>>> Are We There Yet? -The Bus Ride-

[Daphne Hayes]

School had been out for the past couple hours. But, this Wednesday afternoon just wasn't any Wednesday afternoon. It was The Wednesday afternoon. The afternoon that so many people had been waitng for for the past couple weeks. The topic had been so 'hush hush' and was treated as if it was a four letter word. No one was going to now the true story. Or perhaps some already did, just chose to ignore it. But little did the students of Valkyrie know that their lives were about to change. Some say that after this happened to them, they had changed. Good or bad? Well, that was up to how you think you changed. The students of Valkyrie didn't quite now what they were getting themselves into. Now some, have been here before. A previous year. But for the others, this is their first time doing something so...against the rules.

Daphne Hayes leaned against one of the Greyhound bus's chairs. This was not her first time going to the City of Sins. No, she had gone last year. But, she must have ate some spoiled food, and had to return only a day intot he expeirence. So, for her, this was her first time going to Vegas, since she never got the full version the previous year. But everything happened for a reason, right? Daphne wasn't the first one on the bus. She could see some other kids she reconized. Right now, she was alone. One of her best friends Anne Lévesque was going to be her 'bus buddy', and she had not arrived yet.

The bus was parked in the parking lot of the Valkyrie Mall. So, when cars pulled up, Daphne didn't know if it was peopel she knew, or people here to shop. She checked her watch as it read 3:15. The bus was going to leave at 3:40, so people still had plenty of time to get here and find their friends, already start gossiping and how four luggage bags were not enough for the four day trip. Daphne didn't have four luggage bags, but two in fact. She just planned to use some money she had been saving to just buy some clothes down there since she was sure that Las Vegas had a more wider-selection of attire.

So, some of these kids she hadn't seen in awhile, since she hadn't been to school all week. Why wasn't she at school? Oh, it was because she was suspended for fighting. Yes, she wasn't allowed back until Monday, when everyone else came back from break. Diem had told her that now colleges were goign to see she was suspended for three days for fighting with another girl. Both Diem and Daphne knew they colleges weren't going to care about why Daphne and Amanda Summitt had been fighting that day in the populated cafeteria, because honestly, that conversation would last over an hour. She heard a few 'welcome backs' as people passed her to a seat behind her and all she could do was smile. She couldn't wait to temporarily forget about Valkyrie altogether.

What made Oscar Lyon go to Las Vegas? Oscar himself didn't even now as he parked his car in the parking lot. The voice in his head told him it was because it was his senior year and he hadn't done anything like this at all his entire high-school life. But then again....this was Oscar Lyon, the president of "I Hate Parites Fan Club", and yet here he was sitting in his car...toying with his keys, tempted to get the hell out of here. This wasn't the 'spur of the moment thing' he had actually paid for a ticket and had a room waiting for him in Las Vegas. Now that was his 'spur of the moment'.

He jingled with his keys as he saw some more people entering the bus, finding seats, talking with friends. He needed to go. His brother told him to live in the 'now', was this what he was talking about? Actually willingly going to one of these events? Out of all the events he could be willingly going to, he had to pick the biggest one fo them all. Oh no, not the petty bonfire at the beach, or Bridget Ainsworth Birthday bash. It had to be the Big Kahuna. He could possibly die down there, and here he was getting tickets and booking rooms! What was his problem? And on top of that he had to go in this germ-infested bus that was probably like motels. Only cleaned once every six months. Ick.

'It's just a ride.' he coached himself as he closed his eyes for a second and opened them up again, hands down perferring to just ride behind the bus in his car. No, that's a waste of gas. Maybe another reason why he wanted to go because he wanted to spend more time with Haley Summers, and she was going to be there. Just thinking of Haley made him smile, and at that moment reminding him of Anne Lévesque. How did those two come hand-in-hand? Thinking of Anne, made him think of what happened at Halloween. Basically, Oscar saved her. Some kids started beating up on her and well, as Oscar was going home, he saw it, and well, saved her from them. Have they talked much since then? No.

Oscar put his keys in his pocket, already knowing that he had made up his mind. He opened the car door and slammed it close. He got the trunk open and took out his suitcase had had packed weeks ago. Not knowing if he was 'out of style' he boarded the bus.

"So, why are you coming again?" Reed asked his brother, Riley. Riley Turner, yes he was back in town. Was going to start student teaching creative writing and journalism on Monday, but he arrived on purpose, one to surprise his younger brother, and two...well he knew this was Vegas weekend. "What do you mean? I've done this before," he told Reed as she walked across the parking lot towards the bus. "Dude, your a teacher," Reed point out, but Riley on laughed. "Ok, one, I am not a teacher, but a student teacher, and two, I don't start until Monday. So, I am only your older brother who is going."

