We Can't Forget Last Summer

"I swear to god John, if you poke me one more time I'm gonna to cut your fucking fingers off." I spat at him, shooting daggers through my eyes.

He snickered and yet again, poked me in the side. I went to yell, but he quickly tapped to tip of my nose with his finger. "You're cute when you get mad."

The entire van erupted in groans at John's comment. I rolled my eyes and huffed loudly, my back hitting the seat behind me. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked straight forward, hoping John wouldn't bother me any longer.

We were yet again, in the van. It was sometime around six in the morning- we had all woken up when Jared honked the van's steering wheel loudly when some driver cut him off. After that, no one could fall asleep.

But everyone was excited for the most part. Today the guys had an off day. And the best part? We were in California.

We decided to spend our day at the beach, but had about an hour left of the ride before we got there. Lucky for us, the motel Tim picked to stay at today was right on the water. The motel was the closest stop to the venue the guys were playing at tomorrow night- which happened to be the last stop of the tour.

Suddenly, I felt John's finger creep under my arm. Before he could actually touch my side, in one swift motion, I gripped his finger and grinned victoriously. I held it up, holding it tightly.

"No!" He chuckled.

I couldn't help but laugh as well. "Leave me alone."

He pulled his finger away from my grasp. "I don't think that's going to happen." He then, once again, quickly poked me in the side.

I'm not sure how it happened exactly. But once again I was next to John. On the other side of me was Garrett, who kept to himself for most of the ride, listening to his ipod peacefully.

I was feeling extremely cramped. We hadn't been out of the car in god knows when. I sucked in a deep breath and extended my arms to the ceiling in an attempt to stretch.

Sometime during this process, John managed to sneaked his finger into my armpit and tickle me. I screamed loudly, snapping my arm down and placing a hand over my mouth.

John's eyes were wide and he couldn't keep himself from laughing. The guys in the row in front of us- Kennedy and Pat whipped there heads around, giving me a curious expression. Tim who sat in the front passenger seat also turned around, a light smile on his face.

"I can't concentrate on the road when people are causing a ruckus!" Jared called from the front seat.

Garrett looked over at me, raising an eyebrow. He then glanced over at John and sighed heavily before turning back and looking out the window.

"Oh my god," I laughed after releasing the hand from my mouth. John bit his lower lip and looked at me for a moment, holding in a smile.

He then attempted to stick his finger back into my closed armpit. Still on a high from what happened moments earlier, I giggled loudly, unable to stop myself.

John's eyes yet again widened and he opened his mouth in shock. He pointed his finger at me. He stuttered with his word for several moments. "Di-did you just giggle?"

And right then and there, I snorted.

John lost it then- having to lean over in his seat from cracking up so much. He gaped out for air and rocked in his seat. I was doing pretty much the same thing. We earned a couple odd looks from the rest of the guys, but could hardly care.

Normally, I would be embarrassed for snorting or laughing, but god, I was just loosing it and didn't care.

"I'm...... really..... ticklish.... okay?" I said my words in between breaths and laughter.

John sniffled a bit and wiped a tear from his eye. "I see," He chuckled again. "I don't know why I found that so funny."

There was a moment right then when John and I stopped laughing and sort of just looked a each other- a content smile across our lips. I noticed John's eyes quickly flicker down and look at my lips. His eyes then shot back out and melted into mine.

"God," Tim mumbled from the front seat. "it sounds as if they're actually getting along."

That's when John and I, yet again, exploded in laughter.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Beach! Beach! Beach!" Garrett cheered as he and Pat ran towards the water.

I laughed lightly at the two boys. Tim walked past me mumbling something about getting sand in the van and Kennedy chased after the guys.

I had to say, the motel was pretty sketchy. It's poor blue painting job had started to wear away and chip along with the pink shutters about to fall off. Still, I couldn't complain- we were on the water. I hadn't been to the beach in years. Better yet, since to motel was so crappy, practically no one was on the beach outside of it. We had it all to ourselves.

The smell of the salt water and tide hit me all at once. The sun was beating down on our backs as we stepped onto the sweltering, painful sand.

"Shit," John hissed from next to me, jumping in place for a moment. I glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow. He looked up at me, "Uh, this sand is fucking hot."

I grinned at him, then took off running towards the guys.

"Hey wait!" John called after me, but I simply laughed and continued to run.

