Like most teenagers, they slept in. So much, that by 9:30, when all the teachers were up, they were getting bored.
"I can't stand here anymore!" Emma shouted.
Shelby walked by. "I agree! Can't we just wake them up?"
"Sure" Will said. "The phone is there. Numbers are on the pad next to the phone. Call their condos and wake them up." Will shoved the rest of his bagel into his mouth. Him and Shelby had gone grocery shopping last night.
Emma raced to the phone and dialed the girls' number.
RING!
Over in the girls' condo, their phone rang.
"Phone!" Quinn mumbled from her bed. The phone had woken them all up startled.
"Urrrrhhh! Get it!" Rachel growled and shut her eyes.
"Santana, you are closest to the phone!" Mercedes said into her pillow.
RING!
"Aw, fine" Santana grumbled and swung her legs over the side of her bed. "Mhello?" she mumbled into the phone.
"Santana?" Emma asked.
"Yeahhh" Santana yawned.
"It's 9:30!" Sugar said from the corner.
"Santana, it's Ms. Pilsbury" Emma said. "Are you girls up?"
"We are now" Santana said.
"Well hurry up and eat and get dressed. Meet us at our condo in 45 minutes, okay?"
"Wait. What food do we eat?" Santana asked and looked around the room.
"Last night when you kids went swimming, Mr. Schue and Ms. Corcoran went shopping. There is bread and cereal and fresh fruit. 45 Minutes, okay?" Emma asked.
"Okay. See you then" Santana hung up the phone. "Kay girls!" Santana called loudly, forcing several girls to groan. "The teachers want us at their place in 45 minutes. There is food in the kitchen too" Santana stood up and walked into the kitchen and several girls followed.
RING!
The phone rang in the boys' condo after.
"Get the phone!" Puck shouted.
"Relax, I got it" Kurt walked out from the bathroom in the hallway.
"Hello?" Kurt asked as he picked up the phone.
"Hey Kurt! It's Ms. Pilsbury here! Are you all up?"
"No just me" Kurt said and looked at the guys who were all still asleep and snoring.
"Okay, well get them up. And meet us and the girls at our condo in 45 minutes. We put food in the kitchen, so eat up and get dressed. Okay?" Emma asked.
Kurt nodded. "Okay. See you!" And he hung up the phone.
"Who was that?" Artie asked as he put on his glasses.
"Ms. Pilsbury" Kurt said. "Get up, all of you! We have 45 minutes to eat, get changed and go meet them all at the teachers' condo!"
"Kay" Finn grunted and stood up slowly.
"Hey, Kurt" Blaine got up and kissed him.
"Hiya" Kurt said smiling. "You hungry?"
"Yes" Blaine said and he grabbed Kurt's hand and pulled him towards the kitchen.
"'Ay Kurt" Sam said with his mouth full of toast.
"Yeah?" Kurt looked up at him across the table.
"When did 'ou get up? Why 'ere 'ou up so early to get the phone?" Sam asked.
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Well, I am an early riser. So I took a shower and got that salt water out of my hair. Then I moisturized and got changed."
"Woah. Crazy" Artie wheeled up to the table with a plate on his lap.
"How so?" Kurt questioned.
"It's so early" Blaine poured himself a cup of coffee and laughed.
"Seven is not early" Kurt persisted.
"To each his own..." Rory mumbled at took a bit of his apple.
The boys didn't each a lot, so in 20 minutes, they were already getting dressed.
"Are we going to the beach? Do we put on out bathing suits?" Finn asked.
"I don't know. Ask Kurt" Mike shrugged.
"Kuuuurt!" Finn called.
"Yes?" Kurt popped his head around a corner.
"What do we wear? Are we going swimming?"
"I don't know. Ms. Pilsbury said to meet at their condo..." Kurt answered.
"Fine" Finn walked away debating what to wear.
"Who wants to split an apple with me?" Quinn asked the girls at the table.
"I will" Tina said as she sat down.
"Yay, thanks!" Quinn cut the apple in half. She handed half to Tina.
"Do we put on our bathing suits?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know. Ms. P didn't say" Santana answered as she recalled her conversation over the phone.
