Chapter 5

The sun was still shining brightly as Johnny and I made our way out of the clearing. There weren't many people out, since we were still at the opposite end of Kellerman's. A few people could be seen walking around, mostly talking. Johnny took his large, roughened hand into mine. He glanced over at me with smile. He said nothing, but the smile said a million words. Before I could return the smile, a shorter, slightly smaller man greeted us. He looked a lot like Johnny.

"Hey Cuz!" Johnny replied as Billy stopped in front of us both. "Guess who came to visit us?" Johnny's steel blue eyes traveled to me.

"Hey Billy." I said with a smile.

"Baby," He said with a large grin. "Long time no see.." He replied, shoving his hands into the pocket of his jacket.

"How've things been for ya?" He asked, the grin still on his lips.

"Uhm, everything's been fine."

"Great…" He said, his voice trailing off as he studied me. Finally, he glanced over to Johnny. "Ah, well.. I gotta get over to Max's. He needs help with the guests. I'll talk to you both later." He glanced back over to me with a nod. Before I could say another word, he walked away.

Johnny shook his head slightly as we continued walking. A smirk was on his face.

"What?" I asked, looking at him. His little smirks were contagious.


"Ah, nothin'." He said, heading towards a cabin.

"No, no.. What is it.."

"I think Billy's got a crush on ya"

I blushed slightly and looked down, pretending not to hear him. Johnny laughed spiritedly as we walked up the wooden steps to the cabin.

I didn't bother asking who's it was, because I already had a feeling who's it might be. He knocked on the door. I heard footsteps, and then the door opened.

Standing there was a tall, slender woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. A smile crossed her face as she instantly wrapped her arms around me.

"Baby! How're you doing sweetie?" She replied, hugging me warmly.

I hugged her back with one arm, since I had Johnny's hand in mine.

"I'm fine, Penny.. Thanks." I said as she released me.

"Great. How 'bout you both step in?" Penny replied smiling at both of us. She opened the door wider and stepped out of the way.

Johnny and I both walked in. Her cabin seemed very similar to the one she had the year before. It smelled lightly of perfume and hairspray. Those things always reminded me of Penny. I loved her lots.

"So… Whatcha doin' back here?" She asked as she leaned against a chair. Her smile was as bright as ever.

"Oh, just visiting. I'll probably be here for the whole summer." I said, squeezing Johnny's hand slowly.

"Oh, great. I know we'll have lots of fun." She said, pulling a strand of golden blonde behind her ear. "You better get used to partying with us, because that's what you'll be doing during all night, every night.." She said with a soft giggle.

I nodded slightly with a smile. I had always wanted to join the little parties they had at the dancehall. I'd finally be able to dance with them.

Silence was among us as we stood in her small cabin. I glanced around. I was just going to comment her on her room…

Johnny abruptly broke the silence.

"Yeah.. Uh. As much as I'd like to stay, ladies.. I gotta go take care of Carlos. I'll be back here in awhile." Johnny leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. He nodded to Penny and then walked out before she could argue.

She heaved a heavy sigh as she sat on the bed.

"Whats wrong?" I asked, sitting on the cushioned mattress, covered with a light blue quilt.

"Well.. Carlos and Johnny don't get along. They argue about anything and everything. Everyone here tries their best to keep those two away from eachother. They both have too big of egos to back down." She thought for a moment, and then looked back to me. "Why does he need to take care of Carlos anyway?"

"Well.. When I went up to the studio, he said Johnny wasn't here. Then he shut the door in my face." I said quietly.

"Aw.. Don't pay any mind to him, Baby. He's a jerk and he doesn't know whats good for him. If he's ever rude to you just ignore him. He can be a real asshole." She looked away for a moment, and thought once again. "I don't know how Maria puts up with him."

"Maria?" I asked curiously. I then remembered Johnny talking about Carlos' girlfriend.

"Yeah.. She's such a sweetheart too. No matter what he does to her, she always goes back to him. Us girls here try to tell her one day she's going to end up hurt, but she just won't listen. And she's so sweet…" She said, shaking her head.

I sat there in silence, a unsure frown on my face. My eyes started to study the wooden floor. I thought out-loud.

"Well, surely she'd listen to Johnny if he talked to her…"

"Nah, he's tried. Everyone tries. They all know that she's not doing good for herself by being with him.."

"As he done anything to her…?"

"I've heard that he's hit her before, but that might just be a rumor. And I've never gotten up enough nerves to ask…"

I frowned and pulled a curl from my face. I already felt terrible for this Maria girl. Whoever she was.

"What do you say I introduce you to her? She usually hangs around here." She smiled slowly.

"Alright." I said, standing from the mattress.. "Lead the way"

She stood and led me out of her cabin. We both walked down the stairs. I walked right next to her, a hand in my pockets. I felt rather short next to her. She was already about 5'7, and she was wearing high-heeled sandals today. I also felt unattractive around her. She had long legs and a beautiful figure. Today she was wearing a blue Jean mini-skirt and a red T-shirt that hugged her waist. Penny was absolutely stunning.

"She should be 'round her somewhere." Penny said, walking up to the dancehall. A tall redheaded lady glanced over to Penny. This Gina girl seemed to be one of Penny's friends. She was wearing short-shorts and a black T-shirt with a vest over it. Her red hair was back in a ponytail.

"Hey Pen" She called out.

"Hi Gina" Penny replied as she walked closer to her.

"Do you have any idea where Maria might be?"

Gina grinned slowly as she chewed her gum. She popped it and nodded, motioning towards the building at the top of the many stairs.

"Yeah. She's inside."

Penny nodded and glanced at me. She started up the stairs, holding onto the railing. I had to try and keep up with her, because her long legs took her very far, where as my little ones didn't. I was finally right behind her.

Even as we got halfway up, I heard light music. There was some talking, but mostly it was people laughing. Penny opened the door and walked in, I trailed in behind her. My eyes soon darted around the room, looking for this Maria girl. I was curious. There weren't many options though, because there weren't more than five people inside.

Penny stopped for a moment and then started to walk, glancing back to see if I was behind her. I was. She then nodded to a small group of people. I stood beside her quietly.

"Guys, this is Baby. Remember her?" She said, touching my arm.

I got a variety of greetings. A few nods. A few "Hi's" and one "Yo".

"This is Frankie, Gloria, Ann, Jay-Jay and Maria." She motioned to each one. The last one was the girl I was curious to see. Maria.

Maria stood about as tall as Penny. She had thick shoulder length black hair and deep brown eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a fancy bun. She obviously was Hispanic, and had the same body type as Penny. She was just as gorgeous. She had on a white tie-up shirt and blue jeans that covered her long legs. This was a girl that looked to pretty to fall for such a jerk.

I nodded. "Hi…"

"Where do you come from, Baby?" Maria asked.

"Originally from New Jersey… But I'm here on vacation from college."

Maria nodded.

"Well, we just came so I could introduce her." Penny said, looking at them all.

"Okay, well. We'll see you tonight, right?" Maria replied.

" 'course…" Penny said with a smile.

Maria returned the smile.

As we turned to leave, I whispered to Penny.

"That's Maria?"

"Yeah"

"She's gorgeous"

"I know."

"How could she fall for such a creep?"

"Dunno. That's what we've been asking her."

As soon as we were out and walking back down the stairs, Billy running at full speed towards us.

"Penny! Baby!" He exclaimed as he ran.

"What? What?" Penny asked as she grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Johnny's going to get into it with Carlos at the studio."

"Oh, God." Penny said, started a jog towards the studio.

I followed them both towards the studio, afraid about what I might see.