Chapter 32

Ruthanne's Point of View <3

We wake up at 8:30 in the morning, which isn't too early, I guess. Then, before breakfast or anything Kris yells, "SHIT!" His mom gasps, dropping whatever she was working with.
I was standing at the table and turned around, thinking he got hurt or something. "What!?"
"The thing's at 9:00!! We gotta go!" He runs back upstairs to get changed into something decent. His boxers just won't do for this event. I run to get my eyeliner and clothes to change into, I can do makeup in the car, but I gotta change now. I wear a light long sleeved t-shirt, it's a little chilly out today, compared to what it would be like in Pittsburgh at least. I see so many people walking down the street in t-shirts and shorts today.
"You look nice," I say as he runs down the stairs, zipping his pants up.
"So do you. Always." He says, always sweet. We rush out the door. Kris forgets his keys and has to run back in to get them.
On the way to the media event, Kris's eyes are on the clock more than the road I think."We can make it," he says, pointing at the GPS. "It's right, up there." He shows me where the destination is. We didn't take the time to program it in. Especially because he knows where it's at.
"that's good." I say, still putting eyeliner on. Then we get stuck at a red light.
"SHIT!" Kris bangs on the steering wheel.
"Kris, jeez," I look at him.
He shakes his head, "I'm stressed. I'm sorry Ruthanne." I put my hand on his where it's resting on the console in between our seats when I'm done applying eyeliner to my left eye.
We get to the building that they're interviewing just barely in time. "Kris Letang?" The lady behind the front desk asks.
"Yeah," he pants.
"Room 137, floor 5." She says politely, eying him up all the while. I glare at her while she's not looking, then we run off for the elevator. Kris is tapping his left foot on the floor and his right hand on his leg. I touch his arm.
"stop. It's ok." I say. He looks at me, still nervous and anxious.
We get in the elevator and it goes up up up. I don't like elevators all that much, they scare me.
When we're on floor 5 it takes us a minute to figure out what direction we're supposed to be headed, then we run again. The place we're supposed to be is halfway down the long hall. Kris slows down a few steps before the door and I nearly run him over. "oof!"
"Sorry," he whispers. "sit here." He says, pointing at a chair near the back of the room, towards the door. "I don't think there will be that many people here, but since you're a personal guest and not the media, you have to stay back." I sigh as I sit down and he walks up the aisle, lined by chairs on either side. He looks over his shoulder, having heard me sigh, "sorry!" Then he gets up in front of the NHL/Penguins background they have.
There's only a couple people here so far, but there's more coming in, passing me at the door. Some of them look at me. I have no little name tag, or microphones or crew and equipment coming in. Kris is talking to some guy, and then the guy announces that questions can start being asked at 9:15, 10 minutes from now. Everyone that's already in the room grumbles, wanting to get on with it, but there's still people coming in.
Then the questions start. Kris begins to tear up a few times, remembering his friend and I feel bad, like I do every time we talk about it. The fact that the whole league is interested must make this even worse.
All the questions that could have possibly been asked were and they finally finished around 10:30. Kris comes up to me, looking down. "Sorry." I say, putting my hand on his shoulder.
"It's ok. I just don't want to talk about it." He says, looking over at me.
"I know."
 We go out for breakfast together, since we didn't get to eat any before the stupid event.
"Yum.." I say, feeding Kris a bite of my giant Belgian waffle.
"mmm." He groans, closing his eyes. I laugh at him.
"I told you these are good."
"I already knew!" He says back.
"Nuh uh." We both laugh.
Our waitress comes up. "IS Everything going ok?" She asks, obnoxiously interrupting our playful banter.
"Um... yeah." Kris says. "can I get a box?"
"Sure." She says, then after a couple of seconds more looking at Kris, turns and walks away.
"let's leave. She's annoying." He says. I smile.
"Ok." I grin and when she brings the box back we just dump our stuff into it, pay the bill,  leave a tiny tip and leave.
We eat the rest of our breakfast in the car in the parking lot, having more fun because no one can interrupt.
For the rest of the day, we just do nothing. It's a great day and we spend a lot of it outside in Kris's backyard, by the pool, soaking up the sun rather than swimming.
I wonder about Caitlin back home and how she said there's Brittny drama. It's gonna be great when we get back, I'm sure. I just hope everything is "ok" right now. I lean on Kris's shoulder. He looks at me. "You ok?" He asks.
"Yeah." I shake my head. "It's fine."
"K." He kisses the top of my forehead.

Caitlin's Point Of View ;)

 In the morning, well, afternoon, I get dirty looks from my mother. "Where were you last night?"
"I went to a club with Sidney and the guys," I say. "sorry. I lost track of time. Really bad."
"You bet you did." She says, her arms folded across her chest.
I look down. "I'm sorry mom," I say, putting butter on my toast before I add the cinnamon sugar.
I take my breakfast into the den where I sit in front of the TV and eat. I'm still upset over last night, and I purposely didn't check my phone this morning, so I have no clue if Sidney's even going to apologize. I don't want to know at the moment. Because if he didn't, I will be crushed. And if he did, I'll still have to deal with the fact that I like both him and Max.
There's nothing good on TV and I soon get tired of flipping through the channels. I decide to go on a walk. I need to stop avoiding my problems and think for a while anyways. I take my phone and my pepper spray, because I'm not stupid enough to leave the house without it. I'm the kind of person who's always afraid that someone's going to come up behind me and kill me. My phone buzzes and I open it out of habit.
sorry about last night...do you still want to see me?   it says. A tear falls down my cheek. I still don't know if I want to see him or not.
I do. I want to get it all cleared up. I want him to say he's sorry to my face.
I don't. I don't want to deal with the fact that I'm so angry at him. I don't want him to be angry with me for over reacting.
I don't know what to say so I just type what I feel. I just don't know anymore. :'( I guess I need time to think.  is what it says when I hit send. And I do.. I decide to hide the messages between me and Max on the note application, in case anyone ever gets ahold of my phone.
I keep on walking and walking and soon I'm really far from home. About the time I I turn around because I still have the walk back home, and I've thought the same thoughts about my dilemma a million times over, I get a text back.
I'm sorry babyyyy.  
Why are all my relationships like this? I don't think I'm that bad.. am I?  Do I just attract all the wrong guys? My mind is still racing. I don't text him back, there's nothing for me to say right now.

I'm halfway there when that familiar Range Rover pulls up and crawls along at my walking speed. "You want a ride?" Sidney has the passenger side window rolled down.
I shrug, feeling exhausted. I had gone really far. I glance at the time on my open phone. 5:00 PM. I left at like 2:30. Holy crap,  I think, What the heck and say, "Sure." making him pull over and let me in.
"Caitlin, I'm so sorry."
"I know." I shrug and lean against the window.
"Your mom told me that you went walking. She started to get worried after a while." He says, trying to start a conversation. "Look Caitlin I'm really sorry. I can't handle it when you ignore me. I hate it when you're upset with me." He says, sounding really pathetic. I risk a glance at him. "I love you." He says.
"then why were you doing what you did last night?" I look at him, tears in my eyes. "Sidney.. you knowwww that that kind of thing realllyyy gets to me." I'm an insecure wreck is what I am. I always have been.
" it doesn't matter why I was doing it, cause it obviously didn't work, it just pissed you off.. I'm sorry." He says, pulling the car over on my curb instead of pulling in. So now he's trying to make me jealous?

I look at him. "But you had to have known that would make me mad... you know how all my past relationships have ended!" I say, opening my door. "Thanks for the ride." I hop out, feeling the need to be polite even though I'm still kind of furious with him. He's been so courteous through all of this, even though I keep getting mad at him.

"I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?" He asks, hands on the steering wheel, staring off in front of the car.
"I guess. Do you want to come in?" I ask. "and don't think I'm not still mad at you. Cause I am." I say. And I mean it. I just hope he gets it.

He gets out of his car and follows me awkwardly into the house. My mother greets him cheerfully and turns to me. "Nice to see you back." She says sarcastically. She can't stand it when I'm out on a walk for over an hour. And she knows that I'm brewing over something when I'm out that long.
"whatever." I say under my breath. I am not in the mood for her to nag me right now. I know what can happen on the streets. I go upstairs and Sidney follows me again.
"How can I make it up to you?" He asks, watching me sit down on my bed.
"Why would you want to make me jealous?" I evade him.
"I'm sorry it was a dumb idea. I should have been thinking..." He says. "Look Caitlin, I said I'm sorry. I don't know what else to do." He throws his hands up in the air.
"Well that doesn't take back everything I saw you doing!" I shoot  back, looking at him.
Sidney looks down. I'm having trouble staying mad at him, he looks so pitiful and shameful. "I'll leave if you want me to." He says, half turning toward the door. I can feel my face soften as he examines it.
"No." I say quietly, almost hoping he doesn't hear me. He comes and sits by me on my bed. Even while I'm furious with him, I don't want him to leave.
"I love you. You know that?" He says, wrapping his arm around me.
"yeah." I say, a tear falling down my cheek. I lean into him, tired of fighting and we sit in silence for a long time. I think about how much I like him, and Max, and I think about confessing to Sidney how I feel about both of them. I don't know if I could. I don't know how Sidney will react.
After a while Sidney kisses the top of my head and says, "I've gotta go,"
"where?"
"Back to Mario's. Babysitting."
"Again?" I sigh.
"I'll call you tonight." He stands up and walks out of my bedroom, not giving me time to escort him out of the house. I let out a deep breath and fall back on my bed, still feeling shattered and sad when I should feel loved. I don't know how to control my emotions. When I have everything I ever dreamed of, I still find a way to be depressed.

