27th
January 2008
"So when do you guys leave for the rest of
your Australian tour? And where to next?" I asked, curious as to
how much time I had left with the three of them. "Well, our next
show is in Melbourne on the 31st, so we leave here very early that
morning. Which leaves us with three days here, including today."
Nick informed me. "Got any plans?"
"I know we have to fit
in some practice, but other than that, it's all relaxation and
sight-seeing time til then."
"Well…"
NICK'S
POV
"…We can go to all the best places in Adelaide in
those three days, if we start straight away. We'll begin with the
chocolate factory, then Rundle Street for the really cool retro
shops. Then we can hit Marion, catch a movie, shop if you want and
have fun." She kept talking and listing all the places we could go,
I had to stop her somehow. What's the best way to stop someone
talking? Make them laugh, of course.
"Whoa, slow down sugar,
I'm a diabetic." She paused for a moment, taking in what I had
said before bursting out in laughter and literally rolling on the
floor.
"All of those things sound like good ideas, and
remember, if we don't get it all done now, we are coming back for
another week when we finish the tour, so we'll need to keep busy
then too." She was still laughing about the joke and it took her
about 10 or so minutes to calm down completely before being ready to
leave the house. We took Chelsea's car and drove to McLaren Vale to
go to the chocolate factory.
When we got there, luckily enough,
there were no other tourists or chocolate-lovers in sight. We headed
in and asked for the grand tour. It took us about an hour and a half
to get through the whole factory coz Joe kept eating every sample
possible. We got to the gift shop and spent up big. Their chocolate
was really good, and Australian, which meant it was even cooler. Next
stop, Rundle Street.
The markets were on so there was a lot of
strange bits and pieces everywhere. Chelsea took us into this awesome
record store, before heading across the street to a store called
'Bimbo'. You would think, by the name, that it was a really girly
store, but they had these awesome knife holders and toothpick holders
that were like voodoo dolls. Kevin, being the loser that he is,
bought one of the toothpick holders just so he could show everyone
back home. Once we were done there we headed up to Rundle Mall where
we had played a show, so Chelsea could buy more Pop Tarts. She was
addicted.
Our last shop of the day was Marion shopping centre,
where we ate, bought more Nikes to add to our collections and saw
Sweeney Todd.
It was 10:30 when the movie finished so we decided
to head home, not wanting to be tired for the next day, which would
also be full of fun and exciting adventures, planned by Chelsea.
29th January 2008
KEVIN'S POV
We had
spent all day today and yesterday following Chelsea around, seeing
all there is to see in Adelaide. It had been so much fun and I knew I
couldn't leave her now so I asked Joe and Nick what they thought
about asking Mum and Dad if she could come with us for the rest of
the Australian tour. They knew as well as I did that it was a
hopeless idea, unless we had a really good reason. Joe suggested
saying she was really sick and we wanted to make the most of our time
left with her, but Nick quickly said no to that idea coz it involved
a lot of lying. Although he did have an alternative suggestion…
We
entered the family room to see our parents sitting on the couch, just
as we had asked. "Mum. Dad. We have a favour to ask," I began.
"As you know, we have spent the last couple of days hanging out
with Chelsea, and it has been the best time of our lives." As I
said this they nodded their agreement.
"Because of this, we
were hoping that there was a chance Chels could join us for the rest
of the tour. And before you say there is no real reason for it,
consider the fact that we have never been to Australia before so we
don't know our way around. We were thinking Chelsea could be like
our tour guide." Nick revealed his idea and Mum and Dad said they
had to think about it. We left them in the family room and waited for
them to call us back in.
As we entered the room I looked at their
faces and knew what they were about to say.
"Boys, have you
even thought about the accommodation, about whether her parents are
fine with it? You obviously haven't or you would have mentioned
that before," Dad told us.
"Well actually, we have thought
about accommodation, and we assumed we should ask you before asking
Chelsea or her parents. As you know, every hotel we are staying in
has one more bed than we need, except one, but I'm sure something
can be worked out. This means that there will be one week of the
entire seven where we don't already have the sleeping stuff
arranged." I explained everything I had thought of before I had
even suggested the idea to Joe and Nick.
