Chapter 24

"RISE AND SHINE!" Karl screamed, as he hopped out of his bunk.

 "5 more minutes mommy...," Lee mumbled, as he rolled over.

 "AUGHHHHHH!!!!" Daniel screamed, as he woke up.

 "Now what?!" Ben screamed from his bunk.

 "I had a nightmare! I dreamt I was naked in my math class," Daniel said, jumping down from his bunk.

"EWW! There goes my five extra minutes of sleep," Darren said, jumping out of his bunk.

 "Yuck, that's one math class I wouldn't mind skipping," Ben said, hopping down from his bunk. They were all on the bus getting ready for a promotional concert.

 "Where's breakfast?!"

 "Why isn't the toaster working?!"

 "I get the bathroom after Daniel!"

 "HA! Get in line!" Those were some of the shouts going on as everyone was trying to become human again.

 "Wait, wait a minute. We're missing two!" Karl called out. Daniel, Ben, Karl and Darren smiled evilly.

 "Oh Leeyyyyy.....," Daniel sang as they approached his bunk. They opened the curtains to find him sound asleep in his boxers.

 "On three guys," Karl whispered. They counted and on three they all pulled him out of his bunk.

 "AUGH!" Lee said, wide-awake. He blushed when he realized he was only in his boxers. He ran to the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

 "One down," Karl said.

 "One to go," Daniel finished. They approached Dee's bunk. They opened the curtain's to find her sound asleep.

 "One...twoo....THREE!" Darren shouted, as the four of them started to tickle her to death.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~

 "AUUUGHHHHHH!!!!! STOPP!!" I shouted, laughing hysterically. "STTOOOPP!! I'LL KICK!!" I warned. They continued until I crawled out of my bunk. My hair was sticking straight up and looked like it went through a blender.

 "Hey guys, Dee gets the bathroom first! It might take a year for that hair to go down!" Daniel said, cracking up.

 "Ha, ha, at least I HAVE hair!" I said back.

 "Ok, that's it!!" he said, charging for me. He picked me up and swung me around.

 "Save me!!" I cried out, in a fit of laughter.

 "This calls for DAZ MAN!" Darren said, as he grabbed me away from Daniel and set me down. We all cracked up.

 "Sheesh, that's better than an alarm!" I said, trying to catch my breath.

 ~~~~~~~~~

 An hour later, we arrived in San Francisco where the guys were going to perform and do a lot of promotional stuff. Then, we are going to LA. We arrived at the hotel and saw a huge mob of girls.

 "Ok guys, get ready to do some autographing," their manager told them, "we'll do about 15 minutes of talking to the fans then in to the hotel.

 "Uh, what do I do?" I asked.

 "Shoot," he said, remembering the fans would go nuts if they saw me with them.

 "It's no problem, she can just walk in with me," Darren said.

 "You sure?" Karl asked.

 "Yeah, it's not like someone is gonna shoot her," Daniel said. We unloaded the bus and the screams got louder. We made it into the hotel safely. We got to our rooms and I went on a walk to see if they had a pool.

 ~~~~~~~

 "Hey Daniel?" Darren asked, when the two of them were alone in their hotel room.

 "Hmmm?" Daniel said.

 "I'm gonna do it," Darren said.

 "Do what?"

 "Ask Dee to marry me," Darren said, nervously.

 "WHAT?! WHOA!" Daniel said, jumping off his bed. "Darren, she hasn't even graduated!" Daniel said.

 "I know, it's not like we're gonna get married tomorrow! I'm gonna ask her then we'll wait till she's 18," Darren said.

 "Do you think she's to young?" Daniel asked.

 "Daniel, we are her family, she's gonna be stuck with us for a while," Darren said.

