[Storiesmaniac]

"What do you think of this couch?"

"We have a couch."

"Well, how about that side table?"

"We have side tables."

"I was thinking maybe we could get some couch cushions?"

"Couch cushions?"

"Yeah, I mean, they're nice and plush and can add some warmth to the room, make it more inviting."

"Our house isn't inviting as is?"

"No, it's just-"

"No, stop, don't speak. Just think about it. What is the purpose of these cushions?"

"To sit on."

"To sit on? Oh yes, we totally sit on these cushions. No wait, I come in the room, look at the couch and what do I do? Before I sit on it I move the cushion!"

"You don't have to be so crude you know."

"I'm sorry, honey, really I am. I'm just tired, and it was a long drive, and I didn't sleep well."

"We could go look at beds."

"We have a bed!"

"What then?"

"I want to go find a Hooters and have wings and beer. Maybe then I'll be more up to strolling the stainless steel aisles of Ikea."

"You wanted to come here."

"I had heard it was better."

"Nothing as good as they say it is, Whitney. Nothing."

"True Kyle, very true."


Kara and Robin struggled to get out of the main concert stadium. The bandstand was still thrashing with strobe lights and fake smoke, and the sound of guitars and drums could barely have been heard over the roaring of the crowd. The pulses from the loud speakers were overwhelming, the metal stairs were vibrating to the beat. Once out of the main concert area, they could almost hear each other while screaming.

"Let's get something to eat!" Robin shouted.

"I think we might die trying," Kara shouted back.

"Take no prisoners," Robin led the way as the two wormed their way further still out of the complex. It was a frigid twenty six degrees that night, but the air was still and with the overwhelming amount of bodies in the hall, it was almost bearable. As the two hurried out of the crowds, the giant mosh pits and rave zones, the temperature began to drop again, and by the time why were fully out of the bandstand area, they could see their breaths before their faces.

"That was amazing," Kara said pulling her coat tighter around her body. "Wow!"

"I thought you'd like it," Robin grinned. He was happier than a kid who just been given a new bike for Christmas. "How're you feeling?"

"Like my head is about to explode."

"That's normal, the sensation should subside after you wash it down with beer and pizza."

"Sounds good to me," Kara laughed. The two began wandering around the many booths that had been set up, most selling band related tee-shirts and CDs from many of the performing artists. There were Christmas lights stung up everywhere, making the shadows fall. The two were busy ravaging a pile of CD's when something changed their attention.

"Robin!"

"Kara!"

"Sarah!"

"Hide me..."

Sarah came running at the two with Joel and Tim in tow on the right by Robin while Selina and Lexy ran towards Kara on the left.
"What are you doing here?" Sarah asked wiping a stray strand of hair out of her face.

"Got last minute tickets," Robin explained. "I didn't know you three were coming."

"I got the tickets months ago," Sarah laughed. "I was going to give two to you but since Joel and Tim showed up, I had no choice."

"Kara darling!" Selina called. "Whatever are you doing here?"

"Listening to punk rock, what else?" Kara forced a smile. "I had no idea you were coming."

"Lexy's idea," Selina nodded at Lexy who waved giddily. "So, what do you think?"

"I'm not thinking right now," Kara picked up a CD and handed the money for it to the guy behind the booth. "Just spending money."

"'Atta girl!" Selina patted her on the back. "Robin!"

"Selina?"

"Kara!"

"Sarah?"

"Joel!" Joel shouted breaking up the chaos.

"Well," Tim laughed looking at everyone. "Since it appears we're all here, is anyone else hungry?"

Laughing, the group strolled around until they found a pizzeria on the resort property. The place was packed but the woman at the reception podium led them to a back booth. Cramming in the seven sat elbow to elbow, each thawing from the cold outside.

"What can I get you all to drink?"

After the orders were taken, and three simmering pizza's placed upon the huge booth table, the group dug in.

"So," Tim lowered his glass of ale. "Who's up for more?"

"More?" Kara's eyes bulged out of her head. She turned to Robin mouth agape, "There's more?"

"She's hasn't been to one of these before," Lexy pointed at Kara laughing, "has she?"

