Star's Notes: These chapters overlap. Just use common sense when you read them. We couldn't do in any other way. You've stuck with us this far, you should be able to get through this. *grins*
And another thing, Star adores Britney Spears. Hence all the references. You can hate and flame her all you like, but she's rich, beautiful and successful. And not only that, she uses phrases like "gee whiz" in interviews. I'm (almost) proud of the fact that I have all her albums. And I forgive her for covering/murdering "I Love Rock 'n' Roll".
Chapter 12: Stranded
Connie's POV By Star"So, are we there yet?" I ask, leaning forward and resting my chin on Luis's seat.
"Nearly!" Annie says excitedly.
Luis consults the map. "Well, we're stopping for lunch in about ten minutes, and after that it will be about three hours. Well, two if Fulton drives."
"I heard that!" Fulton calls from the back of the van, where he's nursing the very hungover Peter and Portman.
"You were meant to." Luis replies cheerfully.
"If I wasn't surrounded by two guys ready to puke at any second, I'd come over there and beat you up, Mendoza."
I spot the other van ahead. "Has anyone got anything interesting for me to write on a sign?"
"I'm all out of ideas." Luis admits.
"How about 'are we nearly there yet?'?" Annie suggests. "Other than that, I'm all out of ideas."
"Is this the boring van?" I ask looking around. Guy, Portman and Peter are asleep, Fulton is dozing, occasionally waking up to either comment on what we're saying, or to pat Portman's back reassuringly. Only Annie, Luis and I are awake.
"Too late now." I sigh as we pass the other van. As per usual, all the passengers press their faces against the windows and make freaky faces at us.
Annie grins, waves then points to the sign stating that a rest stop is coming up. Charlie gives her the thumbs up.
**
After lunch we invade the shop. I'm going to be broke before I get to Vegas. I don't know how many CD's I have bought, but I know I've not listened to a single one. I've also got a huge collection of magazines that have been completely ignored too.
For once Annie is by herself, I look over and see that Guy and Luis are busy talking about whatever it is that guys talk about.
"You buying anything?" I ask walking over.
She shakes her head. "Luis isn't here to pay, and besides, I have enough candy and CD's to last a lifetime."
"Me too. Why don't we go grab some fresh air instead?"
"Sure." She links her arm through mine and we wander outside to breathe in the refreshing scent of petrol and exhaust fumes.
"I'm hungry, and I'm sick of being in that damn van." I say.
"Tell me about it." She agrees. "Luckily, I've managed to sleep through most of it. How's Julia at the moment?"
I give her a smile. "She's… ok. Cool, I guess. She beat some guy up that said I was a – well, he wasn't nice. She's still Julia, but she's ok."
"Glad you guys are getting along." She says, looking over my shoulder at Luis. Guy says something to make Luis laugh and Annie unconsciously smiles again.
Damn, when are they going to figure it out? "Well, as long as Julia and I keep our distance I'm sure we'll get along just fine."
Peter wanders over to us, his eyes never leaving Annie. "Hey."
"Hey." Annie replies cheerily, tearing her eyes from Luis.
"Um… what are you looking forward to in Vegas?" Peter asks. The question is most definitely directed at Annie.
"Winning money." She grins big at him. "Then Luis and I are going to Spain for the rest of the summer."
"Together?" Peter squeaks out indignantly.
"Why not?" Annie shrugs. "He speaks Spanish fluently, and I've always wanted to go there. It seems like a good plan."
Poor Peter. It's a shame that nobody in the world exists to Annie except for Luis. It's a bigger shame that neither she nor Luis have realised this yet.
"Peter! Come here! I think Banks and Charlie are gonna beat each other up!" Terry yells excitedly from by the other van.
Peter gives a pained grin as if he can't work out which is more appealing, a fight or Annie. In the end testosterone wins out and he tears off at the speed of light.
Luis and Guy wander over, with slight grins on their faces. "What did I miss?" Guy asks, dropping a kiss on my lips.
