A/N: First of all, I liked to thank the people who actually reviewed. It really means A LOT. You guys made my day with your words. And second of all, school is next Monday for me, so I may be a bit busy with uploading, but I'll try my darn hardest to upload more chapters. And lastly, enjoy this chapter (:
It's already been a month since Mark and I started dating and it's already been a month since the last time I saw Taylor at the movies. The next day, after the whole incident, I told Mark about Taylor and I. He seemed to take it pretty well with a few questions he asked, which I kindly answered. And yes, we went on another date as well. He took me out to dinner and then shared a passionate kiss with each other. I did still think of Taylor from time to time, but I was getting use to the pain that was slowly fading away. Mark helped me through it though. He's made me a happy girl and he even told me that he'll take it slow with me as long as he doesn't hurt me like Taylor did. I guess you could say that we're a couple now, since the students at our school said so. But I wasn't exactly sure, I guess I'll have to ask Mark about that.
"Hello? Marie? Are you there?" Penny was waving her hand in front of my face, trying to get my attention. We were currently in Penny's house with Mark, Derek, and Terrence, trying to decide what we were going to be doing for the next week since our school announced that seniors, being us, had a week off at school for senior stuff. I have no idea what for, but all I know is that it's for senior stuff.
I snapped back from my thoughts and said, "Yes, Penny. I'm still here. What?"
"Well, I asked you if you had any ideas for the next week?" Penny asked while shoving chips into her mouth. I thought about it for a minute and shook my head.
"Nope, I can't think of anything, but I'm okay with any idea," I said.
Derek suddenly shot his hand up in the air and exclaimed, "Well, we've got an idea!" The boys decided that they would team up together to think of an idea while us girls had to team up together. I guess they wanted to feel superior.
"What?" Penny and I both asked together.
"Well," Derek started. "Wait, drum roll please?" Terrence started tapping both of his index fingers on the nearby coffee table, while Mark was making some weird noise. I think for the drum sound. I laughed at their actions and waited for what Derek was going to say.
"What about camping?" Derek said with a big grin on his face like he won the lottery. Penny and I looked at each other burst out laughing. Camping? Are they serious. Penny and I both clutched onto our stomachs as we continued laughing.
"Hey! Why are you girls laughing?" Terrence asked.
"Yeah? What's so funny about camping?" Mark then asked. Penny and I both stopped laughing and tried to catch our breath.
"Camping? Are you guys serious? You 3 wouldn't last at least a day in the wilderness," Penny exclaimed as she tried to contain herself from laughing.
"Are you trying to say we won't survive in the wilderness?" Derek asked.
"Yes, that's what we're saying. Who thought of that idea anyway?" I asked. I saw Mark raise his hand and simply said, "Me."
My smile soon faded away when I looked into Mark's eyes and saw that he was pleading me to say yes to the camping idea. I sighed and raised my hand in the air and said, "Fine, I'm in!"
Penny slightly pushed my arm and exclaimed, "What? Why?"
I turned to Penny and said, "Come on, it'll be fun. Please? It'll be one of our many adventures." Penny didn't say anything for a moment and then raised her hand in the air as well and said, "Fine, count me in."
"Yes!" All the three guys exclaimed and then we decided to discuss the plans for our camping trip. We all decided for the best if we used a tent instead of a cabin since Penny and I were still laughing about how they couldn't survive the wilderness. The guys were being so confident that they said we'll use tents instead to prove that they could survive the wilderness. We also planned who would bring what. Penny and I would be bringing the food, drinks, pillows, and sleeping bags. While the guys would be bringing the tents, flashlights, and tools. We then decided that we would be leaving tomorrow early morning so we could get a head start at picking a good place to camp. We'd only be staying for the week anyway.
After all that planning, we were watching a movie on Penny's TV. Penny was snuggled up next to Terrence on the couch, while Derek was being the only guy who was available in this room. I've really got to find him a girl to date. As for Mark and I, we were also cuddling on the couch, watching the movie, but something was bothering me. Maybe it was the fact that Mark and I hadn't discuss about us being an official couple. I turned to look at Mark who was engrossed watching the movie, but I decided to discuss the matter anyway. It was practically bugging me. I slightly shoved Mark's arm and he turned to look at me.
"Yeah?" Mark asked.
"Uhm, can we talk outside?" I asked.
"Sure." He had a worried look on his face. We both got up from our seat and went outside. Once we were on the front porch, I was about to say something when Mark interrupted me.
