Life's better thought of as a scavenger hunt than a suprise party- Jimmy Buffet

Perfect for a relaxed day in the office or a casual lunch with friends

story to come

"Hey! Rose, wait up!" I heard someone exclaim as I walked through the checkout of the grocery store, my bags hanging off my arms and the long skirt of my dress spinning around my ankles as I turned. Tossing some cash on the register and snagging both his change and a pint of ice cream was Nate. Curious as to what he could want I paused, propping a hand on my hip as I cocked an eyebrow. Slightly out of breath he stopped next to me, opening the door and motioning me through. "Do you have a sec?"
 

 
Sighing I passed by, careful not to brush against any part of him. "To what do I owe this.... well I would say pleasure but then I'd lying." I couldnt help but mock him, despite the fact that we are getting along better, he was still like the annoying older brother that I wanted nothing to do with. Recieving a brief grin I knew that he understood I was kidding.
 

 
"Well, know how Cam asked you and Attina to go to Disney this week?Do you think he'd mind Ella and I coming with? I feel bad that I didnt really get her anything for her birthday."
 

 
I was confused. "Cam wants to go to Disney?" I asked, jaw dropping slightly.
 

 
Nate's Adams apple bobbed. "Oops," he muttered. "Well, I gotta go before the ice cream melts." Casting a wave over his shoulder he bolted.
 

 
Glaring as he became nothing but a speck in the distance I hurried after him, cursing when I missed the trolley and had to wait for the second one that went to the campus. Jaw clenched I stomped from the drop point to the sorority, slamming the door behind me as I continued up the stairs. "If anyone needs me I'll be on the phone in my room," I called out, double checking that Attina was taking her nap before slipping into my room. Cell phone in hand I dialed Cam while unloading my purchases into my mini fridge and my drawers.
 

 
"Ello?" someone asked, the deep familiar voice coming over the line after it rang twice. There was no warmth blooming, only anger.
 

 
"Cameron Joseph Castillo, what the hell is this I hear about you planning to lure myself and Attina for a suprise trip to Disney?" I demanded.
 

 
I heard him gulp, imagining the cross eyed look he adapted when ever caught unawares. "What are you talking about Ro?" Damn him for trying to play it cool.
 

 
"Oh give it up Cameron... Nate spilled the beans." Eyeing my white board I put him on speaker phone, spritzing it with Expo cleaner. I didnt need any of that anymore.
 

 
Muttering to himself I picked up the distinct french curse and Nate's name. "Well that's a bust." He sighed. "Yes, Ro, I planned on whisking you and Attina away on a day of fun and games at the Happiest Place on Earth. Remind me to thank Nate for ruining the suprise."
 

 
I scoffed, booting up my laptop and opening the list of quotes I'd collected over the years. Finding one suiting my mood I selected a hot pink marker, jotting it down on my white board in a loopy cursive. "Cameron, I dont need you to spend money on Attina or myself, I have the means to take her places all by myself and I'd prefer that if you're going to make plans that you either ask me before hand or dont make them at all."
 

 
"Rose..." he trailed. "I dont have to spend money on you guys... I want to.Please, just let me take you."
 

 
Recapping my marker I shook my head despite the fact that he couldnt see me. "I said no Cameron. Dont push." Shaking my head at the concerned look on Ella's face as she appeared in my doorway, I motioned for her to take a seat. "Please."
 

 
Something made a crash on the other end. " Dammit Rose, I said please. Now I either take both of you or just Attina, the choice is up to you." The dial tone is the next thing I knew and as I hung up on my end I threw my phone on my mattress, glaring at it.
 

 
"What was that all about?" Ella demanded, gently touching a sculpture Attina had made with Zoey one day.
 

 
"Cameron keeps demanding that he take us to Disney for a day, I told him 'no' a couple weeks ago and apparently he told Nate that he was taking us anyways and Nate let it slip. So I called Cam and he gave me an ultimatum... can you believe him?" I was beyond ticked off.
 

 
Daintly crossing her legs after removing her shoes she sat with her hands in her lap. "Well, are you really mad at him or the fact that you're nervous about letting him close to you and Attina?" she asked, an eyebrow cocked as she carefully worked a fishtail braid into her hair.
 

 
"Wha-I mean- I dont...." I huffed. "I dont know. I'm so used to being alone and having to do thing for myself, by myself that now it's like he's trying to hard, like he keeps pushing me to let him in."
 

 
"Well, how do you feel when he's around?" Ella pursued, tying a bow around the tail of the do. "What do you think about?"
 