Chapter 31

Caitlin's Point of View ;)

I text Ruthanne in the morning. Brittny drama, wish you were here. :'| I send it to her before I even look at what other texts I might have. I'm up early today, so I don't think there'll be any. I'll leave Sidney one for once since I'm up before him.
Hey. thanks for the help. how was the babysitting? <3 I text him before deciding that I really need to be less dependent I'm always feeling bored and don't know what to do when he's not around. It's like I might die if I didn't get to see him for a day.
I sigh and lay back on my bed. It's so nice to be home. It's just too bad I'll be leaving this one soon. I think I might get some of my stuff moved into the apartment before Ruthanne comes, but I'm not going to set anything up quite yet. I want her to be there for that so I don't get in trouble if I do something she doesn't like. We haven't even called dibs on rooms yet.
I get a text back from Sidney as I'm laying on my bed thinking.
The kids were wonderful, as always, haha. You're welcome. You have plans today?
I break a half smile. It'll be impossible to become less dependent on him if he invites me to do something every day.
That's good. :) I've got nothing to do, most of my stuff is packed and my parents aren't going to be here
I text him back. My parents are going to some kind of event that I wasn't interested in. When I was a kid, I had to go to all of them. Since, I haven't enjoyed any so I stay home from most.
I pick up my phone when it buzzes again. I should be getting up and around and doing something, like taking care of my dog, who's scratching on my bedroom door because he wants out. He's been so excited ever since I got back. I'll feel bad when I start going to classes and he has to stay behind. Ruthanne and I are living in a pet friendly apartment, so I might bring him, but, I don't know yet.
Sidney's text reads, You should come over. All the guys and their girls of course are gonna be here.
Sounds like fun ;) Call me later about it.. gtg shower. <3 I reply, then get up and go to let my dog out. There's a note on the counter for me.
Caitlin, Brittny called again. She didn't leave a message for me to give to you, so... anyways, I need you to do the dishes from last night, and vacuum the living room for me please. Love ya, Mom.
I sigh, Brittny. Then figure I'll do the dishes, then let the dog in, then shower, then vacuum. By then, if Sidney hasn't called, I'll call him. I hate having lists of things to do, but then again, on a day like today, it's almost nice. I'd be bored out of my mind otherwise. Gotta stay busy.
So by the time I finish all that and sit down for a few minutes, I come back to my phone. 2 missed calls. Sidney, Brittny. I erase the Brittny one. Then call Sidney back.
"Hey." He says. "Everyone's here, it's 4:30, you coming?"
"Yeah yeah." I say. "I just had some stuff to do."
"ohh. Ok. Well, when will you get here? We're planning on going out to dinner, then maybe to one of the clubs around here. I wanted to wait for you." He says.
"I don't know.. it depends on traffic," I say. "Maybe 45 minutes?"
"I could come pick you up," he says, "if you wanted me to."
"Nah. I think I'll drive this time. You're always picking me up." I say.
"You sound tired. Are you upset?" He asks, sounding worried.
"No. I am tired, I had a bunch of stuff to get done." I tell him. "Brittny called me again. Twice today."
"Ughhh." Sidney groans. "I hate that bitch."
"Believe me, I do too." I sigh, "well, see you soon. I'm gonna get heading." I take my dog back to his kennel, then head out the door.
"Bye," Sidney says.
The drive to Mario's isn't really all that long. I just always seem to drive at the wrong time. Sidney answers the door right before I knock on it.
"Heyyy!!" He hugs me, and lets me in.
"Hey!" I say back, sounding just as happy, but not knowing why I'm not as excited to see him. I guess I'm just tired.
Of course all the girls are the same, except the one Eric's with. I say hello to all of them, and sit down. Ruthanne's not here to help me blend in so I feel awkward being so quiet. I'm introduced to Eric's "girlfriend" Mia and we're getting along splendidly. The guys are all preoccupied with some game on the Playstation or X Box or something, but Sidney always finds a reason to come back and hang out with me. I like that about him.
Ruthanne finally texts me back. Again? God that woman's annoying.
Tell me about it. Sidney's afraid she's gonna try and break us up. I write back.
"Who are ya textin?" Veronique leans over my shoulder.
"Ruthanne." I tell her, hoping she remembers who she is.
"She was here last time we all got together? With Kris." I nod and hit send.
"Yeah." I say, "she's in Montreal now."
"Oh yeah? with Kris?" She looks more interested now.
"Yeah." I say. "I guess it's not a happy affair, but she's happy to be with him."
"I love Montreal." She says.
"I"ve never been out of the U.S." I say. She laughs and that's when the conversation ends because Marc-Andre Fleury comes back up from the game the guys were playing. Sidney walks over too.
"Heyyy!" I say as he pretends to sit on my lap, then sits beside me. "did you win?" I kiss him real quick.
"You mean... You weren't watching?" Sidney makes a really sad, pouty face. I instantly feel guilty. "I kicked ass Caitlin!" His pitiful expression gone, he's back to being excited about the game.
"Dang. I missed it." We laugh and he hugs me. "sorry,"
"are you having a good time?" He asks.
"yeah." I say. And I am. Talking to Veronique and the other girls, who seem to know each other really well.
"So." Veronique leans over again when Marc-Andre leaves. "We're having a girls night next next Friday, at my house. You want to come?" She asks.
"Yeah. It sounds like fun." We exchange numbers and she gives me directions to her apartment building and all that fun stuff. I'm excited to go, even though I hardly know the other girls. I can only remember a couple of their names. Laura, Veronique, and Tess.... And then everything comes together. Sidney had acted strange when introducing me to her. He recently explained that their relationship ended badly because of Brittny. Who's she dating now?
"we might be going out to a club, soo, bring your dancing shoes! The guys don't know yet. and they're not invited. So, shh!" Marc and Sidney come back and we talk to them instead of each other.
"Heyy." I say, still not totally getting the Tess thing, but since she's in the room, I'm not going to ask. "Did you win again?" I fake a smile. I really don't care.
"No. Marc over there killed me in the first round." He glares at Flower across the room and I laugh. When Marc notices he glares viciously back. Veronique winks at me. I laugh again.
"Poor you." I look up at him. He's standing behind the couch I'm sitting on.
All of a sudden all the guys around the room stand up from their game. Max says, "Hey, we're going to get heading to the club."
Sidney grabs my hand and pulls me up out of my seat. "Let's go!" Max and the girl with him end up riding with me and Sidney. I don't know why but I can't help but feel a tinge of jealousy seeing her holding hands with him.

The club is all lit up. I'm don't regularly go to these kinds of places, but they're fun. At 3:00 AM it's about time for closing and we get ready to leave.
I found out the girl with Max is an old friend. Her name is Heather. Sidney had had a drink earlier (it's still not an excuse) and I caught him flirting it up with some drunk girl when I came out of the restroom. In the car, it's silent. Max and Heather know I'm mad at Sidney.
Back at Mario's, Max and Heather and everyone else leaves. When Sidney says, "goodbye." I feel like I'm going to cry. I totally forgot about my parents and freeze when I get in the car. I might be 18 and legally an adult, but I still live with them. They're going to kill me.
If I wasn't so mad at Sidney, I'd ask if I could stay with him. I get a text from Max on the way home.
Sorry 'bout Sidney. Not much I can say for him. I watched it happen too. -Max
It's ok. I guess if it's meant to work out, it will. Meanwhile, I'll be in my room, crying. I reply while driving, which I guess wasn't the smartest thing to do, but, I feel like I need someone to talk to.
I'm sure it will work out. However much I don't want it to. He responds.
Great, he must still like me. Max... Is all I write. I don't know what else to say.
The next text comes when I pull into my driveway. I can't help that I like you. I feel like we'd be perfect for each other. It was hard enough to stay away from you on that cruise. You're the only reason I went, really. A tear courses down my cheek. I've always liked Max, but I tried to put aside my feelings for him and love Sidney. I do like them both. And here we go again on that emotional roller coaster. I had really hoped Max would forget that he liked me. But I guess he hasn't.
Max. I like you too. I just... don't want to hurt Sidney, and I don't want him to think I'm doing anything because I'm upset. I write. and it's true. I have been happy with Sidney, but I find myself faking it a lot of the time too. I don't want to have the rest of this conversation right now, so I follow up the last text with: I've got to go to bed. Night Max.
I take a shower. I would never be able to sleep smelling like smoke like I do. And I go to bed with an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

Ruthanne's Point of View <3

Today is our one last free day until after everything's done and taken care of.
Kris takes me out sightseeing today. It's wonderful in Montreal. I like it better than Pittsburgh. Kris finally decided that we'd be staying a week after his last scheduled NHL interview thing. We're leaving for home next Friday then. He's going to Luc's parents this Saturday. Nobody is supposed to know about it, so that the media doesn't show up. I told him I wasn't going, even though he really wants me to.
"But they're like my second set of parents," he whined. "you have to meet them."
"It'd be too weird. That's not the reason why you're going to see them anyways." I tell him.
"Well what will you do while I'm gone?" He tried again.
"I'll stay here and hang out with your parents. I'm not going." I say. I don't really want to hang out with his parents alone, but it's a good enough thing to do while he's gone. Maybe I'll go sightseeing again and take my camera with me.
I snap a photo of me and Kris in front of a neat looking building. Then I kiss him and skip down the sidewalk ahead of him. He walks, hands in his pockets and laughs at me. I turn around and wait for him at the corner. He jogs up and takes my hand. I lean on his shoulder.
"j'taime." Kris says. I can't help but smile. His voice is so much better when he speaks in French.
"I love you too." I say, holding onto his arm and leaning on his shoulder.
We drive to different places in the city, and then walk around from there. I'm having so much fun with Kris, I forget about all the stuff and the troubles back home. We decide to go home somewhere around 4:00.
We get back and Kris's mom is waiting for us with lunch. I don't normally eat lunch at 4:00, but it's delicious. I'm in such a happy mood today, I just can't stop smiling.
Kris's mom asks why and I look at Kris. She laughs at us and gets up to wash dishes.
"You two are so cute." She says a moment later. I burst out laughing and Kris blushes. We go up to his room, because he feels awkward when his mom says stuff like that.
We hang out up there for a long time. It's like 7:30 when we come back down and sit in the living room.
Kris's mother is working on dinner. It smells really good too. "whatcha makin' mom?" Kris yells.
"Meatloaf." she says back. That's definitely not what it smells like, but I like meatloaf.
After dinner Kris and I go for a walk in the dark. Montreal is even prettier lit up. I love it here.
Kris and I go to bed after our walk. He's got a big day tomorrow, and he's got to get up early. And I guess that means I do too. yay.

