Chapter Eight

Feburary 12, 2008

Joe's POV

"CANNONBALL!!" I shouted as I plunged into the water.

When I came back up, I was hit in the head with a foam Nerf ball.

"Ow," I said and cast an insulted glance at Alli. She smiled innocently and went back to her book. "Aren't you gonna get in the water?" I asked her. "You know you want to."

"No way," Alli said. "It's too cold."

"Alli, it's an indoor swimming pool. It doesn't get warmer than this." I made a puppy-dog face. "Please. Pretty pretty please."

Alli rolled her eyes.

"TALLYHO!!" Nick crashed into the blue water, sending huge waves everywhere. Alli and Miley shrieked as water rained down on them.

"Nick, you are so dead!" Miley said and stood up. She quickly stripped down to her blue bikini and jumped into the water.

"Joe! Help!" Nick shouted as Miley dunked his head under the water. "I'm under attack!"

"Sorry buddy, you're on your own!" I swam over to the edge of the pool and looked at Alli. "Please get in the water," I begged her. "Pleaseeeeeeee."

Alli sighed and shut her book. "You're gonna bug me until I get in, aren't you?"

"Yep," I said cheerfully.

Alli stood up and pulled her shirt off and then stepped out of her jeans. I watched impatiently as she tightened the strap on her lime-green bikini and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. Finally, she dived into the pool.

"See, that wasn't bad," I said once she came back up. "Aren't you glad I convinced you to come in?"

Alli smiled and splashed water into my face. "Yep."

"Oh, it's on," I said. "It's on like mud on a pig!"

"Joe, stop quoting Hannah Montana lines!" Miley shouted as she kept torturing Nick.

I grinned at Alli and then dunked her underwater. However, she was expecting it and dragged me down too.

"Okay, truce," I said when we re-surfaced. I took a breath of fresh air and then stretched out on my back.

"Where's Kevin?" Nick asked when Miley stopped avenging herself. "He hasn't been around since yesterday morning."

"He's kinda avoiding me right now," Alli said. "We sorta had a fight."

"Oh," Nick said. "Well, you'll make up."

"I hope so," Alli mumbled. I swam up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

"It'll be okay," I whispered and kissed her neck. Then, the frosted glass door that connected the hotel to the pool area, opened. Kevin walked in and stopped when he saw us. Without a word, he turned around and started to walk away. Alli quickly un-tangled herself from my arms and hurried out of the water.

"Kevin!" she shouted after him. Kevin paused for a few seconds, but then started walking again. Alli ran after him and they both disappeared into the hotel.

--

Allison's POV

"Kevin!"

I ran faster and grabbed his arm. "Kevin, please. Just listen to me." Kevin sighed and turned to face me. "I don't want to lose our friendship. I love you, but like a big brother, not as a boyfriend. You mean the world to me Kevin and I don't want you to be mad at me. I want things to go back the way they were before. Please." I searched his face, but his expression revealed no emotion. "K2," I said, using his nickname. "Say something! Don't make me tickle you!" Kevin smiled a tiny smile and I threw my arms around his neck. "Yes!" I cheered. "He's alive!" Kevin laughed and hugged me back. "Friends?" I asked once we pulled away.

"Best friends," Kevin declared, grinning.

"Cool. Now go put your suit on so you can swim with us." Kevin headed back to the elevator and I turned to go back to the pool.

"How did it go?" Joe asked as I stepped into the water.

"Surprisingly well," I said. "We're friends again." I slid underwater for a minute to re-wet my hair. Joe dived down, too, and waved at me. I grinned and waved back. We came up for air and Joe pushed his hair out of his eyes. "Where are Nick and Miley?" I asked, realizing they weren't in the pool. Joe rolled his eyes.

"They're in the hot tub. Making out." I craned my neck to see around the stone pillars seperating the pool and hot tub.

"Ew much," I said as I saw Miley and Nick's entangled, making-out bodies.

"Watch this," Joe said. He swam up to the pillar right in front of the hot tub and stuck his head beside it. "HEY GUYS! GET A ROOM!" Nick and Miley broke apart and Joe cracked up. I high-fived him and Nick glared at us. I smiled innocently.

"Guys!" We all turned at the sound of Denise's voice. "The concert starts in two hours! Let's go!" We got out of the pool and raced each other to the elevator. Joe and I tied, getting in right before Nick and Miley. I shivered as Joe pressed the button for the fifth floor.

"Why are elevators always so cold?" I asked and leaned into Joe's body. he wrapped his arms around me, trying to warm me up.

"Okay," Denise said. "Get showered, get changed into comfy clothes, and meet us down in the lobby in forty-five minutes. We've switched the rooms around a little so Nick, you're with Kevin, Miley, you're with Frankie, and Alli and Joe are still together. And Nick, don't sneak Miley into your room anymore, it sets a bad example for Frankie." Nick blushed and looked down at the floor. The elevator dinged and the doors slid open, revealing Kevin.

