K*H*W* (go to my profile :)
Azalea blinked when Rapunzel pushed her through the door. "Go on in!"
"B-but, Punzie-"
"No buts. You skate all the time." Rapunzel was followed in by Rosemary and Caroline.
"You do, Aza." Rosemary jumped to Rapunzel's defense. "Punzie, I'll meet you by the vending machines."
Azalea turned to her red velvet haired friend. "York patties, again?"
Rosemary looked down and Caroline stifled snickers. "It's not my fault that peppermint and dark chocolate go great together."
Caroline walked up to the man operating the skate rental section of the skating rink. "Actually, it's your fault that we never come out with more than two dollars when we come here."
"At least Sarah gives us veteran discounts." Rapunzel mumbled under her breath.
"They don't really exist though." Azalea stumbled away from Rapunzel and followed Caroline, who was pulling her blond hair into a ponytail. "She's basically robbing the skating rink."
"Shush!" Caroline looked at Azalea sharply, her green blue-patched eyes glowing. "Don't give her away!"
"Like Eugene would ever fire her." They were in the skating rink so often that they knew everyone there. Some of them even went to their high school. Eugene was twenty six, and was the assistant manager of the skating rink. Sarah and her husband Liam manned the concessions and their son Sage had a post at the arcade. Candace and David Stooli would join the rink along with all of the other staff members.
"Look," Caroline's voice grabbed Azalea's attention as they waited in line for their skates. "The Mystery Guys are back."
Rapunzel and Rosemary joined them. "Oh, them." She rolled her eyes before giving the four men a glance. Rapunzel was halfway through college and Eugene was working on owning a business. The two kept flirting, and to Azalea, no progress was being made. Rapunzel insisted that she and Eugene were indeed making progress, and Azalea agreed for the sake of her ride to the skating rink. Anna-Beth worked at the skating rink too, and she skated over to them.
"Hey, guys." Anna smiled, her green eyes glowing. "About time you four showed up."
"You. . . Four. . ." Caroline was gazing at the pack of Mystery Guys with sparkling eyes. "Such a beautiful word."
Rosemary rolled her own eyes. "Carol, do I need to ask Sarah for an ice smoothie?"
"No. I just. . ." Caroline sighed.
Azalea went quiet as she gazed at the men. Three of them had dark brown hair, varying in shades, while one had a messy flop of ink black curls. His green eyes were gleaming as he held the door open for his friends. One of the dark brown haired men said something to him, and the man started laughing, his white teeth gleaming in the gloom. The disco ball and lights were on, so the entire skating rink was plunged into dusk. She could still see his lips move as he spoke to a younger copy of the man who had made him laugh, and she had to yank her eyes away from the man to Anna.
Eugene cleared his throat and grabbed their attention. "What size? Or do I really need to ask?"
"The usual, Eugene." Rapunzel smiled.
"There's a fifth one, Carol." Rosemary's voice made Azalea glance at the Mystery Guys again. "Is that the one you've been staring at?"
"He was nowhere near them." Caroline said, looking at a man with blond hair making his way to the Mystery Guys. "Which the word five so nice all of a sudden?"
Azalea groaned. "Someone get her an ice smoothie."
"How about a trip to the water fountain?" Rosemary asked. "Because the Mystery Guys are coming our way."
"Shut up, Rose!" Caroline turned pink. "They're just going to sit down."
"On the bench right in front of us. Right, Carol." Rosemary grabbed their hands and led them away from the Mystery Guys, Rapunzel, and Eugene who were still hitting it off. Rosemary paused by the vending machine, and muttered. "Forgot my York. Carol, can I borrow a dollar?"
"You're not giving it back." Caroline yanked her hand away and put both of her hands on her hips.
"Carol, can I have a dollar?"
"Thank you, and yes you may." Caroline smiled and reached into her denim shorts. "Aza, want anything?"
"No, I'm all right." Azalea played with a lock of her blond hair. "Hurry up."
Rosemary put the offered dollar in the vending machine. "Why, if I may be so bold, Ms. Ruffins?"
"I have to ask a question to our good friend, Liam." Azalea watched Rosemary unwrap the York. "About the Mystery Guys."
