"Morning." I groaned and turned on my side, ignoring the figure that loomed over me (my eyes were still closed, but he was blocking the light). He pulled off my covers and I sighed. opening my eyes, I screamed.
"Justin!" I yelled, pushing him off me. "God, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"Justin what did you do?" JC called from the bathroom.
"I woke her up like you said I could," Justin said, grinning like an idiot. JC walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair wet and slicked back.
"I said you could wake her up nicely," JC said, rolling his eyes. "Not kill her."
"I didn't kill her," Justin protested. "Is it my fault that she doesn't like seeing my face first thing in the morning?"
"I don't like seeing anyone's face before noon," I said as the idiot walked out of the room. Every morning, one person was given "Wake-Up-Call-Duty." Obviously, it was Justin's turn today. JC looked at me. "Well, maybe yours." He smiled and sat down next to me, giving me a long, leisurely kiss. "Okay, definitely yours." He laughed and went back into the bathroom to finish getting washed. Just then, Elisbeph trudged in, still in her pajamas, and fell onto the bed. "Justin?"
"Justin," she groaned, covering her head with a pillow. Just then, I heard yelling. Looking up, I saw Justin dash down the hall, Joey in close pursuit with a pillow raised and ready to fire. I giggled and got up.
"What are we doing today?" I asked, going over to my suitcase.
"Nothing, zip, nada," Elisbeph groaned, holding a pillow over her ear. I looked at her and smiled mischievously, though she didn't see it. I went into the hallway and whistled quietly. Joey looked up in mid pillow-swing at Justin. I motioned for the two of them to come into the room. They followed me and grinned evilly when they saw Elisbeph on the bed. We snuck up to her. Justin and I got on either side while Joey crawled on top of her. She felt his weight and looked up at him. She screamed in surprise and looked to either side of her. She screamed again and the three up us erupted in laughter.
"You three are nuts," JC said, coming out of the bathroom fully clothed in a maroon t-shirt and black jeans.
"Thank you," I said, grabbing my clothes and running into the bathroom. I put on a pair of black semi-flair pants and a royal-blue t-shirt, throwing a black sweatshirt with a huge Superman logo on it. Walking out of the bathroom, I stopped short when I saw the eight person pile-up on the bed . . . with Roxie standing next to it, looking at her fingernails, nonchalantly. "How'd you manage this one?" I asked Roxie as the eight people tried to untangle themselves. She just shrugged and smiled. As soon as he got out of the pile, JC came over and kissed me softly on the lips.
"So, how was you're date yesterday?" Lance asked, wiggling his eyebrows. I looked at JC and he smiled. I smiled back and held out my left hand. The girls eyes went wide and they started pulling at my hand for a better look. I laughed and pulled it back, jokingly checking it for any scars. They congratulated me and JC and so did the guys. Justin hugged me and purred in my ear. I hit him upside the head and laughed.
"Where'd you propose?" I heard Chris ask JC.
"I took your advice," JC whispered back to him.
"My favorite spot," I said, walking over to them and wrapping my arms around JC's waist. "Thanks, Chris."
"Yeah, thanks," JC said, smiling down at me, then back at Chris. "If it weren't for your advice, it wouldn't have been nearly as perfect."
"Anything for my sister," Chris joked, kissing me on the cheek.
"Ha, ha, funny," I groaned, sarcastically. Just then, my cell phone rang. Elisbeph picked it up.
"Hello?" she said. "Umm, yeah, she's here . . . Sure, hold on." She handed the phone to me. "It's for you."
"It's my phone," I joked, grabbing the phone from her. "Hello?"
"Hi," said a male voice form the other line. "This is Brian."
"Oh, umm, hi," I said, surprised, sitting down at the foot of the bed.
"Yeah, umm, do you want to meet or something?" he asked.
"I'm up in Maryland," I said, confused. JC came over and sat down next to me.
"Yeah, well, so am I," he said. "I'm visiting a few friends that own a boat in Baltimore Harbor."
"Are you serious?" I asked, laughing slightly. "We're a five minute walk from the Inner Harbor."
"Really? Cool. So do you wanna meet for lunch or something?"
"Sure, why not," I said, smiling. "It'll be fun."
"Okay, how about around . . . one. We can meet at . . . yeesh, is there anyplace where we won't get noticed?"
"Good question. Baltimore certainly has a huge harbor. How about The Cheesecake Factory. The food portions are huge and I know how you guys like to eat." Brian laughed and I could practically see him pat his stomach.
"Works for me. I can actually see the place from where I'm sitting."
"Do you want me to meet you at the boat or something?"
"Yeah, that works. We're on . . ." He put his hand over the receiver, but I could still here. "Matt, what dock are we on?"
"D," Matt said.
"We're leaving now," Chris whispered in my ear. "We'll meet you guys later." I nodded and everyone but JC left the room.
"D dock," Brian said to me. "The boats name is ..." He put his hand over the receiver again. "Matt, what's the name of the boat?"
"Chaos Reigns!" Matt yelled back, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Chaos Reigns," Brian said to me.
"You didn't even know the name of the boat you're on?" I laughed, falling backwards on the bed.
I'm losing her. She's so happy on the phone with him. Oh, God, please make her stay with me. I love her so much. Alex fell back on the bed in a fit of laughter. She does that with me. Oh man, please . . . please. Don't let me lose her.
I looked up at JC. He looked so upset. I reached out with my free hand and put it on his cheek. He turned his head towards me and took my hand in his. I gave him a "What's wrong?" look. He just smiled weakly and shook his head. I squeezed his hand as Brian continued to talk me ear off.
"Bri?" I said.
"Yeah?"
"I have to go. I'll see you in an hour, k?"
"Sure. Bye, cuz." I looked down at the phone.
"Umm, bye." I never expected him to say that, but that's not my main concern right now. "JC, baby, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said. "So, what'd Brian want?"
"We're meeting for lunch at one," I told him. His face fell. I pulled him down next to me. "Baby, I know something wrong. Why won't you tell me?"
"Nothing's wrong, I swear," he said, kissing my forehead. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. "Is it just the two of you or are the others going?"
"The others aren't there," I said. "Well, at least, not that I know of. I'm sure Kevin isn't there, though."
"What time are you getting back?" He began to nuzzle my neck.
"I dunno," I said, giggling, "but when I do, the rest of the day is yours. I promise."
"Promise?"
"Didn't I just say that?" I joked. I brought his face up to mine and kissed him softly.
"I love you, y'know," he said, kissing me again.
"I love you, too," I sighed.