2.7- She's Got A Way
She's got a way about her. I don't know what it is. But I know that I can't live without her.
'She's Got a Way'- Billy Joel
Summary: Parker and Chase decide to have a night of romance. When Pez becomes worried that she won't be able to see Charlie on Valentine's Day, Jon and Vista agree to drive her. Little do they know that Holder's tagging along, as he's hiding out from Emma.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from That 70s Show nor am I making any money off this story. The songs are also owned by their respective writers, producers, singers, etc. Also, I do not own any other television show, movie, comic, etc mentioned in this chapter. One more thing: I don't hate cheerleaders. Never really felt one way or another about those ladies. But Jon….yeah, he's not overly fond of them. Or rather Emma.
A/N: All reviews welcomed. And thank you to those who have. In addition, lyrics that best fit the 'mood' of the chapter will be placed at the top. I am also adding 'chapter soundtracks' to each chapter. (some songs may not be from 2004, but might be from 2005.) Phone conversations, with the person of the other end of the line in italics. Sorry about the wait, hope people are still reading. And yes, I know I kind of 'phoned it in' toward the end. But, I really didn't know where to go and it had been months.
February 13th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
8:57 p.m.
Parker's Bedroom
It was Friday, Friday the 13. That meant bad luck. Well, only if you believed in that sort of thing. And Parker certainly did not believe in that sort of thing. According to his mom and younger sister, there was no such thing as luck. Then again, Donna was pregnant and acting strange and Vista didn't really 'get' stuff unless there was logic behind it. Parker nodded to himself, knowing luck was real and he'd just have to twist it into his own favor.
"All you have to do is call the hotel and get a suite for me for tomorrow night." Parker said into the phone.
"But that would be lying." Callie Forman told her younger brother over the phone. "The room wouldn't be for 'Cal Pinnyman' , it would be for you and your girlfriend." Parker snorted. "It is so and you know it. Besides, I'm only twenty; I can't rent a hotel room. You have to be twenty-one."
Damn, he hadn't thought of that. Did you really have to be twenty-one or was Callie lying because she didn't want him to have sex with Chase? Parker sighed and shook his head. "Callie, come on. Okay, okay, could you get Mic Kelso to do it? He's old enough."
"Michael Robert Holder-Kelso and I aren't speaking." Callie told Parker coldly. Then, she added. "He's a dumbass."
Parker briefly wondered what that was about. Callie and Mic had always had a good relationship. Parker shrugged if off, deciding his own problems were more important at the moment. "Callie, you could ask Candy. She turned twenty-one last weekend, right? I remember, because Vista and I got her a shirt from Target."
"Parker! You can't ask her that." Callie chided lightly.
Parker groaned. "She's our first cousin, Callie. She's got to be good for something. And since I don't need candy or tips on being a whore, she can just get me a hotel room so I can have sex with my girlfriend." He heard his older sister sigh loudly over the phone. "Callie, I love Chase. I want to be with her."
"Yeah. Well, when it all ends in blood and tears don't come crying to me." Callie sighed softly. "Just be nice and respectful to her, okay? Don't make her feel used."
"Promise." Parker smiled to himself. "I'm going to make it perfect, don't worry. Valentine's is a day for romance and that's what she'll get. And Callie? I'll try and kick Mic's ass if you want." There was a laugh over the phone and he knew he had made her smile with that mental image.
"Just be respectful and don't be a pervert." Callie told him gently. "And it'll be okay."
February 13th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
9:02 p.m.
Forman Basement
Jon popped his can open and took a long sip. It being the day before Valentine's day, he felt he had a right to be a little nervous. This was going to be his first time with a girl on the "most romantic day of the year" and he wasn't quit sure how to handle it. Hyde men didn't do Valentine's day, unless their wives made them. But Jon and Vista weren't married. Hell, they were just together. So, it all made him wonder what Vista wanted for V-D. Did she think he'd buy her some sappy gift and act like an idiot for twenty four hours? Or did she agree that the day was a joke that they should just try to ignore it.
The side door opened and Vista came walking in, Pez right behind her. The two were chatting away about Holder and how whipped he was. Apparently, Emma had found the three of them at the Hub and had forced him to go to the mall with her. The girls were giggling about that when they noticed Jon at his chair. Both smiled at him.
