Chapter Five

Fireworks and Picnic Blankets

"Cammie, Zach," Liz started. The whole gang was standing in a line, waiting for their assignments on what to get for the Fourth of July picnic they were having later on. "You'll get food and drinks."

Cammie smiled and soon enough, Zach was being pulled away to go to the market.

"Macey," she said, turning to the blue-eyed girl who'd been remarkably happier since the team had "rescued" her boyfriend, Preston. "And Preston," Liz added as an afterthought. Preston smiled. "You guys are set-up and decorations." They raced away as soon as Liz was finished.

Three people remained. "Jonas and I will find a place," Liz said while Jonas went off to start the car. "And Bex, you and Grant are in charge of…"

The two waited eagerly for something as Liz scrolled up and down her list, trying to find something they couldn't ruin, but failed. "Fireworks," she sighed. She already knew this was a disaster.

"Bloody awesome!" Bex yelled. Grant's eyes widened. "Wicked!" He screamed.

Liz watched as they ran off to the van in regret. She didn't just fear a disaster.

She was afraid they'd hurt themselves in the process.

Bex and Grant drove for a half an hour. "Are we there yet?" Bex complained.

It was just their luck that no one in Roseville sold fireworks.

"Not yet, but almost." Grant said, trying to concentrate.

"Drive. Faster." Bex growled. "I'm getting hungry!"

"Geez, woman," Grant replied. "Don't get your panties in a bunch."

With Bex mumbling threats about getting someone's undergarments in a bad situation for the next fifteen minutes, Grant finally pulled into the store's parking lot.

"Finally!" Bex yelled, jumping out of the car. "Is there any bloody food here?"

"Bex, babe," Grant started. "It's a party store."

"Shoot me."

"Hi, can I help you?" the woman at the counter said. Grant leaned on the tabletop and she giggled.

Bex clenched her fists and pushed Grant out of the way. "Yes, you can." The girl rolled her eyes. "We're looking for fireworks."

"And possibly a cheeseburger," Grant added. "If available." He winked at Bex.

"We don't serve cheeseburgers," she said, eyeing Bex. "But fireworks are in the back."

Without another word, the two rushed off. Meters away, Bex stopped dead in her tracks.

"What?" Grant asked. "The fireworks are this way."

"I know where the fireworks are," she said, rolling her eyes. "I just wanted to know what the bloody hell you were doing flirting with that girl?"

He looked her straight in the eye. "Discount."

That wasn't something she could really argue with.

Five cases of fireworks, three bags of fast food, and two receipts with numbers on the back of them later, Rebecca and Grant were back in the car. Their mouths were stuffed with peanut-oil-free French fries, and the radio was turned up.

"Here's an old one, requested by RihannaFan201!" The voice from the radio said. The music started up. "Remember, vote for your favorite songs on your website!"

Bex turned the radio up. "La la la la, la la la la oh. You know, I've never felt like this before." She struggled to recognize it as Rihanna started singing. "I'm obsessive, when just the thought of you comes up. And I'm aggressive…"

"You like this song?" Grant asked. Bex just kept listening. "'Cause every moment gone you know I miss you. I'm the question, and you're of course the answer. Just hold me close, boy, 'cause I'm your tiny dancer."

"I haven't heard this in ages," Bex blurted finally, as Rihanna belted out the chorus. "It was one of my, uh, dance songs."

"Ah, I see," he replied. "It reminds me of you –I mean,uh, something you would like."

"Funny," Bex said finally. "I can really relate to it."

"S.O.S., please someone help me."

"We're back!" Bex sang, hopping out of car and stepping on the grass of the park Liz told them to meet at. "And we have explosives!"

"Colorful explosives," Grant added excitedly.

"Dangerous colorful explosives," Cammie said, placing her hand on her hip. Zach stood by her, bags of food in his hand. Cammie offered no help.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Bex rushed them. "Let's light these babies up!"

"Bex, no!" Liz exclaimed. "I, uh, I mean, it's not even dark yet. Let's get through eating first."

Bex and Grant looked at each other shamefully.

Maybe McDonald's wasn't a good idea.

Three hours later, Grant and Bex sat on a picnic blanket. Their arms were crossed, angry because they weren't allowed to light the fireworks.

Macey and Preston fired up the first one. A magical array of fireworks exploded in the sky. Bex gazed up and smiled wide, remembering her times as a girl. Grant took this opportunity to put his arm around her, a motion Zach had already performed. Both Cammie and Bex graciously accepted.

"This is really beautiful," she whispered. "I love fireworks. I wish we would've celebrated the Fourth in London."

"Well, you have us here Bexy."

"I know," she said quietly. "Thank you."

"Bex?" Grant said.

"Hmm?"

"Happy Fourth of July."

Bex smiled and snuggled closer to him. Her face was inches away from his. "Happy Fourth of July," she said before he pressed his lips to hers and pulled her closer. The loud thunder of fireworks remained in the sky.

All Bex could think was, A very, very happy Fourth of July.

an.

so there you have it! my "Happy Independence Day" special :) So, I hope you had a great one, everyone. Let's take a few moments to remember the soliders who are fighting for our freedom, and even though we may not all agree with America's descision's at times, let's all be thankful and gracious. We have freedom and independence, we can thank God for that.

Happy Independence Day, all you American Ally-Lovers! (or, if you live where I live, it's 12:20 am, so. Haha, we can still celebrate!) And even if today wasn't a holiday in your country, I hope your day was spectacular anyway.

Enjoy the fireworks, everyone!

Review? :)

xoxo,

Sol