Lucy (17)
"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to cheer you up?"
"Pretty sure."
"Oh, come on, I need to do something . . . Do you want to listen to some music?"
"No."
"Okay . . . How about this, I'll order food, pizza or something, and then we'll watch all your favorite scary movies, no matter how bad they are."
"No."
"Alright then, we could . . ."
"Beau, let it go!"
He tries not to look offended but fails and I immediately regret my outburst. I pull his arm so I can place my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm just not in the mood to do anything. That thing with my brother is still bothering me. I just can't believe how my dad reacted."
"Of course, he clearly crossed a line. Then again . . . Maybe moping isn't the best idea. I mean, look at it this way: your brother is trying to do everything possible to follow his dream. Maybe you should take his action as an example and do the same."
"I wanted to, but Michael said no."
"I wasn't talking about rushing into this. But it wouldn't hurt to do a little research."
"What do you mean?"
"I want to show you something." He briefly disappears to his room, then he comes back and sits next to me on the couch again. "Here, look." He hands me several printouts.
"Record companies?"
He nods enthusiastically. "That would be a start. We'll graduate in a few months. You need a plan. The world needs to see you."
"What the hell do you expect me to do? Doing demos with my music and send them to these record labels?"
"Exactly."
I roll my eyes. "Okay, let's say I would actually be successful, and someone would actually choose me. Where should I live then? Even if the labels would offer me something, I can't-"
"That's the second thing I want to show you." He hands me a new sheet of paper. I scan it quickly. "The Palm Woods . . . Home of the future famous . . ." I look at Beau. "You're kidding, aren't you?"
"It's perfect for you. This could be your chance."
"Beau, this is Hollywood. California. What about my parents? What would I tell them?"
"We'll think of something."
"And what about you?"
He shrugs. "Well, who knows? You're someone who belongs out in the world. But me, I'm actually more of a hometown guy. This is where I belong, where my home is. But for you, I would definitely make an exception."
"You would come with me?"
"Yes."
His word means a lot to me. And yet . . . "No, listen, Beau, this is really great, but I can't leave. Like you said, this is our home, despite everything. Here," I want to give him the printouts back, but he refuses. "No, keep them, think about it."
"Fine. But I can't make any promises."
"That's ok for me."
"You know what, I think I want some pizza now."
A wide grin appears on his face. "Great, pizza is waiting in the microwave because I already ordered food two hours before you came over. I thought this might cheer you up. Oh, and I've already downloaded three of your favorite movies. Just hit play, pizza is on the way." With that he jumps up and walks over to the kitchen.
"You know you're the best, right?" I call after him.
"Anything for my girl."
I smirk and look at the record label lists again, then I shake my head. It's just a dream, a dream too good to come true. Beau believes in me, but do I believe in myself? That's the question that scares me.
Lomille
Logan wakes up to the feeling of a hand slowly running through his hair. He opens his eyes. "Were you watching me sleep?"
"Absolutely not," Camille replies with a smirk. "That would be so weird."
"Indeed," Logan says with a grin and pulls her down so that her head is resting on his chest. As he rubs her back, he asks, "So, what do we want to do today?"
"Oh, actually I can think of several things to do. I could finally show you more yoga exercises and-"
"Stay in bed all day? Perfect. That's exactly what I was thinking."
Camille laughs softly. "That sounds tempting, especially after last night, but we can't stay in bed all day. We have company, remember?"
"Honestly, I think Lucy won't mind having a break from us. I bet we're already getting on her nerves."
"I don't believe that."
"Oh, come on. We can't just think about Lucy all the time. We must think about us as well. That was actually the reason for this trip, wasn't it? So I guess there's nothing wrong with spending one day like we originally planned it."
Camille raises her eyebrows. "So your plans for this trip were to stay in bed most of the time?"
"Well, not just that. I assumed you'd bring me a sandwich from time to time."
"Try again."
"I meant, I would bring you a sandwich from time to time, and of course anything else you might need."
"That's better," she says, laughing and kissing him. Then she wants to get up from the bed, but Logan doesn't allow that, pulls Camille back and holds her tight in his arms.