Pez flopped down on the couch and Vista went to get something from the deep freeze.
"How is 'Operation: Lose Virginity' going, Vista?" Pez suddenly asked.
Jon nearly choked on his soda, but no one seemed to notice. Vista handed Pez a can of coke and sat next to her on the couch. "Parker was supposed to call Callie about the hotel room. And with the schedule tomorrow night, I think we can pull it off." She glanced over at Jon. "You know the plan, right?" He blinked at her, his face unreadable. "No one told you? Oh, um…Parker and Chase are going to sleep together tomorrow night. Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Red and Grandpa Bob are babysitting Jack, Will, Vi, and Brownie. All parents are going on a squared date and that means they'll be home around midnight. Paige, Cookie, and Bruce have a dance and won't be home till eleven. So,"
"So, we came up with 'Operation: Lose Virginity'. Chase is supposed to spend the night at my home." Pez cut in. "With everyone so busy, they won't notice that she is not there."
Jon looked between the two girls and just decided to not argue with their logic. "That's…cool."
Pez waved a dismissive hand. "Yes. We'll cover for both Parker and Chase so they can get sweaty together. But," she sighed sadly. "I would like to have seen Charlie. We've been dating since Halloween and I've only seen him nine times. If not for dirty emails and phone calls, I don't know what I'd do."
"Well," Vista began gently. "why don't you invite him to come see you? With Aunt Laurie and Uncle Fez out, no one will be around to glare at you two."
Pez sighed again, this time a little over dramatically. "His car is broken. And I have no car." She glanced over at Jon. "No car. If only one of my good friends had a car and no plans for tomorrow, then I could go see my boo-bear."
Jon looked at Vista. "Valentine's day is a conspiracy from the government." She told him with a little smile. "You can drive Pez to see Charlie and not worry about it." Vista suddenly smiled broadly. "We could make it a road trip. With snacks and songs and-"
"Don't spaz out." Jon told Vista with a little smirk. "Besides I didn't even say I'd drive Pez."
Pez gave her friend puppy dog eyes. "Please, Jon? Please, please, please, please." She fell down to her knees. "Please? I love you." She added with a brilliant smile.
Jon glanced over at Vista, who was giving him her usual sweet smile. He groaned. "Fine." Jon pointed at the two girls. "But there will be no songs and someone's buying me all the fruit rollups I want."
Vista and Pez exchanged a smile and both girls rushed over to hug a surprised Jon.
February 14th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
5:09 p.m.
Parker Forman's Bedroom
Parker stood in front of his bedroom closet and tried to find a shirt that made him look a couple of years older and sexy. With a thin, lanky, and awkward body like his, he was certain that he was not going to find anything. He wanted to look nice for tonight. After all, he and Chase had both agreed that they would not make a big deal about the having sex part, but that they would look nice. Which Parker figured only made sense if you were a girl.
"How about this?" Parker picked out a long sleeved shirt that was a sky blue. He held it out. "What do you think?"
From her spot on the bed, Vista made a face. "No. Sky blue makes you look like a pole." She chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "And forget about red or brown. Don't you have a black shirt? Nice and plain?"
Parker glanced back into his closet and pulled out a long sleeved black shirt. Totally plain and the type of shirt that if wore, would cause a person to blend into the crowd. "This?" Vista nodded. Parker looked down at the shirt. "But, it's so plain."
"Well," Vista stood up and went over to Parker's chest of drawers. She opened a little box that was on the drawers and started to look through it. "we could jazz it up with some jewelry." She glanced back at a smiling Parker. "No gold!" Her brother's face fell slightly. "You're not a pimp and you're not in the mob, Parker. What you need is something that a normal teenage boy would wear."
"Oh, like you know anything about that. You're dating Jon." Parker shot, hurt that she had insulted his love of gold jewelry.
Vista didn't even look up. "Jon and I aren't dating, we're just together." She turned to him and held out a black string necklace with a little sliver round thing. "Wear this and your watch." She suggested.
Parker took the necklace from her. "Why this?"
Vista shrugged. "Less is more." She glanced around the room, clearly thinking about something very important. Parker began to get nervous and prayed that his younger sister wasn't about to try and offer him sex advice. "Parker, I think we should talk."