The Turner brothers had always been real close. Reed considers Riley his best friend. He could tell anything to his older brother without regret or guilt. Which was why when Riley was waiting in the apartment when he came home from school he was thrilled. He had so much to tell him. Among them was the pregnancy, and the Ashley deal. But, Reed has expected Riley to act like their father and go off on him, but actually, he talked to him, andgave him some advice that Reed wondered if the whole 'college' thing changed his brother and made him more mature. "Anyways I want to see if the old freshman girls have turned into some smokin seniors," Riley said. Or....maybe not. Reed laughed even though he was still wondering if college was that bad.

"This is so weird that your going, Riley!" Reed said, unable to let it go.
"Reed, stop being such a whinning baby. I'm not a teacher. Stop complaing, we're almost there," Riley told him. "So," he continued, not missing a beat, "have you decided what you are going to do with Scarlet and Ashley?"
Reed gaped, "Ok, we talked about this about a couple hours ago. I can't decided the rest of my life in that amount of time. No, shut up. People could be listening," Reed said looking around. He didn't even now if anyone knew about the pregnancy. He had even coaxed Scarlet not to go. Well, that was a bad idea. The last thing he wanted was them to fight. He wanted to change the subject. He didn't want to leave Valkyrie thinking of this. "So, you think it will still be fun, even though your not in highschool?" Reed asked him.
Riley contemplated this for a moment. He shook his head, "You know. I'm glad now I am an adult instead of 'raging hormonic teenage'. I think I will be able to keep an eyes on half of you with having to."
Reed looked at his brother, "You are way to goddamn mature for the us."

The brothers laughed as they showed their tickets to the bus driver and climbed the steps to the bus. Reed, trying to figure out his priorities, and his feelings, and Riley, he was there for the free food.

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[Anne Lévesque]

The idea of driving separately had been all of Anne's idea, which she told herself again and again while parking her BMW in the Valkyrie Mall. She rolled her eyes at herself as she looked in the mirror to recheck her lip gloss and mascara. Recently, she had been slightly avoiding Jason, because he was the first influence she ever got in the first place to start doing drugs. It was going to be harder to avoid him and drugs in the Las Vegas, but Anne was an interesting woman with interesting powers. Powers to avoid? Probably not - especially her own one year older brother. She sighed as she turned off the ignition and stepped out of the car on her way to the backseat and trunk. You could say she.. over packed a bit. Five bags, to be exact. Two were small, one was moderate, and the other two were huge. Her maids had helped her put them in, but she wasn't sure how she'd get them out. Time to ask a source. Taking her tan sandals over to a group of tiny, probably-hadn't-hit-puberty-yet boys, she gave them a coy smile.

"Excuse me. I'm having trouble with my bags. Would you go and help me? No, not just you. You.. you.. and you." She said, pointing to the ones that had even a hint of muscle. You'd think that Anne would of chosen the guys with the biggest muscles, but she wasn't in the mood to hear them brag about how they got them or if she wanted to feel them. Because yesterday afternoon was now one of the most humiliating days of her life, she figured that boys in her life were driving her insane. Literally. She had a therapist in her cell phone address book now. She led them over to her car and opened the door for them. "Go on now. I'll be right back. Be good boys, and pack them in the bus." Anne said, smirking a bit as she let the little pipsqueaks do their duty and trailed her way over to the sidewalk of the Mall. She was searching for a couple of people really. It would look like she was looking for someone important though. Give you three guesses. You're right - the damned Lyon. Boys don't have your control, boys don't have the reign to your horse, boys don't have the keys to your kitchen - wait.. kitchen? Or was it a house. Anne thought to herself, repeating what her therapist had told her.

Anne's outfit on that Autumn day was the opposite of November, but it wasn't the coldest day yet, so she took advantage of the last of her summer shorts. She sighed as she felt the breeze pick up on her newly shaven legs and then travel to one of the most disrupting sites of all. The tiny boys trying to shove Anne's luggage into her car. Barely. Their arms were shaking. She grumbled as they couldn't seem to make the biggest on budge into the bus.

"Excuse me? Why isn't this already in the bus? Are we having problems, boys?" Anne said, getting slightly impatient and wanting to just sit down and forget this miserable week ever happened. Valkyrie would be only a little droplet in her mind.

"It won't fit.. it's too big.." They wined as Anne started getting more furious. But, to her luck, she saw the bus driver come to the rescue. Just looking at the situation, and probably having too much experience with driving rich kids places, he took the bag and shoved it in. Anne smiled as she watched the bus driver waddle away and she gave the boys an icy glare.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You sicken me." Anne said, leaving the boys in misery and no self confidence left in them, for as it seemed, she had absorbed it out of them. Walking back to her car, she locked it up and got ready for the bus. She easily and cautiously made her way onto the greyhound. And to be honest, she'd never been on something so disgusting. She stopped dead in her tracks at the top of the bus steps and next to the driver as she inspected the seats. "This is disgusting. I wouldn't be surprised if there were pubes on this damn thing." She growled as she bit her lip and prayed for just one blanket that she could sit on while on this bus. Taking a sharp breath of air, she saw a couple of familiar faces and came with a weak smile. This bus smelled like pubes. She shook her head as she looked for Daphne - and voila! She found Daphne! She made her steps quicker as she sat down. "Who would've known that even rich buses are this grody." Anne said, sighing as she looked at her friend. That was a friendly face she had missed. What, with Daphne having been suspended and everything.

