Title: Trip of a Lifetime
Author: Asa Date
Chapter One: Getting there is half the fun
Email:stratasgirl@hotmail.com
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Standard Disclaimer: The Ronin Warriors do not belong to me, though I deeply wish they did.
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It was the day after graduation and Crystal was in her room sitting on the floor, her back resting on the side of the bed. Around her were mementos from the past year - a few ticket stubs from movies that she went to see with her friends, a martini glass from the prom with the words `Cedar Heights High School Junior-Senior Prom 2000' written on one side, a program from the school drama class's production of "Romeo and Juliet", the ticket stub from the Backstreet Boys concert that she went to with Asa, the tiara she wore after being crowned the Homecoming queen. She smiled when she saw the tiara and put it on top of her head, glancing at herself in the mirror. She sighed and took it off, still looking at her reflection. She thought about her three best friends and how much she'd miss them when the summer ended and everyone moved away to attend a college somewhere. She would be starting college in the Fall as well. It sucked that her and her friends weren't going to the same
college. What was more awful was that each of them would be in different states. Dawn would be in California pursuing an acting career. Dawn was a great actress, she was Juliet in the school play. Violet was going to a college in Virginia to get a degree in Childcare. She loves small children and always enjoyed babysitting her neighbors kids. Asa would be in Florida to get a degree in Photography. Asa never left home without her camera and was always taking pictures of everyone at school. She was the photographer for the CHHS yearbook. Crystal loved looking at the landscape photos of Asa's. She once took a picture of the sunset during a camping trip and it turned out beautifully. Asa enlarged the picture to be poster sized and it hangs on one of the walls in her room next to her favorite Backstreet Boys poster. Crystal grinned thinking of the poster, Asa probably wanted to go to a college in Florida just so she could say she lived in the same state that the Backstreet Boys
were originally from. As for herself, Crystal wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do. She is moving to Georgia to go to a college there. She was thinking she'd get a degree in Business. But then again, maybe not. She decided to go and figure that out when the time is right. Lost in her thoughts, she nearly jumped when the phone rang. With a shaky hand she reached over and picked up the phone from the table beside her bed where her alarm clock sat as well.
"Hello?" She answered, "Avery residence."
"Crystal?" asked a voice, "That you? It's me, Violet."
"Oh, Hiya Violet!" replied Crystal, "how are you?"
"I'm okay Crystal. Listen, I called to ask if you'd like to go to Florida for a few weeks with Dawn, Asa, and I. I thought we'd get together one last time before we all started college this Fall. So, what do you think ? Want to come?"
Crystal got really excited, "I'd love too! When?"
"Tomorrow? Not too soon is it?"
Crystal grinned, that was like Violet. She hardly planned ahead and did whatever she wanted to do very spontaneously. "No, of course not. When do we leave?"
"Lunchtime?"
"Okay, who's driving?"
"I guess I am. I'll be at your home sometime around lunch, okay? Get packing!"
Crystal laughed, "Okay, I'll start now. See ya tomorrow."
"Alright, bye!"
"Bye." Crystal hung up the phone and walked to her closet pulling her suitcase off a shelf and placing it on her bed. She then began packing clothes, swimsuits, and anything else she made need on the trip.
~The next day~
At exactly 12:00 p.m. the next day, Crystal heard a car pull up into the driveway followed by the sound of a horn. `That's gotta be Violet', she thought. Peeking through the window her thoughts were confirmed. `Yup, and right on time.'. She said good-bye to her parents, grabbed her suitcase, and was out the door. Asa was sitting next to Violet in the front passenger seat. Crystal walked over to the right side of the Suburban, opened the door, and hopped into the back.
"Hey Crystal!" Asa said, greeting her. "Ready to have some fun?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." She replied, "Hey, where's Dawn?"
"We haven't picked her up yet doofus." Violet smirked. She put the Suburban into reverse, backed out of the driveway, and they were on their way to Dawn's. Dawn lived on the other side of town in a nice neighborhood on a golf course. Her father was an eye doctor. Her mother an accountant. Dawn always said she hated living on a golf course. Her car was always pelted with golf balls and had to be taken to a car repair shop constantly to repair the body of the car. Crystal would do anything to be in Dawn's shoes. Live the life she lives. Dawn was the popular one. Crystal was barely paying attention to a word Asa was saying. Something about Brian Littrell getting married. Brian getting married?! No way! That snapped Crystal out of her thoughts really quick.
