"Ski jackets?"
"Check."
"Scarves?"
"Check."
"Condoms?"
"Che - wait, what? I thought you were - "
Jodie laughed merrily and waved her perfectly manicured hand in the air.
"Oh, Scott. Just messing with you!"
"You're such a riot, precious," he replied, rolling his blue eyes. "Now, can we
get back to this list? We have to leave to pick up everyone in fifteen minutes."
"We have everything," she assured him as she sashayed over to his bed and sat down,
crossing her legs and adjusting her short pink skirt. "We'll just throw everyone's junk in the trunk...haha, junk in
the trunk! Get it? I crack myself up."
Scott glared at her in response, but he couldn't fight the smile
that twitched on his mouth. He quickly looked away and stuck a pen between his teeth, chewing on the tip as he
glanced at the list he had made.
"I have a feeling that we're forgetting something," Scott said
worriedly. "But, you know...not like I really care. This trip is not how I'd like to be spending my winter
break."
"But think of all the fun that we'll have! Skiing,
snowball fights, romantic candlelit dinners..."
"Watching my mother marry a stuffy, pretentious asshole..."
"That too!" Jodie chirped. She checked her watch and sucked
in her breath alarmingly. "Scott, we need to leave soon. Did you eat yet?"
"Jesus, what are you...my mother?" Scott snapped. "Just
because she moved out doesn't mean you can jump in and nag me to death."
"Whine, whine, whine," Jodie responded, running her fingers through
her new shoulder-length blonde hair. "All you do is whine. If I was your mother, would I be doing this?"
She went over and sat on his lap, seizing his face between her thumb and forefinger and leaning in for a passionate kiss.
"Hmmm...no...." he murmured once he could breathe. "At
least, I would hope not, because then we'd have to move to Alabama."
"Ew, ick! That's so nasty, and I really look bad in
pigtails...so I'd have to say no."
Scott reached an arm over her and pressed the button on
the intercom that was connected to the butler's quarters. "Jeeves, bring me a bologna and cheese sandwich - pronto,"
he spoke loudly.
"Yes, sir...right away," Jeeves responded stiffly.
"That's a good boy," Jodie cooed, tweaking Scott's nose.
"You're just sooooooo cute!" She tossed her arms around his neck and hugged him, nearly suffocating him to death.
"Jodie, get your boobs out of my face," he grumbled, although
he really didn't mind all that much.
"You never complained before," she replied teasingly, but she
did ease up on the death grip.
"And I wouldn't complain now, but we have to leave. Can't
you at least wait until we get there?"
"Need I remind you that I'm sharing a room with Hilary?" Jodie
said, tweaking his nose again. "And you are sharing a room with Richard...your soon-to-be step-brother!
Awwww!"
"I can hardly contain my enthusiasm," Scott said dryly.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Jeeves entered the room
carrying a sandwich on a silver platter. Jodie slid off of Scott's lap and daintily sat back on the bed while he
took the sandwich from Jeeves.
"Enjoy, sir." Jeeves bowed slightly before exiting the room.
"Thanks, Jeeves!" Jodie called after him.
"Ugh..." Scott opened the sandwich and examined the meat.
"He forgot to peel the skin off of the bologna again! Damnit! How positively disgusting."
"Oh, heavens!" Jodie said with fake shock. "You're so
going to die now."
"Do you think that everyone's crap is going to fit in the back of the
SUV?" Scott wondered, taking a bite of his sandwich. His cheeks puffed out as he chewed, but then he swallowed and continued
talking. "I mean, we all know that you and Hilary probably packed enough make-up to use on a small country."
"The SUV?" Jodie repeated, glancing at him confusedly. "Um, Scott?
We're not taking the Mercedes SUV. Your mom has it...remember? All we have is your Cadillac."