"You're not going to give up, are you?" Camille asks, amused.
"Absolutely not."
"And what if I continue to resist?"
"Well, in that case I'm left with only one option that might help change your mind . . ." Logan replies mischievously.
Lucy
I'm standing in the bathroom when the big screaming and laughter starts. I roll my eyes. "Guys," I mutter to myself. "It's way too early for something like this."
I leave the bathroom, think about checking on them for a moment, but then decide against it. Logan would rip my head off, not a good start in the morning. Instead, I go back to my room, open the window to let in some fresh air, and fall down on my bed. As usual, my hand reaches for my cell phone, and I notice that I have a new text message. First I think of Kendall and even though I don't want it to happen, the butterflies and the aching pain start again. But the text is not from Kendall, it's Carlos.
CG/ I'm bored!
Before I can respond, a second text comes in.
KK/ Dude, why are you texting? We're sitting in the same room!
CG/ But texting is more fun!
I have to grin. There are various group chats among us friends, but one of the most popular is the one without Logan and Camille.
LS/ You guys are dumb.
JD/ Dumb but great, right?
James and his typical flirting attempts. I roll my eyes and simply ignore his text.
CG/ So, how are things going with Lomille and their little love-cation?
LS/ Love-cation?
KK/ Don't ask.
JD/ Yes, please don't.
CG/ You guys stink! But too late. She already asked. I invented that word. They're in love and on vacation. Love-cation, easy peasy.
KK/ He also invented the word "Sing-cation" . . .
CG/ That's right, another fascinating creation of mine.
JD/ Are they still having problems with each other?
LS/ You guys know about this?
KK/ Oh please, just because Logan doesn't talk about it doesn't mean we won't notice if something is bothering him.
JD/ But we don't know any details.
LS/ Be glad about that.
KK/ So, they solved their problems?
LS/ Well, they had their ups and downs, but I think they're over it.
CG/ How do you know?
LS/ Well, according to the sounds coming from their bedroom right now, Logan is either about to kill her or tickle her half to death, which is actually the same thing.
JD/ You mean SHE will kill HIM once she frees herself.
LS/ Probably.
KK/ Well, congratulations, Lucy. You just got yourself an exclusive ticket for the Lomille-Sugar-Roller Coaster.
CG/ Sorry, Lucy.
LS/ I don't follow . . .?
KK/ Every time the two have overcome their problems, they are even more unbearable than they already were.
CG/ It's the worst.
JD/ A pure nightmare.
LS/ Okay, you guys are exaggerating.
JD/ Not at all. And I'm the one who always suffers the most because of it!
KK/ Come again?
CG/ Are you kidding me?!
JD/ It's true. You know how much I need my beauty sleep, but it's impossible to get enough sleep when they're doing all those things right next door!
KK/ Yes, but at least you can sleep in your own bed. Every time Camille stays over, I'm the one who has to sleep on the couch.
CG/ But you do it voluntarily.
KK/ Of course I do it voluntarily! Do you think I want to wake up in the middle of the night and see . . . No thanks. But that doesn't mean I like sleeping on the couch all the time.
CG/ Sorry guys, but you're losing this game. Because I'm the one who suffers the most. You know how much I love to eat, especially breakfast.
JD/ You mean as much as you love lunch or dinner?
CG/ Exactly. But how am I supposed to enjoy my breakfast when they keep doing these couple things? I mean, do they really need to feed each other?! It's disgusting.
KK/ No, it's disgusting when Camille says, "Oh Logan, you definitely have to try this, it's delicious". Logan then says, "Okay, let me try". And then he kisses her and then he says, "Yeah, you're right. It tastes great".
LS/ Thanks, Kendall. You just spoiled my anticipation for breakfast . . . forever.
JD/ Also, why does she have to sit on his lap all the time, huh? We really have more than enough chairs for everyone, including Camille.
LS/ Sounds like you guys have been through a lot.
KK/ And that's not even the Top-Ten.
JD/ Are you talking about the shower fiasco?
LS/ Shower fiasco?