Rosemary smiled. "You finally found a man who will drive you crazy?" She held up Azalea's limp hand and high fived it. "Good for you. Come on then." She led the way to the concessions. Sage was sitting on one of the empty tables and munching on a York. "See? He's smart." Rosemary nodded at the little boy.
"Hi, Aunties." Sage waved to them, a smoothie beside his York. "Need something?"
"Only answers." Caroline smiled at Sage. Sarah and Liam were talking about the nutrition of York patties and looked up when they approached.
Sarah grinned. "How are my favorite nieces?" Azalea's father knew Sarah, and since they had been friends of the family for so long, they became extended family.
"Hi, Sarah." Rosemary smiled. Rosemary and Caroline were Azalea's best friends, and Azalea had known the two of them since they were ten. "Have you seen our Mystery Guys lately? They're here today."
Sarah, unfortunately, was the woman all of them turned to when it came to men. So she was well caught up. She looked around the skating rink, and Azalea did as well. She glimpsed a dark brown hair-covered head walk over to Eugene's and saw the remaining four Mystery Guys sitting on the bench. Two of them were already putting on skates.
"Ah." Sarah spotted them, and Azalea saw Anna begin to move back to the rink, waving to Rapunzel who was now wearing blades. "The five of them?"
"That very number," Caroline smiled. Liam handed Caroline a free smoothie. "Thanks, Liam."
"Thanks yourself."
"I know them." Sarah was nodding. "One of them is Anna's brother."
"You're serious?" Rosemary burst.
"Of course. I've known them a little less than I've known you all, but that's Nathan Keen."
"Which one is that?" Azalea looked back at the bench. The black haired man was still sitting down and was talking to the blond haired man. They started laughing at something they were saying, and she saw the black haired man glance at her before back to his friend. Azalea felt her skin flushing.
"The one with black hair." Sarah looked at Caroline sipping the smoothie. "And his friend is Michael Dawson. His older brother is around here somewhere, I just saw him."
"Fernidia's dating him." Caroline said, looking up from her smoothie. She rolled back the long sleeves of her green shirt.
"The other two with them are Owen and Charlie Smits." Liam spoke when Sarah saw a woman waiting in line for nachos. "They all go to your school, I'm sure."
Oh really, now? Azalea was sure that she had never noticed any of them until now. "Where's Jonathan and Will? Don't they hang out here?"
"They set up the tag game, so I'm sure that they're here all the time." Liam said, looking back at Sarah as she edged around him with the nachos and a soup-ladel full of cheese.
"Rose, Carol, and Azal!" Rapunzel skated over to them. "Where have you three been? I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"So Eugene's still over at the skate rentals?" Caroline winked at Rapunzel.
Rapunzel went still on the skates and nodded somberly. "Yeah, he is. Now come on and skate."
Azalea looked at the rink and realized that it was mostly empty. She looked at the clock on the wall and say that it was almost ten o'clock. Maybe people were busy. Oh well, more room for them.
Rosemary sighed and the three girls followed Rapunzel back to the skate rentals. Eugene handed Azalea her skates and she glanced at the bench to see the now-not-so-mysterious Mystery Guys all skating. Anna skated past her brother and skated next to Michael. Caroline was watching the two skate in sync and sighed.
"What's wrong, Carol?" Rosemary asked as she put on her blades. Though Caroline had begun to skate less and less, it had been her idea for the girls to keep skating at the Corona Rink until they could skate in blades. Now, they were really only skating to hang out on the weekends.
"Hey, Punzie. Hey, Fennels and Ruffins." Olivia greeted them as she walked up to them. She flashed Eugene and thousand watt smile and sank onto the bench next to them. "Just getting here?" She appraised them as they got to their feet. Azalea fiddled with her short sleeves, wishing they were longer.
"Yeah." Caroline smiled, and then looked at her older sister. "Nothing, Rose." She mumbled.
Azalea caught Rosemary's glance and shrugged. Olivia got her skates, and then they all skated onto the rink.