"Look, if you want to break up with me, I'll be fine with that. Yeah, I may be a bit heartbroken, but I'll be all good. I just want you to know that you're a really great girl and I'm sorry if I didn't anything wrong. I just- I'm going to miss you so much," Mark said.
I looked at him for a second and started laughing. "Oh my gosh. You actually think I was going to break up with you?" I asked in between my laughs.
"Wait, what?" Mark asked as he now had a confused look on his face. I let out a small laugh before I explained. "What I was going to say to you was that I was wondering if we were an official couple now since we have been going out for the past month. But now that you said something about breaking up with you, I could then now say we are a couple."
Mark's eyes suddenly lit up and started laughing. "Oooh! Wow, I'm pretty much stupid for saying that. I'm sorry if I never asked you to be my girlfriend or anything, but remember I told you that we can take it slow," he said.
"Yeah, I know. But I think I am ready to be in a relationship now," I said as I wrapped my hands around his neck.
Mark wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me close, "Well then Marie, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Hm, of course I will," I answered and smiled up at him. Mark smiled and then leaned down to gently press his soft lips onto mine. The kiss was magical as always and we later then came up for air.
"Damn finally," I murmured as Mark chuckled.
The next early morning...
The alarm clock was really starting to annoy me. I groaned and covered my pillow over my ear, trying to tune out the annoying beeping sound. I suddenly felt movement beside me as Penny reached over me to shut the alarm clock off. Finally the alarm clocked stopped making those annoying beeping sounds. Thank you Penny! I groggily wiped my eyes, trying to clear my blurry view. It was still sort of dark outside, ugh.
"Penny, what time is it?" I yawned and stretched out my arms.
"Uh, 5 AM," Penny answered. Great, it was only 5 AM and we slept at 1 in the morning last night.
"Are the boys awake?" I asked Penny.
"I think so?" Penny said as we then heard the guys downstairs bossing each other around to get ready for the day ahead. We all actually slept over at Penny's house. Penny and I both in her bedroom, while the guys had to deal with the couch and the floor. Poor guys. And if you're wondering about our parents consent on whether or not if we're allowed to go camping, they said to go ahead with our plans.
"Shouldn't we get ready?" I asked.
"Yeah, I think so. The guys might get pissed if we don't get a move on," Penny said as she got up from the bed and went to her bathroom to take a shower. I sighed and got up from the bed as well. I grabbed my towel and headed to the other bathroom across from Penny's room.
After showering, I wrapped myself in my towel and quickly went into Penny's room. When I entered her room, I could already see that she was already dressed in a blue romper with blue converse shoes, while her beautiful hair fell down around her shoulders.
"Hey, you look nice," I commented as I wiped my hair with my towel.
"Thanks!" Penny exclaimed while she brushed her hair again. She placed down her brush and grabbed her small carry hand that had her camping clothes in them. "Well, I'll see you downstairs?"
I nodded and Penny happily walked out of the room and went downstairs. I then dressed up in my orange romper with white converse, while tying my hair up in a messy bun with a few strands that loosely fell around my head. I then grabbed my small carry hand and went downstairs, ready to begin this day.
Once I got downstairs, I was surprised to see that no one was here. I then heard voices outside, I followed their voices and came to see that Derek and Mark were struggling with putting the stuff in the back of the car, while Terrence and Penny were fighting over what seat they were going to sit in. We were actually taking a transit van that seated 7 people and it belonged to Mark's dad. His dad happily agreed to let us borrow it on one condition. It was to bring his baby, as in the car, back safe and sound.
"Uh, I have one more luggage to put," I said to nobody since they were busy. I guess Mark heard my voice because he looked at me and smiled. I went down the front porch steps and approached Mark who was walking towards me. I smiled back and he said, "Good morning babe."
"Good morning to you too," I said as Mark leaned into peck me on the lips and grabbed my carry hand. Mark then handed my carry hand and handed it to Derek.
"Ugh, one more?" Derek complained when he saw my carry hand luggage. I rolled my eyes and smiled. Typical boys. I then walked to Penny and Terrence who was nearby the car doors. I tuned in to listen to Penny and Terrence still arguing about the seats.
"I want the one with the window!" Penny exclaimed.
"Penny! They both have windows!" Terrence sighed.
"I want the one behind Marie then! No wait, I want the one behind Mark!" Penny said. I laughed and shook my head at Penny's stupidity, but I love this girl.