"What?!" Scott nearly choked. He quickly took a large
gulp of the soda that Jeeves had provided. "Are you serious? We have to drive nine people to
this resort - in a Cadillac Catera? But - "
He was interrupted by the sounds of Jodie's pink cell phone ringing
in the distinct tune of "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera. Jodie held up her index finger, signaling
him to wait while she took the call.
"Hello? Oh, hey Hil! How's it going?"
"Jodie, oh my God! I have horrible news. Well, I
mean, not horrible news, but like...sort of bad news for you, but good news for me. Although I guess - "
"Just tell me what it is," Jodie broke in impatiently.
"Well, Roo's parents booked this incredibly awesome
chateau in Aspen for winter break, which sucked at first because we'd be spending so much time away from each other, but then
like, they had a cancellation because their aunt went into labor with triplets, so...."
Scott sighed with irritation while he waited for Jodie
to hang up. He could hear Hilary babbling away through the phone, although he couldn't make out what she was saying.
"So, anyway, as it turns out, they invited me to go in their
aunt's place...so now I'm going to Aspen for winter break and I won't be able to go to Vermont with you."
"Oh, Hil!" Jodie cried disappointingly. "That like, totally
blows!"
"Yeah, I'm reeeeeally sorry," Hilary apologized. "But
I really want to be able to spend time with Roo and his family."
"No, it's okay. I understand. I'll talk to you
later, girl."
"Bye Jodie!"
"What was that all about?" Scott asked.
"Hilary's going to Aspen with Ruben," Jodie responded, placing
her cell phone back into her matching pink purse. "Sooooo...I guess that means that me and you can share a room
now. Give Richard the condoms and he can bunk with Jenn."
"Um, ew," Scott stated. "I think not."
"But it'll be like a 'Congratulations on Becoming my Step-Brother and
Losing Your Virginity' gift!" She paused. "I'm sure Hallmark has a card for that."
"You do realize that you are deranged, right?"
"But yet you love me anyway," Jodie said happily.
"Yes, yes - I suppose. Now back to more important matters: Fitting
everyone in the Cadillac." Scott finished off the last of his sandwich and pointedly looked at Jodie, as if she
could have the answers. "Well? How exactly are we going to do that?"
"Very carefully?" she suggested.
"Brilliant strategy - "
"Well, only one way to find out! Let's get moving!" Jodie
jumped up and grabbed his hand, pulling him with her and out the door.
After picking up Kim and Jenn, Scott pulled his Cadillac Catera
up to a stop in front of Ryan's house and then blasted the horn. The sound caused everyone in the car to jump with surprise,
and Jodie made sure to shoot Scott a glare from the shotgun seat.
"Helloooooo! Wake up the whole neighborhood why don't you!" she
said irately.
"It's past noon - I would hope that they'd be awake by now."
Ryan ran out of his house, anxious to get to the car and dish with
the friends that he hadn't seen in awhile. He tossed his bag into the trunk and then hopped into the backseat with Kim
and Jenn.
"Heyyyyyy!" he greeted them, placing one arm around each of the girls.
"My two sisters! How the hell are you guys? And Jodie and Scott - nice to see you two as well, even though
I just saw you in school! This is certainly exciting, isn't it? Ooooh, I love weddings!"
"Ugh," was Scott's monosyllabic response.
"That means he's excited too," Jodie said, turning around to face the people
in the back. "But you guys are going to have to squish together because we have three more people to fit back there."
"Dude, are you serious?" Kim asked. "That's physically impossible.
As Austin Powers would say, 'The sheer mechanics of it are mind-boggling!'"
"Isn't that like, a safety hazard?" Jenn wondered nervously. "If we get into
an accident, we're all gonna die."
"Fear not. I am an excellent driver," Scott stated, right as he cut
off a pickup truck, causing the driver to wave his middle finger around in the air and shout obscenities. "Fuck you
too!" Scott yelled out of the window.
"Riiiiight..." Kim said in a spot-on imitation of Dr. Evil.