He swallowed hard. "Huh, Vis, I really really hope you're not going to tell me about your first time. 'Cause your fourteen and I don't think I could take Jon in a fight." Vista only rolled her brown eyes. "Sorry."
She shrugged it off and leaned against the drawers. "It's about protection, Park. You," she leaned closer to him and whispered. "you do have a condom, right?" Just saying it made Visa's face turn a little redder.
Meanwhile, Parker felt like he was about to die and he found himself wishing the floor would open up and swallow him. Why did Vista have to bring that up? "Listen, Vista," He exhaled sharply. "thanks for the concern."
"You could get her pregnant." Vista went on, seemly ignoring her brother. "Now, since you've both never had sex, I would guess that's really all you have to worry about. And with teen pregnancy rates at an all time high-"
"Vista!" Parker cut-in. "I will buy condoms for tonight. Just please, stop talking about it." His sister gave a little shrug, as if to say okay. "And thanks for helping me pick out tonight's outfit. You, Pez, and Jon are going to be back by midnight, right?"
"Twelve fifteen or so at the latest." Vista clarified. "We leave at six, should get there about eight, and leave at ten." She awkwardly cleared her throat. "But, enough about that," she handed him a ten dollar bill. "here's some, uh, condom money from Pez and Jon."
Parker took the cash and again he wished the floor would open up and let him fall through.
February 14th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
5:50 p.m.
Forman Driveway
Jon had brought his car over to the Forman driveway in order to pick up Vista and Pez, without letting anyone know that he was picking up Vista and Pez. Pez's parents weren't actually into the idea of Pez dating Charlie, let alone traveling all the way to Milwaukee to see him. It all had to be done in a quiet manner. Pretend to pick Vista up to hang, but bring Pez along, to drop her off somewhere. It would have been better with Holder, but no one could seem to find him. Which lead Jon to believe that Holder was hiding from Emma, again.
Jon tossed his jacket onto the passenger side of his long front seat before stepping out of his car. He found Pez sitting on one of the lawn chairs by the sliding glass doors. She was dressed in all pink, except for her long black boots and fishnet stockings. Giving him a little smile, Pez waved Jon over.
"Where's Vista?" Jon asked as he walked on over to Pez. He leaned his body against the bricks on the little patio. "We got to leave now."
Pez offered Jon another little smile. "Oh, she's helping Parker pack for the big night. She keeps trying to give him safe sex pamphlets." Pez giggled to herself. "It's funny as hell."
Even Jon had to lightly chuckle at that mental picture. The idea of Vista, who didn't even like to make out in public, trying to give Parker sex advice was pretty funny in its own right. He was about to tell Pez that when the sliding door opened and Vista came walking cheerfully out.
"We all ready?" She asked the two of them. Pez happily stood up and lightly skipped over to Jon's car. Vista smiled. "I'll take that as a yes."
Jon offered his hand and Vista took it, together they walked to the car and the three of them piled into the long front seat.
February 14th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
6:15 p.m.
Point Place Drug Store
Later, on the other side of town, Parker found himself in the middle of his own small crisis. It was not that he was embarrassed about buying condoms; it was more like he was embarrassed because people were sure to know what he was going to be doing with one of them later that evening. He stood awkwardly in the aisle and kept glancing over at the checkout. A pretty blond was checking someone out and Parker wished she would turn into an unattractive old man. It also didn't help that there were apparently a dozen different kinds of condoms and that the store was filled with ten or so other people.
He took a deep breath and then exhaled sharply. He could do it. He could buy a stupid box of condoms. He had the money. He had the desire. He had to just do it before people started to think he was a pervert. Without looking, Parker grabbed a box and marched up to the checkout.
He slammed the box onto the counter. "I'd like to buy these, please." Parker made sure to not look the woman in the eyes as he fished for his money that was in his jacket pocket.
The woman looked at the box of condoms and then at Parker. She wordlessly scanned the item and waited. It didn't go through. With an annoyed sigh, she tried again. And of course, again there was nothing. She glanced over her shoulder and at a middle aged woman. "Ms. Laura, I need a price check on an item."
Ms. Laura walked over and picked up the box of condoms. She glanced up at Parker. "Her pleasure, how thoughtful." She told him with a cheeky grin. Ms. Laura scanned the box again and when that didn't work, she typed in its code. "My, the price of safe sex just keeps going up, doesn't it?"
