Chapter 43
Spring Break
The rest of January, all of February, and most of March came and went. The gang had spent nearly every weekend the same way; hanging out with each other, partying, having fun, and eating tons of food. Classes were going well for everyone, and midterms had just gotten out of the way. And with the stress of midterms finally being gone, that meant everyone could finally focus on planning their spring break trip.
"I'm telling you, we should go to Denver," Tim suggested as he sat on the edge of the sectional couch.
"So, let me get this straight," Olivia started, turning from her position on the couch to face Tim, putting her hands together and taking a deep breath. "You want us to go to Denver. To ski. Where it is literally just as cold there as it is here. Am I getting that right?"
Tim shrugged. "Yeah. I think it'd be sick. We could all go in on a cabin and just chill in the hills."
There was a pause before Olivia continued. "Again, you want us to go where it's cold for spring break?"
"Yes, Benson," Tim replied, not getting why this was apparently a big deal.
"Well, I'm already voting 'no,'" Kathy piped in.
"Yeah dude, you really don't want to see hot chicks on the beach?" Johnny asked, earning a swift smack on the arm from Amanda.
"I mean, yeah, but a cabin in the mountains sounds awesome too," Tim said.
"I'm out," Elliot said, jumping over the back of the couch to sit between Olivia and Kathy, putting his arms around them both. "I want the beach. Florida, baby!"
"Thank you," Olivia said.
"Fine. As long as we're not in New York, I really don't care," Tim followed up.
"Is Alex going?" Elliot asked.
Olivia shrugged. "I honestly don't know."
"Liv," Kathy started, a tone of disappointment in her voice. "How have you not asked her yet? It's next week!"
"I don't know!" Olivia defended. "We didn't do much talking when I saw her this weekend." She made sure to end her sentence with a smirk and wiggle of her eyebrows.
"Are you two ever going to let up?" Elliot teased before shoveling some chips in his mouth. "Ifss been wike sicks mumfs."
"Don't plan on it, no," Olivia smiled cheekily back, reaching into the chip bag Elliot was holding.
"Well, Trevor and Charlie are coming," Johnny said. "Wonder if he's talked to Casey about it."
"Doubt it," Olivia said. "Because Casey would've told Alex, and Alex would've told me. Which hasn't happened, so he hasn't."
Kathy sighed. "What is wrong with boys? And you too, Liv. I'm roping you in on this."
"Hey!" Olivia said, holding up her hands. "I told you. I had other things on my mind."
Kathy then closed her eyes and shook her head, bringing her hand to her forehead. "Liv… you gotta figure it out, babe. Because you are going to be sad if Alex can't go, and Alex is going to be pissed if she can't go because you waited too long. You need to call her like... Now."
Olivia let out a little scoff as she grabbed her phone from her pocket. Unlocking the screen, she started searching through her contacts. But instead of stopping at Alex's number, Olivia scrolled on until she stopped at a name far down on her contact list. Tapping on the call button, Olivia got up from the couch and ran upstairs to her room to take the call in private.
"Well, hey there! Long time no talk, sweetheart!" Said the voice on the other end.
"Hey! Yeah I know, I haven't talked to you in forever," Olivia said, a smile on her face as she sat on her bed.
"Well, what's up?"
"Well, I wanted to ask you something before asking Alex."
There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line.
"Are… are you asking Alex to marry you?" Rosemary asked, slight concern in her voice.
"No!" Olivia quickly defended. "No, no, no! Well, not that I don't want to, of course… but I'm not ready for something that serious yet. Not that Alex isn't serious to me! I just –"
"Olivia… breathe honey, you don't need to explain yourself to me. I know you love Alex."
Olivia couldn't help but smile as she took a deep breath.
"Now, what's up?"
"Well," Olivia started, taking her free hand and running it through her hair. "I wanted to know if you guys had any plans for spring break."
"Hmm. No, not that I'm aware of. Bill and I have to work, so we didn't plan anything. I know that's coming up next week. I just figured Alex would be coming home or staying with you. Did you have plans?"
"Uhh… kinda. Everyone here at the house is thinking of taking a road trip to Florida for the week. So I wanted to ask you if Alex could go too."
"Hmm…" Rosemary hummed before taking a slight pause. "By 'everyone in the house,' who all do you mean is going?"
