Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds or its characters!
Chapter 2
The next few days were just as exciting first. Every morning Alan would get up to go for a run along the beach. It took him a while to get used to the damp humidity of Texas. His aunt was a blast to hang out with when she wasn't working. And despite her urging Alan had still not called his dad back. Running gave him time to think. He was almost ready to go in for a swim when he collided with someone.
"Oh... I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you ok?" Alan asked cautiously helping the stranger to her feet.
The girl was thin with long black hair and big brown eyes. "Wow you really know how to take a girl's breath away." She said batting her eyelashes.
Alan tensed expecting to get yelled at for being so clumsy. His brothers always did. "That was a horrible pick up line I'm sorry. My name's Carter. I live a few houses down." She said pointing over his shoulder.
"Alan." He said accepting her hand shake. "I'm staying with my aunt for the summer, Mary Simmons."
"I love Mary. She's so sweet. You two should stop by for dinner later. We usually have big cook offs on the beach around dusk." Carter whipped.
"Thanks, I'll ask Mary." Alan acknowledged.
Carter threw her hair over her shoulder. "You have to ask permission to eat?" She criticized.
Alan blinked idiotically. "No. I just wanted to make sure she didn't have plans already." This girl was dripping with sarcasm.
Carter smiled and patted his shoulder. "I like you Alan. You're cute in an awkward way." Then she walked off.
"Wait, was that supposed to be a compliment?" Alan wondered.
Carter laughed, "You have confidence issues, don't you? Don't worry we're very good at fixing people here."
Alan felt like an idiot. Even this random girl could tell that Alan was having problems. Instead of going for a swim he headed for the shower. Thankful his aunt was home for lunch when he got out of the shower.
"I made ham and cheese sandwiches if you want one." Mary offered pointing to the plate on the counter.
"Thanks. How is work?" He asked before taking a bite.
Mary nodded, "Decent. This one family, the McWilliams, is trying to grab a few properties up from the company. Jerks. You'll met their rat of a son soon enough."
"I ran into some girl on the beach today. Carter. She invited us to dinner tonight." Alan informed.
Mary smiled and started to wash the dishes. "You should go. I have plenty to eat here. Besides this is your vacation. Get out of the condo, meet people."
"Yeah, but Carter invited us both. She said she knows you." Alan recanted.
"I do know her. He dad does tons of design work for the agency. Sweetheart, Carter invited you. She was probably just being polite by inviting me. Go, be a teenager. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Mary said grabbing his plate and rinsing it in the sink.
Despite how much Alan liked his aunt he now understood why she never came to visit the island. She would drive his dad insane. Alan had only asked his father about their falling out once. That was all he needed to know he would never get a straight answer.
After his aunt left for work Alan called his dad back. It rang about five times before Alan hung up without waiting for the message machine. What was he doing calling his dad for girl advice? His brothers would laugh at him and his dad would tell him to focus on school, even though school was over 2 months away. Alan was just going to wing his first almost date with Carter.
It wasn't hard to find the cook off. There were only a few people; Carter, her father, a young boy around 10 years old, and a couple a little older than Alan.
"I'm so glad you made it. I was just telling my dad about this totally surreal dream I had about being trampled by a blonde, shy, built neighbor." Carter said excitedly.
Alan raised his eyebrows in worry. This girl had already told her dad about him. What was it the Gordon used to tell Alan about dating? Oh yeah avoid family events. "You must be Alan. Excuse Carter she's just very elaborate." Mr. Murphy apologized.
"Dad, stop embarrassing me. Did I not explain my dream well enough? We were alone." Mr. Murphy smiled at his daughter then went back to cooking.
Carter grabbed his hand and led him over to meet the couple. Alan's aunt was right about the McWilliams kid being a rat. He was completely trashed. The girl, Amanda, was nice. She had short brown hair that hung over her eyes.
"I'm so sorry about him Carter. I couldn't take him home like this. He's already his last strike with his parents." Amanda ranted.
Alan noticed how much Carter cared for her friend. Even though she made it obvious the rat was not welcome. "You shouldn't being taking him home at all. He should stop getting smashed and making you feel sorry for him." Carter argued.
"Why don't you just shut your mouth and stay out of our business?" The rat slurred putting an arm around his girlfriend. Amanda looked disgusted, but did not pull away.
Alan hung back, but started to look for Mr. Murphy. He was in the house with Carter's little brother.
"I told you to keep your hands off her when you're drunk." Carter barked.
The rat swung his hand back in an instant and raised his hand to punch Carter. Alan sprung into action and stepped in front of her taking the punch. Luckily the guy was too drunk to put much force behind it. "Little rich boy who do you think you are?" The rat laughed.
Mr. Murphy must have realized what was happening and started running down the stairs. "This is Carter's house and I believe she told you to leave." Alan said firmly.
The rat that Alan now knew is named Kevin turned to leave. "Coming Mandy?" He yelled.
"I'm so sorry you guys. He usually isn't like this. Kevin really is a sweet guy." Amanda mumbled as if she was trying to convince herself.
"Don't bring him anywhere near me again Amanda. You may be my oldest friend, but I can't watch him hurt you anymore. I'm tired of begging you to save yourself." Carter admitted.
Amanda ran to catch up with Kevin after apologizing to Carter's father. "You two okay?" Mr. Murphy inquired.
Carter and Alan both nodded. Alan's face felt a little swollen, but nothing that would show. Mr. Murphy went inside to call the police.
"I can't figure out if you're incredibly brave or utterly stupid Alan Tracy." Carter said as she looking out at the waves.
Alan shrugged, "Aren't they the same thing?"
Carter smiled then stood up to brush the sand off her shorts. "What are you doing tomorrow?" She asked.
"Other than my morning run nothing." He piped.
"Then it's settled. We're going to paint." Carter nodded.
Alan's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Paint what?"
"Stop asking questions it will ruin the surprise." Carter chuckled helping him up.
Mr. Murphy gave Alan some Tylenol before driving him home. "Thank you for stepping in for my daughter. Carter can get a little aggressive when it comes her friends." He informed.
"I would do it again in a second." Alan confessed making Mr. Murphy smile.
When Alan got home he was thrilled to find his aunt asleep on the couch. He pulled a blanket over her before heading to bed. That night he had a dream about Carter and him running along the beach.