Chapter 11:
---Melanie---
Tomorrow was my big day!
It was then I'd meet the other girl and two guys that were in the group. It would also be when we started rehearsing together and pretty much everything that came with being in the group.
I hadn't quit school yet though. I figured I'd wait a week or two. Just to see for myself if this group was going to last.
I sure hope so!
---Aaron---
Oh man I'm an idiot! I cannot believe I'm letting these girls go! Dad'll kill me!
I guess I should explain... My father is a kidnapper. He kindaps people for a ransom. And he's always got away with it. I've often wished he'd get caught. But he never did. I've often wished I'd get the guts to report him to the police. But I never did...
But, this time he went to far! Why did he have to kidnap my celebrity crush.. (I've had a crush on Ashley Olsen since I was 15 years old! But don't tell anyone!) And no matter how hard I tried... I couldn't let him get away with this.
So, that's how I found myself untieing the ropes. How I found myself sneaking out of the cabin with them.
I was now officially a fugitive (From my father)... Cause like I said. If he finds out I did this... I'm dead!
---Michael---
I am so pathetic! With the exception of classes I've spent the ENTIRE day moping around the dorm! Half of my thoughts are worrying about Mary-Kate and Ashley. The rest are worrying about Melanie and Me.
I feel kind of selfish for that.
Mary-Kate has been kidnapped and all I can think about is the fact that things aren't perfect between my girlfriend and I!
Maybe I should call Mel..
See what I mean?!
I AM truly pathetic!
*sigh*
---Melanie---
"Why didn't you tell me?" I screeched.
"I'm sorry!" Michael apologized.
"One of my best friends has been kidnapped and you didn't tell me!" Yes I was annoyed.
"I didn't want you to worry" Michael insisted.
I fought the urge to hang up the phone. Sure, I'd been glad he rang me. But, when the subject of Mary-Kate and Ashley's kidnapping came into the conversation... Well, I was really annoyed!
"WORRY?! WORRY?!" I yelled. "I HAVE A RIGHT TO WORRY! I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW IF SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO MY FRIEND! HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME!?" Yup, I was getting more annoyed by the second.
This conversation was going REALLY well!
"Mel! Calm down" he soothed.
"Calm down? Calm down?! YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN!?"
*Click* I did hang up then.
---Michael---
Yes! I'm an idiot and a loser! I can't believe I didn't tell Melanie. And it wasn't just because I didn't want her to worry. Truth be known. When I last talked to her the conversation was entirely about her making it into the group. I was so busy worrying about that, that I totally forgot to tell her about Mary-Kate! And now she's mad at me...
Just Great!
Oh, I'm pathetic!
Chapter 12:
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The 3 of us raced through the forrest. Branches scratched our faces and got snagged in our hair but we continued on and on and on, Until we couldn't go any longer.
"Guys!...We... gotta... stop..." I panted sitting down on a log.
"I don't think I can go any further anyway" Ashley agreed sitting next to me.
Aaron glanced, back in the direction we'd come, resignedly. "I guess we could stop for the night" He finally agreed sitting down on the ground.
"It's cold" I complained a few minutes later.
Aaron shook his head "My father might see the smoke.."
"Great" I said hugging myself for warmth "This is one majorly fun Road Trip. I wish I were back home with Zac" I said. I was starting to realize how much I truly loved him. And compared to what I was going through now.. The idea of marriage wasn't as scary any more.
---Zac---
"This is too slow!" I exlaimed hitting the steering wheel in frustration.
Josh and I had been travelling for two days straight. We were tired, cranky and worried. And perfect timing. We were now stuck in a traffic jam!
Josh stuck his head out the window trying to see what was going on "I think it's a car crash" he finally decided.
I groaned "This could take hours!!"
And we were so close! Only one hour from the town the twins left before being kidnapped!
---Melanie---
I stared at the roof and let out a sigh. I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was Michael and the big group get together tomorrow.
Why did my life always have to be so extremly complicated?
I glanced at the clock 3:00am. Great! I was going to be really tired tomorrow. I rolled over and attempted to count sheep. Or in this case.. glow in the dark smileys stuck all over my room.
