~*~ Chapter 21~*~
NEW YORK CITY, NY – O-Town Interview Session
“Nope, I don’t have one. Always looking though.” Trevor answered the PopStar Magazine Journalist that had asked who in the band had a girlfriend.
“Same here. Looking.” Erik was the one replying now.
“I have a girlfriend.” Jacob answered the question and looked at Dan as to say it was his time to answer.
“Not right now.”
And then Dan looked at Ashley, who was staring at Kirstin sitting in a chair, far from the guys. She couldn’t hear what they were talking about. She was staring at Ashley with a sweet smile on her face. Ashley didn’t know exactly how to answer that question. The fans knew all about Jen when they were still a couple and they were pretty supportive about it. They also knew Ashley and her had broken up. The thing was that Ashley hadn’t talked to the Mikes yet, he didn’t know if he could tell people about Kirstin. ‘Bad publicity’ he thought.
“No.” that was all he said. While the journalist took note of all the answers, all the 4 members of O-Town faced Ashley. He didn’t say anything nor faced the guys. The journalist continued with the next question.
“So, when are you guys leaving to Europe?”
Kirstin was feeling kind of bored there, sitting in a chair, watching the guys that were now posing for some group pictures. She then heard her cell phone ring. She checked the caller ID before answering the call.
“Hey, Tommy boy!”
“Hey, baby girl! What’s up?”
“Nothing much. Just bored…”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“I’m at this magazine interview.” Kirstin got up from the chair and went out to the corridor outside the room where the photo shoot was taking place “Ashley asked me to come so I’d meet the rest of the band. And I had nothing else to do today so I came. But it’s killing me! Little by little.” she giggled.
“Get out of there, then!”
“Yeah, right… I can’t, baby.”
“Why not? You’re hating the place, I can tell just by the tone of your voice!”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not here for me, I’m here for Ashley.”
“Why? He’s not even your boyfriend!”
“Why do you always have to bring that up?”
“Well, it’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, but… nothing.” She bit her bottom lip. She didn’t know if she should tell Tom about Ashley telling her he loved her.
“What? Tell me!”
“No, it’s no biggy.”
“Oh, come on, K! I know you better than that. Just tell me.”
“Ok, fine!” she gave in. He was her best friend. What was the problem on telling him that? “Ashley told me he loves me.” For a while, nothing was heard from the other end “Tom, are you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing. When did he tell you that?” he tried to cover what he was feeling.
“Today. While we were having breakfast.”
“And what did you do?”
“Nothing. I was shocked for a while. It’s not that he planned on telling me that. It just… happened. I don’t know. I don’t believe he thought of telling me that.”
“And did you say it back to him?”
“No… I couldn’t…”
“I see…” Tom didn’t want to extend the subject, he wanted to be a good friend “But you two are cool, right?”
“Yeah, we’re fine.”
“Well, that’s what matters.” Kirstin smiled. Changing the subject, Tom asked “What are you doing tonight?”
“I don’t know. Nothing, I guess. Why?”
“Great! Because we’re going to this new club that just opened on the 10th street.”
“Don’t you have to work tonight?”
“Not tonight, nope.”
“Oh, ok. Who’s coming?”
“I talked to Grace and Lexie. They are coming.”
“Cool! I’m definitely going. But I’m taking Ashley, ok?”
“Ok.” Tom wasn’t really excited to hear that, but more than anything, he wanted his friend happy “We’re gonna meet at your place then go from there. Is that ok?”
“Oh, I’d rather meet you guys there. It’s 6:30 already and it’s the second magazine interview the guys are doing today and I don’t know if there’s any left. Can we meet there at, like, 10?”
“Yeah, ok. 10 p.m. You know the club I’m talking about, right? On the 10th?”
“Yes. Luna, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s the one. So we’ll meet there at 10.”
“Ok, deal. Bye, honey.”
“Bye, baby.”
The second Kirstin hung up, she felt someone grab her from behind.
“Oh, shit, Ashley! You scared the crap out of me!” she playfully hit Ashley’s arm.
“Sorry, baby.” he kissed her cheek, still holding her from behind.
“Is the interview over?”
“Almost. We’re taking individual pictures and Dan’s there right now.”
