Chapter 4: Welcome to Paradise

Ever since she was a little girl, JJ prided herself on being an organized girl. Her stuffed animals were always lined up neatly on her bed, and her books were kept in alphabetical order on her shelves. In the morning, she made her bed, and whenever her mother did the laundry, JJ took care to place her clothes back in their proper drawers. That mindset continued into her teenage years, with her locker (both her regular one and her soccer one) never veering into disarray.

However, one she reached college, JJ quickly realized that maintaining that level of organization would be far more difficult than she anticipated. As the weeks turned into months, clothes piled up wherever they could be stacked, and her desk was in a constant state of being overrun by papers and textbooks. At first, it had bothered her a great deal, but eventually it ceased to faze her. She learned to live with the clutter.

That is, until she needed to pack for Spring Break.

"Where is it?" she muttered to herself, digging through her laundry bag. Jeans, sweaters, and T-shirts flew past her as she tossed aside every article of clothing. She let out a frustrated groan, throwing a purple blouse with a little more force than necessary.

"Are you okay?" JJ's roommate, Alyssa, asked. She was seated on her bed, magazine open on her lap. With a lazy flick, she turned to the next page, her gaze never leaving it.

"No," said JJ. "I can't find my good shorts."

"Go buy new ones."

JJ suppressed a sigh. "I would prefer not to spend more money than necessary, thanks."

"Didn't you say your friend's mom is paying for your trip?" Alyssa briefly looked up from her magazine, taking in the chaotic state of the room. "You're gonna clean all this up, right?"

JJ gritted her teeth. Oh, how she missed her friends. "Yes, she is, but I still don't want to waste money. And don't worry, it will all be taken care of."

"Good." Alyssa resumed reading. "Because Johnny is coming over tonight, and I don't want…"

JJ tuned her roommate out. She could care less about Alyssa's boyfriend. What she cared about was packing for her trip. She would be leaving in two days, flying down to Florida by herself. At the airport, she would meet up with her friends, and they would head to their resort. Then, it would be two weeks of nothing but sun and relaxation. Her skin tingled with anticipation every time she thought about it.

As she began sorting through the heap of clothing for what felt like the millionth time, JJ caught sight of a framed picture on her desk. It was of her and her friends, along with David Rossi, the high school football coach who had become the group's closest ally in the faculty during their senior year. The photo had been taken during the going-away party Rossi threw for them, just a week before they began to depart for college. Rossi was in the center, and Penelope, standing behind him, had thrown her arms around his neck. Derek had one arm slung around Penelope, and another around Spencer, who looked flustered by the act. JJ was beside her boyfriend, grin huge. On Rossi's other side was Aaron, and Emily was beside him.

It was moments like those that kept JJ going. That, and the knowledge that there were more to come. A soft smile spread across her face. Just two more days. She could hold on for that long.

Florida, here I come.

"Oh, I think I see-! Nope, not them. Wait, is that…? No, still not. Maybe that's-"

"Penelope," Spencer interrupted. "Maybe you should sit down."

Penelope let out a huff and dropped into a chair beside Spencer. Despite being the ones on the other side of the country, the two of them were the first to land in Florida. It was Sunday afternoon. That night, they would check into their resort. In two weeks, they would leave. Needless to say, Penelope was anxious to get the trip started. She and Spencer had been waiting for nearly thirty minutes now. Aaron and Emily were due in next, followed by Derek, and then JJ.

"Their flight hasn't been delayed, right?" she asked. Spencer sighed.

"Not since the last time you asked."

Penelope's eyes narrowed. "Do I hear some sass in that voice?"

"What? No, no, of course not," he sputtered. Penelope laughed.

"Relax, Spence, I'm only teasing you."

"I knew that," Spencer said defensively. He had not known that.

"I'm just so excited!" Penelope cried, leaning back in her chair. She propped her feet up on her Technicolor suitcase and crossed her arms.

"What could you possibly be excited for?" a familiar voice said from behind the two of them. Penelope shrieked and leapt up. She rushed around the row of chairs and pulled Emily into a bone-crushing hug. Spencer stood and grinned at Aaron, who was standing next to the girls.

"Um, Pen?" Emily gasped. "You're kinda squeezing too tight."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Penelope released her, and then grabbed Aaron. He yelped in surprised before awkwardly returning the hug.

"Hey, Penelope."

Emily came around to hug Spencer. "It's so good to see you!"

"And you too," Spencer replied shyly.

"How long have you guys been waiting?" Aaron asked, carefully extracting himself from Penelope's grasp. He placed his and Emily's bags on the chairs and moved around to the other side, Penelope following behind.

"About half an hour," Spencer reported. Aaron nodded, then surprised Spencer by hugging him. Aaron wasn't big on physical affection, but it was clear he had missed his friends.

"Wow, I'm surprised you managed to hold out this long and not run all over the airport," Emily joked. Penelope pretended to look affronted.

"I can be patient!"

"I had to tell you to sit down at least five times," said Spencer. Aaron and Emily laughed.

"So how was your flight?" Penelope asked, changing the subject. Everyone exchanged amused grins.