---Michael---
It was 4am and I hadn't slept a bit! I felt really bad about Melanie and I's stupid fight. I wanted to ring her but of course it WAS 4am. We probably wouldn't have any time to talk tomorrow either. What with the big launch of her musical career (Well, the technical before fame stuff, anyway)
We'd probably never get to talk due to her career.
Yup, I'm really starting to resent this pop group!
---Ashley---
I'd been in a boat in a calm beautiful river, with a really great guy. He'd just told me a really funny joke and I was laughing about it.
"Ashley wake up! Ashley wake up!" my dream was interrupted by Mary-Kate insistenly tapping her finger on my forehead "WAKE UP!" She kept saying
"Ow!" I said pushing her hand away "That hurts" I sat up and rubbed my head where she hit it, casting a grumpy look in her direction.
She just ignored me "We gotta start moving"
I turned to Aaron who was waiting for us "Where are we heading?" I asked.
"I, uh, don't know" He said
"You mean we're lost?"
"No! Just not 100% sure of where we are..." He trailed off and started walking.
Mary-Kate and I followed "We're lost" she whispered to me in a funny way.
I smiled, even though the fact was totally scary, and tried to remember all the aspects of my dream. I could remember how nice the guy was and how much I liked him. But no matter how hard I tried... I couldn't remember his face!
---Melanie---
I held my eyes open for a second "You are awake! You are awake!" I told myself gently slapping my face with my hand. "Oh man I'm tired..." I admitted giving up. I then took a deep breath and walked into the room. It was the day when I'd meet my future band mates...
"Melanie! She's here" Our manager smiled walking over to me and leading me to where a guy and girl were sitting on some sofas "Take a seat" he said pointing to a space next to one of the guys. "Melanie this is... Jamie..." he pointed to the girl who smiled at me "Jason..." he pointed to a guy sitting next to her "and...Malcolm" he said pointing to the guy I was sitting next to.
I said hi to them all and smiled. But, my mind was wondering to Michael. It didn't help that Malcolm looked like him so much, their names even began with the same letter!
I forced back a sigh. This was going to be a long day.
---Michael---
I spotted Melanie walking down the hall toward me.
Uh-oh!
She looked mad!
"You!" She said angrily, when she finally reached me "You!" She repeated waving a finger in my face.
"You covered that already.. me?!" I asked pushing the finger away since it was close to colliding with my eye.
"My day was impossible cause all I could do was think about you!" She said pushing me against the wall.
"I'm sorry" I said wondering what on earth had gotten into her.
"Shut up!" She said with a mischevious smile leaning in to kiss me.
So,... shut up = I forgive you?
Judging by the amazing kiss we were sharing.. I guess it does!
Chapter 13:
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---Melanie---
Woah! We hadn't kissed like that in ages! I'd sure missed it.
I pulled back and blushed. Man! This felt like our first date.
Michael still had his eyes closed and a grin on his lips "We should fight more often" he said finally opening them.
I grinned at that remark.
He slung an arm over my shoulder and we walked off down the hallway together.
---Aaron---
I glanced over at Ashley as we walked. I couldn't believe it! The girl I'd had a crush on for almost a decade, was standing a few feet from me and I hadn't started a conversation! I'm pathetic!
"So, come here often?" I asked using a dumb line in a funny way.
She ginned "Nope! But I should it's just so beautiful!" She spread her arms around and slowly spun in a circle, proceeded to trip on a log and almost run into a tree, thankfully I cought her.
"Have you been drinking?" I asked with a laugh.
"A ton!" She grinned, then her face saddened. "You know what would make this perfect?" She asked.
'Finding out you have a crush on me too. And not having to worry about my father' I thought but didn't voice it "No, what?"
She grimaced and rubbed her stomach "A fast food place"
"I couldn't be more hungry" Mary-Kate agreed, from where she'd been walking a bit ahead of us.
We all sighed in unison.
---Josh---
"FINALLY!" I said.
Whatever had been causing the traffic jam had been cleared and we were now moving again. We'd lost a lot of valuable time though.
"We're coming girls. We're coming" I whispered to myself quietly.
---Mary-Kate---
I'd been daydreaming about Zac when Ashley let out an ear piercing scream.
