�Man check out that scenery,� Antoinette said, as she looked out the bus window at the surrounding trees.
�That�s so beautiful,� Valondra said rolling her eyes.
�Shut up, Lon,� Antoinette warned.
�Come over and make me,� Valondra said, as Antoinette got up out of her seat.
�Don�t tempt me,� Antoinette replied just as Valondra stood up and Antoinette backed off. �Don�t hurt me either.�
�She�s afraid of me,� Valondra said while Antoinette sat back down. �Even in school she was. This is funny shit.� Nickolas looked up at her and smiled, as he pulled her onto his lap. She looked at him and he kissed her, as Antoinette shook her head.
�Everyone�s afraid of you,� Nickolas said.
�Including you?� Valondra asked.
�Nah, I don�t think so,� Nickolas replied.
�I could�ve kicked her ass yesterday,� Valondra said. �Ya do know that right?� He nodded. �Good.�
�Maybe ya should have,� Nickolas stated and she just looked at him. �To show me what an ass I was so I wouldn�t do it again.�
�It was tempting but I didn�t want to waste my time,� Valondra said smiling and he shook his head then started tickling her. �Stop it.� She started laughing and Nickolas continued tickling her.
�Let�s stop,� Lillie said. �I�m hungry.�
�Stop where?� Kevin asked sitting beside Antoinette and shaking his head at a laughing Valondra and Nickolas.
�Pizza Hut,� Lillie replied. �Didn�t you see the big billboard? Besides, it�s dinner time anyway.�
�I don�t see why not,� Kevin said, as Alexander went to the front to tell the driver.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�So, Brian,� Rachel began, �we have been together for over a year. Well one year, two months, and sixteen days to be exact. What do you have to say for your achievement?�
�Pretty good,� Brian said. �How about you?�
�It�s been great spending my time with you,� Rachel replied. �Hopefully it�ll be for a long time yet.�
�Who says it can�t be?� Brian asked.
�What do you mean?� Brian smiled and got on one knee in front of her and took a deep breath. �What are you doing?�
�The first time I saw you, I started feeling things I didn�t think I would ever feel. I had other girlfriends, but I never felt with them what I am feeling with you right now. This past year together made me realize that I want to spend the rest of my life with you and no one else.�
�Are you asking what I think you�re asking?�
�Just let me do this, Rachel.�
�Sorry.� She smiled.
Brian took another deep breath and said, �Ok here it goes.� He took Rachel�s left hand and smiled at her. �Rachel, I love you with all my heart and I know you love me.� She nodded and he took something from his pocket. �So, Rachel Lynn Jones, I know it�s only been a year, but will you marry me? Please?� Lillie sneaked up on them and looked at Brian on his knee and then at Rachel. She heard Brian�s last words and then she saw the ring. �What do ya say, Rachel? Will you marry me?�
Rachel nodded her head and said, �Yes�yes I will.� Brian slipped the ring on her finger and then kissed her. �I love you.�
�I love you.�
They kissed again and Lillie said, �Awe, it�s a Kodak moment.� She smiled and Rachel and Brian looked at her.
�Oh shut up,� Rachel said.
�How much did you hear?� Brian questioned.
�Just from when you asked her to marry you the first time,� Lillie said. �So when am I telling everyone else?�
�You�re not,� Rachel said. �We are.�
�Maybe when we get to Pizza Hut,� Brian replied.
�I say right now,� Lillie stated. �You can�t keep this happy news a secret. If you don�t I will.�
�When we get to Pizza hut, Lillie,� Brian said, as Rachel looked at her ring.
�Let me see that thing,� Lillie said walking over to her, as Rachel stuck out her hand. �Ooh, it�s pretty. You�d sink right to the bottom with that.�
�Very funny,� Rachel replied just as Valondra joined them.
�What�d I miss?� Valondra asked just stopping in her tracks.
�Bri--,� Lillie began, but couldn�t finish, as Brian covered her mouth with his hand.
�Ok,� Valondra said with a strange look. �I�m not going to ask. I don�t think I want to know.�
�You�ll find out later,� Rachel replied, as Valondra got in the refrigerator. �You�ll love it.� Rachel stuck her hand in her pocket so Valondra wouldn�t see the ring. Brian still stood there with his hand over Lillie�s mouth trying to keep her quiet.
Valondra grabbed two sodas while saying, �I�m kicking Nicky�s ass at video games. He�s getting so pissed, you should see him. It�s the cutest thing.� She shut the door and looked at the other three. �You guys are beginning to scare me. I think I�ll leave now.� She gave them a strange look and then walked away.
Brian took his hand off Lillie and said, �Thank you for not saying anything.�
�How could I?� Lillie asked sarcastically. �You had your hand over my mouth. Why didn�t you tell her? She won�t tell anyone.�
�I know, but we are going to wait until the time is right,� Rachel answered. �Besides, it�s our choice and not yours.�
�Alright,� Lillie said. �No need to bite my head off.�
�Hey, guys, we�re here,� the driver interrupted from the front seat.
�Thanks,� Brian said. �We�ll tell the others.�
�Lillie, go tell them,� Rachel said.
�Why should I?� Lillie questioned. �You just told me I can�t.�
�Not about that, Bonehead,� Rachel answered.
�That we�re at Pizza Hut,� Brian added.
�Alright I�ll go,� Lillie said. �Not saying I�m not going to tell.�
�Well you�re not,� Rachel replied, as Lillie walked away smiling.
CHAPTER 6
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