"Alright," Aaron said. "Em fell asleep halfway through."

"I was tired!" Emily cried. "I was up packing until, like, three in the morning!"

"I told you to pack ahead of time," replied Aaron smoothly.

"And I told you I had it handled."

"Don't you just feel the love, Spencer?" Penelope raised her eyebrows at the "warring" couple. Emily raised her hands in mock-defense.

A disembodied voice from above announced the arrival of the latest flight. Penelope bounced on the balls of her feet and clapped her hands.

"That's Derek's flight!" Her eyes shone brightly as she scanned the oncoming crowd for her boyfriend. While they had seen each other over Christmas break, Penelope felt like it had been years since she had seen him. They had been friends for so long, it was hard not to feel like a piece of herself was gone. But now, that was about to change.

After a few minutes, Penelope caught sight of a dark-skinned teen making his way through the terminal. She hopped up onto a chair and waved her hands around excitedly.

"Penelope!" Emily's mouth fell open. "What are you doing?"

"I think she's found Derek," Aaron responded, his voice tinged with amusement.

Derek spotted Penelope and began running towards her, weaving in and out of travelers. He was by their bank of chairs in an instant. Dropping his bags, he wound his arms around Penelope's waist and rested his face against her stomach.

"Oh, Baby Girl, you have no idea how happy I am to see you."

Penelope's heart could explode, she was so happy. He was here, with her. She sighed with contentment and placed her head atop of his. Derek's response was to hold her tighter.

"Hey, uh, guys?" Spencer ventured. "Friendly reminder that we are in public…"

"Relax, Pretty Boy," Derek mumbled, his face still buried in Penelope's body.

"Yeah, Spencer, it's an airport," Penelope said distractedly. "People are allowed to do things like this here, haven't you ever seen Love, Actually?"

She heard him mutter that he had not, but she didn't care. As far as she was concerned, her Spring Break had finally begun.

Eventually, the couple pulled apart, and Derek made his rounds, greeting the other three. His smile was wide as he bounced from person to person. Penelope stepped down from the chair, a grin of her own on her face.

"What's new, guys?" Derek asked after everyone had calmed down. He sat down next to Penelope and placed an arm around her shoulders. Emily took a seat on his other side, leaving Aaron and Spencer standing.

"Well, I've been taking this class where…" Spencer began. Everyone had missed him so much, they didn't bother to stop him from launching into a five minute monologue about his favorite human science class and the in-depth investigation he was beginning after break.

They were all so engrossed in their reunion that they did not hear the announcement for the next arrival. Therefore, they did not notice the blonde girl as she crept up behind them. Aaron spotted her first. He smiled, then nudged Spencer. The younger boy cut himself off abruptly, his gaze falling on JJ.

"JJ…" he breathed. Her grin was bigger than it had been in weeks.

"Spence," she said.

"OHMYGOD JJ!" Penelope screeched, startling everyone around them. She flew out of her chair and raced to hug the final member of their group. JJ stumbled back a few steps under the sudden impact, but squeezed back with equal fervor. Looking upon this scene, it was hard to believe the two girls had only been friends for just over a year.

"Give her some room to breathe, Pen!" Emily laughed.

"Oh, fine," Penelope huffed, releasing JJ.

JJ hefted her bags over the row of chairs before saying hello to everyone else. She reached Spencer last, her eyes sparkling with happiness and something else… Love.

"Hey," Spencer said quietly.

"Hey," repeated JJ at equal volume. Behind them, Emily and Penelope cooed about how cute the two of them were.

Not being able to wait any longer, JJ leaned forward and kissed Spencer, startling him momentarily before he managed to respond. He placed his hands on her waist, pulling her closer. JJ reached up and cupped her hand around his neck.

Derek wolf-whistled, and Penelope applauded. Spencer and JJ quickly separated, shy looks on their faces.

"So I see you two missed each other," Emily teased.

JJ shrugged. "Only a little." She winked at Spencer. He blushed a little, and then took her hand in his.

"So," Aaron said, clapping his hands together, "Now that we're all here, should we head to the hotel?"

"Oh, yes, please!" Penelope cried. Everyone gathered up their bags and made their way to the exit, ready to begin their latest adventure.

The hotel was only fifteen minutes away from the airport. The whole way there, everyone pressed themselves up against the windows of the van they were in and pointed out all the sights. After weeks of college campuses, sand beaches and palm trees were the most beautiful things any of them could see.

Once they reached the hotel, they all unloaded their bags and waited for Emily to check them in. Since her mother had funded the trip, she was the one handling things like room assignments.

"It is so hot here," Derek moaned, leaning on Penelope's suitcase. Aaron raised an eyebrow.

"Did you think it wouldn't be? In Florida?"

"No, no, I counted on it," replied Derek. "This weather has been my dream for months."

Emily rejoined the group then with keys in her hands. Behind her was a honey-blonde haired woman who appeared to be in her late twenties. She wore a blue polo shirt and khaki skirt.

"Guys, this is Ms. Seaver," Emily announced, gesturing to the woman. "She's in charge of the Spring Breakers."

