Disclaimer: I don't own anything 'In A Heartbeat' related whatsoever. I only own the story, and the characters that I made up. You get the point : )
West Side Story
Mix and Match
The weather started to calm down as the three waited for Tyler to finish gathering his stuff. He finally stepped out of the building about a minute later with Alex in tow.
"I heard you guys are deserting me as well," he said. "Am I really that bad?"
Tyler, Val, and Hank didn't need to reply. They simply looked at Jamie.
"Out of all people, I don't think you want a response from me," Jamie said with one of his infamous grins.
"Thank you, Jamie," he laughed. "At least you're being honest. Well, I hope you guys will have fun. Just remember to get back here and start working as soon as you return."
"We will," they all said.
"And don't do anything I wouldn't do, right Jamie?"
"Yes, Mr. Freeman, sir," he saluted, "although I can't promise you any guarantees."
"I better head back," Alex smiled. "The phones are probably ringing. Enjoy yourselves and try to come back in one piece."
As soon as Alex left, they all gathered around in a circle to discuss your plan.
"Okay, so who's picking up who?" asked Val.
"I'm picking up Marianne," said Hank.
"I'm going to get Caitie," said Jamie.
"Why don't we meet at me house?" asked Tyler. "In that way, I can call my dad and tell him about our plans. In the meantime, just tell the girls what we talked about, and hopefully, they would say yes."
"Val, you're coming with me," said Jamie. "I think I can't convince Caitie alone."
"All right," Val said. "What time is it?"
"It's about seven-thirty. Why don't you guys go ahead, and I'll meet you at the house."
Hank retreated to his car and drove off, followed by Jamie and Val, who were riding his motorcycle.
"Good luck," Tyler said. "I hope this works."
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It only took Hank a mere five minutes to arrive at the pizza parlor. Unfortunately, he was five minutes too late… to catch Marianne in a good mood. Being a general's daughter, lateness is one of her pet peeves. Hank slowly entered the parlor, preparing for the worst.
"Why do things always have to be so hard for me?" he mumbled as he approached Marianne in one of the booths. "Hi."
"Is that all you can say?" Marianne said. "You're late."
"It's only five minutes."
"Five minutes and thirty-four seconds… thirty-five… thirty- six… thirty-…"
"Okay, all right, I get the point. Geez, you don't have to be so precise. Besides, I have a perfectly good explanation."
"Humor me."
"What do you say about spending the spring break in California?"
"Can you run that by me again?"
"Spring Break… California… Are you interested?"
"Are you inviting me?"
"No, I mean, Tyler's the one inviting us. You see, his dad gave him this present of some sort to go there with some of his friends, and he invited me and you and everybody."
"I don't have the money to buy tickets now."
"Tyler's dad is taking care of the expenses. All you have to do is bring some clothes and whatever."
"When are we leaving?"
"In two days."
"Two days? I have to ask my dad for permission. You guys are all alike. You're all so last minute."
"Why don't we talk about this while we head back to Tyler's house?"
"Why?"
"We're all meeting there. I don't really know, but we better hurry up."
"Well, I don't see any point in staying here. Let's go."
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Jamie and Val arrived at Caitie's house with a little difficulty. The wind was still blowing a bit, and the road was a bit slick. They were both thankful that nothing but happened. Caitie was waiting outside her house on the porch, surprised to see Val with Jamie.
"What are you doing here?" asked Caitie. "I didn't know you were coming along."
"Actually, I'm afraid we have to make some slight change of plans," said Jamie. "We're going to Connell's house."
"Tyler? Why?"
"He invited us to go to California during the break," replied Val. "We were wondering if you would like to go."
"With Tyler? I'm afraid not."
"Oh, come on, Caitie, he's not that bad."
"Well, you're going out with Mr. Perfect, so your opinion does not count."
"Please, please, please pleeeeaaaasssse," Jamie begged. "It would be fun."
"You're going as well?"
"Why else would I try to convince you to come? Besides, it's not that often that I get to go to California. Anyway, Tyler's a good guy. He may get on our nerves sometimes, but that's how life goes."
"Jamie, I don't think my parents would pay for such a thing."
"Tyler's dad is paying for the tickets," Val said. "It's supposedly a gift or something."
"Come on, Caitie, please? Hank and Marianne are likely to come. You don't want me to be stock with the perfect couple and with Mr. and Mrs. Marianne McLemore."
"Hey, Hank would resent that comment," Val chuckled.
"Caitie? Are you coming?"
"If it means so much to you, then fine. I'll go."
"Yes!" Jamie cried. "Thank you! I love you!"