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[Jason Lévesque]

[/i] Jason sighed as he leaned against his BMW, exact replica of his sister's although his was grey. He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched students pile up into the bus. It was pretty early, but you could say Jason was a bit, oh the words.. interested. He knew his sister couldn't see him, for she looked like she was already busy enough luring poor gents into carrying her bags. What a slutty bitch. She had already avoided him all morning when he made her bagels, and she even suggested they drive separately, in case something happened. In case something happened?! What, in the name of hell, could possibly happen? She'd run over a squirrel? She'd probably keep on driving. He knew his sister well. There was something she was keeping. And Jason didn't like it.

Jason rounded his way, in a simple outfit, to his trunk and noticed that his two bags were bulging so much that the zipper had un zipped. Damn. He took little glances to see if anyone was watching him and then took a hold of the trunk and started to push the zipper. It wouldn't budge. Move, god dammit. Jason thought to himself as he tried so hard, the veins in his arms giving out and his head feeling dizzy just to get a zipper to move. He then noticed an old woman chaperon making his way. Did she see him with the alcohol in the car? Was she going to ban him from the trip for smoking earlier? Did he have strong enough cologne on to sway her away from getting him in trouble? This was really not his day.

"Well howdy, young sir." The woman said in her white pants, pink visor and buttoned up shirt that had flamingos on it. Well here ye, ladies and gentleman, the tackiest woman on the face of the planet. He looked back at her, his fingers turning red as he kept a hold of the zipper from hell. The look was simply his way of acknowledging her presence. "What seems to be the problem? You're makin' quite a disruption and - wait, oh silly.." The woman started to chuckle as she stood next to Jason's towering six foot body. "Sir, are ye' havin'.. zipper problems? For your luggage, I mean?" She said, chuckling again as she put her disgusting, wrinkling hands on his. "May I?" He shrugged it off, as he edged toward the front of the car, ready to put this car in ignition and run her over. But thought twice and stood where he was. With three hard pulls, she put the zipper back in place. An old woman put the zipper back in place, but Jason couldn't?! Was he really that drunk? Or was he just not working out as much as he should. The woman looked back at him, as if asking for a thank you.

"Nice shirt." Jason said, pushing her out of the way as an acknowledgment of "goodbye and good riddance". The woman muttered things like, 'rude kids' and 'bad influences' under her breath and made her way back over to the bus. This was terrible. This was embarrassing. Jason couldn't even get a zipper fixed on his luggage, yet Tacky-Miss-Tack-Tack could! He wiped the sweat off his forehead, now in the worst mood in the world. In a whole other world, a new world he had never been in called humiliation, he made his way to the bus and threw in his bags, noticing that Anne's was taking up almost 1/4 of the space. Touche. He grumbled a little, not even looking at some of the school sluts in their skirts as he clambered onto the bus and sat in a seat way in the back, passing his sister was not even a half hearted glance.

Some would look at him and think he was drunk.
Some would think he was disturbed by being ignored by his sister.
Not anymore.
For he had been defeated in a strength contest, by an old woman in a flamingo shirt and visor.
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[charlie]

Mark wasn't coming. Of course he wasn't coming, did he ever go anywhere other than to that damn Hospitol and to the library. Well, he might as well. No one really liked him that much, except for those that could handle his sarcasm. But at least he was decent enough to give her a ride to the parking lot of Valkyrie Mall. "Alright." Mark said, coming to a slow stop in the slightly scruffed up pick up truck. "Now don't pregnant."

Charlie rolled her eyes, with a smile, "Yeah, I'll try not to. Not again right?" She shook her head.

Mark nudged her with his knuckels, "Hey, don't make me comce along and have to watch you." He replied. Him and Charlie were close, despite them being so different. "I don't want to spend my weekend worrying ab-"

"About another Rick?" She asked, annoyed.

"Hey look, I know that the anniversary of what happened is coming up and if there's a chance-"

"Look Mark, I'm over what happened. No big deal-"

"Bullshit"

"I'll be fine." She said with a grin, She popped open the door of the truck and stepped out. "Come on, help me out with my shit." She gave a small smile as he hoped out of the car. She had decided to go in a simple and comfy oufit for the bus ride. She'd change into something sexy when she got there. She put her hands iin her jean pockets and walked to the back of the pick up. She pulled down the back and Mark hopped on up and slid her suitcase to her. "Thanks."