 "You're right. Go for it D," Daniel said, smiling.

 ~~~~~~~~~

 I got off the elevator and walked around the main floor. I saw a sign that pointed to the pool area and smiled. I decided to go to the store and look at the magazines. As I turned the corner to the lobby, I ran into someone. We bumped into each other and I fell backwards.

 "GAWD! Watch where you're going!" the girl who bumped into me said, after getting up and adjusting her mini skirt. I got up and opened my mouth to fight back but she already pushed me aside and walked in the store. She looked about 23 and had blonde hair. She had on tons of makeup, a short mini skirt, and high heels. She disappeared in the store and I shrugged as I check out the magazines.

 "Cindy, let's go," another girl said, coming into the store. She also looked about 23, but not so cheep.

 "Did you check-in?" the girl said, who must have been Cindy.

 "Yeah. You're right, they're here," the girl answered her.

 "Good. God, Mary, what was I thinking when I turned him down in high school. He was such a geek! Now he's popular and loaded!" Cindy said. My ears perked up as I started to listen to their conversation.

 "Well, what are you gonna do now?" Mary asked.

 "Find him and work my charm. I'll tell ya later when I'm rollin' in the money!" Cindy said.

 "So you're gonna find this guy who asked you out in high school, who was a geek, and all the sudden show up and expect him to like you?" Mary asked.

 "Yep. And you forgot the part where I steal all his money he earned from him," Cindy said. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my magazine.

 "Ok, so let's go find him," Mary said.

 "Ok," Cindy agreed, as they left the store. I stood there and thought about what just happened. Then, a light bulb went on in my head. "Oh my God, they're here for Ben! Wait, no, Ben was popular....," my eyes widened. I put the pieces together. She wanted Darren.  I shook the thought out of my head and headed up stairs.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~

 "God Cindy, do you have to look so cheep?" Mary asked her as they got out of the elevator.

 "Hey, do you want some money or what?" Cindy asked. They searched for the room number and found it. They set their bags down and knocked on the door. It opened and Daniel stood in the doorway. He gave them a questioning look.

 "Yeah?" he asked.

 "Is Darren here?" Cindy said, in a little flirty voice.

 "Um, who are you?" Daniel asked.

 "None of your business," Cindy said, pushing her way into the room. Darren sat up on his bed where he was resting, looking confused.

 "Hi Darren!" she said, flashing a big smile.

 "Um, who are you?" he asked.

 "Don't you remember?? Cindy Card?? Remember, you asked me out in high school," she said.

 "Um, oh yeah. That one day when I got dared to ask you out....," Darren said.

 "Never mind that. So, ya miss me?" she asked, sitting next to him on his bed. He stood up.

 "Not really," he said.

 "Well, I was thinking maybe we could catch up on things," Cindy said, standing up and pushing him into the wall. He hesitated.

 "Listen tramp, get off him," Daniel said.

 "Excuse me! Where is YOUR invitation to this conversation?!" Cindy asked. She put her hands up on the wall to prevent Darren from escaping. She leaned into him...

 ~~~~~~~~~~~

 I got out of the elevator and walked to the room. The door was wide open. I walked in.

 "Hey guys, how come the door is wide op....," I said, when I saw the girl that was in the store kissing Darren. I stood there in shock and Darren threw the girl off him. My heart felt like it was trampled all over on. His eyes met with mine and I flew out the door.

 "DEE WAIT!" Darren screamed, but it didn't work.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

 "Look what you did!" Darren screamed.

 "Excuse me?!?" Cindy said.

 "You little tramp! That was my girlfriend and almost fiancé and because of you, you just ruined my life. What were you thinking???!" Darren screamed at her.

 "That was your GIRLFRIEND??!! That looks like you're little sister!" Cindy screamed.

 "Get out or I'll call security," Darren said.

 "What about when you asked me out?!" Cindy screamed.

 "THAT WAS 7 YEARS AGO ON A BET!" Darren screamed, "ALL YOU WANT IS MY MONEY AND YOU JUST RUINED MY LIFE AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Darren screamed. Cindy got up and stormed out of the hotel room with Mary close behind. Darren slammed the door behind them.

 "Oh my God, what just happened?" Darren asked.

 "Go find her," Daniel said, meaning Dee.

 "She probably hates me," Darren said.

 "Like I said, go find her," Daniel said. Darren stood up and ran out the door.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

 I didn't know where to go or what to think. I knew she was going to come on to him, but I guess I didn't want it to sink in. I ran to the indoor pool area, took off my shoes and socks and soaked my feet. A couple tears ran down my cheek but I wiped them away. I heard someone walk up to me behind me. I turned around and saw Darren. He smiled as I turned back around. He sat down and looked at me.

 "Dee, I'm so sorry," he started.

 "I knew she was gonna do that," I said.

 "What?"

 "I heard her talk to her friend in the store," I said.

 "I haven't seen her for 7 years and I only asked her out cause my friend dared me to," Darren said.

 "I believe you," I said.

 "Are you upset?" he asked.

 "Darren, you have no clue what it's like to see the person you love kiss someone else," I said.

 "I didn't...," Darren started.

 "It takes two to kiss Darren," I interrupted.

 "I know. But Delia, I didn't feel anything! It's nothing compared to the way you kiss me. And I know I kissed back but if someone came up to you and kissed you, you would kiss back. It's human nature. I'm so sorry and to even imagine you kiss another guy kills me," Darren said, looking me in the eye.

 "You mean it?" I asked, smiling.

 "More than ever. I love you, Dee," he said. I smiled. He kissed me long and sweet.

 "I love you, too," I said. I stood up and dried my legs off. He got up as well and stood by the edge of the pool. I wrapped my arms around him and smiled evilly to myself.

 "Darren, I'm sorry," I said, giving him puppy dog eyes.

 "For what?" he asked.

 "THIS!!" I screamed, as I pushed him in the pool. He fell in and I cracked up laughing. He came up for air.

