~Brian’s point of view~
“What do you want to do?” I asked Nick that night in our room. Michelle had taken August to teach her some dance. Cassie had gone with her.
“I’ll race you in Mario Kart…”
“Bring it on,” I turned on the TV. “Where’d Carmen go?”
“With her family somewhere. We’re going to get together for breakfast tomorrow. I think Carmen’s the one so prepare to pay up,” he said as he picked Mario and I picked Yoshi.
“Huh?” I asked, totally confused.
“Don’t act dumb. The bet, dude,” he picked ‘Rainbow Road’ as the level to race.
“The bet…” I repeated to myself. I’d forgotten all about the bet.
“Yup. I already have her right where I want her. She’s probably already falling in love. We’ll know soon enough. And although August probably wouldn’t like a loser like you, I’ll still win and I’ll prove my point,” he joked.
“What? No, if she’s not in love with me that’ll prove my point, even if you win with Carmen.”
“No, both girls have to say no to prove your point… well, it won’t prove it, but it’ll defeat my theory which is close enough. Just because she doesn’t love you, doesn’t mean necessarily that it takes time to fall in love. It just means that it’s not meant to be with this specific girl.”
“So both girls have to not be in love for me to win, but if even one’s in love, you win? That’s not fair!” I complained.
“It makes perfect sense.”
“Some fools fall in love easily.”
“Scared you’ll lose, you can just pay me now.”
“No. Carmen’s not dumb enough to fall for your moves. And August isn’t dumb either. I’ll win, and I’ll have my new guitar by the end of the month.”
When had August gotten pulled into this? Oh, well. She wouldn’t get hurt. I wasn’t trying to get her to ‘fall in love’ like Nick was trying Carmen. I didn’t play that game.
~August’s point of view~
“Alright, during ‘guess what, it’s gonna be me,’ you put your hands out front like this, step forward with your right leg, and then point to yourself with your thumb,” I instructed Michelle.
Cassie was lying on the bed talking to Carmen, who had tried to learn the dance and gotten bored with it and given up.
“Alright, I think I’ve got it.”
“Do you want to try the whole thing with the CD?”
“Yeah,” she started the song over.
She’d learned a lot faster than I thought she would. And a lot faster than I had. I wish I could dance like her.
The song got to the chorus. “Every little thing I do, never seems enough for you, you don’t wanna lose it again, but I’m not like him, baby when you finally, get to love somebody, guess what, it’s gonna be me.” We danced through the whole thing.
“Woo!” she smiled enthusiastically. Carmen and Cassie applauded from their spots on the bed. Michelle grabbed my hand and we did a bow. “Thank-you, thank-you.”
“Good job,” Carmen said. “So now that you’ve finally gotten it, can we finally go get something to eat?”
“Yes,” Michelle finally conceded. “This is fun. We’ll have to do another girls night out type thing sometime.”
“Yeah, your group is so cute,” Carmen said, as we left the room and headed towards the elevator.
“What you mean is Nick’s so cute,” Cassie translated.
Carmen smiled. “That, too.”
“I like his Devon Sawa hair-cut,” I said.
Carmen giggled. “Yeah, me, too! And he wears it well.”
“What’s your dream guy like?” Cassie ask her. “Does Nick fit the description?”
“Well, no… but I’m willing to make that sacrifice,” she joked. “I’m partial for the tall, dark, and handsome. He’s tall and handsome, but he has light hair and eyes. But like I said, I’m not complaining. And I see him tomorrow for our first official date, so we’ll see. What about you guys?” we arrived at the Teen Club and sat down at a booth.
“I like sweet guys. That are funny, and nice, and brunette, and blue eyed, nice accents, musically gifted…” Cassie listed qualities off.
“Wow, you’re a lot more specific than me,” Carmen smiled.
“I agree with the musically talented. Have you guys ever heard Kevin on the piano? Wow,” Michelle gushed.
“Who’s Kevin?”
“Cassie’s brother who works as lifeguard.”
“And looks like Aladdin,” August added, smiling.
“Hey, I gotta say on this guy’s behalf, that Aladdin’s the hottest Disney guy ever! He never falls under the category of tall, dark, and handsome… you’re turn, August.”
“Umm… I like funny guys, I third the musically talented thing… hmm… basically Prince Charming.”
“Wow, high standards!” Michelle said. “Ooh, there’s Kev! I’ll be right back.” She rushed up from the table.
“Man, all the guys on the ship, and who does she choose but my brother,” Cassie groaned.
“Hello, ladies, sorry for the delay,” AJ came up. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Sprite,” Carmen said.
“Iced Tea,” I told him.
“Dr. Pepper for me and a Coke for Michelle.”
“Alright. I’ll have those in a few minutes. So, leave all the guys home tonight?”
“Yeah, us girls are bonding,” Carmen said.
“I don’t believe I’ve met you yet. I’m AJ, single, and looking.”
“Nick’s already got dibs on her. Sorry, man,” Cassie informed him.
“Well, that’s the fourth gone. Howie, Brian, Kevin, and Nick are lucky guys. And Howie’s goes on about you all the time,” he said through his glasses.
“Brian’s not with anyone,” Cassie corrected him.
“Really? I just figured you and him were together,” AJ said to me.
I shook my head, feeling Cassie’s stare. And fought my urge to smile at that thought. He went to get our drinks.
“Guess what!” Michelle came back and sat down more cheerful than ever.
“What?” Carmen asked.
“Kevin asked me to the dance tomorrow! Can you believe it! I’ve had a minor crush on him forever and I always figured I was just one of his sisters friends, but… wow!” she gushed.
“That’s great! I still want to see this guy! I couldn’t get a look at him through all the people,” Carmen said. “Has Howie asked you?”
“Nope,” Cassie said. “We’re not really close, we just had that one date.”
“Hmm… well, maybe he will.”
AJ brought us our drinks and we talked a little while longer.
“Anyway, I need to get back to my room. Do you guys want to get together for lunch tomorrow?” Carmen asked.
Michelle looked at Cassie and then said, “yeah, we would. August?”
“Umm… probably. When and where?”
“Just come to our room around 1?” Michelle suggested.
“Alright, I’ll see you guys together,” Carmen said.
“I need to go, too,” I got up.
“Great, I won’t have to walk all the way back by myself,” Carmen linked my arm. “Sorry, I’m being kinda forward. I felt like kind of an outsider when Nick invited me to hang out with you guys. I mean, all of you seem so close! But I hadn’t found anyone else my age to hang out with…”
“Actually, I just met all of them a few days ago. I bumped into Brian, and he invited me to hang out with the group, too. So I know exactly how you feel! I just wish I could be as outgoing as you are! I’m just now getting to where I have some idea of what to say to make conversation!”
“Really? I had no idea,” she laughed. “You and Brian especially looked like you’ve known him forever. And anyone can see you’re totally into him!”
“Huh? No I’m not…”
She gave me a look.
“Well… maybe, I don’t really know him… Does it really show?”
“I saw the look on your face when AJ had thought you two were together. There was a hint of a smile.”
I just blushed and kept my mouth shut.
“Maybe he’ll ask you to the dance or something tomorrow,” she said.
“No, I doubt it.”
“Oh, stop being so shy and modest! Trust me! Well, this is my room, I’ll see ya at lunch tomorrow?”
“Yeah, bye.”
I wondered if I’d see Brian tomorrow. He was so sweet, and nice, and funny, and just… everything.
Chapter Five
Chapter Seven
Drowning
Frick's Fairtales