"Woa, Aubree.That is so romantic! Kinda cheesy, but definitely romantic," Lexi commented to her friend after Aubree had told her the story of what happened at Big Splash a few days back in an attempt to prove her wrong about there being no "connection" between her and Isaac.
"Yeah," Aubree agreed wistfully, angry at herself for not waiting longer for Isaac to get off the slide.
"Sorry, Lexi, but I've got to go. I was just going to give ya the update on me and..."
"Your conectee," Lexi laughed.
"Yeah, well, anyway, I'm supposed to go to this barbeque tonight at this lady's house...I saved her son from drowning a couple'a weeks ago, and I'd feel rude if I didn't go after her invite."
"A Fourth of July family barbeque?"
"Yup."
"Oh, cool. Have fun. Or atleast as much fun as you can have at some strange family's dinner party."
"Thanks for getting me pumped up about it," Aubree said sarcastically, "Well, talk to ya later."
"K. Happy Fourth! Buhbye!"
"Bye, Lex."
Aubree threw down the phone and frantically ran to change into some nicer clothes. She was running late.
.::RIIING::.
"Dang it! I don't have time for this. You had better not be Lexi again!" she screamed at the phone.
"Hello?" she said frustratedly into the phone.
"Oh, sorry-am I interrupting something?"
Oh my gosh. Aubree would recognize that voice anywhere.
"Oh, no, of couse not! Hi, Isaac! How'd you get my number?" Aubree asked, hoping she didn't sound rude.
"Hey. You told me what it was."
"But how did you..."
"Remember it? I remember every single word you said to me the other night."
"Really?" Aubree was glad Isaac couldn't see her because her facewas turning the sweet shade of a Valentine card.
"Yeah. But hey, I was just calling to see if maybe you would be interested in going to a Fourth of July carnival with me tonight...I want to get to know you."
No, this cannot be happening to me, Aubree thought angrily.
"Isaac, you know I'd love to. But I can't. At Big Splash last week, I saved this little boy from drowning, and I promised his mother that I'd come to their house for a barbeque tonight. I'm really sorry."
Isaac was not a bit sorry. He was bursting with excitement, actually. His mom had mentioned to him that a girl was coming over for dinner tonight to repay her for something, only it just not clicked. He would see Aubree tonight, and even sooner than he thought!
"Oh, okay, then. Maybe another time..." Isaac's voice trailed off. He faked being disappointed when really he could barely hold in his laughter. Aubree would be so surprised!
"Well, Aubree, I guess I should let you go now. You probably have to get to that barbeque soon."
"Yeah, well, I hope you have a good Independence Day, anyway," Aubree sighed.
"I'll probably just hang out here with my family tonight," Ike crossed his fingers. He was only half lying; He would be with his family tonight, but he was still counting on taking Aubree to the carnival.
"Yeah, well, don't have too much fun without me," Aubree said, and they hung up the phone.
I have to hurry and get ready! Ike was freaking out. He had just slobbed out in a plain blue tee and a pair of long shorts, but now Aubree was coming over...he had to do something, and fast!
He ran up the stairs, two at a time, and into his bedroom. After going through a big pile of clothes on the floor, he finally chose a pair of tan-colored Khakis and pulled them on, complete with a brown belt.
He also put on a plain white tee with a short-sleeved plaid shirt over the top.
He tugged his black choker with the silver beads around his neck so it wasn't backwards anymore, then hurried into the bathroom.
"Hey, Ike, what's the smelly stuff for?" Tay asked his brother, who was slapping Abercrombie Cologne all over himself.
"Aubree's coming," he simply said.
"Aubree? Whooo's Aubree?"
"She saved Mackie's life at Big Splash...she has long, reddish-blonde hair and..."
"Omigosh! The Zac-Hater's going to be here tonight? I gotta go tell Zac!"
Taylor started to run off to find Zac, but then turned back towards his older brother.
"You like this girl?" he asked incredulously.
Isaac gave his brother a "how-could-you-not-tell-that-already" look, and Taylor cracked up, laughing. "ZAAAAC!"
Aubree pressed the glowing door bell to the home of Diana and Mackie. A man with black hair and mustache answered the door.
"Oh, hello. You must be Aubree. I cannot tell you how thankful we all are for you rescuing my son," he said, stepping outside. "By the way, I'm Walker," he greeted her, shaking her hand, but not before wiping his barbeque-sauced hands off on his pants. "Here, let's go around to the gate and out back." He led the way to the backyard.