Terrence shook his head and sighed, "Whatever you want babe."
"Awh yay! Thank you baby!" Penny laughed and jumped into Terrence's arms. Terrence smiled and hugged Penny close to him. Cute couple but it's really weird how they argue and then get over it in a flash. I guess there are couples that are like that, I thought.
I then turned back to Derek and Mark to see that they finally finished putting everything in the back and they were both just talking about bands and cars. Why weren't we leaving yet?
"Why aren't we leaving yet? I thought you guys wanted to get a head start at driving. You know it takes us about 3 hours just to get to the campsite." I said to Mark and Derek. They both stopped their conversation and I could see that Derek had a guilty look in his eyes. Oh, what did he do this time?
"Oh well-" Derek began but was cut off when I heard Ashley's voice coming from inside Penny's house. Ashley walked out of the house and she was pulling Taylor along with her. What the hell are they doing here? I locked eyes with Taylor, but quickly went to look at Derek who already knew what I was going to say.
"I can explain," Derek said.
I raised my eyebrows and said through my gritted teeth, "Explain then."
"Well you see, Taylor called me yesterday after we planned the whole camping trip and I told him about the camping trip. He asked me if he could tag along and I told him he could. He even asked if he could bring Ashley with him. I was about to say no, knowing you hate her and stuff, but he begged so I decided to let Ashley come with us too. I didn't think it would be a problem since you're with Mark and all. Everybody's actually okay with it," Derek explained. I rolled my eyes and clenched my fist.
"Even Penny?" I asked. How could she do this to me? Especially Mark?
"Penny and Mark didn't know about it. Only Terrence and I knew about it. Mark and Penny were actually surprised when they saw Taylor and Ashley here. I'm sorry Marie," Derek said.
I sighed and scratched my head. "No it's okay. I guess I'll just deal with this. But, if something bad happens between that skanky girl over there and me, I'm blaming you!" I said as I pointed my finger at Derek.
"O-Okay," Derek stuttered. He seemed scared.
"Look, I'm sorry Derek," I said and pulled him into a hug.
"No, it's cool," he said as I pulled away from the hug. I then heard Ashley's annoying voice ringing through my eyes. Great, now I have to put up with her for this whole week. Just my luck. I slowly walked up to them and waited Ashley stopped giggling. I looked her over at what she was wearing and was disgusted. She was wearing short shorts, a white tank top that revealed too much cleavage, and black slippers. Did she think she was going to the beach or what? I looked up to her face to see that she was glaring at me.
"What are you looking at?" Ashley sneered.
"Ashley," Taylor warned beside her. I looked at him and quickly looked away, not wanting to make eye contact with him again.
"Oh nothing, I just wanted to wish you luck on your trip with us. Have fun," I innocently said as I walked away from her. I got into the passenger seat and reached over to honk the horn, signaling them to get in the car or don't. A few seconds later, Mark got into the driver's seat, while Penny went to sit behind Mark and Terrence went to sit behind me. Taylor sat behind Penny, while Ashley sat in the middle and Derek had to sit next to her. I was glad I didn't have to sit next to her. It would make a very bad scene for everyone to see.
"You guys ready?" I turned around to face them.
"Yeah!" They all said. I smiled and was about to turn around when I made eye contact with Taylor again! I quickly turned around to face the road. Mark started the engine and we were off. I turned on the radio and the song came to A Year Without Rain by Selena Gomez. Great, even the song was so emotional. I sighed and decided to leave the song on the radio. I then felt someone holding my hand. I looked to my left to see that Mark was looking at me and was smiling lovingly at me.
"Are you okay?" He asked, concerned filled in his eyes.
I nodded and said, "I'm okay. Why?"
"Well, you seem tensed. Is it because of Taylor and Ashley?" He whispered the last part.
"Honestly, sort of. But I wouldn't let them ruin our vacation together," I said. Mark smiled and said, "Good."
After an hour of endless driving to our destination, we all decided to take a pit stop and for gas. Once we pulled into the gasoline station, Mark parked next to a gas thing and got out of the car to fill in the car with gasoline. I got out of the car and opened the passenger door. I opened the passenger door and said, "Anyone wanna get down to use the restroom or buy food or something?"
