An Tús Don Stoirm (complete)

Colin's mother watched him closely at breakfast, noticing that he
barely ate anything she started to worry. "Are you okay, Colin?" She
reached over the breakfast table and patted his hand comfortingly.


"Mum!" Embarrassed Colin put his hand in his lap and continued pushing
hieakfeakfast around on his plate. "I'm fine." He forced himself to
take a bite of his toast and chewed it unenthusiastically.
She continued to watch Colin and sighed, "I know that something''s not
right. You wouldn't be so glum if everything was 'fine'." Rita poured
herself another cup of tea and stared at Colin while adding two spoons
of sugar to the dark concoction in her cup. After a while and some
thought she spoke again, "You know, Shaun called me yesterday evening.
He said Craig's very depressed, he's not taken you leaving very well."
. Rita paused, more perceptive than he son realised, before adding
casually. "Maybe you should ask them to come visit."


Colin looked up from the chaos on his plate and stared at his mother,
his mouth wide open. He couldn't believe his ears. "Would that be okay?"


"I don't see why they couldn't. You have more than enough space in
your room. We'll just put two more mattresses in there and they should
be okay."


Colin jumped up from his chair and hugged his mother over the table
not caring if he knocked over or spilt anything. "I love you, mum! Can
I call them?" Excited he waited for the answer he already knew.


"Sure. Go ahead and see that you're a little bit more cheerful once
they arrive. Nobody likes to visit a mope." Rita smiled happily when
she saw the light in Colin's eyes to shine again, pleased with herself.


Dashing into the hall Colin picked up the phone and dialled Shaun's
number, listening to it ring several times before it was picked up..


"Shaun Bean."


"Good morning, Mister Bean. We are terribly sorry to have to call you
at such and early hour but we from Farrell Federation for Irish
Interests have heard tyou you are asking for a trial membership of our
special offer for the Non-Irish. We would like to ask you the type of
the membership you are considering."


"Colin? What the fuck are you talking about?" Shaun grumbled, sounding
rather sleepy and very confused.


Colin laughed at his friend. "How you doing, Shaun?"


"Terribly. Some weirdo is calling me at seven thirty in the morning,
which would be exactly two and a half hours after I went to bed by the
way, and asking me stupid questions."


"Oh, my. How rude some people are." Colin sat down on the chair next
to the phone and grinned in amusement. "Better tell him to never call
again."


"I might just do that." There was the sound of squeaking and then
footsteps. "So, why are you calling me this early in the morning?"


"Mum suggested I invite the two of you to visit. She said it would be
okay if you came here today or tomorrow." Eamon passed Colin by and
headed upstairs to the bathroom.


There was silence on the other end and Colin was afraid that Shaun had
either fallen asleep or had put the receiver down. Suddenly there was
the response he had been waiting for: "Today? Is there a train or a
bus down to Santa Monica we could take?"


Feeling excited energy fill him Colin jumped up from the chair and
called out for his mum.


"Ow! The next time please hold the phone away from your mouth if you feel
the urge to shout. I don't want to be deafened, you know."


Calling his mother over, Colin waited for her to come into the
hall. The prospect of seeing Shaun and Craig that soon made him giddy
and he hoped that they would be able to arrive today. When she stood in front of him he lowered the receiver and spoke, "Mum, d'you
know if there are any buses or trains that go from Greenleaf to
Santa Monica?" He batted his eyelashes pleadingly at his mother and
made the most endearing puppy dog eyes he was able to.


Chuckling and ruffling Colin's hair she thought about it. "Hmm, I am
not sure about Santa Monica but there definitely are buses and trains
to L.A. and from there they should be able to take a bus here. Let me
go have a look for you." His mother smiled, then disappeared back into
the kitchen for a few minutes before returning with a bus timetable.
"There's a train that goes at 10am, they should arrive around five
in L.A and then they can get the bus and be here around six."


Raising the receiver back to his ear, he was about to pass the
information on to his friend when Shaun told him:" I heard what your
mum said, Colin, and 10 a.m. should be okay. I'd better hurry up and call
Craig so the both of us are on this train to L.A."


