Chapter Eleven

Stretching, Hamidah padded out into the living room. Just like all of spring break, the living room was empty. Renee was still sleeping and the other two were at work. Dropping onto the couch, Hamidah groaned at just how lucky the others were. They had gotten to see a show, and to top it off, they got to spend time with their boyfriends! Totally not fair!

Why didn’t AJ invite me to come? Hamidah wondered. Oh well. I’ll talk with him about it later.

Glancing at the clock on top of the TV, Hamidah realized she’d better wait untill it was at least 8:00 to watch TV. Picking up the nearest magazine, she sighed and wondered when her designs would be featured in a article telling how wonderful they were. When is anything going to go my way? She thought. AJ must have someone else if he didn’t invite me! Why is it that nothing ever works out for me!?

Tossing the magazine onto the table, she stood up and stalked into her room.

******

Later that day, there was a slight knock on the door. “You get it.” Renee mumbled. She was on a roll with her story, and wouldn’t stop for anything.

Slowly walking up to the door, Hamidah wondered if she should call AJ. Pulling open the door, AJ pulled her into a soft kiss. “I’m back.” He announced smiling broadly.

Sending Renee a glance telling her she and AJ wanted to talk alone, Hamidah said, “AJ, we need to talk.”

Watching Renee scurry out of the room with her writing, AJ smiled. “About what baby?”

“AJ. "Who were you with the last few months?" Hamidah’s tone was icy

“The guys. Why?”

“They’re the only people?” She sounded unsure.

“Well, there was Allison, Renee, and Megan--”

“So that’s why you didn’t invite me!”

“What?! Why I didn’t invite you? What are you talking about?” AJ cried.

“Them! Allison, Renee, and Megan! You cheated on me with them! They aren’t as ‘perfect’ as I thought they were!”

“Hamidah! How could you even think that! You know I get very distracted on the road! You wouldn’t have any fun!” AJ was yelling now.

“Still! Everyone else had fun with their boyfriends! I wouldn’t have gotten bored if I had come for just a few days!” Hamidah paused and lowered he voice. “I didn’t even get to see a show!”

“There will be millions of more shows! Why is that bothering you?!”

“AJ! Wont you just try and see it my way for once? My gosh! I haven’t seen you for... months and you want to start a fight first thing!” Hamidah yelled.

“Me?!” AJ scoffed “you’re the one who threw a fit when I first walked in here!”

“So now you’re blaming me?! Get out!” Hamidah yelled. “Just get out!”

AJ stormed out slaming the door behing him. As soon as the door slammed, Hamidah burst into tears. Sobbing, she buried her face in the couch.

*****

Staring sulkily at the TV, Hamidah sniffed back the tears that threatened to stream down her cheeks. Her friends immediatly understood her problem and left her alone. All evening she had just sat around and wished she had been a little more patient with AJ. She really had made him angry.

Once again, she and Renee were the only ones in the house. Megan happily accepted an invitation to go out with Nick, and Allison was at the mall. Renee, llocked in her room, was working on her story. It was coming along very quickly.

Standing up, Hamidah flipped off the TV. She needed some fresh air. Stepping outside into the cool clear evening, she looked out on the balcony. Standing on her front porch, she could hear everything going on that evening because their apartment was placed near the stairs. Hearing four familiar voices aproaching, she cringed. Scooting over as far away from the stairs as she could, Hamidah acted as if she didn’t hear them. But she was curious as to what they were yacking about.

“I don’t know how to tell her.” Briam was saying. “I know I should’ve told her before, but--”

“Hey man.” Howie cut in. “She’ll understand. If anything she’ll be worried about you. I do agree you should have told her sooner though.”

“Yeah,” Kevin sighed. “I can’t believe--” That’s when the door shut.

Curiousity peaked, Hamidah wondered who and what they were talking about. Why had they all sounded so concerned? Shaking her head, she made a mental note to ask Renee about it. If anyone would know, she would.

Looking back across the street, Hamidah enjoyed her time alone. This seemed very relaxing. She began to remember all the fun times she and AJ had during their 9 months dating. She still couldn’t believe it was over. All bacause she became jealous of what she missed out on. She’d talk with him about it tomorrow.

Before she realized it, Hamidah had been about an hour. Still, she didn’t want to return inside. Suddenly, a shreik from down in the parking lot startled her from her daydream. Looking over at the stairs, she was shocked to see Allison come flying up them. “What’s the matter?” She asked.

