Coming Together

Melissa noticed that Brook was on the shopping trip. There were very few girls from the rich kids' table on the trip so it stood out to her that Brook was there. Melissa knew that Doug had spies but she had no idea how many or who they were which made her suspicious of almost everyone who sat at that table with her and Doug. Well, everyone who sat there except maybe one person; for some reason, she wasn't suspicious of him. Maybe it had to do with him being the only person to call Doug out and she didn't think it was a ruse. But Brook was another story, Melissia didn't really know Brook and she didn't know if she could trust her. So, Mel instead subtly kept her distance from the other girl.

Rose had enough of bathing suit shopping and went to the window. It was then it caught her eye; there was an art store across the way. Easy to walk to. Sam went over to her and asked. "The art store?" Rose nodded. Sam then said. "I'll ask."

However, before Sam could ask the chaperon said that the group could go to other stores just stay in the area and be back to the shuttle by 5:30. That left some time to shop at the stores that were within walking distance.

Rose and Sam headed for the art store. Sam didn't really think she'd find anything as photography was more her thing but she wanted to keep an eye on Rose, after all, they had some time but not all day and Rose could easily spend a few thousand in an art store. Not that Sam didn't realize that Rose had the money but limited space both on the shuttle and in their dorm room. Rose ended up with some more drawing supplies but did manage to stay within a responsible amount of items. The two girls then headed to the bookstore next door to the art store and grabbed some coffees at the cafe inside the store.

Dawn and April headed right for the bookstore. They wandered through the stacks and looked through the extra stuff that was in there, like posters. Dawn found a Phantom of the Opera poster she wanted and a Periodic Table poster she thought April might like. Buying both while April was looking at some books; she then showed the other girl. April didn't know what to say; she wasn't used to people being so nice and even if they had no one where she used to live had money to be buying people other things even if it wasn't that expensive. Dawn insisted she take the poster and finally April agreed, she did love it, after all. The two girls spotted Rose and Sam and decided coffee was a good idea.

Melissa and Courtney looked around for a little longer at some of the accessories the two girls found some great sunglasses which they bought. Courtney was now glad she was able to work a little and get some spending money over the summer. She knew she had friends that would help her if she needed it but it was nicer to have her own money even if it wasn't as much as some people. The two girls headed to the bookstore and Courtney got lost in the section about engines. She flipped through a few books most didn't have much information she didn't already know and one was completely outdated but she was looking and not buying. Melissa entered the store but then felt a tap on her shoulder which made her jump. It was Dawn who mentioned there was a music store next store. Melissa said she'd go with her and just hoped that Doug didn't find out that she had spent time with Dawn.

The two girls spent some time in the music store and Dawn was surprised that Melissa seemed interested in some of the things there.

She found Melissa looking at the guitars. "Do you play?" Dawn asked Mel.

"I..uh...I just play around sometimes." Melissa responded but it was a lie. She didn't want to explain to Dawn that she could play but she didn't think she was that good so she didn't in front of most people. Despite what people told her. It was too much of an explanation. "How about you? Do you play guitar?"

Dawn wasn't sure if that was the truth but she wasn't going to call her on it. "Yes, though to be honest I prefer the piano if I have to play one. I'm more for being in musicals which, normally, doesn't require the actors playing an instrument."

Dawn bought a few small items she could use and then the two went back to the bookstore and sat at the cafe with the other girls who were there.

Before anyone knew it it was 5:30 and time to go. They would be meeting the guys for dinner so they arrived at the restaurant. The school had gotten them a private room so they headed back to the room and sat down.

----------

(Guys shopping. Day 3)

Kyle noticed that the nerds could help and while they had Justin and the saleswoman there were also more nerds than the two of them and so he went and helped as well and the nerds finally managed to get things that looked pretty good.

Once the nerds were done shopping there was time left before they would be meeting the girls for dinner so they got on the shuttle and headed to another area. This place had a bookstore, a music store, an art store, along with a few more stores that were in walking distance to each other and the shuttle. Heath headed for the art store where he bought a few new drawing pencils, he also went to the photography store and bought something for Sam. Matt headed to the bookstore looked at some of the books on wine before getting a coffee. Zander looked among the stacks of books on computers and math. Kyle headed for the music store and found a few small things to buy, like a few new guitar pics. He though looked for a while at some of the guitars. Maybe, he'd come back for one of them.

The time came for them to get on the shuttle and they arrived at the restaurant a little after the girls. They went to the private room and took their seats. The restaurant was known mostly for its Mexican food but also had standard American fare; like burgers and fries.

Drink orders were taken and menus handed out. Everyone decided what they wanted to eat while catching up on their shopping trips. It had been decided beforehand but the students that had money to cover those that might not be able to afford shopping and dinner.