"Don't tell me Brian Littrell is getting married!" Crystal said incredulously.
"Yup," Asa nodded, "He's marrying that girl Leigh-Anne something."
"You're kidding!" Crystal retorted.
"Nope, I was watching MTV News 1515 this morning and he said so himself."
"Man, that ruins any chance I had to date him."
Violet laughed, "You two never cease to amaze me. Neither of you have any chance with the Backstreet Boys. What's with this Backstreet Boy obsession anyway? They suck."
That comment prompted Asa to whack Violet on the head with her rolled up Teen People magazine. Violet rubbed her head with one hand while keeping the other on the steering wheel, "Hey, that was uncalled for."
Crystal giggled, "Its too complicated for someone like you to understand Violet."
Violet turned on the radio, the Goo Goo Dolls newest song "Broadway" was playing. "Now this, my friends, is good music."
"Yeah, they are pretty good." Asa agreed.
By this time the girls had reached the Cedar Heights Country Club, where Dawn lived, and had pulled up into the driveway. Dawn was outside waiting, sitting on one of her suitcases. She had three others sitting around her. Asa got out of the Suburban to help her put the suitcases into the car.
"My lord Dawn, just how many clothes do you plan on taking?" She asked.
Dawn smiled, "Only three have clothes in them, the other has my make-up, jewelry, hair dryer, and such in it."
"I was able to fit all my clothes and everything else I needed into one!" Asa remarked, "Can't you leave one of these behind?"
"Heck no! There's no telling what I'll need on the trip. I've got swimsuits, outfits, and all sorts of dresses if we go somewhere fancy."
"Oh brother." Asa rolled her eyes and threw the suitcases into the back of the Suburban. Asa reclaimed her seat in the front while Dawn walked to the left side and sat in the back seat with Crystal. Violet put the car back into reverse and they were on their way once more.
"Where exactly are we going in Florida?" Dawn asked.
Crystal laughed, "You know where Asa and I want to go."
Simultaneously Violet and Dawn both said, "Orlando to see the Backstreet Boys!". That made the two girls burst into giggles after saying the same thing at the same time.
Asa smiled, "Yup."
"Well, we are definitely not going there." Violet said after regaining her composure. "I was thinking more along the lines of Panama City Beach. How's that sound?"
"Oh yeah!" Asa exclaimed, "That's where Spinnakers, The Breakers Club, and Club La Vela are! Lets definitely go there."
Dawn looked at Asa and smiled, "I know what's on your mind."
"You know me too well Dawn." Asa said, a sly grin on her face, "I'm definitely in it for all the cute guys! Remember that guy...Chase something that we met last year at that party in Fort Gaines, Georgia?"
"Chase Reynolds?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah! That's his name."
"Boy, he sure was a hottie." Dawn laughed, "Good dancer too."
"Hell yeah!" Asa said, "I definitely wanna go out clubbing at PCB."
"You and I will definitely be hitting the clubs hard Asa." Dawn said grinning.
Violet frowned, "You two aren't even legal drinking age yet."
"Yes mother we realize that." Dawn said, rolling her eyes, "Violet you didn't know you can go to clubs when your 18? You can go but you just can't drink. If your between 18 and 20 all they do is stamp your hand with a glow in the dark `No'. It's that simple."
"Yeah, well, I'm definitely not going to be with ya'll when you go clubbing. I'd much rather stay on the beach." Violet said as she drove down the road.
Crystal agreed with Violet, "Yeah, Violet and I'd be hitting the beach. I definitely need a tan."
"Oh, I want to be out on the beach too, during the day." Asa said, "I'd be hitting the clubs at night."
Dawn smirked, "No sleep for us, huh Asa?"
"Not at all." Asa answered as she watched the scenery pass by.
"Exactly how many hours have we got until we hit Florida soil?" Crystal asked.
"Only about three and a half I think, "Violet answered, "I've got a road map of Florida in the glove compartment if we need it."
Asa looked at Violet incredulously, "We don't need a map! I know my way there like the back of my hand!"
Crystal laughed, "Sure you do."
"I do!" Asa retorted.