Parker glanced behind him and briefly wondered if he was on some hidden camera show. Was it really any of this woman's business that he was having sex? And did it really matter all that much to her? He noted that a few people were looking their way. Probably thinking he was some horny guy forcing his sweet girlfriend into things she wasn't ready for.
Parker put the money down on the counter and grabbed the box and shoved them into his jacket pocket. "Alright, look, lady, I'm buying condoms, not killing puppies. I'm being responsible, here. I may be seventeen, but I need them." The women behind the counter exchanged raised eyebrows. "I am not some sexed up teen! There's this girl and she's everything. She's funny and smart and beautiful and…and she's been through a lot lately. I just want to make this night special for her because I love her." He nodded to himself as a few people started to clap a little. Parker turned a deep shade of red. "Thank you."
He started out the door, only bumping into one person. "Evening, Pastor Ned." Parker let his breath ease and he started toward Holder's borrowed van.
February 14th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
6:25 p.m.
Jon's Car
Pez bounced excitedly in her spot. They had just stopped for gas and fruit rollups and that meant it was a clear shot to her boo-bear. There would surely be sweaty making out and even some funny throat noises. Good times.
Pez glanced over at Vista, who was seated between herself and Jon. The younger teen was humming along to the song that was currently on the radio. Jon was driving at a steady pace and Pez smiled to herself when she noticed that one of Jon's hands was tightly holding one of Vista's. It was just so darn cute and made Pez even more excited about seeing Charlie.
Suddenly Pez smelt something…something like cheese and cheap cologne and sweat. It smelt like Holder. Pez twisted herself to look in the back seat, but all that was there was an old army blanket.
"Pez, what are you looking for?" Pez looked back at Jon.
"I smell cheese." Pez told him by way on an answer.
"Really?" Vista looked into the backseat. " 'Cause I smell cheap cologne."
Jon pulled over onto the side of the road. "And I feel like bitchyness has entered my car." He stopped the car and took his seatbelt off. "And since none of us smell like cheese, cheap cologne, and sweat. The kind of sweat that comes from humpy bitchy cheerleaders." He rolled his eyes. "I can not believe this."
Jon got out of the car and Pez and Vista followed his lead. They all walked to the back of the car and Jon opened it up. And there, in the flat bed, was Holder. He was lying on his back and when he realized he was caught, he gave the others a smile and a wave.
"It's Holder." Pez stated with a frown. "How unexciting."
Jon gave her a look. "Who'd you think it would be? A male cheerleader covered in cheese?" Everyone looked slightly disgusted by that thought.
Holder slid out of the flat bed and joined the others on the side of the room. "Hey guys, where are we off to?"
Jon answered before the girls could. "Why in the hell are you in my car?"
"Emma." Holder answered simply.
Pez and Vista exchanged a look and tried not to giggle, as a look of pure horror crossed Jon's face. "You weren't having sex with her in my car, were you?" Jon shoved Holder. "You don't bring bitch germs in my car, man."
"No! I'm hiding from her. She wanted to spend a night together, all romantic and chick movie and what's the point if you don't get sex at the end of it?" Holder explained.
"Oh, you're such a wonderful boyfriend." Vista deadpanned. Pez held back a laugh.
Jon offered Vista a little smile before turning back to Holder. "So, you hid in my car? How did you even get in it and how long have you been in it?"
"Since the gas station. I was hiding out there with Marco, you know the person who gives girls free smoothies when they give him their numbers, and I saw your car and thought: road trip and an easy way to get out of town before Emma tracks me down. Girl's like a blood hound or something." He gave the three of them puppy dog eyes. "So, can I come? Wherever you guys are going, doesn't matter."
"We're going to see Charlie." Pez told her best friend, a dreamy smile crossing her lips. "You can come."
Holder made a face. He wasn't fond of Charlie, but it did mean he'd be able to be out of town and out of Emma's reach. "Yeah, okay. Shot gun!" With that, he pushed past everyone to get a place in the front seat.
The others stared after him a moment before getting back in the car.
February 14th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
6:40 p.m.