"Okay, Jenn...so we simply must discuss," Ryan began conversationally.
"How are things with Forkiedough? You never tell me a thing when we talk on the phone! Now, let me ask you: In
terms of bases....First base? Second base? Third base? Home run?"
"Yes, yes, no, no," she answered quickly. "You're so nosy, Ryan."
"La la la la...la la la la...I can't hear you," Scott sang from the driver's
seat. "Jodie, be a dear and plug my ears, would you?"
"Hello, McFly?! You've been dating since April and you haven't even
gotten past second base?!" Ryan exclaimed in shock. "For God's sakes, should we be pumping aphrodisiacs through
the air vents?"
"Chill out, princess," Kim jumped in. "Not everyone is a whore like you."
"Honey, I've had no complaints so far," Ryan assured her. "Although
it's been too long since I've gotten any action, so I guess I shouldn't talk."
"You could be getting action," Jodie reminded him. "There
are tons of hot musical theater majors at SUNY. You're just too picky."
"I'm just waiting for Prince Charming because I am convinced that he's out there,"
Ryan said defensively. "I refuse to settle for anything less because, damnit - I am the shit."
"And you're so humble too," Kim added sarcastically.
"Anyway, enough about me and my crappy love life. Have you guys said
the big "L" word yet?" Ryan pressed on.
"Well, uh..." Jenn stared out the window and watched the other cars pass
by in a blur. "He kind of said it. But I didn't."
"Awwwwww," Kim and Ryan gushed at the same time. "Why the hell not?" Kim
went on.
"Because....I don't know. I just want to make sure that I mean
it before I say it."
"But you do love him, right?" Ryan demanded.
"Errr...yes. I mean, I think so...I mean...I don't know..."
"Sounds like someone has issues," Ryan informed Kim from behind
his hand, pretending to be discreet. "What do you say about that, Ms. Freud?"
"Hmm, fear of commitment, perhaps?" Kim stroked her chin and attempted to
look contemplative. "Step into my office, Jenn. We should talk about this."
"Speaking of fears of commitment..." Ryan glanced at Kim, raising an eyebrow.
"Why haven't you and Wills hooked it up yet?"
"Excuse me, but there is no reason why I should be doing any hooking up with
Wills - or anyone for that matter," Kim answered defiantly. "Besides, the guys at the University of Florida are total
losers anyway."
"Oh, big freaking surprise!" Ryan cried. "They can't even vote
properly in that state, let alone know what to do with a woman."
"True." Kim sighed and leaned her head against the side of the window
as Scott pulled up in front of William's house. She had been talking to him via phone and email while she was at UF
and he was at Berkeley, but she knew that there would never be anything romantic between them, even if he did have
feelings for her. She just wasn't interested in him in that way, and she looked at him as a brother figure
rather than as a potential boyfriend. Besides, she wasn't interested in dating anyway. It was all just a ridiculous
waste of time and it led to nowhere. Romance was bogus, and so was love. It was better to just not get involved.
William's mom followed him out of the house and she watched suspiciously as William
put his bag into the trunk and attempted to squeeze himself into the backseat.
"There are girls here?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at her son.
"William, I wasn't aware that this was an excursion with girls. I'm not sure if I should allow you to do this."
"Hello Mrs. Hung," Scott greeted her with a winning smile. He could
be especially charming to people if he needed to get something that he wanted - this was a skill that he had
picked up from his father. "It's a pleasure to see you today. You are looking lovely, and oh-so-young."
"Why thank you - "
"I can assure you that no frivolous hanky-panky will be taking place on this
trip. Our only intent is to attend a beautiful wedding, and perhaps squeeze in a little time for some recreational
skiing activity," Scott said in a business-like tone.
"Well, if you're sure that my son will be well-taken care of..."
William's mom glanced into the car, and all of the teenagers smiled innocently at her in response. "Okay, it's
alright then. Have a nice time, William."
