They met for lunch; Anika had found her dress and showed it off. It was a long, dark green flowing thing that Marissa immediately approved of, and loved. After lunch, Justin left with Anika and JC to put her dress in the car, and Lance took Marissa and Joey to where Anika had found her dress. He waved at a sales lady as they entered the store, and she quickly approached.
"Second victim," he told her cheerfully. She smiled.
"Victim?" Marissa asked, still nervous.
"Formal as well?" the lady asked, and Lance nodded. Joey just looked mystified. "Is there a color preference?"
"Dark green, dark red, dark purple," Marissa said. "Oh, and black."
"Who will be your date?"
She shifted a little. "These two and one other." If he'll admit to it.
"Chris," Lance informed her. She nodded. Marissa stared at him. "She knows us," he shrugged.
"I'm Dana," the woman said, and offered her hand. Marissa shook it.
"Marissa," she said.
"Follow me, Marissa," Dana said, and lead her further into the store.
Once away from the young men, she turned to look at Marissa appraisingly. "I'll need specifics," she said.
"Like what?"
"What you want covered."
Marissa laughed. "Everything. I'll be around hormonal almost teens, even if Chris is 28."
Dana grinned. "How long on the sleeves?"
Since Justin just added to my bruises? "At least three fourths length, longer is fine."
"Hem?"
"Nothing above the knees, including a slit."
"Off shoulder?"
Marissa paused. "Maybe. It depends on the dress. And nothing backless."
"What kind of shoes?"
"Flats, even if the guys are giants."
"Is it okay if its floor length?"
"Yeah... I do have half inch pumps, too. They're comfortable."
"Ah," Dana said with a smile. "Elegant but comfortable."
Marissa smiled. "Right."
As soon as the women disappeared into the back, Joey turned to Lance, who lounged against the counter. "All right, spill it."
Lance stared at him. "What?"
"She almost had a panic attack when I told her we'd buy her the dress. What was up with that?"
Lance sighed. "I told you what Chris said, didn't I?"
"Yeah, but...."
"I think she's afraid of proving him right." He smirked. "Justin filled me in a little at lunch. I think we're going to have to convince her she likes Chris as much as get him to admit that he likes her."
"Duh," Joey said, and grinned. "How stubborn do you think she is?"
Lance shrugged. "Anika says she's pretty bad, almost as bad as JC." He laughed. "She told him if he didn't let her pay for half, she wouldn't go." He shook his head. "I've never seen him back down so fast."
Joey grinned. "It's called panic. Marissa said the same thing to me. Did Anika tell her to?"
"Nope." Lance smiled. "They have us right where they want us."
"Yeah, and to hear Chris tell it, that's typical," Joey said.
"Hm," Lance mused. "That explains a lot about Chris."
Joey tilted his head. "It does," he said, then chuckled. "So, Scoop, what exactly are we required to do at this benefit?"
Lance grinned. "Sing. They haven't said what yet. Probably just..." His eyes narrowed. "They didn't say."
"Is that bad?"
"You wanna perform "Tearin' Up My Heart" in a tux? Or anything else?"
Joey stared at him. "They wouldn't."
"No?" Lance asked, lifting an eyebrow. Joey scowled.
"Does it look that bad? I mean, you two have to be seen with me, so you get some say in this."
They turned and stared. Marissa was in a red dress. The bodice was more of a blouse, with sleeves that just covered her elbows. She wore white gloves that reached about half way up her forearms. The skirt was straight, about mid calf in length. She smiled hesitantly in the silence. "Okay, say something," she said finally.
"We'll have to become body guards," Joey said with a grin.
"For both of you," Lance agreed in a slightly strangled voice. "I don't know how you do it, Dana, but once again, you've found the perfect dress."
"Where did you find her?" Joey asked.
"I asked Justin's mom," he said with a grin. "She's a wealth of information."
Marissa glanced at Dana, then surreptitiously slipped back to the dressing room and changed back to her own clothes. She glanced at the price tag and sighed. She'd rather hoped it wouldn't be so expensive, but there was no way she could afford the dress on her own. She hung it up and sighed again, leaning her head on the door of the dressing room. "What have I gotten myself into?" she muttered.
"Is everything all right?" Dana asked from the other side.
"Almost." Marissa straightened. "It's perfect and I can't afford it."
