Chapter 6
The plane began its landing and Mimi grabbed onto Brady's hand, and then Jason's on instinct. She hated landing, it was always so rocky and uncomfortable. Jason gave her a look and flung her hand off, rolling his eyes. Mimi looked back and glared at Chloe over her seat, who shrugged. During the flight, Jason had moved over to the empty seat on the other side of Chloe and tried apologizing again. Mimi closed her eyes as she remembered overhearing the conversation.
"Chloe, I'm so sorry. You have to believe me. Phil, tell her I used to be a great guy before hooking up with Jan."
"Yeah, whatever, great guy..." Philip mumbled, more than half-asleep. He snored loudly and Chloe laughed. Here was the sophisticated BMOC Philip Kirikias snoring like an old man and with spot of drool on his shirt.
Jason smiled. "Okay, well, Kirikias is too busy dreaming of owning his own private jet to help me out here. But I really was, Chloe. And then Jan Spears came along and I was fascinated with her. I lost all my friends because I spent every living minute with her. And I played her little reindeer games because I was scared, Chloe. I was scared what might have happened to me if she dumped me. I regret every second I spent with her...I hurt so many people and she wasn't worth it. Chloe, I really am sorry. I want to make up for all the pain I caused you. Can I please be your friend?"
Chloe sighed deeply, unsure what to do. She decided to give Jason one more chance. If he was speaking the truth, it would make the trip less tense...and it never hurts to have another friend. If he was just pulling her leg...well, she'd figure out a way to make him pay, just like she did with Jan months ago. "Yes, Jason. I forgive you."
Mimi opened her eyes as the plane came to a stop. Maybe Belle, Shawn, Phil, Brady and even Chloe could find it in their hearts to forgive Jason, but she wouldn't. Jason never made an effort to be nice to Mimi, even after he broke up with Jan. She couldn't figure out why Jason was being all sugary sweet with everyone in the gang except for her. But if that's the way Jason wanted to play, Mimi wouldn't let him get to her.
Brady leaned towards Mimi and whispered in her ear, "What are you thinking?"
Mimi looked over at Brady and smiled. She had a great time sitting next to Belle's brother on the plane. He had cracked her up for the two hours they were in the air and reassuringly squeezed her hand seconds ago when the plane landed. "I'm just so excited about this trip."
Brady nodded, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Me, too. I can't wait to make every Daytona girl's dreams come true," he joked.
"Oh, is that so?"
"Sure. Once they see this," he said, flexing his arm muscle, "they'll forget all about Justin Timber-whats-his-face--"
"Timberlake," Mimi answered matter-of-factly, trying not to admire Brady's muscles.
"That too."
Jason laughed. "Dream on, Black. You're gonna have some competition on your hands." Jason flexed his arm muscle as well. Mimi turned away from Jason...she pushed down the feeling of attraction she felt. So he's cute--ok, handsome--fine, gorgeous, she thought as Brady and Jason talked about exercising. And muscular. But that doesn't change the fact that he's a complete ass, Mimi thought to herself before stealing another glance at Jason's arms. No, stop it girl! she screamed in her mind. She closed her eyes in confusion. Jason was like Twinkies...they look so good...but you know they're bad for you.
Chapter 7
"Phew," Brady said, letting out a low whistle. The teens just arrived at the condo and Philip opened the door. The place was huge, with a beautiful living room and a large kitchen. They guessed the bedrooms were upstairs.
"Watch out, Black!" Belle said, pushing past her brother while dragging her luggage. One bag hanging from her shoulder hit Brady in the stomach and he groaned in pain.
"Glad to know you didn't forget your rocks, Tink," Brady muttered.
Belle threw down her bags on the living room floor. "OK, ha ha, I have a lot of heavy bags. Did everyone get in their 'Gee, Belle sure packs a lot' jokes for the day?"
