Chapter 6- California Sun
Chapter 6- California Sun
Zoey let out a low moan as she turned over on her side. Sunshine from outside blinded her eyes. She moved her arm outwards, her arm rested against Chase's stomach as it slowly rose up and down. She sighed, and then wiped the sleep out of her eyes. She wasn't awake yet. The dream was too good to wake up from.
"Isn't Maui beautiful Zoey?" Sawyer asked.
Zoey nodded, "It's gorgeous."
"Are you hungry?" Sawyer shook his blonde hair out of his face, and then turned to his side to grab a tray of fruit.
Zoey clapped her hands together, "Mmmm…"
"Open up," Sawyer said.
Zoey opened her mouth and Sawyer playfully fed her a strawberry. "This vacation is so perfect."
"Yeah, and do you know what's even better?" Sawyer placed his hand on Zoey's shoulder and then smiled back at her.
"What?" Zoey asked.
Sawyer kissed her, "Chase, isn't here."
"Yes, he is."
Sawyer scowled, "I thought we left him at PCA?"
"No, you did. But I brought him." Zoey shielded her eyes from the sun and glanced out towards the Maui surf in the background. Chase was taming the waves with his surfboard like a pro. Zoey didn't think Chase could surf in real life, but anything was possible in a dream.
"Why did you bring him?" Sawyer groaned.
"Because he is my friend."
"And I am your boyfriend, kick him to the curb, and focus on me." Sawyer leaned forward to kiss Zoey.
Zoey rested down her magazine, and wrapped her arms around Sawyer. Sawyer got up from his chair and sat down next to Zoey.
"You are so beautiful,"
"And so are you." Zoey whispered.
Sawyer brought his mouth to Zoey's ear, "Drop him Zoey, you got me, and that is all you need."
Zoey opened her eyes. She sat up slowly and took her arm from around Chase. Wow, he had slept on her bed last night? She then turned around to Dana's bed. Michael was on the floor without covers, and Dana was snuggled up tightly.
Zoey yawned and then stood up.
The door opened and Nicole stepped in with her toothbrush in hand. "Oh glory day," she chanted.
Zoey rubbed her eyes, "Good morning to you too, so why are you in such a good mood?"
"Because someone has a job interview today." Nicole chirped.
"Oh yeah, today is your interview at the Cyber Bean."
Nicole nodded, "Yep, oh, I hope Sawyer is working today. He's my good luck charm, if he's working then I know I will get the job."
"What if he's not working?"
Nicole shrugged, "Well opps, there goes that job."
"Nicole," Zoey scolded.
"What? Can I wear some of your perfume?"
"Go ahead," Zoey said. She opened the door and paused. "Do you think I should get breakfast for Chase and Michael before they get up?"
"What about me?" Nicole complained.
"You too, and Dana." Zoey glanced at Chase who was sleeping peacefully on her bed. He slightly stirred, reaching for her pillow and burying his face in it.
Zoey smiled. He looked so cute. She shook her head. Why had she been so boy crazy lately? These days it seemed as if Sawyer and Chase took turns stealing her thoughts.
"Did I hear breakfast?" Dana asked getting up. She swung her feet over the bed, and accidentally stepped on Michael's face.
"Oww Dana!" he groaned.
"Sorry," Dana mumbled.
"Michael, you can sleep on Nicole's bed."
"No, I drooled." Nicole said turning away from the mirror.
Zoey scowled in distaste. Nicole really didn't have to share that.
"Sorry guys, I just thought I should forewarn." Nicole said
"Uggh." Dana groaned.
Michael stumbled over to Zoey's bed. He pushed Chase aside and then laid down. Chase turned over to the wall, and Michael took Zoey's pillow.
Zoey shook her head and laughed. Someone knocked at the door. Zoey's eyes widened. Oh No, what if that was an RA? If anyone found out that Chase and Michael stayed over the night then they could all be expelled.