In the following silence, Marissa took the dress from the hook and opened the door. Dana was smiling. "Joey told me he'd be paying for half of it," she said. "I worked it out with JC this morning."
Marissa sighed. "I know. I was just hoping to avoid this." Then she smiled and looked longingly at the dress. "I guess I won't be able to."
Dana smiled. "Follow me," she said. Marissa laughed.
"Most certainly," she said, and did so.
Once the transaction was finished, Marissa left the store, worried and excited all at once. "Anything else?" Joey asked.
"Not with you guys around," Marissa said. "You have to have something to look forward to, and you've already seen the dress.
Joey actually looked disappointed. "You sure?"
She smiled slowly. "Joey, hon, you practically bought me a dress. I get to go to a fancy party with five really good looking guys, even if there's scruff involved." She winked at him, and he smiled. "I'm already spoiled rotten and it's only my fifth day here. I'll find the accessories. Don't worry." She glanced at Lance. "Am I going to be responsible for boutinneers for you three?"
Lance laughed. "No."
"Can I get them?" she asked.
Joey gaped and stared, and so did Lance. Marissa grinned. "I wish I could see your eyes."
Beethoven's Fifth went off, and Joey snatched his phone. "Yeah?"
"You okay? Where are you?"
"By the fountain."
"Are you okay?"
"Fine. I'll see you guys when you get here." He hung up abruptly and shook his head. "Well, I'm confused."
Marissa grinned. "It's gratifying. Thank you. You lot have thrown us more curve balls than any two women ought to have to take. It's nice to pay you back."
Joey glanced at Lance, who put his hands up. "Oh, no, don't look at me," he said.
"Look at you for what?" JC asked behind him, and Lance jumped and spun. "Nice move," he said with a grin. Lance scowled at him.
"Well, I'm done," Marissa announced.
"Shopping?" Joey asked.
Anika sighed. "Yep. What do we do for the rest of the day?"
Marissa shrugged. "Wander a little in a place that doesn't cost just to look in?" she suggested.
"Aren't you guys tempting fate, anyway?" Anika asked.
"Yeah, actually, we should go," JC agreed.
They started for the exit, and just as they reached it, The Entertainer sounded. Justin grabbed his phone. "Yeah." he paused, his eyes flicking around the group. "Where did we go? You were gone when I got up!"
"Chris," JC said to Anika. She glanced at him.
"Where are we going?" Justin directed the question to the group before him.
"Hotel first," Marissa said, and hoisted her dress.
"Beach?" Lance asked.
"Two days in a row? Not likely," Marissa grinned.
"What about the skate park?" Justin asked. The other three men brightened.
"It's been a while," Joey mused.
"The girls don't have skates," JC reminded them.
"Oh, by the way," Justin said into the phone, "Anika and Marissa are with us. All of us." He sighed. "You were gone. We're at the mall." He suddenly jerked the phone from his ear and scowled. Marissa watched him, trying not to laugh. Lance had already succumbed and was leaning against the wall to keep on his feet, and Joey was chuckling. "Excuse me," Justin said stiffly, and started for the car. Halfway across the street, he was talking on the phone again.
JC grinned. "Go, Justin," he muttered.
"What?" Anika asked.
"Chris has been over reacting to everything lately. Justin just had enough." He started for the suburban.
Both Lance and Joey sobered when Justin walked away, and Joey sighed. "Sometimes I wonder about those two."
"Yeah?" Marissa asked.
Joey shrugged. "They've been friends for a long time. I think Justin's the only one that could tell Chris what he's probably telling him now, and not get hit or something."
"They're weird," she said, and smiled at Lance.
He grinned back. "Weird doesn't begin to describe them."
"Any of you," she added, then with a contemplative look, "or me, either. Well," she shrugged, "I'm in good company."
Joey dropped an arm across her shoulders. "Great attitude!"
She laughed. "That's me, good attitude girl!"
Anika turned, incredulous. "Hey, you said that was me," she protested.
"It is!" Marissa said, then they arrived at the car. Justin leaned against it, an easy smile on his face.
"Is he calmed down?" Joey asked.
"Doubtful. I hung up on him and turned my phone off."
Beethoven's Fifth sounded again. Joey turned from unlocking the door and handed Marissa his phone. She opened it. "Hello?"
Dead silence greeted her. "Hello?" she repeated.
"Who is this?" a voice asked warily.
"Who is this?" she asked.