 "OOoooo, that's it!!" Darren said. He hopped out and chased me around. He caught me and threw me in the pool but I grabbed his shirt and pulled him in with me.

 "Ha! If I go in, so do you!" I said. We were the only ones there and he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me lightly. We held each other and we kissed again. As we pulled apart, I slashed him with water and burst out laughing.

 "This means war!" he said, as he swam after me. He chased me as he grabbed my leg and dunked me in. I came up for air and we burst in to fits of laughter. We looked up to see Daniel looking at us like we were nuts.

 "Ok, what'd I miss?" he asked. We laughed even harder as we threw water on him. We slashed him until he finally jumped in.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

"Delia, you mean so much to me...no, that sounds retarded," Darren said, as he tore out the paper, crumbled it up and threw it over his head. "Hmm...how 'bout, Delia, I love you, will you marry me? AUGH!! NO!!" he said. He ripped out that paper, crumbled it up and threw it over his head.

 "Ah!" Lee said, as the paper hit him in the head. Darren turned around, startled.

 "Sorry," he apologized.

 "It's ok. Whatcha up to?" Lee asked, pulling up a chair next to Darren in the hotel room.

 "I'm gonna ask Dee to marry me," Darren said.

 "Wow! Go D!" Lee said.

 "I got a ring yesterday but I don't know what to say," Darren explained.

 "Where ya gonna take her?" Lee asked.

 "It's a surprise," Darren answered.

 "Hmm...well, just say what you feel, or you could just copy off a Hallmark card," Lee said.

 "It sounds easy, but I don't know how to put it in words," Darren said.

 "I got it! Sing to her!" Lee said, "All your feelings will come out in the song!" Lee said.

 "Yeah! Thanks Lee," Darren said, "And I know the perfect song."

 "So...what are you guys gonna do after you get married?" Lee said.

 "Well, people usually go on a honeymoon," Darren said, sarcastically.

 "Haha, I know, stupid! I mean about where you're gonna live," Lee said.

 "Well, I figured she can just come with us," Darren said, "It's not going to be soon. We'll wait after she turns 18," Darren said.

 "What about college?" Lee asked. Darren thought for a minute.

 "We haven't really talked about it yet. I'm sure she can just get a tutor like you're doing," Darren said. Lee smiled.

 "Congrats D," Lee said.

 "Thanks," he smiled.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 "Where are we going?!" I asked, again.

 "I told you! It's a surprise," Darren said. I had a scarf tied around my eyes so I couldn't see and Darren was taking me somewhere.

 "Darren, are we going up?" I asked. I felt us going up like in an elevator.

 "You'll see...," Darren said.

 "I thought you said we were going to lunch!" I said.

 "I lied," Darren said, laughing.

 "Are we there yet?"

 "Sheesh, almost!" Darren said, laughing. He held my hand guiding me. We walked out of a ladder and I felt the wind blow and my ears pop. I grabbed his hand for protection.

 "Darren," I said, grabbing his hand.

 "Shh...it's ok, I gottcha," he said, placing his hands on my hips. "Are you peaking?" he asked.

 "No, I can't see a thing," I replied.

 "Ok," Darren said, "ready? Surprise," he said, as he took of the scarf. I gasped. I grabbed his hand as I stumbled. I was on top of the Golden Gate Bridge. The very top. My smile grew huge as I looked around in awe. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.

 "Darren!" I gasped. I wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his head on my shoulder.

 "Isn't it breath-taking?" he asked.

 "I can't believe it! I've never seen anything like it. How did you do it?" I asked.

 "Our record company had connections and they let us come up here. They usually don't let people come up," he said. He kissed my cheek and I looked out for miles and miles.

 "I can't believe it," I whispered. Darren started humming and he started to sing quietly in my ear.

 "I swear, by the moon and the stars in the sky, I'll be there. And I swear by the shadow that's by your side...," he started to sing to me, holding me. I smiled, I loved that song, and he knew it.

 Darren reached in his pocket and pulled out a box. He placed it in front of me while he held me. He took the box and got down in front of me. He got on one knee and looked into my eyes. I looked at him questionably.

 "Delia, I love you so much. Without you I am nothing. I gave this a lot of thought and I truly think we were made for each other," he said. He opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring that sparkled in the sunlight. I gasped, as tears built up in my eyes.

 "And I know you're young, but we can wait. So, Delia Daisy DeKator, will you marry me?" he asked, as he held the ring. I tried to hold the tears back, but it didn't work. They poured over my eyes as I gasped.

 "YES!!" I screamed. I shrieked and he jumped up. He slid the ring on my finger and lifted me up. He swung me around and placed me down. Our smiles were a mile wide. I hugged him tightly and he kissed my tears away and we kissed. We stood there kissing forever and finally broke apart.

 "I love you," I said, looking deep in his eyes.

 "I love you, too, Mrs. Hayes," he said, smiling. I shrieked again as I hugged him.

Chapter 25

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