CG/ Oh please, not that again.
KK/ Mom is always a little worried when Camille stays over. Bu she's okay with the two of them sleeping together as long as they're quiet.
JD/ They're not!
KK/ ANYWAY, Mom forbade them showering together because you know, she doesn't want Katie to see anything disturbing.
JD/ Isn't it enough that WE have to see all those disturbing things?
KK/ Would you guys mind?! I'm trying to tell something here.
JD/ Yes, but you're getting to the point takes just as long as your miserably long operation names.
KK/ Maybe my operation names are a little long, but at least I don't name my hair products and treat them like my babies!
JD/ . . .
CG/ Kendall one, James zero.
JD/ Shut it or-
LS/ Guys, we're getting off topic. James and Carlos, stop interrupting Kendall and let him finish.
JD/ . . .
CG/ . . .
KK/ Thanks Lucy. So, that one day they thought that if they got up really early, no one would notice. But they were wrong.
CG/ So wrong.
KK/ Carlos!
CG/ . . .
KK/ So, long story short-
JD/ Finally . . .
KK/ . . .
KK/ Well, we woke up to my mom's yelling. Since that day, they only use the shower in Camille's apartment.
CG/ And they lived happily ever after.
JD/ The End.
After my stomach no longer hurts from laughing, I spend the day outside by the lake. Just me, nature, and my notebook for my song lyrics. Chatting with the guys was good for me. I had almost forgotten how funny they are. Since the incident with Kendall and Jo, I've lost my focus, on my music, and on my friends. Coming back to Palm Woods was a difficult decision, but there are no other places that make me feel like home. And being friends with Carlos, Logan, and James feels like having three other brothers. But Kendall isn't like a brother, that would be weird, but I can safely say that he's my best friend, well, my male best friend, of course. Because no one can replace Camille as a best friend, that's simply impossible. Once you find a friend like her, you don't want to lose her, no matter what.
As the sun begins to set, I write down the last ideas for new lyrics in my notebook, then I get up and go back into the house. When I left it was quiet and the lovebirds were still in their room. That's why I'm surprised when I walk in and hear music and laughter, followed by a delicious smell. I find them in the kitchen, they are both extremely giggly and touchy. What did the guys call it? The Lomille-Sugar-Roller Coaster? Looks like I'm right in the middle of it. "What are you guys up to?"
"Pizza," Logan replies with a laugh. I haven't seen him in such a good mood for days. Whatever the two of them were doing today, it seems to be working. "To be honest, I'm surprised to see you guys down here. I thought you would never come out of your room again."
"Well, getting down or coming down is a good point," Camille says cheerfully. Logan grins, pulls her close and gives her a quick kiss on the lips. I raise my eyebrows. "Should I ask?"
"No, probably not," Logan replies, and for once I trust his words. "It smells amazing in here."
"That's because of Camille's fantastic family recipe for tomato sauce."
"Really? What's in it?"
Logan shrugs. "Not a clue, she won't tell me."
"Because you're not part of the family," Camille replies simply.
"Not yet," Logan says with a grin and Camille kisses him on the cheek. "That is up to you, honey."
A slight hint of terror shadows Logan's face. I laugh. "The look on your face . . ."
"Yeah, he's not ready yet," Camille agrees with a grin. Logan pouts. "I don't like it when you make fun of me."
"Maybe this will cheer you up again." Camille tries a spoonful of her secret wonder sauce, nods happily, takes a second spoon and offers it to Logan. "Try this. It's really good."
"Yeah, okay." But instead of taking the spoon, he pulls her close and kisses her deeply. Then he nods approvingly. "You're right, it tastes great."
I imagine the looks on the other guys faces if they were here right now, and I laugh again. Logan looks at me questioningly. "What's going on with you?"
"Oh, I just wish the guys would be here."
"Why?"
I shrug. "They love pizza."
Logan exchanges a confused look with Camille, probably thinking I've lost it once and for all. But Camille looks like she knows exactly what I was just thinking. She smiles at me; she notices that I'm feeling better and she's happy about it. Best friends are irreplaceable.