"I got it!" Nicole yelled loudly. She stepped on the second step of the bunk bed ladder and pulled off her comforter, and then threw it over Chase and Michael.
Zoey raised an eyebrow, and then opened the door to reveal Sawyer. "Hey,"
"Hey," He said with a wide smile. "What are your plans today Zoey?"
She shrugged, "I don't know. Grab breakfast."
"Hi Sawyer," Nicole said appearing out of nowhere.
"Hi Nikita," He said.
Zoey frowned. He didn't even know Nicole's name.
"Your name is Nikita right?" He asked.
Nicole nodded, "Yes,"
"No her name is Nicole," Zoey corrected.
"Ohh," Sawyer glanced at Nicole, and then back at Zoey. "It's a nice day, the sun is out, and I hear it supposed to reach 88 degrees today. Do you want to go to the beach later?"
"Yes," Nicole answered promptly.
"Sure," Zoey said.
Sawyer smiled and then winked at Zoey, "I'll see you both later."
Nicole placed her hand to her heart as he walked away, "Heart be still."
Zoey stepped outside, "I am going to go and get breakfast for us,"
"Let me come," Dana said slipping on her shoes and then tying her hair up into a messy bun on top of her head.
"Are you sure?" Zoey rarely saw Dana go out dressed down. Dana was wearing a long tee-shirt and a pair of high water pajamas. Something was definitely wrong.
"Yeah," Dana looked down at her outfit, "Wait, one sec, I have to change."
"Okay," Zoey waited at the door. Ten minutes later Dana was ready, and they headed towards a fast food resteraunt right by the campus.
"So, what happened between you and Chase yesterday?" Dana asked focusing on the Pacific Ocean in the background.
"Nothing," Zoey answered.
"Oh, you guys were pretty close. When I came in this morning your arm was wrapped around him, and he was curled up close to you."
Zoey laughed, "Stop lying Dana."
Dana raised her hand in the air, "I swear,"
Zoey smiled, "Yeah, okay."
"Zoey, you give advice…" Dana bit her lip and then paused.
"Yeah,"
"Forget it. Oh what the heck. Logan and I kissed last night." Dana replied.
Zoey paused and then stared back at Dana in shock. "You kissed Logan?"
Dana nodded, "Yes, and I…"
"You what Dana,"
An expression of disgust formed across Dana's face, "I kind of liked it,"
Zoey gasped.
"Scandalous, I know. I don't want to like him though, he's so stuck on himself, and he is a jerk."
"Well…."
"From now on I am going to avoid him." Dana replied turning away from Zoey.
"You should…"
"That's what I am going to do, I am going back out with Charlie, so I am going to make sure he notices. Thanks for the advice Zoey."
Zoey smirked, "No problem Dana."
Chase stood up and stretched. "Where is Zoey?"
"With Dana getting food for us," Nicole explained. "Chase which earrings do you like?"
Chase squinted between the hoop earrings and the hoop earrings with feathers hanging from them. What was the difference. "Um…the one with the feathers."
Michael stood up as well, "Well, I got a love potion to get from Quinn,"
Chase shook his head at Michael, "Good luck,"
"Yeah," Michael walked towards the door and then stepped out.
"So what are you dressed up for Nicole?"
"I have a job interview today." Nicole replied.
A job. That's right Chase had to quit his old job and get a new one. Maybe he would ask Zoey to come with him down to the beach and help him find a job on the boardwalk.
"Breakfast is here," Zoey chimed stepping back into the dorm with three bags of food, Dana trailed behind with two cupholders of juice.
"Did you get my coffee?" Nicole asked.
Zoey stared back at Nicole in confusion, "Did you ask for coffee?"
"No," Nicole replied.
Zoey handed Nicole a juice, and then gave Chase a juice as well. "Where is Michael?"
"He went to get his potion from Quinn," Chase explained.
