�It�s cool Katie could come with us, it�s been awhile since I�ve seen the skinny little shrimp.� Justin said happily. JC grinned. �You? It�s been 7 years for me!� Justin laughed. �Yeah, back in the MMC days� when my poor little cuz was head over heels in love with Tony.� JC chuckled. �I remember that!� Justin strained his neck to see outside. �Ah, well, her plane�s here.�
Emerging from the terminal, several people got off first, followed by a dark-haired girl wearing a pair of jeans and a blue tank top. JC looked at the girl mesmerized by her every move. �Damn. Check that girl out.� The girl looked around and shyly tucked a loose strand of hair around her ear. She saw Justin and ran over. �Justin!�
He looked at the girl surprised. �Katie??! Hi!� He hugged her, as his friend�s mouth dropped open. Justin released her. �Dang girl! You sure have chaaannged!� Katie laughed. �You certainly haven�t.�
�Katie, I know you remember JC�� Katie smiled. �Of course!� He shook the dumbfounded look off his face and flashed his girl-winning smile. �Wow, it�s been awhile.� Katie nodded. �I guess so�� JC grinned. �Aww, hell, c�mere girl!� She laughed, jumping into his arms and gave him a hug, noticing the sweet smell of his cologne. �Well, I hate to be the one to break up this touching reunion, but we need to get moving.� Katie released JC, and grinned at her cousin.
�Well, let�s go.� Justin smiled. �So, shrimp, how�ve ya been?� She smirked. �Shrimp? What does that mean? Who�s a year older, eh? Anyways, I�m ok, but I gotta admit, I really didn�t want to spend the whole summer on tour�� Justin pretended to be shocked. �What??! Don�t wanna spend time with us?!� He laughed. �Well, shorty, we�ll have f-u-n!� They walked down to the baggage claim talking and laughing to get her bags. �Well, wow, L.A� I must say I�m impressed.� She heard her cell ring, and they all grabbed their cell phones. �It�s me. Hello? Jackie? Joshy?� She squealed. �Hiya! Yeah, I�m here. Uh-huh, right. Ooh! I wish we were at the Cineplex right now! Yeah, I know it.� She groaned. �I know I�m gonna miss Matt play� oh, oh! I gotta go, I�ll call ya�ll later! Byes!� She grabbed her bags. �Well, ya�ll gonna stand there or ya gonna help me out?� Justin shook his head. �You�re too much cousin, dear.� She grinned. �So, where are we going now?�
�Hotel.� Katie made a face. JC looked at her. �What?� She crossed her eyes. �Bor-ing!� Justin smiled. �Nice to know you�re still hard to please. Ok, then, where do you wanna go?� Katie looked at him like he�s insane. �Hel-lo! I�m in L.A! Take me someplace fun!� Justin smiled. �First hotel, to get the others.� She grumbled. �Aight then.�
(The trio head outside)
Katie looked around. �So, where�s the limo?� JC chuckled. �We�re not allowed to spoil you. We rented a car.� She groaned. �My mom called, didn�t she?! Man, she�s insane! So, where�s the car?!� Justin pointed. �Here.� Her eyes lit up with delight. �Oh, heck yeah!� She jumped into the blue mustang convertible. �Keys, please!� JC dangled them just out of her reach teasingly. �You want �em, come get �em!� She jumped out of the car and took off after him, chasing him around the car. He jumped in the drivers seat, laughing. �Hahahaha! Sorry!� She looked surprised. �Wha?!� Justin laughed. �Get in the back, hun.� She huffed, and growled. �Ugh.� She stuck her tongue out at JC and jumped in back.
(en route to hotel)
Katie leaned over and turned on the radio and turned up �Jumpin Jumpin� by Destiny�s Child and sang along. JC smiled. �They were right. You can sing.� Katie smiled, and Justin turned around to face her. �So, phone call. Give me the 411.� She smiled. �Jackie and Josh- my best friends, that new Ryan Phillippe movie opened at the Cineplex and I�m gonna miss the Summer Festival��
�And who�s Matt?� Justin asked grinning. �Hmm. Good memory. He�s my boyfriend- he�s in battle of the bands and I�m gonna miss it.� Justin whistled. �Oooh! Ya hear that JC? Katie�s got a boyfriend! And what happened to precious Tony Lucca?� She squealed, turning a dark shade of crimson. �Please! I was 12. Give me a break.� She shook her, taking in the California scenery, pushing her hair out of her eyes with a huge grin on her face.
Chapter Three