Chapter 30
Checking into a nice hotel, the group lugged their bags into their rooms; Brittany and Alvin, Simon and Jeanette and Bruno in a room on his own were opposite Eleanor and Theodore, and Steph and Alex.
Alvin and Steph had chosen alter ego personas to sign themselves in and chose Ivar Biggdic and Ivana Humpalot – and found it absolutely hysterical, practically collapsing on the floor as they signed for the rooms.
The reception staff simply raised an eyebrow and shook her head a little.
She knew perfectly well who Alvin was, at least, and figured he was just a punk ass rock star teen trying to look 'cool' in front of his friends.
He was splashing out on the rooms, who was she to care what name he used, so long as the bill was paid for at the end of their stay.
After changing into swim wear, they all met in Simon and Jeanette's room, "Great idea Bruno" Simon smiled at him.
Brittany clapped her hands together, "Ok, so who's up for the pool?"
Jeanette put her hand up a little, "Can I suggest washing first?"
Brittany looked at Jeanette and rolled her eyes, whinging, "But Jen...that's boring"
Steph smiled, "Oh, you obviously haven't been to many Laundromats then have you?"
Brittany tilted her head, "What do you mean?"
The guys were looking at Steph as she simply gave a smile and nodded to the girls, "Trust me, Laundromats can be lots of fun"
Alvin folded his arms, "You gonna let us guys in on what the hell you're talking about?" he raised an eyebrow.
Steph tried hard not to burst out laughing and stood up, collecting her bag of dirty clothes, "I'll see you boys later, coming girls?"
The girls looked at one another and scooped up their bags of dirty clothing too, warily following Steph down to the laundry.
The guys looked at Alvin for some kind of confirmation, but he just shook his head, looking at Alex, "I seriously have no idea, but my guess is that your girlfriend has a sick mind" and picked up his towel, "I'm gonna hit the pool"
Alex looked at the others and grabbed his towel, "Alvin, what'd you mean?" following Alvin out the room.
Simon looked at Bruno and Theodore, "Well, are you guys heading to the pool?"
Bruno shook his head, "Nah, I'm gonna get in some time at the gym, then I'll come by the pool later"
Theodore looked down at his stomach and pulled his shirt down a little more, "I think I might head into the games room"
Simon nodded, "Actually, I might join you Theo" he looked at Bruno as they exited, "We'll see you at the pool later then?"
Bruno nodded and picked up his towel and headed towards the gym, closing the door behind him.
Down in the Laundromat, the girls had put their washing into the washing machines and were playing the waiting game for the cycle to finish.
They were the only ones down there using the machines, which suited Steph fine for what she had in mind.
Brittany hoisted herself onto the folding bench, "OK, Steph, enlighten us, what's so great about the Laundromat?" she folded her arms and looked unimpressed at Steph.
Steph spun around slowly, "Please, you're looking at a total playground here"
Jeanette looked around at the mustard coloured washing machines and dryers, "I don't see it Steph"
Steph hinted again, "Playground equals things to ride and play on" she gave a smile, biting her bottom lip.
Eleanor looked at Brittany and Jeanette; they had the same confused expression as she did, "There's no rides in the Laundromat Stephi" she explained.
Steph sighed and walked over to a washing machine that was running, "Ok, you're obviously not getting my drift here" she banged on the lid of the washing machine, "This is a washing machine, and all it does is wash clothes right?"
The girls nodded slowly, "Right?"
"Wrong!" Steph called out, making the girls jump a little.
She positioned herself in front of the washing machine, "This rattling box of machinery is also a fantastic way to...well let's just say you're not getting all you want from your man in the relationship" the girls still held their confused expressions, as Steph rolled her eyes, "Oh %$# I really need to spell it out to you don't I? Look when a washing machine is running, it vibrates...so if you were to, oh I don't know, sit on it..."
The girls' eyes grew wide in disbelief as Steph hoisted herself on the washing machine and sat there, kicking the machine lightly, "Now you get the idea" she started laughing as Jeanette covered her mouth, "Steph, you're not talking about...um...well this is awkward" she blushed and turned her face away.
Eleanor walked over and ran her hand over the washing machine, "It doesn't really...does it?"
Steph patted the machine next to her, "Try one for yourself" she looked over at Brittany and Jeanette, "Get the guys down here watching and trust me, you're in for a wild night"
Eleanor started climbing up onto the washing machine (she had to use an upturned crate to get up though) as Brittany cried out, almost laughing, "Steph, you haven't...in a laundry?"
Steph winked, "Wait til the spin cycle, it's magic" she threw her head back, "OH BABY!"
Brittany shook her head laughing as Eleanor sat on the washing machine and made a little squeal, "Oh sh*t! Steph's right...it certainly...does...whoa!"
Steph slid off and took a deep breath in, "Easy Ellie" she flicked her hair.
Brittany and Jeanette, gaining curiosity walked over to the washing machines as Steph swept her arm, "Who needs to spend money on expensive "toys" when every home has a washing machine?"
Jeanette, still blushing, looked slightly horrified, "I don't want to know...but, and I know I'm going to regret this, but how did you find this out?"
Steph laughed and helped her and Brittany onto the washing machines, "Look, home alone on washing night, your mind starts wondering, what if?" she shrugged as she laughed watching Brittany and Jeanette's reactions.
Brittany giggled, "I want one of these"
"Brittany!" Jeanette said, a little taken aback.
