Alex stepped off the metal staircase into her family's sandwich shop. She looked over her outfit one last time. Her dark-brown, wavy long hair was pulled into two loose pigtails that hung over her shoulders. She wore a navy t-shirt with the words 'Daddy's Little Girl' printed across the front in yellow letters. White bermuda shorts, a yellow headband, and her navy Converse completed the 'innocent' outfit. Alex looked to her right and saw her dad in the backroom doing dishes. Perfect.
"Hey daddy!" Alex chirped as she stepped through the doorway.
"Hi Alex." Jerry mumbled, not looking up from the plastic forks he was washing. Hey, if it saved him money and they were clean, he thought it was a good idea. Alex noticed his disinterest in the conversation, so she knew she had to work harder.
"Here daddy, let me help you with that." She said, stepping forward and grabbing a handful of forks to wash. He looked down at her and she simply flashed a 'cute' smile at him.
"Thanks Alex. What did you do to get in trouble?" He asked suddenly. She pretended to gasp and look shocked.
"I did not do anything wrong! Today was a wonderful day, and you know why it was wonderful?" She asked cleverly. Mr. Russo sighed, knowing Alex would tell him anyway. It was something the whole family knew. Alex continued without waiting for an answer.
"So Harper won this contest from this really popular radio station, T0day's Radi0. And, she gets to bring one friend." She paused, waiting for her father to say something. When he didn't, she continued. "She just happened to pick me, and it just happens to be a trip to…wait for it…CALIRFORNIA!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. Forgetting the fact that they were wet, she ended up splashing Jerry with water right in the face. "Oh sorry. Here." She handed him a towel.
After wiping his face with the towel, he looked at her outfit. Suddenly he smiled. "You are my little girl." He said still smiling. Alex smiled back, knowing her plan was working.
"And the best part is, if you give me money, I'll be so busy shopping I won't run into any cute boys." She said like she was excited about not meeting boys. Pfft, was that a lie. "You're always saying it's good to take new learning experiences when you have the opportunity." Alex pointed out. Jerry nodded his head, still thinking about this.
"So this radio station just gave away plane tickets to California? Without any explanations?" He asked skeptically.
"Well, we get plane tickets, 4 nights in a hotel, and we get to meet some band called like, Separating 6 or something." Alex mumbled, completely forgetting the name of Harper's favorite band yet again.
"Well, it does sound interesting." Jerry admitted. "When is the trip?" This is where Alex began to bite her lip.
"Well, the thing is, we leave on Saturday." She answered quietly. Mr. Russo sighed.
"Alex. You know you can't miss Wizard Training, especially now. Do you think the whole Wizard World is just going to stop revolving just because you want to go on some trip?" He said sternly.
"But dad-" Alex began but was cut off.
"I know you really want to go, but this is a big deal! To me and your brothers. Alex, if I didn't think you had a chance at winning this contest, I would let you go." This made Alex shocked.
"Y-you really think I have a chance of winning?" She asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes, I do. Justin is smart and a good student, and you may not pay attention, but when you want something done, you get it done." He looked into his daughter's eyes. She smiled weakly.
"Thanks dad, that means a lot. But are you sure you can't like, find a wizard in L.A. and have them temporarily train me?" She asked pleadingly. "I could probably sneak off a couple of times without Harper noticing." She added. Jerry sighed.
"I'll see what I can do." Alex perked right up and smiled.
"Oh thank you daddy!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around her father. He put his arms around her, smiling.
Harper and Alex stood in the airport early Saturday morning. Their families were in front of them, preparing to say goodbye for 5 days. Theresa was trying not to cry, Jerry was rubbing her back, Justin was excited Alex was leaving, and Max was buying candy. Like he needed any. Mr. and Mrs. Finkle stood together, asking Harper if she was sure she can do this alone and offering to still come with her.
"Attention, flight number 1493 to Los Angeles, California is now boarding for first class." A voice said over the speakers. Some people got up and started walking to board the plane.. Alex and Harper each ran into their parents arms.
"I'll miss you sweetie. It's going to be hard being the only girl." Theresa said through her tears. Alex smiled.
"Don't worry mom. I'll be back soon enough."
"Attention, flight number 1493 to Los Angeles, California is now boarding for coach class." The two girls took a step back. Harper ran over to Justin and squeezed him in hug, then stepped back and they walked away after waving goodbye. Once they got on the plane with their carry-ons, they found their seats. Harper got the window seat and Alex took the seat in the middle.
"Sir I'm sorry but please just move into the coach section, please." A flight attendant was arguing with a man in first class.
"Why should I have to move?! It's not my fault the guy bought the tickets late and they didn't have any first class ones left!" He yelled. Alex rolled her eyes. She hated rude annoying people that acted up in public.
