Chapter 9 Getting Ready
At the house:

Allie was in her room on Syd's laptop on AOL. She was talking to Rachael while Hannah played downstairs with Jim.

Instent Message between Allie and Rachael:

Skierlover: So what's up?

Chicagofreak: Nothing much! I'm just haning out since my dad won't let me go anywhere. What about you?

Skierlover: Well Syd and Joanie are both out on dates and I'm babysitting Hannah, she's downstairs with Jim.

Chicagofreak: Cool! I can't wait till you come to Chicago, we can do stuff together after the competion. I can show you my dad's work.

Skierlover: That'd be cool. I can't wait to meet the rest of the crew.

Chicagofreak; Like I said before you don't watnt to meet Kerry Weaver, she's so mean. Abby is nice and so is Dr. Chen and Chuny znd everyone else, now Dr. Ramono is probably meaner than Dr. Weaver.

Skierlover: hehe, I'm sure they're not that bad.

Chicagofreak: Oh believe me they're bad. Hey I gotta go, I wonna watch this movie on Disney, Double Teamed.

Skierlover: Oh I wonna see that, I'm gonna go watch it too. Bye.

Chicagofreak: Bye can't wait to see you.

Allie signed off of AOL and went downstairs. She flipped on the TV and turned to the Disney Channel.
"What are you watching?" Jim asked from the couch where he was sitting reading a book to Hannah.
"Double Teamed," Allie replied as the movie started. "About these twins that learn to play basketball."
"Wow," Jim said.
"I want to watch too," Hannah said. She got up and went and sat down beside Allie.
Allie smiled and turned back to the TV.

At Waterfire:

Syd and Josh talked and talked for what seemed like hours.
"You know its amazing how much we have in common," Josh said. "Even though you're a doctor and I'm a coach."
Syd smiled. She liked Josh, a lot, he was the first guy that wasn't married or had cancer or anything like that. "So let me get this straight? You went into coaching because your dad forced you into it?"
Josh laughed. "No, I went into it beacause I had an amazing coach who taught me not to waste life and I want to give back what he gave me."
"That's very sweet," Syd said.
"Why did you want to become a doctor?"
"Because I used to help my dad down in his vet clinic and I wanted to see the smile on the patient's faces. I had a practice in LA but I moved back here after my mother died."
"You are very brave," Josh said. "I've lived here all my life."
Syd checked her watch. "I guess we'd better go its past eleven and my Dad doesn't need to stay up that late."
"Your dad has a curfew?" Josh asked.
"Well he hasn't been himself since the accident," Syd said standing up.
Josh nodded and the two walked out the door.

The next day:

Allie came into the guesthouse and jumped on Syd's bed.
"So how was it?" Allie asked.
Syd opened her eyes and looked at the clock. Nine thirty, ugh she felt like she could sleep for a month. "Do we have to discuss it now?"
"Yes," Allie said. "Joanie told me about hers, now its your turn."
Syd groaned. "OK fine I'm up, happy? I'll be in the house in a sec."
"Ok," Allie said and ran out of the guesthouse.
Syd sighed and dragged herself out of bed. She showered, dressed and went into the house to find Joanie, Allie, and Hannah sitting at the bar.
"Well its about time," Joanie said. "We all wonna hear about your date with Josh."
Syd poured herself a cup of coffee, smiling as she rememberd the long talk they'd had and the good night kiss they'd shared.
"Well...." Allie said.
"He's so sweet and so funny and nice and..." Syd said with a dreamy look on her face. "I think that the possibalities are endless."
"So the date went well?" Joanie asked.
"Uh yes," Syd said sitting down at the table. "I didn't want the night to end. I haven't met a guy since Joe and it was so nice to be going out with someone who wasn't obsessed with his work or married or dying."
"That's great Syd," Allie said. "Well Joanie had a good date too."
"I've been going out with Phil for like a month, Syd doesn't want to hear about my date," Joanie said. "Its time we focus on her."
"Oh my gosh guess what Syd!!" Allie said excitedly.
"What???" Syd asked.
"While you were out my chorus teacher called and asked me if I wanted to sing a solo in Chicago for the competion."
"That's great Al," Syd said. "What song are you gonna do?"
"I'm thinking about doing Only Hope the one that Mandy Moore sings on the sound track for A Walk To Remember," Allie replied as she took a bite of her toast. "I'm gonna talk to Mrs. R on Monday."
Syd nodded. "Well its Saturday and I don't have to go into work so what do you say we go to the mall or something?"
"Yeah!!"Allie said excitedly. "I wonna get some new shirts and stuff for Chicago."
"You're going to need new pants," Syd adviced. "It gets very cold up there this time of year."
"I can't wait I'm so excited," Allie said. "We're having rehearsals all next week after school and then the bus leaves at six in the morning on Friday. We'll be missing Friday and Monday of school."
"OK troops let's hit the showers so we can go shopping," Joanie said. She picked up Hannah. "Come on sweetie let's get you dressed."

At the mall:

The girls were in Express letting Allie try on some new outfits. Syd was sitting on a bench waiting for Allie to come out of the dressing room.
"And the finalist are?" Joanie asked when Allie came out of the dressing room wearing black pants and an orange sweater.
"I like that one," Syd said.
"Me too," Allie said. "Let's get it."
"Why don't you go pay and I'll meet you down at the food court," Syd said. "I really need to eat something."
"OK," Joanie said. "Wonna take Hannah with you?"
"No, I want to stay to stay with Allie," Hannah said.
"OK," Joanie said.
Syd nodded and walked to the food court. When she arrived she saw a very familiar face sitting at at table alone.
"Syd!!" Josh called.
Syd smiled and walked over to him.
"What are you doing here?" Josh asked.
"I'm here with Joanie, Allie and Hannah," Syd said. "I had fun last night."
"Me too," Josh said.
Syd stared at him for a moment then suddenly her lips met his and they were involved in a passinate kiss. Syd broke away.
"Sorry," Josh said.
"Its OK," Syd said. "Its just been a while since I've been kissed like that."
"Wonna go again?" Josh asked. He kissed Syd on the lips.
"You know we're not friends anymore," Syd said.
"So what are we?" Josh asked.
Syd shrugged. "I don't know."
"Well maybe its time for us to find out."

To be Continued...