"Who's wearing their bathing suit?" Rachel asked a bit louder so everyone could hear.
"I'm not. If I need it I'll come back and change" Mercedes shrugged and spread some honey in her toast.
"Okay same" Rachel nodded and got up from the table.
The boys were first ready. They walked outside and across the small patch of grass to the adults' condo. Finn knocked on the dark red oak door. Shelby opened it and greeted them with a smile.
"Hey guys!" She said happily.
"Hi. Are the girls here yet?" Sam asked.
"Not yet. Come on in" She closed the door after they all walked in.
"Hey!" Will said as they walked up the stairs. The condo was identical to theirs but there were no random shoes or bags lying around. It was much neater.
"Deja vu!" Artie said and the guys laughed.
"So what's happening?" Puck asked Beiste.
"Wait for the girls and we'll tell you" Beiste answered.
The girls came ten minutes later.
"Sorry we are late!" Brittany said as the girls one by one walked up the condo stairs. "I lost my shirt!" Puck whistled and Will glared at him.
"The girls are here now!" Blaine said as the girls sat down on the floor in front of the adults.
"Yeah. Why are we here?" Puck asked. And they all nodded in agreement.
"Well, we have a couple options" Emma said. She looked at her watch. "It's 10:30."
"There are many things to do here other than the beach" Will said.
"Like?" Sugar asked.
"Like mini golf, movies, walks..." Shelby listed. "Oh, and shopping!" Kurt's eyes lit up and Blaine laughed.
"And we can go to the beach again too" Beiste added.
"We don't have to all stay together, if you are split on what to do, either. And also we can do more than one thing today too. Like beach until lunch and then switch, you know?" Will said. The teens sat there thinking.
"I want to go to the beach" Tina said.
"Same" Puck, Sugar and Finn said.
"Shopping. Shopping, shopping, shopping!" Kurt said in a sing-song voice.
"Same with me too!" Blaine, Mercedes and Rachel said.
"Okay well you guys seem to be split" Will commented. He turned to Kurt and Blaine. "Would you shoppers be willing to go after lunch and come to the beach now?"
Kurt looked at Blaine, Rachel and Mercedes.
"I'd be okay with that" Blaine said, shrugging.
"Me too, I guess" Rachel nodded.
"Yeah, I guess we could" Kurt answered Will.
"Great. So we will all go to the beach now. Any objections?" Emma asked, looking round at the teens.
"No. But we should all go mini putting tomorrow" Sam said.
"I agree" Emma nodded.
"Okay. Beach! Let's go!" Artie called and they stood up and cheered.
They all rushed to their condos to put on their bathing suits. 15 Minutes later, they were all ready and slightly out of breath.
They walked down the street to the beach.
There were some people there already. Mostly older folks and some families of young kids.
"Hey, Artie, I'll blow up your raft again" Puck offered.
"Thanks man" Artie passed him the deflated raft.
They all set their bags down on the sand and ran towards the water. After about 30 minutes, the girls and Kurt got out of the water. They lay down on the towels that they had set out on the sand.
"This is nice" Quinn said as she lay on the beach.
"Agreed" Rachel murmured.
"The sun don't shine like this in Lima" Kurt chuckled.
"Enjoy it while it lasts" Tina said.
"Who's tired of swimming?" Mike asked, floating on his back.
"Me" Finn said, falling back into the water.
"Let's go in" Puck started swimming to shore. The rest of the boys followed. When they got to shore, they all stood right in front of the girls (and Kurt) and blocked their sun.
"Move. Now" Mercedes sassed with a diva tone.
"No, I don't think we will" Puck said smugly. Quinn grabbed a fistful of sand and threw it at who was in front of her. And that was Rory.
"Hey!" Rory exclaimed as the sand hit him.
"If you weren't standing there, it wouldn't have hit you" Quinn quipped with an small smile and pursed lips. All the boys took a few steps back as the girls all took a handful of sand as a warning threat. Rachel was on the end of the line. Finn went and lay next to her.
"Hey" he whispered.
"Ew" Rachel moved away from him as far as she could. "You're all wet!"
