A/N: Sup y'all:D I know last time I forgot to mention this is absolutely and totally AU. Oh yeah, for people that are waiting for the Season 4 DVD to be announced, register your email account with for updates. I did that, and I'm waiting happily. Now go on and read, and review too! 'Cause besides money I love reviews. ;)
"Nothing happened."
"Sydney."
"Nadia."
The sisters went into an intense stare down. Nadia had been trying to pry out any information she could about Sydney's feelings towards Michael, but nothing came out.
"So he was a gentleman to you?" Nadia questioned, taking a drink of her soda and tucking her legs under her while she moved around to find a more comfortable position on the loveseat.
"Yes, he was, for the umpteenth time," Sydney sighed, looking towards the television. She didn't seem to hear the end of it, from her sister and her best friend. Ever since that night three days ago, they bugged her for anything. But she told them the truth, or at least most of it.
"Do you think he might like you?"
"Nadia!" Sydney vented out in frustration, as her cell phone began to go off. She grabbed it, pressing the connect button and putting the receiver to her ear. "Hello?"
"Sydney, baby!"
"Noah!" Leaping off of the couch, Sydney ran from the living room, taking the stairs two at a time to go to her room. She didn't need her sister listening on in the conversation.
"It's so good to hear your voice," Noah said.
"Yours too, how have you been?" She asked as her face showed radiance. She couldn't be more pleased to hear from her boyfriend then at that moment.
"In a very good mood, especially with what I'm going to tell you."
"What's that?"
"Well, I know that school starts in about two weeks, and the parents just told me that we're coming home on Sunday."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes!"
"Noah! Oh my God! This is great! I've missed you so much; I can't wait to see you again!"
"You too, sweetheart," He said, and then paused for a moment, so he could listen to someone. "Sorry Syd, I've got to go, we're going on another one of these tours and you know how the family loves to be early."
"Yeah, you better be back on Sunday, I'll be waiting!"
"Don't worry, I promise. I'll talk to you later, love you."
"You too," She said as they both hung up. She fell back onto her bed, her stomach doing flip-flops over the news.
"Let me guess, he's coming back," Nadia said as she peeked into the room.
"Finally," Sydney said with a smile on her face.
"So he's coming back?"
"From what I heard, and Sydney's ecstatic about it," Nadia said to Francie, as their boyfriends just listened on.
"Great, I thought she might've had a little something for Michael," Francie said as a frown developed.
"I think we all did," Will added in. "I hate to see Syd like this. I've seen her at her low points when Noah's not around. She needs somebody that will be with her all the time, not half of the damn year."
"I still don't trust him," Weiss scoffed as he took a drink of his Dr. Pepper. "Ever since I met the guy, I've always had this feeling he's been hiding something from all of us, and even Syd."
"I think we all know he's hiding something. What else would he do for a whole summer vacation? Just be with his parents? I don't think so," Francie said, leaning back on the couch.
"Gosh, I hate doing this to Syd," Will sighed as he wrapped an arm lazily around Francie's shoulder. "Talking behind her back like this."
"I don't think she would really have any problems, would she? I think she's upstairs right now talking to him," Francie said.
"We would be killed," Weiss said, nonchalantly.
The rest nodded, as Weiss's cell phone began to ring. He picked it up and answered it.
"Hello? Hey, dude! Yeah, game tomorrow, same time. Nothing right now, let me see," Weiss put his hand over the speaker. "Nadia, would you mind if a certain person came over? The dude is thoroughly bored, and this is your house."
"Sure, but tell him to bring some food, oh, Taco Bell!"
Everyone nodded happily at the idea. Weiss took his hand off and began to talk again. "Yeah, it's cool, but you got to go to Taco Bell. Don't worry, we'll pay. Everyone want soft and hard tacos?" Everyone else nodded. "Yep, alright, see you in a bit, buddy," Weiss hung up the phone and slid it back into his pocket. They all grinned at each other before Weiss's stomach growled.
"I guess I was good in making that decision," Nadia chuckled while looking to Weiss.
"It's food! And you know anytime somebody mentions anything for it, I'm all game."
