Two Weeks With Chelsea

Chapter 8

Trevorsat with his friends in the commons after dinner and listened to one of theboys talk about his travel plans. It was late April and he began to wonderabout his own arrangements when one of his friends asked about the trip toAustralia. His father hadn't spoken about it since their first conversation aboutthe trip months earlier.

"I don't know," Trevor replied as he sketched in the coil bound notebook.

"Are you going to Sydney or the outback or, what's the name of that giant rock?" David asked.

"I haveno idea... where we're going, that is. That rock is Uluru or they used to call itAyers Rock. I hope we go there, it's definitely on my top-ten-list of things tosee," Trevor said. "It's awesome on its own, but there are petroglyphs and—"

Trevor's excited rambling about the things he hoped to see while on vacation was cut short by a friend's comment, "Screw that! What about topless surfing chicks?"

"You bet he'll score some of that," another replied. "You got a little sister, right? So, on the beach you act all good big brother like, girls love that. That's the only reason I hang out with my sister, and man, it pays. BIG!"

"My dad hasn't sent me anything about flights or anything, so I have no idea where we're going," Trevor said as he looked at his watch. "Crap, I was supposed to call home an hour ago."

"You better figure it out, Chambers is pushing everyone to fill in the departure and return forms," David said.

Chelsea arrived in the commons and took a seat within viewing range of Trevor and his friends just in time to see him get up to leave. Her lips formed a slight smile as he passed. Her eyes darted up and down, sneaking a few brief glimpses as he walked by. If he looked her way, she wouldn't have noticed with her eyes shyly turned away. After he had passed, she turned to watch him, then glanced at his friends. She pondered for a moment, trying to decide if she should leave since her only reason for venturing into the commons had just walked out. Surely, he would be back, after all, his friends were still there, as was his coil bound notebook. She quickly looked back and saw him step into one of the small study rooms. She decided to stay and was joined by Stacy a few seconds later.

"I saw Trevor leaving. I'm surprised you're still here," Stacy said with a condescending tone, "What are you writing there?"

Chelsea looked at her journal, hesitant to answer. Before she could even move her lips, Stacy had moved on and was focused on her own thoughts.

"So, Miami is close to Fort Lauderdale, right?" Stacy asked.

"I think so."

"So, a few weeks ago I told Mr. Andrews I was going to Miami for the break. And, just today, he tells me he's going to Fort Lauderdale or someplace that's, like, really close. He's renting an apartment on the beach; I think he said Hollywood Beach or something like that."

"Really? He told you that?" Chelsea said, reflecting Stacy's tone.

"Ahh, Yeah! And, the way he said it was like, he was inviting me to go and see him. It's so obvious. When I told him I was going to Miami, I'm sure he didn't have any plans. Now, he's practically going the same place, like he's following me."

"Isn't he engaged or something?" Chelsea asked.

"No, not anymore, like since Christmas or something. Completely single. And, he even showed me the place he's staying; he had pictures on his computer. It's so obvious, but of course he can't just come out and say, 'hey why don't you get away from your parents for a night or two and stay with me?' but, it's—"

"I don't know. I think—" Chelsea attempted to interrupt.

"I have to buy some sexy things, like lingerie... we'll be at the beach, I'm sure, so I should get a new bikini, maybe a thong. Right?" Stacy continued.