A/N: You know what everyone likes? A BEACH EPISODE!
Time for some much-needed fun in the sun.
And I believe we're overdue for a cheerful, BIG OL' chapter.
ENJOY
"MOM!" called out Jenna. "Do we have any sunscreen?"
"I'm not sure," replied Miranda. "Maybe there's some in..."
Jenna whizzed past her mother and flew down the stairs.
"I'll check the garage!"
Miranda's mouth hung open when she laid eyes on the state of her daughter's room.
Shoes, clothes, papers, everything was everywhere.
Footsteps came back up the stairs. Miranda turned to see a victorious Jenna holding a bottle of sunscreen.
"Jennifer Parker!"
Nothing made the girl stop quicker than the full name.
"Just look at this room!" Miranda pointed. "It's the wreck of the hesperus in here."
Jenna blinked.
"I don't know what that means."
The mother huffed, putting her hand on her hip.
"School has been done for two weeks now. When are you finally going to pick up this room, young lady?"
The tall girl sighed.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I will take care of it tomorrow."
She then took a really strong look at the mess that was her room.
"I'll at least start tomorrow!"
Miranda ran her hands over her hair in exasperation.
"I appreciate you getting a summer job, but you also have responsibilities here too. And we shouldn't have to wait for summer break to tackle this room. You could keep it clean the whole year, you know."
Jenna inhaled and exhaled.
"Okay," she nodded. "I promise I will take care of it!"
Her mother folded her arms.
"I'll hold you to that, Jenna."
The teenager scooped her bathing suit and sunblock into her bag. She was looking for her sunglasses until passing the mirror revealed they were on her head.
"Thanks, mom!" she said before kissing her cheek and bounding down the stairs.
"Because if you won't, I will and you don't want me to do it!"
"Okay!" Jenna shouted on her way out.
Anything I don't recognize will go right in the trash!
"Got it, thanks!"
Jade was leaning against the car, thick sunglasses on her face as she waited for the others.
"Think fast!"
She turned with barely enough time to put her hands up to catch the over-sized canvas bag.
"Damn, Vega. What did you pack in here?"
"Nothing," Tori shrugged. "Just towels and extra sunblock. Can't have my favorite gal and her daughter burning up out there!"
Jade raised an eyebrow.
"You saying we're pale?"
Tori rubbed her nose against Jade's cheek.
"Well, you two slay the look. But even Mia and I have to lube up to avoid skin cancer."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Jade squeezed Tori's hand as she stole a kiss.
"Look, if you guys are gonna be lovey-dovey, please make sure your spot is far from ours."
The ladies squinted at Mia, who was dressed in her two piece yellow bikini with a long white shirt over it.
"We ready to go?" asked Alice.
The three turned to see the short girl in her black one piece, which contrasted her fair skin. But their eyes were drawn to the gigantic floppy hat she was sporting.
"What is that?" Jade chuckled.
"You want some head to go with your hat?" Mia snorted, joining Jade's side.
Tori pouted and hugged Alice.
"Leave her alone! I think she looks cute."
"I am NOT cute!" she protested.
The pale teen glanced over to her reflection in the passenger side window and sighed.
"Damn," she muttered.
Chase was sitting with Lauren on the porch when Jenna pulled up.
"Come on, she's here" he smiled, helping her up.
The couple headed down the steps and got in the back.
Billy was riding shotgun, so he turned to see his friends.
"We ready?" he asked with a grin.
He noticed Lauren's face right away.
"Uh-oh! What's wrong?"
Chase put his arm around her.
"Didn't have a great day the other day," he sighed.
Lauren touched his hand and managed a smile.
"What happened?" asked Jenna, maintaining eyes on the road.
"I have this...or HAD," Lauren corrected herself. "This solo slot in my church choir. Had it for years. And they gave it to someone else."
"Oh, that's too bad" frowned Billy.
"Yeah, I'm sorry" added Jenna.