It was so cute! There were red, white, and blue streamers everywhere, plus little patriotic-looking star balloons were tied to the grill, which was smoking, and the barbeque smelled incredible!
"Here, take a seat!" Walker offerred.
"Thanks," Aubree said half-heartedly as she sat down at the picnic table. Sure, this family seemed nice, but she really wished she were with Isaac at the carnival instead.
"Aubreeee," Diana stepped out the back door with two young girls, both pretty and blonde like their mother.
"Hello! I'd like to introduce you to my second and third youngest...Avery and Jessica."
"Hi, Diana. Hi, girls!" Aubree smiled at them.
The younger of the two, Avery, peeked out from behind her mother's legs shyly. She seemed to build courage, and walked over to sit next to Aubree at the picnic table. "Hi, Aubree! Do you want to play Barbies with me later? Or My Little Pony? Or, or..."
"Hush, Avie-Baaaby," Jessica interrupted her little sister, "She doesn't want to play little girl games with you."
"Oh, of course I do! And afterwards, Jessica, how about we have a little makeover party?" Aubree asked, hoping to make friends for the night to keep her mind of Isaac and what she could be doing right now.
"Reeeallly? With lipstick and eeeverything? Can you paint my finger nails, too?"
"Sure, Jessica," she agreed and smiled.
"Mommy, Mooommyyy, is it time to eat yet?" little Mackie asked, stepping outside.
"As a matter of fact, Sweetheart, it is-I just need you to go find your brothers and tell them to come out here."
"Okaaay. I love you, Mommyyy," Mackie said with his baby-sweet voice and kissed his mother on the cheek.
"I love you, too, Mack," she smiled warmly. "Now go call your brothers."
"Okeee."
He ran back into the house, forgetting to shut the door.
Zaaackiiie! Tayloe! Isaaac! Dinnah's readyyyy!" he called up the stairs.
Aubree quickly stood, looking very surprised. Isaac...he was here! And he knew all along! This was his family!
Avery frowned. "Uh-oh...Aubree, are you another one of my brothers' screaming fans?" she asked, seeing Aubree's reaction to hearing their names.
"Avery..." Diana said with a warning tone. "Aubree, I thought when we were at the concert that you knew who my sons were."
"No..." she shook her head slowly, still standing and staring at the stairs through the open glass door.
"Well, are you?" Avery asked, getting a disapproving look from her mother.
"No, Avery, I was just...surprised, that's all..." her voice trailed off when she saw a brown Doc Marten bouncing down the staircase.
Her gaze sailed up the well-dressed body to see Isaac's face, the look of laughter in his knowing smile.
You're everywhere I go
He looked so handsome with his tanned face, nice outfit, and those gorgeous, gorgeous eyes.
And everybody knows I looked into your eyes And my world came tumbling down
Isaac's two younger brothers followed him down the stairs, snickering behind his back when they saw him looking at Aubree.
"Aubree, this is my oldest son, Isaac. Isaac, this is Aubree," Diana made the "introduction".
You're the devil in disguise
He walked over to where Aubree was standing and said, "Actually, Mom, we've already met."
"Really? That's nice, Honey," Mrs. Hanson responded, thinking that Isaac and Aubree looked around the same age....
Wow, Isaac thought to himself. Aubree had looked gorgeous with her hair hanging naturally in the breeze at Big Splash, with no make-up and a slightly pink face, but now...
Her hair was up in a French Twist, a few stray ringlets hanging down, with just a touch of make-up...her sunburn had turned into a tan, and she looked just...amazing.
She had on a little, red strappy dress that was down to about her mid-thigh...it had drawstrings right below the bust, drawing the material together, plus she wore an invisible necklace with gemstones attached.
Isaac thought hard. Had Cindy Crawford even looked this beautiful in the latest Cover Girl commercial?
"You look nice," he said, a total understatement, but Zac still fell to the ground in hysterics anyway, Taylor soon joining him.
"Boys!" Diana scolded, embarassed that her sons would be so rude to their honored guest.
"No, it's okay-they're just laughing 'cuz I was sorta grouchy to Zac when he was swimming at Big Splash last week, and now I just show up at his house," Aubree laughed.
"Zac, were you giving Aubree trouble?" Diana asked with the hint of a smile hiding behind her stern look.
"We...well...weellll..." he sputterred, bursting into laughter again, and Aubree grinned, turning to face Isaac again. "Oh, sorry-thank you, Isaac," she smiled shyly. "You look very nice yourself."
Aubree took a seat again, and Isaac positioned himself on the other side of her from Avery. "I lied," he said quietly and leaned towards Aubree's ear, "You look beautiful," he admitted, and Aubree could feel his breath on her skin.