Azalea whisked past Anna, who was going slower than her. Anna's green eyes lit up in the gloom and she fought to get to Azalea's side. Candace joined them then, and jumped to skate backwards. She grinned at them on her blades, her feet moving back and forth.
"Show off," Liam reached them. He waggled a finger at Candace who stuck her tongue out at him.
"I thought you're supposed to be grown ups." Rapunzel skated diagonal from Azalea and Anna.
Liam crossed his shoulders. "For the record, I hate being a grown up."
"Tell us, Liam." One of the Mystery Guys skated right behind Candace.
Candace jumped to skate forwards and Liam began to skate backwards. He was grinning as he counted his reasons on his fingers. "I have to do dishes and taxes. I remember when I was a little kid and thought it would be amazing to be a grown up. Be warned, it sucks."
Mystery Guy started laughing as Liam went on.
"I wanted to light my bills on fire. You know this doesn't make sense. I mean, Candace and David are engaged!" Liam shook his head. "What the hell? When were people ever thinking about marriage?"
"When they come to the conclusion that they love each other." Anna said it matter-of-factly.
"Seriously. The only thing cool about being a grown up is getting drunk." Liam groaned.
"I want a cocktail party when I turn twenty one." Rapunzel grinned wildly.
"Yes!" Liam high fived her. "I did that, man, I was wasted."
"You're supposed to drink vodka in moderation." Eugene skated right behind Azalea.
"Eugene, it's damn vodka." Liam gazed at him. "You don't drink vodka or tequila in moderation."
Azalea started giggling and skated further up. They circled the rink a second time and then Sarah nearly skidded into Azalea. Azalea skidded to a halt as Sarah zoomed past her, "Sorry!"
Azalea had to steel her nerves and made herself skate to the wall. She grabbed onto it, hugging the wall. "I am so glad you exist." She cooed to it, still shaking from nearly being knocked over.
"Aw. How sweet." A voice made her look up. She locked eyes with the black-haired man. What did Sarah say his name was?
Um, okay. She was talking to the wall, but why not? "You're Anna's brother right?"
"Correct." The man was leaning against the wall and his green eyes pierced her greenish gray ones. "You're the one she's always talking about? Azalea?"
"She talks about me?" Swell.
"She only says you make straight A's and break curfew on the weekends." The man smiled.
Azalea nodded. "She got it right."
"And why do you break curfew?" The man blinked at her.
She mumbled. "Lose track of time."
He grinned and then looked back at the rink. "Coming?"
"One moment." She mentally patted herself on the back. The Mystery Guy she was talking to was inviting her to skate with him. Wait until Punzie hears this, she smiled. She pushed herself off the wall, catching back up to Olivia. The dark haired man was by her side.
"Will's here." Eugene looked at Azalea who managed to skate next to him with the man on her right.
"Who's ready for tag?" Jonathan nearly rammed into Azalea.
"My God!" Azalea stopped skating and sank down onto the floor. Her friends stopped skating and looked back at her. She groaned. "Quit trying to knock me down!"
Jonathan smiled in apology. "Come on, Azalea. Don't get shaky knees on me. We're about to play tag."
"You're only saying that to make me feel bad." Azalea grabbed his offered hand and hoisted herself to her feet.
"Is it working?"
"Shut up, Jonas."
"Let's do this!" Will skated onto the rink. "Who's our trusty DJ?"
"Me." One of the Mystery Guys, who Azalea now identified as Michael Dawson skated to the skate rentals. He looked at the computer and pressed a button. Michael ducked under the rental section and came back holding four noodles. "We all know how this goes."
He tossed one at the wall, and handed two to Eugene and Will before keeping one himself.
"Right." Rapunzel smiled as they all moved to the center of the rink. "Now?"
Candace nodded and David joined them. "Go!" Michael said and they all started skating around in a circle.
Azalea zoomed past Liam and Anna, who were looking back at Eugene. Eugene skated faster and aimed the noodle, striking Liam out.
"Damn it, Eugene."
"Shut up, Kilter." Eugene started laughing, and jumped to skate backwards, surprising the black haired man. Eugene aimed again but the man ducked and whooshed past him.