Asa reached into the glove compartment and pulled out the map, tossing it back to Crystal, "If you don't believe me, let me tell you the way to Panama City Beach while you look at the map to see if I'm right."
"Fine." Crystal answered, taking the map.
"Okay, first we have to get onto Highway 431 heading south. Once you get to Dothan, turn right onto Ross Clark Circle. Take another right onto Highway 231. You'll go through to Florida towns of Cottonwood, Youngstown, and when you get to Bayou George, turn right at the Lyn Haven exit. Soon you'll be in Panama City Beach." Asa smiled when she glanced back at Crystal and saw her incredulous expression. "See, I told you."
Crystal responded by rolling the window down and tossing out the map.
"Crystal!" Violet yelped, "Why'd you do that?"
"Apparently we have a walking, talking map in our presence." Crystal responded.
Asa laughed, "I'll get us there Violet, don't worry."
"If we end up in Orlando I'll kill you." Violet said, a little peeved about the map.
Asa laughed, "Trust me. I'll get us to Panama City Beach, FL with no problem. I have been vacationing there with my huge family twice a year each summer since I was a baby."
Dawn yawned and said, "Well, wake me up when we get there," before she drifted off to sleep.
"Hey, Violet, did you get us reservations at a hotel yet?" Crystal asked, a bit worried.
Violet winced, "I forgot. But there will be a room available somewhere, I promise."
Asa groaned, "Are you kidding? The city stays packed constantly."
Violet shrugged, "If all else fails we'll bum a room with some cute guys." She smiled a bit.
Asa burst into giggles, "They'd probably expect to get laid."
Crystal smirked, "If one of them is cute enough, maybe he will."
That comment prompted Asa to laugh harder. So hard that, in fact, she snorted. Once she calmed down, she engrossed herself in the latest issue of Teen People. Crystal busied herself watching the scenery pass by. Violet drove of course, keeping rhythm with the radio by beating on the steering wheel. It would take the girls three and a half hours to get to their destination so they all needed some rest and quiet time to themselves before their last vacation together would start.
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Well, here's Chapter One. I hope you all liked. Yeah, yeah I know. This is supposed to be a Ronin Warriors story.....be patient! They'll come along later in the story! Feedback will be greatly appreciated, please let me know what you think of my story!
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Author: Asa Date
Chapter One: Getting there is half the fun
Email:stratasgirl@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Disclaimer: The Ronin Warriors do not belong to me, though I deeply wish they did.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was the day after graduation and Crystal was in her room sitting on the floor, her back resting on the side of the bed. Around her were mementos from the past year - a few ticket stubs from movies that she went to see with her friends, a martini glass from the prom with the words `Cedar Heights High School Junior-Senior Prom 2000' written on one side, a program from the school drama class's production of "Romeo and Juliet", the ticket stub from the Backstreet Boys concert that she went to with Asa, the tiara she wore after being crowned the Homecoming queen. She smiled when she saw the tiara and put it on top of her head, glancing at herself in the mirror. She sighed and took it off, still looking at her reflection. She thought about her three best friends and how much she'd miss them when the summer ended and everyone moved away to attend a college somewhere. She would be starting college in the Fall as well. It sucked that her and her friends weren't going to the same
college. What was more awful was that each of them would be in different states. Dawn would be in California pursuing an acting career. Dawn was a great actress, she was Juliet in the school play. Violet was going to a college in Virginia to get a degree in Childcare. She loves small children and always enjoyed babysitting her neighbors kids. Asa would be in Florida to get a degree in Photography. Asa never left home without her camera and was always taking pictures of everyone at school. She was the photographer for the CHHS yearbook. Crystal loved looking at the landscape photos of Asa's. She once took a picture of the sunset during a camping trip and it turned out beautifully. Asa enlarged the picture to be poster sized and it hangs on one of the walls in her room next to her favorite Backstreet Boys poster. Crystal grinned thinking of the poster, Asa probably wanted to go to a college in Florida just so she could say she lived in the same state that the Backstreet Boys
were originally from. As for herself, Crystal wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do. She is moving to Georgia to go to a college there. She was thinking she'd get a degree in Business. But then again, maybe not. She decided to go and figure that out when the time is right. Lost in her thoughts, she nearly jumped when the phone rang. With a shaky hand she reached over and picked up the phone from the table beside her bed where her alarm clock sat as well.
"Hello?" She answered, "Avery residence."