"Thanks, mom," William muttered under his breath. With a friendly wave, Scott
pulled out of William's driveway and started slowly down the street. However, once he reached the highway, he put the
pedal to the metal and accelerated at a rapid pace.
"Oh fooey, I think I forgot my crack pipe," he groaned. "And Jodie,
you remembered to bring your black lingerie, right? You know how I like that."
"Uhhh..." William's eyes shifted around nervously, but then Scott let
out a chuckle.
"That was a joke," he said flippantly. "You know...like, it was supposed
to be funny?"
"Good one," Kim praised. "Scaring the shit out of the innocent Asian
boy. I can dig it."
"It's a wittle scwunched back hewe." William shifted his body weight, accidentally
sitting on Ryan's hand.
"Whoa, hey! Watch where you move that bum, Wills - "
"Make room for Angie!" Kim said gleefully, right when they pulled up in front
of her house. Scott did his usual 'blasting the horn' routine, and after a minute Angie dashed out of the front
door.
"What the hell is this? A clown car?" she snorted once she
opened the door.
"Just get in and get comfortable," Scott instructed. "Or, you
know...don't get comfortable."
"I think not getting comfortable would be the appropriate course of action
- "
"I saved you a seat right here, sugar." Ryan patted his lap.
"You can place that fine keister of yours on my knee and tell me what you want for Christmas, baby."
"Oh, Seaquest. How amusing you are." Angie actually cracked a
smile for a moment as she slid into the car and sat on the floor, right between Ryan's legs. "You know that I don't
celebrate Christmas anyway."
"Hey Scott, just don't slam on the brakes because otherwise Angie's
head will be getting a special delivery in the form of my package," Ryan quipped.
"Hi Angie," Jenn greeted her, trying to be friendly. "Um...how's it
going?"
"What's it to you, slut biscuit?"
"Oooh, slut biscuit!" Ryan exclaimed joyfully. "Now that's a new
one. I likey!"
"I'm sorry, I was just attempting to make civil conversation. It won't happen
again," Jenn answered coolly.
"Good, because I really don't feel like talking to you. So just ignore me
on this whole trip and we should be okay."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Girls, girls..." Kim began soothingly. "Let's all just put on a happy
face, mmm kay?"
"Let's not." Angie sat on the floor and pouted, remaining quiet until
they pulled up in front of Richard's house. He apparently had been waiting for them, because he appeared almost immediately.
When he got to the car and saw five people squished in the backseat like sardines, his mouth nearly dropped to the ground.
"Hi," they all said sheepishly, in unison.
"Um, Scott? I thought you were taking the SUV," was Richard's response.
"Get in the fucking car and shut your miserable yap," Scott replied. Richard
went to reach for the door handle, but Scott gave the car a little gas, thus causing the door to be out of Richard's
reach. He tried again, but Scott just laughed devilishly and did the same thing once more.
"Scott, stop it!" Richard commanded.
"What? I'm not doing anything!" He pulled the car even more forward
when Richard tried to get in.
"You are such a bitch," Jodie admonished him, although she was grinning.
"I know. It's part of my charm." Finally, he allowed Richard
to get into the car, although it was a tight squeeze and he had to switch places with Kim so that she could lie across
everyone while he took her seat.
"Everyone okay back there?" Jodie asked with a smile.
"NO!" they responded at the same time.
"Sheesh. Cranky." The blonde in the front seat shook her head and rummaged
around in her purse, looking for her nail polish. She uncapped the bottle and began touching up her bright pink fingernails.
After awhile, the smell started to become nauseating as it wafted into the back of the car.
"Mother of pearl, MUST you do that now?!" Kim waved her hand in front of her nose,
accidentally hitting Ryan in the stomach. "Oooh, sorry about that, Ry."
