Here I was, sitting in an over crowded car with five other people.

There was Mrs. Simpson who wouldn't stop going on and on about nature.

There was Mr. Simpson who kept humming along to Cody's C.D's which were playing in the background.

There was Tom who didn't utter a single word other than a pick-up line he thought was cool.

There was Alli whose nose was stuck up her iPhone to notice what was going on in the environment around us.

It was pure madness. And I loved every minute of it.

Cody was the only exception. When he wasn't singing or sleeping, he was making rude comments and annoying me.

"How many more minutes until we're there?" Cody asked, making himself comfortable in his seat.

Mrs. Simpson kept her eyes focused on the scenery at all times. "We have about one more hour left to go." She replied.

"Thank goodness." Cody let out a breath.

"I don't think Cody heard your lecture earlier about cactuses and their importance for our environment. I'm sure he's just dying to hear it again." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Aren't you, Cody?"

Cody opened his eyes to say something when his mother cut him off.

"I don't mind telling the story again," Mrs. Simpson chirped, "it's about as long as the rest of our car ride."

I smiled to myself. The next hour should be interesting.

(45 minutes later.)

"I'm sorry to interrupt your lecture, but I think I understand the jest of it." Cody stated.

Mrs. Simpson had an amused smile on her face. "What interested you the most?"

"I, uh," It didn't take a brainiac to know that Cody wasn't paying attention at all, "I like that it's part of mother nature." He sheepishly replied.

Mrs. Simpson nodded in agreement. "What do you find so appealing about it?"

"The idea of mother nature interests me. It helps me to understand why people are so aggravating at times," Cody stated, pointedly narrowing his eyes in my direction, "like when mother nature leaves them their monthly gift."

He did not just go there!

In my defense, I get my period later this month, thank you very much.

- - -

"Why aren't you happy dancing?" Alli asked, flopping down onto the bed.

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. "You kind of have to be happy in order to do that," I pointed out.

"And that is exactly what you should be," Alli pointed out, "happy."

"It's easier said than done." I sighed, falling backward onto the bed.

Alli rested her feet on my stomach. "We're going to be staying at this Beach House for one entire week. This week is going to include swimming, surfing, sports, having campfires and a bunch of other activities. A lot of things are gonna happen. Say, maybe you and Cody making up."

I took a moment to think about it. All of those things did sound exciting. And since it was only the six of us on a private beach, it meant I would have more time with Cody. In that time, we could hopefully make up. Then I would be happy for real.

Until then, my fake smile would just have to cover it up. "You know what, you're right." I agreed, pushing her feet off of my stomach and onto the floor.

By the time I looked up, she was already on her iPhone. "You're too funny, Christian."

I sighed, getting up from the bed and heading out of the room Alli and I were sharing. I made my way into the narrow hallway and down the stairs.

"Hey, Santa." Cody's dad greeted me. "Cody, Tom and I were just getting ready to play a game of volleyball on the beach. You think you can join us?"

I stared outside of the glass wall. "Are you sure, Brad?" I hesitantly asked. "It looks as if it's about to storm any minute."

"That's the point." Mr. Simpson beamed. This is why I love this family so much.

"You've got yourself another player," I smiled, giving him a high five and joining him outside.

"Why did you invite that thing to play with us?" Cody's voice suddenly called out.

I rolled my eyes at Brad and I took one side of the court. "Just wait until we beat you and your words are being eaten inside out." I said.

"That'll be the day." Cody grinned.

"You're on, Simpson."

"Bring it, De Laurentis." (A/N: Santana's last name!")

"Consider it brought." I grinned cockily before surfing the volley ball.

The game was steady for the first fifteen minutes. As the storm clouds rolled in, it only grew more intense. Who ever reached fifty points first was declared as winner, and Mr. Simpson and I were at 38. Tom and Cody had 36 points and were catching up quickly.

The sound of thunder rang, causing Tom to jump in his tracks.

☁

"I think we should start heading inside now," Mr. Simpson said, concern evident in his voice.

