Chapter 13
"Lunch/pool fun/going out"
Chris pulled into the Applebee’s parking lot and parked. They got out and went in to find the others. “What‘s up!” Chris said as he and Stephanie sat down. Matt had gotten a table where all nine of them could sit comfortably. “Hey guys!” the others greeted them. “We already ordered your drinks guys.” Greg said, “We knew what ya’ll wanted.” “Oh ok. Thanks.” Stephanie said. They got Chris a Coke and Stephanie a Dr. Pepper. “May I take your orders now?” the waiter said. “Yeah!” they all said. They all told the waiter what they wanted and he left. “So are we going to do anything this afternoon?” Frankie asked. “Hey...we could go swimming!” Jesse suggested. “Jesse. It is January and thirty degrees outside. We can not swim!” Stephanie said confused thinking Jesse was going nutty. “But Chris has an indoor pool.” Jesse said. “Oh! Ha ha!! I feel dumb now!!” Stephanie laughed, “I didn’t know you had a pool Chris!” “Yeah! It’s cool! It is twelve feet and has a slide, and a high and low diving board. I love it!” Chris said. Stephanie leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
They were all talking while they waited for the food. “I’ll be right back.” Stephanie said as she got up and went toward the restroom. As she was walking she heard someone call her name and she stopped. The voice sounded familiar but it couldn’t be who she thought it was. ’Is that? No it can’t be. He’s in California!’ Steph thought to herself. She turned around and saw Josh, the guy she broke up with a year ago, though he still thinks she likes him. “Hey baby! Long time no see!” Josh said putting his arm around Stephanie. “Ugh!” Stephanie said as she threw his arm off, “I am not your baby, nor will I ever be your baby! You are a bad person and I thought I’d not have to worry about seeing you again!” she said thinking about when she and Josh were going out, how he hit her and was real mean to her. He was a very bad guy! She ran in the bathroom. After about five minutes she came out hoping Josh would be gone. He wasn’t, he was standing waiting for her. “Ugh!! Why are you even here?” she asked. “I was looking for you!! Listen baby...I’m sorry for all I did. Forgive and forget!” he said. “No! I hate you! Just leave me alone...or I...I...ugh! Just leave me alone!” she said as she walked back to her table.
“What have you been doing girl?” Chris asked. “Oh...nothing.” Steph replied trying to hide that she had been crying. She sat down to her food...which had arrived. As they were eating Josh passed by her and gave her and Chris and evil glare, then walked out and got in a black Ford car. Chris saw him glare. “What was that dude’s problem?” Chris asked laughing a little. “Ha...I...I don’t know!” Steph said feeling a little scared feeling come over her. “What dude?” Matt asked, who didn’t see the guy. If he did he would have got real mad because he knew Josh and knew what he did to Stephanie. “Oh just a dude! He was probably just having a bad day!” Greg laughed. “Oh ok!” Matt said as he starting eating again. Stephanie got closer to Chris because it made her feel safer. He put his arm around her. They all got through eating and went to the register to pay. They all chipped in a little bit. They went outside.
“Ok you guys, we can meet ya’ll at my house in thirty ok.” Chris said. “Ok...cool!” they said and got in Frankie’s car. Chris and Stephanie got in his car. Stephanie wanted to have fun at the pool so she just erased all that happened with Josh and forgot all about him being in New York. “Ok. Can we go by the house and let me grab my swim suite?” Steph asked. “Sure can babe!” Chris said as he turned onto the road that went to Matt’s house. They got there, Stephanie ran in and got a suite she had brought just in case they went swimming some where. She didn’t know she would use it. She came back out and got in. They went to Chris’ house.
Chris and Stephanie were getting ready for the party like thing. They got in their suits. When Chris saw Stephanie in her pink bikini he said, “Wow!!” “What?” Stephanie said tying the skirt cover that went with her suit around her waist. “You look good in a swim suit!” Chris grinned. “Thanks. You look good without a shirt...uh I mean in a swim suit too.” she laughed. Chris laughed as he walked over and gave Stephanie a kiss. “Ding-dong!” Chris’ doorbell went. “They’re here!” Steph shouted. They all walked to where the pool was. “Let’s get in!” Jesse shouted as dove in. Kayla, Ashley and Savannah eased in at the steps while Chris, Matt, Greg and Frankie dove off the diving board. Stephanie was taking off her cover. “Girl you getting in?” Chris asked. “Yeah, I am!” Steph said as she walked over to the side and jumped. They swam around as they all talked. “Hey let’s play silent Marco-Polo.” Kayla suggested. “Ok.” everyone agreed. Matt offered to be it. He closed his eyes and wandered around the pool until he tagged Frankie. “Man you peeked!!” Frankie said. “Did not! Just go dude!” Matt laughed. They played that a while then got tired of it. They were splashing around laughing. “Wanna see something fun?” Chris asked Stephanie. “Sure...what? Steph replied. “Ok turn around.” Chris said. She turned and Chris got behind her. He picked her up a threw her in the deep end. “Ugh! I didn’t expect that one!” Steph said as she wiped her eyes and laughed. Chris swam over to her and kissed her cheek. All the girls got thrown. They continued swimming. They had a diving contest, a race and played sharks and minnows. After a while everyone got out. “That was fun!” they said as they dried off.
