Disclaimer: I don't own anything 'In A Heartbeat' related whatsoever. I also don't own any products or materials that you might recognize in the nonfiction world. I only own the story, and the characters that I made up. You get the point : ) The "article" in the paper is actually an e-mail that I received from someone.
A/N: I took way too long this time. I'd completely understand if you won't read this again. I'm really sorry.
West Side Story
The Words Women Use
It was just around four o'clock in the morning when Tyler started to wake up. He could hear the loud blast from the radio as he started to get out of bed. It took him a minute or so to be aware of what was going on around him or why he was getting up early. The realization that he was going on an early flight to LA finally caught up with him, but what he was about to realize next was something that he hoped was just a dream.
"Why is my suitcase empty?" he asked sleepily when he saw it on the floor before realizing that he had somehow fallen asleep last night and forgot to finish packing.
In an instant, he was fully awake and was going around his room like crazy. One by one, his drawers were opened, and one by one, they were all emptied. Seeing that he had no time to be organized and check what he was missing, he just grabbed everything in sight and threw them into his suitcase. His suitcase literally looked like Hurricane Andrew just paid a visit to it.
"That doesn't look appealing," he said as he looked at what he had accomplished in distaste.
After he managed to just barely fit everything in just one suitcase, he hurried to the shower and hoped that he wasn't too late. By the time he was leaving the house, it was almost five-thirty. They all planned to meet at the airport around six o'clock.
"I'm going now, Mom."
"You better be careful," she said. "Send my regards to your father."
"I will. Are you sure you and William will be all right?"
"We'll be fine. Don't worry. Enjoy yourself while you're there."
"You two behave yourselves," Tyler smiled. "I'll see you in a week."
"I'll miss you, honey. Call me when you get there."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye."
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Tyler reached the parking area and was already fifteen minutes late when he found a parking spot. Wasting no more time than he already had, he quickly grabbed his suitcase and headed for the airport. He was trying to figure out what to say in order not to sound stupid in front of his friends when he saw Jamie and Hank enter the building at the same time.
"Hey guys!" he greeted them with a sigh or relief. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who's late. So what's your story?"
"My car broke down in the middle of traffic," they both said simultaneously and looked at each other.
"I guess "great minds" do think alike," Tyler joked.
"Don't even start," Hank said. "It's too early for that."
"You two forgot to pack last night, didn't you?" asked Tyler.
"Basically," Jamie said and Hank just nodded. "You too, right?"
"Guilty," Tyler said. "I bet the girls are already inside."
"Hell will break lose any time now," Jamie said.
When they went in, the girls were already standing near the check-in line. When they saw the guys, it was obvious from the look on their faces that they weren't slightly amused.
"Man, can you believe the traffic out there?" Jamie said as they approached them.
"Very slick, Jamie," Hank whispered.
"Thanks," he whispered back.
Caitie just shook her head and pointed at the small TV screen across them.
"THERE SEEMS TO BE NO TRAFFIC AROUND THE AREA THIS MORNING," said the reporter. "ALL OF YOU HEADING TO THE AIRPORT SHOULD HAVE NO TROUBLE GETTING THERE."
"You were saying?" said Caitie with a smile.
"Hehe," he laughed nervously. "I must have taken the wrong road."
"And what's your excuse, Hank?" asked Marianne.
"My… My car… It… I followed the wrong person on the road."
"Oh, could it have been Jamie?" Marianne mocked.
"I… I guess it was. Maybe. I wasn't paying attention."
"Well, Tyler, I'm just dying to hear what you have to say," said Val.
"Well, let's see, if Jamie was "stuck" in traffic, and Hank followed the "wrong guy," then that leaves me with my car breaking down," said Tyler with a triumphant smile on his face. "Any more questions, ladies, or do we have to be late than we already are?"
Caitie, Marianne, and Val stood up, grabbed their own suitcases, and gave a loud sigh before leaving the three to go to the check-in line.
"You sure showed them," Jamie said as he gave Tyler a high five.
"Well, at least that kept them off out backs," Tyler said.
"Did you guys just see that?" asked Hank. "They all just sighed loudly."
"Hank, it's just a sigh," said Tyler. "Live with it."
"Don't you know what that means?"
"It's just a sigh," Jamie said. "What did you think it meant?"
"It only meant that they think we're idiots at the moment and wonder why they are wasting their time standing here and arguing with us over nothing."
"And you knew that because…" said Jamie.
"CosmoGirl," Hank said.
"CosmoGirl?" asked Tyler.
"I'm not even going to ask," said Jamie. "Come on, Tyler. Let's leave our feminine friend here alone."
Hank just stood on his place as he watched the two guys leave.
"Guys! It's not like I enjoyed it! Marianne said it would help me understand her better. Guys! Wait up! I only read it twice!"
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When they got inside the aircraft, they found out that they were assigned in two rows of three. Before the guys could have any say on who would sit with whom, the girls already decided that they would sit together as will the guys.
"That's not fair," said Jamie. "I don't want to be stuck with these two."
"The feeling is mutual," said Tyler.
"Well, guys, after your stunt this morning, this is what it has to be," said Marianne.
"Sorry James," said Caitie, "but the verdict has already been decided."
"But we only forgot to pack our stuff from the night before," complained Tyler.
"Case closed," Val said.
The three girls headed towards row 7, which was three rows back from where the guys will be sitting.
"Come on, guys," said Hank as he draped his arms on their shoulders. "I'll tell you all about what I read on the words that women use. It'll be fun."
"I'm not even going to argue anymore," said Tyler as he sat on the window seat, followed by Hank in the middle and Jamie, of course, in the aisle seat.
"What's the point?" said Jamie. "Talk away Hank."
