A/N- Yay another fast update! And here comes the plan… Please don't kill me for the cliffy! So I've been trying to update, but every time I try I get an error. While this has been going on I've been able to write 2 ½ more chapters so updates will be quick for a while.
HopelessRomantic44- It's part Pogue and part Lucy and you're about to find out.
Rainydaygirl4- I don't know about roommates yet… that's in a couple months for me.
Scouter- Updating as fast as possible.
soccergurl382- Sorry about leaving you hanging, but this one has another cliffy!
MagykGurl- I'm glad you like it!
emma134- I'm happy you like it!
TakaShira- I don't care if you read my story or not. I like writing for me and for those who like it. Maybe you'll find the story gets better as you go, but I don't know. It depends on what type of stories and writing you like. Again, read if you want, otherwise you can try relieving your boredom somewhere else. So for your chapter 2 story… I find you're a hypocrite. You tell me everyone does a party (who fing cares if I follow the crowd btw… there are a lot of parties in original works… they're good scenes to put into stories), but wait… in your first comment didn't you say you were going to read my story because you needed ideas? So you might be COPYING one of my ideas, which might have been done by others. You might not even be reading this chapter by now and right now… I don't think you should be since all you're doing is looking for ideas by going through other people's work instead of thinking about it and finding your own.
Elfvamp1-13-97- I'm glad you like it!
Larissa- Sorry about the cliffhanger. I'm trying to update as fast as I can.
Reid won the top prize that night, followed by Tyler, and then a brooding Aaron. Reid, of course, couldn't help but gloat after he beat Aaron. Both were almost thrown out of the tournament and bar when they started yelling at each other. Reid was given the $200 and a small trophy which he decided was crap so he threw it away. He was constantly talking about his win for a few days until he was sent to the Provost's office for almost getting into a fight with Aaron in between classes.
"Have you learned your lesson yet, Reid?" Sarah asked as Reid joined everyone at lunch.
"Until the next time Aaron says something stupid." Reid said. "Are we doing something tonight or finding a party somewhere? We better be doing something for spring break next week!"
"We don't know about any parties, but we got tickets to LA," Tyler said.
"Why are we going to LA?"
"There's a pool tournament at a bar out there. It's right on the beach," Tyler continued to explain.
"Alright, where are we staying?" Reid asked as he took a bite out of his sandwich.
"I have a friend who has a beach house there. She said we can stay with her, but it might be a bit cramped." Sarah said.
"So when do we leave?" Reid asked.
"Tomorrow morning. You need to be packed and ready at 3. Our plane leaves at 5. We're going to go straight to the bar because the tournament starts the afternoon we get there." Caleb said.
"Alright, I'll be ready. Tyler might have some trouble. Baby Boy's got to get all his outfits out and make sure they all matched." Reid ducked as Tyler tried to hit him. The rest of the table started laughing. At least that was a promising start towards a recovery back to the old Reid.
Meanwhile Tony and Dena were just getting to work. Anne, one of the other employees, greeted them in the back room. "Hey guys!" Anne had long black hair and brown, chocolate eyes. She worked with Dena and Tony in the water sports area.
"Hey Anne." The two said.
"Have you guys heard about the pool tournament at Buck's? He wants to get more business so he's decided to have one. It's only $20 to enter." Anne said.
"When is it?" Tony asked.
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"We have work." Dena sighed.
"Well if one of you wants to go I'll cover for you." Anne smiled.
"Why don't you go with Lucy, Dena?" Tony suggested.
"Are you guys sure?" Dena asked.
"You're the pool player, you should go." Tony said.
"I can use the time here. I need to work some more." Anne said.
"Well if you guys are sure… ya… I'll go. I'll play for all three of us though." Dena smiled.
oOoOoOo
The plain ride to LA was pretty calm. Reid and Tyler got into a few fights before they fell asleep. Caleb and Sarah sat behind them with Kate and Pogue in the last row. They slept for most of the flight until the captain came onto the loud system to tell everyone they were landing. When they landed they found the rental car stand. They got to cars, an Escalade for Reid and Tyler and a 2004 Mustang for the others. The drive took almost two hours to get to the bar. Sure enough it was right on the beach. The group was an hour early so Reid and Tyler signed up before joining everyone on the beach. They spent their hour laying around and playing football with a ball they bought at a local store. Reid and Tyler headed back into the bar before it became crowded so they could find a table for everyone. When the tournament started they quickly found the table they were supposed to start at and left everyone at the table. After a few games the crowd started to get thinner as more people lost and left. Reid noticed Caleb and Sarah talking to a girl with light brown hair. He just guessed it was Sarah's friend who they were staying with. Another few games passed and Reid found out he was acing Tyler.
"Sorry you have to leave, Baby Boy." Reid grinned as he called the far left corner pocket and sunk the black 8 ball into it. "At least you still got to come to California."
"Ya ya, I think you're wanted at the finale table." Tyler said. He patted Reid on the shoulder and smiled as he left to go stand with the others. "Is she here?" No one answered, but all watched as the owner got up and walked over to the final table.
"For the final match up we have an east coast boy versus one of our own. Playing in the final round is Reid Garwin," Reid stepped up to the table, "and Dena Winters." Reid's eyes visibly widened and his head turned to where the crowd was pushing an equally stunned Dena.
"Go on Dena! That's $300 closer to that car you want!" Lucy said. She gave Dena one last push and Dena was stumbling over to the table.
"Good luck," Dena said quietly. She had her head down and one arm was crossed over her stomach, holding the elbow of the other arm.
"Uh, ya, you too." Reid answered. Buck came over with a quarter. Dena called heads as he flipped it. It landed heads so Dena decided to break. Throughout the game Dena and Reid were at opposite sides of the table. Dena got the first ball into the pocket, but Reid answered by knocking two more in. At the end both Reid and Dena were fighting for the eight ball. The three other sons of Ipswich and their two girlfriends were surprised that Reid had yet to use his powers. They watch as Dean called the right side pocket and smoothly sunk the ball into it. The people who had stayed till the end cheered as Buck came over and gave Dena the money and trophy. Buck called someone out of the crowd and shoved Dena and Reid together for a picture. He then announced that both finalists got a free dinner. As soon as she could Dena grabbed her food and walked outside.
"Where's she going?" Pogue asked.
"She likes to eat outside. She's been eating out there since she got back." Lucy explained as she walked up behind the group.
"Reid go talk to her." Sarah said.
"Why should I?" Reid growled.
"If you weren't so blind you'd see that Dena's hurting just as much as you. I don't care about your ego and how wounded it was, but couldn't you put it aside just this once? At least go say hi or good job." Sarah exclaimed.
"Fine I'll say good job and come right back in here." Reid growled. He finished his burger and grabbed his drink before storming outside.
"Hey Lucy, thanks for the idea for the tournament. We made a huge profit!" Buck grinned.
"I thought you might. Now do I get a tip for giving you the idea?" Lucy called.
"If you want money then you can come work for me!" Buck yelled back.
"Dude, do I get some of that money? I gave you the idea." Pogue asked when Buck was out of ear shot.
Outside Reid slammed the door behind him and looked down the street. There was no sign of Dena so he headed out to the beach. Dena was sitting on a small sand dune. She had her black t-shirt off and just had on a bikini top with a skirt. Reid stopped before continuing over to her. "Good job tonight." Reid said. He shoved his hands into his pocket. Dena didn't turn around, but Reid knew she had heard him.
"I wish none of this would have happened."