Disclaimer: You know by now.
Fridays make me happy; two chapters for you.
Let me know if you think this should have an epilogue. If not, thanks to everyone who's stuck with the story and for all the reviews, they definitely got me posting faster.
Enjoy.
Chapter 21: Exam Jam
Macy could barely believe the guys had taken her offer seriously, let alone actually agreed. It was just one of those things she blurted out over lunch, and then suddenly, there she was in the Lucas firehouse, documenting their preparation for tour. She hadn't been kidding when she said the fans would love to see them get ready; she just never thought that they would actually agree to let her into their lives during such a busy time.
Not to mention the emotions.
Nick failing a test, Joe getting ready for his separation from Stella, Kevin trying to decide between his guitars... Emotions were high and Macy was in the middle of them, trying to stay cheerful for the fans that were watching her face on the screen and counting on her to bring them the latest JONAS news.
The truth was, she was anything but cheerful.
Like Stella, she knew how much she would be missing the guys in the months to come. Unlike Stella, she couldn't show it as much. After all, she was just a super fan who was slowly becoming a friend. It wasn't like she was emotionally involved with any of the boys or that she was having her heart crushed by their departure. Of course not...
*J*B*J*B*J*B*
Macy stayed hidden behind her camera as the night wore on.
Was it wrong to be jealous of a guitar? Or three guitars for that matter? Seriously, how was it that Kevin could show this much affection to an inanimate object, and barely recognizing the fact that they were about to spend the entire summer apart. It was a good thing that Nick's panic was around them to keep her distracted.
Because really, Macy had to face facts. This waiting thing was not working. She had waited and waited, and nothing. She wasn't getting over Kevin.
*J*B*J*B*J*B*
"Aren't you supposed to be in the other room helping Nick study?"
"Aren't you supposed to be in there videotaping Nick studying?"
"I'm pretty sure he was about to throw something at me. I thought it was best if I left him alone for a little while."
"Same here."
Macy smiled at Kevin as she leaned against the firehouse and enjoyed the night breeze.
"Do you think he's going to pass?" she asked him.
"I hope so. I mean, it's Nick; he can do anything. Including blame himself all summer if we don't go on this tour, so I really hope he passes."
"Yeah, all those European fans would be really disappointed if you didn't go over there."
Kevin nodded. "You would know best."
There was a moment of silence between them and Macy took a deep breath. She realized it was the first minute of silence she'd found since walking into the firehouse that morning.
"What about you?"
"I guess I would be disappointed for the European fans too."
"No, I meant what are you going to be doing this summer while we're overseas?"
"Oh, that." Macy chuckled to herself. "I'm working at a summer camp."
"Cool, what kind?"
"Sports camp, of course."
"It's not of course. I told you, Macy, you're good at a lot of things."
"Well, calming Nick isn't one of them, so how about we stay out here a little longer."
"I think that's a good plan."
*J*B*J*B*J*B*
There were no sad good-byes between the guys and Macy, mostly because she was at the hospital at the time of their departure. A little bleeding, one lost tooth, but all in all, it was nothing compared to some of the injuries she'd received on the field in the past.
The biggest hurt was that they were gone and she wouldn't see them for the next few months. The last words she'd spoken to them were about her injury, no tearful good-byes, no we'll miss you.
Oh, well, perhaps it was better that way in the end. Knowing her, this had probably saved her from deep embarrassment.
*J*B*J*B*J*B*
Macy sighed. She was almost done.
Initially, she had thought that all her hard work would be lost because the last of her footage had been left at the firehouse when she'd been rushed off to the hospital, but a tearful Stella had shown up the next day with both a box of tissues and her video camera.
Macy had managed to wait until Stella was done crying and complaining before she had focused on the videos. And then, there was hours of editing in front of her. Apparently, she had really taped every single minute of her time at the firehouse (excluding her chat outside with Kevin).
Now, just a bit more footage and she'd have her videos up before packing for camp and signing off for the summer. Macy wiped her eyes and pressed the play button.
"Hi, Macy."
She jumped back at the face on the screen. She didn't remember taping this.
"You're in the hospital right now, so I thought I'd take the chance to tape you a little message before I give this to Stella for you. I just wanted to say that I'm really happy that we got to meet you this year. We all are.
"I think I am most. I'm so happy I got to meet you, Macy. I'm happy you got to listen to all my stories and I got to listen to all of yours, and I really hope that we can keep it up next year. And don't think that I've forgotten that I owe you a date. I know Nick kind of went to that school dance with you, but that doesn't count. He didn't bring you home either. It looks like we're going to have to set the example for those guys.
"I just... I've been trying to get you to go on a date with me all year, and I've chickened out every time I tried to ask, so I thought maybe this would be easier. I guess it is. And I guess what I'm trying to say, Macy, is that if you're willing to wait, I hope we can be more than friends when I get back. Let's hope you don't meet some amazing athlete at camp that has you fall head over heels for him and ruin my plans."
Macy smiled. She'd neglected to tell Kevin that the camp she would be attending was an all girls camp.
"I'll still text you and stuff. Hopefully you get reception where you're going. So, you'll hear from me soon. Happy summer, Macy. I'll see you when I get back."
Macy smile as the screen went blank.
She couldn't believe there was even a doubt in Kevin's mind. Oh, yes. If there was one thing Macy was sure of, it was that she was definitely willing to wait for Kevin Lucas.