"Okay, so as an introduction to this whole thing, this is basically a warning for guys to avoid future arguments and so forth."
"How long is this flight, Tyler?" Jamie interrupted.
"About seven hours," said Tyler.
"Terrific," said Hank. "Anyway, women use a list of words that most guys might interpret differently. Let's start with the word FINE. This is the word that they use at the end of any argument that they feel they are right about but need to shut us up."
"Is that really the reason why they…" started Tyler.
"Don't interrupt me," said Hank.
"Okay, sorry Ma'am."
"Also, you should NEVER use fine to describe how women look. This will cause you to have one of those arguments."
"But they always say we look fine," said Jamie. "Why does it matter?"
"No interruptions," said Hank. "Man, how many times do I have to repeat myself? Everything that I say is true, so don't question it."
"You're not fun to talk to," said Jamie.
"Get over it," he said. "The next one is pretty important. It's called FIVE MINUTES. Now don't be fooled by this one. This actually means half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that our football game is going to last before we take out the trash or whatever. I personally feel that it's an even trade. As for NOTHING, this means something and you should be on your toes. Nothing is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. It usually indicates an argument that will last five minutes and end with the word fine……………"
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Several hours and meal breaks have passed until the plane was ready to land. Except for the couple of meal interruptions, bathroom emergencies, and an hour or so of sleep, Tyler and Jamie have basically endured the wrath of Hank.
"YOUR FLIGHT WILL BE ARRIVING SHORTLY. PLEASE FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS."
"Finally," Jamie said. "Freedom at last!"
"Thank you, Mr. Pilot!" said Tyler.
"Oh, I see that you two are awake now," said Hank, who just came back from the bathroom. "Let's finish our discussion."
"No," said Jamie. "I can't stand it anymore."
"Please Hank," begged Tyler. "Spare us the details."
"THANKS A LOT!" said Hank as he stepped over Jamie's legs and took his seat.
"What is that supposed to mean?" said Jamie. "You're not really mad, are you?"
"No, but women would say thanks a lot when they are really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have hurt them in some callous way and will be followed by the loud sigh. Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the loud sigh though for she will only tell you nothing."
Jamie was now looking at Hank with looks that could kill.
"I am going to kill you when we land," Jamie said.
"Well, we're still floating on thin air."
"You better start running when we get out of here."
Five minutes later, the plane landed, and they were all free to go. Tyler and Hank zoomed out of the plane before anybody else.
"I can't believe we're finally here," said Hank. "No homework. No parents. It's like a dream come true. I'm so excited."
"Good for you, Hank," said Marianne. "How was your flight, guys?"
"Let's just say that it was more informative than I have hoped for," replied Tyler. "Much more informative."
"Hey, just remember whom to thank when you really need them," said Hank before turning to his side to see Jamie looking at him. "You really weren't kidding, were you?"
"I'll give you three seconds," Jamie said. "Three… Two…One…"
Hank dropped his bag and started running with Jamie not too far behind him.
"And they're off!" Tyler exclaimed. "Those two have been at it like cats and dogs."
A couple of minutes have passed and the two guys still didn't return.
"Caitie, we don't ask much from guys, but do you know what we get?" said Marianne.
At that exact moment, Jamie and Hank passed their way again, yelling, screaming, and doing anything to disturb the so-called "peace" at the airport.
"A couple of immature animals," Caitie replied. "Where did we go wrong?"
"Tyler!" called someone from a far.
"Dad!" Tyler called back and met him halfway. "How long have you been waiting?"
"Not too long. I was going to be here sooner if it wasn't for those two crazy kids who were running around me. They looked strikingly familiar."
"I guess you've already met up with Jamie and Hank," Tyler said. "They're really not that bad once they settle down."
Tyler brought his dad to the rest of his friends and introduced them.
"Dad, this if Caitie, that's Marianne, and you know Val already."
"How are you girls doing? How was your flight? These guys didn't give you a hard time, did they?"
"We're fine," replied Val. "The flight was okay."
"As for the guys, we're just pretending that we don't know them right now," said Caitie.
"Why don't we get all of your things so we can get all of you settled?"
"Where exactly are we staying, Dad?"
"At my house," he replied. "Where else are you supposed to stay?"
"Isn't it a little small for six more people?"
"I've done some renovating a few months ago. I guess you could call it a beach house now. I'm quite certain that there's plenty of room for your friends."
"I'm looking forward to seeing it."
A security guard approached them with Jamie and Hank in tow.
"Are these two troublemakers with you?"
"Unfortunately," mumbled Caitie.
"Yes, they're with us," Tyler said. "Thanks for bringing them back."
"Don't mention it. I suggest that you bring a leash for these two next time. We don't appreciate rackets around here."
"We'll keep that in mind. Thank you, sir."
When the security guard left, Jamie and Hank collapsed on the nearest seats.
"What the heck were you two thinking?" asked Marianne. "This isn't a playground, you know."
"Chill out, Marianne," said Hank. "We were only fooling around."
"My point exactly!" she told him and followed it with a loud sigh. "Can we go now, Mr. Connell?"
"I don't see why not. The sooner we leave this place the better. It's going to get more crowded by the minute."
Mr. Connell led the way, followed by Tyler and Val, Caitie and Jamie, and Hank and Marianne.
"Can I say something?" Hank asked Marianne.
"Whatever."
"Well, for the record, I am not an idiot."
"I never said you were."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I didn't."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I DIDN'T!" she screamed at him and sighed loudly once again before catching up with the rest of the group and leaving Hank by himself.
"You just said it again," Hank called out. "Women! Why can't you make up your minds?"
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I hope you liked it! I need to start writing more. I have many ideas for future fics already! I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182