Chapter 30

Ruthanne's Point of View <3

Kris's mom and step dad are really nice. Kris and I got to talking last night and didn't get to bed until after 2:00. And didn't wake up until after 11:00 in the morning.
He told me about his friend, Luc, and how they were so close. And how the day after tomorrow, all the events and everything would take over us. We, mostly Kris, would be really busy. Day after tomorrow is a NHL media event where they're going to ask questions about Kris's relationship with Luc, how they played together in the minor leagues, and everything else you can think of. And the rest of the week is like that, just stuff with the NHL, the funeral, everything else. I guess Kris is going to make a trip out to Luc's parents' home. I'm thinking I don't want to go, even if he wants me to. It'd be too weird to go. I don't know them, or Luc for that matter.
Kris takes his family and me to breakfast, well, brunch at a Tim Hortons nearby. He's surprisingly having a good time, and so am I. It's neat to see how happy his parents are to see him. They ask a lot of questions about me, and I blush at some of the answers Kris gives. They smile and Kris's step dad pats me on the back every time I'm embarrassed.
So then, they start asking me questions about him and filling me in on things he used to do and habits he had. Some of the things, I think I'd rather not know. I answer to the best of my ability, and with the most embarrassing answers possible. Kris's parents are having an absolute riot here in the Tim Hortons, watching our little battle. Of course it was fun for them, they got to find out about each of our little habits and secrets, in public, and watch us embarrass the hell out of each other. It must have been hilarious.
We head back to their place and around 3:00 they decide to go grocery shopping. Kris and I just hang out in his bedroom, having a good time making fun of each other for that conversation in the restaurant. "I love you." I say, laughing and kissing him. "I really do."
"Well I love you too," He laughs, "despite the embarrassing things you said in front of my Mom!" I smile mischievously, proud to have gotten on his nerves and gotten away with it. That's a fun feeling to have. The "he loves me anyways feeling." But I try not to abuse it, cause then he won't love me no more.
I roll over on my back on Kris's bed. "I wish I lived in Montreal." I say, "it's so lovely here."
"You've only been here a day!" Kris says. "I mean, it's great here, but, you hardly even know," He laughs at me.
"Still. It's lovely. The people are nice." I'm talking about his parents, him, everyone at the restaurant, the airport. It's great here.
"Ruthanne," Kris laughs. I smile and sit back up.

Kris's parents, who grocery shop together, which I find hilarious, come back around 5:00 in the evening with stuff to make dinner. I help his mom make a casserole thing while Kris and his step dad sit around in the living room and watch some hockey game or another. We get to know each other a little bit better and I love how easily we get along. Like we've known each other for a long time, really.
Dinner is ready and we all eat, but this time it's quiet, because the food is better, I think. After that, around 9:00, Kris's parents go to bed, surprisingly earlier than last night. I guess that's normal for them, but having Kris home last night was so exciting, they couldn't sleep. His family is a lovely, funny, quirky one.
We go back upstairs and hang out again after a while. I had gotten used to his parents, who are very talkative, supplying the conversation, and I couldn't think of anything to say. I was genuinely tired too, which could have something to do with that, nodding off here and there on Kris's shoulder as we watch TV. It's not like it would matter if I fell asleep, we're in bed. I just don't want to, as long as Kris is awake. I just love being in his presence.
"You're so cute when you sleep." He whispers in my ear when I wake up yet again.
"Yeah?" I look up at him.
"Yeah. You know it won't bother me if you just sleep. You try too hard to stay awake for me." He laughs. I smile then lean my head on his shoulder again.

Caitlin's Point of View ;)

Sidney comes over, and I was right about him sounding irritated and stressed. "Did Brittny call you?" Were the first words out of his mouth when I opened the door. He almost looked mad.
"Uh yeah. like twice." I say. "why?" I ask him, my happiness kind of spoiled now. He comes in and we go to my room almost immediately, so my mother won't hear.
"What's wrong, exactly?" I look up at him.
"I just think she's up to something." He says, pacing back and forth through the mess in my room. "First of all, she somehow got ahold of Mario's phone number and called 2 or 3 times. She called you. Texted you."
"yeah?" I say, not worried as much as he is. "If it's anything, we can deal with it Sidney," I say, still not understanding why he was so upset. "I don't think she's that dangerous."
"Well, I do. How do I know she's not going to do something stupid to get at us."
"You don't." I say, still confused. I think Sidney's overreacting. "I d-don't quite understand why you're so upset over this." I say, shaking my head and putting my hands up. "Explain or something." I say.
"ok. So once upon a time I actually dated her. I think you know that." He says, frowning. "And right after I broke up with her she did this kind of thing. Found the numbers of some of the guys, called them, called me, didn't leave a message. Texted them with weird questions that only a stalker or someone would ask." He takes a breath. "anyways, the next girl I went out with, Tess, was walking down the street to the corner store and Brittny comes out of nowhere and starts flipping out on her, screaming and whatnot, trying to hit her." Sidney grabs my hands. "Anyways, the clerk at the store heard it and came out to help her..." He trails off for a minute. "Let's just say, that one ended badly, because of Brittny and I don't want that to happen to us." He hugs me and rests his head on top of mine while I lean into his chest.
I stand there silently, not knowing what else to do.
"Ok now?" He asks me.
"Yeah.. I don't think there was any way I was going to figure out why you where freaking unless you explained it." I half laugh.
He laughs nervously, "yeahhhh," he says, still hugging me, but I'm looking up at him now. It's just a little bit awkward so he lets go.
"Everything will be ok." I say. "I don't care about Brittny and I'm not going to let her get between us!" I say resolutely.
"I hope not." Sidney says.
"Well, it won't happen, so don't worry about it." I say, glad his little hysteric fit is over. I mean, I do that sometimes too, but it's just a little bit scarier when a grown man hockey player does it. Just a little bit scarier.
"Ok well. I'll help you get all packed up he says. Just tell me what to do." So I do. There's a pile of boxes in the corner of my bedroom, and I point to them. We work methodically, me handing him stuff to put in the boxes, until like half of my room is in them. Then, we head down for some dinner. It's like 6:00 and I'm starving.
Sidney hangs around for a while after that, then heads back to Mario's. Mario and Nathalie wanted to go out tonight I guess, and Sid got stuck babysitting. I don't mind, and neither does he. I just think it's funny, that he does that. So he leaves, and I'm at home, alone, doing nothing. I end up going to bed early because I'm bored and don't feel like packing anymore. But again, I just lay there for a really long time, not able to sleep because Sidney's not there.

Chapter 29

Ruthanne's Point of View <3

Kris dropped me off at my house and went back to his apartment, instead of staying like he planned. He said he needed to just go be alone again and think about things. He's always thinking about it and he's getting more depressed by the day. I ate some cheese on crackers and talked to my mom a little bit about how the cruise went. I did manage to get a little tan today so she was jealous of that. I showed her my souvenirs then at 11:45 went up to my room to try to get to sleep. Of course it took forever to fall asleep. I'm so used to being in a big bed, with Kris and here I am, in my little single bed, all alone. I wake up early, and I hadn't slept well. Instead of putting the clean clothes away like I should I just dump all of my clothes into the hamper and leave it like that. I grab a few sweaters, a few t-shirts and a few other tops that I like, for my trip to Montreal. I take all the jeans that I didn't have on the cruise and stick them in the suitcase too. I hang out with my family until like 2:00, then say I have to go to Kris's to get a few more things ready. "Bye. I'll miss you." I kiss my mom on the cheek before leaving for the second time in 2 weeks. I have to admit that while I can't stand my family's controlling habits, they've done really well letting me do my own thing since graduation. I get to Kris's at about 2:30 because traffic was decent. I take the elevator to his floor and find his door. I knock a couple times and there's no answer. "KRIS!" I say loudly. There's shuffling inside and then he opens the door. "Hey." He says, sounding and looking sleepy, his hair all tangled and messy. "Come in." "Hey," I give him a hug, letting go of my suitcase to do so. "I'm all ready." "ok. I'm not. Help me?" He looks at me hopefully. As if I would say no anyways. He wraps his arm around my waist and leads me to his bedroom where his nasty brown suitcase is laying open on the bed. "K." I say as he walks over to his dresser. He holds up outfits for me to judge, and then judging on my reaction, throws them into the suitcase, or back in the dresser. He grabs a black suit and automatically folds it then lays in the suitcase. I packed a black outfit as well, just in case. "alright. All packed." he says, folding over the lid to the suitcase and zipping it up. "thanks." He leans over and kisses me. "welcome," I say, smiling. "we've got," Kris looks down at his watch. "3 hours til we need to be at the airport." "Mmk. Let's do something before we leave." I say, not ready to leave Pittsburgh again, just yet. "Wanna go get something to eat?" He says. "I haven't eaten anything all day. "ok." I say. "Cheesecake Factory?" I ask him. So we go, and eat and blow time until it's time to go to the airport. Getting on the plane is easy, no stupid little things to get in the way. Our flight is smooth and we're in Montreal before we know it. It's nice how time flies when you're with someone you love. It takes forever to find Kris's parents car and when we do, both our suitcases don't fit in the trunk of the tiny thing without smushing them. Finally, we get it all in and we pile in the back. We're all introduced in a couple minutes and they seem nice enough. I hope they like me... Driving through Montreal for the first time, I'm amazed at the sights, even at night. It's so beautiful. It doesn't take long to get back to his parents' house and I wonder if we'll be hearing planes go over all the time. We moved from where I used to live because we had that problem. I'm following Kris into his bedroom when he says "oops.. you're gonna be in there." He points across the hall. I frown quickly, then turn around, pulling my suitcase behind me. I guess I won't be sleeping with Kris, unless it's not like a rule. Long lonely nights for Ruthanne. That's not why I'm here, I remind myself I set my suitcase on my bed then go to Kris's door and knock. "Hey." He says, pulling me into him and kissing me. "How are you?" "Good." I say, kissing him back real quick. "Yeah?" He says, kissing me again. "Except for the fact that I'm not sharing a bed with you. I could hardly sleep last night." He kisses me yet again. "My parents didn't know whether you'd be more comfortable in there, or in here." He says. "Oh." I say. "well, can I come in here with you?" "Sure." I smile and hug him then pull away to grab my suitcase from the other room. When I come back, I eye up Kris's bed. It's a double, thank heavens. Big enough for the two of us. I hug Kris again. "I'm so happy to be here." "it is nice." He says, "especially with you here." I smile again and he says, "my parents are gonna go to bed soon." He says. "D'you want to go downstairs and hang out?" "um. sure," I say, just happy to be with Kris.

Caitlin's Point of View ;)

I wake up and feel more alone than ever. It's so empty without the buzz of the cruise ship, and Sidney right beside me. Out of habit, I look at my phone. Before I turn it on, I see my reflection on its screen. I look like a fuzzy mess, hair sticking up all over the place.
It's 10:15 and I've got 3 texts. Sidney, Ruthanne, Brittny?
Sidney: Hey darling, how'd ya sleep? Call me. <3
Ruthanne: Made it to Montreal, sorry I didn't call or anything.. it was late. :) ttyl. miss ya already! <3
Brittny: So.. how was that cruise?