"Zip it, Waite," Caitie smiled. "Why don't we use my mom's car? I don't think we'll fit on you bike."
"I'll come back for it later," Jamie said. "Let's go. We don't want to keep Golden Boy waiting."
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By the time the clock struck eight, everyone was inside Tyler's house. They all went into the living.
"I called my dad earlier. He told me that you need to have your passport and ID among other things."
"This is a nice place," said Marianne in awe.
"Tell me about it," Hank said. "I would do anything to have this house."
"Oh, really?" Jamie interrupted. "What a big coincidence! And I thought I was the only one."
"Shut up, Waite!"
"I had the same idea," Marianne smiled. "I would give anything to live in a house like this one."
"Great minds think alike," said Hank.
"Oh, that reminds me," Marianne said, "Val, I'll trade you Hank for Tyler."
Jamie erupted in laughter, followed by Caitie, Val, and Tyler. In an instant, Hank's face turned from a satisfied look to one that was not happy at all.
"Did I suddenly turn invisible here? I'm sitting right next to you."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Marianne said to Hank before turning to Val. "So Val, do you want to?"
"I may not be perfect, but I'm certainly not deaf!" Hank said, already irritated.
"Hank, chill out, it was just a joke," said Marianne. "Geez, you can be so melodramatic."
"Well, it's not funny."
"Everyone, especially Jamie, certainly enjoyed it."
"Okay, fine, you had your laugh. HAHA. Why don't we start talking about what to do?"
"I don't know if my plan will work, but let's just try it," said Tyler.
"Well, what's the plan?" asked Caitie.
"We're going to take my mother's van, and we'll go to your houses and ask the parents. Of course, I have to go with all of you since I'm the one responsible for all of this."
"I still don't get it," said Hank.
"Where did your great mind go?" asked Jamie.
"Maybe you switched mine with yours. Can I take it back now?"
"Guys, would you stop it?" said Val. "Tyler, what do you mean exactly?"
"Well, if we're going to Marianne's house, not only do I have to come with Marianne, but we'll probably need you and Caitie to come help and convince her parents. If were desperate enough, Hank will come with us as well."
"I'm touched," said Hank. "So, you're saying that we should mix and match people to get the best combination to help persuade everybody."
"That sounds about right. We better hurry though. I don't think your parents will appreciate any visits later than nine."
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First stop… The Lanier residence. It shouldn't be too hard considering that both parents knew Tyler. Of course, in case of any trouble, Caitie was there to accompany them.
"Good evening, kids," said Steve Lanier as he opened the door for them to come in. "What brings you here?"
"Dad, can I go to California with my friends?"
"What?!?" popped in Joanna from the kitchen. "California?"
"That's what I said."
"Honey, we can't afford that now. Besides, we already planned to go visit your grandmother."
"That's where I come in," said Tyler. "My dad offered to pay for the travel expenses. All Val really needs is her passport and ID and some travel necessities, and we leave on Sunday morning."
"We can't let your dad pay for that amount of money," said Steve. "He doesn't even know Val that well."
"Everything's fine. Trust me. He's doing it as a favor for me. It's a present. Sort of."
"It's up to Val," said her mother. "If she wants to go, then she can go. And from the looks of it, I think it's a no brainer."
"I love you guys!" Val said as she gave her parents a hug. "I can't wait to tell Brooke."
"I'm afraid you just have to leave her a message. She won't be back from her school trip until Sunday afternoon."
"Oh, well, I'll think of something to make it up to her. Anyway, we still have to go somewhere."
"Who else is coming on this trip?" asked her dad.
"Caitie, Jamie,… Everybody," Val said. "I'll see you guys later."
"Don't worry, folks," Caitie said before following the two. "I'll keep an eye on her."
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After Val's house, they stopped at Jamie's house, followed by Hank's. Only Tyler was needed to come with each of them to let the parents agree. Needless to say, they were the easiest tasks of the night. After Hank's house… The Roths. For this one, Val, Marianne, and even Jamie tagged along.
"Caitie?" said her dad as he led them in. "I thought you'd be gone until ten."
"I had a change of plans. Blame it on these people."
"What did they do?"
"They want me to go with them to California for the break," Caitie said. "Can you believe that?"
"What is Caitie doing?" Tyler whispered to Jamie.
"I have no idea."
"Hey, if you want to go, then go," said her dad. "I'm not stopping you. Besides, Valerie here will keep an eye on you. You know, in case you stir up some trouble in the west. Who's idea was this anyway?"
"Tyler's," she pointed at him. "He said his dad offered to pay and stuff. What a rich loser!"
