*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“This is really nice, Howie,” Lillie said, as she and Howard walked along the beach after pizza and a movie; ‘City Of Angels’. “I had a great time tonight.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Howard said. “I had a great time tonight also.”

“I’m glad,” Lillie said. “I was actually afraid you were going to hate being with an 18 year old.”

“I did find it a little awkward at first,” Howard started, “but as I got to know you I realized it wasn’t that bad.” She smiled.

“My grandparents will probably flip out if they knew I went out with a guy who is, like, seven years older than me.”

“Don’t they know that age is just a number?”

“Yeah, but they still don’t care. They think ya have to be with someone your own age.”

“Are they the same age?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “They’re not bad people though. They’ve been raising me since my mom left me with them and moved to Miami.”

“Do you talk to your mom?”

“Yeah; we finally got back on track after about ten years.”

“That’s good; better late than never.”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “That’s why I feel bad for Loni though. She’s always lived with her parents and they don’t, and never, acknowledge her existence. They just don’t care.”

“Right.”

“So I enjoy my time with my mother for the both of us. I could be in the same situation as Loni and have both my parents hate me, ya know.” He nodded. “I’m fortunate to have at least one parent want something to do with me.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah.” They looked at each other and smiled. “Do you get along with your parents?”

“Of course; I’m their baby.” She chuckled. “I’m not a mama’s boy or anything like that no matter what the others tell you.”

“Gotcha.” They both smiled. “You’re really sweet.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re fitting the description of the kind of man I wanted.”

“Um, thanks…I think.”

“You’re sweet, caring, good-looking, romantic, a very good listener…”

“I try my best.”

“I’m glad Loni arranged this.” He looked at her.

“So am I.”

“I feel a connection between us.” He looked at her not knowing what to say. Is this what Valondra meant when she said Lillie falls fast and was clingy? “Do you feel a connection between us?”

“Um, I think it’s a little too soon for me to think that.”

“Oh.”

“You’re great company and all so don’t get me wrong. I like getting to know girls before I decide anything. If a connections there I’ll know it, but it’s never on the first date or whatever.”

“Right.” She smiled. “I don’t want to push you into anything.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled and they stopped walking. They looked at each other and she kissed him. Howard kissed her in return a second and then pulled away. “I’m sorry. I feel like an idiot.”

“Don’t…” He smiled and kissed her this time.

Farah and Kevin sat at the local coffee house and talked about the movie they just saw; “Titanic”. They were both enjoying each others company and were glad that Valondra had set it up.

“Have you enjoyed yourself tonight?” Kevin asked.

“I had an excellent time,” Farah replied. “Especially since I was with you.”

“Thanks,” Kevin said.

“I’m really glad Valondra set this up. I guess I owe her one although this will probably be a one time deal.”

“Maybe not.” She looked at him and he smiled. “I’ve had a great time tonight.”

“I’m glad. I was pretty sure you weren’t going to, but it looks like you proved me wrong.” He continued smiling. “And I’m glad you did.” They both chuckled. “This has to be the best night of my life right now. I am with Kevin Richardson. How many girls can say that they spent one on one quality time with you?”

“Not a lot.”

“Exactly, but I get to be one of them. This is like a dream come true.”

“Anything to help.” She smiled. “Do you want to get out of here?”

“Sure.” Kevin paid for their drinks and they walked out of the coffee house and started walking towards Farah’s house. They walked in silence a few blocks and then they both stopped walking. “What is it?”

“Would you hate me if I kissed you right now?”

“Actually I was hoping you would.” They both smiled and moved in for the kiss. Their lips touched and they put their arms around each other and stood their on the sidewalk kissing.

Hannah and Brian walked from the nearby court after a late game of one on one basketball. They walked into the hotel and over to the elevator, as the hotel employees watched them.

“Some people are so nosy,” Hannah said. “Look at them all looking.”

“They act like they never see a celeb before,” Brian said.

“Most of them probably haven’t,” Hannah stated.

“It’s no big deal really,” Brian replied. “I see them all the time and they’re just like everyone else.”

“Try telling these nosy people that.” They laughed and got on the elevator. “So when are you leaving?”

“The day after tomorrow; we have a show in Miami Tuesday night.”

“Cool.” Brian nodded. “Does it ever get boring?”

“Nope; I love what we do and wouldn’t trade it in for the world.” “Cool.” “What about you? What do you want to do?”

“Psychiatry; I love helping people out with their problems. They always come to me anyway so I must give good advice.”

“Apparently.”

“After grade next year I’m going to Tampa U for, like, 4 years.”

“Cool.”

“Yeah.” They got off the elevator and walked to the Presidential Suite.

“What about for fun?”

“We’re all into the local theatre program so it’s acting for fun. This year we’re doing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and putting on the show at the end of summer. Next week we’re putting on ‘Grease’ which is going to be so awesome.” ,p>“Did you think about doing acting professionally?” They went inside.

“There will be no way in hell you’ll get me on screen like that. We all love acting and shit, but Loni is the only one that wants to make a career out of it. She’s still waiting for that big break.” He nodded. “I can’t see putting myself out there like that ya know.”

“Yeah, but you get use to it after awhile.”

“I wouldn’t be able to. I could handle dating someone that does that, because I wouldn’t be the one in the spotlight. That’s just not for me.”

“It’s not for a lot of people.” She shook her head and saw Valondra and Nickolas lying on the sofa together sleeping with the television on. “And he said Kevin and D were pathetic.”

“They’re not the ones lying on a sofa with someone they don’t know.” They both chuckled.

“Do you want to watch a movie?”

“Yeah sure.” They walked to the one room, but stopped before going in. “Maybe we should knock first.”

“Right.” Brian knocked on the door and then they heard Alexander, “It’s open.” They walked in and saw Alexander and Antoinette sitting on the one bed watching a movie. “Hey, man.”

“Hey,” Brian said. “Do you mind if we join ya?”

“Not at all,” Antoinette said.

“Loni and Nick are out there sleeping,” Hannah said.

“Yeah, that’s why we came in here,” Antoinette stated. “We didn’t want to wake them. Ya know how Loni gets when she’s woken.”

“She’s a cranky ass bitch,” Hannah said and they laughed.

“Nick’s no better,” Alexander said.

“What are ya watching?” Brian asked.

“’Ghost’,” Antoinette replied.

“Cool,” Hannah said making herself comfortable on the extra bed. “I love this movie.” They all looked at each other and then watched the movie.