Then she paused and a smile crept over her face, "Um, well...actually"
Steph doubled over laughing, "%$# this is hilarious, oh you girls are so innocently naive...and I'm just taking that all away" she laughed again, "This is priceless!"
Over at the pool Alvin and Alex had been having fun inventing different ways of sliding down the slide, which had water gushing from the top of it.
They'd been bored with simply sitting, and had changed to belly sliding, balancing on their knees and now were onto sliding on their feet.
Alex laughed, popping his head up from under the water and looking up at Alvin.
He'd just slid down on his back, head first, "Dude, you're crazy if you're gonna do that"
Alvin stood holding onto the sides of the slide and balancing himself, "If I make it down, I am a champion"
Alex swam back a little, "Yeah and if you don't, you'll crack your head on the ground below"
Alvin smirked, "Wager?"
Alex shook his head, "I win, you owe me a drink; you win, I'll shout ya"
Alvin nodded confidently, "You're on"
He stepped and steadied himself on the slide, taking a breath in before letting go and pushing himself forward.
He was a little wobbly, but managed to hold his stance and dove at the last minute into the pool.
Emerging he pumped his fist in the air, "You owe me a drink!"
Alex slapped his fist in the water, "Dammit!"
Alvin looked at him, blinking the water from his eyes, "Oh so you wanted me to split my head open?"
Alex laughed, "No, but I didn't wanna buy you a drink either" kicking his way over to the middle of the pool.
Simon and Theodore entered the pool area and dumped their towels on a chair.
Simon took his shirt off and placed his glasses on top.
Theodore looked in the pool and clutched at his stomach a little.
Simon was ready to dive in, when he looked back at Theodore, looking a little unsure.
He gave a small smile and turned to Theodore, "Theo, you need to stop worrying about what your body looks like, you look fine"
Theodore frowned, "Easy for you to say" and lowered his head
Simon sighed, "Theodore, you do this to yourself you know...look we don't think any less of you, we love ya for who you are, and Eleanor" Theodore's head looked up, "She loves you for who you are too"
Theodore gave a weak smile, "Thanks Simon" he sighed and pulled his shirt off, watching as Simon dove into the pool, resurfacing somewhere in the middle and edged himself into the pool, wading over to the others.
Alvin floated on his back asking, "Where'd Bruno head off to?"
Simon tread water and ran his hand through his hair, "He went off to the gym"
Alex nodded, "Yeah, cause he needs it" and thought back to the power in Bruno's punches.
The other's laughed as Alvin dove back under the water and did a handstand, before Theodore came and pushed his legs over.
Alvin came up spurting water, "Ahh, water up my nose" he started scratching at his head, "Ahh stupid feeling, ahh" he looked at Theodore, "You're dead"
Theodore edged himself back as Alvin dove at him, wrestling him in the water as they edged towards the shallow end.
Meanwhile in the gym, Bruno had already done a few sets on different equipment, but found a punching bag and smiled, "A bit of kickboxing should clear my mind"
He walked over and took a stance in front of the bag, before lashing out with a number of different kicking styles, determined to rid himself of the built up frustration.
After a while he stood, breathing heavily and covered in sweat.
He reached for his towel and wiped his face down before heading back up to his room to change for the pool.
In the Laundromat, Steph had been rolling on the floor in hysterics watching the reaction of the Chipettes, who'd since slid off the machines and were trying to regain composure (while none of the girls had actually remained on the washing machines to reach a climax, the time spent on them, had given them a fair indication of what could be achieved)
Steph wiped her eyes and fanned her face, "OK, that was %$# ing hilarious!" she looked at Brittany, "Seriously, if that hasn't got your motor running for some action later, well, that's just not fair on Alvin then is it?"
Brittany laughed out and glared at her, "STEPH!"
Steph just burst out laughing again, clutching at her stomach, "Baow chicka wah waow!"
Jeanette and Eleanor laughed as they emptied the washing into the dryers and turned the dials to set the timers.
"Ok, ok, we have about an hour to kill before these are done" Jeanette said, calming herself down she took a deep breath in and wrote their room number on a ticket, claiming it to their dryers, "Ready to hit the pool?"
The others nodded and they headed back up to their rooms to collect their towels.
Bruno swiped his door key and entered his room.
The Chipmunks had offered to pay for the rooms, as they knew they could easily claim it on tax, and hadn't spared any expense from giving everyone deluxe suites with mini bars, which they also said they'd cover the tab, and in house movies on the TVs.
Despite being on his own, Bruno had been given a room with a queen bed.
He felt a little bad for not being able to contribute much so far on the trip, and tried to insist on taking a smaller single room, but Alvin, in particular, had been adamant.
He took his shirt off and threw it to the floor at the foot of the bed and knelt down at his bag and rummaged through it, pulling out his black board shorts covered in graphic icons, (man he was thankful he'd stuffed them in his bag when he left home in such haste) and tossed them, aiming for the bed, but he overshot the throw, and they landed on the other side.
He shrugged and scratched his head, walking towards the bathroom, stripping down to his underwear, unbeknownst he hadn't fully closed the door to his room behind him.
The girls came back up to their rooms and grabbed their towels, and started heading down the hallway pushing the button for the elevators.
As she passed it, Steph noticed the door to Bruno's room was slightly ajar.
She cocked her head sideways and called out to the others, "Uh, you go ahead, I'll be with you in a sec"
Eleanor turned round, "What's up?"