I shake my head, and try to believe what I'm seeing. Brittny. Texted me? About the cruise?
I dial Sidney's cell phone, still confused. He wanted me to call, after all.
"Hello?" Sidney says.
"Heyyy." I say happily.
"Good morning sleepy head. How'd ya sleep?" Sidney asks.
"Good." I say. "well, not really, but. yeah," we laugh and then I say, "Brittny texted me about the cruise?"
"Weird. What'd it say?" Sidney asks.
I repeat the text and he's confused about it too. "Maybe she meant just what she said," I say. "I'm not going to answer it of course," we laugh again. "What're you doing today?"
"Sleeping." Sidney says. I can hear the smile in his voice and I smile too.
"I'm packinggg." I whine. "Help me?"
"packing for what?" He asks, then figures it out. "Oh yeah. I'll come over later. I still have to unpack."
"Ok. As long as I get to see you," I laugh at myself. I've become totally dependent upon him. But I guess I can't be blamed. He's only the nicest, and the hottest guy to ever walk the earth, and I was stuck in a cruise suite with him for an entire week.
Sidney laughs and says, "talk to ya later Caitlin."
"bye!" I say, still smiling, then hang up. I go downstairs to eat breakfast.
My mom greets me, "mornin hon. There's breakfast in the microwave." I walk over to find some waffles and bacon. A weird combination, I think, but yummy nonetheless. It's still warm so I don't bother to reheat it. I hate the chewy consistency microwaving things gives them.
"How were you while I was gone?" I ask my mom, "anything happen?"
"nope. We were good. Everything was great. I did get calls from a few of your friends. I wrote them down here." She picks up a notepad from the end table next to her recliner. There's a list of names filling up most of the page. Brittny's is on it, twice. Why would she call if she knew I was going to be on a cruise?
I ponder it for a second, then decide I'll ask Sidney later. I can't help but feel Brittny's up to something. But I'm almost positive she can't get between me and Sidney.
I hang out with my mom, and play with my new lap top some more until like 2:00. I really need a shower, so I go upstairs to what is basically my bathroom to get washed up. It's about 3:00 when my phone buzzes because Sidney's calling me. I take a break from blow drying my hair to answer it.
"Hey."
"I'm coming over. Now." Sidney says, sounding stressed.
"Ok?" I say, a piece of hair falling in my face and distracting me.
"Yeah.. See you soon. love you." Sidney says.
"ok." I say, after he already hung up. "weird." I say to myself, and in the back of my mind I have this niggling thought about Brittny being behind his stressed tone, but I disregard it, thinking all drama between us and her is over.

Chapter 28

Ruthanne's Point of View <3

I wake up on the edge of the bed because of the ship's stupid horn thing. Kris is nowhere near me. I sit up, scared for a moment. Kris is on the other edge of the bed. I lay down next to him and try to sleep again. I can't, because I don't know what time it is, so I have to roll all the way to the other side again to get my phone and check. 9:14. The ship's scheduled to dock at 2:30, so I roll back over to Kris to try and get some sleep.
I wake up again, in Kris's arms this time, at 10:45. "Hey."I say sleepily, looking up at him. He's propped up on his elbow, looking down at me.
"Good morning," he kisses me then gets up out of bed. "Are you all packed?"
"um. I think so." I say, getting up to look in the dresser and under the bed one more time. Sometimes, my clothes end up in weird places. One time, Caitlin and Sidney came over and I had to kick a bra under the bed before they noticed. I find it there, and put it away.
"How'd that get there?" Kris asks me, one eyebrow raised.
"You." I lie, even though that's how it got on the floor in the first place.
"oh." He laughs half-heartedly.
I get up and walk over to him and give him a hug. He looks at me funny. "My, you're in a good mood this morning." He says.
"I only get to go to Montreal with my favorite person in the world. I'm just glad I get to be there." I say. Kris kisses me.
"I'm glad you're coming with me. It'll make things a lot easier. You'll get to meet my parents." He says, smiling again.
"I can't wait." I hug him again, and then go to the bathroom to brush my teeth, really hoping my mouth wasn't nasty when he kissed me. Of course his wasn't. He ALWAYS gets to be perfect. ugh. "Are we going to breakfast?" I ask him as my stomach growls.
"Only if you want to." Kris replies, breaking into his suitcase again for a decent outfit. Living out of a suitcase didn't work for him, he never got to the bottom and instead wore a lot of dirty clothes this week.
"We're going then." I say. "I'm starving."
"ok then." Kris starts changing while I finish brushing my teeth and washing my face. I pull my hair up into a messy bun, not in the mood to contend with it right now.
"How cute." Kris laughs at me when I come out. I'm wearing ugly stained grey shorts and an old softball t-shirt. All of my hair is on my head. I'm sure I look hilarious. I just glare at him and get some more decent--but comfy--clothes to change into.

After breakfast, Kris and I still have a lot of time to kill. For some reason, I haven't ended up with a glorious tan this week, so we head out to sun bathe, like it would help now. At about 1:00 the little intercom system starts talking and never shuts up. they're all telling us how we should be ready to leave, and how things are shutting down. so we go find Sidney, Caitlin and Max to pass the rest of the time. We hang out til it's time to leave.

At the air port Caitlin had to have some kind of weird souvenir that would set off the x-ray machine that we have to put our shoes and everything else through. So we stand there, holding up the line while trying to explain what useless thing it is so it doesn't get confiscated. Finally, after like an hour she gets it back. If it were me today, I would just tell them to keep it, but I guess that's the only souvenir she got.
So, because of that ordeal, we get on the plane in a bad mood. I lean on Kris. "Uhhh." I sigh.
"Tired?" He looks at me, with that know it all look on his face.
"stressed." I try to say. But I really am tired.
"Riggghhhhht." Kris says. He grabs my hand and says. "Go ahead and sleep."
I love pictures of what's outside the plane, so I hand him my camera. "Take pictures.Since you got the window seat." I tell him.
"Fine." He says "It's not like you could take them while you're sleeping." He laughs. I just smile, still leaning on him.

I wake up just a little bit before we land. While I'm leaning on Kris, he's leaning on me, so I can't sit up. My neck has a crook in it and I'm really uncomfortable. I hear his soft snore above me. Great, he's asleep.
"Caitlin?" I say, to see if she's awake.
"Yeah?" She looks back at me.
"Get Sidney to say something to Kris." I point up at him.
Sidney totally defeats the point of me not wanting to wake him up. "Hey, you. Yoohoo, Ruthanne needs you to sit up buddy." Kris sits up, groggily.
"Sorry, love." He says, then leans against the window. We laugh and I lean back in my seat to enjoy some music before we get to Pittsburgh. I missed home, but I'm gonna miss the sun more, I think. Especially in Montreal. Then again, it wouldn't matter where I was, as long as I'm with Kris. <3

Caitlin's Point of View ;)

Boarding the plane in Florida was an experience. I got into an all out argument with a guard about my little souvenir thingy. It took us over an hour just to get on the plane.
Landing was a lot easier, and Philippe Boucher was there with a van to pick all of us and our luggage up. Kris and Ruthanne sat in the front 2 seats, me and Sid in the very back. There were suitcases stacked all the way up to the window in the back and then we had to stick some up front.
"You guys packed a lot. Jeez." Philippe says. "How did you even carry all this?" He loads another one into the van.
Ruthanne and I are notorious over-packers. We laugh quietly, a joke between us, then laugh a little louder when we realize we're both laughing. it happens to us all the time. The guys just look at us like we're crazy, so we stop. Philippe just takes us all to Mario's where most of our cars are. Kris's and mine, Max's and Sidney's are there, at least.
"I think I'm gonna go home and unpack I say, tired." Unlike Ruthanne and Kris, Sidney and I were too caught up in conversation on the flight to sleep. I never get tired of talking to him.
"I'll go with you." Sidney says. "I still haven't met your mom and dad."
"Yeah. Right." I say, not minding a bit that he wants to come over.
Ruthanne's over on the other side of the room talking to Kris. "See yinz later." She says. "well, maybe." she comes over and gives me a hug before walking back out the door we came in. "I'll try to come see you tonight or tomorrow, before I leave, at least.
Sidney and I follow after a short conversation with Mario. He wondered how the trip went, and wanted to see our awesome tans. Mine's considerably darker than Sidney's. I made a point to get some sun, while he wore a lot of sunscreen.
Sidney takes me home and I introduce him to my parents, who were also big fans before I started dating him. I told them both they had to act normal when they met him. They tried, really hard but I could tell they wanted to blurt out a bunch of questions. Sidney and I head up to my room with my suitcases after that.
"Thanks for the help Sidney." I hug him after all my clothes are successfully put in the dirty hamper or my closet.
"No problem." He says, sitting on my bed with me.
"I'm gonna miss you tonight." I whine in his ear.
"I'm gonna miss you too." Sidney says, hugging me close.
"How will I sleeeeeeeep?" I groan.
"Oh you'll manage darling. I know you." We both laugh at what he said and how he said it. He couldn't believe that he said "darling" and I thought his face was hilarious. Plus, I will probably be able to sleep.
"Stay for dinner?" I ask him. We hadn't eaten since lunchtime and it's 10:00 now.
"Sure." He says. We walk back downstairs and find that my mom had made some chipped ham sandwiches for dinner and that we had to make our own. I kind of groan, too used to being served all the time, but I'm almost glad to be back to reality. That week long cruise was great, but I can only be pampered so much.
Sidney leaves at like 11:00 because my parents are ready to go to bed and they don't go to sleep while guests are still in the house.
It takes me over an hour to fall asleep and I finally manage to do it at 1:30, because that's the last time I looked at the clock.

Chapter 27

Caitlin's Point of View ;)

After dinner Sidney and I went back to our suite, got bored and went on a walk. The warm, salty breeze was kicking up and felt so good. That'll probably be the thing I miss the most about going back. It's funny how used to something you can get in just a week.

Today Sidney and I went to breakfast again. "tomorrow we're going home, you better unpack when we get back."
"Yeah." I nod, taking a bite of my pancake. "unlike you.. I didn't live out of a suitcase." I motion toward his wrinkled t-shirt.
For the first time on this cruise, someone recognizes Sidney. A blonde girl in a tight tank top walks over. "Sidney Crosby?" She looks at him.
"um.. yes?" He looks up, confused, already used to being anonymous like the rest of us.
"OMG!!!" She yelps! "oh... sorry! Could I have an autograph. Are there other Penguins on the ship!?" She freaks out, much like I would if I wasn't dating Sidney.
"uh.. sure.. " Sidney says. The girl randomly has a Sharpie in her back pocket. Unless she was planning this, that is. Sidney signs his napkin and hands it to the girl. She does a little dance and then asks again.
"Is there any other Pens on the ship!?"
"Um. no." Sidney says, covering for Kris and Max. Unless she sees them tomorrow getting off the boat, she'll never know. I just sit there, trying not to laugh. The girl takes another look at Sidney before walking away.
I laugh out loud after she's gone. "What?" Sidney asks.
"That's hilarious." I say.
"It happens all the time." He replies.
"I bet it does. It's just funny." I say, laughing again at the blonde girl.
"You just better remember that you would have done that had Ruthanne not set us up." He says.
"I wouldn't be here!" I say back.
"You know what I mean." We laugh and go back to eating.