"Yep." Mark said. He ruffled her hair before turning back around, "See ya kid." He said as he got back into the truck and drove off.

Charlie looked over at the bus and fit her suitcase into the lower compartments. Keeping her shoulder bag with her to read or listen to music during the ride. She stepped up onto the bus and sat in on of the seats near the center of the bus.

[ally]

Bus rides with a group full of students is normally very fun.
A trip to Vegas with a group of students sounds like ecstasy.
Alessandro wasn’t going to miss out on this.
It was Wednesday afternoon and the bus to Vegas was parked outside along with lots of students he didn’t know but had seen before either in his lessons, or just generally around the school area. Smiling with enthusiasm the Italian pulled his dark green suitcase over to the bus’s loading area, his steps had a slight bounce as he walked. Alessandro had never been to Las Vegas before but he had heard it all, casinos, alcohol, one night marriages and best of all, all the women who were willing to fall at their knees before you if you hold out a twenty dollar bill.
The life and it was all in this one, little, bright city.

Pushing his suitcase into the bus Alessandro rubbed his hands together before heading over to some of the other students, not close enough to be part of the conversation but close enough so he didn’t feel so left out and lost.
Pushing the black bowler hat on his head down so it covered his eyes slightly he looked at the sky, it was still blue, the weather was always beautiful over here but when it did rain oh boy did it really rain.
First impression was everything, well so thought Alessandro who being himself had really put an effort in his wardrobe attire for this trip. He wore a black blazer jacket which ended just before his bright green belt; underneath his blazer was a white shirt which was slightly unbuttoned at the top exposing his bright red T-shirt underneath. His jeans were slightly tight around his legs and large tares in them showed off his milk bottle white kneecaps and on his feet were his navy blue converse; new, just brought for this Vegas trip actually.

Witnessing people around him finally jump on the bus he seized his chance and soon followed the crowd into the bus. He had no bus buddy sure but maybe on the way he could meet someone, he wanted to meet someone but if worse came to worse then he would just travel alone and pay for attention from some of the pretty women in Vegas. The idea sent shivers down Alessandro’s spine when he boarded the bus and sat down in the first empty seat he saw. Sighing with relief he rested against the back of his seat, his legs as far out as he could due to the leg room that was provided.
This is going to be fun, he thought with a smug grin.

[chase]

Chase laughed as he and his sister, Laura pulled into the parking lot of Valkyrie Mall in 2005 Ford Mustang, silver convertable. "I doubt it and remember, you promised to stay with Faden-"

"And not to talk to any creepy Vegas men, yeah I got it." She said checking herself quickly in the mirrow to make sure the bruise on her neck was still covered. "I'm just glad I can go."

Chase smiled. "Stop, no one can see it." He shrugged, "You know me Laura. I'm not going to leave you alone with dad and an empty dorm room." That was true. If their dad was to touch her, Chase wouldn't be there to...whatever he did.

Laura hopped out of the Car, looking around for Eric Faden, her best friend. She and him were almost as close as her and Chase. He wasn't here yet. She and him signed up so that their rooms were next to eachothers. Faden was alos the only guy Chase allowed to be that close to Laura. She put her duffel bag in the compartments, tossed in moments before Chase's bag. Chase locked up the car. "Alright Skittles. I'm going in. You gonna wait for Faden out here?" She nodded. Chase smiled and got onto the bus.

Chase made is way back the bus Waving at Anne and Daphne but he continued to the back. He shook his head, amused. "Fuck, get hit by a bus recently?" Chase said, sitting in the seat across the aisle from Jason Lévesque. "Hung over?"

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Outside the large bus, Laura hopped up onto the hood of Chase's car. She kept her eyes open as she put the headphones to her iPod into her ears. She leaned back and let her foot sway a bit as Rufus Wainwright's Instant Pleasures played in her ears. She was wearing a very simple outfit along with her favorite black scarf. She pulled her hair up out of her face((badmets.com/comments/images/alyssa_milano.gif)) She then smiled as she saw the Hamin's car drive up.

[alauraspear]

Unless this was going to be one huge ass bus, Alaura wasn’t looking forward to the ride. She wasn’t one to share, not even her seat; and bus’s were so dirty. Vegas better be worth the dirty bus and crowded seats. Having never been to Vegas, Alaura didn’t know what to expect, except for what she saw on TV and heard from others. Gambling wasn’t Alaura’s number one choice of leisure time activity…and hookers weren’t up there either. Shopping, however, was, and even if she didn’t get anything else out of this trip she would shop until her feet bled. The clubs probably didn’t ID, and Alaura liked to dance with hot, sweaty men…

That could be fun.