Steph shrugged, "Well Bruno's door is open...but there's no cleaning trolley or sign"
Brittany put her hands on her hips, "Maybe he just forgot to close the door then?"
Steph nodded a little, "Well, if that's the case, I'll just make sure nothing's been taken, and meet you guys down at the pool"
Brittany sighed and nodded, "Ok, but don't take too long"
Steph nodded and pushed the door open as the Chipettes entered the elevator and took it down to the pool.
Steph walked cautiously in the room.
She looked around and noticed Bruno's clothes already strewn around the room, and smirked to herself, "Such a man, leaving his sh*t everywhere...he's made himself at home already"
Bruno looked in the bathroom mirror and ran his fingers through his hair, leaning on the basin.
He shook his head and sighed, dropping his underwear and twisted to turn the shower on.
As he did he knocked one of the complimentary bottles of shampoo and it made a slight crashing noise as it slid down the side of the basin.
Steph's ears tuned into the slight noise coming from the bathroom and with a perplexed expression, decided to investigate.
She pushed the bathroom door open a little and poked her head in, "Hello?" she gave a shriek and covered her eyes with her hands.
"SH*T!" Bruno quickly grabbed a towel from the rail and frantically wrapped it round his waist, "Steph? What the hell?"
Steph tried not to laugh, "I'm sorry, sh*t I'm so sorry Bruno" she sputtered out laughing, shaking her head with her hands still covering her eyes.
She stood in her tiny board shorts and bikini and a very short t-shirt that cut off just under her bust.
Bruno stood there, towel wrapped round him, one hand holding it up, the other he ran through his hair, "Why are you here?"
Steph parted her fingers a little to sneak a peek through, giggling, and then closed them back up over her eyes again, "Your door was open, and there was no cleaning sign, so I came in to investigate"
Bruno looked at her and shook his head a little, "And it didn't occur to you I may be in here?"
Steph shrugged, "Well, to be honest I thought you were down at the pool"
Bruno fastened the towel and folded his arms, "Yeah I went to the gym first, came up here to shower before going to the pool"
Steph shrugged a little, "Well...how was I supposed to know that?" she smiled.
He sighed and rolled his eyes, "You can stop hiding you know...you've kinda already seen everything"
Steph lowered her hands and smiled, "Um, ok...so..." she giggled, "Now what?"
Bruno raised an eyebrow, "Whaddya mean, 'now what?'...I was kinda hoping you'd leave, I'd shower and we'd never speak of this again" he smiled a little, to ease any tension.
Steph looked a little surprised, "Oh...um, ok"
Bruno looked puzzled and took a small step forward, "Steph? You look surprised at something" he looked down and pulled the towel a little more secure.
Steph laughed a little to herself, and looked into the mirror, "Well...it's just, I mean usually when I've kinda walked in on a guy" she looked at Bruno, nodding slightly, "And that's actually happened a fair bit, mostly by accident...except when I go into the guy's locker room" she smirked, "If they're not decent, not my fault" she looked back in the mirror, "But, yeah they kinda expect something in return...ya know, like a one for one type thing?"
Bruno looked at her, a little concerned as Steph rubbed her arm.
He rubbed the back of his neck and stepped a little closer, reaching out and touching her on the shoulder, "Well, I'm not like other guys...I'm not gonna ask you to that...I'd never ask you to do anything you didn't want to" he gave her a small reassuring smile.
Steph smiled back, looking up at him, staring.
Bruno looked at her too; panic filling his body.
She closed her eyes and leant slightly closer, lips inviting.
For a moment it felt like time paused around them, before Bruno shook his head and ushered her quickly, out the door, "Just...I'll be done soon, head to the pool, I'll see you there"
Steph was caught off guard, and almost tripped over his jeans on the floor, "Oh, um, sure, yeah ok" she smiled as he closed the door.
He locked it and headed back to the bathroom, resting his hands on the basin and looking once more in the mirror.
Now he was totally confused.
First the random kiss.
Then...the almost moment of kissing
Dammit she was making this a lot more difficult.
Did she like him?
Or was she just being her flirtatious self?
And what about Alex in all this?
%$# .
He shook his head and gripped at the edge of the vanity.
His head was starting to ache with the thoughts conflicting in his mind.
Bruno tugged at the towel to loosen it, threw it over the rail and stepped into the shower, turning on the taps and then with his palm against the wall of the shower stall, he stood, contemplating as he let the water fall down his back and race down the drain.
He decided he'd have to talk to Steph.
However, that would mean he need to create some way of being alone with her long enough so it didn't draw attention or suspicion to them, but so he could get some damn answers to his questions; put his mind at ease.
Steph thought about that moment in the bathroom with Bruno all the way down to the pool.
She played aimlessly with her hair and looked in the mirrored walls, talking to herself, "Sh*t Stephi...what the hell? You have a boyfriend...and a freaking awesome one at that...don't %$ # things up" she smiled to herself, "But oh man...Bruno...hello" she giggled to herself as she exited the lift and walked into the pool area.
She composed herself as she took off her t-shirt (if you could call it that) and dumped her towel on a chair.
She pulled her hair into a loose bun and wandered to the side of the pool.
The others were all splashing about, as Brittany waded to the edge, "Hey, you find out what was going on with Bruno's room?"
Steph nodded and smiled, "Uh-huh"
Brittany looked at Steph, frowning and twisting her mouth a little, "What happened?"
Steph lowered herself into the pool, "What? What makes you think anything happened?"
