Chapter Sixteen

Nightmares and Kisses

The sky remained cloudless and bright as they packed up and went home. Carmen went back to her house, while the others went back to the hotel. Carmen silently climbed the steps up to her room.

"Today… Was a long day. Hey, what's this." she said. Carmen picked up a hastily scribbled note from her bedside table.

"Carmen, we're all going out for awhile. Won't be back until morning. Mum says don't do something you shouldn't do! Nick. Well, I'm all alone tonight." Carmen said, then lay on her bed. She stared at the ceiling silently, then her eyelids slowly closed. Before long, she was out like a light.

-X-

Hm... I wonder where Rei is...

"Oh Rei! I love it!" Huh? Who was that? Well, who ever that bitch is, she's with Rei. -turns the corner and gasps- It's Mariah! That bitchy low life! -runs up to them and tries to pull Rei away from Mariah- -hands go straight through Rei's arms- Huh! I... I can't grab his arms! I'm like a ghost!

"Oh Rei, I missed you while you were with Carmen! You don't need her." God that bitch pisses me off so much. Rei! -Rei doesn't hear Carmen- Rei! He can't hear me! No! REI!

Carmen woke up screaming.

"DAMN THAT WENCH!" she screamed, then looked around. She sat up.

"It was just a dream. Nothing real, a mere dream. God, it seemed real!" she muttered, then checked her watch.

"I was asleep for half an hour.." she added. Getting out of bed, she walked out of her room and across the landing to the bathroom. She turned on the tap, then splashed some water into her face. The phone suddenly rang. Carmen jumped and grabbed the wall, her heart racing.

"SHIT!" she shouted, then ran downstairs to answer the phone.

"Hello? Riley residence; Carmen speaking." she said.

"Alright then operator! Hey Carmen, it's Alex."

"Alex? Who's Alex? OH! Alex! Hi! Sorry… I'm a bit out of it at the moment.."

"You must be if ya can't remember who I am!"

"Heh..."

"Listen. We're all down at the park, even Rei and h--"

"If you're at the park, then how can you be on the phone?"

"Pay phone, Carmen. Pay phone."

"Oh...Right. Heh... Please continue."

"Anyway, Rei and his posse are here too. Thought you'd like to come. God, you sound like ya just got out of bed!"

"I fell asleep as soon as I got home."

"That explains it. Well, are you comin'?"

"I can't. Got to work on my bike for awhile. Maybe later, I won't be long."

"Aw, alright. Well, I guess we'll see you later! Bye." The redhead hung up, as did Carmen. She swiftly climbed the stairs, shut off the bathroom light, then slid down the banister by the stairs. She hastily put on her shoes and pulled a black sweatshirt over her head, grabbed her house key, then went out the door.

"I'll just work on my bike for awhile, then I'll head for the park." she muttered, locking the door. Carmen slipped the house key into her pocket, then walked down the drive and up the street. Not long after, she turned into the dusty dirt road which led up to the airplane hangar-like building; shoulders tense and arms crossed in front of her chest. The wooden gate was locked close.

"Nick, Nick, Nick! I told him to do something about this gate, but he never listens to the 'baby sister'!" Carmen said, then jumped over the gate and walked into the garage. She looked where she last left her project. A shinning bike frame stood on a table, with plenty of Carmen's thing spread around it.

"I'm not going to finish this any time soon, but oh well!" she muttered, then got to work. Not even a minute later, there was a nock at the door.

"Parts for a Miss C. Riley!" a young man's voice called. The parts are here! she thought. She skipped toward the door.

"Hello!" she said cheerfully.

"Sign here, please." said the man, handing her a pen and a clip board. She took the pen and the clip board, then neatly wrote the signature, C. Riley. He took the pen and clip board, set them down on the ground, handed her a large box, then left. Carmen carried the box over to the table, and carefully set it on the floor.

"Riley's happy today!" she hummed, opening the box. Minutes later, she checked her watch.

"Oh my gosh!" she gasped, then went for the door, stepped outside, then locked up. She hastily jumped the gate, and rushed in the direction of the park.

"Alex is going to beat me if I'm late!" she said under her breath.

-X-

"I'm here! I'm here! Sorry!" Carmen called as she stepped on the rail by the stairs in the park, then jumped. "WHA!" she cried, then hit the grass with a loud 'thud'.

"There she goes again.." Nick muttered.

"Watch the ribs!" Alex called.

"I'm alright, I'm alright! Think I lost my brain on that last corner back there, but I'm alright!" Carmen called. "Ah...I'm just going to stay here!" she added. Alex laughed.

"TACKLE!" Aaron declared.

"Oh shit...Now, now kids! DON'T HURT ME!" Carmen yelled, but it was too late. Max, Alex, Nick, Sandra and Aaron piled on top of Carmen.

"ALRIGHT! All of you, off me! Or it'll be the corner for you five year olds!" Carmen said loudly.

"Aw.." the other five moaned, then got off of Carmen.

"Hey you." Rei smiled, then sat down by Carmen's head.

"Hey Romeo." she smiled.

"Here it comes.." Aaron mumbled.

"A fluffy kiss.." Max whispered. Sure enough, Rei's face moved closer to Carmen's, and they kissed. The others let out a moan. Carmen looked at them.

"You guys really are five year olds!" she laughed.

A/N: Well, two chapters in one day uploaded! I hope this makes up for not updating! If you like what you read, then please send in a review! Or I'll...cry? YES! I'll cry! See? -cries- See! Now a nice review would cheer me up! I know I'm sounding desperate now... Heh... Anyway! Please review! Thanks!

-Carmen.