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Then and Now Chapter 21 Jenn held Howie's hand as they walked down the street. The movie had just let out and they wanted a little fresh air before meeting up with their friends. Howie stopped in front of the cafe and looked inside. "We're the first one's here?" Jenn looked over his shoulder. "Where's everyone else? I'm sure Kevin and Nina's movie let out before ours did." Howie shrugged and pushed the door open, letting Jenn go in first. They found a table in the corner and sat down, to wait for the others.Nick looked at Lis who was laying beside him on the bed with her eyes closed. He ran his fingers up and down her bare arm causing her to giggle. "What?" he asked curiously. "That tickles." she answered, opening one hazel eye to look at him. He smiled. "I didn't know you were ticklish." he looked out the window for a few minutes before he spoke again. "You know we really don't know each other." Lis leaned back on her elbows. "Well lets see, I know you love nintendo, you wake up at 9 every morning to your Journey cd, you have cereal every morning for breakfast and you come up with weird pranks which you think are cute." Nick laughed. "And what do I know about Lissy?" he rubbed his chin in thought then grinned, causing Lis to wonder what he was thinking. "You sleep in all the time, take forever to get ready for everything, way too sarcastic, can't go five minutes without cracking a joke." "See we do know each other." "But not well enough. What do you say you and me go away together?" "Isn't that what this trip is?" "I meant you and me, one on one. Alone. No one but us and a tent." "You mean roughing it?" Lis asked slightly horrified. She had always hated camping, had since she was a child. Nick twirled a strand of her hair around his finger. "Kinda yeah, but we won't have to hunt for our food." "Let me think about it." Han sat on the chair on the back of the deck. She'd been on her own all night, she caught a ride into town with Kevin and Nina and had taken a cab back. The town had one rental vehicle place and a car wouldn't be free for another five days. She leaned back against the cushions and looked at the star filled sky, wishing she was with Brian instead of being all alone. A sigh escaped from her lips and she closed her eyes, dreaming of the way she wish things could be. Nina got in the passenger side of the Jeep and waited for Kevin to get into the driver's side. They'd caught the early movie then gone for dinner alone and a walk around town. The door opened and Kevin appeared. "So back to the cabin?" Nina ran a hand through her hair. "Looks that way." Kevin smiled. "You don't sound enthused about that." "Its just I like this, us being alone and all." He leaned over and kissed her. "So do I." he said looking in her eyes. "But before you know it, we'll be back in Orlando and alone all the time." "Liar." she teased. Kev rolled his eyes. "Ok we'll try to get some alone time." he smiled sweetly at her which caused her to laugh. "Lets just go back to the cabin Train." she said with a smile. Brian looked at the clock on the dashboard. "Its almost eleven, you think everyone's done by now?" Ang looked over. "You'd think. So back to the cafe?" He nodded and they got out of the truck, heading to the cafe. They walked inside to find Jenn, Howie and Aimee sitting at a booth laughing. "Hey you two." Aimee said, watching them sit down. "Hi guys." Ang said, smiling at the assembled group. "Where'd you two go? I thought we were going to meet up here." Howie said, looking up from his menu. Brian ran a hand through his hair. "I helped Ang with the groceries then we just kinda styed in the truck for awhile listening to music. Lost track of time. Sorry." he said apologetically. "Its ok." Jenn smiled at him. "Do we want a late night snack or are we heading back?" "I could do with a snack." Ang answered, taking a menu from the table. "Snack it is!" Brian said, taking the last menu. ~Next day~ Everyone gathered at Ang's for breakfast. Han came down late in her favorite blue robe, her hair in pigtails. AJ smiled as he watched her sit down. "Hot date Han?" She looked up. "Ha ha ha Bone." Krys poked her boyfriend. "Be nice will ya." "I was." he grinned and moved away before Krys could hit him again. Nick looked around the table, everyone was sitting there having their breakfast. The weird thing was no one was really talking. He looked beside him at Lis who was waiting for AJ to set down another plate of toast. "Anyone know where a guy could get some decent camping equipment?" he asked breaking the silence. Ang looked at him. "Camping? You camp Nick?" she smiled. Aimee laughed. "You and nature that doesn't involve the ocean?" Nick rolled his eyes. "I just thought it might be nice to get away from you all for a few days." Han looked up. "How long were you going for?" Nick shrugged. "Few days." "Mind if I tagged along? I wouldn't have to put my tent right beside yours." Nick looked at Lis who just shrugged. "Yeah sure." Brian looked at Han in surprise. "Han, uh can we talk outside?" "Fine." she stood up and followed him outside. Brian waited for the door to close before he started talking. "Han, please don't ignore me. I know this camping trip is a way for you to do that." Han sat down and looked at her hands. "Look B, its pretty obvious you have feelings for Ang, strong feelings and you have a better chance being with her then you do me. I have a boyfriend remember? And I'm leaving in a few days, we'll never see each other again." "How can you be so sure of that?" "Because I'll make sure of it." Brian raised her head to look at him. "Listen to me ok? Don't make any rash decisions because of what you assume. And who's to say I have a better chance with Ang then you?" Han sighed and stood up. "Me Brian." she leaned on the railing and looked at the backyard. Aimee looked at the twosome on the deck then sat down with another plate of scrambled eggs for the group. "What's it look like?" Ang asked, filling her plate. "Not too good." "Poor Brian." AJ said causing everyone to look at him. "What? I feel for the guy ok? He's in a tough spot right now." Ang shook her head. "Not anymore he's not." Everyone turned to look at her. "Explain." Kevin said. "I told Brian last night that well maybe what I thought I felt wasn't what I thought it was all right? And that's all you need to know." Nick looked out the window at his best friend. "It doesn't look good." he said as he saw Han go down the steps. Brian followed Han down the stairs. "You ok?" Han looked up. "Fine, just lost my footing." He extended his hand and pulled her to her feet. "So listen, what if you and I went on that camping trip with Nick and Lis? Spend some time alone together, see if this, us can work out." "What about Ang?" she asked again, she wasn't sure about what Brian had told her about Ang's comments the night before. "Ang isn't involved in this." Han cast a glance at the house. She wasn't too sure of that. "If you say so." "I do. So its settled? We're going with Frack and Lis?" Han nodded and Brian gave her a big bear hug. Next: Chapter 22 |