Chapter 49: Beach Vacation!
By the beach of Eagle City are a row of beach houses. A nice area to dwell for summer vacation. Those living there can just cross the road and enjoy the sun, the sand and the sea.
Now there is one which is large and is 3-storey high and it's owned by Max and it began in a room where Van is sleeping peacefully. His alarm soon rang. "Oh boy! The day has come!" He exclaimed in excitement as he got out of his bed, tidied it, put on his slippers and left his bedroom.
Down at the dining room, Van's mother has just prepared breakfast as her son dashed in. On the table, there's 2 hash browns, scrambled eggs with onions and 2 pieces of bacon. "Yummy!" He wasted no time chowing down as Max entered the dining room. "Morning everyone!"
"Morning Max."
"Morning Dad!"
"Van, have your friends messaged you?"
"Yesterday night, they all told me they're allowed to stay with us." Van told his father as he ate up a hashbrown.
"That's great! After breakfast, we're going out for some family bonding and then, lunch." Max told his son.
"Cool. I look forward to it." Van replied as he ate a piece of bacon as his parents sat with him and they had breakfast together as a family.
After breakfast and a bit of house cleaning, the family of three went out for some family bonding. They went cycling on the bicycle path at the beach for an hour. After that, they went out to sea as Max appeared to own a speedboat as he took his wife and son around as they enjoyed the sea breeze.
A while later, it was lunch time and they went to a seafood restaurant where they feasted on the seafood cuisine. Van ate plenty of fried shrimp and crispy fish fillets during lunch as the family had a great time bonding.
Around 1pm, they cycled back to the beach house to prepare it. "I wonder what time they'll arrive? They didn't give me the specific timing even though they got permission to hang out with me here." Van thought to himself as he went to the living room and turned on the flat screen TV to watch some basketball matches. He also went to the fridge to get a can of Pepsi while his parents went to rest in their bedroom.
Around 2pm...
The doorbell rang as Van who's still watching TV heard it and went to answer it. When he opened the door, "What's up dude!"
"Kappei! Emma! Gumchi and Alec! You made it!" Van greeted them and then, "My Vanilla Vannie Boo!"
"My Lovely Lucy!" She was behind them as she jumped on Van hugging him tightly and good thing he caught her in time. They shared a kiss and he put her down after that as all went inside marveling at the place.
"Welcome everyone." Max greeted the teens as he gave them instructions. "We have a dozen bedrooms in the second level with 2 being occupied already. Feel free to bunk in any of them and there are 2 bathrooms available."
"Cool! Let's be roommates Lucy!"
"My thoughts exactly Emma!" The 2 girls squealed in excitement as they went upstairs. Alec went next followed by Kappei as at the second level, they found a room to bunk as in one of them, "There are 2 beds in there! Perfect!" Lucy told Emma as they settled down. Alec went to use one and likewise, Kappei.
Once they settled down, all went down to meet Van as they talked with him. "This beach house is incredible!" Alec told him.
"Hey! What's that?" Emma noticed a picture frame. It has a picture of Van and Lucy dressed formally and kissing under a mistletoe. "This was taken last year at a Christmas Party at the WNA. We're invited and likewise, Lucy and her family." Van's mother explained.
"In fact, my wife took their picture. It was a lovely and romantic sight to behold." Max added.
"Christmas Party? So Van and Lucy began dating already before I did..." Emma thought and Gumchi is eating a cookie. "Crunchee! Crunchee!"
"Where did you get the cookie Gumchi?"
He pointed at Van's mother who has a plate of chocolate chip cookies and the girls are eating one now.
Just then, the doorbell rang and knowing what it means, Van opened it and, "Right on time guys!" Yup, the Bottle Collectors are the next to arrive as they stepped in with Dan greeting Van's parents as he and Tyler gave them a respectful bow.
"No need for that. For you are most welcome to spend your summer here." Max told them.