They had all gotten dressed and were sitting around talking. Matt asked Kayla if she wanted to go out for dinner. She said yes. After about an hour Frankie took them all home, and Chris took Matt and Stephanie home. Matt went inside to get ready for his date. Chris and Steph were at the door talking. “So do you wanna do anything tonight?” Chris asked as he looked at Stephanie. “It doesn’t matter.” she replied, “If you want to I want to.” she smiled and kissed him. “Ok. I’ll go home and we can talk about it later tonight since it is only four.” Chris laughed. “Ok. I’ll talk to you later.” Steph said as Chris got in his car. “Ok. Bye! “ he said as Steph stuck her head in his window to kiss him. Stephanie went in and Chris left.
Stephanie saw her mom and her mom told her, “We’re all going shopping later and maybe to dinner, do you wanna come?” “Not really, Chris and I may go out later if that’s ok.” Steph said. “Sure it is ok.” her mom said. “Ok...thanks...love you!” Stephanie said as she went upstairs. When she got up there she decided to go online and surf. She was just looking around at different sites and played games on games.com. She heard a knock at her door. “It’s open!” she yelled not taking her eyes of the screen. Matt pushed open the door and said, “Hey! I’m leaving!” “Oh ok! Have fun and tell Kayla I said hey!” she said. “Ok. You going out with Chris tonight?” he asked. “Yeah maybe.” she replied. “Ok...have fun if you do! Bye!” he said and headed downstairs. Stephanie was still playing a game when her mom came up after about thirty minutes. “We’re going sweetie!” she said. “Ok! Have fun!” Steph replied. “We will. Will you be ok until Chris gets here?” her mom said. “Yeah! I’ll be fine.” Steph said. “Ok...bye! Love you!” her mom said and went downstairs. “Love you...bye!” Steph yelled. After a minute or so she heard their car leave.
It was about five thirty and Steph was still surfing when an instant message popped up.
SpIkEy11: Hey babe! What’s up?
sTePhY9: Hey! nothing
SpIkEy11: We gonna go out tonight?
sTePhY9: sure-where?
SpIkEy11: how about this restaurant that has great food and there is a live band.
sTePhY9: ok--cool
SpIkEy11: ok cool. I’ll be over there around six or six fifteen ok.
sTePhY9: ok
SpIkEy11: c-ya in a few!
sTePhY9: ok bye
SpIkEy11: bye babe
SpIkEy11 signed off at 5:45 pm.
‘He is so great!’ Stephanie said as she signed off and shut her computer down. She went to freshen up. After she got ready she was looking out the window for Chris. “Ring Ring!” went her phone. “Hello.” she said. “What are you doing?” Josh asked. “Ugh! How did you know where I was and how did you get this number?” she yelled. “I followed you and that spiky haired guy! Who is he any way?” Josh said. “He is my boyfriend. Don’t you go anywhere near him!!” she said now shaking a little and tears were in her eyes. “Whatever.” he yelled and hung up. She slammed down the phone and went to the window and saw Chris getting out of his car. Then she saw Josh’s car drive by and then go on down the road and disappear. She went downstairs and opened the door. She immediately threw her arms around him. “Hey baby!” he said and he hugged her. Then he looked at her. “Oh babe what’s the matter?” he asked when he saw she had been crying. “See, there is this guys who has been following me around and stuff.” she said in between sniffles, “I’m afraid he might hurt me, you or anyone we are seen with.” “Who is he?” Chris asked. “Well, it is kind of a long story. Come here and I’ll tell you.” she said as she grabbed his hand and led him inside. He locked the door behind him. They sat down on the couch and Stephanie said, “He is a guy I used to date a year ago. I broke up with him though, because he hit me sometimes for no reason.” “Oh baby I’m so sorry!” Chris said as tears formed in his eyes. He held her closer to him. “We have to tell someone.” he said looking at Steph. “I don’t know. Maybe he’ll leave me alone now that he knows I have a boyfriend.” she said. “Ok. But if he lays one finger on you! Ugh!!” Chris said getting a little mad. “Hopefully he is gone. Let’s just forget about it for now and go out and enjoy ourselves.” she said getting up. “Ok.” he said as they went out and got in his car. They got in an drove to the restaurant.