"I didn't, but I'll be sure to catch up on that," Philip said, affectionally messing up her blonde hair as he walked past him. Chloe followed him and took his hand. "Wanna check out the rooms?" she asked and Philip nodded. The couple walked upstairs as Shawn and Jason headed straight for the fridge.
"Dude, they even gave us free food!" Jason said happily.
"Nah, that's Kirikias-paid. He covered everything yesterday," Shawn said, looking over the contents of the fridge.
"Nice," Jason nodded. The two looked over as Belle and Mimi giggled loudly in the living room. Brady was wrestling the both of them, having an easy advantage even though it was two against one. Belle wriggled out of Brady's grasp just as he pinned Mimi. Brady looked down at her and smiled crookedly. Mimi gave a nervous half-smile and caught Jason looking at her from the kitchen in the corner of her eye. She blinked and Jason was back at staring in the fridge. Still under Brady, a handsome guy who looking into her eyes, all she could think about was if someone she hated was really staring at her.
Chloe giggled as she jumped up and down on the bed. Philip laughed at her and grabbed her wrists from the floor, catching her off-guard. She tumbled to her knees and bounced twice on the floppy mattress and cracked up at her clumsiness.
"Geez, Chloe, I never saw you so giddy before," Philip said, grinning.
"I know...I'm just so excited. The thought of being away from Nancy for an entire week must be getting to my head."
"I think it's adorable," Philip muttered, tracing her lips with his finger as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Chloe pressed her forehead against Philip's and tried to ignore her pounding heart.
"Philip, being away from Nancy isn't the only thing that I'm happy about. Just being here with you. Knowing that you love me as much as I love you."
"I do...and I can't wait to be alone with you tonight, Chloe. To hold you and to have you be the first thing I see when I wake up. I can't wait," he whispered. He leaned in to kiss Chloe and she turned her head away, so his lips landed squarely on her cheek. "Chloe? What--?"
"Um...we should get back downstairs with the others," Chloe murmured. Before Philip could say another word, she was already out the door. Philip stared at the door before repeatedly banged his head down on the mattress in confusion. Eventually, he gave the mattress a rest and went downstairs.
"Dude, what happened to your hair?" Shawn asked as Philip joined the gang in the living room. Philip quickly fixed his hair and shrugged, not wanting to share that he beat up the bed with his forehead.
"We're trying to decide who gets which room," Chloe offered. When Philip sat next to her on the couch, she lovingly took his hand and placed her head on his shoulder. Philip sighed...what was going on with her?
"Well," Philip said, clearing his throat. Maybe she really just wanted to get back downstairs to get the picking of the rooms over with. Things will be different tonight, he convinced himself. Philip didn't expect sex from Chloe...but he knew she wouldn't reject his kisses once they were settled in. "Well, Chloe and I call the one in the corner, overlooking the beach."
"Who says you can have the one overlooking the beach?" Belle complained.
"Well, seeing as how I paying for most of this, I say we can," Philip retorted back. Belle gave him a look and Philip assured her there was another double upstairs overlooking the beach.
"Welles and I will take the other double, then. We don't need a romantic sunset," Brady said.
"Ah, come on, Brady. You know you can't resist me," Jason joked as the room laughed...Mimi rolled her eyes, refusing to laugh at anything Jason said.
"Um...unless you magically turn into Christina Aguilera one day, it ain't happening, bro," Brady joked back.
"Well," Shawn said, clapping his hands together. "That leaves one double and one single left."
Brady nodded. "Right. Belle and Mimi take the double and you take the single."
Shawn bit his tongue lightly before protesting. He totally forgot--like Belle's older brother would really let him sleep in the same room as her. But Shawn couldn't let this week of opportunity pass him by. As he grew lost in his thoughts, Mimi glanced over at Belle and then Shawn, both who were looking down at their feet. Mimi smiled and decided to play hero.
"Actually, Brady, I would rather have the single."
"What?" Belle and Shawn said together hopefully.