"Punk rock virgin," Robin laughed and then took another bite of pizza. "Yes Kara, there's more."

"It's midnight already," Kara looked at her watch. "How much more?"

"We got a hotel room at the resort," Selina laughed. "That's how much more."

"This is Sugarloaf's biggest non-boarding event," Sarah explained to the mesmerized Kara. "It brings in twice as much money as the New Years Eve and the St. Patrick's Day celebrations combined."

"I'm slightly scared that you know that, honey," Joel ruffled Sarah's hair.

"Meh, I read the pamphlet," Sarah shrugged.

"Let's try that again?" Tim motioned.

"Okay," Sarah rolled her eyes. "I read the pamphlet a lot."

"That's more like it," Tim laughed.

"I'm sorry," Kara interrupted again. "How long?"

"I'd say things will start to die down at about four a.m.," Lexy shrugged.

"Four a.m.!" Kara gasped. "That gets us home at seven."

"And guess who's driving," Robin smiled as he took another sip of ale.

"You can go sleep in the back of your car, I'll bum a ride home with Sarah," Kara told him.

"I'm not really feeling the love here, Kara," Robin exclaimed. "I am after all the reason you are wearing that skanky outfit and eyeliner."

"I was going to comment on that," Tim started. Kara shot him a harsh glare. "But I decided against it."

"Smart man."

"I know."

"You can come crash with us," Selina offered to Kara. "We're driving back tomorrow morning."

Kara looked to Robin quickly, "So, four a.m. we leave?"

"Let's go," Joel laughed putting down his glass of water. "I have a feeling things are just getting warmed up."

The group shuffled out of the booth and walked back towards the bandstand into the cold night's air. They were halfway across the merchant's area when Selina broke off.

"Hold on a second," she said. "I want a bottle of water."

"Me too," Kara stepped away. "We'll be right back,"

The two jogged down to a vendor up the lane, a small line forming before the tent. They both grabbed water out of the big tub filled with ice and then waited. Starting a conversation Selina laughed.

"Ya know," she shook her head, "I would have never pictured you here."

"Neither would I," Kara grinned, glad that Robin had dragged her along.

"Especially with Robin."

"Come again?"

"The way you two used to fight in high school?" Sel laughed. "Really, never pictured it."

"Robin and I still fight," Kara defended. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"I just never saw the two of you as a couple," Selina shrugged.

"We aren't."

"You're here with him."

"No, I'm not," Kara shook her head. "He was going to take Kyle, but he was out of town, if that validates the point."

"So he grabbed you?"

"Quite literally," Kara nodded.

"Well then, Kara," Selina took a breath. "Who is the mystery man?"

"There's no man," Kara denied.

"It's not Robin," Sel ruled out. "And judging by the way things went at your parent's it's not that Tim fellow. Are you sleeping around with Shawn again?"

Kara choked on the water she had already opened.
"Oh, that could have been a 'yes'."

"Or a huge resounding no on par with 'are you out of your fucking mind?'."

"Alright a professor then? Another member of your study group??"

"Two waters please," Kara handed the vendor the cash when they reached the front of the line. He handed her back her change and the two began to head back to the group.

"Fine then, Kara," Sel said before they reached the group. "Be cold and bitter, but the first time you lose something, someone, because you refused to let the other's in, don't even think about complaining."

Sel stormed ahead and left Kara speechless in the glow of the Christmas lights. Kara had known Sel to be direct, often times obnoxious and forever cruel in her ways, but hearing her be so close to right, and telling her exactly what she didn't want to hear without even trying, was something Kara had never thought would happen. Not with Selina, not with anyone.

"You coming, Kara?" Sarah waved as the group began moving again. Without a word Kara caught up with them and as most of them laughed and screamed in joy, they walked into the crowded bandstand, the music making the steel floor tremor.

[Corneac]

Wow, because I had nothing better to do, I just read the whole series. Partly, becuase Kara was so vehement that she did not wnat me to read the Wedding one, so of course I did. And then I wanted to keep going. Where' the rest Tim? And did you write this one...or Kara...haha..but bloody good job, love the character of Kara...so damn close to the truth...jhahaha.... but damnit...where's the rest?