"Okay! Call me once you are on the train. I need to know when the two
of you'll arrive so I can pick you up from the bus station." Colin
beamed at his mother happily. He felt alive and excited.


"Will do that. See you!"


"Bye!" Colin listened to Shaun hanging up the phone and put down the
receiver in a happy trance. Turning fully to face his mother, he
sighed. "I can't wait for them to arrive." He stepped up to his
mother and hugged her tightly. Leaning in, he whispered in her ear:"
Thank you, mum. "


She stroked her son's cheek and kissed his brow. "Anytime, love."
Hugging Colin back, she smiled in relief. Her son was finally returning
to normal again.


Letting go of his mother, Colin ran up the stairs to find his father
and bug him into taking him to buy the two extra mattresses they
needed for Craig and Shaun, now. He found Eamon in the bedroom getting
dressed, a moss coloured T-shirt in hand. "Dad, could we go and buy the
mattresses for Shaun and g thg this afternoon?" He frowned at the
T-shirt in Eamon's hands. "Duh, is that a colour at all?"


Looking from the shirt to his son's face and back, Colin's father
sighed and started looking for a different shirt to wear. "Sure, but I
have to drive to the furniture store and buy a desk for Catherine's
room and a showcase for the living room," he answered as he picked out
a ghastly pink T-shirt and put it on.


Biting his tongue to stop himself from commenting the new choice, Colin
nodded. "Okay, I'll get dressed then." He left his parent's bedroom
and walked to his own.


Digging through the wardrobe he had got two days before, Colin decided
on olive green cargo trousers and a beige shirt. Having done his sneakers,
he headed for the bathroom and brushed his unruly mop of hair and his
teeth.


"Ready to go?" Eamon's voice hollered upstairs and, accepting that
there was absolutely nothing he could do against his trademark tousled
hair, Colin went downstairs and followed his father to the car. Getting
into it, he saw a blue convertible drive by; in it sat the guy from the
beach and another guy who looked to be about the age of Shaun. They
drove down 2nd Street and turned left at the Santa Monica Blvd heading
uptown.


His father started the engine and Colin fastened his belt, feeling a
little bit queasy in his stomach; he hoped that he wouldn't meet HIM
during their little shopping trip. Most likely they were going surfing
and not spending a hot and sunny day like this in stuffy and even hotter
malls and stores.


The furniture was at Arizona Avenue corner Lincoln Blvd. Inside the
store the air was stuffy and it had almost tropical quality. Wandering
through the rows of tables, desks, chairs, cupboards and shelves, Colin
thought about what to do once his friends were here. They definitely
had to see L.A. at least once, something Colin himself hadn't done
yet. It was going to the beach that got him worried. What would happen
if he went down to there with his friends. Would the surfer gang be
harassing him and Shaun and Craig? Better to worry about it when the
time came. Of course, his friends would want to see the pier and the
Promenade. Colin suddenly realized that, thanks to his friends, he would
finally see all of Santa Monica.


"Colin!" His father roused Colin from his thoughts and Colin sauntered
off in the direction he thought he had heard his father's voice. Still
mentally planning the next few weeks, he didn't pay much attention to
where he was going and, turning around a corner, collideth ath another person.


"Sorry mate!" Looking up Colin met two stormy grey eyes that sparkled
with amusement. A knot formed in Colin's throat as he identified the
stranger as the driver of the blue convertible. "Sorry." Colin
apologised immediately and nervously tried to step around the driver,
only to be blocked by the guy. He smirked down at Colin.


"Nothing to be sorry for." The stranger assured as he studied Colin
intently and raised an eyebrow. "New in town?"


"Colin!" His fathers voice called out from somewhere in the store.


Colin got even more nervous now. Impatient father and annoyed
stranger. What next? Would the beach beauty show up and accuse him of
making a pass at his boyfriend? Attacking his friend? Deciding to try
not to lose his nerves, Colin forced himself to smile. "Yeah, seems
like it, huh? Can I get past?"


"No." The stormy grey eyes glittered amused and the guy's lips
twitched in a smile. He obviously tried hard not to laugh.