"Everyone. Like literally, everyone. Elliot, Kathy, me, Johnny, Amanda, Tim, Trevor, Charlie, maybe Casey? If Trevor asks her."
"And how do you all plan on getting there? I know you said road trip, but I need specifics."
"Well, we usually take Elliot's dad's SUV, but since there's more of us this year I think we'll have to take Kathy's mom's van, too."
"And where did you all go last year?"
"New Orleans."
"Who will be driving?"
"Elliot and Kathy."
"Where are you staying in Florida?"
"That we haven't figured out yet. We're planning it now, actually."
"Now why hasn't Alex mentioned this to me yet? Did she think she could just cruise off to Florida without telling me?! I'm really glad you called me, Olivia. Thank you for being so responsible. She's going to hear it from me when I –"
"No, no, no, wait! Don't yell at Alex, I haven't talked to her yet about this at all!" Olivia quickly defended, hoping Rosemary was still on the other end of the phone.
"Oh! Wait, so you really wanted my permission first? Before even mentioning it to her?"
"Of course I did. There would be no use talking to her about it if she was already busy or if she wasn't allowed to go."
"Oh, Olivia my dear. You are such a gem. And yes, Alex can go. But I want you driving the car she's in. Have you guys talked to Kathy's mom yet about her van?"
"Nope."
"Great, then don't. You all can take the Cabot Escalade!"
"I… really? You trust me driving your car?"
"Yes dear, I do! You'll take good care of it, and of Alex. Now, how much money do you all need? How are you booking the hotel? How many days are you staying?"
"Uhhhh, well… maybe I should let you join our conversation, hang on a second."
Olivia got up from her bed and ran downstairs, holding the phone against her chest as she stood in front of the couch.
"Ahh, look who's back and on the phone!" Elliot started. "Finally got your mind from between her legs and talked to her about spring break, huh?"
Olivia's eyes went wide as she clutched the phone harder against her chest. All she could do was shake her head frantically and try to mouth the name "Rosemary" silently.
"Huh?" Elliot asked, not very good at reading lips.
Kathy's eyes immediately went wide too. Before Elliot could say anything else, she leaned in and told him who was on the phone. He immediately started laughing, burying his head in his hands to try and quiet his cackling.
Sighing, Olivia pulled the phone from her chest finally and placed it on speaker, so everyone could hear.
"Okay, you're down here with the house now. We have you on speaker," Olivia said.
"Thanks, Olivia! And Elliot, I think that was… I'm going to try and forget what I just heard."
Everyone gave some muffled snickers and chuckles around the room as Olivia's face turned bright red.
"Sorry, Mrs. Cabot," Elliot said through laughter. "I didn't mean it that way."
"Uh huh… now, what's this I hear about you guys going on spring break?"
"Hi, it's Kathy! We wanted to go to Florida for spring break. I'm assuming Olivia is calling about Alex going?"
"Oh, hi Kathy! Good to talk to you again, dear! Yes, she did, but I also have some questions for all of you."
"Shoot," Johnny said.
"How long are you staying?"
"We are probably going to leave Friday really early, stay in South Carolina for the night, and then we'll leave Florida the following Saturday," Kathy said, looking around the room for confirmation. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Okay, how many people exactly are going? Olivia told me the whole house, but I just want to be sure."
"If Alex and Casey go too, it'll be 10 of us," Tim said.
"Okay. Olivia said Elliot is driving one SUV, and then I suggested you all take the Cabot Escalade for the other vehicle. Now under no circumstances is anyone but Olivia to drive that car, do you understand me?"
"Yes Ma'am," Olivia said, the others nodding.
"Do you all have enough money?"
"Yep!" Elliot said. "My grandma is funding the trip for us."
"That's sweet of her! Good, I wanted to be sure."
"Yeah all we really have to do is just book the hotel," Kathy added.
"Depending on where you all stay, you can use my account for the reservation. I have enough travel points saved up you guys won't have to spend that much on the rooms. How many rooms are you booking?"
"Five," Elliot said. "Two to a room."
"Okay. Now, I want you all to listen to me for a moment. Please, please, please be safe. Make good decisions. Don't get arrested. And please call me if you get into a jam. I also demand for you to know when you get down there safely. And Olivia?"
"Yeah?"
"Take care of my Alex. I love you dear, but if anything happens to her, it's you I'm coming after."
Olivia couldn't help but smile. "I promise. I'll make sure she's safe."