"Uh, yeah. Sure," Terrence answered as he unbuckled his seat. Penny then unbuckled her seat and they both hopped out of the van. Penny told me that she'll meet me inside and I said that I would wake up the others as in Ashley and Taylor. Derek already went to unbuckle his seat and quickly hopped out of the car. I groaned and went to sit where Derek sat since I had to wake up skanky Ashley and ex Taylor. I didn't know how to wake her up, so instead I poked her on her arm.
"Ashley? Wake up," I whispered. Wait, why am I whispering? I poked her again, but harder this time. She then groaned and moved her head to face me. How the hell am I going to wake her up now? I thought about if for a second and then an idea popped into my head. This will be priceless, I smiled and slowly raised my hand up in the air. I quickly swung my hand towards her face. Slap! That's going to leave a mark, I thought.
"Ow! What the hell?" Ashley screamed, while Taylor suddenly woke up from her scream. I laughed and said, "Good! You're awake."
"Why'd you slap me?" Ashley screamed while she rubbed her cheek I slapped. It was pretty read, oh well. Did this girl really have to scream? I'm right next to her. "Well, I just wanted to wake you up and tell you that you can use the restroom or buy some food inside," I rudely answered her.
"Well you didn't have to fu-," She began, but was cut off by Taylor's voice.
"Oh thanks Marie, but we'll just stay in the car," Taylor said. Ashley smiled evil and said to Taylor, "Of course we'll be staying in the car honey bun!" She then turned around to face Taylor, grabbed him on the face, and kissed him. I rolled my eyes and jumped out of the car.
"Whatever," I muttered and walked inside to use the restroom. Once I made it to the restroom, I quickly went into a stall and did my business. I flushed, got out of the stall, washed my hands, and went outside of the restroom to where Penny was looking at some drinks.
"Hey," I muttered to her as I looked at the drinks. There was water, powerade, tea, coke, sprite, etc.
"Hey, what took you long?" She asked as she grabbed two Arizona Ice Teas and handed one to me. I murmured a thanks and took it. We fell into line as we waited to pay for our drinks at the cash register.
I sighed and said, "I had to wake up skanky Ashley and ex Taylor in the car. I actually slapped her, it felt good." I heard Penny gasp and laughed. "Seriously?"
I chuckled and said, "Yeah, it was to wake her up. She screamed though, which hurt. But it was worth it."
"Wow. Then why do you look sort of sad?"
"Because Ashley started to kiss Taylor in front of me again."
"Are you-are you jealous?" Penny asked. I quickly turn to her and quickly answered her, "No! Why would I be?"
Penny shrugged and said, "I don't know, but I don't think you should be affected by skanky Ashley. Come on Marie, you've got Mark. He's a really nice guy you know."
I nodded and said, "I know that, but it still affects me. I'm still not fully recovered Penny."
"I know. Just remember Marie that I will always be here for you and that I support your decision about anything. I just don't anything bad to happen to you," Penny said.
I smiled warmly at her and said, "Thanks." We then paid for our drink and made our way out to the van that was waiting for us. I hopped into the passenger seat while Penny also hopped into her seat. Mark started the engine and drove into the freeway. After a few minutes of us on the freeway, I stared out the window to see tall green trees passing quickly by us. I looked up at the sky to see a few clouds and the sun shining brightly. I clicked the button nearby me to rolled down the window. Once I opened the window, the wind quickly went onto my face and entered the car. I closed my eyes and smiled. I love this kind of feeling, I thought. I stuck my right hand out of the car and loved the feeling of the wind passing through my fingers. I was really enjoying this moment, when I quickly had to cover my ears with my hands because of a really horrible voice coming from a certain someone singing. What the heck was that?
I turned around to Penny and mouthed to her, "What's that?"
Penny pointed behind her and mouthed, "Skanky Ashley." I then went to looked at Ashley who was singing some song on her ipod. Her voice was cracked and when she tried to sing the high notes, it sounded like her voice cracked even more. I looked around to see Derek trying to cover his ears as well. Poor Derek. I looked at Taylor and saw that he couldn't do anything, but had to listen to Ashley's voice since Ashley was facing him, singing. Terrence face was scrunched up and I could tell he was trying really hard not to laugh. I let out a small laugh and covered my hand over my mouth. I looked over at Mark who was as well trying to not laugh as well. This is so horrible, this is going to be a long car ride...
A/N: And there you have it. Love it? Hate it? Review it? Thank you very much. Oh! I also recommend to listen to A Year Without Rain by Selena Gomez (: It's a really good song. Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a wonderful day.