"Thank you," she smiled, wishing she could just reach over and take his hand.
That's why I'm singing this song to you
After glancing over at Zac and Taylor, who were rolling on the ground because their older brother was sitting beside his crush, the "mean lifeguard", herself, she decided against the hand-holding, although she wished she could with all her might.
When Isaac's younger brothers, discluding Mackie, finally composed themselves, the eight Hansons plus Aubree sat together at the picnic table, ready to eat the long-awaited barbeque, which consisted of Shish-Ka-Bobs and Hickory Burgers.
Walker said the prayer, blessing the food and thanking God for the chance to be able to sit down with his family to eat, and also thanking God for the holiday and America's independence.
"Thank you for the opportunity we have to sit down here and eat with this sweet young lady, Aubree, who saved my son. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
"Amen," everyone added in unison. Aubree blushed slightly, and Zac burst out laughing again, only this time Taylor just rolled his eyes.
The meal was over, and Aubree had already played with Avery and Jess.
Diana, having the instinct that there might be something going between Aubree and her oldest son, had sent Taylor and Zac to do the dishes so they would be kept out of the two sixteen-year-olds' hair.
Aubree searched the living room and kitchen for Isaac, but then saw his tall frame outlined on the back porch. She slid the glass door open and went out to see him.
"Hey, Ike," she said quietly, hoping she wasn't interrupting his thoughts or anything.
"Hi!" he greeted her, his face lighting up.
It was silent for a moment between Isaac and Aubree, but there was a lot of noise coming from inside the house behind them.
"D'ya wanna go over there and talk?" Isaac asked, pointing over at the swing set.
"'D'love to!" she replied, grabbing Isaac's hand (finally, she thought), and helped him get to his feet. Their hands dropped, much to each of their dismay, but they were too shy to re-initiate the hand-holding.
They silently walked to the swing set, both sitting side-by-side in to different swings.
"So...when we were at Big Splash the other day...did you feel that...that closeness ag..again?" Isaac asked, stuttering slightly.
"Yeah," Aubree said, "But it...it doesn't make any sense. I don't mean to sound strange, but it definitely wasn't just infatuation. I...I feel like you're an old friend, and...and we haven't really even talked...I can't explain it...it just..."
"Shhh," Isaac interrupted, "We don't need to figure that out just yet. Let's just...let's just sit here and talk for awhile. I want to know more about you...everything about you," he added before he could think. Once he realized what he said, he felt sort of embarassed, "Sorry-I don't mean to go to fast or anything. It's just...the 'connection' we talked about...it makes me sort of just say whatever I'm thinking around you, I guess, and it's just like I've known your forever and..."
"It's okay, Ike. You don't have to explain. Just tell me this..."
They had talked for about thirty minutes when they heard a giggling coming from the open kitchen window.
"Zaaac...Taylor Hanson! What are you doing, eavesdropping on us?" Isaac yelled, but he really wasn't mad.
He didn't think he had the ability to get angry in the presence of this beautiful and incredibly nice girl.
"So...it's only eight-thirty. Do you maybe want to go check out that carnival with me?" Isaac asked in a mischevious voice.
"I would absolutely love to!" Aubree smiled, glad she got to go afterall. She was so happy that she knew more about "the boy with brown eyes" now.
To know you is to love you
The brown eyes. They were so gorgeous. Aubree stared deeply into them when she heard a "Yeeeaa! Sparklers!"
The whole Hanson family was coming back into the backyard.
"Sparkler?" Walker offerred to both Isaac and Aubree. They accepted and lit them up.
Aubree watched as Jessica, Avie, Mack, Zac, and even Taylor ran around the backyard, screaming, and having a great time together with their sparklers. Purple, pink, yellow, blue, and red flashes lit up their small faces. They were smiling and laughing, and Aubree wanted to join in on their happiness.
She ran over by Zac and Avery, dress flapping in the wind, twirling around in circles with her orange sparkler. The colors were so pretty as it flickered in the night!
Isaac soon joined in with his silver sparkler. No one noticed Walker and Diana with their cameras-they were having too much fun.
"Aubree is actually pretty cool," Zac said to Taylor as they watched Isaac and she running around the yard together happily.
Isaac turned off the ignition to his brand new car and ran over to the passenger-side door, opening it for Aubree.
"Why, thank you," she grinned, and they looked out over the carnival.
Lights from the game booths and rides were shining, kids were running around, laughing, and the smell of greasy corn dogs filled the air.