I stopped where the rest of the guys left their stuff. I quickly kicked off my flip flops and stripped until I was in my bikini.

I looked back at John, he stopped from running and looked at me for a moment. I rolled my eyes and let loose my hair, throwing my sun glasses on top of my denim shorts and tank top.

I took off, leaving John behind me and ran towards the water.

Pat and Garrett were already in. Kennedy stood at the edge, frowning.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"It's cold."

I made a face at the water and dipped my toe in and shut my eyes tightly. It was fucking cold.

"How did they get in so fast?"

"They're lunatics."

Garrett and Pat noticed my presence at the water's edge. They started to call for me to come in, but I refused. They both smirked and looked at each other. They then ran out towards me.

Before I had time to think, I was engulfed in a wet hug by both of them. The walked me towards the water as our bodies were in an embrace.

"Stop! Stop!" I shouted then let out a laugh. "I'll go in now! I promise!"

They both chuckled and released me. They then ran back into the waves and this time both Kennedy and I followed. We ran in screaming and dipped under a wave as it approached. When I came up for air all four of us cheered and started to splash water at each other.

"Fuck, why is this water so cold!?" John broke us apart by calling from the shore.

"Don't be a baby!" Pat hollered.

"It's fine once you get in!" Kennedy reassured.

I started towards the water as Garrett, Pat and Kenny started in another splash water. John grinned as I approached him. John walked towards me swimming in the water slowly. I smiled slyly as he approached.

He was at knee deep when he started to say something. I quickly grabbed his wrist and pulled him down into the water with me. I then swam away in a hurry, afraid of what was to happen to me. Pat, Garrett and Kenny encouraged me to swim faster and I did.

"Oh, you're in for it!" John exclaimed after he surfaced.

John ran towards me and fell on top of me. We both fell under hard and as we surfaced a wave the size of the Mount fucking Everest started towards us. It crashed on top of us, bringing us into the shore, our bodies scraping on the sand, shells and other various object.

We both ended up on the sand, lying and coughing. "Shit," John laughed and groaned all at once.

I adjusted my bathing suit and rubbed the sand off of me. "That was rough."

John chuckled softly and I felt my stomach flip. I didn't question it this time. All I did was genuinely smile at John, which he returned.

"That wave was freaking huge." He commented.

"I know," I replied, laughing and looking back out at the ocean. I the grinned, "Wanna do it again?"

His eyes lit up. "You know it."

We both rushed out into the water and continued riding the waves for a good hour. Once we were tired, we stayed on the beach with the rest of the guys for most of the day. At one point, we headed into town for lunch. We stopped at some pizzeria joint and had the best lunch of this entire tour.

"So, Carson," Pat addressed me, stuffing pizza into his mouth. "how'd you like your first tour."

Most of the guys were eating and not paying attention. But John, who sat next to me had his eyes glued to me. It was if my answer truly mattered to him. I ignored him though, turning to Pat and saying, "It was really fun. I liked it. Thanks for inviting me, really."

"No problem! It was nice having some estrogen here!" Pat smiled and went back to eating his pizza.

I laughed and raised my eyebrows. I let out a content sigh and turned back to the rest of the guys. John was still next to me, finished eating and now resting his eyes.

"Tired?"

His eyes flashed open and found me. He smiled lightly. "Not really."

I didn't know what else to say to him, but his eyes were on me. I swallowed hard and forced out a smile. I think this was the longest we had gone in a while without getting into some kind of disagreement.

The rest of the day flew by. We went back to the beach and hung out. Went in the water a couple more times. Then we decided to go back to the hotel. We checked into our rooms and yet somehow, once again, I ended up with John. Everyone, and I mean everyone passed out on their bad for a good three hours.

Sometime during my nap, I felt someone lay down next to me. My eyes barely opened, but I could make out John's figure next to me now. Despite how tired I was, I smiled and fell back to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I woke up and took a shower- this time checking twice that the bathroom door was locked. Once I was changed I walked out of the bathroom to find John and Jared, my roommates awake and changed.

"We're gonna have a bonfire on the beach." Jared told me cheerfully.

I smiled and nodded my head. "Cool."

We walked out of our room and downstairs, John never leaving my side. I didn't mind this though. It felt nice.

We met the rest of the guys, along with their other tour mates on the beach. A circle was made and a fire placed in the middle. It was getting late out and the sun was practically out of the sky for good. I was seated between John and Austin.