“Right.”
“Who were you talking to?”
“Tom.” Kirstin turned to face Ashley.
“Oh…” Kirstin saw the disgusted look Ashley did.
“Stop it!” she playfully hit him again “We’re going out tonight!”
“We?”
“Yeah, we. You, me, Grace, Lexie and Tom.”
“Oh, not Tom!”
“Yes Tom! You’re gonna have to like him!”
“That’s impossible. I’m never gonna like the guy.”
“But you have to, at least, stand being around him, because he will be around. He’s my friend.”
“Ok, I think I can learn how to stand the guy. You’re gonna have to teach me, though.”
“No problem! I’m a great teacher!” she smiled and pecked him on the lips.
“Can I take the guys with us? Dan and Jacob probably won't go, but can Erik and Trevor go?”
“Sure, I don’t see why not.”
“Where are we going anyway?”
“To this new club that just opened on the 10th called Luna.”
“I can ask the Mikes to get us VIP passes.”
“Really?” Ashley nodded “That’d be so cool! Thanks!”
“No problem. I’d do anything for my little princess.” Kirstin blushed a little “Can I ask you something, though?”
“Yes…” Kirstin got worried. Ashley had a serious look on.
“Can I… kiss you?” Kirstin just shook her head.
“You’re silly, you know that?”
“Yes, but that's just part of my charm.” he smirked.
“Oh, just shut up and kiss me!” she pressed her lips hard on Ashley’s and then deepened the kiss.
~*~*~*~*~*~
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Kirstin's Loft
“I’m at my loft, but I'm leaving already. Can you wait outside the club?”
“Yes. But why outside?” Tom asked Kirstin. She had called him on his cell phone to make the arrangements so they could meet at the club.
“Because Ashley got us on the VIP list, but we gotta get in together because in the list it says Ashley Angel plus 6.”
“Six?”
“Yeah. Me, you, Lex, G, Ash, Trevor and Erik.”
“So, there are more boyband guys coming?”
“Yeah. So let’s do this. We’ll meet outside in 40 minutes, alright?”
“Yeah, ok.”
“Lex and G are with you?”
“Yes. Is Ashley with you?”
“No. I’m leaving now. Gonna pick the guys up and then go straight to the club.”
“Ok. So we’ll just hang here on G’s for a while and then leave.”
“Great. So meet you there.”
“Ok, bye!”
Kirstin hung up the phone, got her purse and left her loft.
~*~*~*~*~*~
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Hotel Lounge
“Hello, m’am. How can I help you?”
“Hi.” Kirstin was standing at the hotel front desk talking to this nice concierge “Can you please call Ashley Angel’s room and let him know Kirstin Addams is waiting for him at the lobby?”
“Most certainly!” the nice concierge picked up the phone, informed the person on the other side that Miss Addams was there and then hung up telling Kirstin that Ashley would be down in a minute. She thanked him and went to look at this jewelry store there was in the hotel. She was amused by this beautiful silver ring that had little stars all around it and in the middle of each star there was a tiny little diamond rock. Kirstin was a star freak. She loved stars.
“Must cost a fortune!” she thought out loud.
“What costs a fortune?”
“Shit! You’re always scaring me like that! You have to stop doing that!” she said after seeing Ashley was the one that had scared her.
“Sorry. But what were you talking about?”
“This ring.” she pointed to the ring through the glass.
“Oh, yeah! You and your stars!” he smirked. Just then he paid attention on Kirstin “Wow! You look absolutely gorgeous!” he checked her up and down. Kirstin did look good. She was wearing a black leather skirt that went to the middle of her thy, revealing a lot of her long legs. Her top was purple, held by spaghetti stripes. It showed a little of her bellybutton and just enough cleavage to not make her look like a slut. She was wearing black high-heel shoes. As to make-up, she had just some gloss on.
“Shut up! I hate dressing up like this, but I’m gonna be VIP tonight, I have to look better than usual. And besides, I hate this because now I’m taller than you!” she made a sad face.
“I like you being taller than me.”
“Oh, I bet you do.”
“But the difference is too little. Some people won’t even notice.”
“But I notice! We’re gonna spend most of the time sitting or else I’ll take off my shoes!”