"We know," Will laughed.
About thirty minutes afterwards, somebody began knocking at the door. Nadia jumped up, running over to the door and opening it.
"Michael! Glad you came through on the food! I don't think I could put up with his stomach noises anymore," She said happily while leading him inside. "Come in here," She led him through the hallway and into the large living room. He marveled at the large living room, only seeing the exterior of the home days ago.
"Mike! Dude, you officially rock!" Weiss said as Michael sat down, placing the Taco Bell on the table in front of him. Nadia hurried off to the kitchen to get drinks.
"Alright, I got about fifty tacos here for all of us; I hope you guys have a huge appetite."
"You kidding?" Will asked with a laugh. "We do."
"Here you go, Michael," Nadia said as she came back in with drinks, handing Michael a Pepsi. She sat down next to Weiss, and then jumped up. "I bet Syd's hungry, I'm going to go get her."
Michael looked up at the mention of her name, and everyone noticed, but didn't act on it. Nadia headed up the stairs to Sydney's room, where she found her getting off the phone.
"Hey, Nadia, are they still here?" Sydney asked as she stood up, tossing her cell phone on her bed.
"Yeah, we got Taco Bell, I bet you're hungry."
Sydney's stomach growled at the mention of food. "Um, yeah, how can I not resist Taco Bell?" She mocked, going on like Weiss as they both headed out of her room and to the stairs.
"So dude, you know any swear words in French?" Weiss asked, being his dumb self. Sometimes the man could search an hour trying to find a pencil when it had been on his ear the whole time.
"Well, I should," Michael muffled out as he swallowed down the rest of the taco. "I am French, you know," He emphasized with his accent.
"Well then, say some!" Weiss yelled, trying to push him on.
"Nah, I try to keep some value and not to cuss in front of the ladies," He said with a smile, with cheese and lettuce showing in his mouth.
"Oh God," Francie nearly choked on her taco and laughed at Michael, who just grinned wider.
Sydney froze when she heard a certain voice right when she was coming to the stairs. "Nadia," She growled quietly, sending a death glare at her sister.
"What?" Nadia looked at her sister, her reaction surprising her. "He brought the food."
"Right," She mumbled, going to the stairs to see Francie laughing. She began going down the stairs, trailing her sister, when Francie stopped, looking at her friend to read her face, which was currently showing a mix of expressions.
"I guess I should be nice," Michael said as he looked at Francie, and then turned around on the couch, meeting Sydney's eyes. The room was silent, except for a baseball game playing on the television. He couldn't even talk; his breath was caught in his throat when he saw her, looking beautiful even though she was dressed very casual.
"Mike brought Taco Bell for us all, join in," Will said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Gladly!" Her face broke out into a smile as she took a seat on the lone loveseat and grabbed some tacos.
"Syd, you should here this," Weiss began, not bothering to even chew the food that was in his mouth as he was talking. "We're at practice this morning, like...what else is new."
"Get to the point!" Will groaned.
"Yeah, well, coach actually let me try something else than goalie, I had to face the backup, of course, but I scored, every damn time!" He beamed, proud of what he did.
Sydney stopped right before she was about to eat her taco, her face getting red as she tried to hold in laughter. "You mean, you actually stood up, skated without using the boards, held onto the stick, and shot it!"
Eric's face turned red as everyone busted out laughing. "Sydney! Might I remind you, the last time you went skating you were glued to the boards!"
She gave him a look, a death look to be exact. "That was because I haven't been skating since I was five! It had been just a little bit." She held up her hand and put space between her thumb and index finger, just to make a point.
"You should've seen him, though," Michael said, finally recovering from laughter. "He looked like Dumbo on skates. I think coach knows now to just stick him with a lot of gear and between two posts."
"Dumbo on skates? Now that I have to go and see sometime," Nadia said while looking at Eric, who was looking down and shaking his head in despair.
By the time they were done, the whole group moved outside and onto the large back porch, taking seats in lounging chairs next to the pool. Sydney had once again grown quite comfortable with Michael, sitting next to him, and completely forgetting about her boyfriend's arrival in a couple of days.
