"Well, we've got a long drive back to Tampa," Leah said as we walked out of the restuarant.
"Aww, you're leaving?" I asked disappointed.
"Yeah, sorry," she said.
"Well, I'll come by tomorrow, ok?" I asked.
"That's cool," she nodded.
"Oh, hey Leah," I said.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Next time you get a boyfriend, let me know," I said smiling.
"Well, we never talked long enough when you called for me to tell you," she said smiling.
"It's cool," I said smiling.
"Good!" she said and turned away.
"See you!" I called.
"Bye!" she said waving. Her and Shawn walked off towards their car.
"Do you want to go to a park that's right up the street?" Howie asked.
The sun was beginning to go down and the sky was a beautiful orange color.
"I'd love to, that sounds fun," I nodded.
"Great, let's go," he said.
"We have to hold hands," Samantha announced standing in the middle of Howie and I.
"Safety first," I smiled down at her.
She took my hand and then took Howie's hand.
"Now no one will take me," she giggled.
I smiled and we walked the short distance to the park.
"Ice cream!" Samantha exclaimed pointing towards an ice cream shop.
"Ice cream!" I exclaimed after her.
"Race ya," I said grinning down at her.
She took off and I was right after. I didnt run fast because I wanted her to win.
"I won!" she announced when we got there.
"Wow! Im so out of breath! You run fast!" I told her.
"Thanks," she blushed.
I turned around and Howie was laughing as he was walking up to us.
"You're really good with her," he told me.
"Look at her! She's adorable!" I pointed out.
"Thats true," he agreed.
"I want vanilla with sprinkles," she announced.
"Ok," I nodded.
We got our ice cream, all three of us got the same, vanilla cone with sprinkles. We all sat down on a bench and began to eat our ice cream.
"You're a lot nicer than I expected," Howie commented.
"Why?" I asked smiling.
"I dont know. When people make it big, they act snobby, I dont know," he shrugged.
"I vowed Id never do that," I whispered.
"Thats cool," he said.
Every time Howie spoke I got this funny feeling in my stomach. I was really attracted to him. We all just sat there looking at people who were passing by.
"Im sleepy," Samantha yawned.
"Here, you can lay your head down on my lap," I told her.
"Thanks," she said and layed her head down. I played with her hair, massaging her head.
"She's sleeping,"Howie whispered.
"Good," I whispered.
"So, Marissa, tell me something about yourself," he said smiling. Oh G-D, his smile.
"Well, what do you want to know?" I asked.
"How long are you going to be in Tampa?" he asked.
"Awhile, Im not sure how long though," I answered.
"Well, maybe we could hang out again," he suggested.
"You live in Tampa?" I asked.
"Yeah, I just moved there," he answered.
"Well, that's cool. We should hang out," I agreed.
"Cool," he smiled.
"Well, you probably want to get her home, huh?" I asked looking down at Samantha.
"Yeah, I should," he agreed.
He gently lifted her up and held her. I smiled at how gentle he handled her. Like she was a precious gem.
"Here, I'll give you my number," I told him.
"Ok," he said.
I walked up to the ice cream shop and got a napkin and borrowed a pen. I wrote down my number and folded up the napkin. I gave back the pen and walked over to Howie.
"Here you go," I said putting it in his hand.
"Thanks, I'll call you," he told me.
"Great," I smiled.
"Bye."
"Bye."
He walked off and I stood in the middle of the park. Shit. I dont have a ride.
I sighed as I looked around, trying to figure out where I was.
"Excuse me," I said stopping a woman walking.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Hi, do you happen to know where the Nickalodeon Studios are?" I asked, smiling guiltily.
"Yeah, it's right down that road," she laughed.
"Thanks," I said and started to walk down the road in which she had directed me. As I walked a car stopped near me.
"Marissa! Where have you been?" I heard Robert shout.
"Robert! Wow, thanks for coming, I wasnt sure I could find my way back," I laughed, guilt plastered on my face.
"Get in the car," he ordered. I walked over to the car and got in the backseat.
"You are not to do that again," he told me.
"Why? I think I like spending time with my friends," I said glaring at him.
"Marissa, you left in the middle of a gig," he scolded.
"I was done," I denied.
"No, you werent. You were supposed to get on stage at the end and perform with everyone," he told me.
"Oh, Im sorry! I didnt know!" I said feeling bad.
"Dont let it happen again," he said and didnt talk again. I wasnt thinking about Robert scolding me right now though, I was thinking and wondering if Howie was going to call me.
Chapter Three
Chapter Five
Heaven Index
Howie Fanfiction Index
BSB Fanfiction Index
Backstreet Island