Chapter Two

Chapter Two

and it’s a long time since your heart was frozen

morning comes and you don’t want to know me anymore

"What?" Adriana asked.

"Look at my shirt!" Taegan cried in a panicked voice.

Adriana twisted around. "Yeah? What about it?"

"Addy!"

"What?!"

"How could you let me wear a white tank top when you knew there was a potential of getting wet?" she squealed.

Adriana slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. "I'm sorry. I didn't think," she said.

"We can buy you a new shirt after the ride," Michael offered.

Taegan just glared at him and folded her arms across her chest.

"You're so putting your arms up. You always do," Adriana said, turning back around.

"Not this time," Taegan growled. The boat rounded the last corner and waited a minute or two until the coast was clear. As it started to descend, Taegan, against her will and without realizing it, threw her arms up and ended up grabbing Michael's hand.

As they disembarked, Adriana turned and smirked at her friend. "I told you."

Taegan screamed and folded her arms again. They walked over to the photo booth. Taegan smiled when she saw that it had been taken just after she grabbed Michael's hand. He grinned at her. Aaron and Adriana were merely screaming, holding onto the bar. "Lemme buy you a copy," Michael said to Taegan.

"I'll pay you back when I can move my hands," she assured him.

"Oh, Taeg, it's not that bad," Adriana said as she and Aaron stood next to Michael.

"Oh yeah?" Taegan asked. She unfolded her arms briefly and then smirked when Michael slapped a hand over his eyes, Aaron averted his gaze, and Adriana laughed. She crossed her arms again. "That's what I get for listening to you. 'You'll be ok without a bra. It doesn't go with that tank,' she said in a perfect imitation of her best friend, who was hanging on to Aaron so she didn't fall over for laughing so hard. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go try to purchase a T-shirt without unfolding my arms," she told them and walked away.

"Go help her," Aaron told Michael. "I'll get the pictures." Michael grinned before jogging after Taegan. As Adriana calmed down and Aaron bought them each a picture, Lenny and the Ians approached.

"Here come Lenny and the Ians," Adriana said, pointing. She giggled. "That sounds like a rock band." Aaron chuckled and smiled at her affectionately at her.

"How was it?" Ian asked.

"Where did Michael go?" Crocker added.

Aaron pointed to a souvenir stand where Michael was laughing and purchasing a navy blue tank top. "He had a mishap. Involving a white shirt."

The other three nodded as if it happened everyday. "What are you guys doing now?" Crocker asked.

"I don't know. Maybe wandering around some more," Aaron said.

"I'm hungry," Adriana announced.

"Maybe get some food," Aaron chuckled.

"We're getting tired," Lenny said, "so I think we're gonna head back to the hotel."

The Ians nodded in agreement. "Nice to meet you," they all said to Adriana, shaking her hand. They headed over to where Michael was waiting for Taegan to emerge from the restroom, leaving Adriana alone with Aaron.

"So," she said, trying to break the silence between them.

"So," he repeated. They sat down on a bench and waited, awkwardly, for Michael and Taegan.

When they came over, Adriana was glad. "So what are we doing?" Michael asked.

"Food?" Aaron and Adriana asked at the same time.

They decided to get something to eat and go on a few more rides before the boys escorted the girls back to their hotel. The last ride they went on was the Teacups. Michael and Aaron thought it was a stupid idea, but relented when they saw the looks on the girls' faces. Since it was the end of the day and there were very few people around, the ride operator let them stay on five times in a row. They spun so much Adriana thought she might be sick. Walking away from the ride, she was so dizzy that Michael had to grab her shoulder to keep her walking in a straight line and not into things and other people.

"You should see her drunk," Taegan said with a laugh. Adriana gave her a dirty look, but she was walking straight again, so Michael let go of her. They left the park and waited for a shuttle to take them across Disney World to the girls' hotel. "You don't have to come, you know," Taegan said to the boys, after consulting with Adriana in the way of best friends – silently.

Michael and Aaron exchanged looks. "We want to," Aaron said. Michael nodded, discreetly watching Taegan out of the corner of his eye. She smiled and glanced at Adriana, who seemed to be staring off into space.

"Ok," the girls said.

The ride back to the hotel was quiet. All four were lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived at the Grand Floridian, Taegan walked slowly down the hall next to Michael, and Aaron and Adriana weren't far behind them. When they arrived at the girls' room, Taegan slid her key in the lock and opened the door.

"I had a really good time," she said. Adriana agreed. "Me too. It was really fun."

"Excepting the part where half of Disney World saw my chest," Taegan said thoughtfully. Michael chuckled. "Thanks for the shirt, by the way."

"No problem."

"Thanks for the pictures, too," Adriana said, holding up the bag. She looked at Aaron, who was smiling rather goofily.

"It was nothing," he said.

Taegan yawned. "Oh Jeez. I’m tired," she said. She gave Aaron a hug as Adriana hugged Michael. Then they switched.

"Really," Taegan said into Michael's ear. "Thanks."

"Don't worry about it. I was glad to help," he replied. "Maybe I'll see you later this week?"

She stepped back. "When are you leaving?"

"When are you?"

"Two weeks."

"Me too."

Taegan gave him a look. He just grinned.

Meanwhile, Adriana was hugging Aaron. "I really don't not like you," she said quietly.

"I figured as much," he replied with a grin. She laughed and stepped back. "Hey, maybe we can have dinner or something later this week," she suggested, mostly to Aaron, but really to everyone.

"That would be great," Aaron said. "How long will you be here?"

"Two weeks. Today was our first day here."

Aaron smiled. "Me too," he said.

Adriana grinned at him. "Give me your phone," she instructed. He handed it to her and she programmed her cell number into it.

"Ooh," Taegan said. Michael had already taken his out and was holding it out to her. She grinned at him and gave him her number.

The girls hugged the boys one more time before saying good night and going into their room.

"So," Michael said as he walked back down the hall with Aaron.

"So," Aaron replied.

"Staying an extra two weeks, are we?"

"I think so."

"I figured."