Startled, Allison sent a frightened glance over at Hamidah. Then, before responding, she fluffed her hair infront of her face. “Nothing.” Allison mumbled. “I’m fine. I... I... I was just in a hurry to get home.”

“Was that you who screamed downstairs?”

“Me? Oh, I dropped my car keys.” With that she rushed inside.

Shrugging, Hamidah followed.

The next morning, Hamidah awoke to the annoying sound of the phone ringing.

“Hello?” She mumbled into the reciver. “What’s wrong?” She asked the caller. “Your kidding!!” Shocked beyond belief, Hamidah’s questions about the boy’s conversation from the night before were all answered. How would she tell Renee?

Chapter Twelve

Opening her eyes, Renee glanced over at her bedside clock. It was only 7:30. Sighing, Renee tried to figure out what woke her up. Then she realized that everyone else was up and wispering in the kitchen. Pulling herself up and out of her room, Renee wandered to the kitchen. “What is it Hamidah?” Megan asked.

“I can’t tell you. I need to tell ‘Nee first.” Hamidah awnsered. “And shouldn’t Allison be up if she’s going to get ready?”

“It’s only 7:30, she still has time to get ready. What do you need to tell me?” Renee replied sitting next to Megan.

Hamidah opened her mouth to respond, but that was when Allison walked in rubbing her eye. Renee gasped. It was all brusied and swollen!

“Allison,” Hamidah sighed. “you didn’t drop your car keys. What really happened?”

Placing a bag of ice on her face Allison mumbled, “I’d rather not talk about it. Plus you just said you needed to tell Renee something.”

Renee looked over at Hamidah. She felt fear wash over her as she realized something was seriously wrong. “What happened? Where’s Brian?”

“That’s just it.” Hamidah said. “Brian’s next door, but.... he wanted me to tell you something. He, well, in about a week or so he’s going to have heart surgery. That’s all I know about the subject. I swear!”

“What!?” Renee cried. “When did he find out?”

“About... three months ago.”

“And neither of you told me?!”

Hamidah held up her hands as if to surrender. “I didn’t know untill last night! He called to tell you but I answered the phone so he told me.”

Renee stood up and stalked next door. Pounding on the door she tried to keep her emotions under controll. When the door finally opened, Brian stood there. He looked mildly surprised to see her. “So Hami told you huh?” He sighed.

“Yes. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know how. Plus, I didn’t want you all worried because I put it off three months.”

“You put off three months!? Why on Earth would you do that!” Renee cried.

“Lou told me I could last.” Briam mumbled.

“Lou? He’s not a doctor! All he was doing ws trying to keep himself in business longer! You could have died of a heart attack! Or something worse!” Bursting into tears, Renee turned and leaned on the wall outside of the door.

“Come on inside Renee. We need to talk.”

Leading her over to the couch, he sent all the others next door. (All of the other guys where staying at Brian’s apartment because they wanted to spend as much time with him as they could.) He sat her down and told her all about his condition, where it started, and what his doctors did to help him stay on the road. He aslo explained that when their manager told him to keep prefroming, he felt that it was wrong, but he ignored his feeling and kept going.

Looking at Brian, Renee realized just how much he meant to her. She realized that she would be devastated if something did happen to him. Though the feeling were strong within her, she couldn’t express them because of the large lump in her throat. Instead she took his hand and sat holding it.

******

A few hours later, Renee was back next door. She sat on the couch thinking about what Brian had told her. She felt as if someone kicked her in the stomach when she first found out, but then she put on her strongest face for B. She didn’t want him worrying about how she felt when he was going through this. Waking up from her thoughts, Renee realized it was a Wednesday, and Allison wasn’t at work.

“What arn’t you at work Balto?” She asked.

“Do you think I want my students to see me like this? They’ll ask so many questions!” Pointing at her eye she smiled weakly.

Kevin looked up. (He still hadn’t returned home.) “What happened?”

Allison lowered her eye to the ground and shook her head.

“You can tell us Allie, we wont laugh no matter how clumsly you are.” Renee grinned.

“I didn’t do it.” Allison wispered so low you could barley hear her. Making her voice a little stronger, she added, “Do you think I just hit myself really hard so I didn’t have to go to work today?”