"It's okay, that's the least of my worries at this moment," he said. "My
feet are asleep and I have nowhere to put them. Wait, wait..." He shifted in his seat, drawing his legs up and
resting his feet on the back of the driver's seat, right by Scott's head. "Okay, that's a little better."
"Get your smelly feet out of my face, Seaquest!" Scott turned around, but
then quickly swerved and faced front again so that he could watch the road.
"Hey, my feet don't stink! I just had a pedicure last night!"
"They smell like cheese - "
Suddenly, someone's cell phone began ringing - in the tune of "Everyone was Kung
Fu Fighting."
"Oh, dat's me!" William exclaimed. He lifted himself off of the seat
so he could reach into his back pocket, thus jostling Richard in the ribs with his elbow. "Hewwo? Oh, hi
mom!"
"Shh, shhh!" Ryan hissed. "It's William's mom! Everyone shut up!"
"Yes, mom...evewyfing is going just fine," he stated.
"Oh my God, whose HAND is this?"
"I'm just gonna throw my leg up over here, okay?"
"DUDE! Okay, who just let one?!"
"Whoever smelt it, dealt it!"
"I'll talk to you later, mom," William said into the phone. "I'll call you
as soon as we get there."
"Geez, she certainly has a tight reign over you, doesn't she?" Angie asked, craning
her neck to look up at William. "Do you like being a mama's boy or something?"
"Well, no - "
"Then tell her to mind her own business, man. You gotta stand up for
yourself. I mean, we haven't even arrived at the resort yet and she's already calling you."
"She has a point," Jenn concurred.
"What did I say about speaking to me, Weiner?"
"Sorry." Jenn rolled her eyes and stopped talking. She attempted to
squish herself up against the window in order to give the others more room, but it didn't look like that was going to happen.
Already, she could feel her legs start to lose feeling and they weren't even halfway there.
"Jenn..." Richard said uncomfortably. "Um, not that I'm upset or anything,
but could you like...move your hand? Now's really not the time for that."
"Ummmm....what are you talking about?"
"Your hand, it's...SEAQUEST!"
"Tee hee!" Ryan hooted. "Sorry, but there really is no other place to put
that pesky hand, you know."
"Ew, gross! Stop trying to feel up my boyfriend, Ryan!" Jenn reached
across three people to pummel him with her fists.
"Ow! Hey, it's not my fault!" he insisted, attempting to shield himself
from her blows. "I have no freaking room over here! I didn't realize, okay? Geez!"
"I think we could use a little driving music!" Jodie said in her usual peppy way.
She reached over and started messing with the stereo buttons, and soon the cheesy 90's dance hit "What is Love" began playing
at full blast.
"WHAT IS LOVE, BABY, DON'T HURT ME!" Kim and Ryan sang at the same time, bopping
their heads a la the Butabi brothers in "Night at the Roxbury."
"I love this song!" Jodie screeched. She began bopping her head as well,
her blonde hair flipping back and forth.
"What is love, baby, don't hurt me - don't hurt me, no more!" Ryan was so
involved in his head bopping that he seemed to forget that he was in a car with seven other people. He started
moving his arms around and shaking his groove thing, but there's no way that it would actually work. Thus, nobody was
surprised when he accidentally elbowed Richard right in the eye. Luckily, he was wearing his sunglasses so he didn't
get hit directly, but one of the lenses broke off and fell into his lap.
"Way to go, Ry," Kim sarcastically congratulated him. "I hope
those weren't Armani shades or something."
"Oops...sorry, honey," Ryan apologized. "But it's okay - we all want to see
those gorgeous eyes anyway!"
"It's alright." Richard sighed heavily and took off his broken shades.
"These were just the only pair that I brought with me."
"No biggie!" Ryan cleared his throat and then broke out into song, his
voice sounding vibrant and full after a semester of musical theater training.
"Jeepers creepers, where'd you get those peepers? Oh, those weepers, how
they hypnotize...where'd you get those eyeeees?" He held out the last note as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"For the love of GOD..." Scott groaned, throwing his head back on the seat.
