The five of them stood together in a somewhat awkward silence. They began to discuss simple things, like the girls' reasons for coming down there and so on and so forth.
"So what are you gals interested to do as a career?" Howie smiled. "There must be some reason for coming down here."
"Well," Brianne started, "I was going to try to be a model."
"Perfect stature for it," AJ grinned at her. She blushed in response to his flirting. Jessica flushed jealously. She knew she would never be like Brianne, tall and lanky with the perfect curves, with long platinum blonde hair and turquoise blue eyes. She was stuck short, with dirty blonde hair that fell just above her shoulders and eyes that changed color with her mood, and were usually grey or greyish-blue.
Howie noted the look on Jessica's face as she watched AJ and Brianne flirt. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but decided to leave it be.
"What are ya'll doin over here?" a new voice asked, walking over.
"Getting aquainted with our beautiful new neighbors," AJ grinned. The new guy nodded, suddenly too aware of the disheveled look he sported, due to an intense workout just before. His eyes met the grey eyes of Jessica. A shy smile came slowly to their faces.
"Hey there," he said, making himself tear his eyes away from hers and glance at Brianne. "I'm Brian," he said.
"Brianne."
"Jessica, nice to meet you," Jessica smiled. Brian smiled back.
"Not to interrupt, but what were ya'll talkin about?" Brian asked, turning reluctantly from Jessica.
"What the girls are planning to do down here," Howie smiled.
"Brianne wants to be a model," AJ said, sounding almost proud. Jessica rolled her eyes at the tone of his voice.
"And what about that lovely lady?" Brian asked, smiling at Jessica.
"What lovely lady?" she asked. "I thought Brianne already answered."
"Jessica," Brianne warned, giving Jessica a sideways look.
"Shuttup Brianne, I'll say what I want," Jessica sighed.
"I was talking about you," Brian said softly, gazing into her distraught eyes.