"Crystal?" asked a voice, "That you? It's me, Violet."
"Oh, Hiya Violet!" replied Crystal, "how are you?"
"I'm okay Crystal. Listen, I called to ask if you'd like to go to Florida for a few weeks with Dawn, Asa, and I. I thought we'd get together one last time before we all started college this Fall. So, what do you think ? Want to come?"
Crystal got really excited, "I'd love too! When?"
"Tomorrow? Not too soon is it?"
Crystal grinned, that was like Violet. She hardly planned ahead and did whatever she wanted to do very spontaneously. "No, of course not. When do we leave?"
"Lunchtime?"
"Okay, who's driving?"
"I guess I am. I'll be at your home sometime around lunch, okay? Get packing!"
Crystal laughed, "Okay, I'll start now. See ya tomorrow."
"Alright, bye!"
"Bye." Crystal hung up the phone and walked to her closet pulling her suitcase off a shelf and placing it on her bed. She then began packing clothes, swimsuits, and anything else she made need on the trip.
~The next day~
At exactly 12:00 p.m. the next day, Crystal heard a car pull up into the driveway followed by the sound of a horn. `That's gotta be Violet', she thought. Peeking through the window her thoughts were confirmed. `Yup, and right on time.'. She said good-bye to her parents, grabbed her suitcase, and was out the door. Asa was sitting next to Violet in the front passenger seat. Crystal walked over to the right side of the Suburban, opened the door, and hopped into the back.
"Hey Crystal!" Asa said, greeting her. "Ready to have some fun?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." She replied, "Hey, where's Dawn?"
"We haven't picked her up yet doofus." Violet smirked. She put the Suburban into reverse, backed out of the driveway, and they were on their way to Dawn's. Dawn lived on the other side of town in a nice neighborhood on a golf course. Her father was an eye doctor. Her mother an accountant. Dawn always said she hated living on a golf course. Her car was always pelted with golf balls and had to be taken to a car repair shop constantly to repair the body of the car. Crystal would do anything to be in Dawn's shoes. Live the life she lives. Dawn was the popular one. Crystal was barely paying attention to a word Asa was saying. Something about Brian Littrell getting married. Brian getting married?! No way! That snapped Crystal out of her thoughts really quick.
"Don't tell me Brian Littrell is getting married!" Crystal said incredulously.
"Yup," Asa nodded, "He's marrying that girl Leigh-Anne something."
"You're kidding!" Crystal retorted.
"Nope, I was watching MTV News 1515 this morning and he said so himself."
"Man, that ruins any chance I had to date him."
Violet laughed, "You two never cease to amaze me. Neither of you have any chance with the Backstreet Boys. What's with this Backstreet Boy obsession anyway? They suck."
That comment prompted Asa to whack Violet on the head with her rolled up Teen People magazine. Violet rubbed her head with one hand while keeping the other on the steering wheel, "Hey, that was uncalled for."
Crystal giggled, "Its too complicated for someone like you to understand Violet."
Violet turned on the radio, the Goo Goo Dolls newest song "Broadway" was playing. "Now this, my friends, is good music."
"Yeah, they are pretty good." Asa agreed.
By this time the girls had reached the Cedar Heights Country Club, where Dawn lived, and had pulled up into the driveway. Dawn was outside waiting, sitting on one of her suitcases. She had three others sitting around her. Asa got out of the Suburban to help her put the suitcases into the car.
"My lord Dawn, just how many clothes do you plan on taking?" She asked.
Dawn smiled, "Only three have clothes in them, the other has my make-up, jewelry, hair dryer, and such in it."
"I was able to fit all my clothes and everything else I needed into one!" Asa remarked, "Can't you leave one of these behind?"
"Heck no! There's no telling what I'll need on the trip. I've got swimsuits, outfits, and all sorts of dresses if we go somewhere fancy."
"Oh brother." Asa rolled her eyes and threw the suitcases into the back of the Suburban. Asa reclaimed her seat in the front while Dawn walked to the left side and sat in the back seat with Crystal. Violet put the car back into reverse and they were on their way once more.
"Where exactly are we going in Florida?" Dawn asked.
Crystal laughed, "You know where Asa and I want to go."
Simultaneously Violet and Dawn both said, "Orlando to see the Backstreet Boys!". That made the two girls burst into giggles after saying the same thing at the same time.