Zoey nodded, "Oh,"
"Zoey, I'm going to search for a job today, do you want to come with?"
"Sure," Zoey said handing Chase an egg, cheese, and sausage sandwich.
"Thanks Zoey, I'll buy you lunch while we're out."
"Okay," Zoey sat down cross legged on the floor and started to eat.
Later that day Nicole stepped into the Cyber Bean, her heart was in her throat. She looked around the restaurant for Sawyer. She found him behind the counter helping customers. Nicole closed her eyes. She was going to get the job today! Behind her was a jukebox, she reached in her pocket for a quarter and went to track # 3, California Sun. That was her favorite song.
Sawyer slowly looked up.
The instrumentals from California Sun filled the restaurant.
Nicole smiled back at Sawyer. He waved at her. Totally cute. She moved away from the jukebox, and walked towards him.
"Hey, Nicole right."
"Or Nikita, whatever you prefer,"
Sawyer laughed, "Nicole is prettier,"
Nicole squealed.
Sawyer stepped back, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Nicole felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to face, the mean manager that owned the restaurant.
"Nicole?" she asked.
Nicole slowly nodded, "Yes,"
"Your hired."
Nicole gasped, "Really?"
She nodded, "Yeah, someone just quit and we need help now. Can you start?"
Nicole was speechless, "Um…I."
Before Nicole could finish the manager threw a uniform at her, "Get dressed. We'll have a formal interview later."
"Okay?" Nicole said watching as she walked away.
Sawyer leaned against the counter, "She's a crazy lady."
"I can tell," Nicole said with a smile.
"Well hurry up, so I can show you how to make these drinks."
Nicole bit her lips, "Make drinks?"
Sawyer nodded, "Yeah, coffee, mocha mixes, that good stuff,"
"I don't even know how to make tea."
Sawyer raised an eyebrow, "Tea? All you do is put the bag to draw."
"Too hard," Nicole said nonchalantly.
Sawyer grinned, "Well go ahead and get changed and I'll show you how to make all of that."
"Okay," Nicole kept Sawyer's stare and then walked towards the bathroom.
Ten minutes later Nicole was dressed.
Sawyer was leaning against the counter and reading a Surf magazine.
"I'm here," Nicole announced.
"So are you ready to be taught grasshopper?"
Nicole scowled, "I'm not a grasshopper. Do I look like one? Oh, that's bad."
Sawyer placed his hand on Nicole's shoulder, "No, you don't look like a grasshopper, it's just…"
Before Sawyer could finish a hand slammed down on the counter. Nicole and Sawyer turned towards a tall guy, with green eyes, dark brown hair, and a mean mug on his face.
Nicole recognized him as Charlie, Dana's ex-boyfriend.
"Where's Logan?" He asked.
Sawyer stood up, and stared back at Charlie defensively. "Why?"
Nicole stepped back.
"Tell him to leave my girlfriend alone," Charlie barked.
Sawyer raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"Dana told me that Logan has been bothering her. Tell him to leave her alone…or I'll make him." Charlie ordered.
"Um…would you like a drink?" Nicole asked nervously.
Charlie looked away from Sawyer and his expression softened, "Oh hey Nicole, can I have a banana smoothie."
"Sure…" Nicole pulled out an apple from underneath the counter and then glanced at Sawyer.
Sawyer who was still defensive about Charlie's threatening approach, calmed down. He glanced at the apple Nicole had taken out. "No Nicole, a banana smoothie,"
"Oh," Nicole said nodding her head up and down as if she got it. She then pulled out a strawberry.
Sawyer sighed, "That's a start."
Charlie drummed his hand on the counter, "Just forget it, but remember give Logan my message."
Sawyer put the banana and strawberry that Nicole had pulled out back underneath the counter. "He thinks he is so bad and tough."
"I've seen him beat up a kid before…I think I even saw him beat up a teacher." Nicole replied.