Brittany raised an eyebrow as Steph laughed, "No-thing" she paused and dunked her head under the water, smiling as she resurfaced, "Seriously, it's fine"
Brittany shook her head as the two of them paddled off to the rest of the group, who'd congregated in the middle of the pool.
Alex swam to meet Steph and scooped her up in the water, "Finally you made it, what took you so long?"
Steph smiled at him and kissed him on the forehead, "I needed to pee"
Alex laughed, "More information than needed"
Steph laughed too, "You asked"
Alvin swam up to them and paddled around them, "Sooo, how was the Laundromat then?"
Jeanette blushed and tried to hide her face; Eleanor couldn't stop giggling and hugged onto Theodore; Brittany just kept a silent smile on her face while Steph looked at Alvin and flicked water in his face, "Nah-uh, not telling" she looked around at the guys, "Ask your own girlfriends...or better yet, take your dirty laundry down there with them" she winked at the girls who responded with a mixture of groans and giggles.
Alvin wiped his hand down his face, "Aww, c'mon, let us in on the big secret of the Laundromat"
Steph shook her head and ducked under the water, emerging and running her hands over her hair, "OK, so what else is there to do in the pool?"
The others all looked at one another as Steph squealed as Alex swam under her and hoisted her on his shoulders, "Pool war!"
Alvin laughed and ducked under the water, making Brittany scream and hold tight onto his head as he boosted her up, "Bring it on!" he took a slow motioned step forward in the water, as Alex took another step forward.
Steph and Brittany, holding on tight, soon let go and tried to maintain their balance.
Steph held her arms out, as Brittany did the same and they locked together, looking down at the guys, "Now what?" Brittany called out.
Alvin grunted and yelled back, "Bring the bitch down!"
Steph gasped and laughed, "Oh that's charming that is" and she kicked her leg out, sweeping water into Alvin's face.
He shook his head and spurted the water out, reaching around Brittany's leg and wiping his face.
Brittany looked at Steph, laughing and tried to twist her from Alex.
Alex grunted and stepped in closer, giving Steph better control.
It was a known fact Steph was much stronger than Brittany and probably Alvin, however, it was also a known fact Alvin could play dirty, and that he did.
He stepped his leg out and wrapped his foot round the back of Alex's knee and pulled it towards him, making Alex lose balance, which in turn made Steph loose balance and scream as she fell into the water, as Alex collapsed under the water also.
Brittany thrust her arms triumphantly in the air cheering as Alvin spun round in the water; the others were looking on laughing.
Steph resurfaced and glared at Alvin, as Alex came up also, "You tripped me up!" Alex called out.
Alvin slowly lowered Brittany back into the water, "What? Me?" he laughed, "Would I do a mean trick like that?"
Alex swept his arm in the water, created a cascade of water to wave over Alvin, who twisted away.
Bruno entered the pool area and tried to discreetly go and put his towel over with the others.
He caught Steph's eye, and looked away a little.
Steph smiled a little to herself and went back to mucking about with the others.
Alvin noticed the exchange and questioned it, but said nothing and called out to Bruno, "How was the workout?"
Bruno smiled and nodded; taking his shirt off, "Yeah, good facilities here" he took a short run up and dove in, over the heads of Eleanor and Jeanette who were resting on the side of the pool.
They squealed playfully as he dove over them.
He resurfaced somewhere in the middle of the pool and joined in with the antics.
After about an hour, the girls had all migrated to the spa in the corner of the pool area, while the guys were playing a sort of piggy in the middle type game with a pool float they'd found.
Brittany lowered her shoulders under the bubbling water, "So absolutely nothing happened up when you were investigating Bruno's room?"
Eleanor and Jeanette looked at Steph, awaiting her answer, as she smiled a little and shook her head slightly, resting it back on the padded backrest, "No, nothing happened, geez stop jumping to conclusions"
Brittany smirked, "Yeah, that's kinda hard with you"
Jeanette asked, "So, was he in there, or was the room empty?"
Steph sat up a bit, "Uh...yeah he was there"
"Doing what?" Eleanor asked, floating her hands on top of the water.
Steph rolled her eyes, "Geez what the hell is this Law and Order? Look I went in to see if he was there, he was, we got chatting a little, then I left" she shook her head, "No biggie"
Brittany folded her arms, "You're not telling us something, Steph"
Steph started laughing, "What? There's nothing not to tell, nothing happened"
The girls looked into her eyes until Brittany sat back, "Well, ok then, I guess you could be telling the truth then"
Steph smiled, "Gee thanks"
Jeanette looked up at the large clock on the wall, "We should go collect our clothes from the dryers, it's been almost an hour"
The other girls nodded and began climbing out of the spa and dried themselves off with their towels.
Brittany called out to the guys, "Hey! We're heading back now"
Alvin looked at them as Simon threw the pool float to him, smacking him in the head, "Ow! Simon!"
Simon laughed, and shrugged, "Sorry" as the others all laughed.
Alvin rubbed his head and turned back to the girls, "Well, we were getting hungry and thought maybe checking out the restaurant here?"
The girls nodded their heads, "We'll meet you back in the rooms soon then"
Alvin nodded and hurled the pool float back at Simon, who deflected it with his arm as the girls exited the pool area and caught the elevator back to the Laundromat.
The group checked into the restaurant and Theodore was pleasantly surprised to see a full buffet smorgasbord presented before them, "Oh my gosh" he turned to Eleanor, "They have everything here!"