The scowl on her face as Alaura switched her blinker on and turned into the Valkyrie Mall parking lot was not attractive in any way, shape, or form and it only worsened when she saw the crowd of students standing by the bus as she cruised past. She chose her parking spot carefully, not wanting to be too close, but not so far away she would struggle with her bags. She was proud of herself, having only two suitcases. They looked as if the zippers would break, but still: there were only two of them.

When her car was parked and the keys removed from the ignition, Alaura popped the trunk and heaved her bags out of the dirty, small trunk and shut the lid with a loud thunk.
Thank God one of them rolled. She was able to set the smaller one on top of the larger, rolling suitcase and pull them behind her as she walked toward the bus. Her dark jeans hugged her legs and made small sounds when her thighs rubbed together with each step. Her sunglasses covered her eyes, like they always did when she was out and about, even if the sun wasn’t particularly bright. Her hair was slightly wavy, and ruffled to have a bed-head look, something she wore very well.

Alaura licked her lips as she drew near the bus and rounded the corner. She released the handle on the large rolling bag and plucked the smaller one from its perch on top of the larger one. She set it gently into an empty space below the bus where the rest of the students’ luggage was stored and wrestled the larger one in after. She stood looking satisfied that she had actually lifted the heavy bag. After a sigh she stepped onto the bus and looked around.

Where to sit? That was the dilemma. Well, she could start with who was on the bus: Anne, Daphne, Alessandro, Charlie, Jason, Oscar, Reed and Riley, and…hello, Mr. Chase Stillings. Alaura smiled and sauntered her way down the bus isle toward the back, where the majority of the bus passengers seemed to be congregating. She sat herself in the seat in front of Chase.

Giving a quick, questioning glance to Jason—who looked like hell—she turned her attention to the young gentleman behind her. “Hey Chase, I haven’t talked to you in a while.” Of course she’d interrupted a conversation between the two guys, but she hadn’t noticed them talking…or she didn’t care. Either way, it really didn’t make a difference.

[faden]

A small, run down care made itsway into the parking lot. Laura ran over to it, opening the door for a good number of small kids to run out. She got hugged by a few when Faden stepped out. He laughed a bit, "Sorry about that Laura, "

"I don't mind." She said laughing.

The two small girls and the young boy ran over and hugged Eric before all piling into the car again. Doug, Eric's foster brother I supposed was driving. They drove off with a few loud noises and the car got going. Faden was wearing his nice jeans with a black form fit t-shirt with the Producers Logo on the front. He also had his grey, black and teal scarf wrapped around his neck and his signature grey fedora hat titled back on his head. He threw his duffel bag in with the rest. He climbed the steps of the bus, showing the driver both his and Laura's tickets.

Laura followed behind him, waving a small wave to the back where Chase sat before sliding into a seat next to Faden's. "So, Vegas, what shall we do?"

"Slide down the pyramid like they did in fear factor." Faden repled. "Shoot for the moon and fly like a star."

Laura laughed, "Oh, of course." She said, "Like we always do."

"Damn right."

[amanda]

”God, Luke” the girl called out from the passenger seat of the black 2007 Escalade, ”Hurry up! We’re gonna be late!”

”Shut up Amanda, you’re the one that packed all this shit” he lifted up one of her three bags and hoisted it into the trunk of the car. ”And you’re the one that just got out here, I’ve been ready for the last like 20 minutes” the boy rolled his eyes as he lifted another one of her bags and stuffed it in the trunk. Why did she need four bags exactly? Well, one was for pants and skirts etc, one for tops and dresses, one was for shoes and accessories, and one was stuffed with makeup, shampoo and other toiletries. Luke had only one bag, but it was full and packed to brim. Even though he was a guy, he still liked to look nice and tried to be as fashionable as possible without turning himself gay.

”How about you stop making excuses and hurry up because if we miss the bus I’m going to make you drive us there” a glare proceeded as she turned slightly while yelling back at him, a slight wining tone in her voice. There was no way in hell that she was going to miss going to Vegas. Both of them had went the previous year and it was amazing, but now that she had Joey to go with, and it could only get better.

”You want some cheese with that whine Mands? You better not be a bitch like this the whole time, because if we do miss the bus than I’m gonna drop you off here and make you stay with Jessica” he smirk as he walked around and sat in the drivers seat, placing the key in the ignition. That would be the ultimate punishment, for both Jessica and Amanda. Jessica was actually really excited for her too obnoxious cousins to be gone. Can anybody say mansion to herself? Not even the maids planned to stick around now that Luke and Amanda were leaving. Mr. and Ms. Summitt were away, their children were gone, and Jessica was so self sufficient and immaculate that even if she did make a mess, she would most likely go on a cleaning spree and clean the rest of the house.