"Once again, I'm sorry sir but that is not our fault. Please move into your proper seat." She said, somehow still smiling. He threw his hands up in the air and followed her through the curtain. "You can sit next to that young lady over there." She pointed behind Alex, but when Alex turned around 3 old people were sitting behind her. Alex's head whipped around and she realized the annoying guy was going to sit next to her.
"Harper, that guy has to sit next to me!" She whisper-screamed.
"Oh, yikes." Harper said. She felt bad for her best friend, especially since it was in the category of people Alex hated. The man plopped down into the seat next to Alex and sighed tremendously loud. In return Alex snickered, giving the guy the hint she was unhappy about this seating arrangement. His head turned to glare at her, but he was wearing sunglasses so she didn't catch the glare. She was expecting a rude remark, but instead he asked,
"Are you two Connect 3 fans?" He asked, and Alex noticed he didn't seem that much older than Harper and herself.
"I am, she's not so crazy about them." Harper explained. The teen nodded his head. Then he smiled.
"Which one's your favorite?" He asked. Alex was getting a little creeped out, but Harper gladly answered his question.
"Jason, the oldest one! He's so dreamy!" The teen scoffed then pulled off his sunglasses.
"What about me! I'm not dreamy?" He asked. Harper's mouth fell open and Alex was at this point ready to kick the creep's ass.
Y-you're…you're…" Harper said, starting to hyperventilate. He laughed.
"Hi, I'm Shane Gray."
Somewhere in California
"Look, Nate, I think we need to talk." A southern voice said over the phone. Nate sighed, knowing what was about to happen.
"Yeah, so do I Hannah." He and his girlfriend, Hannah Montana, had been dating now for 8 months. She's been on tour for about 2 weeks and their relationship was going nowhere but downhill.
"Nate, you know I really like you. Heck, I might even love you. But this isn't going to work for the next three months."
"I know. I really like you too. I understand what you're trying to say." Nate put his head on his hand.
"Let's just, take a break, okay? See other people, and when I get back from tour maybe we can try again."
"Yeah, I guess that works."
"I'm sorry Nate. But this is for the best."
"You're probably right. Bye Hannah, I love you." It was the first time he had said it to her, and it was already the last time. He heard a sigh.
"Bye Nate. I…I love you too." And the line went dead. Nate ran his head through his hair, letting slow tears roll down his cheeks. He looked at his phone still on his hand, and wished that phone call never happened.
Now he had to worry about Shane, who got so mad he decided to run away. Supposedly he was on his way home, but nobody ever knows about Shane.
On the Plane
Harper's jaw dropped lower than Alex thought was humanly possible. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" She repeated. Shane smirked then waved his hand signaling the flight attendant he needed her assistance. She walked over and bent down to hear his request. Alex couldn't quite catch what he said but before she could try the attendant was already walking away. He turned to her and when he saw her puzzled look he simply answered, "Water. For your uhm…friend."
Alex nodded her head, shocked he actually did something nice when he was just being a brat. Seconds later Shane was handed a water bottle and he handed it to Harper. "Eeep! SHANE GRAY just gave me a water bottle!" She unscrewed the cap and took a sip. "This is the best day ever!" Shane laughed and Alex let out a small chuckle.
"So…Shane. Where are your band mates?" Alex asked, trying to sound like a fan like Harper had begged her to. He shrugged.
"At home I guess." This answer confused even Harper.
"Then why aren't you with them?" She asked very confused. Connect 3 was always seen together, it was never Connect 3 minus 1 or 2. Shane sighed.
"Well you see our manager-not our dad, our other one-decided to let a radio station have a contest. The winner got to meet us in California and hang out with us for a few days." Alex and Harper looked at each other. "I mean, I love the fans and everything but we are trying to work on our new album and having distractions like this without us even knowing gets us off track. I was really ticked off so I grabbed a plane to New York to get away from the idiot I have to even call my manager." He took a breath. "But the guy from the label found me here and got me the first plane back to Hollywood." The girls stared at him.
"S-so you don't want to meet the winners?" Harper asked.
"Not right now." Shane answered honestly.
"Too late." Alex mumbled under her breath. Shane didn't hear her but he looked at her face, as if he was trying to figure out who she was. "What? Do I have something on my face?" She said, rubbing her face with her hand. He laughed.
"No," He took her hand off her face. "You just seem…I feel like I've met you before." He said, looking into her eyes. If Alex didn't have enough experience, she would have melted right there.
"Thanks, but that's not going to work on me. Trust me." She snapped at him, and he was taken aback. "Excuse me, I have to use the flying bathroom." Shane got up and she walked past him. He watched her walk away, smiling to himself. I wish those fans would be more like her…He thought before taking his seat. Little did he know, his wish had come true.