Back at the suite I say, "ughhh I don't want to go home. back to reality." I throw another tank top into my cute yellow suitcase.
Sidney laughs. "Yeah." I fold the outfit I'll be wearing tomorrow on the ride home and that's it. I'll get all my essentials tomorrow cause I still need those.
I plop on my back on the bed and sigh. "This was a lot of fun."
"Yeah it was." Sidney sits next to me and leans down to kiss me.

Dinner rolls around before we know it and Ruthanne and Kris didn't want to go out for dinner tonight. So Sidney, Max and I went together. It's getting easier and easier to be around Max and not care, although I can tell he still likes me.
We eat quickly and then run back to Ruthanne and Kris's suite to ask if they wanted to hit the hot tub just one more time before we left. The decide that it'd be ok to have a little fun, even though Kris's predicament makes it a bit harder.
We end up having a great time. Kris doesn't talk much, but I can tell this kind of distracting relaxation is helping him. He always just sits there and thinks about it. Poor Kris. Poor Ruthanne. It's getting late and Ruthanne's about ready to fall asleep on Kris's shoulder so they head in. Max says he's gotta go pack, but we know he just doesn't want to be awkward by staying with us. So Sidney and I sit and soak, having a good time talking and playing.
I yawn, and Sidney notices. "We should head in," he whispers in my ear."
"I don't wanna," I whine, "I'm warm." Between being with Sidney and the warmth of the hot tub, I'm just about as happy as I can be. I have totally forgotten all of life's difficulties and my enemies back home. I lean on his shoulder and sigh. He wraps his arm around me again. The wind blows and I'm cold again. "OK, let's go." I stand up and grab my towel.
"haha, not warm now are you!?" Sidney says, getting out of the water himself. I grab up my towel, the breeze hasn't stopped and I'm really cold now. Sidney grabs his towel and I run to him. He wraps his arm around me and we head back to the suite for the night.


Ruthanne's Point of View <3

Caitlin and Sidney finally convinced Kris to get out of our room and do something. I think it really made him feel better for a little bit. We walk around a little bit, enjoying the fresh air, and ten go back to our room. I was pretending a little bit, to be tired. The hot tub was nice, but the breeze made it cold, so I wanted to do something else.
"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow." Kris tells me. "My parents got the plane tickets all ready, for us to fly out of Pittsburgh. if you want to wait til tomorrow to ask, or call your parents tonight." Kris says, going into the bathroom with his sleep pants to change.
"Umm. this is all really short notice. I'll call tonight. I hope they'll understand." I say, going to my bedside stand to get my phone. I've got a few texts, but they're not important, from people back home. I'm not worried about that type of thing right now. I just want to go to Montreal. I look at the clock, 10:30. We're in a different time zone, crap. What time is it back there?
"Kris?" I ask.
"Yeah?" He says, peeking out the door, a toothbrush in his mouth.
"What time is it back home?"
"uhhh.. somewhere around 11:30?" He says, not sure. I don't know whether my parents will be up or not, but I feel like I have to call now.
It rings three times before my mom answers. "Hello? Ruthanne?" She says, sounding quite tired.
I step out of our suite so that Kris doesn't hear the conversation. "Mom?" I say, "Kris's best friend died, and he wants me to go to Montreal with him the day after we get back." I cut straight to the chase, because my mom hates it when I lead up to things.
"Ok?" She says. "When are you guys going to move into your apartment?"
"I think Caitlin wants to wait for me to come home from Montreal," I say. I know they paid for like three months of rent, but the complex owner agreed that it wouldn't count until we started moving in.
"Ok. Are you going to come home, or are you going to stay with Kris?" My mom asks. I'm going to Montreal! I try not to be to excited, it's not for a good thing.
"I want to come home, but I don't know what time our flight leaves. I'll ask Kris." I say, going back into the suite.
"Kris?" I look at him. "What time does the flight leave to Montreal?"
"8:30 in the evening." I repeat the information to my mother and she says it would be smart to come home and switch my summery cruise clothes for some warmer ones. I hadn't even thought of that.
We say goodbye and I run to hug Kris. "I'm going to Montreal with you!" I say, squeezing him tight, even though my arms hardly reach around his whole body.
He hugs me back, happy, but not excited like me. "yay." He says, smiling down at me and kissing my forehead. I'm going to Montreal!

Chapter 26

Caitlin's Point Of View ;)

The next morning I realize we only have 2 days left. I sigh, not wanting to get back to reality. Sidney is awake when I get up, but barely. He's laying beside me trying to open his eyes. "We only have 2 more days." I say, feeling sad.
"isn't it sad?" He looks at me, touching my cheek. "I don't want to leave."
"Me either." I say. "But I do want to get moved into that apartment."
"Mmmmm." Sidney says, "will you want help?" He asks quietly.
"I dunno. We're not moving that much. It has everything, appliances, furniture. I guess it's pretty nice." I say, "you might come see it though?" I ask him, hoping he will.
"Sure." He says.

We go to breakfast at 9:30, enjoying one of the last days of meals being served to us. "So.. what to do?" he asks.
"I have no clue. I don't want to go swimming," because I think that's really what mad me sick. That and maybe stress and exhaustion. I sigh.
"Yeah." He says.
"I know!" I kinda have a spastic moment. "Let's go to the arcade." I say, calming myself down. That's one of the only things we haven't done yet.
"sure." Sidney says, wrapping his arm around my waist.
At the arcade, it's kinda crowded. Sidney and I wait in lines to play some of the more popular games. We end up playing the racing games on motorcycles that you have to lean and whatnot. It was fun. But it was so crowded we left after a while. It seemed like more and more people kept piling in and nobody was leaving. So we did.
"That was fun." I say, leaning on him.
"I thought so." He says. Instead of going right back to the suite like we usually do, we decide to just wander around the ship and see if we did miss anything fun.
We play around and people watch like we do. It's funny how absolutely no one recognizes him. Back home, he would have been mobbed.
Out of the blue on our way back to the suite, he leans down in my ear and says, "I love you." I smile and turn and wrap my arms around his neck.
"I love you too." He kisses me and we head back.

Ruthanne's Point of View <3>

Kris and I lay in bed for hours after we woke up. I roll over and kiss him. "Kris." I say.
"huh?" He looks at me, his eyes red and his hair tangled.
"I'm gonna miss you." I say sadly.
He looks away. "I know." I hear him whisper. "I'm gonna miss you too." I lay my head on his shoulder. "would you be allowed to come with me?"
"I dunno." I say. My parents have always been kind of controlling. "I hope so."

We don't go out anywhere together. I go get food and bring it back to the suite. Kris won't eat very much and I'm feeling worse and worse as he does. The only way I can imagine how he feels is if like, Caitlin died while I was away. It's terrible to even think of how I would feel, so I stop and go back to trying to make Kris feel better.
At like 5:00 Caitlin knocks on the door between our suites. "Come in." I say. Kris lays back on the bed and folds his arms under his head, staring at the ceiling.
Sidney and Caitlin both come over. Caitlin sits with me on the couch and Sidney goes over to Kris. They talk quietly for a while, I can't hear what they're saying.
"So.." Caitlin says, always feeling like she has to say something. "How's Kris?" She asks.
"I don't know. He won't talk, Like someone I know." I sigh, glaring at Caitlin.
"I'm sorry! I always feel so stupid when I'm upset. Like it's the stupidest thing, but it still drains me." She explains.
"I know." I say, putting my arm around her shoulder. "I still love ya."
"That's good to know." She says. "Love ya too." She hugs me back.
"So." I say, wanting and not wanting to tell Caitlin about how I might be in Montreal. For a month. "Kris is going back to Montreal. He might be up there for a while, visiting family, NHL interviews, the funeral." I whisper really quietly. "And he was thinking about taking me with him..." I trail off, seeing the looks of confusion, then understanding flash across her face.
"ok." She says, hugging me again. "I don't know if I want to move in without you though." She says. "I'd be scared to."
"I know. I would too." I say. "You always have Sidney."
"I know. But he'll get busy. I know he's taking time out of his summer to be with me."
"Caitlin the summer just started, the season just ended. OF course things are gonna come up, and I'm sure you're gonna be put in that equation, but, just don't stress about it." I make my crooked smile, feeling smart after explaining that to her. She doesn't argue, which is abnormal, so I think I made my point.
Sidney comes back over to the couch and says, "you all want to go to dinner? I convinced Kris."
"Yeah." We both say, standing up.
Dinner is good. We all go back to our own suites. I sit with Kris again. "You ok?" I ask him. He nods, sitting up and petting my hair back, looking into my eyes. A little bit weirded out, I look down.
"Do you want to come to Montreal with me? For sure?" He asks me slowly.
"Of course!" I say, meaning it too.
"Ok." He says. "I want to be there to ask your parents with you." He says. "I think. They'll let us."
I smile at him, leaning into his hard chest. "Oh Kris." I say, "I love you." Because it feels right and I don't know what else this can be called.

