Connie's POV-

Hawaii. We're not even out of the airport yet, and the air already smells cleaner, the sun already looks brighter, and the people seem happier. I can not wait to step out on to the sandy soil of this amazing island.

But first, luggage claim. This ought to be fun.

As we stand at baggage claim watching the little carousel thing, I become aware of the shadow that has fallen over me…like I'm in the shade of a large tree. I tip my head slightly to see; I'm surrounded by three, very huge men. It's slightly freaky. Granted it's just Charlie, Alex and Taylor, and I have no reason to be alarmed, but I am. Why is this? Simply speaking, it's because I'm 5'2", 5'3" if I'm wearing the right shoes. I use to freak out on Guy when he leaned over me like that, and he's only like 5'9". These guys are somewhere between 6" and 6'4".

It's terrifying - you have no idea. They of course think it's hilarious. Taylor, my brother and the tallest of the trio, has this smirk on his face. I swear to you my best friend is going to wake up dead tomorrow. I'm going to kill him with my bare hands. I squeak and try to slink away, only to have Charlie skillfully toss me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing at all.

"Daddy!" I shriek, causing everyone in a ten mile radius to turn in our general direction.

I instantly feel my cheeks tinting pink. Okay, maybe that was a little too loud. Taylor and Alex retreat a couple feet, plastering on phony, innocent smiles. Innocent my butt, they probably put him up to this. I do not like my family.

My father turns his head and narrows his eyes. Eep. This isn't going to be good. But rather then yelling he drops his voice to a stern, angry whisper. "Constance, do not cause a scene; and Charles, put down my daughter and step away."

Yup, Constance and Charles, not Connie and Charlie. This is how you know you're in trouble with my father. He knows never to call me Constance; he only does it when he's really displeased with me. This vacation is off to a lovely start already.

Charlie takes a step back and starts to lower me to the floor, but before my feet touch the ground, I swing back my leg and slam it into his leg, kicking him in the shin as hard as I can. I know you're probably thinking that's a bit harsh for the offence, but in all actuality, I've kicked him so many times during the course of our friendship, he may in fact not feel it anymore.

I stump a few feet away and stand there with my arms crossed in front of my chest and scowl on my face. The big jerk. Why does everything have to be a game with him? I call him a stupid jock, but then I'd be insulting both my other teammates and myself. So I guess I won't be doing that. And where the heck is my suitcase?

As I'm standing there annoyed and tapping my foot agitatedly, I feel a pair of arms come tightly around my waist. It's Charlie; I know it is - he always does this when he's in trouble. The bastard. He cheats. This is an unfair tactic, you know. I feel his chin rest on my head and heave a sigh. You know, if Guy had learned to do this when he was in trouble, we probably wouldn't have broken up.

I'm just about to turn around and give him a smile before I feel a soft kiss dropped on the back of my neck. A shiver runs the length of my spine and I whip around, with my hands on my hip. I glare angrily and he gives me this big grin that I'd like nothing more than to wipe off his face with my fist. I shove him roughly and walk away to stand with my Dad, casting glances over my shoulder at Charlie's dumbfounded expression.

After the last piece of luggage (my very large purple duffle bag) is claimed, we all load into the tram to the hotel. I of course make a big production of not sitting with Charlie, which just makes everyone roll their eyes. I rest my head against the window and sigh. I'm so tired. We departed at 10:00 AM, and the flight was over thirteen hours.

Unfortunately with five hour time difference, it's only dinner time and I can't sleep when the sun's out. This means no sleep for me.

As we drive, I stare out at the breath-taking scenery that seems to surround us at every side. I wish I could paint it all. Just sit there in the sand with my easel, for endless hours, capturing every ounce of beauty, with the strokes of my brush.

The hotel is just as gorgeous, if you're the type that feels a man made structure can hold the same amount of magnificence as something created by Mother Nature. It's huge, and I have to strain my neck just to see the top. I wonder what floor our room's on…I hope it's high enough that I can see everything from the window. I don't want to miss a thing.

As the luggage compartment of the tram is open, everyone shuffles over to get their things. Everyone except for me, at least. I'm caught up with staring up at the towering palm tree beside me. I've never seen one up close before. It's amazing. It must be at least twenty-five feet around at the base. The sheer size is amazing. If a coconut fell off of one of these and hit me, it would kill me instantly.

While I'm still studying the enormous fern, I'm tapped on the shoulder.

I spin around to see Charlie standing there with my duffle in his hand.

I snatch it quickly and rest it on the ground beside me. My friend just frowns.

"What's the matter, Cons?" His deep blue eyes were filled with a mix of hurt and confusion.

"I don't wanna talk to you right now, Charlie."

"What? Why? What did I do, Connie?"

"You know what you did!" I sneer, pushing past him to rejoin the group at the bus.

"Trouble in paradise?" Taylor asks, as I storm over.

Alex laughs. "Yeah, are you two love-birds having issues, Connie?"

Elisha reaches over and slaps her brother in the arm, and I give her a 'thank you' smile. It's good to have another girl along…because I'm already going out of my mind, and we haven't even gotten to see our rooms yet. Hopefully the hotel's as overwhelming on the inside as it is on the outside.

"Alexander, leave your step-sister alone," Sheryl warns, picking up her bag. "And let's get inside before we miss our reservation and they give our suites away."

"Our suites?" Shawn looks up at her confused.

My Dad nods. "Yes, we got two two-room suites. One for the older kids to share, and the other for Sheryl, me, and you, little man."

Oh lovely. I'm sharing a suite with Charlie, Taylor, and Alex. Shoot me now. Do you think the plane's left? We've only been here an hour, and I already just want to go home. This is going to be a long week.