Notes: Vic, cheers for the title of "Bash Lovers". You rock. *sobs* See you tomorrow!
Chapter 4: I Know Him So Well
By Star
Annie's POVI stare at Luis's head and think hard. Turn around and smile at me, I command mentally.
He turns and gives me a big grin. I pat him on the shoulder. Charlie has insisted that we camp out for the first night of the road trip (at the very least). So here we are, tents all pitched, sitting around a campfire.
Charlie has suggested we sing "We Are The Champions" but after Adam cheerfully obliged, Peter threatened to beat him up and the Bash Lovers serenaded him with "Baby, One More Time" he's given up trying to get anyone to sing.
I lean against Luis and yawn. I have to be the laziest person on the planet. I've slept for most of the day and still I'm tired. He slips an arm around me and I snuggle against him. He's the most comfortable guy I've ever been around. He's just perfect for sleeping on.
I grin at Peter across the campfire. I like him, he's always smiling. I hate guys who constantly glare. I'm glad I came, I didn't want to ask if I could come, it seemed like a Duck outing, but the minute after Luis asked me I was already packed and standing by the door impatiently.
I'm practicing ESP more than ever for when we get to Vegas. I figure if Luis and I get good at it, we can cheat when we're gambling, then we can use the cash for another big holiday. I've always fancied Spain, no idea why, and Luis speaks fluent Spanish, so it would work out quite well if he came too.
And besides, we get on so well. Having Luis around saves guys hitting on me. I'm not gay, I figured that much out for myself, but I've never met a guy that I want to date. Luis and I went to the Prom together, it was easier than finding dates. He had planned (years ago) to go with Traci, but she dumped him last year when she left for college.
I stifle another yawn. Luis strokes my hair absently, but doesn't stop his enthusiastic conversation with Adam about how much money they're going to win in Vegas.
I glance around the campfire. Jesse, Terry and Charlie are having a very aggressive conversation about the finer points of hockey, Peter appears to be listening, and hits Terry on the arm every few minutes for no apparent reason.
Jules is sitting between Julia and Connie, both are vying for her attention. Guy sits next to Connie, looking on tiredly. He occasionally opens his mouth to speak, but then closes it once more, thinking better of it.
Fulton and Portman are sitting as close as is humanly possible, holding hands and talking quietly. They keep glancing around then whispering to each other, I guess they're talking about how we've all paired off into little groups tonight.
"Hey Jules, wanna share a tent with me?" Connie asks loudly, breaking the quiet talking around the fire.
"I thought you were sharing with me!" Guy says looking at Connie, at the exact same time that Julia says the same thing to Jules.
A small argument breaks out, and Fulton and Portman shuffle away from them and closer to Luis and I.
"Aren't you glad things are more simple for us?" Luis comments.
"Totally." I agree. It may be kinda sad that Luis is my only close friend, but at least I don't get jealous of anyone.
"So you two are sharing a tent?" Portman wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh please." I mutter.
"We're just friends." Luis adds. "Just because you two have gone from best friends to something so adorable that it makes me want to hurl it doesn't mean the rest of us have to."
"We're adorable?" Fulton asks, looking slightly offended.
"I don't think we are." Portman replies.
"Sure you are. It's beyond cute. All the hand holding and the togetherness. Adorable." I grin at them.
"Well, what about you two? You have the whole 'we're so snugly we should get a room' thing going – not to mention the odd occasions when that ESP thing actually works. You'd make a great couple." Portman replies.
Luis rolls his eyes. "Here we go again. They've been on at me to ask you out ever since Traci left."
I sigh and shift under his arm until I'm more comfortable. "Oh, give it up. We're just friends."
Fulton looks at Portman. "Wasn't that our theme song for quite a few months before we got together?"
Portman nods. "Yep, I think we said it on an hourly basis."
"Look! I've known Jules longer than you!" Connie yells standing up and glaring at Julia.
"Yeah, but I'm her best friend!" Julia glares right back at Connie.
"No you're not! I am!"
I wonder if they realise that they sound like five year olds. Jules looks like she's about to cry, as does Guy. They start yelling at each other Jerry Springer-style.
Luis taps my arm and nods to our tent. I grin back. Perfect distraction.
As the Bashes stand up to separate the fighting girls, Luis and I slip away undetected.
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"Annie…"
"Hrmm?" I turn to him, half asleep.
"Thought you called me telepathically. Just checking." He says in a voice as dozy as mine.
"Not this time." I settle back in his arms once more.