Chapter 25

Ruthanne's Point Of View <3>

"Sooo. What happened?" I look at him, concerned and still a little confused.
"umm.. Well, one of my best friends died." He chokes on his last couple words, tears springing to the corners of his eyes.
I quickly put my hand on his in the middle of our table. "I'm so sorry." I say.
"He died. In a motorcycle accident." A tear falls down Kris's cheek and I feel so heartbroken, just seeing him so sad.
We don't talk for a couple of minutes. Kris takes that time to recover himself. "I'm sorry." I say again.
"It's ok." He says.
Kris hardly eats dinner. Neither do I. We don't talk anymore, just eating in silence. I wonder briefly how Caitlin is. I sent her a text earlier. I wonder if she responded. But I don't have time to think about that because before I know it, Kris is breaking down again. He must have tried so hard not to do that earlier. Keeping it all inside is what Caitlin does, and that's what gets her so exhausted. From what I've seen, Kris just gets irritable.
"You wanna head back?" I ask him quietly.
"Yeah." He says, nodding his head solemnly.
He lays down on the bed when we get back and I sit beside him, not knowing whether he wants to be comforted, or left alone. "Why don't you and Caitlin have a girls' night out?" He asks, confirming my suspicions about him wanting to be left alone. I nod and walk over to the couch to get my phone. I read the one text I got from her. She's sick. Great. Now what?
I text her back to see if she's over it yet. Sometimes that happens. I figure I'll give it a shot.
Hey.. sorry you're sick. Kris suggested having a girls' night out. you up for it?
I sit on the couch waiting for a reply even though I could walk right out my door and knock on theirs. I figure if she doesn't reply in 5 minutes I'll try that. And if that fails, I'll come in here and watch TV or cuddle up to Kris and try to make him feel better or sleep or something. I'll find something to do. She doesn't reply so I walk out the door, make a quarter turn and knock on their door. Sidney answers it after looking out the peephole. "Hey." He says.
"Hey." I say back. "Kris suggested having a girls' night out.. is Caitlin up for it?" I ask him instead of going to her. It wouldn't matter what condition she was in, she'd probably want to do it.
"I don't know..." Sidney says kind of warily, turning around. "Come in." He motions with his hand. I follow. Their suite is the exact same thing as ours, with different art on the walls.
Caitlin sits up when she sees me come in. "Hey." She says, sounding tired, like she just woke up. "What's up?" I ask her.
"ah, nothing. I'm feeling a little bit better." She says.
"Up for going out tonight?" I ask her, half hoping she'll say yes.
"Ehhhh.." she says. "I don't know. Probably not. tomorrow?" She looks at me hopefully. That kind of thing is right up her alley. She loves a good party. Way more than I do at least.
"It's fine.." I say. "do you mind if I stay over here and watch TV though? Kris needs some space." Sidney turns like he wants to know more, but I don't say anything. He probably thinks we're having some kind of relationship problem if he doesn't already know about Kris's friend.
"Sure." Caitlin and Sidney say at the same time.
"I'll be right back." I say, and head back to my suite. It hadn't been more than 20 minutes since I left, but Max was already there beside Kris when I came in.
"Hey." He says.
"Hey." I say. "Caitlin's sick. I'm gonna head over there and spend some time." I think he wants to be alone. I mouth.
"Yeah." Max says aloud. Kris is still sitting there, staring off into space. I don't think he would have heard us if I did say that out loud, but, I don't want him to be offended. I grab my phone just in case anyone decides to text me, although I doubt anything will happen. The only texts I get are from the four people in these 2 suites.
Then I turned to Kris and said, "I'm going to head over there and hang out for a while. If you want, you can come." I say hopefully. He just sits here. Max nods and I head back to their suite through the door between the rooms instead of the outside one. I forgot it was there.
"Hey." They said again.
"Hey," I say again. It's not awkward. They just know that I am upset because Kris is and I know Caitlin doesn't want to get too far into it. I don't know about Sidney.
Sidney comes around and sits on the couch with me when he thinks Caitlin's asleep again. "You ok?" He asks.
"Sure." I say. "I just hope Kris is. He was really terrible yesterday."
"I know." Sidney says, putting his hand on mine in a comforting way.
"thanks." I say, then turn back towards the TV. It's not ok that my boyfriend's friend just died. It's not ok that he could be away for a whole month. A tear comes to my eye and I try to wipe it away before Sidney sees it. Of Course I Fail. He sees it.
"Is it cause he's gonna be away for so long?" Sidney asks.
"yeah." I reply, another tear springing to my eye. I don't want to cry in front of Kris, or Sidney, or anybody.
"It'll be ok." Sidney puts his hand on my shoulder. "He was thinking about taking you. To meet his family and stuff. Don't tell him I said anything."
I quickly feel a little bit better. "Really?" I say dumbly, thinking again how I wanted to get all moved into that apartment.
"Yeah." Sidney says.

Caitlin's Point of View ;)

I wake up and my head is spinning. I feel like I"m going to puke again.. MAX is here? I don't remember that happening, but Ruthanne, Sidney and MAX!? are sitting on the couch. I sit up. Sidney looks back. "You don't look so good." he gets up and walks around the couch to me.
"I don't know.." I say. My head has stopped spinning from sickness, and more from confusion now.
"Are you ok?" He asks, looking concerned.
"I need a shower." I say. Max and Ruthanne laugh.
"She's fine," Ruthanne says laughing at me. I look in the mirror across from our bed and see my hair, imagining myself saying that. It's hilarious. Great. My shorts and everything else are very twisted when I get up and Ruthanne laughs some more. I go to the bathroom to get in the shower.

I come out and everyone's still on the couch, laughing about something or other. I feel a bunch better and I'm really hungry. I sit on Sidney's lap since there's no more room on the couch. "Where's Kris?" I look around.
Everyone just looks at each other. "He's still in our suite," Ruthanne says, frowning.
"Wha-why?" I look at her suspiciously.
"Um. He's dealing with something." She says, giving me that look. The I-don't-want-to-discuss-it-right-now-you-better-not-say-anything-else-look. I nod and lean back onto Sidney.
"You're awfully cuddly." He says, wrapping his arms around me and putting his chin on my shoulder. I smile. I still feel really tired, but that's what I get for sleeping the whole day and a half away.
"I'm hungryyyy." I whine, looking up at the clock and not caring what time it is.
"She's definitely better," Ruthanne says, still cracking up.
"What do you want?" Sidney looks at me from behind.
"A peanut butter and jelly sandwich." I smile.
Sidney chuckles in my ear, but lifts me up as he stands, saying "ok." He walks over to the door and grabs his shoes. "Be right back." He says and heads out. I smile and lean back on the couch where the seat is warm in the place he sat.
"Sooo." I say, feeling awkward without Sidney.
"Feeling better?" Max jokes. We all laugh, and I nod.
"I'm so glad too. That was really nasty." I say smiling again. I can't help it. I just can't stop. There's too much to be happy about.
I had temporarily forgotten about Ruthanne's dilemma, not even noticing her "happy" smile.
"Hey." I say to her. "Fill me in!" I whine.
She frowns, but shouldn't she have known better? "Kris's friend died in a motorcycle accident." She says. "He's gotta go to Montreal for a while." Her eyes well up and I regret bringing it up.
"Why are you over here then?" I ask her.
"Kris said he needed some time to sort things out." She says.
"hmmph." I wouldn't want to be alone in a situation like that. Ah well, I'm not Kris. We go back to laughing and joking til Sidney comes in.
"It took me forever to get someone to make this." He says, holding the sandwich up. "You'd better enjoy it." He jokes and hands it to me.
"Thanks." The sandwich is good and we all sit around, trying to have a good time. Trying to keep Ruthanne distracted. Kris eventually comes in looking tired and disheveled. we look at the clock. It's like 12:30 now.
"Sorry," Ruthanne stands up. "see you tomorrow." She doesn't give Kris a chance to say whether he came to visit or to get her. She just stands and takes him back through the door between our rooms.
It's just me, Sidney, and Max. "I'm gonna get ready for bed." Sidney says. "I'm exhausted." Max stands up.
"I better go then, I guess." He says, and walks toward the door as Sidney walks into the bathroom and shuts the door.
"Hey." I say. "thanks for coming over. I wish I could have been awake for more of it." I apologize.
"No problem. You needed your rest!" Max says.
"See you." I say awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.
Max gives me a funny look, then leaves. I go to the bathroom with Sidney, where he's brushing his teeth. I do the same.
"Feeling better.. for real?" Sidney asks me. I nod. Almost all the nausea is gone. I don't feel like I'm going to puke!
And even though I slept all day, I go to bed and fall asleep in the warmth of his arms easier than ever.

Chapter 24

Ruthanne's Point Of View <3

I'm not tired when we get back to the suite, just happy. Kris turns on the TV like he usually does, just for background noise, I guess, cause he never watches, or changes the channel.
"poor Caitlin." I say, plopping down on the sofa.
"what?" Kris says, looking at me funny.
"Can't you tell she's upset?"
"She looked perfectly happy to me." Kris says, still looking at me funny.
"She gets really tired when she's depressed or has a dilemma." i explain. He still looks at me funny. "I should go talk to her."
"Stay here. I'm sure she's asleep already." He says, putting his hand on my leg and sitting beside me.
I nod, still concerned. Caitlin's always been on this emotional rollercoaster. With her, everything is in extremes. So I tend to try and take care of her. I think it annoys Kris. I lean on him and watch the screen, not understanding anything.
"You want to go out for a drink?" He asks.
"Alcohol?" I look at him.
"Um... yeah." He says, looking at me like I'm dumb.
"Uh, Kris, I'm only 18, besides, I've never really drank before." I say, feeling really dumb.
He sighs and sits back again. "Whatever. It's fine."
"Kris?" I look at him. "What's wrong?" He's been acting funny for a while now. I don't understand why. I can't remember anything I did.
He sighs again and shakes his head, watching TV. "nothing." He says quietly.
"Hey.. how 'bout that drink?" I say, standing up and grabbing his hand. It's funny how I feel like I'll do anything for him.
"You just said 'no'." He looks at me.
"I changed my mind." I look at him and his expression lightens, from the intensely annoyed face to the gentle kind one that I love.
We go to the busiest bar we could find, it was at the bowling alley, actually, so he could order 2 drinks and get away with letting me drink. "please don't get me anything too strong." I whine in his ear, regretting my choice to even come. The flashing lights on the dance floor are making me dizzy and I don't feel like being in here anymore. The initial excitement is gone.
He brings me back something a weird color in a little cocktail glass. "I told him not to put very much alcohol in it." He hands it to me.
"What is it!?" I look at him.
"a martini." He says, pointing at the olive at the bottom, making me feel stupid, yet again. I nod and hope for the best, hoping he really did get me something that's not strong. I don't understand why I suddenly don't trust him.
I don't drink any, looking at him as he downs his first shot. "What's wrong Kris?"
He looks at me again, a weird look in his eyes. "Nothing. I told you."
"hmmph." I say, setting down the glass and kinda looking away. He walks up to get another drink without saying anything.
I stand there alone in our little corner. I don't want a drink. I don't want to be here anymore. Kris is making me nervous. He comes back after a minute. "I want to go back to the suite." I say, drink in hand again. I would feel bad if I didn't drink any of the drink he bought me so I took a gulp, draining the glass halfway.
"Go ahead," he says. "I'll see you later." He grabs my hand, making me doubt all my fears, and squeezes right before I head through the crowd back to the main deck outside. It's chilly outside despite the warm breeze. I wish I would have brought a sweater. Walking back to the room alone, I feel like I'm in a horror movie. All the festivities going on around me and then there's me, walking alone back to my room.
When I get there I don't know what to do with myself so I go get in the shower and get ready for bed. I'm in my sleep pants with a toothbrush in my mouth. It's been about 45 minutes since I left. Kris comes in, a bit drunk.
"Hey." I say.
"Hey." He says back.
"Feel better?" I ask him, knowing something was wrong and wanting to bring up the point again to try and get it out of him.
"There was nothing wrong." He says defensively, clenching his jaw and his fists.
"Hmm." I say, walking back into the bathroom to finish brushing my teeth before I go to bed.
I go to bed and lay on my side without saying anything else to him. I'm asleep before he ever gets in bed and I don't care. I don't want to smell his nasty alcohol breath anyways.

