"Do you wanna go check?"
"Yes! I hope they're not like streaking someone's house or something." We all laughed at the thought. BJ, Katie and I stood up from the beach and walked towards the gate. I listened to hear laughing or joking, but heard none. I cocked my head. That was strange. We walked out the gate and towards the front of the house where we left the boys. Sure enough, I saw all five of them sitting around the picnic table discussing something very quietly.
"I wonder what they're up to," I commented. As we got closer to them, I saw AJ turn around, look at us with wide eyes, then shush the group. They all turned to look at us. Sorry, but it was VERY uncomfortable the way they all looked scared and nervous. Nick stood up and walked over to Katie. I saw him give her a very tight hug.
"Nick, what's wrong?" worried Katie as she pulled away. I could see Nick's eyes were watery and misty. He smiled warmly at her.
"Nothing." Katie glanced at me for some help.
"Are you sure?" I questioned. He looked at me and frowned. It wasn't a frown that made me scared like usual, it made me very worried. You could see sadness and depression in that frown.
"I'm fine, don't worry," he replied shakily. I looked at Brian, since he was Nick's best friend. Brian just sent me a small smile and shrugged. I swear, I saw the same expression in Brian's smile as I saw in Nick's frown. It sent a shiver down my spine.
"Hey, Nikki," said AJ as he walked towards me. "Do you, uh, wanna go watch a movie with me tomorrow?"
"As in, like, a date?"
"I dunno, it could be whatever you wanna call it."
"Sure, sounds like fun!" AJ gave a small sigh and grinned at me.
"Can me and Noelle come?" Howie piped up. I caught AJ giving him a dirty look. "As in, like, a double date?"
"But don't you and Noelle want to be ALONE sometimes?" AJ asked through clenched teeth. Howie gave him a grin and shook his head.
"Hey, it sounds like fun, AJ," I said. "Let's do it."
"Great! I'll go call Noelle," said Howie as he ran into the house. He came back a short while later with all the adults behind him. They were still chattering and talking. Bob Carter was holding the sleeping Angel in his arms and Leslie was walking beside him with her eyes half closed. Jane Carter had her hands on Aaron's shoulders as she guided him across the lawn and towards their car. I noticed that Aaron was still sleeping but walking at the same time.
"Mom, did Tim not come yet?" I asked as I jogged up to her and Mrs. McLean. My mom frowned and shook her head.
"No, but we got a phone call and the plane's been delayed until tomorrow afternoon."
"So we're gonna have another burger day tomorrow night?" They laughed.
"No, but we'll all get together again soon." I stood by my mom as we watched everyone pile into their cars. Bob, Jane, Angel, Aaron, and Leslie Carter went into their family car while Nick, Katie, and BJ went in Nick's Camaro. AJ and his mom went into Denise's car while Brian, Kevin, and Howie got into Kevin's. And Mr.and Mrs. Dorough went in their car.
"I'll call you," called AJ as he backed out of our driveway. I smiled and waved to him. It took like six minutes for all the cars to drive out since it was so cramped. After the last tail light disappeared from our site, my parents and I started walking back towards the house.
"How is everyone?" asked my dad as he put his arm around my shoulder.
"They're great."
"How's school for you? Is it too hard?"
I sighed and nodded. "Yes, siree. I never knew school could get this hard! I'm not even majoring in anything yet, I still have no clue what I'm gonna be."
We walked into the house and I started up the stairs. "Don't worry, Honey. I know what, why don't you just marry a Backstreet Boy?"