"Azalea, don't turn around!" Anna yelled to Azalea, who was skating backwards.
"I'm skating backwards. You honestly didn't just say that!" Azalea felt air whoosh behind her and she ducked. Will's cologne filled her nose and she jumped, turning around to skate forwards. Will's eyes were dancing. "Good move, Azal."
"Shut up, Will." He aimed again and she quickly skated to the left. Will skated forward and tagged out David. Azalea glimpsed Sage getting onto the rink on his blades, and she waved at him as they skated in a circle for a fourth time.
"Carol, duck!" Azalea saw Eugene aim for Caroline's ankle. "No, wait, jump!"
Caroline jumped to the left, falling, and one of her legs tripped Eugene. He fell down next to her and lazily tagged her with the noodle. "Out."
"Shut up, Eugene!" Caroline flicked his ear with her finger before joining David and Liam. Liam and David were quickly joined with Anna-Beth and Olivia.
Sage whisked past the black-haired man, who was skating next to Azalea. There were only Fernidia, Adam –who had made an appearance, two other Mystery Guys, and Eugene, Will, and Jonathan.
"Three taggers and eight or so players." Fernidia crossed her arms as the music picked up speed. "It's hardly fair."
"Keep thinking that." Adam smiled. Sage skidded past the couple before joining his mother and father. Shortly, Rosemary and Rapunzel joined the growing failures.
"No!" the Mystery Guy exclaimed when Eugene got Fernidia out. "Eugene, she wasn't paying attention!"
"Thanks, Dwayne, but it is fine." Fernidia smiled at the dark haired man. Azalea spotted Charles cheering his younger brother on from his spot by Olivia.
Adam took the black haired man's place, looking back at Eugene and Jonathan, who were gaining on them. "Okay, who's going first?"
"Adam, move before I knock into you!" Azalea complained.
Adam grinned. "Do it."
"Fine. Your broken leg." Azalea tried to edge past him. Will popped up right behind Adam and Azalea shrieked. "Will!"
Adam ducked, but then Will waved the noodle in front of Azalea's face before striking Adam's exposed back. "Out."
"See, no bones broken." Adam stood up straight and waved to Azalea. "Happy skating." He joined his brother and Fernidia.
"Duck!" Charles's younger brother shouted to Azalea. She ducked and heard a noodle go flying past her before landing on the floor. She skated past it. Will tagged Charles's younger brother.
"Owen, you're out." Will smiled at the man. Owen rolled his eyes and joined his brother. Dwayne was eventually doubled teamed, and was tagged out by Eugene and Jonathan.
The music reached its peak and Azalea realized that it was only her and Anna's older brother left.
"Skate, skate." The man breezed past her, followed by Liam-who had grabbed the noodle by the wall, and Will. Azalea ducked when Eugene threw his noodle at her.
"Eugene, stop that!" Azalea dodged Jonathan as he hurled himself at her. He knocked her to the ground and Eugene tossed him a noodle. "Really, Eugene?"
"You want to be out, now?" Jonathan smiled.
"Shut up, Jonas." Azalea stuck her tongue out at him. He was standing over her, the noodle in his hand. "You did this to Dwayne, didn't you?"
Eugene was grinning. "Yup."
A hand grabbed hers and a sweet cologne wafted over her. She was yanked away from Eugene and Jonathan and pulled into someone's strong arms.
"Um, thanks."
"No problem, Doll." She looked up to see green eyes smile at her.
"Take one for the team, Nathan." Liam was right behind them.
Nathan jumped, and Azalea was stunned into silence. Nathan landed backwards and skated gracefully right past Eugene and Jonathan. "Hey, Eugene, when does that music end?"
"In five seconds." Eugene pouted.
Nathan set Azalea to her feet and ruffled her hair. "You all right?"
"I'm fine. Thanks," Azalea met his eyes and looked at her friends who began to file back onto the rink.
"Azalea, come buy me a York!" Rosemary grabbed Azalea's hand and yanked her away. She stumbled onto the vending machines and pulled out a dollar. "Here."
"You just grabbed a dollar out of your pocket and you're asking me to buy something?"
"My goodness, Aza. Just take the dollar."