Austin was constantly leaning over to me and telling me jokes, which I would always laugh or respond to. A couple acoustic guitars were passed around and played throughout the event.

At one point, John left to get his hoodie that he left in the van. Once he was gone Austin looked over at me. "Boy, is Johno made at me." He chuckled.

I cocked an eyebrow. "Why would he be mad at you?"

"I thought you were smarted than that Carson."

I looked at him curiously and slightly annoyed. Who said I wasn't smart? "What are you talking about?"

Austin sucked in a breath and raised his eyebrows. "John likes you. A lot."

"He does not," I laughed. "From the beginning, the only thing John has wanted was to get in my pants."

"You may want to rethink that one, hun."

I glanced over at him. "Why would say that?'

"John was shooting daggers at me the entire time I was talking to you. I've never seen him so mad," he laughed. "And if all he wanted was a bang he would have gotten in already. And trust me, he wouldn't mind sharing." He winked at me and I suddenly felt my stomach drop.

"I....." I paused as John returned and sat down next to me. I started to whisper. "I don't believe you."

Austin shrugged. "Well, believe what you want. You'll see eventually. John can't hold out for too long."

Hold out what? What? I bit my lip and stared at the fire, refusing to look either at Austin or John. I continued doing this for awhile, ignoring everyone laughing and talking.

John, of course had to notice this. He scooted closer to me and whispered into my ear, "Something wrong?"

He voice startled me and I shot my head up. "What? No, nothing's wrong. Why would anything be wrong?"

John eyed me curiously. It was getting late and it seemed as if everyone was starting to fade away. Most people decided to head back to their rooms and only a couple remained, but kept to themselves.

"You're different Carson."

"If by different you mean a bitch, then yes. I am." I said nonchalantly, still staring forward.

John sighed heavily. "You're not a bitch."

I gave him a half hearted smile before looking back at the fire. I didn't reply or respond to him. I didn't know how to.

"I knew you were different the minute you told me Thomas was the twelfth most common last name in the United States while you were flat out drunk." John chuckled to himself.

I couldn't help but smile. I looked over at him. "You remember that? I don't even remember saying that!"

He shrugged. "Well, you were drunk." He smiled sweetly at me. "And I actually looked it up too. You were right."

I laughed. "What can I say?"

Tim and Pat, the last two remaining got up from their spot, leaving us behind. "You're responsible for making sure the fire is out." Tim glared at John.

John saluted him. "Yes Captain."

Tim rolled his eyes and walked back to the motel with Pat.

"Did you really like the tour?" John asked once Pat and Tim were long gone.

I nodded my head. "Of course. I loved it."

"It's not over just yet."

"Well, yeah."

John and I stared at the cackling fire. I didn't notice up until now how close we were the each other. His hand rested behind my back, I could hear him breathing, I could smell his scent, I could feel him.

I laid back suddenly, and John joined me, resting his hands on the back of his head.

We stayed out there for a long time. We talked about our families, our past, our present, our future, who we were, who we wanted to be. I let John in on a lot of things I wouldn't normally do so. I couldn't hate him anymore. He was a human being and despite how much I wanted to hate him, I knew I really didn't.

"I never wanted to sleep with you Carson."

I bit my lip, not replying.

"It's just the way I am. And I know that's a shitty excuse, but," he sighed heavily. "I wanted you to notice me."

"I don't-" I paused. "I don't know what to say." It was the truth. How do I respond to something like that? Especially when I'm starting to believe that was the truth?

John swallowed hard and glanced over at me, our eyes meeting. "I care about you. When you were over that night all I wanted to do was sleep next to you. I didn't want anyone to hurt you or cause you harm. I just wanted to be with you for no reason. I-I don't know." He voice cracked.

"You're like, the only girl I've ever cared about like this. I've never felt this before." He stared at the sky, his eyes glistening.

I-I" My voice cracked. "I have to go." I stood up, but before I could walked away, John caught my arm.

"Please stay. I don't know what this is or how I feel, but please. All I want is for you to stay." His eyes met mine and he paused for a minute. "And I know you want to stay too."

I did and so I did. I laid back down next to John, now closer than before. There were so many things I wanted to say- so many things I wanted to ask. My head was screaming at me. My heart was screaming at me.

But I didn't care.