"Hello?" I waved my hand in front of her as she stood there and stared at me with a blank expression on her face. It was if she were looking right through me. I tapped her on the shoulder and smiled,
"Hey space cadet. Wake up." She shook her head and appeared to really notice me for the first time,
"Oh hey kid." She was really out of it. I watched her as she looked behind her a couple of times before giving me her attention. At least I think she gave me her attention,
"What are you still doing here?" Her lipstick was gone and her hair was no longer stylish; in fact it looked a mess pulled back in a ponytail. She licked her lips and placed her hand on the back of her neck,
"Um, I was trying to wait around for you." She waited around in the hallway for over an hour? I looked around the hallway, which was empty except for the two of us. What did she do? Sit outside my door waiting for me to appear?
"Did you hang out in someone's room?" She shook her head. That must have been a sight to see; a supermodel sitting on the floor outside a hotel room. I could tell she didn't want to talk about it so I dropped it even though I was even more curious. She walked past me and I instinctively grabbed her arm. I didn't want her to leave, I wanted her to stay and tell me why she waited so long just to see me.
"Hey, since I'm here why don't you stay." She shook her head and looked around as if she was hoping to avoid someone or not be seen,
"I don't know. I'm tired, I need to get back to my hotel room. I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow." I pulled her by the arm and lead her towards my room before she snatched her arm back.
"Come on Brehan, you waited all the time." She frowned at me and I hold my breath as I wait for her to unleash on me,
"Fine Nick. Just stop pulling on me like a puppy." I didn't mean to make her upset,
"I'm sorry. Are you coming?" I watched her seem to debate it in her head and finally nodded. I'm happy and a little nervous at her decision to come to my room because I'm not sure how we're going to get through this uncomfortable feeling. I just know I don't want it to last long. The longer it lasts the harder it is to make things right.
I offered her a seat and noticed she sat on the chair. She's making it very clear that she is still pissed off at me and doesn't even want me near.
"Do you want something to drink or something to eat?" I went over and picked up the phone,
"I can call room service and have them bring something up." She shook her head,
"No thanks." Her head fell back and she seemed to stare up at the ceiling. I guess trying to figure out the last time the ceiling was painted was better than paying attention to me,
"Look, I just wanted to say sorry for getting ticked off like that." She shrugged.
"Your prerogative." I shook my head,
"No, you're right. You once said I judged you and I do and I'm sorry. I shouldn't." She looked up at me and I could tell she was surprised. I don't know why my maturity shocks people so much. There is one thing I can do and that is admit when I am wrong. It's a lot easier and causes a lot less stress than trying to argue a point that you know is out in left field totally lacking merit. You have more ground to stand on when you truly believe in what you are saying. She eventually nodded,
"Yeah, you shouldn't. I didn't grow up Brady Bunch like you did." I am really sick of that. Sick of people thinking I had some perfect existence and particularly tired of hearing it from her. When she said it, it was negative; almost something to be embarrassed about if I really did come from such a background. If I did grow up like that I would be damn proud,
"I didn't grow up with the perfect family and stuff but whatever. Look, I was just upset about the kid thing. If one of my parents cheated and our family split because of it I would never forgive them. I could only imagine how much the kid is going through." She seemed to shrug off what I just said as if it didn't matter,
"Do you ever think about the kid? Their life being changed forever?" She shook her head immediately as she rolled her eyes,
"No, I don't. Hey, I grew up with a mom, a dad and a sister and it was not all cool. Having two parents under the same roof doesn't mean your life will be like some TV show." I knew that, more than people wanted to believe. She stood up and looked around the room,
"Give me a T-shirt, I'm going to sleep here tonight." Quite the demanding one she is; didn't even bother to ask. Then again I wouldn't say no if she did so I don't know why I'm even thinking about it. I walked over to my suitcase and pulled out an Oakland A's baseball top. It was big on me so I know it will be more than enough for her,
"This should be good." She grabbed it from me and headed towards the bathroom, once she was there she turned and looked at me,
"Steven isn't a bad person and neither am I Nick. He fell in love with me and I fell in love with him. We didn't plan it, it just happened. We couldn't control it." I don't know what to think of that but I still think it was wrong, however I'm not going to judge. It was a decision she made and even though I don't agree with it she is still someone I want to be friends with. Sometimes you have to keep your opinions to yourself. I nodded and sat on the couch as she closed the door.
The door to the bathroom opened and it was if she came out in slow motion. Her legs were so long and the shirt seemed to swallow her. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail high up on her head and she wasn't wearing makeup. She looked like a sleepy little girl as she crawled into bed and shifted around until she was finally comfortable.
"So, what's with this lawsuit thing?" She groaned a little and shook her head,
"I don't want to talk about it." I nodded,
"Ok, I was just thinking-" She groaned,
"Not tonight kid ok? I'm tired, some other time. Besides, I don't even know the details." I dropped the subject and turned out the lights but when I closed my eyes all I could think about was her. I want to get to know her better. I want us to be true friends, ones that know each other's feelings not who just hang out from time to time and have a few drinks together. She has a hard shell to crack but I'll keep trying. I just hope that eventually she'll open up to me when she isn't drunk.
"Are you sure you don't want something to eat?" She nodded her head,
"Yeah, I'm sure kid. Quit trying to mother me." I smiled and was about to respond when there was a knock on the door. I waited until she slipped into her skirt then opened the door. Before I could say anything Brian barged past me. He stood there, a little uncomfortable, when he saw Brehan zipping up her skirt.
"Brian, you remember Brehan. Brehan, this is Brian." He smiled and he waved faintly,
"Hi." She simply nodded before slipping into her shoes. She kissed me on the cheek after walking past Brian,
"I have to get out of here. I have an interview in four hours. I'm pushing it big time." I rolled my eyes at the expression on Brian's face as she walked out the door. Now more than ever the guys are going to think there is something going on between us and I don't know how to say there isn't this time.
Chapter 73
Stranger Than Fiction
Stories
Feedback