"Good! Now, let's meet this week sometime so I can give you the car, okay?"
"You got it. I'll text you. Thanks, Rosemary!"
"You're welcome! Have fun, everyone! I better not see you on MTV."
Another round of laughter erupted around the room.
"I think they're filming in Cancun, so I wouldn't worry too much about that," Amanda said.
"Great. Bye everyone!"
Alex sat in her dorm room, sharing a pizza with Casey as they watched TV. Picking up her second slice, she felt her phone begin to vibrate. She momentarily sat down the pizza and looked at the screen on her phone. Olivia was calling.
"Hey baby," Alex said, before taking another bite of pizza.
"Hey cutie. Whatcha doin'?"
"Eat'n pizza. You?"
"Oh, nothing… just calling with a question."
"What's up?"
"You know how spring break is next week?"
"Yeah."
"What's say we all go to Florida?"
Alex paused for a moment and then let out a little laugh. "Yeah, right. Like my mother would let me go that far."
"Well, what if I told you she would?"
"Yeah, right," Alex said with another laugh.
"No, seriously. You can go, Al."
Alex again paused just momentarily. "Did… what, did you call her or something?"
"I might've," Olivia said proudly.
"And… she said 'yes'?"
"Mhmm."
"Seriously?" Alex couldn't believe it. Casey, who was now focused on the conversation, was trying to gauge from Alex what was going on through her expressions.
"Yeah, babe. Seriously! We just got off the phone with her."
"What about Casey?"
"I don't know, Al. But I assume she'll talk to her mom about it."
"Yeah, you're right. Well, I'm definitely down for this! Casey will be too. And you're sure my mom said 'yes?'"
"Yes. She threatened me if something happens to you that she's coming after me."
Alex laughed. "Okay, yeah, I guess you did talk to her. Okay, well, now I need to call her too. I'll text you later, okay baby?"
"'Kay babe. I love you, Alex."
"Love you too, Liv."
Alex ended the call and placed her phone next to her, picking up another slice of pizza as Casey was looking at her in confusion.
"Well?!" Casey said. "What was all that about?!"
"We're going to Florida next week for spring break!" Alex said.
"Uhhh, I haven't even asked my mom yet!" Casey said in a panic.
"It's cool. My mom is probably talking to your mom about it now. I can't believe she said 'yes.'"
"I can," Casey said with a chuckle. "She loves Olivia. It was probably better coming from her than you. Like can you imagine if I just called her up and told her just me and you were going to Florida? She'd pass out!"
Alex erupted into laughter. "Yeah, she would. Okay, let's finish this pizza and then call her."
Just then, Casey's phone began vibrating on her desk. Looking at the screen, it was her mom.
"No time." Casey picked up the phone and put it to her ear. "Hey mom!"
Elliot closed the hatchback of his dad's SUV and dusted his hands off on his shorts.
"Alright, I think we're good. You guys good?" Elliot asked, looking over to the pristine black Escalade.
"Yep. Everything's in!" Olivia said with a thumbs up and a yawn. "We stopping at a gas station once we get out of the city?"
"Yup. I'll follow you, how's that sound?" Elliot said.
"Sounds great," Olivia said with another yawn.
"Florida, here we come! Boys, let's go." Elliot got in the driver's seat, followed by Tim, Johnny, Trevor, and Charlie in the rest of the car. Following suit, Olivia, Alex, Casey, Kathy, and Amanda all piled in the Cabot Escalade.
"Thank God I don't have to listen to the boys for a few hours," Kathy said, buckling her seatbelt. "I can't take anymore of their antics."
"Seriously," Amanda agreed. "Johnny is really making me wish I had a girlfriend." Several chuckles rang out throughout the car.
"That's why I like Trevor," Casey said as Olivia started pulling away from the townhouse. "He's docile."
"Oh please," Kathy said. "I'm sure he's just hiding his true nature. Just wait. It'll come out of him soon enough."
"I'm just excited to get out of New York," Olivia said, flipping on the radio as she reached over to take hold of Alex's hand.
"Me too!" Kathy said. "So, how long is the drive?"
"10 hours to South Carolina, then another 9 or 10 to Florida," Olivia answered.
"Talk about a road trip! This is going to be so amazing, ladies," Kathy said with a smile as Olivia cranked up the music, starting their journey down south.