Lauren leaned on her boyfriend.
"I'll be okay," she sighed. "I just need a distraction."
Billy smirked.
"Well, distraction is my middle name."
"I thought your middle name was Herbert," said Chase.
The blond boy gripped his headrest as Jenna chuckled. When he saw that made Lauren almost laugh, Billy decided it was worth it and played along.
"I told you that in confidence!" he squealed very over-the-top.
Picturesque, iconic Venice Beach is the wonders of the West Coast in a nutshell. When those east or middle-America talk about moving to the Golden State, this is exactly what they envision.
Blue waves pounding into the white sand. The lineup of the tallest palm trees bisects the sandy oasis and the boardwalk, which has everything. And that isn't hyperbole. You can buy surfboards, get your fortune told, watch astounding street performers, and find many options to satisfy your growling stomach.
The group converged on the beach, mostly packed into two vehicles while Ryan drove down in his own car to meet up with them.
"Okay," sighed Tori. "Let's go find a spot."
The little caravan traversed the burning sand until they found a decent empty space yards away from the cresting waves.
"This will do!" declared Mia. "What do you think?"
Everyone nodded in agreement and went about setting up camp. This was to be the base of operations where they can all leave their stuff while they frolic in the water and whatnot.
"Listen up, people!" commanded Jade. "I am this one's mom but not for all of you. There's sunscreen here; you forget to put any on, good luck with your burn!"
The teens nodded as they doused themselves with some SPF 75.
Chase studied the bottle the lotion came in.
"Why is the sun wearing sunglasses? Why would he need that?"
"Don't overthink it, babe" grinned Lauren. "Now, help me please."
Chase took some and rubbed it on her back and shoulders where it would be hard for her to reach.
Ryan noticed and asked Mia if she would need any help with the sunscreen.
She blushed and nodded.
Jade watched Tori watch her daughter get rubbed down.
"You okay?" she whispered to the Latina.
Tori sighed softly.
"Not used to seeing my baby acting...less like my baby."
"Well, that's life, Vega. Just gotta let them go."
Tori looked back through the corner of her eye.
"What kind of chaperone are you anyway?"
"Uh...do you need help...too?" asked Mia.
"Oh, sure" Ryan smiled.
The tall boy removed his shirt, revealing his fit body. That caused a few head turns. Jenna and Lauren were briefly impressed while Billy and Chase, who both were on the skinnier side, shook their heads in disbelief.
"How?" whispered Billy.
"I know, right?" concurred Chase.
"Bro, I gotta hit the gym."
Mia took a deep breath before applying the white pasty substance on his muscular back. Her hands were doing the thing while her face suggested she was in la-la-land.
"I think he's good!" Tori blurted out.
Some of the others snickered at that, but not Mia.
"Mom..." she groaned through gritted teeth.
The teens flocked to the water, hesitating at first touch of the feet.
"Oh, it's freezing!" declared Ryan.
"This is gonna take a minute," remarked Jenna.
"You people are lightweights!" shouted Alice as she dove right in, disappearing beneath the surface.
She emerged; hair totally wet with a yell of joy.
"Come on!" the pale girl shivered. "It's good."
"Dude, aren't you cold?" asked Billy.
Alice shook her head.
"You have any clue how cold it gets in Boston?"
"Definitely don't miss the winters," sighed Chase.
Little by little, the heat babies made their way into their piece of the Pacific Ocean.
Mia and Lauren were laughing as they played "chicken fight" perched atop their boyfriend's shoulders. Jenna and Billy watched as they snuggled close. Beneath the waves, a hand wandered freely until it came across something.
"Is that...?" Jenna blushed.
"Uh...yep," nodded Billy with a break in his voice.
"S-s-sorry," she chuckled.
The blond boy swallowed.
"It-It's cool."
Alice was having a blast watching the chaotic battle between her friends.
"Alice? Alice!"
The raven-haired girl turned and beamed when she saw Becky heading their way. Alice rushed over to meet her.