"Thank you and we appreciate it. That's why Tyler and I did this to show how we appreciate your hospitality." Dan revealed and with that, they went to bunk up with Dan and Tyler sharing one room, May and Naomi sharing one room and Keith taking a room for himself.
An hour later, the doorbell rang and the rest have arrived. "Some place you got!" Billy cheered as they entered the place. "Well that's everyone." Van thought with a smile as they headed up. There, Damien went to bunk with Alec, Hongfa and Elena share one room, Cluv went solo, Dia also went solo and finally, Billy and Heart share a room.
Some time later, Van showed everyone around. "Here's the kitchen, the dining room, the master bedroom where my parents sleep and yes, all of us have gathered at the living room and it leads to the patio."
"Can't wait to check it out! " said May as he led them outside. "Wheeee!" Gumchi ran ahead and around the patio as it has a swimming pool, a hot tub, a BBQ pit and attached on one of the walls is a basketball hoop and not to mention, plenty of open space.
"Never thought your family is rich enough to afford this." said Elena.
"Hey that's what one gets when they have a job at the WNA." said Dan. "According to my parents, those working there gets a pay rise every year."
"So true." said Damien as Van took the group to the third level. When they arrived, "Awesome lounge!" Kappei exclaimed.
Yes, the lounge on their left is large and it has a large flat screen TV just like the one in the living room with a sofa and there's a karaoke system and the latest video game systems(PS5 and Nintendo Switch)with all the video games arranged beside it. There's also a billiards table, a dart board on the wall with 10 darts on it, a computer with all the equipment set up with a small table and chair, a shelf full of books and board games and another table which is rectangular with 6 chairs.
There is also a small gym on their right as, "Impressive! I can at least do some workout!" said Cluv.
"Same thing." said Tyler as they fist bump each other.
"Oh man! We're gonna have so much fun bonding together in all the activities!" Alec exclaimed.
"Now that we've settled down, it's fun time!" said May. "Anyone wants to come with me? I'm going out to do some shopping."
All the other girls raised their hands and as for the boys, "Hey Van. Let's practice." Keith suggested.
"No problem!" The 2 boys went to change into their basketball gear while the rest went to do their own things.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Van's mother is planning tonight's dinner. "And I think I need to go out and do the grocery." She then went to get ready when, "Excuse me, are you going somewhere?" May asked with the other girls with her.
"Why yes, I'm going to do some grocery shopping."
"Okay! And...can you drive us to the mall?" May asked.
"Sure! Let's get going! I'll also go there to do the task." Van's mother got the keys and they left the house together.
Outside, there is a garage beside the beach house on it's left as Van's mother pressed a button and the garage door opened up. Inside are 2 rides, a sports car and a van.
"Oh my gosh. Lucy, we're all gonna hitch a ride on a van!" Emma joked.
"Ha! Ha! We have an 'advantage' in this one! It's big enough for all of us to ride in!" Dia joked.
"Are you going to drive a hard 'Van' with him?" Hongfa whispered to Lucy as the 7 girls laughed and giggled together as Van's mother went inside the van and started the ride. She drove it out slowly and opened the door automatically. "Get in girls!"
"YAY!" They all hopped in with Lucy at the front, Emma, May and Naomi in the middle and Hongfa, Elena and Dia at the back.
"So girls, ready to shop?" May asked and they all screamed in excitement. "I love their energy. Reminds me of my youthful days." Van's mother thought with a smile as she drove the girls to the mall.
At the same time, "Dan, can you tell my son that I'll be out. I need to collect something at the WNA HQ and will be back for dinner."
"Of course. I will inform him now." Dan went to find Van as Max took his car keys and left the house to get in his ride and drive to the WNA HQ.
At the patio, Van and Keith practiced their basketball moves with Kappei, Damien and Tyler watching them practice. Gumchi is also with them cheering. "Ballee! Ballee!"