She had tried to be humorous, but Kevin caught the real meaning. “Who hit you.” He demanded.

“Kev--”

“Allison, come on! We’re not going to hurt you.” Renee sent a concerned glance at her friend.

“It was no one.” Allison was clearly lying.

“Allison. Who hit you.” Kevin pinned her with his unapproving stare.

Looking down at the floor, Allison managed to squeak one word. “Rob.”

“What!?” Kevin cried. Renee cringed.

“He--”

“What were you doing with im in the first place!?”

“I wasn’t! I went to the mall!”

“She did.” Renee replied more to herself than anyone.

“Sure. So you went with him. I see. Well, why don’t you just get back together with im if it means that much to you.” Kevin snapped. “You don’t need to woryy about me finding out either! ‘Cuz I’m no longer your boyfrind!” He stomped out slaming the door behind him.

Sobbing, Allison fled to her room.

Groaning, Renee fell back into the couch. “What a wonderful day! Couldn’t get any better!”

Popping their heads into the room, Hamidah and AJ asked, “What happened?”

AJ looked around the room and added, “Who are you talking to?”

Renee ignored the questions. “You two are back together?”

“Of course! All it was was a big misunderstanding!” AJ grinned down at Hamidah.

Hamidah smiled back at him dreamily. “All we did was alk it out.”

Pulling her into a kiss, AJ hugged Hamidah tightly.

Renee groaned again. “I was wrong! I could get worse!”

AJ pulled away. “What?”

“Just go do that somwhere else!” Renee smiled. “Like in the kitchen. Just anywhere but here!"

Chapter Thirteen

Opening her eyes, Renee lay staring at the clock. Gasping she realized it was 11:35 in the afternoon! She didn’t fall asleep until around five that morning because she sat up worrying about Brian. Tomorrow he would be having his surgery. The one small problem that kept nagging her was, what if she lost Brian? What would she do?

Slowly dragging herself into the living room, Renee smiled slightly when she realized that Allison had finallly gone back to work. Allison had moped around the apartment all week. Her breakup with Kevin really hurt her, especially the way he seemed to mistrust her about the cause of her black eye. The strangest thing to Renee though, was the fact that Allison and Howie had become the best of friends in a short week. He was constantly taking her out, and she told him all about Rob and how he punched her in the eye.

Sinking into the couch, Renee flipped on the TV hoping to be able to get her mind off of Brian. Once the screen cleared, Renee was watching the news channel. “Oh well,” She sighed. “It’s good to know what’s going on in the world.”

“And just yesterday,” The reporter drawled looking bored, “ Brian Littrell from the pop sensation , The Backstreet Boys, is having heart surgery tomorrow.”

Groaning Renee flipped the channel to Mtv. They too were discussing Brian. She took a deep breath and turned the TV off. Wandering back to her room, she swiched on the radio. On it, her favorite radio station had people calling in discussing what they thought would happen if Brian died. Turning the dial to a Christian radio station, Renee sighed with relief when she heard one of her most favorite DC Talk songs playing, “Jesus Freak”.

Startling Renee from her sleep, which apparently she had fallen into with out realizing it, the phone started to ring. Quckly glanceing at the clock Renee wondered who would be calling at 2:00 in the afternoon. “Hello?”

“Hey. I want you to come over tonight. I really need you with me.”

“Brian? Is anything wrong?”

“No. I just wanna spend a special evening together, ya know, before..... my business. I sent the guys out tonight. They’ll be at your place. So we’ll have the apartment to ourselves.”

“Brian, that’s so sweet! What time should I be over there?”

“Is seven all right?”

****

Knocking on the door just before seven, Renee smoothed down her skirt. When the door opened, she saw Kevin standing awkwardly next to Howie, who was telling him all about where he and Allison were planned to go that night. “You’re going to ask her arn’t you D?” Kevin asked.

“Of course. She’ll tell me how she feels. And I’ll relay that back to you.”

Her mouth dropping open in suprise, Renee asked, “Does she know that everything she tells you is being told to Kevin?”

“No, but I’m trying to get them back together.” Howie looked proud, Kevin blushed deeply.

Renee sighed. Nick came sauntering into the room followed by Brian. He smiled at Renee and pulled her into a gentle kiss. “Hey guys!” Nick cried. “I’ve got a song I want you to hear!” Breaking into song he cried, “I need food! You need food! We all really need food!”