"Sorry I'm late! Had to get dropped off by my dad."
"It's alright!" Alice smiled. "Your suit looks cool."
The blonde's ears burned from the compliment.
"Oh, huh, thanks. You look good...too."
"Come on, the gang's over here" Alice told Becky, taking her by the hand.
Becky couldn't recall what was said after that moment because she lost her senses the whole time Alice was touching her hand.
They joined the others just in time to witness Lauren falls backward into the water. She was a laughing mess in the wake of the enormous splash her and Chase caused.
"Victory!" declared Mia, double fists in the air.
Her celebration was short-lived as she fell into the salt water herself. Ryan found the tan girl and she wrapped her arms around his neck for support.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah!" Mia coughed. "Better now."
She then leaned in for a kiss, Ryan resting his hands on her back to keep her close.
The display of affection was meant with "ooh's" and "ah's"
Becky made a smile, happy for the recent couple. Their heads must be in the clouds right now.
She took a peek at Alice, who was uncharacteristically silent, imagining what she was thinking.
Alice observed Mia and Ryan's moment with a longing she found surprising.
(I wonder what that must feel like, having somebody hold you like that.)
While the kids continued playing in the ocean, the adults hung back.
"You going in the water?" asked Jade, stretching in her dark green swimsuit which hugged her form like it was custom made.
Tori shook her head no.
"Why not?"
"I...uh...didn't bring my bathing suit," Tori shrugged.
"What? Why not?"
Tori bit her lip nervously.
"Because...I don't have one."
Jade tilted her head in contemplation.
"But why don't..."
"I just don't think I look good, okay!" she admitted, hugging herself.
The pale woman reached for her but Tori scooted away.
"Baby, please!" huffed Jade. "We've been through this."
This time Jade got much closer much to Tori's surprise and the Latina was ensnared.
"Jade..."
"No!" she insisted. "I don't care what you think; you are beautiful, Vega!"
Tori returned the hug, sniffing.
"I love you so much, Jade. But I'm fine; besides, somebody has to hang back with the stuff. Just go, have fun."
Jade took in the crashing waves and smirked.
She then buried her face in Tori's neck as she gently guided her to lay on the blanket.
"I'm having fun right here."
"But Jade..."
Thin digits pressed against plump lips as Jade shushed her.
"This beach will still be here after a thousand years. But I have you now and I like living in the now."
Tori kissed her head and relaxed her body.
"And Tori?"
"Yeah?"
"If we ever go out like this again and you don't bring your swimsuit, you're gonna be skinny-dipping...with me."
The Latina giggled and blushed, covering her face.
"I'm serious," Jade said. "They say water is the most erotic thing on earth"
Tori raised an eyebrow.
"And where exactly would we do this?" she asked.
"Maybe one night..." Jade grinned with a spark in her eyes. "We can be sneaky..."
Before she could react, Jade rose up only to pin her down.
(Goddamn, she looks so hot in that bikini!)
"That would be...a lot of fun."
"B-B-B-B-B-But," Tori stammered. "Oth-other p-p-people..."
"Will be jealous?" Jade suggested before kissing her captured prey. "Bet your ass!"
A few feet away, being as quiet as humanly possible for everyone's sake, Jenna was grabbing something behind the coolers.
(Don't mind me. Just getting a towel.)
"Well, it's about time!"
Jenna smiled at Mia who locked eyes with her late teammate.
"Sorry," the tall girl said, wrapping the towel around her shoulders.
"Have you seen my mom and Jade?" Mia asked.
"Yeah!" popped up Alice. "Maybe they want to play or watch us."
Jenna turned very red and rushed past her crew.
"They're...uh...busy at the moment...hey, let's play some volleyball, huh?"
Alice and Mia looked at each other and shrugged.
"Okay!" announced Mia. "Looks like we're four against four."