"Logan's playing a dangerous game, he better leave Dana alone." Sawyer said.
"Can you show me how to make a smoothie?" Nicole asked trying to get Sawyer's complete attention.
Sawyer cast his hazel eyes on Nicole. "Sure, do you want to make a strawberry banana?"
Nicole nodded she reached back under the counter, and Sawyer did as well. Their hands touched. Nicole pulled back and dropped the banana onto the floor.
Sawyer grinned, "What? I don't have cooties."
"No, you don't." Nicole said.
Sawyer bent down to pick up the banana.
Nicole looked down at him adoringly. She could already tell that she was going to like this job. Even though she had a feeling that she was going to be staring in Sawyer's eyes the whole time, and messing up customers orders left and right.
Dana looked up from her magazine as Zoey opened the door for Charlie.
"Hey Charlie," Zoey said.
"Hey," He said looking past Zoey and focusing on Dana. "I took care of Logan."
Chase walked over to Zoey, he leaned forward to whisper in Zoey's ear, and placed his hand on her arm. "Do you think he killed him?"
"I hope not, I heard he has a reputation for roughing people up. I've never seen it, but I heard things." Zoey said quietly.
Chase took his hand off of Zoey's arm, and focused on Dana and Charlie.
Charlie kissed Dana on the cheek, and then sat down next to her.
"What did you say to him?"
"I told him to stay away from you, or he's going to have to answer to these." Charlie held his fists up in the air and then kissed them both. "These babies got the death touch so if pretty boy wants to keep his face, he better stay away from you."
Dana looked away from Charlie.
Zoey tilted her head to the side. She couldn't understand why Dana had told Charlie that Logan was bothering her. Yes, Logan was a jerk, but Dana admitted that she liked him.
"Are you ready?" Zoey asked.
Chase nodded, "Yeah, I am ready to put down that hairnet and spatula and get a real job."
"Right on the beach." Zoey said with a smile as they stepped out of the dorm.
Chase nodded, "Yeah,"
"So do you have the bus schedule, without that we'll be stuck at the beach." Zoey asked.
Chase patted his bookabag, "Yep, I have it. And it's right in here."
"Okay, let's go. The next bus leaves from PSA to the beach in ten minutes."
As Logan and Zoey quickly walked towards the stairs, Logan came up the stairs in workout gear.
"Just came from the gym?" Chase asked.
Logan nodded, "I have something later for you Zoey."
Zoey knew he was talking about the first letter to Dana.
Chase scowled. What did Logan have for Zoey. He always suspected Logan liked her, but what if he was the guy Dana was claiming that Zoey liked.
Logan winked at Zoey and then took the stairs two at a time.
Chase shoved his hands in his pockets. Was Logan and Sawyer both his competition? How was he supposed to compete with that.
"Let's go," Zoey said reaching for Chase's hand and guiding him down the stairs as she ran.
Dana stood up. Why again did she tell Charlie that Logan had been bothering her. She closed her eyes, and then tilted her head backwards. Charlie was very protective of her, and now that Logan was on his radar, he wouldn't let Logan get close to her.
Dana placed her hand to her forehead, Why am I thinking about getting close to Logan! I am with Charlie and I like him. Anyways Logan's kiss wasn't all that special, it was sloppy…and…I liked it.
"Ahh!" Dana screamed frustrated. She slammed her hand down on Zoey's bed. Her manicured hands rested against a white book. "What is this?" she asked in confusion.
Dana picked up the book. "PCA bus schedule,"
Well Zoey and Chase were not taking the bus, well at least she didn't think so.
Zoey and Chase boarded the bus. They grabbed a seat in the back and Chase rolled down the window.
"It feels so good outside," Zoey said closing her eyes and allowing the warm sun to fall against her skin.
Chase playfully elbowed Zoey, "Thanks for coming,"
"No problem," Zoey said with a grin.
The bus pulled away from PCA's campus and headed towards the beach.