Eleanor giggled and hugged Theodore, "Just be sure to pace yourself"
They were all seated and took turns at getting their food; Theodore, Eleanor, Alex, and Jeanette went first then when they returned, the rest went.
Sitting down Steph looked over at Alex's plate, "Ew, oysters? Really?"
He smiled at her, squeezing lemon over one, "Aphrodisiac baby"
Steph just wrinkled her nose up as Alex tipped one up into his mouth.
Alvin reached over and picked one up, "Aphrodisiac you say?" he poked it with his fork, "Looks more like a giant blob of snot"
Brittany jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, "Ew, Alvin, don't say crap like that while we're eating"
Alex shook his head, "Say what you want, I love 'em"
Theodore smiled, "Yeah, but I like them better with garlic and butter and grilled"
Alex nodded, "Mm, but the best way is eating them just fresh; better when you can shuck them yourself"
Alvin smirked, "Heh, shuck you"
Bruno laughed at Alvin's joke.
Steph shifted her seat over a little, "They smell like sh*t"
Jeanette laughed, "They smell like oysters"
Steph shook her head and took a bite of her garlic bread, "Well then oysters smell like sh*t then"
Alex smiled and tipped another into his mouth, swallowing, "Well, you say that now, but wait til the effects kick in, you'll be begging me to eat oysters every night"
Steph poked one of the empty shells with her knife, "Yeah, sure"
Later that night they'd all decided to crash in Simon and Jeanette's room and watch movies, splurge on room service and drink the mini bars bare...so to speak.
All but Alex were present.
He had taken ill quickly after finishing the oysters, contracting food poisoning or something.
They'd let the hotel staff know and they'd apologised, saying it must have been a bad batch of oysters.
He sat near the toilet in the bathroom of his and Steph's room as Steph tried to make the bed for him, propping pillows up and putting a few bottles of water on his bedside table.
She walked and stood in the doorway, "How you feeling babe?"
Alex, who had his eyes closed and was leaning back on the wall behind him groaned a little, "I feel like %$# ing hell"
His face was pale and his stomach and throat hurt from heaving.
Steph picked up a face washer and drenched it in the sink with cool water, then wrung it out and came over wiping his head and face and back of his neck.
He looked up and gave a weak smile before pushing her out of the way and throwing up in the bowl of the toilet.
Steph made a face, "Ugh"
Alex wiped his mouth and groaned again, "I'm never eating a %$# ing oyster again"
Steph smiled a little, "Well that's good to know" she looked around, then stepped a little closer to him, "You want some help back to bed? Or you planning on camping here tonight?"
Alex shook his head slightly, "I have no idea what I wanna do...well I want to go to bed, but I'm pretty sure I'll be camping here for a while"
Steph nodded and rubbed her arm, "Mind if I don't sleep here tonight then?"
Alex looked at her, "You're abandoning me?"
Steph laughed a little, "No, I'm not abandoning you, I just figured if you're gonna be up and down all night, I'll get pissed off from you constantly disturbing my sleep" she kissed her hand and pat him on the head, "I'll keep checking back in on you, but I think it'd be better if you were here on your own, to try and get sleep and also so you can chuck up as much as you want"
Alex nodded weakly and closed his eyes, "Where will you sleep then?"
Steph shrugged, "The other's all have lounges in their rooms, I'm sure I can crash on one of them, don't worry"
She played with his hair a little, "You just get better ok?" she reached over and flushed the toilet.
He nodded and tried to stand up, Steph quickly coming to his aid.
She helped him over to the bed and got him undressed, and tucked him in.
"I think my stomach has settled enough for me to get in some sleep" he smiled again weakly and settled himself down as Steph kissed him on the forehead, wiping her lips after as he was all sweaty.
She pointed out the water bottles on the night stand and left the bathroom door open and light on.
Before she left she called out, "I'll come back later to see how you're doing ok?"
Alex didn't respond; he'd already fallen asleep.
Steph smiled and quietly closed the door, walking over to Simon and Jeanette's room and knocking on the door.
Simon answered and let Steph inside, "How's Alex?" he asked as she flopped on the edge of the bed, "He looks like sh*t, he smells even worse but he's sleeping now"
The others nodded, Jeanette adding, "Well, rest is hopefully all he needs, let's hope he's better by tomorrow then"
Steph nodded, "Yep...but it does leave me without somewhere to crash, cause I am not staying in there while Alex is there chucking his guts up" she looked around at the group.
Alvin shook his head, "Not with us" he shrugged and took a mouthful of beer, "Sorry, you know I loves you and all but" he pulled Brittany closer to him, "You know"
Simon rolled his eyes, and smiled at Steph "You can take our lounge if you want" as Eleanor added, "Or ours"
Steph gave a curt smile, "Oh, thanks guys" she looked at Bruno, who just looked away and stood to help herself to the mini bar and grabbed a handful of chips, stuffing them in her mouth.
As the night went on, the bar tab rose, more movies were played, and everyone was having fun.
Steph kept her word by checking in on Alex, but the past few times she'd noticed he was asleep and figured he'd be fine for the rest of the night if she didn't go in any more.
Eleanor and Theodore had been sitting on the lounge with Jeanette, as Simon sat on the arm of the lounge as he scrolled through the movie listings.
He took note of the time on the clock which showed it was creeping up to 1am.
Another late night.