"I agree with you, dad!" Tom squealed, racing toward his father's side.

"Kids?" Mr. Simpson called out, referring to Cody and I.

The two of us shook our heads. "That's okay, Brad. I'm not going inside until I beat Cody."

Mr. Simpson was aware at how competitive we were. "What ever you two say. Just be careful, okay? And try not to hurt each other," he smiled at the last part before heading inside.

"I can't make any promises," I called out from over my shoulder with a smirk on my face.

Cody and I continued our game shortly after. I didn't realize it was raining until I fell on the damp sand. I got back up and took my position, the rain growing thicker and thicker. It made it harder for Cody and I to see each other.

☔

"Are you giving up yet?" Cody yelled over the chaos of thunder.

I shook my head. "No way!"

"What ever you say."

Cody was beating me by one point. He had 49 and I had 48. My next move would determine whether he would win or not, so I had to make it my best.

The volleyball flew out of balance and landed straight into the ocean. It wasn't safe to be more than ten inches near it, and there was no way Cody and I were going to retrieve it.

"You totally did that on purpose!" Cody cried.

I shook my head. "Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"You are so immature, Simpson."

"Says the person who knocked my volleyball into the water." Cody argued.

I rolled my eyes. "Are you that much of a baby that you're going to whine about it? I swear, sometimes you act like Tom."

"Hey!" I heard a little voice cry out behind a screen window. I turned around to find Tom's little body eating a Popsicle.

I stomped toward the ocean, careful with my steps.

"Santana, what do you think you're doing?" Cody shrieked.

"I'm going to shut you up by getting your volleyball." I stated.

"No! Stop! Be careful," I heard his footsteps behind me. "Stop right now."

"Nope."

"Why are you so damn stubborn at times?"

"Why are you so damn annoying?"

"If you think that I'm annoying, then you're really gonna hate me for this." Was all Cody said before picking me up and throwing me over his shoulders.

Despite my protests and weak punches, Cody didn't loosen his grip. We finally arrived inside the Beach House and were greeted with warm air.

Cody placed me on my feet gently.

I looked around us and noticed we were making a puddle. Cody must've realized the same thing because he said, "you can go shower while I clean this mess up."

"I helped make this mess, so I'm gonna help you." I replied, walking into the storage room and getting two mops. I handed one to Cody, but he simply let it fall to the floor.

"Since we're gonna clean the mess up anyway, don't you think we should have a little bit of fun with it?" He smirked, raising his eyebrow.

I nodded in agreement, a sly smile across my face. "I like the way you think, Simpson."

Before I knew it, we were sliding around the house with the music blasting. We looked like complete idiots who were just having fun. In the moment, we weren't arguing and were only focused on having a good time.

It felt good being in his presence and actually getting along. I missed this feeling.

Cody took my hand in his and spun me around. I felt a surge of energy go threw me. We continued dancing to the song "Domino" by Jessie J which was playing on the radio.

At one point, either of us slipped and fell onto the floor. I think it was Cody though, because I ended up on top of him.

When my eyes met his, any trace of laughter was gone. He was frozen and completely serious. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander down to his lips. I wanted to know how they tasted, and this could have been the right moment.

All of the feelings that I shouldn't have had we're still there.

Plus, I was still mad at him. "You do know that I'm still angry with you, right?"

Cody nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I know. But can we just stay like this? I promise you can go back to hating me tomorrow."

It wasn't a question, because he was already pulling me closer toward his body.

"I don't want to go back to hating you tomorrow," I said. "I want to go back to us being how we were."

But at the same time, I didn't. Because if we did, we would still be best friends. I wanted to be more than that, though.

I wanted to be his everything.

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

I'm sorry if you don't have an iPhone, iTouch, cell phone with Internet, ect. But don't worry, there are gonna be tons of chances to have chapters dedicated to you! :')

Thank you for reading! Stay amazing; each and every one of you. 💛

HCHC (Hugs&Cody),

CodySimpsonsAngel