Hotel Restaurant
The hotel that Parker had finally settled on, the one he had finally gotten Callie to get Candy to get for him and Chase, was the fanciest in Point Place. A person could tell because it had a restaurant inside it. And a gift shop.
Parker stood, in his best jeans and his shirt and he felt very much underdressed. And underage. Everyone else currently eating in the restaurant were dressed in their Sunday best and were all fifty-eight or over. Parker kicked the heel of his shoe against the carpet and waited for Chase. Their reservation was for 6:45, he was early.
"Parker!" He turned around to see Chase come jogging over to him. If he were under dress, then she was really underdressed. Little black shirt, long black boots, chunky white belt, and a black and white shirt with a black cat on it. To him she looked beautiful; to the people having their early dinners, he was sure she wasn't up to par for them. "God, sorry I'm late, but your grandparents…man they can be nosey." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah, you look great." He gave her a quick and nervous kiss on the lips. "So, big night, huh?"
Chase glanced past him and into the restaurant. "Oh, I don't know, it's pretty quiet now. But, I'm sure it picks up later." Parker just stared at her. "Oh, oh, you mean for us. Yeah, yeah, yes, big night for us."
"Yes, yes, it certainly is." Parker let out a nervous laugh. "Big ol' night for Parker Forman and his lady." He and Chase nervously and awkwardly stood next to one another.
They were trying so hard to not be nervous and awkward that they didn't even notice their hostess came walking over. "You kids ready to be seated?"
Parker smiled thankfully. "God yes." He took Chase's hand in his and the two followed the hostess to their table.
February 14th, 2004
Outside of Point Place, Wisconsin
7:00 p.m.
Jon's Car
As the car passed the 'Now Leaving Point Place' sigh, Pez gave out a little whoop from the backseat. She leaned back against the seat and couldn't stop herself from grinning widely.
Holder, who Jon had forced to sit in the back seat with her, frowned disapprovingly. Pez pointy ignored him. It wasn't her fault that he didn't like to share her with other people. Obsessed, that's what he was. Always had been, really. Well, she wasn't about to be his Pezzy forever.
"Just a little more." Pez said in a singsong voice. Holder rolled his eyes again and snorted. "Oh, shush." Pez suggested.
From the front seat, Jon laughed and Vista glanced back at Pez and Holder. "Holder, don't snort." Vista said with a small frown. "It's not a pleasant noise. And be nice. Pez is all excited about seeing Charlie."
Pez nodded and slapped Holder upside the head. "Yeah! Don't ruin this for me, Wesley." This time Jon laughed even louder.
The car drove on in silence for a few more minutes before a loud pop, that sounded more like a gun going off caused everyone to jump. Holder dove on top of Pez, only to have her scream for him to get off. Jon quickly pulled over onto the side of the road and stopped the car. He looked over to make sure that Vista was all right. Thankfully, she just looked a little shaken. Glancing back, Jon saw Pez hitting Holder and telling him to not do that again.
"What just happened?" That was Vista. Jon sighed heavily. "Did…was that a tire?"
"Yes." Jon shook his head. "And I noticed that there was no tire in the back, Holder." Jon turned around in his seat to glare at his friend. "You took the spare tire out from the back so you could get in, didn't you?"
Holder looked around, mouth agape at all the accusing stares. "W--what?" He made a little girly sound. "Jon, I'm shocked that you would think I'd do something like that!"
"Because you would do something like that, you dumbo!" Pez hit Holder on the arm. "Now, I'll be late to see Charlie!"
"Pez," Vista began slowly. "it'll be alright. We can just call someone to come get us." She addressed Jon next. "Right? We could call someone to come get us."
Holder scoffed. "You guys aren't even supposed to be driving to see that tattooed freak."
Pez hit Holder again. "His name is Charlie, dumb ass."
"Okay, okay, everyone just shut up. Someone's got to have a cell phone. Not me, I don't believe in them." Jon told them in a firm voice.
Vista looked guilty. "Well, everyone I know is here or on a date or trying to have sex or babysitting or underage. I didn't think I'd need it!"
Pez ducked her gaze from Jon. "I let Holder borrow mine so he could play a game."
Holder nervously cleared his throat. "And I kind of broke it. And then I kind of left mine at home so Emma couldn't find me."