"That's what happens when you go swimming" Finn retorted with a smile and moved closer to her.
"Your sarcasm is not needed here" Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Love you too, honey" Finn said and kissed her cheek.
"Glad to know" Rachel moved a bit farther away, so she was practically on Tina's towel.
"Okay, you're making me sick!" Puck was watching Finn and Rachel. "We are in public!"
"Oh, you're just jealous you don't have a girlfriend" Finn blushed a bit and stood up, pulling Rachel up too.
"Am not!" Puck protested. He stalked away with an amused look.
Finn rolled his eyes and gave Rachel a big bear hug.
"Gross! You are dripping and now I'm wet too!" Rachel pushed him away. He gave her a hurt puppy look. She rolled her eyes and gave a soft smile. "Oh, well. I am wet now." She leaned back into a huge hug.
CLICK! Finn and Rachel looked up to see Mercedes standing up and holding her camera.
"Aw, that's a keeper!" Mercedes said with a grin.
"The kids are having so much fun" Emma said, looking at them across the beach from where she and Will were walking.
"Yeah..." Will smiled.
"To think there used to be only 5 of them, all strangers and scared of themselves and each other. And now, 15 happy and loving teens. Look at them!" Emma said with an amazed smile.
"I know. They've come so far. I hate to see some leave at the end of the year..." Will stopped and took a deep breath.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked, taking his hand.
"I-It's just... We've all grown so much. I'm a teacher. I'm used to people coming and going. But these kids... It's like family. They are my family. And they feel the same way about each other. Sure, they have fights like every week and date each other like four times a month, but they are so tight knit. It'll be hard to see them go" Will admitted. He looked down.
"They'll come back!" Emma said. She tried to look in Will's eyes.
"Will they?"
"Of course!" said Emma. "Look at them..." They looked up to see the kids laughing and talking and hugging each other with wild smiles on their faces.
"See them?" Emma asked, pointing. "Look. See how they enjoy each other so much. So much that they are miles away from home and living with each other. And they are on cloud nine! Do you think for one moment that next year, when they are scattered about the country, that they won't miss days like today and come back eventually?" Emma asked. She felt her eyes water up.
"You're right" Will nodded. "You are so right. That's true..." But he was cut off. By Emma's lips on his.
"Volleyball!" Artie shouted and fist pumped.
"Yes!" The girls got up and ran over to where the boys stood. A net was set up and they had a ball.
"Captain!" Mike called and ran to the other side of the net.
"Other captain!" Sugar stepped up.
"Okay, captains pick your teams" Mercedes said.
"I pick Finn!" Mike called. Finn ran over to Mike and they highfived with goofy grins.
"I pick Brittany" Sugar said and hugged the blonde as she walked over.
"I get Mercedes and Quinn" Mike said, looking at his possible choices.
"Fine. I pick Puck and Tina" Sugar stated with her eyes narrow.
"Santana, Sam, Rachel" Mike said. "My team!" and the chosen people went over to that side.
"Rory, Kurt, Artie" Sugar called. Only Blaine was left.
"Who gets the shortie?" Santana asked.
"Hey!" Blaine pouted, even though he knew it was a joke.
"We'll take him" Mike said, looking at Sugar for approval.
"I suppose..." Sugar said in a bored tone, but her eyes were wide with excitement.
"Okay. Blaine, over here, man!" Mike said and Blaine ran over and stuck his tongue out at Sugar as he passed her.
"Rude!" Sugar gasped sarcastically.
"Huddle up, winners" Mike joked, putting extra emphasis on 'winners' and saying it loudly, to taunt Sugar and the other team.
"What's our plan?" Rachel asked Mike.
"Well, Finn the tallest, so I'm counting on him to spike a lot..." Mike said. He looked at his team.
"I'm a good server" Quinn said.
"Solid. Quinn will serve. The rest of you, play where you are best" Mike nodded. He put his hand in the center of the huddle. The rest of his team did the same.
"Gooooo team!" they shouted and broke apart while jumping.
"Okay. Brittany, you serve. Puck and Kurt, you play front. Any objections?" Sugar said quickly. "No? Okay. The rest of you play where a spot isn't taken. Ready?" They nodded. "Okay. Let's go team!" Sugar screamed and they got into position.