“That really sucks man.” Brian laughed after a moment of tense silence. “That’s the worst rip off of *Nsync I’ve ever heard!”

Gaping at Brian, the others slowly filtered next door. Brian shrugged. He couldn’t lie and tell Nick that the song he just sang was good because it was the worst song he had ever heard.

After a candle light dinner, Brian led Renee to the bed room and sat her on the bed. “I needed a way to show you how much I love you before tomorrow.”Brian told her. “I needed to prove to you that no matter what I will always be there with you. Because tomorrow I could--”

“Brian don’t say it!” Renee cried. “It’s not going to happen.”

“I could die Renee. You need to face that.” He replied gently but sternly. “Heart surgery is a very risky thing.” Handing her a gift box, Brian sat on the bed next to her.

Before she could react, Renee felt Brian’s lips on hers and dropped onto the bed kissing Brian with all the love and passion she felt inside of her.

******

The next morning, Renee rolled over and gazed at Brian. It was only a few short hours untill she had to let him go into that dreadfull hospital and risk his life. For those few short hours before, she was content to lay next to him and just hold him close.

Pulling up to the hospital parking lot, Renee felt the warm tears spill down her cheeks as she turned to say goodbye to Brian. Pulling her into a tight gentle hug, he told her, “Don’t worry, I’m gonna be fine. All you need to worry about is relaxing.”

“I can’t!” Renee sobbed. “I love you! I don’t want to let you go!”

“Renee. I’ll see you in a few short hours. Stop it! You’re making me nervous!” Kissing her he added. “I love you more. See you.” Sliding out of the car, he walked into the hospital leaving Renee sitting in the car. Once she composed herself, she wandered into the building after him.

Sitting in the waiting room, Renee allwoed herself to be hugged by Brian’s parents, aunts, uncles, and the rest of the group. Allison hugged her best friend trying to reasure her. “He’s going to be fine. I promise. Just come sit down and relax!”

Sighing, Renee dropped into the chair. It felt like an eternity, and a half by the time the six hour was up. Slowly the doctor came out and addressed the group. “He’s doing fine.” He assured them. “But untill he wakes up, immediate family only.”

“Man!” Renee hissed. “I have to wait even longer!”

“No you don’t.” Jackie wispered to her. “You can come in with us. It’ll be a nice suprise for him to wake up and you be one of the first people he see’s.”

“Thank you!” Renee gushed.

“No problem.”

Following the Littrells into his room, she sat on the edge of his bed. Waiting untill he woke up, she gazed into his face. When his eyes fluttered open, he smiled, thankful that the first person he saw, was the one he loved the most.

Chapter Fourteen

Allison sat down by the pool staring off into the horizon. Since Brian’s surgery, Kevin left on a project for the boys’s next album. Brian was recovering quickly, he and Renee seemed so happy together, and Renee never let Brian forget how thankful she was for the bracelet he gave her the night before his heart surgery. The bracelet was a simple silver band spatkleing with diamonds on it. Renee never took it off.

For about a month, Kevin had been away, and every day that month Allison thought of how much she missed him, and how she regretted not having his around to smother her with his love. Just like AJ and Hamidah, constantly.

Deciding, that when he returned home, she would apologise (although she didn’t do anything.) and tell him just how much he meant to her. She began daydreaming the exact words she would use. Suddenly Howie startled her from her thoughts. “Allison, I have a letter for you.” He said.

“Who’s it from?” Allison asked. Looking up at him, she realised that he knew. “Who?”

“All I’m allowed to tell you it that it’s not from me. Oh, and the others all went out. I’m was just leaving for the studio for myself. See ya later.” Howie winked at her and exited.

Picking up the letter, she slipped it open, and began to read it. As she read, she realized, It’s not a letter! It’s a song! As she read into the song, the title finally sunk in. “Back to Your Heart.” This song had been written to apologise for a breakup. Reaching the end, Allison looked at the signature at the bottom of the page. It was signed Kevin Richardson.

Gasping, she realized that the song was meant for her! Carefully folding it, she stuffed it back into the envenlope. Dashing up to her apartment, she stopped when she saw a large boquet of sunflowers with her name on the card. Picking it up, she read the note. All it said was “I love you and I’m sorry.” scrawled in Kevin’s neat handwriting.