Jon rolled his eyes. "There's a diner a few miles up ahead. We'll go there and call Leo-" Vista opened her mouth to tell him that might not be a great idea, but Jon put a hand over her mouth. "and get him to bring a tire. We'll be an hour off schedule, but at least we won't get into trouble with anyone."
The other three teens in the car exchanged looks, shrugged, and agreed on Jon's little plan.
Sometime Later:
The foursome walked into the diner and scanned the place. It was your typical place; lots of tiny tables and people scattered about. A pool table and a radio were in a corner. Journey was playing loudly in the background. Vista stayed close to Jon, suddenly remembering her fear of public restrooms.
"We'll just find the payphone." Jon was saying. "Holder, man, you got fifty cents? Holder?" Jon looked around and had to roll his eyes: Holder was already trying to get a waitress to give him her number. "Holder!"
Looking guilty, Holder gave the waitress a shrug and headed back to Jon and Vista. "I was getting somewhere with her, man."
Vista raised a disapproving eyebrow. "Don't you have a girlfriend?" Holder just snorted and Vista rolled her eyes. "Right, forgot who I was speaking to."
Jon ignored the both of them. "Look, do either of you have money for a payphone?" Holder gave Jon a 'do I ever' look as Vista began looking in her pockets. A moment later she tributary took out three quators and handed them to Jon. "Thanks, Vista." He gave her a little smile before going off to find a payphone.
(Bright Eyes-Another Travelin' Song)
Holder sat down at the nearest empty table and Vista joined him. Pez was nowhere to be seen and they both supposed she had gone off to find the payphones to call Charlie. The twosome where quiet for a moment, before Vista spoke.
"Holder, why do you have to always show you're jealously of Charlie?" She gave him a look. "It really makes Pez upset."
Holder scoffed. "I am not jealous, Vissy. I am…I am protective and he doesn't deserve her." He gave her a look. "Best friends are supposed to act this way."
She gave him a little look. "Yes, but you're jealous and not just over protective." She nervously laughed. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're in love with Pez. It certainly would explain why you can't seem to keep a girlfriend." When Holder looked away, Vista shut up. Oh, no. "Holder…"
Vista didn't get to finish, as that was the moment that Pez came bouncing back to the table.
"I have called and Charlie's father says he is not home at the moment." She paused. "I suppose he is out buying me flowers and/or candy. I hope it is candy. Flowers die and that makes me sad." Finally noticing the looks on Holder and Vista's faces, Pez made a sad face of her own. "Why are we sad? Why do we look guilty?"
"Who's guilty?" Jon questioned as he joined the table.
"Holder and Vista." Pez replied. "All sad and guilty." She gasped. "Maybe they were talking about how unattractive that man in the corner is? Really, is that a mullet?"
"I was talking to Holder about a private matter." Vista quickly covered. "It's this thing…with Holder and Emma and….well," She nervously cleared her throat. "did you get in touch with Leo?"
Jon shook his head. "I think he's on a date."
Pez sighed sadly. "Even Leo is having hot kisses and I am…not." She shook her head. "We will need a new plan, Jon. We cannot walk all the way to Charlie."
The table was silent for a moment, before Vista brightened up and opened her mouth. "Ooo!"
Jon raised an eyebrow. "You solved a math problem?"
"No! Well, yes, but that's not the point. There's a Wal-mart, they sell tires, and we'd just have to get there. It's a few miles away."
"I'm not walking to a Wal-mart for a tire." Holder protested.
"You're the reason we don't have one."
"Jon," Holder gave him a look. "that is not the point." Jon's reply was to hit Holder over the head. "Ow, damn it!"
"Oh, shush." Pez gave Holder a halfhearted glare. "I am going to get us a ride to Wal-mart, so we can get the tire." She waved someone over. "You, mullet man! I will pay you fifty dollars to drive my friends and me to Wal-mart." The man blinked. "Okay, you've broken me; I'll throw in a hair cut!"
February 14th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
7:37 p.m.
Hotel Restaurant
Parker and Chase's meal had come and they had ordered the only thing they could afford: soup and ice water. In a way, it worked out perfectly because the soup was hot and they had the ice water to cool down. At least, that was what Parker had said before he had laughed and snorted. They had both been quiet after that.
"Soup's good."
Chase looked up from her bowl. "What's that?"