"Are we there yet?"
"I don't know, sweetie. You're the one who's driving," Jodie responded
pleasantly.
"Check the map, Jodes."
"Hmmm..." She rustled around in the glove compartment until she procured
the Mapquest printout that had the directions. "Okay, it says it right here...approximately 263.7 miles to go from where
we are now."
"Greaaaat...." Scott set the car on cruise control and settled back in his seat,
resisting the urge to fall asleep or quite possibly drive the car off of a cliff.
Five hours later, they reached the Sugarbrush Ski Resort and Spa. The
six people who were crushed into the back of Scott's car gratefully tumbled out, anxious to stretch their legs.
"Holy crap, I can barely walk!" Kim complained as she stumbled from side
to side. "But wow - feel the nip in the air, guys! I hope our rooms have fireplaces!"
"This place is gorgeous," Jenn said in awe, staring up at the large, snow
covered building. Her statement applied to the inside of the place as well, and she could tell that they were all
surprised at how gorgeous it actually was. The feel of the resort was very rustic, what with it's shiny wooden floors
and the wooden beams that ran across the ceilings, but it was all very warm and comforting. There was a fire already
going in the fireplace of the main lobby, and the furniture was soft and cozy-looking. It just made one feel toasty
inside, like they hadn't even traveled far from home.
While the group of eight stood in the lobby, Nicholas Callahan, the owner
of the resort, surveyed them from the two-way mirror on his office.
"Hmm...looks like we have a bunch of new guests," he said to his son, Pierce
Callahan, who was currently sipping on a glass of red wine and thumbing through a sports equipment catalogue. "And
would you look at that? Four of them are cute girls. Except one of them looks pissed off...she might be hard to
handle."
"Interesting." Pierce didn't even look up, but instead propped his feet up
on his father's desk and continued flipping through the magazine.
"Give me that!" Nicholas grabbed the glass of wine and placed it out of Pierce's
reach. "You know what you're supposed to do. Go greet them. Make them feel....welcome. Especially
the girls. Work your magic, Pierce. That's what I pay you to do, isn't it?"
"Yes, I find it amusing that you whore your son out to your guests," he replied,
sitting up straight and tossing the magazine across the desk.
"But the guest rate is up. You have quite a reputation around here.
Everyone wants to get to know Pierce Callahan, the dashing son of the resort owner."
"Alright, alright. I'll go check them in. I swear, I do all of the
work around here - "
"I know, and you're just waiting for me to kick off so you can take over."
Nicholas smirked and wagged his finger at Pierce. "But when are you going to learn, boy? I'm on to you.
I made you, and I can easily break you. I can take you out of the will so fast that your pretty little head will spin."
"Are you threatening me?" Pierce asked as he clenched his jaw and stared coolly
at his father.
"I'm not threatening you. I'm just informing you. Now get out
there and do your job."
"Fine." Pierce adjusted his tie and opened the office door, getting ready
to greet the new guests.
Meanwhile, out in the lobby, the group of eight was still in awe over their
amazing place of residence for the next week and a half.
"This is incredible!" Jodie squealed. "I mean, wow! Check this
place out! It's just positively gorgeous."
"Speaking of positively gorgeous..." Kim looked over and locked eyes with Pierce,
who was quite possibly the most beautiful creature that she had ever seen in her entire life.
If they were in the movies, it would have been a slow motion moment where
the handsome man spots the woman and strolls over to her while "Simply Irresistible" by Robert Palmer played on the soundtrack. His expertly
coiffed, dark brown hair bounced ever-so-slightly as one lone piece slipped down his tan, smooth skin and accentuated
his strong jaw line. The perfectly pressed material of his blue cotton shirt and black dress pants rustled
against his long, lean body with each step he took. His eyes were dark and intense, but when he saw the group of
girls, his face broke out into a radiant smile, and the glare off of his perfect white teeth was absolutely blinding.