Brittany served. They rallied a bit. Rachel hit the ball over the net and both Kurt and Rory went for it. But instead they crashed into each other and the ball landed on the ground.
"Yeaaaaah!" Rachel and her team cheered.
"You guys are going down!" Finn yelled and beat his chest like a cave man.
They rallied a bit more and both teams managed to score some points.
"Hey, New Directions!" Beiste called from her seat. The game was paused as they stared at the coach.
"Yes?" Sam called back.
"It's almost noon. We should be going soon. Especially those who wanted to do something else this afternoon" Beiste shouted.
"Next one wins?" Puck suggested, turning to face his friends.
"You're on" Mime taunted.
"Okay, we're almost done beating these losers!" Sam called to Beiste, who just chuckled and gave a thumbs up.
"Okay, serve!" Santana called. Rory served and the ball went to Tina, who skillfully hit it to her teammate, Artie, who hit it up and Kurt spiked it down on the other side of the net. Finn dove for it. Mercedes gasped. Finn dove and slid in the sand, leaving a deep trail behind him. He missed the ball.
"Yes! Yes, yes yeeeessss!" Puck highfived Kurt and hugged Brittany and several other of his team members.
"Noooo!" Blaine yelled dramatically. Finn stood up and wiped sand off his torso.
"Guys, I'm sorry" Finn said, looking at the ground in shame.
"Losers!" Sugar screamed and she jumped up and down.
"It's okay Finn. You did your best" Rachel went up to him and hugged him. He gratefully hugged her back.
"Okay, well, time to go" Mike said. He stooped down to pick up the volleyball. The all walked to where the teachers stood. They grabbed their bags.
"All set?" Shelby asked, looking at them. They nodded. "Let's go, then."
They walked to their condos, in no rush, and enjoying the very warm sun. And the bright green plants that lined the sidewalk.
"Are those real coconuts?" Blaine asked, looking up wistfully. Everyone around him looked up also.
"I guess" Sam said. "Are they real palm trees?"
"Of course they are!" Emma said. "They are common here in the south!"
"Can you eat those coconuts?" Finn asked. "Because I'm hungry!"
"Yes, I suppose you could" Emma nodded. "And we'll eat at the condos."
They arrived a few minutes later, and they all split up to change into normal clothes. They girls arranged themselves at the kitchen table in their condo.
"What's for eats?" Mercedes asked as she sat down.
"I'm making grilled cheese." Rachel said, motioning to the several pans that were on the stove top.
"Yum" Mercedes nodded. "Need some help?"
"Uh, you can get plates out?" Rachel smiled at her.
"Sure thing" Mercedes walked to the cupboards and got out several plates.
"Food's ready!" Rachel called and the remaining girls who weren't at the table already came in.
"Ooooh, looks good!" Tina smiled as she took a piece.
"Tastes good too!" Santana took a large bite.
"Thank you" Rachel said she sat down too.
"Who can cook?" Artie asked as he wheeled into the kitchen and dining area.
"I burn water" Finn shrugged with a smile.
"I can microwave canned soup" Blaine piped up. "But Kurt can cook real well."
"Really?" Artie and the guys turned and looked at Kurt who was walking into the kitchen.
"Wha-? Why are you all staring at me?" Kurt asked. His hands flew up to his head. "Is it my hair? It's a mess, isn't it?"
"No, your hair's fine" Puck said as he walked past Kurt.
"Kurt" Blaine said with a charming smile. "Do you love us?"
Kurt's eyes narrowed and he raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Why?"
"Well, we are hungry, and we unanimously voted you, with your magnificent cooking skills, to make us lunch. And because you love us dearly, you'll do it, right?" Blaine smiled at Kurt and the other guys nodded and smiled encouragingly.
Kurt rolled his eyes and gave a crooked smile. "I should have seen this coming."
"Please?" Rory asked.
"Fine, okay" Kurt said.
"Yay!"
"Thank you Kurt!"
"I love you!"
"We're saved!"
They all ran up and hugged Kurt tightly.