Asa smiled, "Yup."
"Well, we are definitely not going there." Violet said after regaining her composure. "I was thinking more along the lines of Panama City Beach. How's that sound?"
"Oh yeah!" Asa exclaimed, "That's where Spinnakers, The Breakers Club, and Club La Vela are! Lets definitely go there."
Dawn looked at Asa and smiled, "I know what's on your mind."
"You know me too well Dawn." Asa said, a sly grin on her face, "I'm definitely in it for all the cute guys! Remember that guy...Chase something that we met last year at that party in Fort Gaines, Georgia?"
"Chase Reynolds?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah! That's his name."
"Boy, he sure was a hottie." Dawn laughed, "Good dancer too."
"Hell yeah!" Asa said, "I definitely wanna go out clubbing at PCB."
"You and I will definitely be hitting the clubs hard Asa." Dawn said grinning.
Violet frowned, "You two aren't even legal drinking age yet."
"Yes mother we realize that." Dawn said, rolling her eyes, "Violet you didn't know you can go to clubs when your 18? You can go but you just can't drink. If your between 18 and 20 all they do is stamp your hand with a glow in the dark `No'. It's that simple."
"Yeah, well, I'm definitely not going to be with ya'll when you go clubbing. I'd much rather stay on the beach." Violet said as she drove down the road.
Crystal agreed with Violet, "Yeah, Violet and I'd be hitting the beach. I definitely need a tan."
"Oh, I want to be out on the beach too, during the day." Asa said, "I'd be hitting the clubs at night."
Dawn smirked, "No sleep for us, huh Asa?"
"Not at all." Asa answered as she watched the scenery pass by.
"Exactly how many hours have we got until we hit Florida soil?" Crystal asked.
"Only about three and a half I think, "Violet answered, "I've got a road map of Florida in the glove compartment if we need it."
Asa looked at Violet incredulously, "We don't need a map! I know my way there like the back of my hand!"
Crystal laughed, "Sure you do."
"I do!" Asa retorted.
Asa reached into the glove compartment and pulled out the map, tossing it back to Crystal, "If you don't believe me, let me tell you the way to Panama City Beach while you look at the map to see if I'm right."
"Fine." Crystal answered, taking the map.
"Okay, first we have to get onto Highway 431 heading south. Once you get to Dothan, turn right onto Ross Clark Circle. Take another right onto Highway 231. You'll go through to Florida towns of Cottonwood, Youngstown, and when you get to Bayou George, turn right at the Lyn Haven exit. Soon you'll be in Panama City Beach." Asa smiled when she glanced back at Crystal and saw her incredulous expression. "See, I told you."
Crystal responded by rolling the window down and tossing out the map.
"Crystal!" Violet yelped, "Why'd you do that?"
"Apparently we have a walking, talking map in our presence." Crystal responded.
Asa laughed, "I'll get us there Violet, don't worry."
"If we end up in Orlando I'll kill you." Violet said, a little peeved about the map.
Asa laughed, "Trust me. I'll get us to Panama City Beach, FL with no problem. I have been vacationing there with my huge family twice a year each summer since I was a baby."
Dawn yawned and said, "Well, wake me up when we get there," before she drifted off to sleep.
"Hey, Violet, did you get us reservations at a hotel yet?" Crystal asked, a bit worried.
Violet winced, "I forgot. But there will be a room available somewhere, I promise."
Asa groaned, "Are you kidding? The city stays packed constantly."
Violet shrugged, "If all else fails we'll bum a room with some cute guys." She smiled a bit.
Asa burst into giggles, "They'd probably expect to get laid."
Crystal smirked, "If one of them is cute enough, maybe he will."
That comment prompted Asa to laugh harder. So hard that, in fact, she snorted. Once she calmed down, she engrossed herself in the latest issue of Teen People. Crystal busied herself watching the scenery pass by. Violet drove of course, keeping rhythm with the radio by beating on the steering wheel. It would take the girls three and a half hours to get to their destination so they all needed some rest and quiet time to themselves before their last vacation together would start.
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Well, here's Chapter One. I hope you all liked. Yeah, yeah I know. This is supposed to be a Ronin Warriors story.....be patient! They'll come along later in the story! Feedback will be greatly appreciated, please let me know what you think of my story!
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