The gang rock/paper/scissored their way down the line to pick the team captains. The winners were Mia and Alice.
"Being the vertically challenged one of the group," Alice stepped forward. "I'd better choose wisely."
Alice pointed to her first pick.
"Jenna."
"Let's go!" the tallest girl fist-pumped and slapped five with her captain.
"Alright," nodded Mia with a rueful grin. "I'm taking Ryan."
"This is my surprised face," quipped Billy.
Mia gave him a sour glare.
"Now I have to pick Billy just to see Mia destroy him!" laughed Alice.
The blond joined Alice's team, standing right by Jenna.
"Who's side are you on, anyway?"
"Quiet!" Alice pointed. "This is your captain speaking."
Becky giggled at Alice pretending to be ruthless. It's so out of character for her that it's endearing. She then watched Lauren join Mia's team, the two besties hugging. She suddenly got a lump in her throat when Alice quickly looked past Chase and smiled at her.
"I choose Becky for my final player!"
"Me?" the blonde girl asked.
"No, your invisible twin sister!" chuckled Jenna.
She shyly went to Alice's side, leaving Chase for last pick.
"Okay," huffed Mia. "Get over here, Brooks!"
"Wow, I feel so loved right now" the musician dead panned.
The two teams positioned themselves on their sides of the big white net.
"Hey," Becky said, getting Alice's attention. "Thanks for picking me."
"You're very welcome," the dark-haired girl grinned.
Between them, Alice and Mia did a coin toss and Alice won.
"Alice serves first!" announced Ryan.
"Everybody move in!" teased Mia.
"Ha, ha, ha, she's short" grimaced Alice. "You're gonna regret that, Vega."
BACK AT THE BLANKET...
"You okay, Jade?" asked Tori.
"Uh, yeah I think."
"Something wrong?"
"I had a weird feeling pass through me, and I don't know why."
"What is it?" Tori queried.
"It feels like...pride."
The game between the friends was really heating up. Even some random onlookers couldn't help but watch them in action. Their energy was contagious.
It kept going back and forth, they would tie, then break it and then tie again.
They were so well-matched that this bout could go on forever if they let it.
Lauren did a brazen dive that pounded the ball back into enemy territory. It caught Alice's squad off-guard as nobody was near where it landed.
"YES!" cheered Mia. "That's us 4, you 3."
Chase helped bring Lauren back to her feet. He lifted her up and twirled her around.
"That's my girl!"
"Put me down, you maniac!" she chuckled.
Chase obliged and they all got into position for the next serve. This time it was Becky's turn.
"You got this!" clapped Alice in support.
Becky couldn't control her blushing but did her best to keep her head in the game and launched the volleyball into play.
Chase gave it a light tap, then Mia came in for the assist to knock it over the net. Becky bounced the ball flawlessly with her fist back to the opponents. Jenna and Billy scrambled to the net, ready for what be a spike attempt. Only the taller players could block it.
Mia was getting ready for it. She steadied her stance to leap for the spike when Jenna brandished her closed fist.
"Hey, Mia. Pocket sand!"
That made the Latina hesitate and lose her footing, sending her landing with her butt on the ground.
"OOOF! What the hell?"
Jenna made a smirk when she opened her hand, revealing nothing.
"Psyche!"
"I can't believe you tricked me!"
"I can't believe you thought I'd really try to blind you with sand," pointed Jenna.
Billy shook his head.
"And I can't believe I never tried that."
Everyone looked at him.
"What? I've been playing this game for years and nobody ever thought of the pocket sand attack!"
Alice whistled to get their attention.
"Guys! No more pranks, just play the game. Now, shake hands."
They weren't really upset with each other, but Mia and Jenna humored tiny determined by showing good sportsmanship.
"We'll take the penalty," Alice huffed, tossing the white ball to Mia. "Your serve."
"Aww, Alice. "That's very big of you."
Alice tilted her head with squinted eyes.
"Was that a shot?"
Mia realized what she said and snorted.