He looked back and saw Alvin and Brittany heavily making out on the bed and Bruno leaning against the end of the bed, yawning with Steph lying on her stomach on the edge of the bed, looking bored...or lost in thought.
Simon threw a cushion at Alvin and Brittany, "Take it into your room would you?"
Alvin looked at the cushion and grinning, hurled it back, and grabbed Brittany's hand, "And that's our cue to leave then" he gave a curt salute and left the others.
Bruno stood up and stretched, "Yeah I think that's me done too" he smiled, "See you all later" he smiled at Steph, who waved and smiled back.
The others waved good night as Eleanor and Theodore stood up, "Yep that's us done too" and they headed to the door.
Steph looked down at her fingers and picked at her nails a little, before rolling off the bed, "I'm, um, just gonna check to see how Alex is doing" and she followed Eleanor and Theodore to the door.
Simon nodded and asked, "Wait, where are you going to sleep?"
Steph looked between Simon and Theodore, "Uh, somewhere...I'll try not to make too much noise coming in...wherever I end up"
Simon looked at Jeanette and shrugged, "Ok, fine by us, take one of our door keys"
Eleanor and Theodore nodded, "Yeah, here's a spare from us too" Theodore handed her a key and smiled, "You're welcome wherever"
Steph smiled, taking the two keys and followed Theodore and Eleanor out the door and bypassed to her room.
She ducked in before peeking out to check if Theodore and Eleanor had gone into their room.
Alvin and Brittany were in their room together, kissing on the lounge when Alvin suggested they move to the bed.
Brittany giggled as he led her over, gently laying her down.
He smoothed back her hair with one hand and caressed her side with the other, gazing in her eyes as she held him on the waist, when he suddenly sat upright.
Brittany looked at him slightly alarmed, "What's wrong?"
Alvin shook his head and looked around, "Dammit, I left my cap in Simon's room"
Brittany groaned and rolled her eyes, "Oh is that all?"
Alvin wriggled off the bed and made a dash to the door, "I'll be right back, just keep thinking sexy thoughts" he winked and disappeared down the hallway.
He knocked on Simon's door, who came to the door holding his cap, "I knew you'd be back for it"
Alvin smiled, "Aww, you know me too well"
Simon smiled and rolled his eyes, "Yeah well, g'night"
Alvin saluted him and headed back to his room and opening the door and smiling at Brittany, "Got it"
She raised an eyebrow, "Oh yippee" she said unenthusiastically.
Alvin looked at her, "Aw c'mon, it's a happy day for all, Alvin has his cap back"
Brittany shook her head and tossed a door sign to him, "Just put this on the door will you?"
Alvin fumbled with the sign and grinned at her.
When the coast was clear, Steph quietly closed her door and tiptoed down the hall, knocking on another door and waiting for an answer.
Bruno opened the door, slightly bleary eyed, already in his pj's; a pair of track pants and a black singlet.
He took one look at Steph and felt suddenly awake, "Steph? Um, what's up?"
Steph smiled at him and looked up and down the hallway, "You sleeping? No? Great, can I come in?"
Bruno rubbed his neck, "Uhh, well..."
Steph shook her head, "Hurry up and let me in before someone sees" she pushed past him as Bruno closed the door, a little stunned.
Alvin slipped his head and hand out the door to the place the sign on the handle and looked over as he watched Steph enter Bruno's room.
He tilted his head and looked confused as he closed the door.
Brittany sat up a little and looked at him, "What's the matter?"
Alvin shook his head, "Nothing, it's nothing" he smiled at her and threw his cap onto the lounge, "Now where were we?" he laughed as he pounced on the bed, making Brittany squeal.
Bruno shrugged as she put them back and pulled out two bottles of beer, sitting on the bed with Bruno and passing him a bottle.
He smiled, thanking her, and twisted the cap of, flicking it over to the bin and tipped the bottle back.
Steph leant back on the bed and took a mouthful of beer, "So...what's doing?"
Bruno smirked at her, "I was gonna go to bed...but now it seems I'm here entertaining you" he lifted the bottle up and smiled at her.
Steph sat herself back up, "Sorry, I wasn't tired, and both Ellie and Theo and Simon and Jen are heading to bed...bunch of nannas really" she looked over at the bedside clock, "Still early" she giggled a little.
They sat in silence for a while before Bruno cleared his throat, "So I wanted to talk to you about something"
Steph smiled and twisted her body to face him, sitting cross legged and nursing her beer in the space between her legs, "What's on your mind?"
Bruno took a deep breath in and scratched his head, "Um, well you actually"
Steph sat up a little bit, flattered, "Aww, that's sweet, go on" she took another mouthful of beer as Bruno chuckled a little, "Ok...so first things first, that kiss, in the saloon?"
Steph's smile widened as threw her head back laughing, "Oh I told you it was only me trying something out...look the idea popped into my head and I couldn't shake it all night. So I figured, "Ah to hell with it, I need to see" and I did and it helped and now it's not on my mind anymore"
Bruno smiled and nodded, taking in the information, "OK what about the almost kissing me in the bathroom this afternoon?"
Steph just smiled and shrugged, "Caught up in the moment I guess" she tilted the bottle back and took a mouthful then wiggled a little on the bed giggling, she reached out and poked him in the chest, "You like me don'cha?"
Bruno's eyes widened, "Um, well, no, no I made that straight, you just remind me of my mama"
Steph rolled her eyes smiling, as she swigged the beer, "Yep, uh-huh cause I'm all kind hearted and sh*t" she wiped her mouth on her arm, rolling her eyes, "Come on, it's just me here, you can tell me" she beamed with a goofy smile.