Caitlin's Point Of View :)

I wake up happy despite my dilemma last night and my upset stomach. I feel really sick. I probably won't see Max all day, so that's comforting. One less problem to face.
"Sidney?" I roll over, looking for him. I look at the alarm clock. 1:30. I gasp, wondering how I slept that long. "Sidney?" I ask again. He turns around from the couch to see me on the bed.
"good morning sleepy head." He says, getting up and coming over.
"Don't touch me." I say, sounding a little bit more agitated than I mean to. "I mean, I feel really sick.. I don't want you to get it."
"Sorry." He says, settling for sitting next to me rather than kissing me like he intended to. "So.. what kind of sick?" he asks.
"My stomach."I point at it just as it does another one of those flips that are making me feel like I'm going to vomit. "ohhhhhhh"I get up and try to stagger to the bathroom. Sidney stands and helps me immediately, not really knowing what to do. When I'm laying over the toilet he holds my hair. I love my Sidney.
"Thanks." I say. "I'm sorry." I say, embarrassed, rinsing my face off and getting down my toothbrush
"Why be sorry? It's not your fault silly." He hugs me. I look at him, really not wanting to give this bug or whatever it is to him.
"It's probably from going swimming in that pool." I whine. I can't help but lean back into his strong arms. He kisses the top of my head.
"It'll be alright." He hugs me gently and I'm glad. My stomachs still not up for much.
"I have some Tums in my bag, but I don't think it'll help much," I point at my bag through the door in the next room. Sidney helps me back to the bed even though I don't need it and goes to get the tums. My phone goes off. I reluctantly grab it off the shelf, not in the mood for texting.
Sidney brings me the tums and I throw one in my mouth, grimacing at the disgusting chalky taste. "Thanks." I croak. He laughs and lays next to me. I don't open the text, instead, just turn the ringer off and put it back on the bed stand.
"Are you hungry?" He looks at me. I shake my head. "I can go get you some soup or something simple. Crackers? Anything?" I shrug.
"Crackers. Maybe." I say.
He nods and says, "Be right back." Before heading out the door, he runs to the bathroom and grabs the trash bin, setting it on my side of the bed. "Just in case," then he runs out the door. I go back to my phone, which rings again as he walks out the door. Weird that I'm not getting texts except now, when I'm awake.
2 messages
I think there's something wrong with Kris. He's acting funny and he went out and got drunk last night. :( From Ruthanne. I tap in my reply.
I think there's something wrong with me. I just puked my guts out. Sorry about Kris. You can come over if you want, but I don't want to give this to you. :P
the next one's from Max. Weird
Hey. I'm sorry things are so weird between us. Don't think I don't notice. I'm sorry that I like you so much. I can't help it. How are you? we haven't talked. <3
I tap in yet another "sick" reply
yeah.. it's so awkward. I just don't want to hurt Sidney, you know? It comes out more like I'm on Max's side and I'm just pitying Sidney but I don't fix it. I'm absolutely miserable, I just puked my guts out. Sidney just went to try and get me crackers. :P
I put my phone back on the night stand and close my eyes. I wish for sleep but I just lay there, miserable. Max texts me back right before Sidney comes in. I turn off the ringer and leave it on the stand.
"I had to get soup to get the crackers. That's what took me so long." Sidney says, carrying a tray in.
"Oh." I kinda croak.
"I thought I would eat the soup part and give you the broth. It sounds like you have a frog in your throat." Sidney says. I also hadn't realized he was so caring. So, motherly, almost.
"aww." I say, closing my eyes again. I just want to sleep.
I fall asleep to Sidney's voice after taking just a little bit of broth. When I wake up Sidney's right there beside me, looking worried.
"sorry." I say, turning to look at the clock again. It's going on 4:00 now.
"It's fine. You're sick. You need rest." Sidney says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Ruthanne's Point Of View <3


Kris and I don't really do anything all day. There's still that tension between us since I keep asking him what's wrong. He'll never tell me, but I still feel concerned. At like 5:30 we decide to go out to dinner and we're trying to act all normal when we both know things aren't. I hate that. But I feel like it's the only way to go.
Suddenly though Kris says, "I'm sorry I acted funny last night, but something happened back home that really confused me and made me mad. When we get back, I have to go home to Montreal." He explains.
"Oh." I say, dumbfounded. "Sorry." I feel really bad for bothering him so much. "How long will you be gone?" I ask.
"Maybe a month? It depends." He says, frowning.

Chapter 23

Ruthanne's Point of View. <3>
Nothing has been better than the time I've gotten to spend with Kris. And I feel like I could never spend enough time with him.
It's almost 3:00, we've just been hanging out. I haven't convinced him to go swimming with me yet. But I don't really want to get a sun burn anyways.
"Let's go for a walk." I say.
"Let's go swimming," he says back. I lean back on the couch, surprised.
"Didn't you just...?" I look at him.
He shrugs. "Let's go. Hup hup hup!" He says, jumping up and running to his suitcase. I go to the dresser where I stuck my favorite blue bikini in the top drawer. He hasn't organized anything yet, still living out of that ugly brown leather suitcase.
We walk down the side, looking at the water. There' not much to see, but water, but the weather's nice and we're enjoying ourselves. I keep a towel wrapped around me and Kris just carries his, showing off his super hot body. I try not to stare as we make our way around the people (not only girls) who can't stop staring.
I laugh when we're out of earshot.
"Huh?" He looks at me.
"They're just funny. They didn't even try to look inconspicuous." I laugh again.
"Oh." He makes a show of looking down at his "gut" which is really some hot rock solid abs. I laugh at him again and we throw our towels down by a lounge chair.
"You go in first." I say.
"Why?" He asks, stepping in.
"So you can tell me if it's cold!" I say, sticking my toes in the water, knowing it'll be warm, but so used to being in Pittsburgh.
"Come on, Ruthanne," he grabs my hand and I follow him in. He wraps his arms around me when we get in and I wrap my legs around him as he walks backwards through the pool. We only bump into everyone that's there. It's sooo crowded.
We have fun lounging and talking. There's really no room to swim, the pool's just crawling with huge fat people and their kids.
After maybe half an hour I say, "My fingers are getting all wrinkly, let's get out." He grabs my hands and walks backwards through all the people again. We head back to the suite, dripping wet. Kris hangs the towel over his shoulders, masking most of his chest, so no one stares. When we get back and in the room I wrap my arms around him--barely able to get them all the way around-- and kiss him.
He kisses me back. "You're the best, love." He says when we pull apart. I just smile and walk over to the dresser, dropping my towel on the way. I grab another pair of shorts and a cute tank I've never worn before.
He gets some shorts and a shirt out of his ugly brown suitcase. "You really should unpack. Or at least get a new suitcase." I say.
He laughs. "Why?"
"I don't know.. It's just, ugly." I say, scrunching up my nose and regretting momentarily that I said it.
He scrunches up his nose and says "I like it." Then laughs. I run to the bathroom so he can change in the main room. I fix my hair a little bit, putting some gel in it, and change into the outfit. He's sitting on the couch fiddling with his phone, his hair wet and beautiful, falling around his face. I sit by him.
"Hey." I say.
"Huh?" He says, putting his phone back in his pocket after pressing the SEND button. I kiss him on the cheek. He's expressionless when I look at him. I can't understand why I'm so happy and he's not.
"What's wrong?" I ask him.

Caitlin's Point of View ;)

Sidney and I slept for almost 2 hours. It's like 5 when I wake up, phone in hand like right before I fell asleep. I look at it, the screen's blinking.
3 texts.
Where are you? we're hunggggry!!!! From Ruthanne a few minutes ago
What are you guy's doing tonight? Mind if I join? From Max like half an hour ago. My heart skips a beat, half from nervousness and half from the happiness that he sent me a text.
went swimming... had fun. Hunggry... call me or something, let's go! From Ruthanne. I laugh, that was 45 minutes ago. I wonder if they're gonna go without us. I roll over and see that Sidney's still asleep. The huge couch makes for lots of room to move, so I get up without disturbing him.
I sit on the bed and text Ruthanne back. Sorry just took a nap.. waking Sidney up now.
I go back to the Max text and hit reply. I have no idea what to say, but I have to say something. Going to dinner soon.. text me. Idk what we're doing tonight. There's something going on at the theatre. Caitlin
I figure something like that will be safe, so I hit send. "Sidney." I say. He groans and rolls over. I throw my phone on the bed and lean over the back of the couch. when he opens his eyes he almost screams. "Good evening sleepyhead." I come around the side and sit on the arm as he sits up. "Ruthanne and Kris want to go to dinner soon." I leave out the little part about inviting Max. My phone goes off.
Well LET'S GO!!! I'M STARVING! Ruthanne replies.
Sidney's up.. no worries. I invited Max, soooo, yeah, he'll be there. I say, just so somebody knows why he'll be there. I don't want to tell Sidney because of that little convo. we had earlier. The phone goes off again as I'm about to put it down.
K... what hall? I want to talk to you
Max replied. I sigh, setting it down as Sidney walks by into the bathroom. He's still so zombie-ish.
idk what it is.. just the one close to our suites. Going at like 5:45. See you there. I say back sighing. I really don't want it to be so hard and awkward to be around Max. He's so much fun. Sidney comes out of the bathroom and sits by me. It's five minutes til we need to be there, so I run to the bathroom to check my hair.
It looks kinda scary, since I just slept. I find a little drool on the top of my head, where Sidney's chin was laying. I grab some toilet paper, trying to get it out. I fail miserably, only getting some. So I just try to blow dry it. That spot on my head ends up being kinda poofy, but at least it doesn't have anymore drool on it. I brush it out and everything looks ok again.
I come out with a couple minutes to spare. Sidney's playing with his phone, but I think it's mine for a second. I'm paranoid when I don't tell the whole truth. "Ready?" I ask him.
"Sure." He says, standing up. I grab my phone off the bed and stick it in my pocket.
"What'do you need that for?" He looks at me funny.
"Nothing?" I look at him funny.
"Then why are you taking it?"
"Habit." I say, and touch it from the outside of my pocket. Sidney laughs and we round the corner to the dining hall. I see Ruthanne and Kris and Max already at a table, laughing at something. I guess we're a few minutes late, but I didn't expect them to be on time.
"Heyy!" Ruthanne says, pointing the seat next across from her, next to Max. I don't know if she did it on purpose, but I sit down not wanting to make a scene. Sidney looks at me funny, probably wondering why I didn't sit by Ruthanne, but I just shrug.
I'm tired of eating out every day already, but I guess that's basically the only choice we have. I get some kind of Enchilada thing. Our feminine waiter recommended it so I guess it must be good.
I'm feeling pretty tired, even after that nap. Sidney looks at me, since I'm the only one not really talking. He touches the poofy piece of hair on top of my head. "That's from your spit you know." I say. I feel Max flinch behind me and feel bad for a second.
"what?" He looks at me.
"that piece of hair.." I say, "you drooled on it." I smile sillily and Ruthanne laughs.
"Sorry." He says, and grabs my hand, holding it under the table. I kick his foot and grin at him, feeling happy all over again. I sit up straight when the waiter comes back. I can feel Max looking at me and glance over at Sidney to make sure he doesn't see. I look back at Max and give him a half smile. He touches my foot with his making a tingle run up my leg--an unusual feeling. I don't want to feel that way about Max right now. I'm with Sidney. I look away and at my enchilada which is absolutely gigantic. I'll never be able to eat it all.
I find that it's absolutely delicious too. Sidney makes me eat a bite of his fish, which is good, in a weird way.
For dessert we all have some kind of sundae. I stuck with my favorite Mexican sundae, even though it's sooo bad for me. We had all decided on the show at the theatre at 7:30, so we were basically burning time right now.