"Here. You can play with this ball." Kappei gave Gumchi a rubber ball in which the size is the same as him as Gumchi played with it. Dan then showed up and informed Van about his father.
"Alright then. How about a 3-on-3 match?" Van asked Keith.
"A splendid idea!" He replied and they picked their teammates. Van picked Kappei and Damien while Keith picked Dan and Tyler. Once ready, "I'll help start the game." Kappei stated and now, the basketball is on the ground with Van and Keith in position. Kappei then manipulated the wind as it swirled around the ball lifting it up slowly and it shot it up in the air and it goes down as Van and Keith jumped up with Van catching the ball and the game begins! Oh yes, Gumchi is the scorekeeper in this game because he has a marker and a notebook with him.
Meanwhile...
At the mall, "I'll be at the supermarket. You girls can explore and have your fun. And Lucy, when I'm finished, I'll text you so that you can get the other girls to help me out."
"No problem!" She replied as she went to the supermarket. "C'mon! Let's check out the entire mall!" said Emma.
"We have some time at least and all of us have our own money since school credits can't be used here." Naomi thought as they walked around together. They checked out some clothing store and discussed about the clothes and even tried them on.
Next, they checked out a gift shop and admired some of the stuffed animals finding them cute.
And finally, "Wait...we're going in there?" Naomi asked.
"Oh yes! I've been wanting to get a new swimsuit! I'll look so sexy that my Dandelion's gonna make out with me on the spot!" said May.
"Me too! My Vanilla Vannie Boo will drool and then, I'll tease him with my sexiness enough for him to run to me and then, make out session time!" said Lucy.
"I could use one so that I can impress Alec and he'll be falling for me." Hongfa thought as the 7 girls went inside. There, they checked out the outfits and even spent some time fitting them to see how sexy they look.
Only one was feeling uncomfortable and Emma noticed her. "Naomi. Are you feeling alright?"
"Well...it's just...it's just too embarrassing for me to try on something that reveals a lot of skin. It's kinda awkward if you ask me..." She replied as it cuts to Lucy and May posing in front of a mirror in their swimsuits for they just got out of the fitting room as Dia and Elena went in next. Hongfa is still examining some of them.
"C'mon Naomi, what if this can make Keith feel attracted to you?" Emma brought up and she was surprised by her words as she spoke on. "Think about it, you wear something sexy, Keith will find you beautiful like how he describes anything beautiful. You'll be getting his attention soon and both of you will feel closer to each other."
"Um...how did you know that-"
"You were smiling brightly when Keith was dribbling the basketball and when you're watching him comment on his food like a food critic during lunch at the Summer Sports Olympics." Emma answered Naomi and she was speechless. Eventually, Emma gave her friend a hand in choosing a swimsuit while she ponders about her words.
Several minutes, the 7 girls are finished with their swimsuit shopping with all of them making purchases and just in time, Lucy got the text message. "She's queuing at the counter at the supermarket. Let's go." She told the girls and they all headed down.
There, Van's mother is next in line as the girls immediately went to help her. Each of them carried a grocery bag as they headed back to the van which is parked outside the mall. When they arrived, they loaded the groceries in the back and once done, all got in the van as Van's mother drove them back to the beach house. "How is your shopping?" Van's mother asked.
"Exotic." Lucy and May answered as the other girls giggled about it.
So back at the Beach House...
In the kitchen, Van's mother is boiling pasta noodles and on the kitchen counter, Emma is chopping tomatoes, Lucy is chopping onions and Naomi is chopping red and green peppers. The rest of the gang went to their rooms to rest and freshen up as outside a bathroom, the boys are waiting in line and at the other bathroom, the girls are waiting in line as Dia came out, fresh from the shower. "About time." Elena went in as May and Hongfa waited and now, Emma, Lucy and Naomi joined the line. For the boys, Dan came out and Tyler went in next.