Bruno laughed at her smile and shook his head, "No I'm...just happy being friends...besides you're the one who's been coming onto me"
Steph narrowed her eyes and grinned, "You're a bad liar Bruno" she raised an eyebrow.
He took a mouthful of beer and relaxed back on his elbows, "Look, I've sorted this sh*t out with Alex, and I...respect the guy, and he's with you...so whatever my feelings for you may be" Steph's grin grew a little as Bruno chuckled a little, "I'm not gonna jeopardise anything you guys have ok?" he shook his head, "I'm not that kind of guy"
Steph tilted her head, "Aww and here I was thinking you were some kind of bad boy"
Bruno laughed, "I'm only made out to be that way, but that's not me" he stared at the ceiling, then back over to Steph, "Oh and speaking of 'bad' then, who walks into a room without knocking, door ajar or not?"
Steph finished her beer and leant down to put the bottle on the floor, and rolled onto her stomach, resting on her arms (and showing off her cleavage...unintentionally), "What? There could've been someone in here"
"There was, me!" Bruno laughed and stood to refresh their drinks, holding up a choice of another beer or bottle of wine.
Steph nodded towards the wine as Bruno opened a cupboard and retrieved two wine glasses, "Ok" Steph noted, "So I should have knocked, I'll admit that...but who just stands around in the bathroom buck naked?"
Bruno laughed out loud, pouring the wine and passing a glass to Steph, "I was about to get in the shower" he took a sip and made a pleasant sound at the taste, "It's not like I was...I dunno, dancing round or anything"
Steph spit wine out all over her, and started laughing as Bruno laughed as well, "%$# that would've been hilarious" she stood up, putting her glass on the floor and started shaking her ass around, making her voice deep as if to be imitating Bruno in the mirror, "Oh yes my ass looks freaking hot as!"
Bruno was still laughing, "Is that supposed to be me?" he shook his head, "I do not dance like that, and there's no way in hell I'd be checking my own ass out"
Steph stumbled a little and laughed as she did a sort of slapping action with one hand, holding the other in front of her as she stood with her legs astride, bouncing a little, "This more you?"
He shook his head, taking a sip of wine, "No way, geez whaddya take me for?" he laughed.
Steph shrugged, "I dunno how you dance"
Bruno raised his glass, "And you'll never know" and drank a mouthful.
Steph pouted and stomped her foot, "Naww"
Bruno took another mouthful, standing to refill his glass, "Not gonna happen" he walked to the bar.
Steph fell to her knees, "What if I beg?" she clasped her hands up in front of her.
Bruno looked over his shoulder at her and shrugged, "Beg all you want, I ain't dancin'"
Steph thought a moment and undid her two top buttons, "How 'bout now?"
Bruno looked back and lowered his eyebrows, smiling, "How's that supposed to change my mind?"
Steph looked down at her unbuttoned top and back up again, slumping down to sitting on the floor, her legs making a 'W' shape, "I dunno...it's all I got" she shrugged and smiled.
Bruno smirked and shook his head; he came to sit on the edge of the bed, but miscalculated and ended up sliding down the foot of the bed, landing on the floor, "I'm sure there's more to you than your...um"
Steph grabbed under her boobs, "Twins?" she smiled, raising both her eyebrows.
Bruno smiled and shook his head again, "Yeah them"
Steph sat up on all fours and turned around, slapping her butt, "Yeah I got a killer ass too" Bruno brought his hand to his face and shook his head, laughing again, as she turned back around and sat with her legs to her side, leaning on one arm.
"No, there's heaps more to you" Bruno started, "From what I've seen anyway"
Steph smirked, "Mmm, and more to you...from what I've seen too" she winked and skulled the rest of her wine, crawling over to the bench and pulling herself up to get the bottle.
Bruno lowered his head a little, blushing, "Yeah, uh, thanks for that" he shook his head slightly and looked back at her, as she staggered a little back and sat next to him, "No, but seriously, I think you're one of the coolest chicks I know"
She nudged him, "You don't know many girls then do ya?"
He nudged her back, "I mean it; you're kind, you're hilarious, your spontaneity makes you awesome fun to be with; you're beautiful; you're always there for everyone; you're-"
"You called me beautiful" Steph interrupted.
Bruno felt his face start to burn, "Uhh...no I didn't" he tried to retract his comment.
Steph smiled softly, "Still a bad liar Bruno, besides I'm not that pissed to have misheard you" she took a mouthful from the bottle of wine.
He took a deep breath in sighed, "Ok, that may have slipped out but-"
She leant over and turned his face towards her, and kissed him.
Bruno pushed her off, "Steph, whoa, we can't do this...we've both been drinking, what about Alex? I mean-"
She put her finger to his lips and shook her head, "Bruno, do me a favour and shut up" she leant in, kissing him again, while this time, he relaxed and let it happen, finding his hands running up and down her back and resting them on her hips, helping her as she climbed over and sat on his lap on the floor.
Meanwhile Alvin and Brittany had advanced further into their night and were both cuddling under the blankets in their underwear; Brittany had made the decision to wear her racy red lingerie she'd bought from 'Sugar & Spice', which came as a massive turn on for Alvin.
They were lying facing each other, both wanting it, but unsure how to proceed.