“Ok, ok. We’ll think about that later.” He kissed her passionately for the first time that night. When they broke it, she asked:
“Where are Erik and Trevor?”
“I don’t know… they said they were coming and… Oh! There they are!”
“Great. Because we’re running late already.” she informed while walking with Ashley towards the other 2 O-Town guys.
“Hey, sorry. Erik couldn’t decide what shirt to wear.” Trevor said.
“See you picked the worst one.” Ashley joked and everyone but Erik giggled. Erik was wearing blue jeans and an orange button-down shirt.
“Shut up! Who are you to talk? You’re always wearing that baby blue one.” Erik pointed out to Ashley’s shirt. He was wearing a baby blue button-down shirt and black pants.
“I’m the only one who looks good.” Trevor interrupted. He was, indeed, looking good. He had jeans, white simple shirt and brown leather coat on “Me and Kirstin over here. Hey, Kirstin!” he greeted, hugging her.
“Hey, Trevor. Thanks for the compliment.”
“It’s true.” he grinned and she did the same.
“Yes, it is. Hey!” Erik, too, hugged Kirstin.
“Aw, thank you, Erik. Aren’t you two sweet?”
“Ok, ok. That’s enough. Let’s go!” Ashley said, leading the group out of the hotel.
~*~*~*~*~*~
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Club Luna
“What time is it? Shouldn’t Kirstin be here by now? I’m freezing!” Lexie asked Tom. Lexie was wearing a long sleeve, but tight, red dress that went all the way to her knees.
“Yeah… weird. She’s never late.” Tom looked at his watch.
“But K told me Ashley’s always running late. Maybe he’s the one keeping her.” Grace talked. Grace was not freezing as Lexie was. Grace was wearing black jeans, a white blouse, black leather coat and boots.
“I’m sure that’s it. I always knew that guy would be a bad influence on her.” Tom shook his head.
“Tom, you know you gotta stop that. Kirstin really likes Ashley. I know you two have a history, but you just should be happy she is with Ashley. She waited to long for it."
“Yeah, Yeah." Tom agreed with Grace.
“Oh, I see her. She’s coming!” Lexie exclaimed.
“Where?” Tom scanned the crowd. There were a lot of people waiting in line to get inside the club “Never mind. Found her.”
When Kirstin, Ashley, Trevor and Erik met the other 3, Kirstin spoke up:
“I’m sorry we’re late. It was not my fault. Right, Erik?” she faced Erik, grinning.
“Yeah, sorry…” Erik apologized.
“So, let me introduce everyone. Tom, Grace, Lexie, Erik, Trevor and Ashley.” she pointed at each one while saying their names. Everyone just nodded and smiled “Before we start talking, can we please get inside? I’m freezing here!” Kirstin pleaded.
“What did you expect? You’re wearing a skirt and that top in February in New York!” Grace exclaimed, smirking at her friend.
“Yeah, well…”
“Here, take it.” Tom was taking his overall off to give it to Kirstin. Lexie just shot a deadly look at Kirstin, but no one saw her look ‘Tom didn’t offer me his overall when I said I was freezing!’ she thought.
“No, Tommy, thanks! We’re getting in already. But thanks! Really sweet of you!” Tom made eye contact with Ashley for the first time that night. Tom had a sarcastic smile on as to say ‘See? I’m the sweet one who offered the coat.’ Ashley regretted not be wearing a coat that night. Noticing Tom and Ashley glare, Kirstin said “Ok, let’s get inside, please!” she took Ashley’s hand and everyone headed inside.
After getting in and getting a table at the VIP area, that was on the top floor, they all sat down. The place was crowded and was really nice. It was called ‘Luna’ (Spanish for ‘Moon’) because the dance floor downstairs was shaped as a moon. There was a bar downstairs and another one upstairs to serve only the VIP crowd. The VIP area had, all around it, sofas for 4 people to sit on. The waiter placed 2 sofas around this small table. On the red sofa sat, in that order, Erik, Trevor and Grace. On the black one sat Ashley, Kirstin, Tom and Lexie. Tom soon excused himself to go to the men’s room.
