(Later, outside)
�Well guys, me and Ali are gonna see if we can catch up with the guys.� Justin said, looking at the group. �Me and Josh saw an arcade.� Jackie piped in. Matt turned to Katie. �Katie, we need to catch up, let�s go for a walk?� She shrugged. �Sure.�
(they go their sep. ways)
�I�m worried about her.� Ali said as she and Justin watched after them. �Yeah, me too.� Justin agreed.
Matt looked at his girlfriend and took her hand. �K, talk to me. You seem different.� Katie sighs. �I�m just so tired from being on that tour bus� it�s made us all a little edgy.� He pulled her closer. �It�s ok. I�ve just missed you so much.� Katie smiled. �Me too.� He grinned. �So, have you been havin� fun, I mean really?� She shrugged. �Yeah, I guess. So, what about you? Getting ready for that Festival?� He sighed. �Yeah, I�d say we were ready. Are you sure you can�t come?� She looked down at the ground. �Yeah, we got a show that day in New York.� He remained silent. She sensed the tension and broke the thick silence. �Um, ya know what? I should get going back, I�m exhausted, between Joey�s arguing and JC�s moving around on the top bunk, I didn�t sleep much.� He nodded. �Ok, then let�s go back.
(at hotel)
She looked up at him. �Well, I�ll see you tomorrow?� Matt nodded. �Yeah.� She gave him a quick kiss. �Bye.� She took off running and walked up to her room and slammed the door.
Few min. later
Katie heard a knock. �Who is it?�
�It�s me.� came the reply. She opened the door to find Jackie. �Hey.� She smiled. �Hey. Whatcha doin?� Katie sighed. �Nothing.� Jackie sat down. �Spill it.� Katie looked confused. �What?� Her friend looked at her. �Talk to me- what is going on? You�ve been acting too strange lately.�
�I don�t know what you�re talking about.� Katie said defiantly. Jackie crossed her arms. �Oh yes you do.� Katie sighed, exasperated. �Nothing! I am just fine!� Jackie threw up her hands, annoyed. �Fine! You don�t want to talk to me, I get it.� Katie sighed. �Jackie, I promise, nothing�s up.� Jackie nodded, still unsure. �Well, ok, if you say so� So! What�s the sitch for tomorrow?�
�Oh, well the guys are goin to Disney World�� Jackie smiled. �Sounds fun! Can I borrow your baby blue AE tank?�
�Sure.� She tossed it to her. �Thanks. Hey, where are those white sandals?� Katie tried to stifle a laugh. �Oh, um, they broke.� Jackie burst out laughing. �How?!!� Katie smiled remembering the incident. �Well, me and JC- were running from screaming girls- who staked out our hotel at night.� Jackie raised her eyebrows. �Interesting.� Katie nodded. �Most. But, I�m gonna get to sleep, cuz I wanna be all hyper for Mickey!� Jackie laughed. �Ok, night!� Katie waved. �Buenos noches.�
(Jackie leaves Katie to herself)
Katie changed into sweats and a white tank top, and flicked the TV on. �Oh joy, Sleepless in Seattle� she mused to herself. She sat back and watched.
(an hr. later)
Katie heard a noise coming from outside and got up and walked out into the hall to see Joey, Justin, and the whole crew coming up. �Katie!� Joey exclaimed. Justin grinned. �K!� Katie smiled and waved. �Hi, guys.� Chris smiled at her. �Where were you?�
�Watchin� a movie.� She replied. �Alone?� Joey asked. She nodded. �Yep.� Justin smiled. �Whatcha watchin?� She sighed. �Sleepless in Seattle.� Lance chuckled. �Oooh, chick flick.� Ali nodded. �Damn straight! I mean, so?� Katie shrugged. �It�s practically over anyways, so keep it down? See ya�ll tomorrow.� She walked in, crawled into bed and soon fell asleep.
