"Long Awaited" Chapter 11: "Cut It Out"

Virginia's POV:

They were definitely hiding something when I arrived. Although I don't know what it was or have any information, I read the body language and it says "What we were just talking about does not need to be heard by you, just yet." I worried about what they were talking about for a while because I have a bit of a paranoid nature about me. I have to keep checking over my shoulder.

Kevin: "So Virginia, are you ready to go on the tour of the town?"

Me: "Yeah, let's get this party started."

Cody and Jessica led the group down a block, with me in between pointing out special places they've been before and great places to eat. They did this for several minutes, stopping every now and again to tell me some facts. I can tell they've lived there their whole life. I kind of admired that they would take me around and show me the place so I payed close attention, as if there would be a test afterward.

As the tour continued, I realized that James and Veronica were kind of in the back talking a little bit. Every now and again, James would tell Cody, Jessica, or Kevin something that made them laugh. I didn't know what they were talking about and it made me a little frustrated. I wanted to be respectful of all that they were doing so I didn't ask any questions, tried to brush it off, and listen to the information. It was really fun, kind of like a bonding of new friends. I liked this.

When we were walking around for about an hour, I realized that Kevin and Cody took an abrupt turn at somewhere that looked oddly familiar...but it wasn't like familiar like I've been here before because I obviously hadn't, like I've seen it somewhere...in a dream or on the internet. It was a little ways from Temple Square and then I tried finding the street sign and I immediately recognized the name. We are where I want to be.

Kevin: "And this is where the surprise comes in..."

Me: "No way..."

James: "You know this place?"

Me: "No, but I know him..."

Just then, Daniel Archuleta walks outside the house and sees me staring like a lunatic at him. He waves and smiles to me, or so I thought and I wave back like I'm crazy. He laughs and then puts something into a car. It's a box filled with random items labeled "Charity Donations." I muse to myself "Awwww," and laugh because I realize no one can hear me. His mother comes out of the house with a box with no writing on it. Daniel takes it from her and puts it into the trunk as well. Lupe, wearing a light green tee shirt with jeans and sunglasses, hops into the front of the car and starts to drive off. She drives past us, waves out the window and says "Have a good day, kids!" I yell back "You too, Mrs. Archuleta!" James laughs like a hyena and says "Virginia, you really need to calm down!!" By now, I was SCREAMING...obviously, I have gone officially insane. Or so I thought, until something unlikely happened...

Daniel, wearing a blue graphic tee with light blue jeans and a white hat, sees us from his driveway. He recognizes one of the people in the group and decides to come over.

Daniel's POV:

Me: "James, buddy, what's up?"

James: "Doing just fine, thanks, how are you, man?"

Me: "Great! Thanks! So what are you doing today?"

Kevin: "We're just showing Virginia here, around town."

Virginia, a short-ish girl wearing a lime green floral short-sleeve shirt and beige jeans, looks very excited that I'm standing there talking to them.

Me: "Virginia, are you new to Murray?"

Virginia blushes when I talk to her and finally bucks up the courage to say something. "No, I'm just here on vacation. and Daniel, I must say, you have an amazing voice! I am such a fan!"

Me: "Aww, well thank you. I bet you love my brother." And I can feel I'm about to blush a little too.

Virginia: "Uh-yeah, as long as I'm still breathing," she sounds overly enthusiastic in her words, I stifle a laugh.

Me: "Thanks, I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that! He's co----" James cuts me off with a sign that says to cut it out and stop talking.

James: "Daniel, can I talk to you in private?"

Me: "Uhhh...sure..."

James tells Cody and Kevin to continue the tour up the street, around the block and to keep Virginia busy with signals..."Did they have a plan or something?"

James: "Daniel, you have to know something."

Me: "Yeah, what is it?"

James: "You CAN'T tell Virginia what you were going to tell her."

Me: "Why? She's a fan!" I say in a very confused tone.

James: "Well...I guess it's time for you to know too..."

And he tells me everything. I ask him why he would set something up like that and not tell anyone about it until such a short notice. He wanted to keep it a secret, which I don't understand.

Me: "James, this kind of thing takes planning!"

James: "I know, but I just didn't say it."

Me: "Why didn't you tell me?"

James: "I don't know."

Me: "Maybe, I could've helped you if I got to know her."

James: "I'm sorry."

Me: "Don't worry about it, we'll work it out, believe me."

~ to be continued ~