"Hummina..." Kim began.
"Hummina..." Jodie repeated, stepping in front of Kim.
"Hummina!" Ryan echoed, pushing Jodie and Kim away. "Not just hummina, but
va-va-va VOOM and Ka-POWEY!"
"Back off, Seaquest!" Kim growled. "I saw him first!"
"Good afternoon, everyone," Pierce greeted the group, the smile
never leaving his face. "My name is Pierce Callahan, and I work here at the Sugarbrush Ski Resort and Spa. I would
just like to personally welcome you all, and I trust that you will have an excellent stay."
"Oh, I'm sure we will," Kim answered dreamily.
"Superb," he replied, giving her a little wink, to which she nearly had a heart
attack. "Let me just get you all checked in, alright? Follow me on over to the desk."
All of the girls and Ryan nearly ran over each other in an attempt
to get to the desk first. They reached it before Pierce, and began pushing and shoving in order to be the first person he
spoke with.
"This is ridiculous!" Scott scoffed. "They're acting like a bunch of
loons."
"What's da big deal about this guy anyway?" William wondered, his eyes downcast
and sad. "Just because he's good-wooking doesn't mean dat he's nice."
"I imagine that it doesn't matter, William," Richard responded, shaking his
head. The girls finally gave up their pushing-and-shoving act and just all crowded around the desk in a big group.
Angie was the only girl who didn't seem the least bit interested in impressing the good-looking resort worker.
"Well, then. Name?" Pierce poised his long fingers over the keyboard
at the main desk.
"Joimennryan!!" they all blurted out at the same time. Pierce smirked,
an amused expression playing on his face.
"I guess I better ask individually then." He turned to Kim and flashed an
encouraging smile. "Name?"
"Kim...Kim Downes," she responded in a daze.
"Nice to meet you, Kim." He reached out and took her hand, bringing it to
his lips. When he let go, she sighed in bliss.
"Hi, I'm Jodie Sweetin and I'm not wearing underwear," she said seductively, extending
her hand to Pierce.
"Jesus, Jodie..." Scott smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Oh, um...that's...interesting," Pierce remarked.
"Actually, I was just kidding! I am wearing underwear. If
you'd like to find out what kind, I'm sure you'll know what room I'm in."
"Right." Pierce raised his eyebrows a little and moved on to the next person.
"Hi there. And who would you be?"
"I'm Jenn - "
"Nice to meet you, Jenn." As he kissed her hand, she couldn't help but notice
that there was something eerie about his eyes - they looked disturbingly familiar. She squinted and stared at him, trying
to see if she recognized him from somewhere. Yet, the chances of that happening were slim to none. After a full
five seconds passed, Jenn was unaware that she was still holding on to his hand and locked in a staring contest with him.
He gazed back at her just as intently, but quickly averted his eyes when Angie cleared her throat loudly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. And your name is...?" Pierce began.
"Angie," the goth girl introduced herself, jerking her hand out of Pierce's grasp
and glaring at him. He seemed a little offended, but just shrugged and continued.
"And now, for the sexy portion of the program, it's time for me...Ryan Seaquest."
He grabbed Pierce's hand with intent to shake, but then leaned over the counter, pulling the surprised young man forward.
Ryan air-kissed both of Pierce's cheeks, and then stood back. The look on his face was one of complete surprise,
but he didn't seem like he minded too much. "I realize that I look like Brad Pitt, but please...no autographs," Ryan
went on, dramatically running a hand through his hair.
"Interesting." Pierce chuckled a little, the corners of his mouth tilting
up in a smile. "Because I could have sworn that you really were Brad Pitt."
"I get that a lot," Ryan assured him, attempting to sound convincing. "Or,
you know...I'm full of shit."
"Can we move this along?" Scott barked rudely. "Because I really just want
to check in and have a power nap. I'm Scott, this is Richard and that's William. Okay, now that we all know each
other, give us our rooms."