"What are you guys doing up here?" he asked.

"We gotta get ready for the concert," Joe said, stepping out of the elevator. Kevin sighed.

"We can get in the pool later," I told him and followed Joe towards our door.

"Stupid key," Joe muttered as he slid the card out of the lock and then back in again, fiddiling with the door handle. I giggled and took the key from his hands.

"Let me try." I slid the key in the lock and waited until the light turned green to remove it. I pressed down on the door handle and the door opened.

"Lucky try," Joe said

--

Kevin's POV

"Hey, Kevin!"

I turned around and saw Nick running towards me, carrying his suitcases. "Yeah?" I said, un-locking the door to my room.

"Mom said that I have to move into your room." Nick shifted his suitcases a little so they wouldn't be as heavy. I held the door open for him and he carried his bags inside, setting them down on the floor. "Thanks." He sat down in the black swivel chair and kicked his flip-flops off. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure." I grabbed some clean clothes from my suitcase and put them on my bed.

"I know about you and Alli." I froze.

'How did he find out? I didn't tell anybody.' I sighed and sank down onto my bed. "Nick, look..." I sighed again and ran my fingers through my hair. "I messed up. Big time. But, I loved Alli. A lot. Part of me still does. And always will. I know I made a mistake. Are you mad at me?" Nick gave me a small smile.

"I'm not mad. I don't know what to feel. It's just kinda surprising, that's all." He spun around once in the desk chair. "Do Mom and Dad know?"

"No," I said. "But, I'm going to tell them."

"Good." Nick stood up and grabbed some clothes from his suitcase. "Mind if i take a shower first?"

"No. I don't have to take one. I took one this morning and I didn't get in the pool. And Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"Just because I made a mistake, doesn't mean you have to." Nick nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. I got dressed and then went to my parent's room. The door was cracked so any of us could go in if we needed to. I walked in and sat down next my dad at the table. He lloked up from his newspaper and then folded it up.

"Hey, Kevin. Everything okay?" I shook my head.

"Where's Mom?"

"She's helping Frankie with his bath." My dad re-adjusted his glasses and then crossed his arms.

"Dad, I made a mistake. I took a deep breath and looked up into my father's eyes. "I slept with Alli." My dad's expression turned serious and he looked at me thoughtfully.

"Well, son. I am disappointed in you. I had hoped that your mother and I had raised you up to believe better than that."

"You did," I said, interrupting him. He gave me a look and I shut my mouth.

"However, you're a grown man, old enough to make your own decisions. I'm not going to punish you, but I want you to think hard about what you have done. Have you asked God for forgiveness?"

"Yes, sir." I nodded my head. "I'm really sorry I let you down, Dad. I should've known better. I do know better. But, I gave into temptation. I'm sorry." My father nodded and took my hand.

"I forgive you, Kevin. I love you." I nodded, my eyes tearing up. I hugged my father and let the tears roll down my face. My dad was such a great man. I pulled away and wiped my eyes, clearing my throat.

I felt much better.

--

Miley's POV

"I probably shouldn't say this, but at times I get so scared

When I think about the previous relationship we shared

It was awesome, but we lost it

It's not possible for me not to care

And now we're standing in the rain

But nothings ever gonna change

Until you hear, my dear

The seven things I hate about you

The seven things i hate about you

Oh, you

You're vain, your games, you're insecure

You love me, you like her

You make me laugh, you make me cry

I don't know which side to buy

You're friends, they're jerks

When you act like them just know it hurts

I wanna be with the one I know

And the seventh thing I hate the most that you do...

You make me love you."

"WHOO!!"

I laughed as Nick cheered loudly, waving his hands in the air. We were at the concert hall, doing soundcheck and rehearsing. Behind me, joe and kevin were taking turns falling down a trap door, landing on a matress, and then tumbling out onto the stage. The stage was built just like the one on the opening day of the tour, so everyone was excited. Nick ran up on stage and grabbed his mike.

"YEAHHHHHHH!!" he shouted, jumping up into the air. I laughed again and watched as he started singing "Still In Love With You." He sure had a lot of energy today.

"Whoohoooo!!" Joe fell down the trap door and came rolling out to stop at my feet. "Whaz up?" he drawled and stood up.

I swear, the Jonas Brothers are all mentally insane.

--

Nick's POV

"THANK YOU, LAS VEGAS!!"

I put my guitar down and started running across the edge of the stage, touching fans' hands. The concert had been awesome. We were all hyped up and excited and we put all our energy into performing. I ran backstage, followed by Joe and Kevin and picked Miley up, twirling her around. "I love performing," I said and kissed her. "And I love you." Miley smiled and I carried her over to the sofa and pulled her into my lap. Joe handed me a bottle of water and I gulped it eagerly.

"Okay, guys," my dad said. "It's time for the meet-and-greet." Miley and I stood up and followed everyone out the door.

I couldn't wait to meet the fans.

--