When he got back, Kirstin stared at him standing up. He looked good. ‘Damn good!’ she thought. He was wearing tight black leather pants, green shirt and a black overall that went all the way to his ankles. Kirstin loved men in overalls. Especially the tall ones like Tom. She found it sexy.
Before he sat down, Tom took his overall off to reveal he was actually wearing a no-sleeve shirt. Kirstin’s jaw literally dropped a little. She quickly closed it. Not quick enough, though. Tom noticed that and winked at her before sitting beside her. But Tom wasn’t the only one who had noticed that. So did Ashley. Kirstin didn’t want to treat Ashley like that, like she wasn’t appreciating him being there, because she was. She was really happy to be out partying with him. That was the first time they were partying as a real couple. So to make sure he’d know how much she was enjoying his company, as soon as Tom sat down beside her, Kirstin turned to face Ashley, taking his hand on hers.
“So, baby, are you enjoying it? I think it’s a great place, don’t you?”
“Yeah, it’s great.” Ashley didn’t sound too excited. Kirstin frowned.
“Is something wrong?” ‘Did he notice my jaw dropping just a sec ago? Oh God, please, no!’ Kirstin thought.
“Everything is just fine.”
She could sense, though, that was not entirely true, but chose to let it go.
“Ok.” there was silence between the 2 of them.
On the other hand, things on the other couch seemed to be pretty good. Trevor, Erik and Grace were getting to meet each other. The 3 of them seemed to be getting along just fine.
Beside Kirstin, Tom and Lexie were engaged on a conversation about whatever. Lexie seemed to be flirting with Tom, but again, every time Lexie would be around Tom, she’d be flirting with him. He’d never flirt back, though. But apparently, that night, things had changed. Kirstin was trying not to show her effort to hear Tom and Lexie conversation. She felt… jealousy? ‘Nah! Why would I be jealous of Tom?’ she thought.
When Grace informed she was going to the dance floor with Trevor and Erik, Lexie, getting up, said:
“Come on, Tom. Let’s go dance too.”
“Ok.” Tom got up and everyone, but Kirstin and Ashley, trailed to the dance floor.
Ashley and Kirstin hadn’t exchanged a word since that awkward moment after Tom got his overall off.
“So…” Kirstin started, hoping Ashley would say something.
“So…” was all Ashley said. He was staring at this point, not facing Kirstin that had turned to face him.
“Oh, come on, Ashley! What’s bothering you that much? You gotta tell me! You’re quiet there for ages! Look at me!” she placed her hand on his chin and tried to turn his head, but the effort was in vain “Ashley, what’s wrong? Talk to me, please!” she pleaded and Ashley didn’t even have to face her to sense the emotion on her voice. He slowly turned his head, but he was glancing down.
“I saw that.”
“You saw what?” Kirstin was trying to cover it, but she knew what he was talking about.
“Your jaw dropping when Tom took his coat off.”
‘Shit!’ Kirstin thought before saying “What?”
“Oh, come on, Kirstin. I’m not an idiot! Don’t you treat me like one!” she just chose not to say a word. She just looked down, ashamed. “Kirstin, I’m gonna ask you something and I need you to be completely honest with me, alright? And look at me when you answer my question.” she didn’t say a word, so Ashley took it as a sign for him to carry on “Do you have feelings for Tom?”
“No, Ash! God, no!” she answered as soon as Ashley finished the question and she stared directly into his eyes when she said that.
“For real?”
“Yes, Ashley! I mean, I love him as a friend and as a brother, but nothing like you’re trying to imply. That’s as far as it goes. Nothing more! I swear!”
Ashley sensed truth on Kirstin’s voice and her eyes were all watery. He felt relieved. He took a deep breath and continued.
“Thank God! I really wanted to ask you that, but I was so afraid of wearing your answer!”
“You shouldn’t be! You’re the one I’m with, not Tom. Tom’s my friend. That’s all.”
“Good. Oh, man, I can’t tell you how relieved I am for hearing that. Wow… Really relieved!” he rubbed his forehead “Well, to loosen up, what do you say we go dance?”
“Great idea! Let’s shake our booties, Angel!”
"Yeah! Let’s do it!"
And they headed to the dance floor.
* Thanx Stacie from http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/otownified/ for correcting the grammar on this chapter
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