I spun around to where she'd been standing. She'd disappeared! A big gaping hole was now where she'd been standing.
Aaron fell to his knees and peared down into the hole "Ashley? Are you ok?" He called.
"Yeah." Came the faint response. "I think I hurt my wrist though"
"Just as well it wasn't your ankle" I said trying to look at the bright side.
The dark side being.. how were we going to get her out?!
---Zac---
"This must be it" I said peering out the window as I parked the car.
We'd driven out of the town Ashley and Mary-Kate had told us about and had now came to a place where a lot of police cars were parked.
We climbed out of the car and walked over to one of them "I'm Mary-Kate Olsens fiancee" I explained. "Any news?"
The policemen shook his head "Not really. We followed some tracks into the forrest, they led to an old cabin, it looked like people had been staying there but they aren't there now. There's a series of tracks leaving the cabin. We're following them now"
For the first time in a long time I had to fight the urge to cry. Mary-Kate was out there. And there was no way I could help her!
---Aaron---
"I thought I heard something" I said glancing up at the sky.
"Don't you dare let go!" She shrieked.
"Sorry" I apologized.
I was holding on to Mary-Kate's feet and she was leaning down in the hole trying to reach her sister.
"I can't reach!" She said frustratedly.
I pulled her back out of the hole and tried to think of another way to get Ashley out. We were losing time! And who knew how far away my father was!
If only I'd known, the truth was my father had left the state hours ago, as soon as he spotted the police he was out of there! So the twins and I were now running from an imaginary problem. And were in fact, running from help.
Though we weren't exactly running at that point. After all, Ashley was still stuck in the hole.
Chapter 14:
---Melanie---
I was reading on the sofa when a piece of paper appeared under my door. I walked over and unfolded it.
You are here by invited to go to tonights carnival with your (wonderful) Boyfriend Michael. PLEASE say you'll come! ;)
I opened the door with a grin. "I'd love to!" I said hugging him "Just gimme a minute to get ready"
"Well, I guess we can spare half an hour." Michael teased.
I made a face at him then ran to my room, quickly chose an outfit through it on and raced back out. "Ha!" I said looking at my watch "Only 5 minutes!"
He grinned "Works every time"
I realized I'd fallen for the trick, and so in retaliation stuck my tongue out at him then walked out the door (trying to regain some sense of dignity)
I heard him stifle a laugh, then run to catch up with me, putting an arm round my waist "I'm glad you agree to come" He said leaning down to kiss my cheek "It's been ages since we had a proper date"
"Seems like forever" I agreed.
I was really looking forward to tonights one.
---Ashley---
"I can't reach it!" I said jumping up and trying to clasp a hold of the branch Mary-Kate and Aaron had thrown over the side of the hole. "It's hopeless" I said dejectedly sitting down on a rock in the hole.
Wait a minute!
A rock.. in the hole!
I looked around, there were heaps of pretty large (but liftable) rocks, if I stacked them I might be able to get out. Only problem was my wrist..
"Hey you guys I got an idea! But I'll need one of you to come down here"
---Zac---
"UGH!" I said kicking at one of the tires on my car "This is inhumane torture! We've got to be able to do something"
"Chill man" Josh said from where he was sitting in the passenger seat of the car "They've almost found them"
According to the police the tracks they were following were only a few hours old. And since they were driving motorbikes (the area of bush the trails were in wasn't very rocky) they'd hopefully catch up with the girls in just a couple of hours.
It still seemed like an eternity though.
---Melanie---
"Long way up! Long way up!" I said freaking out a little as I looked down from the ferris wheel we were riding.
"Don't look down" Michael said putting an arm around my shoulder and pulling me close to him "Look at me instead"
"Ok" I said dreamily as our lips drew closer and closer then finally met.
I got lost in the moment, until the ferris wheel suddenly jolted as it started moving again. "Ah!" I said sitting up straight suddenly and clatching the railing for all I was worth.
"You worry too much!" Michael said
"Whatever" I said sitting back and willing my heart to stop beating so fast.
The ride ended, needless to say I was glad to be back on solid ground again. "Lets get cotton candy" I said happily pulling Michael by the hand over to a booth that was selling it.
