CHAPTER 12

A/N: Despite lack of updates, trust me when I say I've been a very productive lil cookie.

A/N2: We're moving into drama and a bit away from the comedy though I will try to do some spots.

A/N3: Italic text means thoughts. Instead of only being Alex they'll be everyone's now. It shouldn't be too confusing, but will start off slow just in case.

WAR

'So what's the game plan?' Seth asked as he loaded the rest of Marissa's bags into Alex's jeep.

'We're going to LA, my house for a few days. We can just chill today, but we have to go shopping because there's no food in the house. Tomorrow we can show you guys around and introduce you to our other friends. The last day, of course, is the obligatory party. We can't go and not party.' Alex explains.

'Gotcha.'

Ryan walks up to them. 'Why am I driving Summer's car?'

'Marissa wants to drive with me, Jodie doesn't want to drive, Summer doesn't know how, and Seth can't.'

'Wait, no. I can.' Seth assures her.

'No, you can't.' Alex emphatically states. 'You're accident prone on your skateboard, so I'm definitely not putting you behind the wheel of a car.'

'You suck.'

'Yeah, whatever. You're still not driving.'

Summer walks up to the four of them. 'Hey, I'm ready. Why are we not leaving yet?'

'Jodie had to run back to the pool house for something and Tarynn isn't here yet.'

Summer grabs Marissa and moves away from the rest of the group.

'Really, now.'

'What?'

'Tarynn's coming with us? Did you know that?'

'Not really. Why are you so hung up on her?'

'The question is: why aren't you? You saw how she acted with Alex the last time we were at the Bait Shop. The flirting, the vibe, the body language. She wants your girl.'

'She does not. They're just friends and I trust Alex, so until I see something happen I'm not going to worry about it.'

Back at the cars Jodie and Tarynn had arrived and now they were only waiting on Marissa and Summer.

'Okay, everybody in Alex's jeep but me, Ryan and Summer. Ryan, you drive. Me and Summer will be in the backseat spending quality time together.'

'You wish.' The other brunette rolls her eyes.

Jodie roughly rubs her hands through her hair dislodging bits of corn and peas.

'Alright, here's the plan. I've got a stash hidden in your basement behind the water heater just for an occasion like this. You got get it and meet me in the shed by the garden. I've got some other supplies there.'

Ryan eyes the brunette. 'Um... you been putting a lot of time in planning this type of thing, Jodie?'

She grabs his collar and yanks him face to face with with her. 'Seth started this, and your cousin or not, that geek is going down. I can't believe he got everyone but you to gang up on me.' She says the last bit more to herself than Ryan. 'What the hell are you still doing here?'

Ryan points to her clenched fist around his shirt.

'Right, just hurry up.'

Jodie peaked out from behind the stairs to make sure the coast was clear before ducking into the kitchen and through the side door. She was in the clear once she got outside. When she got inside the shed she quickly started filling up her water guns and balloons with dirt and water. She'd thought about adding some of her food coloring to the mix, but she didn't want the Kellys to come back home one day and find the house rainbow colored. No, the mud would be way easier to clean up and would do just as well at getting her revenge.

Her and Seth had traded insults back and forth earlier like they'd done plenty before, only this time she'd insulted his manhood. Or supposedly lack thereof. Seth had wordlessly left and Jodie didn't think anything of it. At least not until he'd snuck back into the living room and dumped two cans of corn over her head. Immediately all hell broke loose. Since there hadn't been much food in the house like Alex had said they'd resorted to using anything they could get their hands on; other canned goods, toothpaste, liquid detergent, shampoo, and even a few facial cleaning products. That last one had stung, but it'd all be over soon enough.

Ryan came to a skidding stop in front of her. He blinks when he notices her latest accessory.

'You have a water balloon utility belt?'

'What? My dad's in the military, I'm taught to always be prepared.'

'Yeah, then you should have seen the corn coming if you were so prepared.' He mumbles under his breath.

'What?'

'Nothing. You ready?'

'Yeah. Okay, first we do a parameter check and own anyone we find outside. Then it's on to the inside of the house, I'll take upstairs, you take downstairs. We'll do a left to right sweep. If you get in trouble yell 'bomber', if you're overtaken and have no chance yell 'kamikaze'.'

'You are way to serious about this.' Way too serious.

'Shut up. I want to win.'

Dragging him behind her they follow her plan and she moves upstairs. At the end of the first hall with her back to Jodie is Summer. She's half bent over peaking around the corner.

'Summer.'

The other girl jumps at the sudden noise, but has enough control to keep her weapon hidden behind her. Jodie moves closer.

'Hey.' Just a little farther.

Jodie slowly starts walking to her. Almost.

When she's close enough, Summer attacks. The blue water balloon sending it's contents all over Jodie's head and shoulders. Gotcha!

Summer lets out a victory laugh, but stops when she sees the other girl is simply staring at her.

'What?'

She watches as Jodie drops her toy guns and starts walking towards her again. On instinct she backs away until her back hits the wall. The other girl slowly raises her hand moves a piece of stray hair from Summer's face, gently running her fingertips along her jaw.

'I miss you.'

Summer covers her hand with her own. 'I've been with you all week.'

'You know that's not what I mean.'

'I know, but I'm with Seth now.'

'You were last time too. That didn't exactly stop anything.'

'Yeah, but you two are friends now and you're-'

Jodie grabs the back of her head to pull her closer and softly connects their lips. Waiting until Summer reacts before becoming more forceful. When she feels Summer's tongue run along her bottom lip she wraps her arms rightly around her waist and pulls them as close as possible to one another.

Looks like I have more than just Marissa and Alex's relationship to worry about.