"Back away, you are wrinkling my shirt!" Kurt said and pushed Sam off him. Blaine went up and hugged Kurt anyways, but Kurt didn't push him off.
"Oh, so Blaine can hug you, but we can't?" Puck asked.
"Dude, do you really want to have that conversation?" Finn asked with a shocked and amused face.
"Not at all" Puck said after he caught on.
"I'll make some scrambled eggs and sandwiches, okay?" Kurt asked the guys.
"Sure, sounds great" Mike nodded and rubbed his stomach like a four year old.
Kurt got right to work and in 20 minutes, they were all sitting down and eating the wonderful meal Kurt prepared.
"Kurt, if you are ever in need of a job, you can be my personal chef" Puck said with a grin. "This stuff is so good!"
"Thanks" Kurt said. "But there are many better career options than your personal chef."
"Just saying" Puck shrugged and went to the stove for seconds.
Everyone was done eating lunch by one. They were all sitting in the girls' condo waiting for the adults to arrive.
"What did you ladies eat?" Sam asked Brittany and Mercedes as he sat down on the couch next to them.
"Grilled cheese" Mercedes smiled. "What fab lunch did Kurt make you all?"
"Hey! Why do you assume Kurt cooked for us?" Sam demanded with a smile.
"Because, I know you and Finn can't cook to save your lives. And Puck is only good for making drugged up cupcakes. Besides, you didn't deny that Kurt cooked for you" Mercedes smirked and Sam rolled his eyes. "Fine. He did. And we had scrambled eggs and sandwiches."
Mercedes chuckled.
"And it was freaking delicious" Sam added.
"Okay guys" the adults walked in and Will spoke up, quieting the rowdy teens. "I know Kurt and a few of you want to shop. Any other plans?"
"I want to go to the beach again. I love it there" Tina said. Sugar and Puck nodded.
"Okay so shopping, beach... Anything else?" Beiste asked.
"Can we just stay here in the condos? There's TV and AC here" Sam said.
"Yup" Emma nodded. "Okay so anymore?" No one spoke up.
"Okay, well I don't mind heading to the beach again" Will said.
"And I'll stay here in the condo" Beiste said. She sat down on a chair.
"Okay. I'll take the shoppers shopping" Shelby volunteered with a smile.
"And...I'll accompany Will to the beach" Emma said with a shrug.
"Okay. That's settled. Have fun" Will said as he stood up to go.
"We will. So who wants to shop?" Kurt stood up and clapped. Blaine, Rachel, Mercedes and Quinn raised their hands.
"Okay. Meet by the bus in 10 minutes" Shelby said.
"Who's coming to the beach?" Tina asked.
"Me!" Sugar said cheerfully. Puck, Brittany and Santana also said yes.
"And so me, Mike, Rory and Finn are staying here" Sam nodded to the guys.
"Okay. See you" They all ran off in different directions to peruse their desired activities.
"Okay. Hop in" Shelby said as she walked out the door of her condo and unlocked the massive bus that was parked on the driveway.
"But, Ms. Corcoran" Mercedes began. "There's only six of us." Mercedes gestured to the five other teens who were lazily leaning against the parked bus.
"So...?" Shelby looked at Mercedes.
"Taking the huge bus for only six of us is a huge waste of gas and energy!" Mercedes said, her voice rising slightly.
"Well, Mercedes, I appreciate your concern for the environment, but the closest outlet mall is twenty minutes away, and this happens to be our only form of transportation. That is, unless you want to walk for an hour in the blazing sun..." Shelby said slowly.
"Walk? Heck no." Mercedes shook her head. "Whatever, everybody in..." They all got in the bus. It was much more roomy than when they were all in there the first time. There were several less people and no large suitcases this time around. Kurt and Blaine walked to the back and sat on the right side, while Rachel and Mercedes sat two rows in front of them. Quinn sat by herself on the left side, parallel to Kurt and Blaine. She still felt a bit awkward around Rachel and Mercedes. They were obviously good friends, and Quinn never really acknowledged Mercedes in the past while. After the baby was born and Quinn moved back in with her mother, she lost contact with Mercedes outside of Glee club and even then, Mercedes would always rather to talk with Kurt or Tina or Rachel. And as for Rachel, Quinn had been on good terms with her for a while now, but not friends by any means. A friendly smile in class or a wave in the hall meant nothing much. Even Rachel would rather talk with Finn or Blaine or Kurt or Mercedes. So now, on the large bus, Quinn sat alone. She stared out the window as they passed several small shops and many palm trees.
