CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
( TEXAS )

     CARMEN MOVES CLOSER to Zach. The day before had ended with a good night's sleep, of which Carmen had enjoyed. She didn't know how to react when Zach had agreed that the two would fly out to Texas within the next two days. And as the next morning rolled around, she still hadn't mentioned it.

Zach, however, was looking forward to introducing the girl to his family. He already imagined surprising both his parents and siblings with the girl that he loved. But he could also feel the nervousness that radiated off of Carmen, of which he resulted in comforting her with SpongeBob reruns while holding her on the couch.

After a small chat with Zach and Carmen the night before, Corbyn and Addilyn had decided that they would fly out to Minnesota to check on Aurora and Jonah instead. And while they were fine with it, and had volunteered, Carmen was put on edge. The more of her friends that weren't home, the more she worried. But Zach hoped that as she arrived in Texas, she would be too occupied to worry.

Daniel sits across from the two in the recliner, pouting as Mr. Quackington ignores his attempts at talking to him.

"THEY'RE WATCHING SPONGEBOB WITHOUT ME!" Corbyn screeches from the kitchen, rushing into the living room with Addilyn behind him. Corbyn drops onto the loveseat, already absorbed in the cartoon as Addilyn slides onto the floor with a giggle.

Carmen watches as the duckling waddles over to its owner, quacking repeatedly in an attempt to tell her something. When the duckling finishes his story, he plops down onto the floor next to Addilyn.

"Daniel, is that true?" Addilyn asks, glancing at the still pouting boy.

"What?" He asks, throwing a wary look to Mr. Quackington as he does so.

"That you stuck your tongue out at Mr. Quackington?"

"He started it!" Daniel exclaims, throwing his arms up in exasperation. The duckling honks in defense, snapping his beak.

Dobby peaks his head up from Carmen's lap, just noticing the small duck on the floor. Zach sits up, the puppy immediately stiffening as his movement puts him on edge.

"Mr. Quackington!" Addilyn gasps, pointing an accusing finger at the bird. "Watch your language!"

"Zach, I don't think Dobby likes you." Corbyn states as the dog backs away from the boy.

"Yes he d-"

As Zach reaches his hand out to pet the puppy, Dobby pounces forward, barking quite loudly. Zach flinches, laying down to place his arms back around Carmen's waist as she laughs.

"Nevermind," Zach mutters as Dobby watches him fiercely. "He hates me."

---

"So you're sure you have everything?" Carmen asks Zach for the tenth time in five minutes. "I don't want you to leave something and-"

"I'm positive," The boy assures her with a chuckle. "Calm down, Carmen. There's no need to be nervous. We're just going to Texas."

"I've been on a plane before, but I'm not a fan of them," Carmen mumbles, placing her face in her hands as she leans on the airport wall. "I'm not sure what to expect of Texas, or if your parents will like me. What if they don't? Oh my gosh, I-"

"They'll love you." Zach states without hesitation, pulling her face from her hands gently. "Almost as much as I do. And that's a promise."

Carmen stares into his eyes, looking away as her cheeks heat up. Zach grins, leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her forehead. "I also managed to snag Daniel's headphones so you can listen to music on the flight."

"So that's where my headphones were!" Daniel gasps from behind the two, shoving Zach forward. "Not cool, Zach! Not cool."

"You know, I still haven't listened to any of your music," Carmen points out to the boys. "I haven't even thought about it, actually. It's hard to believe that you guys are a band."

"What?" Daniel questions with wide eyes. "You haven't heard any of our music?"

"Nope," Carmen clicks her tongue, pulling out her phone to check the time. "I guess I haven't had enough time to sit down and realize that you guys sing."

"Speaking of which, we have a tour coming up," Zach points out. "And we have a new song to write and release with a music video."

"Where are you guys going on tour?" Carmen raises an eyebrow, slightly hesitant. She didn't want to admit it out loud, but she hated the thought of Zach and the other boys leaving for a tour.

Even if Callie and Aurora would still be in the house, the thought of it made her want to beg him to stay. She didn't want Zach to leave her.

"Select cities," Daniel shrugs. "We're not really sure yet, but it'll be a while before we actually plan everything out."