”You ass.” she turned to him shaking her head in disapproval as he started up the car. Rolling down the windows and blasting music, the two Summitt children sped the moderately short distance to the school. Amanda remained un-phased as Luke hit 80pmh, mouthing the words to the song that projected out of the radio, into the car, and out of the windows being heard by anybody in the vicinity that they were passing through. Yes, Luke and Amanda were those kids.

Let’s just say they made a pretty big scene as they screeched to a halt in the parking lot right next to the Greyhound bus they would soon be loading. Stepping out of the car, Amanda was dressed to impress, as always. She had actually changed after returning home from school; do you know how many hotties there would be in Vegas? Although, she did have Joey, and he gave her another reason to look hott. Luke, he didn’t need an excuse to look good. He just looked good and happened to have a girlfriend that reaped the benefits, or that was the way he thought of it at least.

Exiting the car, Amanda grabbed two of her bags and left Luke to carry over the rest and place them under the bus. ”Thanks Lukie” she said with a childish smile on her face as she watched him do all of the hard work, and then walked up the stairs of the bus looking down the row. Hmmm, Daphne and Anne? No. Sure she was pretty good friend with Anne now, but she wasn’t planning to talk to Daphne this whole trip, or ever again. Looking around the bus she smiled sweetly at all the people she saw sitting, and then decided to head strait to the back-that’s where the all the school kids sat, duh. After putting all the bags under the bus, he decided to wait outside a little bit more. Kelsey should be coming soon, either Kelsey or Emilia.

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[skyehanson]

An old red Saturn pulled into the parking lot. The driver got out and pulled back his sunglasses for a moment. He looked around and smiled. Jake Lambardo had no specific reason to go to Vegas... Except to see his girlfriend outside of school... Outside of town... And outside of the state. He put his sunglasses back on and opened one of the rear doors of his car. He took out his duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder before closing and locking up his vehicle. He threw the bag with all the rest and boarded the bus. Great... Nobody he knew, so far. He recognized a few faces and put them with names, but he wasn't friends with anyone. He found an empty seat and leaned back, looking out the window at all the other people.

***

Lance Broker pulled smoothly into the lot. He got out of his car with a flourish and shut the door. The flourish was only because he wished to get more attention because of his car... Well, it was his sister's, but no one needed to know that. He had driven their Mustang convertible here, though there seemed no point. He wasn't driving to Vegas in it, only to the parking lot where the bus was waiting to take him there. However, any trip in that beauty of a silver car was a worthwhile one, in Lance's opinion. He walked up to the bus and showed his ticket. He took one of the front most seats so he could easily turn around and yell at any student who deserved it... But Lance knew he could never pull something so harsh off. Then he remembered his bag and ran off the bus again. He got it out and put it with the rest, then got on once more. The bus driver gave him a dirty look. Of course. He had gotten on his chauffeur's bad side already.

***

The big black Hummer pulled up in the parking lot, music blaring out of it as though anyone near it was wearing headphones listening to it. Then, it all became silent as its engine was turned off. Out of the car popped Skye Hanson. Her hair was left down and straight today, and she was wearing an outfit that suggested she was going to Florida, not Vegas. It was a denim mini skirt, white flip flops, and a white tank top. She grabbed her blue bag and stuffed it next to Lance's. She got on the bus and flashed her ticket to the driver. She recognized a few people. One was Lance, of course. She smiled to him, but she would never sit with him. Next, was Laura. She was already sitting with someone Skye didn't know, but she waved anyway. Then she noticed Jason. She started walking over to him, hoping that he would let her sit with him, when someone else caught her eye. It was Chase. A smile dawned on her face and went over to him. It really didn't make much of a difference considering Jason and Chase were near each other, but she stopped between, wondering who to sit with or even talk to.

[Haley Summers]

Alright, back with the popular kids, back with the gang. And whatever I've been going through the past week or two is over. I'm Haley Summers. My first boyfriend was a fashion photographer for a top magazine that my mother runs. I am on top of the world. Haley sent this thought through her head, hoping to convince herself. She had been in a funk the past week, missing her old friends, feeling alone and all. She couldn't do that. One good thing did happen. She met Oscar Lion. She couldn't do anything though. He wasn't part of the group, he wasn't one of the elite. That was against the rules right? Plus Anne would probably kill her.

Haley wished she had been rude to Oscar the first night they met, because if she ever saw him again, he'd see the real her, and he'd probably be disapointed. But she's not supposed to care, so she doesn't. Really. She doesn't care. She drove her black BMW into the Parking lot and parked the car. she pushed the car door open. She stepped out pulling her sunglasses off and placing them in the stylish Gucci bag. She rolled her suitcases to where they were packing them in.

She kept the bag in her hands as she looked around the parking lot. Alright there's the Stillings car, so Chase and Laura are here. She shrugged a bit, Laura's not that far off the social radar, Chase was on her level, so she hung out with them. Laura reminded Haley of the old crowd. Whatever. She didn't care, really. She smiled a bit as she thanked the guy who loaded in her three bags. She was wearing a nice but casual outfit. She didn't want to risk wrinkling anything on the bus and really didn't want to risk a skirt getting pulled up by idiot horn dogs. It was a bus full of high schoolers, there was bound to be some palling around.