"Hey, Quinn" Blaine said, noticing the quiet blonde. Quinn looked up at Blaine.
"You okay?" Blaine asked with a caring smile.
"Yeah. Just thinking" Quinn nodded and gave a smile. Blaine was so sweet. He was new, but was nice to everyone no matter what.
"Come sit here" Blaine pointed to the empty two seats between him and Kurt and Rachel and Mercedes.
"O-okay..." Quinn stood up and smoothed out her little red sun dress. She walked across the aisle and sat down in the seat. They all chatted happily on the ride. Quinn smiled a lot. Even if she wasn't perfectly comfortable with any of them, she still loved them and it was clear, by their concern, that they cared for her too.
"We are here" Shelby said as she parked the bus in special parking for large vehicle such as their bus. The six of them walked out of the bus to face a large outlet mall. There were people all over, rushing around and carrying bags.
"Woah" Kurt breathed with wide eyes.
"Okay guys. You probably don't want me shopping around with you and no offence but I don't want to shop with you either..." Shelby smiled with a short laugh.
"Naw, Ms. C, you're cool" Mercedes said and Blaine nodded.
"That's sweet. But I'll pass for now. So why don't we meet back here in two hours and see where we're at?" Shelby looked at her watch. "You all got phones or watches or some time telling mechanism, correct? So stay together and have fun!"
"Okay. Bye!" Rachel grabbed Kurt's hand and races off into the crowd, with Blaine, Mercedes and Quinn following behind, laughing at Rachel's eagerness
"Wanna watch TV?" Sam asked Rory.
"Sure" Rory nodded and handed Sam the remote.
"Football or basketball?" Finn asked as he sat down on the couch with a large bowl of popcorn.
"Football" Sam said and turned the volume up.
"Hey, what are you watching?" Beiste asked as she walked in the TV room.
"Football" Mike said.
"Mind if I watch with you?" Beiste said slowly.
"Not at all, coach. Sit down" Mike pointed to an empty seat.
"Thanks, guys" Beiste said nodding.
"Wanna play volleyball again?" Puck asked tossing Sugar the white ball.
"Sure" Tina said and Brittany nodded.
"Puck and Brit and Tina against me and Sugar?" Santana suggested.
"Sure" Puck nodded.
They played really well for only having 2 or 3 players per team.
"Yes!" Tina exclaimed as she got a point.
"Nice!" Brittany highfived her.
"Now it's 4-7" Santana informed them, a bit annoyed that they were losing.
"Your serve" Puck tossed Sugar the ball.
After 45 minutes, everyone was carrying one shopping bag. Kurt had bought a sweater, Rachel bought a headband, Quinn bought a clutch bag, Mercedes bought a silver bracelet and Blaine bought a new bowtie. They had got it all at great prices, too.
"Outlet malls are great!" Rachel repeated for the fifth time that hour.
"We know" Blaine said as they walked down the crowded pathway between stores.
"Guys, can we stop in here?" Quinn pointed to a small boutique. "Sure" Rachel nodded and they opened the door. A burst of cold air hit them as they walked in.
"That's nice" Mercedes said with a smile, referring to the cold air.
They walked through the store perusing at the merchandise. The store sold mostly dresses and girl's clothing, so Kurt and Blaine didn't find it as interesting as the three girls.
"Is this cute?" Quinn asked, holding up a lime green summer dress that she had found in the clearance section.
"No, you'd look like a big blonde lime" Mercedes said with an eyebrow raised and a smirk. She didn't mean to insult, just be honest, which Quinn knew.
"Really?" Quinn looked at the dress with a disappointed look.
"Mhmm" Mercedes shrugged and turned to look at the shirts next to her.
"Cute dress, Quinn" Kurt said as he walked by.