The two of them locked arms and hurried over to start their night full of fun.
"Aww, Isaac-look! There's a clown! We have to get a balloon!" she insisted, starting over to the red-nosed man. Isaac loved her child-like cuteness. He slowly followed her, and by the time he got over there, Aubree had already received a princess crown made of balloons to wear on her head, plus a flower, which she handed to Isaac. "Here-I had him make this for you," she said and smiled shyly.
"You're lucky to have such a pretty girl," the clown said to Isaac, and Aubree blushed.
"Thanks," he said, hoping to make it a hint towards Aubree that he did, indeed, like her a little...okay, a lot, but he didn't want to rush things...he hadn't actually known her for all that long.
"Oh, let's go on that-the Zipper!" Aubree exclaimed, Isaac slowly following her once again. His stomach always felt a little funny on upside-down, spinny rides like this, but he wanted to spend every minute possible with her, so he bought a ticket to ride it, too.
They stepped into the little cage-like booth of the Zipper. Once the Zipper began to turn, Isaac realized he actually liked the ride...every time it turned, Aubree's leg would brush his.
"This is so much fuuuun!" Aubree exclaimed, and at that time she fell onto Isaac's lap at the turn of the ride.
"Oh, uh, sorry," she said, but Isaac responded not by talking, but by putting his arms around her and holding her there on his lap.
She smiled and released the tension in her shoulders.
They sat there like that for the rest of the ride, only...Aubree bumped her head on the roof of the cage a few times. But it was okay. She loved the feeling of being in Isaac's arms.
When the ride was over, Isaac hesitantly stepped out, but smiled again when he saw the cotton candy. "C'mon...let's go buy some!" he said excitedly, and the two of them walked to the booth.
"Two...no, one cotton candy, please," Isaac looked over at Aubree and grinned. They would share it this time.
Aubree and Isaac walked around for awhile, enjoying observing all the people and the fun they were having.
They stopped to watch a live band that was playing and to finish their cotton candy. The pink, sticky newly-spun substance smelled sweet and tasted it, too. Every once in awhile, Isaac and Aubree's hands would brush when they reached for it at the same time.
The band's music was pretty good, but the two of them were thirsty, so they left to get something to drink. "How 'bout a snowcone?" Ike asked, and bought one for each of them.
Aubree went to sit at a table with her half cherry, half blue coconut drink, but Isaac excused himself to "go to the bathroom".
Aubree sat, straw in hand, alone at the small table, thinking of how cute Isaac was-looks and personality.
After about fifteen minutes, though, she got worried and craned her neck all around to see if she could see Isaac coming.
She smiled.
There he was, trotting towards her with a goofy grin on his face...holding...she couldn't quite see what.
"I won a goldfish for you," he smiled happily.
"Awww, Isaac, that is so sweet of you!" she gushed, then reached over and hugged him, but suddenly became shy and pulled back, taking a bite of her snowcone.
"So...what are you going to name him?" Isaac asked, filled with joy at the fact that Aubree had just hugged him.
"Hmmm...I think I'll name him Eki," she said.
Isaac looked puzzled. "Eki? What's..."
"Ike backwards," Aubree explained simply, and Isaac felt a wave of excitement rush over him. "The fireworks are about to start, Isaac...let's ride one more ride before they do!"
"Okay," Ike agreed. They set Eki, the remainder of their snowcones, and their balloons down behind a trash can so no one would bother them, and started towards the rides again.
"Aww, we haven't ridden the ferris wheel yet! We have to ride the ferris wheel!" Aubree said sweetly and shyly grabbed Isaac's hand, pulling him in the direction of their last ride.
As they went in circles over and oooover, still hand in hand, the two new "friends" sat quietly next to eachother, thinking of how lucky they were that this "family barbeque" that Aubree had to go to was the family barbeque.
Isaac's hair blew in the breeze, and he pulled it back with a ponytail holder he had had resting around two of his fingers on his left hand.
He looks so nice, Aubree thought, And he is nice-he's a really sweet guy.
Isaac turned and smiled at her, his heart melting when he saw her pair of green eyes sparkling in the light of the bulbs on the side of the ferris wheel.
.::BOOM::.
The fireworks started while they were stopped in the air at the top of the ferris wheel.
Isaac let go of Aubree's hand, draping his arm around her back, and she scooted closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
.::KABOOM::.
"They're so beautiful!" Aubree exclaimed about the sparkling fireworks that covered the sky.
She turned towards Isaac and said, "I've had such a great time tonight...thank you."