"Very well then." Undaunted, Pierce clicked away on the computer, but
was distracted when someone else began frantically hitting the little bell on the front desk.
"Hey man, ring-a-ding-ding! Can I get some service over here?!"
"I'll be right with you, sir," Pierce said to the irate-looking young man with
dark hair and very tan skin. "Let me just finish up with these fine folks right here - "
"But I've been waiting for over ten minutes - "
"I assure you that I'll be with you as soon as I can, sir."
"But - "
"HEY!" Kim interrupted, whirling around to face the obnoxious loud-mouth behind
her. "He said he'll be right with you, so put a sock in it, alright?!"
"Does she work here too?" The young man started laughing. "Wow, you
need to chill out, sister. I don't even think I was talking to you."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's not his fault you have severe ADD." Kim rolled
her eyes and turned back around. "Anyway. Sorry, Pierce..."
"Well, I've assigned you to cabins, so..." Pierce glanced up and looked over
at the disgruntled young man who had rung the bell. "Name, sir?"
He pushed through the group and leaned on the wooden counter, and they could all
feel the coldness radiating off of his jacket because he had just come in from outside in the snow.
"First name's David, last name is B-E-N..."
"Oh, right. David Benoohit," Pierce broke in, pronouncing the name wrong.
"I have your reservation right here."
"That's Ben-WAW! Not Benoohit. Jesus, man...it's not really that hard."
"I'll get your cabin key. Cabin 626." Pierce reached under
the desk and brought out nine shiny, gold-colored keys. He handed one to David and then arranged the remaining eight
in a circle. "The rest are for you all. Cabins 620, 622, 624 and 628."
"Jenn and I will take 620, because...you know...June 20 is my birthday,"
Kim informed Pierce as she batted her eyelashes dramatically. "I'll be 19 in the summer..."
"Anywayyyyy! Jodie and I will take 622." Scott swooped down and
grabbed the keys off of the counter.
"I guess I'm bunking with Angie," Ryan put in with fake enthusiasm. "Err,
right. Which cabin, cupcake?"
"Doesn't matter. Like I care."
"Okaayyy...624 it is then."
"I suppose that leaves me and you with cabin 628," Richard said to William.
"Since Scott ditched me..."
"I'm not sharing a room with you when our parents get married, and I'm not sharing
a room with you in a resort," Scott replied condescendingly.
"So basically, what you're trying to say is that: You don't share?" Kim asked.
"Basically, yes."
The eight of them grabbed their suitcases and headed out of the lobby, with
David following at a close distance. He held the door open for the group, but grabbed Kim's arm when she passed through.
"Hey, so I didn't catch your name," he said to her.
"That's because I didn't tell you what it was. But it's Kim."
"Awesome. Nice to meet you, Kim...I'm David. And I didn't mean to start
things on a bad note back there. But now that we've gotten that out of the way, I was wondering something.
My parents are going to be meeting me up here so we can spend quality time together or whatever, but they won't be here for
a week or so - "
"And your point is?" Kim wondered, motioning for him to move it along.
"You and your friends seem pretty cool, and at least you're closer to my age than
the old people who seem to like this place. I might get bored once or twice, just sitting all alone in my room waiting
for my parents, so can I hang with you all...maybe, possibly?"
"Hmmm...." She bit her lip in thought. "I guess. You're right next
door anyway, so just come on by. But it's not like we're going to be doing anything exciting."
"Hey, that's cool." He shrugged his shoulders. "It'll just be better
than sitting in a sauna with old, naked ladies."
"I'd imagine so," Kim responded, wrinkling her nose. "Well, anyway...catch
you later, David."
"Ciao!"
Kim ran and hurried to catch up with the rest of the group. Already, she could tell that
this was set to be a memorable vacation, and the fact that Pierce Callahan was there just made it all the more memorable.