"Wait. Really?" Quinn asked, a bit shocked.
"Sure. You buying it?" Kurt inquired.
"I wasn't going to...Mercedes said I'd look like a lime" Quinn said with a smile.
"Well, not if you accessorize it!" Kurt exclaimed. He handed his bag to Blaine and led Quinn to the rack of belts.
"Here, this black one will work well with it... Or this one too..." Kurt picked off a few belts and held them to the lime dress.
"And come here..." Kurt took her free hand and pulled her to the small racks of necklaces.
"A black necklace, like this one, will match the belt" Kurt informed as he picked off a thin and long black beaded necklace.
"Plus, black shoes, which..." Kurt looked down at Quinn's tiny black flats. "...you already sport."
"Okay, great" Quinn nodded, happy that the dress would actually look good.
"Now try it on" Blaine said. He stood next to Kurt, watching the action go down, and secretly laughing at Kurt's excitement and vast knowledge.
"Sure..." Quinn nodded and looked around the store for change rooms. When she saw them, they walked over, and Quinn went inside the tiny stall and closed the wood door.
Kurt and Blaine settled themselves on the waiting chairs.
Inside the stall. Quinn pulled on the dress and zipped up the small zipper. She put her flats back on and put on the black belt and necklace. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. she had to hand it to Kurt, she looked good. The black accessories, made the dress fitted and not so lime-looking. Her eyes also accentuated the dress. She smiled, even though no one could see. Satisfied with her look, she opened the change room door and stepped out with a smile.
"Woah!" Blaine exclaimed. She looked good. The dress fit perfectly. And most of all, Quinn had a huge smile and her happiness radiated off of her.
"Is it okay?" Quinn asked, smoothing down the front of the dress, even though she already knew the answer. It was great.
"Yes! It's looks brilliant!" Kurt jumped out of his seat and clapped loudly, causing several random shoppers to look over and glare.
"Quinn!" Rachel came over when she heard Kurt's clapping. "That looks good!"
"Thanks, Rachel" Quinn smiled and twirled, making the dress flow in a circle.
"Woah, Quinn!" said Mercedes as she walked over.
"Remember this dress, Mercedes?" Quinn teased.
"Yes, I do. And I'm glad I was wrong. You look hot, for a white girl" Mercedes smirked and gave Quinn a thumbs up.
"Okay, go pay for that, Quinn, and lets go. I saw a bookstore down the way" Rachel said, pushing Quinn back into the change room.
After Quinn paid and they left, Rachel raced ahead of them to the small bookstore. The rest of them trailed along, in no immediate rush.
"Kurt!" Blaine yelled suddenly, grabbing his arm to stop him from continuing on walking.
"What?" Kurt asked, a slight frown forming on his face.
"Look!" Blaine's eyes lit up as he looked in the window of a small store. "Look at what that mannequin in wearing!"
Kurt looked at the model. It wore a pair of jeans and had on a bright red collared shirt. But what Blaine noticed was the light-up bowtie that it wore. Kurt rolled his eyes. When it came to bowties, Blaine was like a kid in a candy shop.
"The bowtie, I presume" Kurt looked at his boyfriend. He stood there wide eyed with his mouth open.
"Yes. Kurt come with me. I want it!" Blaine said, taking Kurt's hand and pulling him a bit.
"Really? You want that?" Kurt asked. "It's sorta tacky..."
Blaine stopped in mid step.
"Kurt, that's offensive. And you know very well that bowties are my thing." Blaine pouted and tried not to smile.
"Sorry, Blaine. But really? Light up? Six year olds wear light up sneakers."
"Ow, Kurt, you are hurting my feelings" Blaine said with a serious tone.
"Aw, I'm sorry, Blaine..." Kurt said. He really didn't mean to insult Blaine. "Really. I'm sorry."
Blaine rolled his eyes and grinned. "Good to know. Come on, I'm going to buy that, even if you think it's downright hideous."
"I never said that. I said sorta tacky!" Kurt protested and took Blaine's hand. They walked into the store together.
Mercedes and Quinn had kept walking and were in the book store with Rachel.
