able to go out on the 4th of July without our parents watching our every move!"
Jeanette woke up and looked.
"What exactly are you up to now? Brittany why does it matter that we'll be alone with the boys anyway. You're not going to make a move on Alvin on the beach are you? He will not only yell at you but he'll be a jerk toward you. What's your problem anyway? Man girl you're only 14 1/2 …have you lost your mind or something? Besides it makes no sense why you would try to make a move when he told you a million times he's not ready. Your problem is you listen to the damn squad too much. Do you ever learn that they will do anything to cause you and Alvin to break up?"
She sighed and said.
"Oh Jeanette have you completely lost your mind? I would never do that on the beach. I have way more respect than that. Besides I know how Alvin will react we're together for like 4 ½ years. You shouldn't be talking anyway you and Simon got into that huge fight in the boys' summer cabin because you made a move on him when he was trying to relax. Man I thought you two were finished the way he yelled at you."
Jeanette sighed and said.
"Oh like you never made a move on Alvin before? Please Brittany don't play innocent with us we know you better than that. Then explain this why was he grounded last year for an entire month? Well answer the question. You had a horrible summer because he wasn't allowed near you or even allowed on the phone. Poor Jill was almost in tears because you weren't going to her party because Alvin wouldn't be going with you."
Brittany glared at her and yelled.
"What is it to you anyway? Oh whatever don't ask me about last year. Well that's none of your business so stop asking me. That was something we had to work out last year and that's the end of it. Now if you'd excuse me I'm getting ready. I'm wearing my new bikini that Tina gave me for my birthday. After I get dressed you two better get ready I mean it."
When the boys got into Simon's SUV Simon looked and asked.
"Alvin do you know how to fix this stupid car? It just won't friggin start? Look on my dashboard the red light is flashing! What does it mean?"
Alvin looked and shook his head.
"Pop the hood and I'll let you know. Simon will you just listen for once?"
Simon popped the hood and Alvin looked under and felt the radiator and looked up.
"Simon pop your trunk and bring me the water bottle dad put in the trunk when you bought the car. Then watch what the problem is with your car."
Alvin watched as Theodore folded the beach chairs and put them in the trunk after Simon took out the water. Then Simon looked and said.
"Theo don't forget the food or we won't have any food to bbq over there. Umm call the girls and also let them know we'll be there in 20 minutes cause I have a problem with my car."
He walked over to where Alvin was looking under the hood and handed him the water. Then Alvin unscrewed the cap on his radiator and opened the bottle. He poured the water in the radiator and made sure it was half full. Then he screwed the cap back on and said.
"Go on try and start it now. It should start up with ease. Simon go on and start the car will you? We're already 15 minutes late getting the girls. Let's just hope Jake and Mike got a good spot for us to watch the fireworks tonight and make sure we all have a change of clothes so we don't get sick. I'm going to call Jake and ask him. He flipped open his cell and dialed Jake. Jill heard it ringing and handed it to him.
"Here Jake it's Alvin we'll finish setting things up."
Jake sat on the towel and answered.
"Yo bro where are you guys? Alvin you have to hurry all the good spots are getting taken. Man last year sucked when you weren't chilling with us on the 4th. I can't believe your father actually grounded you on the 4th of all days? Damn talk about strict; didn't he understand that you're maturing and not a child anymore? Poor Brittany was in tears at Jill's party last year too cause you weren't there with her. So many of the guys were hitting on her cause she was alone and she cussed every one of them out and they all avoided her that night."
He sighed and said.
"Yea I know that Jake. It was either me taking the wrap or her also getting grounded. I wasn't about to let that happen either. Especially since I was the one that made the 1st move not her. So basically it was my fault. Anyway let's not talk about it anymore my brothers will find out and I'll never be able to live it down. Besides I'm the older brother and have to set a positive example for them. We're leaving to pick up the girls now see you in a bit.
Simon and his brothers got in his car and Alvin shook his head as Simon backed into the mailbox.
"Simon what the hell are you doing? How are we going to explain this to dad? What are you trying to do get me grounded again? Now pay attention to the road and watch what you're doing before you get us all killed!"
Theodore looked and said.
"Just because you have your license doesn't give you the right to criticize Simon's driving Alvin! It's his car."
Simon looked back and said.
"I also have my license too; you're the one that doesn't yet. So do me a favor and shut up already. I'm trying to drive here."
Alvin rolled down the window and looked out as he drove toward the girls' house. Simon pulled up to the house and beeped the horn. Brittany heard the horn and threw Alvin's varsity jacket over her bikini and put her sun block in the beach bag.
"Jean and Elle the boys are here come on we have to get going. Eleanor make sure the cat is fed before we leave and make sure you leave the spare room door open so she can sleep in her bed."
Eleanor fed the cat and gave her fresh water. Then she ran out after her sisters and Brittany locked the front door. Alvin opened the car door for her and she hopped in behind his seat. Then Eleanor got in and sat next to Theodore. Brittany tapped Alvin.
"Sit back here with me please. Let Jeanette sit up front she is your brother's girl isn't she?"