"Happy Fourth of July," he whispered into her ear.
When they arrived back at the Hansons', only one light was on in the house.
Isaac turned the key in the door and stepped inside, Aubree close behind.
"Hello?" Isaac said cautiously, so as to not wake anyone.
"Isaac, Aubree. You're home."
It was Diana.
"I was just going to make sure you got home alright."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Oh, and thank you for the dinner and for having me over," Aubree added to Mrs. Hanson, who said, "No, thank you, Aubree. Thank you for coming and thank you for saving my son," Diana said, not sure if she was talking about Mackie or if she was talking about Isaac.
Her oldest son looked so happy right now, and he had seemed sort of depressed lately. But now, he was like a whole different person. His smile was so wide she thought it might bounch off his face.
"Aubree, you are welcome over here anytime," Diana said kindly.
"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Hanson," Aubree responded.
Isaac was happy...his mom approved!
"Mom, I'm going to walk Aubree to her car. I'll be right back."
"No, take your time, Isaac. You're home safe, and I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Honey."
"'Night, Mom."
Isaac stepped out onto the front porch with Aubree, closing the door behind him.
You're everywhere I go
Thank you for making tonight so special," Ike said, and sat down on the top porch step, Aubree taking a seat on the next step down.
"Isaac, you made it special; I love to be with you," Aubree smiled, leaning back onto Isaac's chest.
He took her in his arms and sighed. He didn't want the night to end.
Aubree was thinking the same thing. She felt so comfortable here in his arms...
Isaac rested his chin on Aubree's head, burying his nose in her hair. It smelled so sweet. "Mmm, what kind of shampoo do you use?" he breathed.
"Daffodil Fields. It's Bath and Body Works."
"Oh, yeah? I got my mom a Christmas present from there."
Isaac held her tighter, as if she wouldn't have to leave if he did.
There was a slight breeze out, and Aubree shivered a little.
"Cold?" Isaac asked, and he rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
"Thanks," Aubree spoke.
It began to rain, and the two of them scooted back to the top of the porch so they wouldn't get wet.
Aubree heard music playing softly from one of the bedrooms of the Hanson household.
"Isaac, will you dance with me?" she asked, standing and holding out a hand to Isaac.
He took it and Aubree pulled him out into the rain, which chose that minute to change from a sprinkle to a downpour.
Aubree giggled and led the dance. The two of them swayed from side to side, and Aubree buried her face in Isaac's chest. Good thing I wore waterproof mascara, she thought to herself.
The rain poured down their faces and backs, soaking their clothes, but neither cared.
In a way, Aubree thought this small factor made the whole situation more romantic.
Two more songs passed, and Aubree finally broke the silence.
"I had really better get back to my house. Eki's getting anxious to see his new home," she said, grinning.
"Okay," Isaac agreed sort of sadly, sputtering as water filled his mouth.
They walked hand-in-hand to Aubree's car, and she climbed in. "Isaac, tonight has meant the world to me. I...I think I'm already getting attached to ya," she said, looking up into Isaac's face. He was glowing with happiness.
"Thank you for joining me tonight," he began, "But...I've been attached to you ever since I first looked into your gorgeous green eyes," Isaac said, leaning down to be on level with Aubree.
"Th...thank you," she said, her heart pounding. Isaac had to be the sweetest guy she had ever met...perhaps the sweetest guy she ever would meet.
"Goodbye, Aubree Austin," Isaac whispered, holding her in a hug for atleast five minutes, he thought.
"Bye, Isaac..."
He stood up slowly, Aubree's wet locks brushing his face, and watched sadly as Aubree closed her door. She began to back out of the driveway, but stopped and unrolled her window.
"Call me tomorrow?" she asked, "446..."
"I know..." Isaac interrupted her and smiled, "I will."
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
I pay for you with tears
And swallow all my pride
Isaac ran up to he and his brothers' bedroom, stripping out of his wet clothes and pulling on a pair of boxers.
"I...Isaac?"
Isaac nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Taylor's voice.
"Taylor! I thought you were asleep!" he said in a hushed tone-he didn't want to wake Zac.
"I woke up when you and Aubree were talking to mom, and I wanted to wait up for you...ya know, to talk. So, how'd it go?" he asked, propping himself up with one elbow on his bed.
Isaac smiled and took a deep breath. This would be a long story.
Dah-dah-dah-de-dah-de-dah-de-dah-dah
Dah-dah-dah
Beautiful Stranger
Dah-dah-dah-de-dah-de-dah-de-dah-dah
Dah-dah-dah
Beautiful Stanger