"Hey, took you long enough!" Rachel looked up from her book and greeted them as they walked in and the door's bell dinged. "Where's Kurt and Blaine?"
"Blaine got side tracked by a bowtie" Quinn said and Rachel snickered.
They looked around the shelves at different books, until Kurt and Blaine walked in, hand in hand and laughing.
"Did you buy it, Blaine?" Mercedes asked with a grin.
"Sure did. Plus a cool glow-in-the-dark one!" Blaine said proudly.
"Nice" Quinn laughed at Kurt's face. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"How did I manage to get the boyfriend with the messed sense of fashion? What am I going to do with you?" Kurt asked, looking at Blaine, who was smiling like crazy.
"You could kiss me?" Blaine answered with a smirk.
"I suppose..."
And he did. Right there in the middle of the store. It was short but sweet, and when they broke apart, Rachel, Mercedes and Quinn clapped quietly, earning yet another eye roll from Kurt.
"Touchdowwwwwwn!" Finn stood up and cheered.
"Yeahhh!" Artie fist-pumped.
"Nice one!" Beiste nodded.
They were watching the football game, and getting very into it, too. They had gotten chips and drinks too, so no one would have to move.
Twenty minutes later, the game was almost over.
"Thirty seconds left" Rory informed them all.
"They can't win now" Sam smiled. "It might as well end now."
EEEEHHHH! The end game buzzer sounded on the TV and once again, Finn and Artie cheered like crazy.
"Well, that was a good game" Beiste said, standing up. "Thanks for letting me watch with you guys."
"No prob" Mike nodded at her with a smile.
"You know, you're not half as scary as people think you are" Finn said to her as he put some chips in his mouth.
Beiste laughed. "Thank you" she nodded. "My scariness is just an act, to keep the yahoos in line. But don't tell anyone." She laughed again and walked out, back to her condo. As she closed the door and stepped into the warm sun, she smiled. It had at first been awkward to hang with the teenage boys, but overall they were such nice guys. Kind and fun. She had a good time.
"I'm bored of this" Brittany complained after a while. Volleyball was getting old now.
"Same" Santana nodded.
"Let's walk down there" Tina suggested as she pointed farther down the beach.
"Okay" Puck nodded. They had never really left that area of beach, so they were curious to see what was farther down the line.
"Just let me get my hat" Sugar said. She ran to the bags, that were carelessly tossed aside on the sand. Sugar picked up her hat and crammed it on her head.
"Where are you guys headed?" Emma asked, when Sugar had walked by.
"Oh, we're just going for a walk down the beach" Sugar explained.
"Okay, but don't go too far" Will said and Sugar nodded her agreement.
They walked down the beach, on the warm yellow sand. Actually on the hot sand. So hot, that they were forced to walk right along the shore on the wet sand, where it was not hot. They passed several other people on the beach and saw lots of sand. The palm trees that lined the road father away from the water, continued on too. They walked along, enjoying the sun and kicking their feet in the water's edge to make little splashes.
Two hours had passed. By then, the five shoppers had gotten several more bags and had met Shelby, like promised and gone out for another hour of shopping. After that hour was up, they met back at the bus, and dropped their heavy bags. When Shelby came up, she too was carrying some bags.
"Oooh, Ms. C, what did you buy?"
"Not much. I bought a blouse and some clothes and stuff for Beth."
"Cool" Mercedes nodded.
They got in the bus, dumping their bags on the array of empty seats, and sat down, in the same formation as they had when they arrived. The drive back took longer, thanks to traffic, but the teens chatted loudly with each other the whole way through. They finally pulled into the condo driveway, and everyone hopped off. The girls ran to their condo and dropped off their packages and went to the boy's condo to chill with the guys who stayed back.
The teenage beach goers walked far, and when they knew that there was nothing spectacular ahead, they turned back and walked back to where they began.
"Oh, glad you are back. We should go now" Will said to the teens as he packed his own bag.
They gathered their belongings and walked back to the condos.
"I think they are all in the boy's condo" Emma said as she heard loud noises emanating from that direction.
Will nodded. "Okay, good. Get ready and meet back there. We have dinner to discuss."