"Um, well, I talk in my sleep, as Belle knows," Mimi lied, stealing a knowing glance with Belle, "and she never gets any sleep whenever I stay over in her room."
"Well," Brady said through clenched teeth, "she'll just be really tired all week."
"But, Brady, um, if Mimi and I stay in the same room for a week, we'll probably end up killing each other. I'm a neat freak and she's messy, I like quiet, she likes music. It just wouldn't work," Belle said.
"So it's set," Mimi nodded. "I'll take the single...and, um, I guess Belle will have to room with Shawn." Shawn tried to hide a huge grin that was bound to spread on his face, so he spoke up. "Um, let's go put our bags in our room, Belle." Belle nodded and sprinted up the stairs, despite the weight of her luggage. Before Shawn could follow, he felt a heavy hand pull him back by the shoulder.
"Look, Shawn. You better not try anything or I'll personally make sure that your head finds a comfy spot up your ass."
Shawn swallowed nervously. "Well, I wouldn't want that to happen," Shawn squeaked out.
"No, no, you sure wouldn't."
"Don't worry, Brady. Belle and I--we're just friends."
"Good. Cuz I don't want Belle dating any loser until--oh, no offense--"
"Offense taken, man."
"Well, I didn't mean you're a loser. I meant any guy that dates her will be a loser because I know what will happen. Belle will be too loving and too trusting, and she won't put out and the guy will dump her. Therefore, reaching loser-dom. That's why I refuse to let Belle have a serious boyfriend until she's eighteen. Then I know she'll understand guys more and she'll be less vulnerable."
"Well, what if the guy really loved her? I mean, before she's eighteen. What if he didn't dump her? And besides, Belle's too independent to follow that...your not her dad, Brady."
Brady looked confused for a second before shaking his head. "Whatever, the rule stands."
"But--"
"Look, Shawn, you have nothing to worry about if you're just her friend. Don't touch her and you don't die. Simple enough, right?"
"Uh...yeah. Right."
The plane began its landing and Mimi grabbed onto Brady's hand, and then Jason's on instinct. She hated landing, it was always so rocky and uncomfortable. Jason gave her a look and flung her hand off, rolling his eyes. Mimi looked back and glared at Chloe over her seat, who shrugged. During the flight, Jason had moved over to the empty seat on the other side of Chloe and tried apologizing again. Mimi closed her eyes as she remembered overhearing the conversation.
"Chloe, I'm so sorry. You have to believe me. Phil, tell her I used to be a great guy before hooking up with Jan."
"Yeah, whatever, great guy..." Philip mumbled, more than half-asleep. He snored loudly and Chloe laughed. Here was the sophisticated BMOC Philip Kirikias snoring like an old man and with spot of drool on his shirt.
Jason smiled. "Okay, well, Kirikias is too busy dreaming of owning his own private jet to help me out here. But I really was, Chloe. And then Jan Spears came along and I was fascinated with her. I lost all my friends because I spent every living minute with her. And I played her little reindeer games because I was scared, Chloe. I was scared what might have happened to me if she dumped me. I regret every second I spent with her...I hurt so many people and she wasn't worth it. Chloe, I really am sorry. I want to make up for all the pain I caused you. Can I please be your friend?"
Chloe sighed deeply, unsure what to do. She decided to give Jason one more chance. If he was speaking the truth, it would make the trip less tense...and it never hurts to have another friend. If he was just pulling her leg...well, she'd figure out a way to make him pay, just like she did with Jan months ago. "Yes, Jason. I forgive you."
Mimi opened her eyes as the plane came to a stop. Maybe Belle, Shawn, Phil, Brady and even Chloe could find it in their hearts to forgive Jason, but she wouldn't. Jason never made an effort to be nice to Mimi, even after he broke up with Jan. She couldn't figure out why Jason was being all sugary sweet with everyone in the gang except for her. But if that's the way Jason wanted to play, Mimi wouldn't let him get to her.