Great. At least, somebody was enjoying himself. Colin was about to give
a haughty reply when his father appeared behind the driver.


"What the hell are you doing, Colin? We're done here, let's go and get
those mattresses." Eamon turned on his heels and left, not even looking
if his son was following him. Disappearing around a er, er, Colin was
once again alone with the confusing guy who just smirked smugly at him.


"So, Colin it is, then." The grey eyes still sparkled with mirth.
"Welcome to Santa Monica, Colin."


"Uh, thank you." Stepping back, Colin turned and hurried to the front
of the stwherwhere Eamon was already waiting for him. Somewhat
confused about the strange encounter, he followed his father outside
to the car and off to buy the much needed mattresses.

-~o0*0o~-


It was getting dark, but the air was still warm as Colin stood in
front of the bus schedule and studied the arrival times. Glancing
impatiently at his watch, he realised that only half a minute had
passed since the last time he had checked. It seemed like time was
slowing down just to annoy him.


The sound of laughter and talking was carried up to Colin and he
searched for the source of it. A small group of about four people
strolled the sidewalk up to where Colin stood. Stepping into the light
of a street lamp, he recognised the beach beauty, his driver, one of
the surfer chicks and another guy he had never seen before. Sudden
fear crept up in him and Colin desperately scanned his surrounding for
a hideout. He stepped out of the light, trying his best to blend with
the darkness as stormy grey eyes found him and footsteps were directed
towards him. Colin felt panic rise and wished he could just disappear,
a cold sweat breaking out over his body.


Watching Colin's every movement, the stormy eyes glittered in
amusement. "Colin, right?" The guy held out his hand to him and smiled
encouragingly. "My name's Viggo. We never had the time to properly
introduce ourselves earlier."


Colin eyed the offered hand warily but took it anyway. "Yes, it's
Colin." He only attempted to smile, but only succeeded in twitching
his lips. "Nice to see you again, Viggo." He hoped the others would
leand gnd go to where ever they had been heading to.


The angular beauty frowned at him, seemingly trying to figure out where
he had seen Colin's face before. He seemed awfully familiar but he
wasn't able to place him. Suddenly he remembered. Clenching his teeth
the surfer boy glart Cot Colin. "Aren't you the guy from the beach?"


Upon hearing the question, Colin tensed and waited for the obvious to
happen. No doubt the threats would come now. Nervously he saw anger
flare up in the beautiful dark eyes.


"Orli!" Viggo stepped closer and glared warningly at the other and
turned then to Colin, smiling friendly at him. "Forgive my brother's
rude behaviour. He's not the friendliest of people sometimes."


Colin was about to reply when suddenly the bus pulled up and stopped.
The door opened and a squealing person jumped out of the vehicle and
at Colin, wrapping himself around him.


"Colin!" An over enthusiastic Craig clung to Colin almost squeezing
him to death. "I missed you!"


Shaun appeared behind the madly grinning and crushingly hugging Kiwi
and laughed ae die display of love and happiness. "Oh my, I hope I am
not interrupting anything." The blonde put down his duffel bag and
Craig's suitcase he had been carrying and smiled happily at his two
friends.


Colin mock glared at Shaun but couldn't help but the overjoyed grin
that spread across his face at seeing the two persons who meant the
most in his life. He hugged Craig one last time before embracing Shaun
and whispering in his ear:" I missed you." He felt his friend nod and
knew without words what it meant.


Craig turned from Colin and Shaun to the observing quartet and eyed
them curiously. "Uh, Colin, are these friends of yours?"


Deciding to take matters in his own hands, Viggo stepped up to the
happy trio and offered his hand in greeting. He smiled encouragingly
at the smaller guy. "My name would be Viggo." He noticed that the
blonde newcomer walked over to them and eyed Viggo suspiciously. His
body tensed, waiting to jump in and defend the frailer youngster.
Viggo took the blonde's appearance in and decided that he definitely
liked what he saw. Broad shoulders and chest, lean body, a beautiful
face and glowing golden hair. But most of all, he was fascinated by the
emerald green cat like eyes that watched his every move. The smaller
one's hand taking Viggo's offered one, brought Viggo back to reality.