"So Mike, you ready for the next game tomorrow?" Weiss asked, slipping his hand into Nadia's.
"As long as I don't get to see you speed skate, I'm totally prepared," He said with a grin.
"You're evil, dude, you know that?" Weiss said with a laugh.
"I'd agree with Vaughn," Sydney said, looking to Weiss, then at Vaughn. Everyone gave her a quick glance, including Michael.
"Vaughn, nice ring to it," Will said.
Michael blinked for a second. "Wow, nobody's called me that since school in France last year."
"Well Michael, Vaughn, Mr. French, Gretsky, Hockey God," Francie rambled until Sydney coughed, glaring at her. Francie grinned. "Get used to the many names."
"Will do," Michael smiled, his chin dimple showing, and Sydney noticed, smiling herself.
"You know what we need to do, make use of this behind us," Weiss said, pointing behind his back to the pool.
"I did leave one of my suits here," Francie piped in, jumping up and pulling Nadia and Sydney up. The three headed inside to go get their swimming suits. All the guys just looked at each other.
"Why not?" Will asked as he got up, taking off his sandals and shirt, jumping into the pool. Weiss followed suit, jumping in afterwards. Michael laughed, taking off his shoes and socks, then his shirt and jumping in.
"Race?" Weiss asked with a cheeky grin. The other two looked at him and busted out laughing.
"I don't know, Will, do you think a ten second start would help Weiss?" Vaughn asked while laughing.
"Twenty seconds wouldn't help him," Will kept on laughing, as Weiss just sighed.
"Come on guys, I'm not that bad."
"Yeah, right, the last time I saw you in the pool you were attacked to the floats. I still laugh at the memory," Will cracked at Weiss, as Michael went underwater, to pull Weiss down and keep him under.
"It'll never end, will it?" Nadia asked as all three girls came back outside, wearing bikinis.
"You mean, guys being oh so mature?" Francie asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Michael finally resurfaced, Weiss a couple seconds afterwards gasping for air.
"Come on now, Weiss! You can't even hold your breath for ten seconds!" Michael complained while laughing. He saw the three, his laughter seizing as he had a look over of Sydney's body.
"I'm not surprised, it is Eric," Nadia chuckled.
"Oh, right here, Nadia, it hurts right here," Eric said, covering his heart with both hands.
"Shut it," She snapped, jumping into the pool, a few feet away from Weiss. The other two jumped in, starting a splashing fest.
"I so know what to do," Francie said, looking to Nadia then Sydney. "Chicken fights!"
"Oh yeah!" Both Will and Eric said at once, surprising their girlfriends and picking them up, placing them onto their shoulders.
Sydney hesitated, looking to Michael who was being eyed at by Weiss. Her mind went through millions of emotions, while she argued with herself mentally. Finally deciding to end the mind wars, she swam over to Michael, leaning into his ear. "We can kick their asses."
He froze, feeling her close, and then when she spoke to him, the hairs stood up on his neck, his senses going crazy. He turned to her and grinned. "Well then, Sydney lets kick their asses." He finished, going underwater as Sydney sat on his shoulders. He held her legs and nearly fainted, never expecting to be this close to the girl he was falling for. He regained thoughts as he felt the need for air, and resurfaced.
"You know, Sydney, I bet I could kick your ass right now," Francie dared.
"You think?" Sydney raised an eyebrow, a sly smirk appearing on her face.
"You know it!" Francie exclaimed, keeping her stare.
"Bring it on," Sydney said, stone faced. Will and Francie approached, and an all out cat fight started. Sydney got the upper hand, grabbing Francie and heaving her over her shoulder, Sydney not being able to let go and going underwater with Francie. When they came back to the surface, both were busting out laughing.
"Oh, come on guys, am I just supposed to stay on Eric's shoulders the whole time?" Nadia asked while pouting, obviously fake.
"I don't mind," Eric grinned, looking up at Nadia's face and smiling at her.
"Fine, you got to complain, don't you?" Sydney stuck her tongue out and swam to Michael. He nearly froze again as she placed her hands on his shoulders, but then pushed him under the water, wrapping her legs on his shoulders. He rose up, resurfacing and holding onto her legs as he stepped over to Weiss, as another 'chicken fight' began. Sydney won once again, knocking Nadia and Weiss over.