Tearing up, Allison stepped inside and placed the card on the table in the entranceway. Sitting down in the kichen with stationary and a pen, Allison began a response to Kevin’s song and note. It said, “I Love you too. You know that.I have really missed you these past few months. I needed somone who understands, but loves me with all of his heart. You should have been that person. Ihad Howie ther for me though. He’s very patient and I told him all of my side of the story. Now I’ll tell you. Plus, the words back to my heart are what you’ve already said. You told me you were sorry, and you loved me. That’s enough. I love you.

Allison.”

Slipping her note inside an envelope, Allison snuck next door. Setting it infront of the apartment, she knocked on the door. Hiding inside, she peered out to see if he would recive it. He did.

Standing outside his door he read it. Watching Kevin’s facial expressions closely, Allison smiled brightly when she saw the happiest grin displayed on his lips. Sauntering over to her door, Kevin couldn’t believe his luck. He managed to make up for his mistake and proove how much she meant to him. Plus to top it off, she accepted his apology. Now, the hardest part. Seeing her in person, and accually apologizing to her face. Taking a deep breath, he rapped on he door. The door swung open and there she stood, cheeks flushed with the excitement of seeing him again. “Hey babe.” He addressed her as AJ would Hamidah.

She laughed. “Hey,” Opening the door a little wider, “come on in.”

Slipping inside, he saw his flowers in a vase, with the letter proudly displayed infront of them. At the sight he laughed.

“Well, the girls need to know what my boyfriend did for me.” Grinning at him she saw his eyes sparkling at her comment.

“I... I well. All I wanted to say is I’m so sorry for hurting you like I did. I should have known that you would never go back to seeing Rob after what he did to you. I... I never want that to happen again.” Taking her hand in his own, he looked her deep into her gentle blue eyes. “I really have to make up for it. I mistrusted you of all people. I guess I was blinded by jelousy.”

“Jelous of Rob? Why?”

“He knew you longer that I did. I was worried about him coming back and winning you back.”

“Winning me back? After he slept with Tammy?” Allison laughed. “Never. Plus, I got the real man.”

“Did you....?” Kevin couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentance.

“Did I what? Spend the night with him? Never.” Stepping closer she added, “Only with you.”

Kevin smiled. “That was quite a night.”

Allison laughed and kissed him. “I know.”

Out of his pocket, Kevin pulled a tiny box tied up with a silver bow. Handing it to Allison he smiled at how she reacted. A squeal of delight. Opening it she gasped. Inside, upon a silver chain, was a tiny heart shaped locket. Carefully placed inside the locket, a photo of the two of them smiling brightly for the camera was displayed.

Laying the locket around her neck, he was satisfied with how it looked. The pale silver shone brightly against her skin tanned from many hours of laying down by the pool. “Get ready.” Kevin told her. “I’m taking you out.”

“Where?”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

“Aww! Boo! Come on! A little hint?” Allison prized useing his prized nickname.

“No. Just be ready to...um...well eat outside.”

“Is a sundress okay?”

“Perfect.”

*****

Around 7:00 that evening, Kevin arrived (suprisingly on time) to take Allison out. Howie told them both that he knew they would get back together, that’s why he supported them both. Donning a white sundress, Allison was led down the beach to a small picnic area where they shared a romantic picnic dinner. Each told the other their side of the story. Both apologised. Sitting close together, both gazed up at the stars.

After a few hours of star gazing, Kevin led Allison to a small bed and breakfast, where he took her up to a small room of their own.

Entering the room, Allison grinned over at Kevin. “There’s only one bed.”

“Sorry. I’m on a budget.” Kevin grinned over at her and finally she noticed the overnight bag he carried for the firt time. “I broght a few extra things for you.”

Laughing she softly punched him in the arm. “You planned this whole night out didn’t you?”

“Yep.” Kevin grabbed her and threw her onto the bed.Squealing, she dove underneath the sheets where he met her. That’s where the remained for the entire night.

“I wanna be the face you see when you close your eyes/ I wanna be the touch you need everysingle night/i wanna be your fantasy/ and be everythin in between”

Chapter Fifteen

“Where’s Allison?” Hamidah asked the next morning as she streached and padded out into the living room. “I set her up on a blind date.”

Megan rolled her eyes. “Hamidah? Do you ever notice anything different about the house?” She asked referring to the boquet of sunflowers and the note addressed to Allison.