Alvin decided to break the tension by starting a casual conversation, "So...now you gonna let me in on the secrets of the Laundromat?"
Brittany smiled and felt her body shake a little as Alvin laughed a little pulling away slightly, "What the hell kind of reaction was that?"
Brittany giggled, "Steph introduced us to the wonders of the washing machine"
Alvin waved his hand in a circular motion, "Go on"
Brittany grinned and took a deep breath in, "Well, ok I'm just gonna come right out and say it then"
Alvin moved a little closer, intrigued.
"So you sit up on the washing machine and as it goes through the cycles, the machine vibrates and...Well I'll let your imagination fill the gaps" she winked.
Alvin's eyes lit up, "Reckon the laundromat'd still be open?"
Brittany giggled and shook her head, "No, no I don't"
Alvin pondered the thought, "So did you..." his voice trailed off as Brittany gasped and slapped him playfully on the arm, "No!" She closed her eyes and smiled, "I didn't want my 'first time' to be lost to a washing machine" she opened her eyes and looked at him, "I was hoping you could do that"
Alvin grinned seductively at her and moved in right up next to her, "So that's an invite then? You're ok with this?"
Brittany lowered her head a little, nodding, and looked back up him, "Uh huh" she wrapped her leg around his and ran her fingers through his hair, "Um...you do have..." she bit her bottom lip as Alvin rolled over and flicked his wallet open, fishing out a small coloured square package, "I always come prepared baby" he twirled it between his fingers.
He ripped it open with his teeth and set it back on the bedside table for later.
Then he rolled back and ran his hands over Brittany's back and leant in, kissing her down her neck.
Brittany moaned a little and held onto Alvin's head, pressing it closer to her as he continued making his way down, rolling her gently to her back.
He lifted his head, looking at her with hungry eyes as she looked back, eyelashes fluttering slowly.
Alvin reached under her, as Brittany arched her back a little and tried the clasp, furrowing his brow as he worked at it, then smiling as he felt it unhook.
Brittany closed her eyes and pulled her arms out slowly from the bra straps as Alvin leant down and kissed her between her breasts, grabbing the bra with his teeth and pulling it up, tossing it over the side of the bed.
Brittany giggled as he looked back at her.
Alvin tried to keep the mood, and although his body was ready and willing to pounce his mind kept him halted as he thought, "%$# ...this is actually gonna happen...what the hell do I do?"
He smiled down at Brittany and let his eyes wander slowly down the curves of her body.
Brittany smiled and took a breath in, "So...we only have underwear left"
Alvin smirked, "Uh, yeah...wanna do this at the same time?"
Brittany shrugged, "Um, I guess so"
Alvin rolled onto his back as they both pulled the blankets up and looked at each other, reaching under the blankets, "Ready?" he asked.
Brittany nodded, "After three...one...two...three"
They both wriggled under the blankets and threw their underwear over the sides of the bed.
Alvin laughed nervously, "Ok...so...now we're gonna see each other all naked and stuff"
Brittany giggled nervously too, "Yep...so we are...how we gonna do this?"
Alvin shrugged, "I dunno...count of three lift the blanket?"
Brittany bit her lip, "That's not very romantic"
Alvin shrugged, "Got a better idea?"
Brittany shook her head as Alvin started counting, "One...there's no going back now"
Brittany closed and opened her eyes slowly, nodding.
"Two...and no laughing"
Brittany shook her head, smiling.
"I will take the odd compliment however"
"Alvin!"
"Ok, ok, three"
They lifted the blanket and peered underneath.
Brittany's eyes widened a little, as Alvin smirked, "I'll take it you're impressed then?"
Brittany lowered the blanket and turned her head over to Alvin, smiling seductively as Alvin's expression softened and he took a breath in, knowing their night had just begun.
Eleanor looked at the clock on the bedside table and sat up looking over at the lounge.
She rolled over and nudged Theodore, "Theo? Teddy bear?"
He grunted and rolled onto his back, "What is it Ellie? I'm trying to sleep"
Eleanor sat up a little, "Steph hasn't come back"
Theodore closed his eyes and rolled back onto his side, "Huh?"
Eleanor sighed, and leant over him, "I said, Steph isn't here, she hasn't come in"
Theodore shook his head and sunk down into his pillow, "She's probably crashing with Simon and Jeanette then"
Eleanor nodded, and rolled back onto her side of the bed, "Yeah you're probably right"
Theodore mumbled sleepily, "Course I'm right, now stop worrying and go to sleep"
Eleanor nodded again and pulled the blanket up, resting her arm out the blankets and closing her eyes.
Simon was asleep already; his arm resting around Jeanette's waist.
Jeanette had only just dozed off when she awoke suddenly, making Simon jump, startled, "What is it? What's wrong, Jeanette?" he asked.
Jeanette sat up a little and squinted in the dark, eventually reaching over and turning the lamp on, making Simon groan and cover his eyes, "Ahh!"
Jeanette turned to Simon, "Steph isn't here"
Simon slumped on his back, "Is that all?"
He ran his other hand through his hair, "Jeanette, she's probably crashing with Theo and Eleanor"
Jeanette looked over at the lounge then back at Simon and nodded, "You're probably right, sorry to wake you with such a fright"
Simon replied sleepily, "I'll be fine so long as you turn that lamp off"
Jeanette smiled a little and reached over, turning the lamp off and settling back down, cuddling into the side of Simon, who wrapped one arm around her, and held her hand with the other.