"No..." she chuckled.
"My serve!" Ryan shouted, grabbing the ball. "Get ready!"
He launched the ball toward Billy who blocked it from Becky's blindside.
"Thanks," she said. "That would've hurt!"
"I got it!" Lauren yelled.
She backed up and pounded the ball, with Chase running up to spike it to the other side.
Alice raced to get it but her left foot didn't land evenly, and a wave of pain shot up.
"AAAHHHH!"
The younger girl went down, rocking on her back. Everyone rushed over to check on her.
"Alice! What's wrong?" asked a concerned Mia.
"Ugh...my ankle...I think I twisted it," she winced.
"Game over!" Chase announced. "Let's get help."
"Back to base," nodded Mia. "Give her a hand, babe?"
Ryan picked up Alice, keeping her steady.
"There we go," he said reassuringly. "I gotcha."
Tori and Jade turned when they saw the kids coming back, Alice being carried.
"Jesus, what happened?" asked Jade as she rushed to her daughter.
"Gently, gently!" Tori said, clearing a spot for Alice to be lowered down.
She winced from the pain as Mia placed a folded towel underneath Alice's ankle. Jade was quick with a pillow for her head.
"Okay, kids. Explain!" demanded the author.
"It's fine, mom" insisted Alice. "We were playing volleyball, and I was running and came down weird on my left ankle."
Tori inspected the area for any swelling or discoloration.
"It's doesn't look very bad," she surmised. "Alice, does it hurt if I do this?"
She put a finger on the bone and pressed slightly.
"Can you feel pain?" Tori asked.
"No, just your finger" Alice replied.
"That's a good sign," the Latina noted. "If she had broken her ankle, just touching the bone would make her nerves light up. But only putting her weight on it causes it to hurt, which sounds like a sprain."
Jade sighed with relief.
"We can take her to the hospital to get an x-ray to be sure."
"No, mom!" Alice whined. "I don't want to go to the hospital. I'll be fine."
Jade and Tori exchanged glances.
"I think I saw a first aid tent. Let's at least get someone to take a look at it. Come on, Tori."
The Latina nodded and followed Jade.
"I'll stay with Alice," Becky volunteered.
"Thanks," smiled Jade. "We'll be right back, okay?"
Alice nodded.
"Hey, guys; why don't we get some lunch?" suggested Jenna.
"Let's go, gang" agreed Ryan. "What do you guys want?"
Becky and Alice weren't sure.
"We'll call you and tell you what they have, alright?" Lauren said.
"Thanks, guys" Alice smiled. "Sorry I ended the game early."
Mia picked up the big floppy hat and placed it crooked on Alice's head.
"Don't be sorry, captain!" the tan girl smirked. "We were hogging the net long enough anyway."
"Be right back!" Chase waved as the rest of the group walked toward the boardwalk.
The younger one sighed heavily.
"What's wrong?" Becky asked.
"Is that a serious question?"
Becky looked wounded.
"I'm sorry. It wasn't your fault or anything. I'm the dumbass who forgets she's not a runner."
They both chuckled.
Becky thought for a second.
"Maybe next time we could be up front, so we don't have to move around as much."
"Stick the tall ones in the back?" added Alice with a smirk.
The two watched some little kids run back and forth, kicking up sand with their feet. A woman was burying her guy in the sand. Some out-of-towners were having a sandcastle building contest, which led to an argument. They couldn't make out what was being said as the travelers were speaking German.
"Becky?"
"Yeah, Alice?"
"Can you give me a hand, please? I want to sit up if they're bringing back food."
The blonde assisted her in getting to an upright seated position, propping up Alice's back by leaning her against the big cooler with a pillow in between.
"Much better," the pale one sighed. "Thanks, Becky."
"You're welcome," she blushed.
Mia, Jenna and Billy were at the pizza vendor placing an order. Meanwhile, Chase and Lauren were scoping out an eatery that had more sweet selections, like candy and ice cream.