Brady leaned towards Mimi and whispered in her ear, "What are you thinking?"
Mimi looked over at Brady and smiled. She had a great time sitting next to Belle's brother on the plane. He had cracked her up for the two hours they were in the air and reassuringly squeezed her hand seconds ago when the plane landed. "I'm just so excited about this trip."
Brady nodded, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Me, too. I can't wait to make every Daytona girl's dreams come true," he joked.
"Oh, is that so?"
"Sure. Once they see this," he said, flexing his arm muscle, "they'll forget all about Justin Timber-whats-his-face--"
"Timberlake," Mimi answered matter-of-factly, trying not to admire Brady's muscles.
"That too."
Jason laughed. "Dream on, Black. You're gonna have some competition on your hands." Jason flexed his arm muscle as well. Mimi turned away from Jason...she pushed down the feeling of attraction she felt. So he's cute--ok, handsome--fine, gorgeous, she thought as Brady and Jason talked about exercising. And muscular. But that doesn't change the fact that he's a complete ass, Mimi thought to herself before stealing another glance at Jason's arms. No, stop it girl! she screamed in her mind. She closed her eyes in confusion. Jason was like Twinkies...they look so good...but you know they're bad for you.
Chapter 7
"Phew," Brady said, letting out a low whistle. The teens just arrived at the condo and Philip opened the door. The place was huge, with a beautiful living room and a large kitchen. They guessed the bedrooms were upstairs.
"Watch out, Black!" Belle said, pushing past her brother while dragging her luggage. One bag hanging from her shoulder hit Brady in the stomach and he groaned in pain.
"Glad to know you didn't forget your rocks, Tink," Brady muttered.
Belle threw down her bags on the living room floor. "OK, ha ha, I have a lot of heavy bags. Did everyone get in their 'Gee, Belle sure packs a lot' jokes for the day?"
"I didn't, but I'll be sure to catch up on that," Philip said, affectionally messing up her blonde hair as he walked past him. Chloe followed him and took his hand. "Wanna check out the rooms?" she asked and Philip nodded. The couple walked upstairs as Shawn and Jason headed straight for the fridge.
"Dude, they even gave us free food!" Jason said happily.
"Nah, that's Kirikias-paid. He covered everything yesterday," Shawn said, looking over the contents of the fridge.
"Nice," Jason nodded. The two looked over as Belle and Mimi giggled loudly in the living room. Brady was wrestling the both of them, having an easy advantage even though it was two against one. Belle wriggled out of Brady's grasp just as he pinned Mimi. Brady looked down at her and smiled crookedly. Mimi gave a nervous half-smile and caught Jason looking at her from the kitchen in the corner of her eye. She blinked and Jason was back at staring in the fridge. Still under Brady, a handsome guy who looking into her eyes, all she could think about was if someone she hated was really staring at her.
Chloe giggled as she jumped up and down on the bed. Philip laughed at her and grabbed her wrists from the floor, catching her off-guard. She tumbled to her knees and bounced twice on the floppy mattress and cracked up at her clumsiness.
"Geez, Chloe, I never saw you so giddy before," Philip said, grinning.
"I know...I'm just so excited. The thought of being away from Nancy for an entire week must be getting to my head."
"I think it's adorable," Philip muttered, tracing her lips with his finger as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Chloe pressed her forehead against Philip's and tried to ignore her pounding heart.
"Philip, being away from Nancy isn't the only thing that I'm happy about. Just being here with you. Knowing that you love me as much as I love you."
"I do...and I can't wait to be alone with you tonight, Chloe. To hold you and to have you be the first thing I see when I wake up. I can't wait," he whispered. He leaned in to kiss Chloe and she turned her head away, so his lips landed squarely on her cheek. "Chloe? What--?"
"Um...we should get back downstairs with the others," Chloe murmured. Before Philip could say another word, she was already out the door. Philip stared at the door before repeatedly banged his head down on the mattress in confusion. Eventually, he gave the mattress a rest and went downstairs.
