16.

Louis arrived home in disgust. He walked through the door and his mom saw him. "Louis, sweetie, what's the matter? You're a little damp."

"I don't want to talk about it." He continued on his walk through the house. Then he crossed paths with Ren.

"Louis, Twitty called a little while ago. But don't hog the phone. I'm expecting a call."

"From who? Ruby? Your imaginary boyfriend?" Louis snapped.

"No, from the office of the California Lieutenant Governor. I might get an internship there."

Louis realized the stupid comment he made so he said, "Oh. In that case I'll be quick." Louis went up the stairs to his room and dialed up Twitty. "Hey, man."

"Hey, dude. Whereya been?"

"I was at the mall . . . getting a pair of major dissings."

"What happened?"

"Well, you know Tawny's boyfriend, that Corey guy, the hot-shot?"

"Um, I guess. I don't know about hot-shot, man, but OK."

"Here it is: I come walking out of the arcade and Mr. Big Actor Corey decks me with a water balloon. Childish huh?"

"Wait, Lou, didn't you hurl some water balloons at Tom just last week--" Twitty started.

"Twitty!! That's not the point! We always do that stuff to Tom. That's how our friendship works, man. This was uncalled for and mean. Oh, and get this, I went out to the parking lot to my car and it was covered with toilet paper and shaving cream, which by the way looks but does not taste at all like whipped cream."

"Dude, that's pretty cheap. What did you ever do to him?"

"I dunno, man. I'll bet Tawny doesn't even know this jerk did this stuff to me. What should I do?"

"Gee, man, that's a tough position. You've got a guy that's just picked on you and he happens to be going out with your good friend, but then again you love that friend--" Twitty started again.

"I never said I loved her, Twitty!! Just keep your mouth shut and everything will be fine! I can handle this!"

"Dude, actually one time you did, but anyway, sorry about that. Is there anything I can do?"

"I don't think so, Twitty. I'm just ready to go on our trip. Are you all set to go next week?"

"Yeah, I just gotta get my stuff packed up. This is gonna be soo sweet!"

"Yeah, well I gotta go. Talk to ya later."

The week passed by and Louis and Twitty had their stuff packed in Louis' car and were getting ready to go. Louis just needed to say goodbye to his parents and then they could go pick up Tom. They arrived at the Gribalski house to see Tom still hugging his mom. Louis and Twitty were sitting in the front of the car with sunglasses on and were about to start honking the horn. On the Gribalski front porch Tom was saying, "Doris, I'll think about you the whole time I'm gone. I'll call you as soon as we get there! I love you!"

Now Louis hit the horn. "Tom!! Come on!"

Tom hugged his mom one last time, "Mother, I have to go now. I'll call you!" His mother had a tear streaming down her cheek and she waved goodbye to her son with a handkerchief. Then Tom loaded his suitcase in the trunk and the three of them were off to their big trip to Los Angeles. The windows were rolled down so the gang could look cool, and not just because Louis' air conditioning didn't work. Louis and Twitty had shades on and they were each wearing Hawaiian shirts. Tom was wearing a plaid t-shirt. The tunes were blasting and it was going to be the time of their lives. "Guys, could we turn around? I forgot my chapstick at home!" Tom whined. Louis and Twitty laughed and told Tom that they could get some him once they got to LA.