The guys came off the plane and immediately Gabby ran up to AJ and planted a big kiss on his lips. Brian and Nick were walking off the plane, when Nick spotted Julia. Julia with some guy, and they were holding hands. Nick's face dropped, but he didn't want to seem upset so he plastered a fake smile on his face.
Julia came up and gave him and Brian a big hug.
"I missed you guys! This is my surprise I wanted you to meet. This is my boyfriend, Devon." she beamed.
Brian shook Devon's hands, then Nick did. Brian and Devon talked about the people in California as the guys and the girls walked out of the airport. As they were walking to the van taxi outside, Julia nudged Nick.
"Happy to be back?"
"Yeah. I'm happy." Nick said glancing around the airport.
"You seem kind of out of it." she said.
"It's just the long plane ride, I'm fine." he assured her.
Julia nodded and they walked on. They reached the bus taxi, which had 3 rows, with 3 seats each. Brian, Brooke and Howie went in one row. AJ, Gabby and Kevin went in the another. And Nick, Julia and Devon went in the back one. Julia sat cozily between Nick and Devon.
As they started the hour's drive back to town, Nick noticed Devon take Julia's hand and put it in his. Then he leaned down and lightly kissed her on the lips.
'Just my luck...' Nick thought as he turned towards the window for the rest of the ride home.
When they got back, before going their separate ways, Brooke and Brian made plans to get together a little later. AJ and Gabby were going to spend time together now. Nick invited everyone over to his house tomorrow for a pool party. Then they all left.
Gabby lead AJ to her dorm room. After opening the door, she tossed her keys on the counter and went into the kitchen. She was pouring herself a drink when AJ came up and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"I missed you so much. I couldn't wait to come back to you." he said into her ear.
Gabby lightly laughed and turned around to face him. She pulled him into a long, passionate kiss.
"So what did you do in California?" she asked, heading to her room, as he followed her.
"Business work. What'd you do all week without me?" AJ joked as they sat down on her bed.
"Oh, I had a couple of affairs. Went to Vegas, got married. Twice. Same old, same old." she smirked.
AJ looked amused but didn't laugh.
"Okay, okay. I didn't do much at all. I mainly studied and went to me classes. But, on Monday night we all went to a club." Gabby said stopping. She got up and closed the door, in case Brooke had come in. "Well, me, Julia and Brooke got split up. And Brooke ended up sitting at this table and she saw Jack, her boyfriend, making out with some girl." Gabriella said in a voice just above a whisper.
"Poor Brooke. She acted fine tonight though." AJ said feeling truly sorry for her.
"Exactly, she acted. You know how Brian and all of you get when one of us are upset. She didn't want anyone to worry. The truth is, she has been crying all week. She put some gel under her eyes to make them less puffy, when we came to get you guys. I feel horrible, I mean, Brooke and Julia are my best friends. And I can't stand it when they are upset and there is nothing I can do." Gabby said sounding exasperated.
"Well, Brian is coming over to see her tonight, I am sure he will help her."
Gabby nodded and looked down at her comforter. AJ lifted her chin and he leaned in for a romantic kiss that made Gabby's lips tingle. Gabby leaned back as AJ came closer while kissing her. They parted from kissing and Gabriella smiled.
"Thanks."
AJ just smiled before he pulled her into another amazing kiss.
Down the street, five blocks away, Brooke walked down the marketplace, glancing at nothing in particular. She had wanted to give AJ and Gab time alone. Even though she was looking at all the merchandise, he mind was roaming. When Brian asked to talk to her that night he had seemed like he was worried about something. Brooke wondered to herself what it could be, but she was abruptly pulled from her thoughts when she walked into the person in front of her.
"I am so sorry..." Brooke said before the person turned around.
Brooke inhaled sharply with anger and pain.
"It's nice to see you here Jack. And who is this lovely girl you have with you?" Brooke said coldly.