There was a long silence again. "Chris."
"Oh, hi Chris. This is Marissa."
Again, silence. She had to fight to keep her giggles in check. "What do you guys have planned for the day?"
Marissa accepted Justin's help into the car. "We're still trying to decide," she admitted. "The guys liked the idea of meeting you at the skate park, so I think we'll have them drop us off and go do that. We're finished shopping for the day anyway."
The silence was shorter this time. "You went shopping with Justin?"
"Yeah. He got more than I did."
"Shopping with Justin can be terrifying."
Marissa laughed and got quizzical looks from everyone in the car. "I noticed. Joey and I left him behind quite a few times."
There was a silence again; Marissa stifled a sigh. "Tell someone to call me when they decide what to do," he said.
"Will do. Talk to you later." She hung up. "Someone call him when you decide what you're doing." She handed the phone back to Joey.
"What are we doing?" Lance asked.
"You're dropping us off at our hotel and enjoying the rest of your day," Marissa said.
What's the alternative?" JC asked.
"Dropping us off and not enjoying your day?" Anika asked.
"Traitor," JC mumbled. Anika grinned.
"Don't be calling my friend names, now," Marissa warned JC, who just grinned at her.
"But you don't have to go," Justin protested.
"Go play at the skate park," Anika said firmly.
"We can't join you, we don't have skates. Neither of us will fit into old ones. Just go, have fun!" Marissa grinned.
"Fine," Joey said, "but next time, bring them!"
"Wait. One, what makes you think we even have them, and two, who said anything about a next time?"Marissa asked.
"I did," Joey said with a grin over his shoulder as the car stopped. "Here we are."
"Great. Thanks a lot, you guys," Anika said.
Marissa leaned forward and kissed Joey on the cheek. "We'll see you next Friday."
They got out of the car, got their stuff, and waved good-bye as the suburban drove off. "Except I have a date tonight," Anika quietly informed her.
Marissa stared at her, then smiled. "Good for you! It's about time!"
Anika gave a comical little bow, then fixed her friend with a sharp gaze. "So, how was it talking to Chris?" she asked as they stepped into the elevator.
"Awkward. There were these silences, like he didn't know what to say." She shrugged. "He'll either get over it or he won't."
"Which do you want?"
Marissa paused as she pulled the key out. "I don't know," she said, opening the door.
"Decide," Anika told her. "Admit you like him, flirt a little, and see what happens."
Marissa hung up her new dress, then turned to face her friend. "Have I ever denied it? I like Chris. He's sweet, he's funny, and I'd like to get to know him better. But I was nice to him, and flirted a little, and all of a sudden, I'm the bad guy."
"So you're not going to talk to him?"
Marissa laughed and sat on her bed. "I'm not going to ignore him, no. I'm just not going to flirt. I think I can be civil without flirting." Her brows drew together. "I was civil, right?"
"When?" Anika asked, hiding her smile by searching through her suitcase for something to wear that evening.
"On the phone."
"Oh, yeah, civil," she nodded, but couldn't keep the amusement out of her voice.
Marissa scowled. "Are you laughing at me?" she demanded.
Anika turned around, grinning. "Yes, I am. It's so funny! Just listen to you, all worried about what he thinks."
"Well, someone has to," Marissa muttered, turning red.
"No, they don't." Anika turned back to her suitcase.
"Okay, okay, so that wasn't the best come back I've ever delivered." She shrugged, eyes fixed on her hands clasped in her lap. "What are you doing tonight?"
"I don't know." Anika shrugged. "Hopefully nothing too big."
Marissa chuckled and looked at her. "You're dating the wrong guy."
"We're not dating," Anika said sharply, turning on her. "We're going on a date. There is a difference, you know."
"Yes, I do." Marissa sighed, then grinned. "I think I'll find a bookstore and have a nice long bath."
"Find a book store?" Anika laughed. "Only you...."
"Okay, so I'll take myself out to dinner, then soak in the hot tub!" She smirked. "I'm going to have fun."
"So am I." Anika smirked back at her.
"Do not call any of JC's friends and send them here."
Anika turned innocent eyes on her. "Would I do that?"
"Yes. And make sure Mr. Chasez doesn't get any similar ideas." She paused. "Or if he does, nip it in the bud."
Anika sighed. "All right."
"Good." Marissa grinned. "What are you going to wear?"