“Oh, who are they from?”

“Well, let’s see... everyone else was here yesterday except her. Kevin was supposed to return yesterday wile we were out, he’s not here either.... that’s a hard one.”:

Renee laughed. “Well we know what happened then.”

“”Heck yeah!” Megan broke into a bright grin.

Just then Allison and Kevin came strolling into the apartment chatting. Allison was wearing Kevin’s Royals’ jersey and a pair of her jeans. Noticing the whole kitchen staring at the couple they stopped in mid-sentance. “What?” Kevin asked.

Renee cracked up. “Where were you two?” She teased.

“Out.” Came Kevin’s quick reply.

“Out where?”

Allison diplayed a bright smile. “A bed and breakfast... I think.”

This caused the whole kitchen to burst into hysterics. Allison and Kevin turned a bright red. Then, Brian came bouncing in holding a packet of plane tickets. “Guess what guys?” He asked.

“What?”

“We’re going to Hawaii tomorrow! Start packing!” With that he left with Kevin following closely.

*****

The next afternoon, everyone was seated in first class in a airplane heading to Hawaii. Renee and Brian sat next to one another, with Megan and Nick behind them. Hamidah and AJ were across the aisle from Renee and Brian, with Allison and Kevin behind them. In the last seat, all by himself, sat Howie. Who seemed to enjoy a little quiet time to himself.

Leaning back and closeing his eyes so he could relax before takeoff, Brian felt a sudden tapping on his sholder. Opening his eyes, she saw a teenage girl standing before him, napkin and pen outstreached. Smiling as kindly as he could for her he signed the napkin. “Who’s she?” The teen asked pointing at Renee.

Brian couldn’t decide if he should tell her if she and him were dating or not. Srugging he responded, “My girlfriend. Her name’s Renee.”

Extending her hand towards Renee she smiled brightly. “Hi. Nice to meet you. My name’s Cindy.”

“Hi, nice to meet you too.”

Brian laughed. “Where are you sitting Cindy?”

“Oh way back in the back. I should be going too. Thanks so much!”

Exiting she grinned. Brian smiled at her. She wasn’t half bad. “I guess I need to get used to this.” Renee sighed. “You are famous after all.”

Standing up, Allison patted Kevin’s sholder. “I’ll be right back.” She wispered.

“Okay. Where are you going?”

“To talk to Howie.”

Sitting down in the vacant seat beside Howie, Allison took his hand. “I never got to thatnk you D.” She mumbled.

He grinned. “It was nothing.”

“No.” Allison sighed. “You did allot. I mean, you reunited me and Kevin. That’s a really hard thing to do. Thank you so much.”

“Like I said it was nothing. I mean you two were so misrible without oneanother. Someone had to do something.”

Pecking him on the cheek Allison squeezed his hand. “I’ll never be able to repay you. That was so sweet.”

“Hence my nickname: Sweet D.” He laughed. “Anytime sweety.”

*********

Arriving in Hawaii, everyone went immedaitly to their rooms. Kevin and Allison shared a room, Brian and Renee, Megan and Nick, and AJ and Hamidah. Howie got a room to himself. Up in their room, Megan and Nick began to unpack for their week in paradise. Then they dressed for the beach, where they were going to meet the others. “Nick, which suit should I wear? I mean, we are in Hawaii.”

“Hmmm.” Nick stood thinking a while. “I like the black bikinii on you.”

Megan laughed. “Somehow I knew you would say that.”

Walking down the stairs, the couple sighted the others playing in the water. Currently, they were engrosed in a game of chicken:boys against girls. Megan laughed as she watched Hamidah go tumbleing off Allison’s sholder’s and AJ started (or tried to) dance on Kevin’s. Running out there she challanged AJ and Kevin. “I bet you Nick and I could beat you guys!” she cried.

“Betcha couldn’t!” AJ responded.

Jumping onto Nick’s sholders, Megan waved at the others, who cheered her on. “You can beat them!” Renee cried. “They’re just wimps!”

“Yeah!” Hamidah added.

Grinning, Megan shoved AJ off Kevin’s back on her first try. She and Nick came out the champions. Everyone had their try against them, even Howie. Yet no one could defeat them. Laughing, everyone collasped on the beach.

That evening, they all ate a late dinner, and retired to bed early. After all, they had to get up early and go sight seeing around this beautiful place.