"Fight, Adam vs Charlie. Could get nasty." I reply.
That's when I notice Luis is glaring at Annie. I nudge Guy. This is new. I've never seen him look at her with anything other than abject adoration in his eyes.
"What did Peter want?" Luis asks coldly.
Annie looks surprised by his tone. "Nothing really. Just talking."
"I bet." He sneers.
"What?"
"He was hitting on you, Annie." He snaps.
Annie snorts as Guy and I quickly edge away. Whatever they next say is lost as we make our way back to the vans.
"Jealous much?" I whisper to Guy with a nod back towards them. God knows why I'm whispering, Annie and Luis are lost in their own little world.
"Just a little." He agrees, also in a hushed tone.
As I hop back into our van I hear Annie yell (all the way across the parking lot) very loudly.
"Well so what if he was? Just because you don't know I'm a girl, doesn't mean the rest of the world is clueless!"
____________________________________
Julie's POV By Charisma"Adam! Will you just leave me alone?" I hear Charlie yell at Adam. I don't have to turn around but I can guess he's giving Charlie that wide eyed look.
"He is so mean!" Julia whispers to me. I laugh. "What?!"
"I think you're turning into a hyperphobic!" Adam shots back.
"What the hell is a hyperphobic?" Charlie yells, waving his arms around. He is quite a sight, Julia stifles her laughter.
"You!" Adam points at him. "You hate me. You hate Julia! You hated that girl from Luis's class!"
"Oh! Whatever." Charlie snaps. "Just go with the Bashes. I'm fed up with you and your Britney music!"
"He hates me?" Julia asks.
"Erm, no!" I grab her arm before she goes after Adam. "Leave Adam alone."
"But-"
"You've hardly spent any time with me!" I push her slightly towards the diner. "We have only twenty minutes or so to grab lunch!"
I almost feel sorry for Adam sitting by himself, then remember I had to listen to 'Ooops' and 'One More Time!' Over and over again.
"I'm buying more Fizzballs anyway!" Adam yells. Charlie turns so fast that he almost bumps into Julia.
"It doesn't matter because you're not coming with us!" He yells back and storms into the diner.
"Adam's not coming with us?" Julia asks with a look you would get from someone if you told them the world was going to end.
"Charlie is just pissed off." I reassure. "After he's had food, they'll both be the best of bestest friends."
**
After half a hour, Charlie is still not speaking to Adam. Once we're all settled inside the van, Charlie starts the engine.
"Adam's not back yet!" Julia leans over the front seat.
"You figured that out genius?" He asks shortly. "He's going with the bashes. Guess you'll have to do without your boyfriend for a few hours."
"He's not-"
"Would you shut up and sit down?" He snaps, Julia meekly sits next to me.
"Maybe I should drive…" Jesse suggests.
"I can drive!"
**
Jesse cell phone rings.
"Charlie, it's Adam-" Jesse holds the phone out to Charlie.
"I think he would prefer to speak to his goddamn girlfriend instead of his 'hyperphobic' best friend." He snaps.
"Umm…here." Jesse hands the phone to Julia, who gladly accepts it. The first time I didn't take any notice, but this is the second time Charlie has referred Julia as Adam's girlfriend. The second time that Jesse gotten a look of…how do I put it? Crushed?
"D'ya hear that? Charlie thinks I'm your-" She goes silent for a couple of seconds and doubles up laughing.
"Adam's kinda….stranded." Julia says after she's calmed down.
"So?" Charlie asks.
"So we need to go back and pick him up."
He snorts. "I told him, he was going with the Bashes."
"He's stranded Charlie!" Julia wails. "He's been standing around for hours!"
"Actually five minutes at the most." Terry cuts in.
"I. Don't. Care." He says slowly. "I told him he was going with the Bashes. And that is where he is going."
To say Charlie is still pissed off with Adam would be a huge understatement.