Edward borrowed his friend’s car for the kids to go on the road trip, a Cadilac Escalade for Max, Hazel, and Jan, it was a generous loan. Theo and Peyton were going in Theo’s car. Which Theo dread about because the Cadilac was such a cool car, he wanted to ride in there with them too.
“Max … I’m trusting you with the car, okay? Straight to Goldstone Veranda Hotel … that’s near the arena where the concert will be, look it up in your GPS right now,” his dad said holding the car keys.
Everyone else had arrived at their house and was ready to go. Hazel was still doing her last-minute check to make sure she didn’t leave anything behind. She could hardly sleep the night before thinking of how great the concert will be, seeing the real-life version of her cardboard cutout boyfriend since middle school.
She kissed her cardboard cutout before leaving her room, “See you soon H.”
“Park the car in the hotel and don’t take it to the arena … you can go there by foot, and use the car only to come back home tomorrow … okay?” Edward emphasized.
“Alright, okay … you’ve told me that 5 times already … it’s this one right?” he showed his GPS to his dad.
“Yeah that’s the right one, don’t forget to let Theo know … you’ve got the tickets?”
He nodded, “I gave it to Theo and Peyton, they have all the tickets.”
“Good … you’re all set,” he tousled his son’s hair.
He was so proud of that moment. The kids have never gone out on a road trip without them, even though he felt a little wary but he knew it was only because it was the first time.
“Oh … the tank is full, it’s enough to go back tomorrow if by any chance you get a flat tire or the car broke down, which I highly doubt, call me … okay? Don’t try and fix it yourself.”
“Okay, Dad, I gotta go now … we don’t want to get there too late,” he gave his dad a hug, and then his mom who had just entered the kitchen.
“Please keep an eye on your sister, don’t let her run by herself in the concert … don’t let her do anything you wouldn’t want your daughter to do … okay?” his mom said as she kissed his cheeks.
Max laughed, “She’s not a baby anymore, mom.”
“Yeah … but she’s my baby … you’re my baby too,” she pulled him and kissed him again.
He grimaced, “Mom, we’ll be fine.”
“Okay … okay … off you go now,” she finally said.
They finally got on the road after a long goodbye, and endless kisses and waves. Claire had booked four rooms for the girls and boys, she expected the boys will stay separate from the girls. Edward challenged her with a bet that was not going to happen, but she had faith in her children that they will do as she asked.
Of course, as soon as they arrived at the hotel, everyone was pairing with their partners to get one room each, leaving Hazel to pair with Lee.
“I thought you’d be sleeping with me?” she confronted Jan privately.
“Owh … sorry, babe, we kinda have plans for tonight,” she grinned feeling a bit guilty ditching her best friend yet again.
“What do you mean?”
“We kinda want to do it for the first time … you know?” she whispered in her ear.
“What? Are you serious? Why didn’t you tell me this before?” she was rather shocked with Jan’s confession, “Well … what am I suppose to do with Lee, then?”
Jan laughed, “Just do whatever you usually do together, you don’t have to make it awkward … it’s just for one night … you’ll probably be drained after the concert anyway.”
“You know, I saw Max bought condoms at the hotel pharmacy and then shared some with Theo … eww … ”
“Oh, crap! Thanks for reminding me, I need to buy some too.”
Hazel looked at her in horror, “Double eww … are you sure, Jan? Have you really thought about it? You really wanna do it with Kyle?”
Jan pressed her lips together, there was a sparkle in her eyes, “Yeah … I think so … I mean … I love him, and he loves me.”
There was a whole world gap between them at that moment that made Hazel felt left out from everyone else. She never saw Jan as someone who would be having sex at their age, she didn’t expect that their silly girl talk will soon turn into sex talk especially when she will only be the one who was listening about it.
“Well … if you’re sure, I just don’t want you to regret anything … I mean, you guys are barely together for two months,” there was disappointment in her tone.
Jan hugged her, “I know … but I’m sure … it’s kind of scary because it’s the first time … I’ll tell you all about it back home, okay? I gotta go, I have to tell Kyle to buy those condoms.”
Hazel tilted one side of her lips, “Sure … don’t be late, we’ll meet down here at 5.”
She walked over to her brother to get the room key at the lobby lounge, “I can’t believe everyone’s ditching me to have sex.”
Max held the side of her arms, “Ssshhh … sorry H. but … promise me you won’t be having sex with Lee, he’s not your boyfriend, right? Anyway … you shouldn’t be having sex until you’re well in your twenties.”
Hazel pushed her brother, “Eewww … don’t try to give me sex talk, it’s weird … speak for yourself, you’re 18, Mia’s 18 … what are you talking about?”
“Yeah, but you’re my Hazel,” he chuckled, “You should wait … for a very long time.”
Hazel shrugged in annoyance, “I’m just gonna order some room service with Lee … who’s paying for the deposit?”
“Theo left his credit card at the reception … well I guess you can do that, we’ll just pay him back later … look, I gotta go … I’ll see you at 5 okay? Don’t forget to dress to kill for Harry,” he smiled in amusement.
“Fine … I’ll see you later,” she grabbed her key card.
She turned to find Lee was waiting for her by the sofas, it put back the smile on her face.
“Well … it looks like it’s just the two of us until 5 … shall we go upstairs, order room service, and practice singing of all Harry’s song?” she laughed.
Lee grabbed her stuff with a huge smile, “Show us the way roomie.”