"I…I said, the soup's good." Parker repeated with a light blush. "Good stuff, this soup. Good stuff."
Chase slowly nodded. "Yeah, nice and hot."
"Just like soup should be." Parker agreed before fixing his gaze on his bowl. It really was the most awkward date ever.
February 14th, 2004
Outside Point Place, Wisconsin
8:09 p.m.
Open Road
(Boys and Girl-Kill Hannah)
They were all jammed into the tiny car: Jon and Vista in the front with the driver (Robert was his name and he liked his mullet) and Pez and Holder in the back, with Robert's smelly dog, Zeke. They were riding to Wal-mart and all four teens couldn't wait to get to it.
Holder made a disgusted face as Zeke tried to lick his face. "Ew, bad dog."
Pez growled playfully. "Don't be rude to the puppy, Holder. He loves you!" Holder just glared at Pez and moved closer to the car door.
Upfront, Jon sat against the passenger door, trying to make sure that Vista was pressed against him and as far away from Robert as she could get. Dude kept looking at his girl and Pez. Pez was safe in the backseat, but Vista was mere inches away from getting knee groped.
"So, how long have you and Zeke been traveling?" Vista politely asked. She was more worried about the strange smell coming from the trunk, then Robert. However, talking would help get her mind off the fact that Vista could have sworn she was sitting on underwear.
"Two years, pretty girl." Robert answered with a little wink. "Two long years." He looked back at Pez. "Long years, pretty lady. Just been me and Zeke."
"Surely you could have masturbated or paid for sex?" Pez questioned with a cock of the head. "You know, like a normal man."
Suddenly the car got awkwardly quiet.
February 14th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
8:12 p.m.
Point Place Hotel
(Aqualung-Brighter Then the Sun)
After what Parker had dubbed the 'most awkward pre-sex meal ever', he and Chase went up to their hotel room.
Parker opened the large door and allowed Chase to go in before him. He entered to find her staring wide eyed around the large suit. The room was covered in candles and flowers and the bed was covered in rose petals.
"It's…it's as big as my trailer." Chase breathed. "I mean…wow."
Parker moved to stand beside her. He wrapped his right arm around her waist. "My God, Callie really came through. I told her romance and this is…this is chick flick or soap opera romance."
Chase laughed softly and laid her head on Parker's shoulder. "Now all we need is a jealous ex or sparklingly cinder or an angry parent or…you know something else like that to make it complete or ruin it."
"It's not going to get ruined, love muffin. This is going to be memorable, but not because things go wrong." Parker let Chase go and walked on over to the bed. "This is our hotel room and it's the first I've ever been in without Vista or Callie or Pez or Jon or Holder or my other cousins or my parents. We have got to enjoy this." He jumped onto the bed and let a chuckled escape his lips as he bounced.
"You mean we should enjoy yourselves before the sex?" Chase asked with a shake of the bed and a little laugh. Before Parker could respond, Chase dove into the bed and landed on her stomach. "This is an awesome bed!"
Parker smiled lovingly at her. "Hey, Chase?" She gave him an awkward smile. "I really really love you."
"I really love you, too." And to prove it, Chase kissed him.
She turned herself onto her side and Parker did the same. Chase slide her arms around his stomach and before either of them knew what was happening, Chase had taken Parker's shirt off and he had started on her skirt…
February 14th, 2004
Outside Point Place, Wisconsin
8:45 p.m.
Wal-mart
The small group of four had made it to Wal-mart, though they did have to spend nearly an hour in awkward silence, after Pez's little suggestion to Robert. And Robert had ended up telling the teens that he was "Just going to check out the adult video store a couple of blocks away." This statement lead Jon to believe that after they picked up the tire, they'd have to find a way back to his car. At this rate, they wouldn't even get to Milwaukee until midnight.
"Okay, automotive is at the back of the store." Jon started as they entered Wal-mart. "I've got twenty-five on me." He looked over at Holder. "You're going to have to pay the rest."
Holder scoffed. "No way!" This was met by three glares. "Wh-why me?"
"'Cause you took the tire out of the trunk, dumbass." Pez hit Holder upside the head for good measure. "It is all your fault that I am not yet in the arms of Charlie."
"I only have five dollars." Holder protested. He looked toward Vista for help. "Vissy's always got cash. She's frigid."