"Talk about mood swing" Michael muttered quietly.
"I heard that!" I called back.
He clamped a hand over his mouth and acted all scared, totally faking it.
I glared at him "Or we could get ice cream. Where would you prefer it... in your stomach or in your face?" I threatened with a sweet smile.
"I'll shut up now" Michael said meekly.
"Good boy" I said patting him on the head as if he were a dog.
---Aaron---
"I don't like this! I don't like this!" I repeated nervously as I lowered myself into the hole then dropped the last couple of feet.
"Long time no see!" Ashley said from where she was sitting on a rock.
"Your Knight is here!" I glanced around the rock "Whoever your decorater was, really didn't do a good job"
She nodded thoughtfully "Yeah, I really don't like what they did with the place!"
"Stop kidding around and start stacking!" Mary-Kate said, her head suddenly appearing at the opening of the hole. "I don't like being up here on my own" She glanced around nervously.
"Right away Ma'am!" I said saluting, then turning to the rocks. "Here goes!" I said picking up the first one.
Chapter 15:
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---Josh---
The police eventually got sick of Zac and I pestering them they 'suggested' we go get ourselves some lunch. They promised to call us if anything new happened.
"I get the feeling they were trying to get rid of us" I said to Zac as we drove into town.
He didn't even crack a smile.
*Sigh* I tried!
---Ashley---
Climbing out of the hole was sure fun! Occasionally one of the rocks would wobble and you'd feel like you were going to fall, then it would right itself and you would continue climbing. By the time I climbed out I felt like I'd aged 20 years!
Mary-Kate hugged me almost in tears "It's ok Mary-Kate! I'm fine" I said holding my wrist close to me so as not to hurt it.
"I wanna go home" She sobbed.
Aaron looked kind of uncomfortable "We should get moving" He said.
Just then I heard a sound "What was that?" I asked
We listened carefully. The sound came again "It sounds like an engine" Aaron said
"Do you think your Dad..?" I trailed off.
The sound stopped and we soon heard voices "RUN!" Aaron hissed and we did so..
---Michael---
I was having one of those 'be a kid days' pigging out on cotton candy and other junk food, riding on the merry-go-round. Ah! I loved it!!
Melanie smiled at me from the horse she was seated on, next to me.
"I still don't see why you got the horse and I got the elephant!" I pouted.
She just laughed "I wonder..."
---Aaron---
We ran as fast as we could. I kept glancing back but didn't see anything, at first. Soon a person on a motorbike appeared in sight.
'Oh man we're in trouble!' I thought to myself.
The guy on the bike waved at us, and figuring it was a losing battle anyway, I stopped running and signaled to the girls to do so.
But, when the biker took his helmet off I saw it wasn't my father or one of his co-workers.
---Zac---
"YOU FOUND THEM!?" I screamed happily in to the cellphone.
Josh stared at me in shock then the two of us lept up from the table, knocking our chairs over and causing a disruption in the cafe as we did so. We didn't care though, just raced out the door leaving our half eaten meals behind us.
The drive back seemed the longest in the world, and when we finally got there I literally flew out of the car and scanned the crowd for Mary-Kate.
I spotted her at the same time as she saw me
"MARY-KATE!" I screamed.
"ZAC!"
She ran towards me and I ran towards her. We reached each other and I threw my arms around her, lifting her up off the ground. She hugged me tightly, and I hoped she'd never let go again.
---Josh---
I watched happily as Zac and Mary-Kate reunited, then scanned the crowd for Ashley. I didn't know what to expect, but what I saw didn't fail to surprise me. She was sitting in a chair, her wrist bandaged, sitting next to her was a guy in his early twenties, he had an arm around her and she was resting her head on his shoulder, obviously really tired.
The site was unbelievably painful, and attempting to hold back tears, I turned and ran back to the road and signaled a taxi. Ashley wouldn't miss me (obviously) either way she didn't even know I'd been there, and Zac wouldn't notice for awhile, he and Mary-Kate couldn't take their eyes of each other. I figured I'd call him in a few hours and explain.
As the car drove towards New York, I forced myself to realize the fact that Ashley and I were TRULY over.