When they got there they went in and got a table. “What can I get you to drink?” the waiter asked. “Dr. Pepper.” Stephanie said. “Coke.” Chris said after Stephanie. “Ok.” the waiter said and went to get the drinks. Chris and Stephanie were at a round table that faced the stage. Their chairs were right beside each other. They were holding hands and talking, giving a quick kiss every once and a while. They got their drinks and ordered their food. Their food came after a few minutes. They ate and then were talking and listening to the band. Chris kissed Stephanie and then said, “I have to tell you something.” as he got up. Steph giggled, “Ok. Where are you going?” “I’ll show you!” he yelled as he walked up on the stage. He whispered something to the drummer and then everything got quiet. “Ok! I want to say something really special to a really special girl!” Chris said over the microphone. “Aww!” the people there eating said. Stephanie was blushing. “This is the first time I’ve said this and I wanted it to be special. It may seem too soon but...Stephanie...” Chris started to say and looked out and smiled at her.
“I love you!” Chris said. Stephanie started crying and was so happy. She got up and went on stage; Chris took her hands and smiled at her. “I love you too!” she said and he kissed her.
They went back to their table, hand in hand. They were talking when someone tapped Stephanie on the shoulder. They both turned around. “Hey girl!! I thought you were lying when you said you had a boyfriend. But I guess you weren’t!” Josh said laughing. “Yeah I wasn’t. Know leave us alone!!” Stephanie yelled. “No!” he said as he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of her chair. “UGH! Owe!! Stop!” Stephanie said now with tears because Josh was twisting her arm. Chris got up and got Josh off of Stephanie. “Hey!! Leave her alone! Just stay away from her!” Chris yelled as he pulled out the chair and Steph sat down. “What are you gonna do if I don’t?” Josh asked. “Just stop because you don’t wanna know what I’ll do!” Chris yelled. “Whatever!” Josh yelled as he pushed Chris. Chris pushed him back. “You guys stop it!! Stephanie yelled as she got up and got between the guys. “You stay out of this!!” Josh yelled and slapped her. “Oh!” Stephanie said as she turned her face. “Oh you just didn’t!!” Chris yelled and punched Josh in the face. “Chris!” Stephanie sobbed as she hugged him. “Oh baby are you ok?” he asked as he hugged her. “Yeah I think.” she said still crying as she looked up at Chris. “Oh babe.” Chris said as he touched Steph’s face softly. It was real red. Stephanie saw Josh turn around. He looked real mad. He was coming at Chris like he was gonna punch him but the someone grabbed him. “What the?” Josh said. “You have the right to remain silent!” a police officer said that was hand cuffing Josh. “Are you kids alright?” the officer asked Chris and Stephanie. “Yeah...thanks!!” Chris said, “And thanks to whoever called the police!” Chris yelled to the crowd. “Ok. You kids get home now. And don’t worry...you won’t be seeing this guy for a while.” the officer said. They walked out with the officers. As they put Josh in the car he gave Chris and Steph an evil look and then the door closed. The car drove off. Stephanie hugged Chris and said in his ear, “I didn’t like that look he gave us.” she said. “Yeah...but he’s gone now. Let’s forget about him.” Chris said and kissed her cheek softly. “Ok. Let’s go.” she said. They got to the house and Chris and Stephanie went in. It was ten p.m. and everyone was asleep but Matt. He was sitting on the couch watching TV. “Oh hey guys!” Matt said when he saw them come in. “Hey!” they said. Matt got up and went over to them. “Oh girl what happened to your face?” Matt asked. “Josh.” Chris said. “Him!! I thought he was in California.” Matt said. “Nope. He’s in jail now.” Stephanie said and told him the whole story, even about Josh being the guy at the restaurant. “Oh man!” Matt said, “Oh that guy!!! Oh he so deserved that Chris!” “Well he hurt my girl! Oh it made me so mad!” Chris said as he hugged Stephanie. “Thanks!” Stephanie said. “Well I gotta get home! Love ya girl!” Chris said than kissed her, “Matt! See you dude!” he said has he shook his hand. “See ya man!” Matt said. “Bye Chris! I love you too” Stephanie said. Chris left and Matt and Stephanie went to bed.
Chapter 12 Chapter 14