(next day)
Ali banged on the door. �Hurry up girl! Mickey�s a waitin�!� Katie rolled her eyes. �I�m coming, chill.� She came out wearing a pair of white capris and a pastel pink lacy top. �Ready.� Ali smiled. �Well, don�t you look cute!� Katie laughed, locking the door behind her. �Thanks.�
Ali grinned, as she saw an exasperated Joey point to his watch. �Take long enough, ladies?� Katie giggled. �Sorry!� Chris grabbed her arm. �Let�s goooo.� Katie nodded, pulling her sunglasses off the top of her head, down over her eyes. The group walked outside, to see the others waiting. Josh sighed. �It�s about time.� Katie grinned, dashing for the front seat. �Shotgun!� Hopping in next to her friend, she pouted. �I miss MY jeep!� Josh rolled his eyes. �Katie. We have the same jeep.�
JC pulled up beside Josh�s Jeep and smiled. �Who�s riding with me?� Justin and Joey looked at each other, before yelling �Shotgun!� Justin grinned, shaking his head. �No way, man! Hop in back.� Ali and Chris sighed, before getting in back with a now pouting Joey. Katie smiled. �Lance? Are you riding with us?� He nodded. �Thanks. The somewhat normal party.� JC smirked. �Last one there is forced to ride the Screamer.� Josh shook his head. �Dude, I heard that thing is wicked.� JC shrugged. �Better hurry!� Katie looked back and forth between the two cars and raised her hand. �Is it too late to switch cars?� Josh grinned. �Yep.� He peeled out, speeding off, desperate to win. Katie grinned, as she turned on the radio to hear Blink 182. �Yes! Princess Leia song!� Josh laughed. �Yes!� Katie whined, trying to pull back her hair. �The only thing I have about these cars is they LOVE to just mess up my hair.� Matt grinned, kissing her cheek from behind. �You don�t have anyone to impress but me, so it doesn�t matter.� She smiled. �Aww, sweet.� She turned to see JC pull up beside them. �Hope ya�ll got a thing for rollercoasters!� She shook her head. �JC! That�s not fair!� Jackie nodded, in agreement. �For real!�
He shrugged. �Sorry, ladies! Life isn�t fair!� Katie grumbled, and crossed her arms across her chest, pouting. Josh grit his teeth, trying to win the race. However, he ends up pulling in with JC. JC shook his head. �No way!� Katie burst out laughing. �I guess no one goes!� JC smirked, jumping out of the car. �We all go.� Jackie hit her boyfriend in the back of the head. �You should�ve went faster!� Josh playfully pushed her away, rubbing his head. �Ow! And get a ticket?! Hell no!� Katie rolled her eyes. �Quit guys. Good grief, were they like that the whole way down here?� Matt sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. �Please, please, PLEASE, do not remind me. The whole way down it was, �I wanna listen to Blink!� or �I wanna listen to Nsync!� It was endless.� Katie laughed. �I love ya�ll.� Joey awed. �Group hug!� They all look at him, strangely. He scratched the back of his neck. �Ah, nevermind then.� Josh sighed. �C�mon, it�s getting hot, I need to get wet!�
Lance grinned. �Splash Mountain!� Justin held up his hand for a high-five. �Dude!�
Katie grinned, shaking her head. �No, Tower of Terror!� JC smiled. �There�s that thrill, girl.�
Jackie shrugged. �I�m opting for Space Mountain, personally.� Joey beamed. �Rockin� Rollercoaster, folks! Chris, you with me?� Chris nodded. �Hell yeah.� Ali shrugged. �I personally wouldn�t mind Mad Tea Cups�� Matt nodded. �Yeah, that�s always fun.�
Justin nodded, taking charge. �Ok. Lance and I will head to Splash Mountain. Katie and JC will go to the Tower of Terror, Joey and Chris to that Aerosmith thing, and Ali and Matt will head to the Vomit Tea Cups.� Jackie sighed. �Ok. I�ll head with Ali and Matt� but I�m forcing you all to go on Space Mountain.� Justin nodded. �Meet back in an hour.� Katie nodded. �In front of Magic Kingdom.� Joey nodded. �Enough talk! Catch you crazy kids later!!�
JC grabbed her arm. �Kates, let�s go.� She laughed, trying to keep up with him. �I�m coming� geeze, what�s the rush!� He nodded, slowing down. �It�s almost unreal that it�s been almost 7 years.� He nodded toward the MGM sign. She smiled, sadly. �I know it�� He shook his head. �Enough reminiscing. Ready to get sick?� Katie frowned. �Sick? Uh, maybe I shouldn�t�� JC grinned, taking her hand. �You�ll be fine. Come on.� He pulled her with him to the front of the line, flashing a pass. She grinned. �Ooh, special.� He laughed, sitting down. �Yeah. Ok, um, little disclaimer. When we go down� your butt literally will not touch the seat, so don�t freak out.� She gulped. �Uh�� He laughed. �Have a seat, little lady. Too late to back out now.� She sighed. �I�m so going to regret this�� She drew in a deep breath as she felt them plunge down. �Oh, boy.� She reached for his hand and clasped it tightly. He laughed, throwing his head back. �Do not throw up on me!�
He wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her. �Come on.� She closed her eyes. �Oh� up� dcwn� up��
Joey grinned upon seeing them. �Hey guys!� Chris smirks upon seeing Katie�s sickened state. �Who�s up for the Aerosmith ride?!� Katie grinned, raising her arm. �Me!� Joey�s eyes widened. �Are you serious?!� Katie nodded, defiantly. �I can handle it.�
Chris grinned, holding up his hands. �Hey, ok� she�s sitting next to you C.� JC laughed. �Are you sure you�re ok?� Katie nodded. �Sure.� Joey grinned, jogging past her. �Let�s go!� Katie shook her head. �No� running is bad. Walking is good� very good.� Joey turned around and nodded. �We�ll meet ya there!� Katie laughed, as they took off running.