"Valerie is coming, right?"
"Everyone's going."
"Well, that's good. Are you coming in now?"
"We still have one more thing to do. I'll come back around ten."
"Bring back your mother's car."
"I will. See you, Dad."
After Mr. Roth was out of sight, the four of them could only look at Caitie in surprise.
"What the heck were you doing?" asked Tyler.
"What do you mean? I was asking my dad if I could come."
"Caitie, it looked like you were trying to sabotage any chance of you going with us," said Jamie.
"That's just how we communicate," Caitie said. "You obviously don't know me as well as you think. Besides, he said yes, didn't he? You should be thanking me."
"For what?" asked Val.
"For saving us some extra time. We are going to Marianne's house next, aren't we?"
"She has a point," Marianne said. "Maybe Hank can come this time."
"Where is he anyway?" asked Val.
Hank picked the right time to pop his head out of the window.
"Guys, please hurry up. I really got to go."
"Go where?" asked Jamie.
"Nature calls."
"Ohhh… Oh, guys, hurry up," said Jamie. "Hank is about to explode."
"Shut up, Jamie! Just get in here so Tyler can drive!"
"I don't know where Marianne lives," Tyler said.
"Fine!" Hank said. "I'll drive. Man, do I have to do everything?"
"That's the price you pay for a great mind," Jamie replied.
"Jamie, shut the hell up!" Hank screamed.
Jamie raised both his hands as if to surrender.
"Hank, shut up and drive," Marianne said.
"Okay…" Hank nodded and turned on the engine. "And not a single word, Jamie."
Jamie pretended to zip his lips after a short laugh. He always found it amusing how Hank always follows what Marianne tells him to do.
"Thank you."
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They arrived at the McLemore residence a few minutes later. Knowing how Mr. McLemore didn't really have a good impression on him, Jamie opted to stay in the van. As expected, Mr. McLemore opened the door.
"What's all the riot about?" he asked.
"What riot?" asked Caitie.
"You're teenagers. That's what you do."
"Dad, there's no riot. We just want to ask you something. Actually, I have to ask you something."
"Why don't you come in?"
"Okay, but we won't be long."
"What do you want to ask me?"
"Can I use your bathroom?" Hank interrupted.
"What?"
"I mean, sir, can I use your bathroom, sir?"
"It's the door on the left near the kitchen."
"Thanks," Hank said immediately before departing.
"So Marianne, what did you want to ask me?"
"Tyler invited all of us to go to California for Spring Break."
He looked at the only guy left in the room besides him.
"You must be Tyler."
"I am."
"And these two girls are coming as well."
"We are," Val and Caitie said.
"Tyler Connell, right?"
"That's right," Tyler replied. "How did you know?"
"I've heard of you. I assume that you're dad is paying for these plane tickets."
"How did you know?" he asked again, but this time, he was getting a little nervous.
"I know who you're father is, and I know that he lives in California. In fact, I know he came here a couple of weeks ago."
"Did Marianne tell you?"
"No."
"But how do you know all of these information?"
"I talked to your dad. Meeting with me was actually part of his trip here."
"Oh, he didn't tell me."
"That's why it's called a classified engagement," Marshall replied. "Of course, the whole ordeal is over now."
"So can I go?" Marianne said. "It beats staying here for a week doing nothing."
"As long as you don't get yourself in trouble."
"I won't."
"And you have to call at least once a day."
"I will. Thank you so much. I'll be back later tonight. We have to go somewhere."
"Okay, you're dismissed."
They all went back to the car, with Jamie anxiously waiting for them.
"How did it go?"
"He said yes," Marianne said. "So, what are we doing next?"
"Let's just go back to my house. Everyone's car is there anyway."
The car was surprisingly quiet. All the bickering between Jamie and Hank stopped. As they arrived on his driveway, Tyler abruptly stepped on brake. Suddenly, the silence had made more sense.
"Hey guys, where did Hank go?"
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After several minutes since he came in, Hank finally finished doing his thing. When he came out of the bathroom, he saw Mr. McLemore staring at him.
"It must have been quite an emergency," he said. "It only took you, what, like ten minutes. Why are you still here?"
"I'm sorry sir. I better go outside. My friends are probably waiting."
When Hank went outside, his friends were out of nowhere. Having no choice, he went back to the house and knocked on the door.
"Why are you still here, Hank? What do you want?"
"Sir, can you by any chance take me back to Tyler's house, sir?" he asked desperately. "Please?"
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I hope you liked it! I'll write chapter 3 soon. It's hard writing 2 stories simultaneously. I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182