He sighed and got out of the passenger seat. Then he got in the back next to Brittany by the window. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.
"Thank goodness that awful summer ended. I hated my entire summer vacation because we couldn't be together. Even at the cabin your father made sure we were apart; No wonder why you basically slept all day over there. I just watched as your brothers, my sisters and your father fished at the same time I stared up at the window where your room was."
He smiled and held her close to him.
"I told you not to think about last year sweetie. It's over and done with Brittany can we please just drop it. Before our younger brothers and sisters start bugging us again. Why are you wearing my varsity jacket? It's like 100 degrees out there. "
She looked up at him and said.
"I know that, but I didn't have time to put my sun block on yet so I had to cover my skin. When we get there can you please put it on for me so I can get a tan?"
He smiled and said.
"Sure no problem Brittany. Mike just better keep his eyes in his head or I'll pound him! Then on Monday we leave for our summer cabin once again. Then I'll make up for the time I was grounded if we can get a chance to be alone that is."
She looked and said.
"Fat chance of that happening. It's like now every time we turn around your father watches every single move we make. Ooh I hate when he does that don't you?"
He sighed and said.
"We'll figure something out. Let's not talk about it now my brother Theodore is listening to our conversation! Can you excuse me for a second?"
She looked and nodded as she watched Alvin glare at Theodore while he yelled.
"Will you stay out of my conversation with my girl already? Stop listening to our conversation; ooh I hate being the eldest I swear!! Theo I mean it cut the crap before I end up injuring you!"
Simon pulled up and Jeanette helped the boys unload the trunk. Then Mike stared at Brittany and shook his head. Then he walked over to them and asked.
"Brittany you're not wearing a bikini this time! Oh man is you sick or something? I hope not that will really suck if you are!"
She looked and said.
"Leave me alone Mike. Stop trying to make a play for me I'm with Alvin! For nearly 6 years now; and am not dealing with you today. Just like last year all you did was flirt with me while we watched the damn fireworks! There are like 20 girls on the beach today from our High School go flirt with one of them and leave me alone!"
Alvin walked over to where he heard Brittany yelling. Then he looked and stared.
"Mike who's girl do you happen to be flirting with? Do you mind already; leave her alone. If you don't I swear I'll make you leave her alone."
He gulped.
"I was only asking her if she was wearing a bikini or a one piece bro. The reason I asked is because she's the 1st one to take off her shirt usually to lie out in the sun. I wasn't flirting either so there."
Jake shook his head while he cooked the food and said.
"I guess it's safe to assume that Mike wishes Alvin was still grounded. Simon did you hear me? Hello earth to McBorington are you paying attention or not? Ok this is ridiculous."
Simon looked and yelled.
"What is it Jake? So what Mike is jealous who cares I don't. Alvin is with Brittany and Mike needs to lay off. If I tell my brother what he tried last year with Brittany he will be sorry! So I'd advise him to shut his mouth before he slips. Now drop it here comes Alvin."
Alvin walked over to where the cooler was and got two Gatorades for him and Brittany. Then he looked and asked.
"What are you two talking about? What who tried? Simon you better answer me or else!"
Simon looked and said.
"Oh nothing Alvin we were talking about some guy who made a play for Jill when Jake was surfing last year! It's really nothing the food will be ready in less than an hour and 10 minutes. Stop worrying it has nothing to do with the 6 of us."
Alvin shrugged and walked back over to where Brittany lay on the towel and handed her the Gatorade. She had a hard time with the cap and looked at Alvin.
"Can you please open it for me? My nails are in the way."
He took the bottle and opened it for her. Then he handed it back to her and they watched as Jeanette and Eleanor surfed while his brothers watched in amazement as they shredded the waves. She looked and clapped as Jeanette knocked Mike off his surf board causing him to wipeout. Alvin saw Mike come to the shore all soak and wet and started to crack up.
"Ooh you've lost your touch bro; you got beat by a girl!"
He looked at Alvin and said.
"Oh really you think you can do better. I didn't see you out there facing those two girls. So what are you waiting for? Go on Mr. hot shot see if you do better? Well you're talking but not moving!"
Brittany shook her head.
'Don't listen to him and leave me here all alone.'
She watched as Alvin got up and went to get his surf board. Then she ran after him.
"Alvin can you please teach me how to surf like you? I want to be able to shred the waves like you do."
Mike got mad and watched as Brittany followed Alvin to go and surf. Simon started to laugh and hi 5ed Jake. The girls on the beach watched as Alvin took off his shirt and swooned.
'What a build he has! No wonder why he rocks out on the stage and on the basketball court. '
Simon shook his head.
"They act like they never saw Alvin's chest before."
Jake corrected him.
"Umm Simon they never have. He doesn't really take his shirt off on stage does he? Also during basketball practice he keeps his shirt on when we take ours off. So basically they'll swoon; he's the lead singer and the most popular not that you're just a member of the band."
Theodore looked and said.
"Show off ooh I hate him sometimes I swear. I'm too embarrassed to even show my body cause I'm so fat."
