Chapter 17 The plane left at four in the afternoon, and arrived in Florida at ten (California time) It was one in Florida.  Bri had already arrived in Florida, but was waiting for Sam and Sarah to arrive before going to the apartment.  That night they slept on sleeping bags.  The day after they arrived in Florida, their things were delivered and furniture was moved in.  Anything they weren't using was up in storage. At noon, Chris, and A.J knocked on the door. The girls had taken a break in unpacking, and were in the kitchen eating lunch. Bri let the guys in. "What do you two want? This had better not be the beginning of the two of you bugging us everyday." "We don't bug," A.J said.  "It's going to be you three who bug." "Will not," Sarah exclaimed. "We're going to leave you alone, and you'll leave us alone." "Leave you alone?  We couldn't. It would be a sin to leave three beautiful ladies alone," A.J told her. "A.J stop flirting with my girlfriend." Chris said. "We're over to see if you needed any help unpacking, or if you wanted to go shopping, or something like that. And to make sure you're still going to the party tomorrow." "No, we don't need any help, or to go shopping right now," Sarah replied "And yes, Bri and I are still going to the party.  When and where?" "At noon, at Justin's. I'll take you. And isn't Sam going?" Chris asked. "No, I'm not going. I'm having lunch with George Armand at one tomorrow, then I'm going to start exploring town," Sam told him.  "But I need to get JC a present." "Why are you getting a guy who hurt you a present?"  A.J asked, Then he realized what he said and muttered "Oh, shit." Sarah groaned. "Chris, run and hide." "He doesn't have to," Sam informed them.  "I don't care if he told anyone. I just don't want JC to find out." "He won't," Sarah said. "I've already told everyone who knows not to say a word to anyone." "So other people know?" "Sam, Chris told A.J. Mr. Big Mouth, Mr. Talkative. A.J McLean," Bri told her. "Howie, Nick, Brian and Kevin all know." "But they all know not to tell JC?" "Yes, Sam, I threatened them with castration," Sarah replied. "They won't tell JC." "You still haven't answered my question," A.J said to Sam. "Why are you getting him a present?" "Because he's a friend."  Sam stood up and put her plate in the sink. "I need to go shopping to get him something." She walked to her room, changed and walked back out.  "I'll see you guys in a little while," She told Sarah and Bri, walking out the front door. "Bye," They called.                                     ~~~~~~ "Sam, Sarah, and Bri are finally in their apartment," Joey told Jc later that day.  "And the party is scheduled for tomorrow at noon.  But we  need to be there by eleven thirty.  JC had just gotten back to the apartment.  Chris had called Joey and told him to make sure he and JC were at Justin's by eleven thirty. "Okay. How did Chris and A.J get them to come to the party?"  They're probably still unpacking and need to adjust to the time change." "I don't know," Joey replied. " All I know is that Sarah and Bri are going.  Sam's having lunch with George Armand." "So she's going to accept his offer?" "I think so. It would be strange if she didn't. Not everyone is offered a position as an Armand model. Even Lesley wasn't be able to land one.  And Sam looks like she was made for his clothes." "She is a beautiful girl." "JC, she isn't a girl. She's a woman. ANd the guy who dates her is going to be one lucky dude." "Is Justin still hoping it'll be him?" "Wouldn't you?" Joey looked at him. "Oops. I forgot, you've got Lesley. Although I don't  know how you can prefer her over Sam, but you do." No, I don't. I'd take Sam over Lesley any day, JC's heart cried out.  He ignored it.  "Well hopefully Justin starts dating her.  He isn't a stranger."  Don't lie to yourself, JC.  You don't want her dating anyone but yourself stranger or not. "Do you really hope that?" Joey murmured.  "Can you truthfully admit that." "Yes," JC snapped, stalking to his room, slamming the door behind him.  He collapsed on the bed, wondering what was happening to him.  He'd never thought about Sam romantically.  She'd always been just a friend.  But lately, all his thought had been filled with her.  He remembered the first time a thought about Sam had hit him.  He'd been in a jewelry store buying the two carat diamond solitaire engagement ring he'd given Lesley.  While waiting for the clerk to find another box for the ring, he'd glanced around.  The minute he saw the three carat marquise cut diamond surrounded by six perfectly matched one carat emeralds, he thought of Sam.  Her eyes actually.  And wondered what they would look like when filled with passion.  He bought the ring for her then, although he'd been planning on getting her something else for graduation.     Joey stared at JC's door for a minute after it slammed closed.  Then he smiled. JC didn't like the thought of Sam dating.                                     ~~~~~~     Sam wandered around the mall for hours, trying ot find a gift for JC.  She finally decided to get him a watch.  He was always losing his, and went through three four a year.  She had it gift wrapped in the store, and when she got to the apartment, gave the package to Sarah to give to JC.       Chris knocked on the door at eleven forty five. "Are you and Bri ready?" he asked Sarah wen she opened the door. "Yeah, just let me tell Sam we're leaving.  Bri we're going." Sarah called.  Bri walked out of her room. Sarah knocked on Sam's door and stuck her head in . We're leaving." "Bye," Sam said.  "Have fun. Tell JC happy birthday for me." "Will do."  Sarah closed the door, then opened it. "Hope your lunch goes well." "Thanks," Sam laughed, "I hope so too." "See you later." Sarah closed the door and walked down the hall. "We can leave now." "Hurry up," Chris said, dragging them out.  "We don't want to be late." They took his car.  When they got to Justin's house, Chris told them; "I'm not sure if JC is here or not, so be as loud as possible. That way everyone won't jump out and yell surprise. We don't need the wrong people being surprised." "Yeah, yeah." Sarah said. "Let us out now." She and Bri got out of the car, heading for the door. Chris followed.  They made sure they talked loudly, so the guys would know it was them. Sarah knocked on the door, but Chris told her just go walk in. So she did. "SURPRISE," nine guys yelled when Sarah and Bri walked in, startling them. "It's not JC," Bri said. "Hate to tell you this," Chris began. "But the party's not for JC it's for you two." "What? Why? Why did Howie tell me it was for JC?" Sarah exclaimed. "A.J planned it, but had Howie find out when you three were getting out here," Chris explained. "He used JC's birthday as an excuse." "Why did A.J plan this?"  Bri inquired. "And what is it for?" "I planned it because I wanted to," A.J told her. "And It's a welcome to Florida party." "I thought you said he wouldn't try anything." Bri glanced at Sarah. "I thought he wouldn't."  Sarah handed the present Sam had gotten for JC to him. "It's from Sam. She said Happy Birthday.  And I've got a present for you that you'll get later." "Thanks," JC said, opening the gift. "A watch. Cool, I needed a new one."  He took it out of the box and put it on, then threw the wrapping away.     Sarah and Bri hugged the guys, Kristen, Kevin's wife, Leighane, Brian's wife, and Amanda, AJ's girlfriend.  The party went on for a few hours, everyone having fun.