"Fine," Azalea smiled and put it in the vending machine. "What do you want?"
"An explanation."
"For what?" Azalea blinked. "Wait, so I can buy some Onion Rings?"
"Knock yourself out."
Azalea took the bag from the vending machine. "What can I explain? He kept me from being tagged. The end."
"But it's more than that." Rosemary guided Azalea to the empty tables. It was quieter there. Sarah, Liam, and Sage were still skating in the rink.
"I doubt it." Azalea couldn't make the wistfulness escape her tone.
Rosemary's hazel eyes lit up. "See?"
"Okay, okay, okay." Azalea put her head on the table, pushing aside her onion rings. "He's good looking. He has really nice hair. His green eyes are so pretty to look at and I hate that I never saw him sooner. Happy now? Please, Rose?"
Rosemary was smiling and waggled a finger. "And he's right here."
"You're serious?"
"Hey, I'm glad that you think I'm so attractive."
Azalea had to look up at Rosemary, and was surprised to see that her friend was gone. Nathan was sitting down, gazing at her.
"You know what I think of you?" He asked.
"Do I really want to know?"
"I think you do." Nathan smiled, and the effect on her was staggering. "You're feisty as hell when you want, cute as a button, and you know how to have a good time."
"Why, thank you." She smiled at him.
"Exchange numbers so we can leave." Michael's voice said. Dwayne, Michael, Adam, and Olivia's boyfriend Guy was standing by the concessions.
"Well, since you insist." Nathan smiled at his friend.
"Caroline, haven't I told you many times that I don't do marigolds?" Rosemary was tugging her friend away from Michael, only to bump into Charles, Owen, and another Mystery Guy.
"She's jealous?" Mystery Guy asked.
"No, she's in good health." Rosemary rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"Riley, shut the hell up about flowers." Owen groaned.
"I want to be a florist, so I'm prepping for it." Riley smiled, and it all made sense. Now they all knew who the Mystery Guys were.
"Rapunzel, you're done?" Eugene skated to them.
"No, I'm just driving them home." Rapunzel sat down next to Azalea and smiled at Nathan.
"So you're drinking tequila?" Liam asked when they reached their post. Sage sat next to Nathan holding a snowcone.
"No, vodka." Eugene smirked and Liam looked pained.
"Damn it, Eugene."
"Shut up, Kilter." Michael snapped playfully. "Everyone start exchanging numbers for the love of God."
Nathan smiled at Azalea and took out a sticky note. "I have a love for these that I will never understand, but my heart could expand for your number."
"So you'll be paying for my phone bill?"
"And dates." Nathan looked at her hands as she wrote down on her number on the sticky. He handed the pack to his friends who began exchanging numbers with her friends.
She handed the sticky note back to him, and he wrote down his number before ripping it in half. Guy handed Nathan the sticky notes back and they all filed to the door after waving 'bye' to the Kilters.
"How's Jason's Deli on Friday at seven?"
"How's my house at ten?" She smirked.
"Touché." Nathan ruffled her hair again. Already his green eyes were becoming familiar. "See you around?"
"Definitely."
"Punzie, take us home!" Caroline playfully commanded. Rapunzel shot her a harassed look and unlocked the car.
"Bye, Mr. Keen. Tell Anna I said 'bye'." Anna was still inside, though she had given Dwayne her number.
"Sure thing, Doll."
Azalea got in the car before closing the door before gazing at Nathan. His face was glowing with moonlight. He waved. Caroline, Rosemary, Azalea, and Olivia were inside.
Azalea gazed out the window and once they were on the highway, Rapunzel started shrieking, interrupting the small chat.
"I have a date at Jason's Deli on Friday!"
They went quiet, exchanging glances.
"What?" Rapunzel asked.
"I have a date at Jason's Deli on Friday," Caroline mumbled. Had everyone been told this?
"Weird." Azalea mumbled. Everyone nodded.
Rosemary, being in the front, turned on the radio.
" 'Hey, I just met you. And this is crazy. So here's my number. And call me maybe'."
Azalea didn't meet anyone's eyes when they all checked their cellphones.