Further down the way, Ryan was looking at this place that sold popcorn, pretzels and fries.
"Excuse me?"
Ryan turned to see two blonde hair, blue-eyed girls wearing tight pastel bikinis.
"Uh, yeah?" he asked.
"My friend thinks you're cute," the one on the right said, pointing to her friend.
The tall boy grinned awkwardly, motioning that he was leaving.
"Thanks, I think. I need to get back to my friends..."
"Wait!" the friend called out. "I thought you'd be interested in going on a date."
"No thanks. I already have a girlfriend anyway," Ryan said.
The pair stepped forward.
"Well, I don't see her" the first friend smugly told him.
A clearing of the throat made their hair stand up. Still, they looked behind them to see the glowing eyes of one Mia Vega-Larson.
"See me now, bitches?"
One jumped and held onto the other.
"I believe the boy told you he wasn't interested," Mia calmly chastised them. "Leave. Now."
The blonde girls nodded and skedaddled.
Chase and Lauren saw the frightened twosome run from a scowling Mia and Ryan rubbing his neck embarrassed.
"Okay," the musician grinned. "What did we miss?"
For the last ten minutes, Becky was standing up. She looked like she was staring at the horizon.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Alice..." Becky huffed as the blood seemed to drain from her face. "I've...got something to tell you."
The shorter girl nodded.
"Alright?"
The blonde pulled at the sides of her hair.
"This...I...don't know where to begin."
Alice looked up at her friend, concerned.
"Hey, hey, why don't we sit?" she offered.
Becky nodded as sat down to rejoin Alice on the blanket.
Her companion frantically looked around like she was being spied on.
"Becky," the brunette sighed. "Whatever it is...it will be okay."
Alice then held her hand, which made her even more apprehensive.
"Uh...seeing your mom and Mia's mom...um..."
"What about them?" she asked, a little guarded.
"Nothing!" Becky blurted out. "I meant...it's something! No, I mean...I've never seen what they had in real life."
Alice tilted her head, unsure where this was going.
"I've been dealing with these...uh...feelings, lately and I thought it was all silly until I saw them."
Becky shrugged.
"I don't know. It made it seem less silly," she continued on. "Gave me a lot to think about. I might...I might be ready to tell someone..."
Ever the empath, Alice leaned in with a kind expression. She gave all the green flags for Becky that she was safe right now.
"That..." she swallowed. "I'm..." she lowered her tone for the final word. "...gay."
The looked at one another in stunned silence, Alice from what was shared and Becky for having said it out loud.
Suddenly, Alice hugged Becky with one arm.
"That's great, Becky! I'm so happy for you."
"You are?" she asked, confused.
"Of course! Figuring that out must have been huge! And I'm...so glad you felt okay to share that with me."
That last statement Alice expressed with misty eyes. She was genuinely touched that she trusted her that much.
Becky rubbed her neck.
"You're actually the first one I told," she admitted.
"Then I'm even more honored."
Becky smiled along with Alice.
"Could you...not tell the others?"
"Why?" asked Alice. "You don't think they'll understand?"
The blonde pressed her lips together tightly.
"I just...don't want to make a big deal."
Alice shook her head.
"But they won't think it's a big deal. Have you met my friends?"
She could see Becky was uncomfortable and sighed.
"Okay," Alice sighed. "When you're ready."
Becky chuckled, flitting back her hair.
"Thanks, Alice...for...listening."
"Anytime," she nodded with a smile.
(Nothing happened! I came out to her, and nothing changed between us. She's not acting weird; we're still friends!)
Speaking of friends, Alice's entourage returned with sustenance. Ryan and Chase were carrying two pizza boxes each, while Billy and Jenna held cardboard trays with pretzels and popcorn. Mia and Lauren trailed behind with bags of soda and candy.
"You think we bought too much?" asked Lauren.
"Well, there are ten of us" reasoned Mia.