Matt glares at Katie and JC. Ali frowned, touching his arm. �Hey.� Matt shrugged her away. �What�s up with them?� She shook her head. �They�re old friends.� He snorted. �Friends?!� Ali nodded, defensively. �Yes, friends. Now come on, we�ve gotta hurry.�
Katie groaned, as she held on to JC�s arm. �This is pathetic! Here I am, all damsel in distress, because I might pass out.� He chuckled, looking down at her. �It�s fine� hey. Do you wear colored contacts?� She shook her head. �No, why?� He shrugged. �Oh, your eyes are just so bright and blue�� She looks down, trying not to blush. �They�re the real deal. What is that bracelet you always wear?� He frowns, holding up his wrist. �This one?� He asked, motioning to the blue and white one. She nodded. �Yeah.� He smiled, looking down at it. �I�m going to give it to the girl I fall in love with.� She smiled, studying his face. �That�s really sweet.� He nodded, grinning back. �Thanks.� She pointed ahead. �We�d better catch up.�
~An hour later~
Katie grinned. �That was so much fun! We got to jam to �Pink� by Aerosmith! Rock on!� Joey laughed. �It was fun.� Katie smiled, as she felt a pair of arms slide around her waist. �Hey you.� She grinned, turning. �Hey!� He smiled. �Have fun?� She nodded, chattering excitedly. He chuckled. �Take a breath, darlin�.� Chris jumped. �Hey! Who�s hungry!� Katie raises her hand. �Oh, I am!� JC shook his head. �And to think this girl was sick a little while ago?� Katie, swatted at him. �Heeeeey!� She pushed him. �You weren�t supposta tell!� He put his hands on his hips. �Hey! What did I tell you about pushing?!� She squealed and pushed away from Matt, running. JC grinned, chasing after her, pushing her down to the grass. They both collapsed with laughter. JC chuckled, pulling a piece of grass out of her hair. �Oh, yeah, the country look looks real good on you.� He smiled, gazing into her eyes. She rolled her eyes, reaching up to mess up his hair. �And the messed up hair look looks great on you!� She squealed, trying to run. His hand shot out and grabbed her ankle. �I warned you!� Katie laughed, struggling to break free. �Let go!�
Joey rolled his eyes, holding up his hands. �Children, children. Come. We must eat.� Katie grinned, jumping on his back. �I wanta ride!� Joey sighed. �Get on JC�s back.� Katie grinned. �Are you kidding? I�ll break him!� JC looked up, shocked. �Hey!� Katie giggled. �Run, Joe!� As they rejoined the group, Justin put his hand on his hip, mockingly. �Are we ready now?� Katie and JC glanced at each other and burst out laughing. Joey groaned. �I�m never gonna pick up any chicks with you on my back!� Katie hit him playfully. �Aww, quit yer complaining.�
Ali hid a smile, glad that Katie seemed happy. Katie grinned. �Onward, Joe!� Joey grumbled. �I feel like a horse.� She smiled. �Giddy up!� The others look at her and grin. Lance shook his head, turning to Matt. �Your girlfriend is insane!� Matt grinned. �Don�t I know it.� Katie smiled, and jumped down catching up with Matt. He grinned down at her and slid his arm around her waist. He turned around to look at JC, and smiled smugly. He turned back around and pulled Katie closer to him. JC�s eyes darkened with jealousy, but followed.
Sixteen