Around 7:30pm, "Dinner is ready!" Van's mother called out and that word sent every boy running down to the dining room. The girls just walked down. "Whoa...the food looks so luscious!" said Kappei.
"Yes. Spaghetti with rich, tomato sauce with meatballs inside and shredded cheese!" Keith exclaimed as everyone excitedly began helping themselves. Some sat in the dining room while others ate in the living room as long as they don't stain the couch and the floor. There are also pitchers of water and lemonade for everyone.
"Of course it is! Thanks to you, Lucy and Naomi for helping me out in the kitchen." Van's mother thanked the girls as the others are amazed.
"That reminds me, Emma and I went to take Food & Nutrition as our extra subject." Kappei brought up.
"Same for us!" said Van as he placed his arm around Lucy as she snuggled close to him.
"I took Art instead since I'm very good at it." said Alec.
"I took Music." said Naomi and everyone began chatting about the extra subjects they chose.
At the same time, Max came home. "I brought pizza along the way."
"Pizzee! Pizzee!" Gumchi cheered with everyone joining him as Max placed 5 boxes of pizza on the center of the dining table. He opened a box which has pepperoni and to his surprise, Gumchi grabbed all the slices one by one and devoured them all!
"Wh-What? H-How did he..."
"He just happens to have a big appetite." Kappei told him as Gumchi pat his gum body and went to continue eating his plate of spaghetti. "Pastee! Pastee!" Everyone laughed as they ate and bond together.
"You know, I like how everyone interacts together. They sure made the environment here lively." Max told his wife.
"Our son is very sociable with everyone here." She added as she smooched his cheek. Now, Van and Kappei took their second helpings and they attempt to beat each other like as if they're in an eating contest and for some reason, all the boys joined in as they chow down like a pack of hungry, hungry hippos leaving the girls stunned.
"This is the first time all the boys become idiots..." Hongfa thought and Van and Kappei tied first place but argued over it.
Once everyone polished their meal, Van's mother brought out ice cream sandwiches as dessert. It consists of 2 wafers sandwiching a block of chocolate ice cream. All took one but for Gumchi, he gets 2 because there's one extra in the fridge. Lucky gum alien.
Around 8:30pm after dinner and dessert, "C'mon guys, let's chill in the lounge." Van told the boys.
"What about the girls?" Tyler asked.
"I heard they're gonna have some girl bonding together in the room where May and Naomi are bunking. We'll let them be because in the next chapter, they're gonna talk and squeal together over many things." said Van.
"Did you just break the 4th wall?" Kappei asked.
"Nope." He replied as the boys and Gumchi went to the lounge.
So yes, many of you are wondering, how did Van and Lucy got together? And likewise, Dan and May? Well, the next chapter will answer your questions!
So far, it's the first day at the beach house and everyone had a great time together! More summer fun to come for the next, several chapters.
Character of the Chapter
Name: Tyler
Profile
Dan's best friend who always stays by his side from young till now. They met at summer camp and became friends, even attending the WNA Academy together. Tyler is described to be calm, cool and collected. Also, he's loyal to Dan and is often seen pulling him away to stop him from going overboard in his pride. He gets along with everyone and knows when the time is right to attack in training and battle.
In the tournament, Tyler made it to the finals but lost. In the battle festival, he was in a team with Kappei and Dia but they didn't qualify for the next stage. He has a father who does a lot of farming and he learnt a lot from him when he was still in the WNA back then.
Now, Tyler attends the Advanced WNA High in Oedo and is in the same class with Dan and May, serving as a bodyguard for the whole class. Dan was nice enough to let him freely enjoy his school life so in his free time, he hits the gym for his self-training.
Awakened Power: Silverback Gorilla
Tyler's awakened power enables him to transform into this powerful, punching ape. In this form, he can execute powerful close combat moves with powerful punches and dropkicks. He gets more powerful when going berserk in attacking and is quite fast in moving and swinging around from one branch to another.
Also in this form, his strength, endurance, agility and power is increased.