Haley wasn't comfortable showing off her body yet, like the other popular girls. She was still a tiny bit bigger and she had always been very self concsious, which is why she doesn't eat much. She eats, but not much and only really healthy things. Cursed with a slow metabolism. She stepped up onto the bus careful not to trip on her high heels.

[Daphne Hayes]

Daphne's magazine was held close to her face as she read what the latest news on Tom, Katie, and baby Suri. She heard people buzzing around her, and talking, she looked up for only a moment to see a friend, Chase Stillings wave, and she smiled waving back. She looked out the window to see some more people she really knew getting bags out and putting them below. Among them was Anne, and she giggle to herself as she saw the tinest boys putting her shitload of stuff in the bus. She reached below her to grab the Starbucks she picked up on the way over here. Why the bus didn't have cup-holders was beyond her. It's not like Greyhound didn't have enough money to put damn cup-holders. Anne entered the bus and she sat down next to her. Daphne gave her a hug, and agreed with the grodiness of the bus, "This, a rich bus? The only rich bus is if we arrived in Vegas in a limo. I mean, these things don't even have cup-holders," she rolled her eyes and looked at the front of the bus to see Amanda enter the bus. Now, if her sunglasses weren't sitting on the top of her head, but around her eyes, they would have masked the glare. It was hard for Daphne believe that she was going to be stuck in this cramped bus with Amanda for the next six hours. But, she just reminded herself that the chances of actually running into her were slim to none.

"So, I swear we haven't gossipped in the longest time, me being gone and all. Someone told me that they heard this rumor I have threesomes," Daphne laughed and looked back in the aisle to see Reed with another male. Could that be his brother she heard about? "I swear, that is ridiculous. I mean...ew," she shuddered at just the thought, "and I also heard that I am evidently a lesbian." Again with the laughs. She tapped her finger on the Starbucks coffee and looked back at Reed sitting down, "Hey Anne? Is that Reed's brother?" she asked in a whisper looking at Anne and then the mystery guy, giving him the up-down.

"He's cute," she commented before taking another drink. He sure did look like Reed, and Reed looked like his brother. Riley turned around and to the side to let someone else through. That someone else happened to be another one of her friends, Oscar Lyon. Her eyes brightened and she stopped drinking, "Oscar! Hey! I didn't know you were coming," she said to him as he stopped and looked down at the two girls. He looked at Daphne and then to Anne before smply replying, "Yeah...it was a last minute sort of deal," he shifted on his feet and buried his hands in his pocket. "Yeah...well....I'm going to go back here," he said before nodding to both Anne and Daphne before walking back to find a seat. Daphne sat back in her seat, "What was his problem?" she asked outloud. He looked like he was in an awkwards situation, but Oscar and Daphne were friends, and she knew he knew Anne. Hmm, whatever.

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[faith]

"Hurry up already! Who cares about proper parking?" A voice squealed from the inside of a small sports car. Kia Rio, is the name most know it by. The voice had come from Ashley Adams. The only one in her family who seemed to be excited about going to Vegas. Of course, this was probably because she hadnt gone last year, in fear of eating to much ,and getting to drunk. Wow. She couldnt imagin giving up a chance like this now'a'days. A sigh escaped her lips as her brother stopped the car for a quick second, just to look at her and say "Calm down, when we get there, we get there". Once her brother started to drive again, searching for a parking spot that would keep him ticket free, she began to speak again. "Joeeey, you went last year. I didnt. I'm not going to miss this. And. Why are you not excited? And why isnt Scarlett going? seriously. You seniors are way to excitment deprived." And truthfully. Ashley beleived that. She want just kidding around like she always was. She truthfully thought that Scarlett and Joey were boring people. A small rolls of her eyes caused her brother to pipe in again. "Ashley, were not boring, were mature. You'll learn the difference one day soon" And with that. The conversation was over. Ashley didnt feel like debating with her brother on how mature she was. She was already pissed at him for never giving her the time of day like her used too. And she knew that he was ticked at her for 'being an idiot' as he always said. Which, need-less to say, added to her anger towards him. Because she knew she wasnt an idiot, she made poor choices, but she wasnt some freaking mentally ill girl. But. There was another reason that she wasnt going to carry on.

THey were parked.