"Dude, what happened to your hair?" Shawn asked as Philip joined the gang in the living room. Philip quickly fixed his hair and shrugged, not wanting to share that he beat up the bed with his forehead.
"We're trying to decide who gets which room," Chloe offered. When Philip sat next to her on the couch, she lovingly took his hand and placed her head on his shoulder. Philip sighed...what was going on with her?
"Well," Philip said, clearing his throat. Maybe she really just wanted to get back downstairs to get the picking of the rooms over with. Things will be different tonight, he convinced himself. Philip didn't expect sex from Chloe...but he knew she wouldn't reject his kisses once they were settled in. "Well, Chloe and I call the one in the corner, overlooking the beach."
"Who says you can have the one overlooking the beach?" Belle complained.
"Well, seeing as how I paying for most of this, I say we can," Philip retorted back. Belle gave him a look and Philip assured her there was another double upstairs overlooking the beach.
"Welles and I will take the other double, then. We don't need a romantic sunset," Brady said.
"Ah, come on, Brady. You know you can't resist me," Jason joked as the room laughed...Mimi rolled her eyes, refusing to laugh at anything Jason said.
"Um...unless you magically turn into Christina Aguilera one day, it ain't happening, bro," Brady joked back.
"Well," Shawn said, clapping his hands together. "That leaves one double and one single left."
Brady nodded. "Right. Belle and Mimi take the double and you take the single."
Shawn bit his tongue lightly before protesting. He totally forgot--like Belle's older brother would really let him sleep in the same room as her. But Shawn couldn't let this week of opportunity pass him by. As he grew lost in his thoughts, Mimi glanced over at Belle and then Shawn, both who were looking down at their feet. Mimi smiled and decided to play hero.
"Actually, Brady, I would rather have the single."
"What?" Belle and Shawn said together hopefully.
"Um, well, I talk in my sleep, as Belle knows," Mimi lied, stealing a knowing glance with Belle, "and she never gets any sleep whenever I stay over in her room."
"Well," Brady said through clenched teeth, "she'll just be really tired all week."
"But, Brady, um, if Mimi and I stay in the same room for a week, we'll probably end up killing each other. I'm a neat freak and she's messy, I like quiet, she likes music. It just wouldn't work," Belle said.
"So it's set," Mimi nodded. "I'll take the single...and, um, I guess Belle will have to room with Shawn." Shawn tried to hide a huge grin that was bound to spread on his face, so he spoke up. "Um, let's go put our bags in our room, Belle." Belle nodded and sprinted up the stairs, despite the weight of her luggage. Before Shawn could follow, he felt a heavy hand pull him back by the shoulder.
"Look, Shawn. You better not try anything or I'll personally make sure that your head finds a comfy spot up your ass."
Shawn swallowed nervously. "Well, I wouldn't want that to happen," Shawn squeaked out.
"No, no, you sure wouldn't."
"Don't worry, Brady. Belle and I--we're just friends."
"Good. Cuz I don't want Belle dating any loser until--oh, no offense--"
"Offense taken, man."
"Well, I didn't mean you're a loser. I meant any guy that dates her will be a loser because I know what will happen. Belle will be too loving and too trusting, and she won't put out and the guy will dump her. Therefore, reaching loser-dom. That's why I refuse to let Belle have a serious boyfriend until she's eighteen. Then I know she'll understand guys more and she'll be less vulnerable."
"Well, what if the guy really loved her? I mean, before she's eighteen. What if he didn't dump her? And besides, Belle's too independent to follow that...your not her dad, Brady."
Brady looked confused for a second before shaking his head. "Whatever, the rule stands."
"But--"
"Look, Shawn, you have nothing to worry about if you're just her friend. Don't touch her and you don't die. Simple enough, right?"
"Uh...yeah. Right."