"You mean frugal. Frigid means cold. " Vista corrected with a little sigh. "And I only have ten dollars."
"I only have three dollars." Pez quickly stated. "That makes it thirty-eight dollars between the four of us." She chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "That won't be enough, will it?"
Jon gave Pez a little 'no duh' look. "Okay, we'll just…Vista, you may want to not listen to this-"
"We can't steal!" Suddenly the whole front of Wal-mart was looking at the four of them. "Steal hearts!" Vista yelled again. She buried her face in Jon's chest and he wrapped a protective arm around her waist.
"Maybe Robert can pitch in the rest?" Pez suggested. "And we can pay him back later."
"Pez," Jon started slowly. "guy's a pervert and as soon as we get back to the car, I never want to see him again. No, we're going to just have to…do something that Vista won't like." Vista made a whimpering noise into Jon's shirt. "We'll just come up with very lame plan."
Minutes later, the Jon, Pez, and Holder had stunk into the storage room of Wal-mart and were headed straight for the tires. Vista was waiting for them outside, by the doors. The plan was to get a tire out of storage, start to the front, and run out before anyone really noticed. Bad plan? Yes. But, then all their plans were pretty bad.
"This place is so scary." Holder whispered. He was holding onto Jon's jacket and it was really annoying.
Jon rolled his eyes. "This isn't going to be like the time you watched horror movies for forty-eight hours straight. I am not following you to the bathroom for a month again, man."
Holder just made a noise that let Jon know he was insulted.
"Hey!" Both guys jumped as Pez showed up on their right. "I have found a tire. We may go now."
The three ran to the front of the store a minute later, only to find Vista trying to politely tell Robert she didn't think Pez was interested.
"No time for that!" Holder screamed as he jumped into the front seat of Robert's car. "We stole a tire from Wal-mart!" The gang quickly jumped into the car, as the seventy-year-old Wal-mart greeter chased after them.
February 15th, 2004
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
12:15 a.m.
Charlie's Place
(Relient K-The One I'm Waiting For)
Jon pulled into Charlie's driveway at the time when he should have been driving into Pez's driveway. Charlie was nowhere to be seen, but the light from the garage was on. Pez nearly flew out of the backseat and raced to the garage door; she banged on it and a second later, it opened.
Jon, Holder, and Vista were just getting out of Jon's car when Charlie greeted Pez with a arm hug and a sloppy kiss. He wrapped the younger teen into another hug and offered her friends a smile.
"I've got a television, warm soda, chips, and a few friends for you guys to meet." Charlie told them as he guided Pez into the garage. "And a new tattoo for you to see, sweet pea."
Jon reached out for Vista's hand and she took it. Jon didn't seem to notice that Vista was looking over at Holder as the two of them walked into the garage. For his part, Holder was trailing behind the group, watching Pez with the saddest smile.
February 15th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
2:49 a.m.
Point Place Hotel
(Aqualung-Brighter Then the Sun)
Meanwhile, back in Point Place, Parker and Chase lay sleeping in their hotel bed. Chase's head was lying on Parker's chest and his arms were around her body. They were both peacefully sleeping, until Parker opened his eyes and glanced at the clock.
"Holy hell!" Parker shot up, causing Chase to wake up. "We're so late. Red's going to kill you and then he's going to help my dad kill me!" Parker grabbed his shirt off the ground and started to get dressed, just as Chase found her bra.
"Wait, wait…my skirt!" Chase leaned over the side of the bed. "Where in the hell is my skirt?"
Parker lifted the covers. "My…" he grabbed it and tossed it to her.
They were both dressed a moment later and rushing out the door. Just as Parker's hand reached the knob, he stopped himself. "Wait, this is wrong."
"No, no, you're wearing your underwear." Chase assured him.
"No," Parker laughed. "no, I just, I love you and tonight-last night-was so special."
Chase smiled widely and gave him a huge kiss on the lips. "I love you, too." They paused to just let themselves enjoy the moment before: "Okay, go, go, go!" And with that, the two young lovers run out of the room.
Coming Soon:
2.8 River of Dreams: After their night together, both Parker and Chase have very different views on how things went. Holder becomes freaked when he begins having dirty dreams about some of his friends.