Ashley imidiatly pushed the door open and jumped out. As she jumped out, she reveled to the world her outfit. Nothing that she wanted to wear. But, actually something her brother forced her to wear, because he said it would make her comfertable. Simply, she was wearing a gray sweatshirt, that had a pink medical cross on it and read "Life Guard" on it. And covering her lower half, was a pair of pink and green frilly underwear. And of course. On top of that. Was a pair of jeans. Her favorite jeans. The ones that she has worn holes the the knees. The ones that had grass stains every where. The ones that had white paint splatered all over them from art projects in school. God.She had loved these jeans. And had been missing them. Little did she know, Joey was hiding them from her.Typical Joey thing to do. SHe had found out today that he had done that. You could easily guessed that she kicked him in the shin.

Without waiting for her brother, Ashley snatched her two duffle bags from the rear seats and began to jog to the loading station. Ashley wasnt going to make anyone load her bags for her. That would be rude, even though it was the guys jobs to do so. Ashley pushed through the herd of people, to get to the rather large compartment that was almost fully filled with bags. As quick as she could, Ashley threw her bags in, and when I say threw, she literayll threw them, causing a few of the bags to slide back and become squished. Which created even more room in the compartment. Ashley figured that this would help the guy out, and save them more time, instead of them having to put energy into pushing the other bags back, or adjusting everything. Proud of herself. Ashley began to walk away. When she was stopped, by her brother. "Well, seeing as you work here. You can put my bags in too. Im going to go look for someone" Ashley sighed. She knew her brother was talking about Amanda. "Okay. Just dont go and fuck her in the bus" Ashley said, sarcastically, of course. But. As Ashley expected her brother had been prepared for that, and already planned his own reaction. Her dropped her bag into her hands and came closer to her to whisper "As long as you dont go fuck Reed" Dammit. He knew how to get her pissed off. Her face turned red, with fury. But. Before she could say, or do, something back. He was off on his merry way, and already bringing his blue oxford shirt and cargo pants into the bus. Before her.

Ashley sighed. For what seemed like the eighteenth time today. Of course, she had to carry her brothers bags over. So, she did. Excpet her made sure to pour a little dirt into the bags first. She needed to have a come-back. ANd that was it.

Once his bags were all settled. Ashley began to jod to the bus. She stopped just for a second to show the driver her student I.D. And then climbed up the stairs into the seating section. She didntk know where she would sit. To her. THis was a difficult desicion. She could sit alone for now, or, she could find a friend to sit next to. Ah. Such an easy choice. But to Ashley. No choice was easy, and that didnt disclude this disision. For now. Ashley would just stand here. Trying to diside where to sit.Maybe in a little while, she would figure it out.

[Min-Sook Park]

"Let's go!" Nikki shouted as her sister was walking out of the house. "We're not late!" Natalie replied, wondering why her sister was rushing her so much. They had time. "We won't if you go any slower!" Nikki shouted back. She was trying to be mean but hadn't been in Vegas for so long, and couldn't help but be excited. Of course, she didn't show it. Natalie wondered why she went in the first place. 'Oh, yeah. Jake's coming.' SHe thought to herself. That was the reason why she decided to come, or at least she thought that was why.

Jake Stewart. Natalie heard that he was coming, and decided to come along. Who knows what could happen? But what if he didn't come? Well, Nat would just have to deal with it for the rest of her time in Vegas. It can't be that bad without him. Come on! It was Las Vegas! Plus, this was a trip, and Natalie was determined to enjoy it, no matter what. Nat woke up to the real world, and out from her thoughts. She ran to the car and they were on their way to...the bus.

Finally, they arrived, and park the car. Nikki and Natalie carried their bags out of the car and into the bus. The two weren't the latest, but they weren't early either. Both of them were excited, but didn't let it show...that much. Their 'sisterly bond' made it so obvious for each other to know how they were feeling. The two really couldn't hide much from each other. Natalie was able to keep the fact about her crush on Jake a secret, but Nikki was a little suspicious-in a good way.

Nikki wore the usual. Jeans, a thin jacket, and a cute top. Her hair was curled, and she had shoes that were ready for walking. Natalie also left her hair down, instead of tying it up in braids or some other style. She practically wore the same things her sister did. A cute top, shoes, and capris. None of their clothes matched, since that seemed to be a little too 'out of style' according to Natalie. Even Nikki had to agree with her sister on that.

[skyehanson]

<sup>Jake looked out the window and it took him a while to register what he was seeing. There was Nikki! He hit his head hard as it slipped from his hand. "Ouch!" He rubbed his forehead, then jumped off the bus. He ran to Nikki and grabbed her. He twirled her around in a hug and when he set her down again, he planted a kiss on her lips. It had been so long since he had seen her!

"How's the most beautiful girl in the world doing?" He kissed the tip of her nose and grabbed her hand and led her onto the bus to the seat he had taken as his. He had been sitting alone, and here was Nikki, the perfect person to sit with! He sat down next to the window and patted the seat beside him to tell her to sit. A smile was on his face. Finally, he could spend time with Nikki! And when they got to Vegas... They got to spend it all together, with no interruptions...</sup>