 
I scoffed, unsure of how to answer that. "I dont know." Becoming silent I sat beside her, resting my head on her shoulder. "It's like... a swarm of butterflies in my stomach and fresh hot chocolate coarsing through my veins, all warm and comforting. I like being around him and the way he is around Attina is just...amazing. I've never seen a man so big and tough looking so sweet and caring around a child. And then it's like with Crane, he kept himself between me and that freak guy. He's... I dont know, Ella." Sighing I swiped quickly at a tear that had fallen past my barrier. Squeezing my arm Ella rest her cheek against my forehead. "I think I'm in love Ella," I whimpered.
 

Hearing her gasp I rolled away from her and buried my face into my pillow.
 

"Rose are you ...."
 

Swallowing thickly I nodded. "I think I love Cam."
 

{Comment with Shocker if you read}

To say I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off would be a complete understatement. With exams nearly done and Ella's birthday fast approaching, not only was I nearly complete with organizing what in my opinion is the perfect birthday, but preparing for the likeliness that I wouldnt be going back to France this summer.
 
Careful not to run into anyone as I rushed away from my last class before lunch with Ella I concentrated on texting Nate, arguing with him via cell phone that he needed to be there for seven tonight. Head ducked, I apologized when I bumped into someone, intent on continuing by but stopping when I felt hands on my shoulder. Tearing my gaze away from my Blackberry I beamed when I saw Lucas, his red hair shining in the sun.
 
"Are you okay Ro?" he chuckled as he released me, his hands finding purchas in his back pockets.
 
"Perfectly fine, in a rush, see you tonight at the sorority. Dont forget, seven oclock and please remind the rest of the guys," I beamed as I pushed past, waving as he gave his affirmative.
 
Spotting Ella and Cam wating not far ahead I flicked an erant curl out of my face. "Hey guys sorry I'm late," I apologized, walking side by side with them into the on campus diner.
 
Sans being a little late for lunch, the afternoon passed smoothly and by six-thirty, not only were people arriving but Cam had taken control, sending me upstairs to get ready. Thanking him, I cursed, taking a short shower and slipping into preplanned clothes just in the nick of time. Narrowly avoiding falling feet over head I greeted the new arrivals topping off the bowl of potatoe chips just in time for Ella's descent.
 
"Happy birthday!" Exclaimed once I'd wiped off my hands, enveloping her in a hug and kissing her cheeks. "Do you like it?"
 
She nodded, cheeks flushed. "It's great, thank you!"
 
The doorbell chimed, and before I could excuse myself Ella had disappeared into the crowd, appearing a moment later pale in color and holding a single red rose. "Why's he here?" she asked softly.
 
My eyebrows furrowed. "Who Nate? I figured you'd want him here so I invited him, is that okay?" Had I made a mistake when interpruting their relationship? "Because I could totally kick him out."
 
Ella cracked a weak smile, shaking her head and shuffling off, her heels making no nose on the carpet. Oh no... What had I done....
 
(Comment with Unbirthday if you read :)

As much as I hate to say it, boybands are making a comeback, and as Attina ran around playing the One Direction CD Cam had given her rather loudly, I couldnt help but hum along. Their songs were catchy, so sue me. Smirking as I watched Nate twitch on the couch, fingers seemingly itching to snap the disk I shook my head, sitting opposite him with my arms crossed over my chest.
 
"What's the matter Nate, you dont like One Direction," I teased, straightening the skirt of my dress in my lap as Attina sat before Cam, his thick fingers working a braid into her hair.
 
The three of us were just waiting on Ella, who'd run upstairs to change after class and before we all went to the new 'family' restraunt in town called The Snuggly Duckling.
 
Dark scowl turned on me he growled, jaw clenching as he shook his head adamantly. Attina gasped, struggling to sit still as Cam teid off her final braid.
 
"Uncle Nate! How can you NOT like One Direction?" Attina squealed indignantly when she was released. Throwing herself into his lap she stared up at him slack jawed. "Niall's from Ireland which makes him like the leprechaun on the cereal you gave me, and Liam straightens his hair, just like you do sometimes, and Louis ..." she babbled on.
 
Hiding my amuesment at the Beasts tortured expression I beamed when Ella came down the stairs, successfully diverting my daughter's attention with an exclamation of , "El, you look gorgeous!" Which she really did, the combination of a forest green sun dress and cream cardigan contrasting magnificantly with her tanned skin.
 
Making little 'ohs' and 'ahs' Atti abandoned her explanation of why the European boyband was all the craze, skipping over to her 'aunt' to fawn over the simple, low chignon light brunette locks had been twisted into.
 
"Thank you sweetheart, but if we dont leave now we'll miss our reservations," Ella grinned shyly, offering a hand to the now protesting child.
 
Some how that single sentence managed to kick start us all, and within the next half hour we'd arrived at the cottage like restraunt, the yellow duck on the sign fairly amusing even Nate. Seated at a large table in the back corner near the piano all conversation siezed as we studied out menus, Attina pointing things out rapidly around the room.
 