"Please, call me Ashley," she insisted. "I just wanted to welcome you all to Panama City Beach and give you a quick rundown of what goes on around here. Why don't you follow me?"

The group picked up their things and entered the hotel behind Ashley. Since it was getting late, the lobby was mostly empty, save for a few stragglers. The lobby was a wide space with cushy chairs and sofas in the middle, forming a sort of waiting area. To their right was the check-in desk, and to their left was a dining area, which appeared to have a patio attached. Music seemed to be originating from that area. Directly ahead was a set of glass doors, through which they could see the beach. Derek hummed his approval, to the amusement of everyone else.

"The rooms are all upstairs," stated Ashley, pointing to an elevator bay up ahead, right before the glass doors. "Beach is ahead, and pool area is to the left. Parties are pretty much non-stop around the pool, except for a bit in the early morning when they kinda calm down. There are loads of activities to do on the beach, too. You can sign up for stuff like parasailing and jet skiing. Food is available at any time in our restaurant."

"This place gets better and better," Derek muttered. Penelope elbowed him. Ashley smiled.

"We like to consider it paradise for college kids."

"Oh, believe me," Emily said, "it is."

"I'm glad to hear it," replied Ashley warmly. "I'll let you guys find your rooms, I'm sure you're all exhausted from traveling. If you need anything, feel free to call downstairs. Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow!"

With a wave, Ashley walked back to the check-in desk. The group headed over to the elevators.

"What floor, Em?" Aaron asked once they are all crammed inside one (which was no easy feat).

"Eight," she answered. JJ, who was closest to the button, jabbed it with her elbow. The elevator jerked upwards.

"As excited as I am to be here, with you all," said Derek through a yawn, "I am wiped."

"Yeah, I need sleep," JJ agreed. "Pronto."

"Why don't we all meet up in the restaurant at nine tomorrow morning?" Aaron suggested. The elevator dinged, signaling their arrival on the eighth floor. They stumbled out, banging suitcases and duffels against one another as they did so.

"How about nine-thirty?" Emily asked. Aaron sighed,

"Fine, nine-thirty ."

Emily led them down the carpeted hallway to rooms 823 and 825. Stopping in between the two, she held out three keys to the boys.

"You're in 825."

"Hallelujah," said Derek, snagging one of the keys. He gave Penelope a quick kiss, waved at everyone else, and walked straight over to his room. "Good night, everybody."

Aaron and Spencer followed suit, kissing their girlfriends and offering waves to the others before disappearing behind Derek.

"Alright, let's see our room!" Penelope squealed. Emily chuckled before unlocking their door.

The happy gasps from behind her were enough to tell Emily that she was seriously going to owe her mother after this trip. Their room contained a little kitchenette, a large bathroom, two beds, a living room area, and a balcony. The balcony was easily the thing that impressed the girls the most. It offered a breath-taking view of the beach and pool area. JJ and Penelope dropped their bags on the ground and ran outside, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

"This is amazing!" Penelope yelled, stepping right up to the railing and spreading her arms wide. JJ leaned out and stared at the area below.

"Wow, Ashley wasn't kidding when she said non-stop parties," she commented, taking in the flashing lights and gyrating spots that were surely people. The latest party tune thumped from the speakers, wherever they were.

"Yep, and we're going to some! Tomorrow, though," Penelope said.

"Hey, look who it is!" someone called from their left. The two girls swiveled their heads around to see Aaron and Spencer standing on their own balcony.

"Long time, no see," JJ joked.

"Where's Derek?" asked Penelope.

Aaron glanced back into the room. "Asleep."

"Already?"

"You know Derek," Spencer said. "When he's tired, he's tired."

"He might have a good idea," JJ said, suddenly overcome by a yawn. "I'm going to bed myself."

"Night, JJ," Spencer and Aaron said. She waved before stepping back into her room. After a moment, Penelope followed.

"How is it?" Emily asked. She had remained inside in favor of using the bathroom before her friends. She was already in her pajamas and ready for bed.

"Amazing," Penelope said. "Remind me to send your mom the biggest thank you present ever."

"Will do," Emily said with a laugh. "So, how are we sleeping?"

JJ tilted her head to the side, appraising their situation. "Why don't we take turns getting to sleep alone?"

"That sounds perfect," agreed Penelope. "Emily should go first."

"What? Why me?"

"Your mom got us this trip," Penelope said. "Ergo, you get to sleep alone tonight."

Emily grinned. "Well, if you insist."

She climbed onto one of the beds, snuggling underneath the blankets. JJ and Penelope took turns using the bathroom before getting into their own bed. JJ leaned over and turned off the light.

"I'm really, really happy to see you guys," Penelope whispered. Emily smiled.

"I'm really, really happy to see you guys, too."

"Yeah, same," JJ put in. "I'll be even happier after some sleep."

Emily laughed. "Good night, guys."

"Night."

"Nighty-night."

A/N: Hey, all. I'm so sorry about the long wait between chapters. I'll try not to let it get that bad again. I have February break coming up, so hopefully that'll allow for more writing time.

Thanks for sticking with me. It's very much appreciated. =)