Alex smiled as she placed the thick bundle of papers on the counter. She was going to take the manuscript by the publishers later that day.
"How long until it's out?" Ashley asked.
"I'm not sure," Alex replied. "I'm gonna talk to them today." The doorbell rang, and Alex went to open the door.
"Hi, Mike," she said, not even needing to look to know it was her agent.
"Hello, Alex," Michael Connor said. "How have you been? Do you have your manuscript?"
"Come on in," Alex said, laughing. "I've been wonderful; How about you? Yes, I have the manuscript. Have you talked to Random?"
"Yeah. They said two months, and they'll have the first edition out."
"Oh my God, that's gonna be so cool. I can't believe I'm going to get my books published. I'm gonna see my name on the cover of a book."
"You're using your real name?" Ashley asked, walking into the living room. "Hi, Mike."
"Hi, Ashley," Mike said.
"Yeah, I'm gonna use my real name," ALex said. "I want to see it on the cover of a book."
"I'll take the manuscript down to Random, if you want," Mike offered. "I just wanted to tell you what they said, and see how you were."
"That'll save me a trip, then," Alex said, walking into the kitchen, where she had left the manuscript and bring it back out. "Thank you so much." She kissed Mike on his cheek. He was like a second father to her.
"You're welcome. You'll have to come over for dinner soon." He looked over at Ashley. "Congratulations on winning that contest. I wish you the best of luck in your future."
"Thanks," Ashley said.
"I'll call you sometime next week," Mike told Alex, "and we can make plans for dinner. Bye."
"Bye, Mike," Alex called, as she closed the door behind him. She leaned against the door. "Two months. Can you believe it?"
"I hope it does good."
"So do I."
"Oh," Ashley said, "I just remembered. "The MTV Video Music Awards are in September. I have to go, with the guys, and I can bring a guest. I've already asked Nate, but he can't go. Do you want to go?"
"The VMA's?" Alex asked. "Hell yeah."
"Good. I wanted to have someone there. It's gonna be so strange."
"Strange, but in a good way."
"That's true."
"Just tell me all the info, and I'll be there."
"You'll have to fly out to California."
"I'm planning on going back there in September, any ways."
Ashley looked at her. "Why? School starts then." Alex went to NYU.
"I'm going to take a week off school and go visit a few friends in early September. And I'm gonna look at UCLA. I miss California." Then she sighed. "Well, not really. I just miss the beaches, and the heat, and things like that. I'm gonna look at schools down in Florida, too. Probably Miami."
"It'll be cool if you can transfer to a school in Florida. You'll be close to me."
"Only a fourth of the time, though. And if I go to a school in Miami, we'll still be away from each other."
"I'll just come bug you occasionally."
"You'd do that no matter where I was living."
"Yep."
Alex laughed as she walked to her room to change into a bathing suit so she could go swimming.***
"I'll miss you," Nate told Ashley as he dropped her off at the airport. She was leaving for Florida.
"I'll miss you, too." Ashley kissed him. The past two months had been some of the happiest of her life. She and Nate had spent nearly all of the time together, becoming even closer than they had been.
"Call me when you arrive in Florida."
"Yes sir," Ashley replied, then started laughing. "That sounds so strange."
Nate rolled his eyes. "You will call, though."
"Don't worry, I'll call." Ashley gave him a final hug. "I love you. Bye."
"Bye, babe. I love you, too."
Nate watched as she boarded the plane, then waited by the window to watch it leave.***
"Alex, you there?" Ashley asked, when she called Alex to tell her about the plans for the VMA's. Her answering machine picked up. "If you are, pick up. It's Ashley. It's important." She sighed. "Ok, you're not-"
"Sorry," Alex interrupted, picking up the phone. "I was in the shower."
"Oh, then I'm sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt anything."
"It's cool. I want all the details about what we're gonna do for the VMA's."
"I got you plane reservations for Friday. They're gonna be taped Saturday. You can stay with me. Transportation will be provided from the airport and everywhere else. You just need to be at the airport tomorrow, by noon."
"Noon? Ok. Don't I need plane tickets or anything, though?"
"Everything's been taken care of. Pack for a few days."
"Ok, that's cool. I'm gonna go finish my shower now, I have to rinse out the conditioner. I'll see you tomorrow night."
"See you then. And I have so many things to tell you."
"I bet. Bye." She hung up the phone before Ashley could say anything else.
Ashley put the phone down and stood up, stretching. They'd only been practicing recording for about two weeks, but already she loved the work. It was hard, and became tiring, especially after she had to sing the same song time after time, but it was fulfilling. They'd be recording for another two months, then they had a break, for the month of December. Then rehearsals for the next tour began. She couldn't wait.***
Alex walked into the hotel, heading for the front desk. The manager had probably been informed of her arrival and told what she looked like, because he had a key for her, and a letter from Ashley.
Alex read the note as she walked to the elevators. It told her where Ashley and the guys where, and when they'd be back.
Alex was watching a movie when Ashley and everyone else returned at ten that night.
"You're here," Ashley exclaimed when she noticed Alex.
"Yep." Alex smiled at them. "Hi, everyone."
After exchanging hello's, Alex went to sleep. She had been up the past few nights, working on a new story.
The next morning, Alex was up at eight, intending to go swimming. No one was else was awake yet.
She was swimming laps in the pool when she felt someone's eyes on her. She swam to the edge and looked at the person who was staring at her.
"Hi," she said.
He smiled. "Hello. Did I interrupt anything?"
"I was just swimming, so no, you didn't."
"Good." His eyes wandered over her body. "So what's your name?"
"Alexandria Royce. What's yours?"
"Alexandria. I like that."
"I'm glad you like it. Everyone calls me Alex."
"I like Alexandria better. That's what I'm gonna call you."
"And who says you're ever gonna be using it?"
"I do."
"Really? Well, I say you won't." Alex climbed out of the pool, and walked to where her things were. Right next to where he was seated.
"You never know," he said.
"What's your name?" Alex asked.
"Justin."
"Do you have a last name, Justin?"
"Not one that's important."
Alex shrugged. "Ok, Justin Unimportantlastname, nice to meet you. Good-bye."
"See you later, Alexandria."
Alex walked away, still feeling Justin Timberlake's eyes on her.