Eleanor put her hand on his shoulder and said.
"Theo don't say that I like the way your body is."
He looked and took her hand by his shoulder.
"Yea I know that; but you're my girl. I am stuck in my big brother's shadow because he has the looks and the body to show off and Simon is also starting to get in shape. It's just not fair. Why can't I look good like those two?"
Alvin got on his board and Brittany sat by the shore looking out as he shred the waves and sighed. Then she watched as he beat her sister Jeanette by a hair because she turned her board the opposite way and ended up wiping out. He turned back around and grabbed Jeanette's hand as he helped her up on his board. She sighed with relief he grabbed her before the huge wave took her under. Then he took her to shore and got off the board looking at Brittany.
"Are you ready to learn? Or would you rather just watch? Brittany it's not that hard. Trust me will you?"
Jeanette's board washed up to shore and she grabbed it and smiled.
"Yea Brit it's actually fun when you get used to it. Besides you'll have a pro teaching you."
Alvin looked and said.
"I'm not a pro Jean. I just learned when I was young and got better. Besides you know that surfing is my main hobby. Hey what's the deal with Jake and my brothers? Did something happen last year when I was grounded when you guys came to the beach and watched the fireworks? Jean something isn't right and I want to know the truth."
Brittany shook her head and Alvin looked at her.
"Alright what are you hiding from me? Brittany I'm your man will you tell me why everyone is acting so weird when Mike is around? I promise I won't get mad. Will you just tell me instead of leaving me in the dark?"
She sighed and said.
"Fine I'll tell you; if you promise me you will not lose that temper of yours! I mean it Alvin!"
He looked and said.
"Ok fine I promise. Now tell me what happened?"
She took a deep breath and began.
"Ok last year when we got here. Mike asked me where you were and I told him you were grounded. So he didn't really say much, but then during the fireworks display he tried to grab my waist and give me a kiss. But I smacked him and he wouldn't leave me alone so I ended up sitting in your brother's car all by myself watching the show because that was the only way I could keep Mike away from me! So basically he's the main reason I'm not taking off your shirt cause for some reason he gets turned on when he sees me in a bikini."
Alvin looked and scratched his head.
"So you're telling me even though he knows I'm your man he still made a play for you? What did Simon do when he saw what he was trying to do?"
She looked and said.
"He told me to sit by him and Jean. So I did then for awhile he left me alone. Then when they went up in the air he wouldn't keep his hands off of me so Simon told me to sit in his car to watch the display."
Alvin shook his head.
"My own best friend still hitting on you when he knows damn well you're with me? Yet you never told me this when I got off groundation. Nice going Brit; real good. Now exactly what would you like me to do about it? Watch every friggin move he makes during the display. What am I going to do with you? You listen to me next time he does that and I'm not around tell me so I can set him straight; do you understand me?"
She nodded and said.
"I will I promise. I just didn't want to tell you because of that temper of yours and besides he's been your best friend for years. I didn't want to do anything to break up your friendship with him! Alvin I'm sorry Jean was right I should've told you when it happened, but we weren't allowed to talk on the phone so I just kept it to myself."
Jeanette looked and asked.
"Do you feel better now that you told him the truth? Now go out there on the board with him and learn how to shred while I try to get my boyfriend on the board with me."
Alvin laughed.
"Yea sure Simon on a surf board? Yea when pigs fly maybe! You're joking right?"
He watched as Jeanette went up to where Simon was and dragged him.
:"Come on Simon it won't kill you! Please for me?"
Simon looked and shook his head.
"Oh no way not me. Alvin is the surfer I'm the umm."
Alvin looked and said.
"Boring one; and too scared to attempt to get on a board! Jean you shouldn't cause he'll cause you to wipeout with a small wave!"
Simon glared.
"Ooh aren't you the funny one? I'll make you eat those words! Alvin get back here!"
Alvin grabbed Brittany and caught a wave. While he surfed she held onto him tightly and closed her eyes every time she saw a wave.
"Did we wipeout yet? Alvin where are we?"
While he continued to stay on the wave he said.
"Open your eyes and you'll see. Don't get scared I got you. Brittany open your eyes and trust me, but whatever you do don't make me lose concentration or we will wipeout!"
She held onto him tightly and opened her eyes and realized they were on a huge wave. She looked behind and saw Simon gaining on them.
"Umm Alvin you better turn McBorington is right behind us on my sister's board and not wiping out either!"
He looked back and said.
"Not for long! Hold on tight we're going to throw him off cause there is no way is he going to make me wipeout especially when you're on the board with me! Don't let go and stay still understand?"
She nodded and held onto him tighter as he made a sharp turn and made the wave knock Simon off the board. She looked back and laughed when Simon's swim trunks came on top of the water. Simon realized he was naked down and his face turned red as he swam to where his trunks were and swam to a place where he could put them back on not realizing Jeanette was behind him. She laughed as she held them up.
"Looking for these? Even with my sister on the board he still is a good surfer!"
To be continued…what will happen next?