"You're coming with us." Zach says to the girl, picking up on her wariness. "You didn't think I'd leave you at the house with Aurora and Callie- alone- did you?"

"That's dangerous," Daniel winces. "Could you imagine what the house would look like? Goodness . . . "

"Daniel, has anyone ever told you that you're the mom of the group?" Carmen questions, tilting her head to the side.

"That depends. Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

Carmen opens her mouth to reply to the boy, but is cut off as the screech of a group of girls echoes across the large room. Zach and Daniel glance over to where the screams are, half-expecting the girls to rush over and ask for pictures and autographs.

But instead, the screams are directed at someone else.

"That's intense," Carmen flinches, covering her ears as they continue to screech. "What's going on over there?"

Daniel moves over, standing on the tips of his toes to see over the people behind them. As his eyes land on the scene, his eyes widen, and he drops back onto the souls of his feet.

"Zach, I think you and Carmen should re-evaluate the situation and wait a bit before you go to Texas." Daniel says calmly, despite the urge in his mind that told him to laugh. "Today is not the day to be traveling on this plane."

"Why?" Carmen asks, tightening the strap of her large backpack as she places it on her back. She snatches her hat from Daniel's head, placing it over her perfectly straightened hair. She maneuvers around the crowd, missing Zach's outstretched hand.

When reaching a clearing, she furrows her eyebrows, not catching sight of anything out of the ordinary. Zach and Daniel are by her side instantly, Daniel prepared to throw her over his shoulder to run as Zach caught sight of the boy standing only feet away from them.

"Daniel, what were you-"

But Carmen stops herself as the tall black-haired boy looks up from signing something, his eyes meeting hers.

"Holy cow, that's Daniel Skye," She whispers under her breath. Daniel shoots her a breathtaking smile, his attention swept away quickly by a girl that hugs him tightly.

"Why does this always happen to me?" Zach questions with a groan. "Why does he have to be here? I'm betting Aurora had something to do with this."

"I talked to Aurora," Carmen shakes her head, taking her eyes off of Daniel. "She would've told me or hinted about it. I seriously doubt she set any of this up."

"Our plane is about to leave," Daniel mentions, looking to his watch. "We have to go, guys. Hopefully the other Daniel doesn't have first class."

"Who are you kidding?" Zach snorts as he grabs Carmen's hand, lacing his fingers with hers. "Knowing my luck, he has first class and a seat right next to Carmen."

"I'm sure he doesn't," Carmen rolls her eyes, squeezing Zach's hand. "You worry too much."

"Watch your foot," Zach warns her, glancing around at the people who follow them to the plane. "I don't want anyone to step on it and hurt you any more than you already are. And no, I don't worry too much. I'm cautious."

"Don't look now, guys," Daniel starts in a loud whisper. "But the other Daniel is following us."

"Of course he is," Zach mutters, letting out a loud huff as they finally reach the plane. After quickly handing their plane tickets in, the three move into their first class seats, Carmen quickly relaxing into her comfortable seat.

"So your parents know we're coming, right?" Daniel asks, placing his backpack in the floor by his feet.

"They know I'm coming," Zach shrugs. "I wanted Carmen to be a surprise. And, well, you're only coming because you wanted to ruin my plans."

"Don't be mean to Daniel like that," Carmen scolds, swatting Zach lightly with her hand. "He didn't do anything, Zach."

Daniel sticks his tongue out at Zach, grinning wildly as Zach lets out a deep breath.

"Now, get out the headphones," Carmen says, pulling her phone from her backpack again. "I want to hear some of your music."

"Guess I'm not the only celebrity on the plane," A new voice chimes, a low chuckle coming from someone beside Carmen. "I'm Daniel, by the way. Daniel Skye."

"We knew that," Zach chimes with a straight face. "So, is your seat up here?"

"Yeah, I'm right here actually," He points out, taking the seat right beside Carmen. Zach tenses as Daniel bursts into laughter, getting looks from everyone around them.

"'I'm sure he doesn't'," Zach mimics Carmen, running his fingers over the back of her hand softly as he jokes. "'You worry too much.'"

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