"Oh yeah, we rule!" Michael laughed, holding up his hands as Sydney instantly gave him a high-five.
"We rule? Who was doing the fighting, and not just standing there," She pointed out, trying to wiggle out of his embrace, but he decided to hold her tight. She really did not mind, but played along.
"Without me you would suck!" He joked, and continued on. "We so make a good team," He said in his best Francie voice.
"Don't even mock me, Vaughn!" Francie yelled from the other end of the pool.
Sydney was laughing by this point, and Michael decided to surprise her, lifting her off of his shoulders and launching her into the air. She shrieked, landing back first on the water, and after recovering, swam after Vaughn. Francie swam to Nadia, grinning from ear to ear.
"She's going to kill us later after figuring out what we did, won't she?" Nadia asked Francie, quietly.
"Probably, but seriously, I don't think I've ever seen her this relaxed before. Damn Noah," She sighed, dipping under the water to wet and smooth her hair.
"Let's not ruin it!" Will yelled as he jumped on Francie's shoulders, making her yelp in surprise and fall forward into the water. Michael stopped swimming to look at the commotion from the other side, but Sydney didn't stop, and dunked him. He grabbed her hands, pulling her forward in the water and swam up to the surface.
"What did I do?" He asked innocently, his eyes connecting with hers.
She got lost in his eyes; completely forgetting what he said and continued her staring.
"Will!" Francie shrieked, as Will had his arms wrapped around her and was close to tossing her halfway across the pool.
"Weiss!" Nadia was next, Weiss was close to throwing her across, his arms securely wrapped around her.
Michael grinned, looking at the two guys before sneaking up behind Sydney, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist.
"Vaughn!" She yelped, surprised at what he did, but relaxed in his strong embrace.
"One, two, three!" All three girls were in the air at the end of the guys' countdown. Francie and Nadia swam back after regaining their senses. The two looked at each other, and then their boyfriends, as all four seemed to be in on some plan.
"Oh gosh, Will! Aren't we supposed to go over to your family's house for dinner tonight?" Francie asked, slapping herself lightly on the forehead.
"Shit!" He growled, remembering. "Amy and mom will kill me if we don't make it."
"Okay, go ahead, you guys," Sydney said, swimming around the pool nonchalantly.
"Aren't you supposed to, too?" Nadia questioned Eric.
"Yes and my mom begged that I bring you over, like now," Weiss said, swimming to the edge of the pool.
"Sorry Syd," Nadia said, getting out with him. Soon the four were gone, leaving Sydney alone in the pool, with Michael, she looked at him with a raised eyebrow, and he showed the same expression.
"Don't you love friends?" She joked with a smile.
"Got to," He smiled back, swimming towards her. "So Syd," He crept closer. "What other sports do you like besides hockey?"
"Oh, I don't like hockey," She chuckled, her dimpled smile showing. "I'm just forced to watch you guys play."
"Right, well, at least we're sexy enough to watch," He grinned, and she had to resist the urge to reach out and touch his chin.
"I don't know about that, I get paid to watch those games," She threw him a lop-sided grin, and he laughed.
"But seriously, sports?"
"Oh, that. I like to run, a lot. I guess that's my sport, but, anything, you know? I'm just a sports kind of person."
"Even baseball?" He prayed that she did like the sport.
"Of course!" Her smile broke out again.
"Good then, my uncle gave me his season tickets for the rest of the year, since he's heading to France."
"Point being?" She asked, always wanting to get to the point.
He laughed at her ways. "Point being, you want to head to the game tonight?"
She looked at him, not being able to speak, the words caught at her throat. All of the regrets were now coming back at her. Now she knew the whole reason her friends did all of this, to set them up both in the end. And she had been blatantly flirting with him this whole time! She would remember to give them all a good smack in the head sometime afterwards.
"Um, Syd?" Michael said, getting pretty nervous, but broke her out of her silence and concentration.
"Sorry," She mumbled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'll go."