"My name is Craig. Me ShauShaun are Colin's friends from Greenleaf."
Craig's azure blue eyes shone with curiosity, but also excitement. He
shook Viggo's hand and smiled at him and the other three strangers.


Shaun studied the four people in front of him and wondered who they
were. Colin had told him that he hadn't found any friends yet, so who
were they? He felt eyes on him and found one of the taller two eye him
closely. Stormy grey eyes stared at him. The stranger, he had
introduced himself as Viggo, smiled friendly at Shaun and held his
hand out to him. "Welcome to Santa Monica."


Colin worriedly watched his two friends but he relaxed as he saw that
Viggo & Co. were introducing themselves and Shaun was not tearing them
to shreds to protect Craig. He picked Shaun's and Craig's baggage
up and approached the group.


"So, you're really from New Zealand?" the dark haired girl asked
curiously. Her cobalt eyes sparkled with interest.


"Mm hmm. I was born in Fidschi, a small island which belongs to New
Zealand."


The girl smiled delighted. "Well, then let me introduce you to our own
local Kiwi." She grabbed the hand of the as of yet un-introduced
member of the group and pulled him to them. "This is Marton. He's from
New Zealand as well." Happily she watched the pair of them.


Marton took a closer look at the smaller figure of Craig and felt
some kind of protective instinct rising inside of him. The bright azure
eyes looked shyly at him and the soft cheeks blushed lightly. Craig
looked down, shuffling nervously. Marton felt the desire to scoop the
youngster up and protect him from the rest of the world. He flicked
his tongue to moisten his lips and forced himself to speak:" Hi, um
Craig? I hope you like Santa Monica." This made Craig blush even
harder as he looked up into Marton's toffee brown eyes.


"I like what I've seen so far." Craig felt like just the biggest idiot
ever. There stood the most gorgeous guy he had ever seen and all he
said was something stupid like that. He wanted to kick himself.


Marton's heart beat faster as he heard Craig's reply and he held out a
hand, hoping the other would take the offer.


Cautiously Craig shook hands with Marton, feeling the other Kiwi's
strength in his strong grip. He felt stupid and cursed himself for
having such sweaty hands. "Thank you, Marton."


The two were called back to reality by Viggo who refused to let his
blonde prey escape that easily. "Why don't we take the three of you
with us? My car is just around the corner."


Colin had watched the four of them and felt like laughing his head off. He
saw Craig's blush and Shaun's looks and decided that his friends visit
was already very interesting. "That would be very nice but is there
enough room for all of us plus the baggage?"


"I've got a car too," Marton answered.


"Okay, maybe Colin and Craig should drive with Mart and Shaun can
drive with us," Viggo suggested eagerly. He watched the green eyes
and felt his blood heating up.


"Craig? Are you okay with that??" Colin didn't want his friend to feel
uncomfortable but when the Kiwi nodded and blushing glanced at Marton
he laughed and picked up his friend's luggage. "Lead the way then."


They walked the street up to a small parking lot. Only three other
cars were parked there beside Viggo's convertible and Marton's jeep.
Colin heaved the duffel bag and the suitcase into the jeep and climbed
into the car. The others got into their cars and Marton pulled out of
the lot, Viggo following behind him.


Colin directed Marton to his house but at the same time watched the
nervous Craig talking with the older Kiwi. The constant blushing and
the fidgeting assured Colin that his friend was interested in their
driver.


Colin smiled happily thinking about Orli. He wondered what the name
meant. Colin had never heard of it before. Orli's beauty was beyond
words. He had radiated pure sensuality and his smooth tanned skin had
glowed golden with a light olive touch. Colin sighed longingly as he
thought about burying his fingers in these silky locks. Unfortunately
he was not the least bit interested in Colin. Worse even, he hated him.


With these depressing thoughts on his mind they arrived in front of
the white Farrell residence on 2nd Street. After unloading, the three
friends said their good-byes to the four Santa Monicans, not without
promising to come down to the beach the next day.