"How you holding up, champ?" grinned Chase.
Mia shifted her butt a little.
"Not bad, I guess."
Everyone set down the food on the blanket.
"Hope you guys are as hungry as we are!" Jenna added.
A few minutes into lunch, Jade and Tori returned with a nurse who was available to give first aid to the beachgoers.
"Hi, there!" the man waved, setting down what looked like a black tackle box. "I'm Simon and you must be Alice?"
Alice nodded in response.
"Heard you hurt your ankle," he noted. "Let's check it out."
Jade was handed a hot soft pretzel by Mia, which she appreciated with a smile. She stood by her daughter's side while the nurse looked her over.
"Okay, okay, looking like a sprain."
Tori mouthed the words "I told you" to Jade, who returned her smugness with a stuck-out tongue.
"Nothing serious from what I can see. Just keep off of it for a few days. If the pain worsens, or if there's any new physical features like swelling, go to the hospital. Now, let me just wrap this up with a bandage."
The guy then expertly wrapped Alice's ankle, going back and forth between the foot and the bottom of her leg, leaving the heel exposed when he was all done.
"There we go," he sighed. "Get yourself some bandages to redo this later on. Take a little ibuprofen to help you sleep and you should be right as rain in time!"
"Thanks," Alice said.
He tipped his white hat with the red cross on it and left with his tackle box of supplies.
"Let's eat!" Tori said.
"What did you want?" Becky asked Alice. "Pizza, or popcorn...or...?"
"Both please! I'm starving."
Mia and Alice regaled their moms with their epic volleyball match, with added details from the others.
The gang mostly hung out by the blanket with Alice, taking turns going back into the water to play or swim. The day at the beach ended with the gorgeous setting sun. Everyone coupled up and held one another during the display of colors.
Jade kept Tori distracted enough so she could take her eyes of her daughter and her boyfriend. Chase told Lauren as she squeezed his hand how much he was going to miss her while in Nashville. She promises they will call and text regularly.
"How's the improv group?" Billy asked Jenna.
"They're pretty nice. Acting coach is a well-meaning psycho, so it feels pretty close to school. You should join us!"
Billy shook his head.
"No, babe. I'm going for something else. There's a Broadway musical coming right here and they're holding auditions."
"Wait, what's that about a musical?" asked Lauren.
"Yeah," the blond boy nodded. "It's being produced by that guy...um...Xander Tanner?"
"Tundra!" Lauren corrected. "Xander Tundra."
"There it is!" Billy smiled.
"I've been following the rumors for a while," the singer admitted. "They said June 16, I think."
Billy's eyes bugged out.
"Holy crap! That's tomorrow!"
"Babe, you should try out!" Chase suggested.
The curly-haired girl hummed to herself like she had reservations.
"You would be great!" Jenna added.
"But I can't act!" Lauren admitted.
"Well, I don't sing" shrugged Billy. "Still going to give it a shot."
Lauren recalled that familiar mantra from her grandmother. You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take.
Chase put his arm around her encouragingly.
"What do you think?"
She bit her lip and closed her eyes tightly while the others uttered a low chant.
"Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it."
"Okay," she breathed. "I'll try out. But I won't get my hopes up!"
"Is that right?" Mia asked, sitting beside them. "Lauren's trying out for a musical?"
Her best friend reluctantly nodded with a smirk.
"Not that you need it, but I wish you luck" the Latina told her. "Break a leg!"
Alice huffed.
"Please don't say break a leg in front of me!"
"Hey, Alice?"
She glanced over to Becky.
"Uh-huh?"
"I like your hat."
The pale girl grabbed the floppy brim of her large hat and blushed.
"Thanks."
Alice then sneered at Mia.
"See? Becky has taste."
A/N: Becky made a big step forward for herself. To admit your feelings is one thing but to tell another. Fortunately, Alice is just an angel.
I was so excited to write this chapter because there are so many seeds being sowed!