The show at the theatre is some kind of musical. Whatever it is, I can't concentrate on it. I'm sitting between Max and Sidney and I've got tingles all over partially because I am cold, and then there's Sidney and Max. I sigh. Max and Sidney both look at me. "What?" They both say at the same time, and then laugh together. I laugh too, but it's fake.
"Nothing." I put my head in my hands. "I'm just really tired." I explain, which is truly half of it. I don't know what's going on with me. It's like I'm never happy when I should be. Max touches my hand when Sidney looks away, and that makes everything worse. And better.
The show ends sometime around 9:00 and we all decide to hang in one of the giant jacuzzis on the top deck. We run back to our suites and change, going to meet there.
I'm half awake, sitting beside Sidney and Max, Sidney's arm around me. Everyone leaves at around 10:00 and we have the whole thing to ourselves, laughing and carrying on. I wake up a little bit more, just because everyone's being so loud. I'm so lucky just to be here right now and I've hardly been living it up. I make a secret vow to myself to do so.
After a long time in the jacuzzi, it's about 11:30, we all decide to head in. My head's been nodding for the longest time and Ruthanne used that as her excuse to want to leave. "She needs to go to sleep." To tell the truth, I actually feel a little sick. I'm probably just overtired.
We head back to the suite and I plop down on the bed after changing into pajamas. Sidney lays beside me. "Did you at least have fun?" He whispers, his lips touching my cheek, then my eyebrow.
"Yeah," I say, eyes closed. "I'm just tired." Again, I don't tell the whole truth. I'm feeling even sicker now, and I'm hoping it's just exhaustion. I'm asleep in his arms before I know it.

Chapter 22

Ruthanne's Point Of View. <3>
I wake up well before Kris does, but he embarrasses me by saying. "Stop staring, I can't sleep." I close my eyes and snuggle up to him, wishing I could sleep like a hockey player. Kris rewraps his arm around me and I fall asleep again, waking up yet again, like an hour later. Kris is still snoring, so I roll out of his arms and off the bed, feeling gross despite my shower last night. I go to the bathroom to clean up.
Kris stumbles in a few minutes later, looking for me. "Ruthanne?" He says sleepily.
"Yeah?" I say, stepping out from behind the wall dividing the sink and toilet from the shower and bath, a toothbrush in my mouth and toothpaste foam all over my face.
"There you are," he says, looking more adorable than ever in his sleepy state. He walks over and wraps his arms around me, looking at us in the mirror. "You're so beautiful," he says, kissing my neck. I smile, then lean over and spit out the toothpaste. He releases me to let me rinse and wipe my face off.
When I'm done, I turn to him, "mmmm," I hum into his ear, hugging him. It's still early, around 8:30. There's no way Caitlin's out of bed yet, but we text them anyways. Hey, breakfast time. :)
After a few minutes of no reply, we just leave, glad to have a meal alone anyways. It's kind of annoying to feel obligated to invite them every time we do something. We always have fun and I'm sure they feel the same way, but, I guess that's life.

Breakfast with Kris is fun. It's easier to get to know him when we're alone. He got some sort of crepes piled really high. And they were delicious. I got some waffles, with pineapples and whipped cream. Sounds and tastes more like a dessert, haha, my favorite.
I feel bad for being happy that Caitlin, Sidney, or Max didn't show up. I wonder briefly why Max is on the cruise with us. Looking for a woman perhaps?
"Hey Kris," I say, "why did Max come again?" I add, even though he's never told me.
"I dunno" he says, "probably to pick some woman up. This is the most down I've ever seen him over a girl. Especially one he doesn't know very well. God I just hope he doesn't make an ass out of himself." Kris says, his brows pulling together.
I nod. "I don't want Caitlin to make any bad decisions either." I say. "Why do we talk about this anyways?" I sigh, "it just makes us worry more."
"Exactly." He says, leaving a tip and standing up, grabbing my hand too. I smile at him, trying to forget about that topic once again. We make our way back to the suite, not liking the show we stopped to check out in the theatre.
"ahh," I sigh, plopping down on our bed. "I can't believe I'm done with high school." I sigh. "I mean, I knew it was coming, but I don't think it's sunk in yet."
"It will," He says softly, sitting next to me, smoothing the hair on my head.
I lean on him, sad for the moment, but looking forward to the next. "I know." I say, knowing it's gonna hit me when I go back home and I'm moving into that apartment instead of getting ready for school in my bathroom every day.

Caitlin's Point of View. ;)

I don't wake up til around 10:00, Sidney still curled around me in a weird position. I try to squirm out, but he holds me tighter. "Don't leave," he laughs, kissing the top of my head. I can feel his smile moving the hair on the back of my head. I laugh and try to roll over. He loosens his grip just enough to let me do that.
"Good morning," I say, kissing him happily. He just kisses me back.
"I'm starving." He says pulling me closer.
"Let's go get something then," I say, trying to sit up. He pulls me back down. I pretend to glare at him, but end up laughing. "What?" I ask.
"Were you cold last night?" He looks at me.
"Nooooo."
"Oh. well I was. Now I'm not. You're warm." I laugh at him and get out of bed to go to the bathroom. He can be so silly. I brush my hair and teeth quickly, pulling my hair up into a messy bun. Sidney's still laying in bed when I walk out to get clothes. I pick a cute halter top and denim shorts. He smiles when I come out to get my straight iron after changing. By now he's actually OUT of bed, but still sluggish, walking in and out of the living room/bedroom area and the bathroom.
When I'm all ready I walk out. "How's this?" I ask him, spinning into his arms.
"Beautiful," he says, smiling before he kisses me.
"Alright. Let's go." I say, pulling on his arm. He follows behind me slowly, resisting a little bit. I can hardly move him anyways. Once we're out the door he grabs my hand and we head to get some food.

After food--it kind of a brunch-- we get our swimsuits and towels from the suite. I felt like swimming. Surprisingly, the first pool we go to isn't full of people so we just stay there. Sidney throws me into the deep end, surprising me and making me scream. I worked hard to straighten my hair too.
"Sidney!" I yell at him when he jumps in after me, splashing me again.
He swims over to me. "What?" He asks, trying to sound innocent and using that pouty face on me.
We mess around in the pool for a while before he makes me get out to try the wave pool. I've never been in a wave pool, so I'm nervous. Sidney goes before me, making everything look so easy. When he comes out I shake my head. "No way." I say.
"Come on. There's like nobody here!"
"I'm still gonna make a fool out of myself!" I complain.
"I'll go with you!" He says, grabbing my hand. "Please!" He begs, which I have to admit, is cute.
I finally give in.
"Ok." I say. He hands me one of those boards.
I cringe when he says "just jump in on the board," he commands.
"I'm scared!" I yelp back.
"Get in the water!" He demands, making me think of The Notebook. I finally just plunge in, holding on for dear life. Once I'm in the water, it's surprisingly fun, and not scary at all. Sidney and I mess around, doing stupid spins and what not for a few minutes. People start to form a line after a while so we just get out and leave.
"That was fun." I say, leaning on him.
"It took you long enough to get in!" He says. "It's really fun at night, if I can convince you to do that." He says, wrapping his arm around my waist as we head back to the room. I put back on my clothes and pull my hair back into the messy bun I had earlier.
I sigh and lay on the couch, already ready for a nap. Sidney lays beside me, or tries to. He falls off a couple of times before giving up and just sitting by me. Of course I'm laughing and he's embarrassed, which makes it even funnier.
"Oh Sidney," I say, laughing again. "You never fail to make me happy." I say smiling down at him. He looks back at me, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
Picking up my phone, I read the text Ruthanne sent quite a while ago. I reply. Yeah, been there done that. we went swimming, then to the wave pool. eek eek eek!
I set the phone down, not planning on getting her reply so quickly. They must be doing something in their room, or else she would be busy. ahaha, I can see you on that. How'd it go?
I laugh and so does Sidney, reading over my shoulder. Scary. I wiped out a zillion times.
Sidney laughs even more. Right now I'm feeling it though. I can feel bruises developing on my shoulder and on my thighs.
Ruthanne's reply says. even better. see you at dinner. We're gonna go on a walk.
seeya. I type and turn back to Sidney.
"What's Max doing?" I ask him, curious as to why he's on the boat alone, with a suite all to himself.
"I don't know." Sidney says, averting his eyes from mine. "Probably trying to hook up or just enjoying the alcohol. He's been in a crappy mood lately." He says. I press my lips, nervous. I can't help but think I'm the reason why Max is so upset.
"Oh." I say, "Well, we should invite him to do stuff with us, get his spirits up." I say, even though I really don't mean it. I don't want him around really, well I do, I like him a lot, but I always feel bad around him. Especially when Sidney's acting romantic.
Sidney shrugs, "he probably wants time to himself. It's not often we get to escape the team you know."
I laugh and hug him. "yeah." I say, still feeling bad.
Sidney wraps his arms around me. "he'll be ok." He says, looking me in the eye.
I feel bad for Sidney's obliviousness. He's totally got the wrong idea, but, I play along. I yawn quietly, laying my head on his arm.
"I'm gonna take a nap. If you don't mind." I say.
"Go right ahead. I'll join you, even." Sidney says, laying down behind me on the couch in a more comfortable position.
"Remember, we have dinner with Kris and Ruthanne tonight, we can't sleep through that." I say yawning again. I didn't realize I was this tired. My eyes close and I'm asleep almost instantly.