A throat cleared at the end of our table a moment later, a brunette waiter looking at Ella with what I assumed was supposed to be a charming smulder. "Ladies, welcome to the Snuggly Duckling, my name is Flynn and I'll be your waiter tonight, so if you need anything please dont hesitate to ask. Can I start you off with something to drink?"
 
Was he serious? Lips pursed I internal cheered as Nate scootched closer to Ella on their bench, glaring at Flynn as he ordered for both of them. Ordering for after them I turned to share a look with Cam who also seemed a little angry.
 
Watching Flynn walk off winking at Ella I shook my head. "Somebody needs to teach that guy some manners. Are you okay El?"
 
Face flushed and eyes down cast she nodded, avoiding all gazes. His scowl deepening Nate ducked his head, whispering something in her ear and drawing a subtle nod from her. Raising an eyebrow at him and listening as Attina commented on how rude Flynn was I was suprised to see Nate stand up, stalking towards the hostess booth and growling something out, the frightened look on her face obvious to me.
 
To say I was pleasently pleased when our new waitress arrived, a petite old woman by the name of Merryweather, was an understatement, and at the end of the night, as the guys dropped us off I couldnt help but give Nate a small hug, suprising everyone in our party.
 
Muttering my thanks I slipped into the house with the excuse of needing to get Attina ready for bed, winking at Ella when she hurried by me to her room. So maybe Sir Grouchy wasnt such a beast afterall... but that doesnt mean I completely like him yet...
 
{Comment with One Direction if you read :)]

Since our little un in with Proffessor Crane, niether Cam or I have seen much of each other. Completely focused on helping Attina to adjust I had dedicated nearly all my time to either helping her with her homework, taking 'fieldtrips' or teaching her French. Yawning as I tucked her in, planning on finishing my homework, I shuffled down the hall, pausing when I heard giggling coming from Ella's room followed by a deep, male bark of laughter. Grinning tiredly I peered through the crack in the door, oddly pleased to find she and Nate spread out on her bean bag chairs, text books open all around them but their work abandoned. Sneaking away from the door without alerting either of the two, I stretched a knot in my back, slipping into my room and stopping short when I found Cam on my bed, my laptop in front of him along with my dayplanner and my Sociology text.
 
"Cam, what are you doing here?" I asked shocked, confused on how long he'd been waiting on me.
 
Deep, hazel eyes flicked over to the digital clock on my nightstand. "Not long, I havent seen much of you lately and felt like we should catch up." He was interupted by me yawning once more. "But... if you're too tired I can comeback some other time."
 
I felt my face hit and my nose scrunch as I held back another. "No!.... I mean, please it's okay, as long as you dont mind talking while I finish up the comprehension questions."
 
Cam rubbed at the back of his neck, turning my screen towards me. "I may have already donet them for you, sorry."
 
Chuckling I lookd the answers over, impressed with what he came up with for answers and sent the document to the printer, saving the text to a flash drive before logging off. "Thanks." Dropping a kiss on his cheek I collected the papers, stapling them and setting them in my folder.
 
Laying my computer on my nightstand I pulled my hoodie closer, crawling onto the bed next to him and curling into a little ball against the headboard. "So, what's new?"
 
Leaning back beside me he turned his upper body in my direction, passing out a single shouldered shrug. "Not much, I've been studying for exams and dealing with a happy Nate which is odd in and of itself. How've you and Attina been?"
 
"Adventurous," I laughed. "We've gone to the zoo, the park, the ice rink, the military museum, the circus and watched Lemonade Mouth nearly a dozen times. But, no matter what, I've had fun." I hesitated. "She misses you, ya know? She asked me the other day whether or not you'd forgotten about her."
 
He stiffened, shoulders becoming tense as he stared down at me, gaze intense. Large, rough hands came up and grasped at my jaw, his eyes staring into mine. "Rose, you and Attina need to know that I could NEVER, never forget you, either of you. You know that right?"
 
I felt butterflies take up residence in my abdomen and smiled shyly, resting my head on his muscular shoulder. "I know that now," I muttered sleepily, looking at him through my lashes.
 
His lips quirked at the corners as he looped an arm around my shoulders. "Good," he smiled, dropping a kiss on my forehead.
 
"Sorry," I apologized as my eyes began to droop, my arm throwing itself over his waist while my leg wound through his. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was him playing with the tip of my braid, apparently falling into slumber not long after me if what the note I found on my pillow said.
 
Gigglinh as I read what he'd written when he'd scribbled out a message when he left at six am I blushed, looking around to make sure nobody was watching before I tucked it into the small, lockable box I kept all keepsakes in.
 
'Ro, I needed to get to class but would have felt guilty for waking you up early so I just slipped out... dont be made. Did you know that you talk in your sleep? Anyways, I'll have to get you to explain what 'We'll be a dream' means. Hope you arent busy tonight because Im thinking a movie, just me you and Atti.... -C"
 
[Comment with Yawn if you read}