"Well then,
considering how much you have thought about this…I guess it's
alright with us if she comes, you'll just have to check with her
parents. And make sure you do it before telling Chelsea. You don't
want her to get excited if they say no," Dad said. Before I knew it
I was running around yelling and screaming with Nick and Joe. "Thank
you, thank you, thank you!" was all the three of us could say. We
ran out of the hotel and jumped into my car, making our way to
Chelsea's house to ask her parents, and then tell her the good
news.
We reached her house in record time, breaking a few
road rules on the way. Joe rang the doorbell and Conny answered.
"Joe, Nick, Kevin? What brings you boys here?" She asked,
giving each of us a hug.
"Hey Mum!" Joe said with a smile. He
hadn't said that to her in years. "We're here to ask for a
favour."
"Well, do come in. What favour might that be?" We
followed Conny to the lounge and sat down.
"We were hoping you
might let Chelsea join us for the rest of our tour, starting
tomorrow." Nick said, looking very nervous.
"We also know
that this is very late notice, but we have missed her so much, and
the last couple of days have been incredible. All of the sleeping
arrangements have been made, so Chelsea will have a bed. She will be
gone for seven weeks, but can come back anytime if necessary. Of
course we will take good care of her, why wouldn't we? Please,
think about what we have said, and how grateful we will be if you say
yes." I added. Conny thought about it for a few minutes before
beginning to talk.
"I can see you boys have really thought this
through, and I know how much Chelsea would love this, so I guess
there's no harm in saying yes. So long as you promise to look after
her."
"Like I said, we will take good care of her. Thank you
so much! Where is she? We have to tell her the good news."
"She
is upstairs in her room, do you know where it is?"
"Sure do!
Thank you!" Joe yelled as we ran up the stairs.
If we
were a movie Wish I could tell you there's a twist
You'd be the right guy
And I'd be the best
friend
Who you'd fall in love in the end
We'd be laughing
and watching the sunset
Fade to black, show the names
Play
that happy song
Some
kind of hero in disguise
And we're together, it's for real
Now playing
Wish I could tell you there's a kiss
Something
more than in my mind
I see it could be amazing
I
knocked on her door as Nick began complaining about Chelsea singing a
Miley song. "Hang on!" I heard her call out as Joe took Nick away
to try and calm him down as he had now gone into one of his "Miley
rages". We tried to stop him from thinking about how much he
disliked Miley and normally it worked, but tonight he couldn't be
stopped. Just as Joe had forced Nick down the stairs I opened the
door to see Chelsea playing the bass Joe had given her so many years
ago. I
walk past you and my heart beats faster I am lying to myself, saying he will make me happy
"Oh. Kevin. What brings you here?" Well didn't she
sound happy to see me. She got up and moved to the door. I looked at
her face and noticed her cheeks were puffy and her eyes were red,
she'd been crying. I decided not to ask and just get straight to
business.
"Aren't you going to invite me in? I have important
news!" She opened the door more and stepped to the side, letting me
enter. I walked to her bed and sat down. A few papers went flying and
Chelsea lunged for them, but I had already caught them. They all had
different bits and pieces of what I assumed were lyrics. I read some,
trying to figure out if the lyrics had something to do with why she
had been crying.
You've always been my best friend
Even
when you weren't around
But things are so different now
I want you to know
How
much I love you
Please just let me tell you
How much I need
you
Even
though I know that all I need is your hand to hold
All of
her lyrics made reference to love, so I guessed it was about a guy.
It can't be Joe, unless there's something I don't know.
"Umm...Chels… if you don't mind me asking, who are these lyrics
about?" I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, but I also
wasn't going to be satisfied until she was happy and smiling.
"They're nothing. I was just writing anything that came to
mind. Most of them are really old."
"Chels, who are they
about? I know you're lying." She must underestimate the power of
a best friend. Chels moved over to the bed and sat down next to me.
She was looking pretty serious as she said, "look Kevy, I really
don't want to talk about it right now, maybe another time."
"Fine, but I will ask you again. Now, I have really good news!"
"Thanks. What?"
"Well…"