REDDING, CA – THE PEACH – APR. 6th, 2002 – SATURDAY

     “Gosh, I totally forgot how big their burgers are.” Jared told Kirstin when they were heading out of the restaurant.

     “Yeah. But it’s the best, though, huh?”

     “Oh, yes, it is!” Jared nodded excited.

     Outside, both of them handed the valet guy their tickets.

     “So, what are you doing now?” Kirstin asked Jared “More volunteer work?” she mocked him with a little smile on.

     “No!” Jared smiled back, accepting the joke “That’s not all I do, you know?”

     “Yes, I know. You’re also a big and really famous underwear model!” Kirstin laughed a bit.

     “Ok, ok.” Jared chuckled “You got me now.”

     “So, what are you doing now really?”

     “I guess… Nothing. Why? What do you have in mind?”

     “I have nothing in mind, but I’m having such a great time and I don’t want to go home and lay there in bed. I’m sick of that already. And you’re the only person I know here in Redding that would enjoy my company, so…”

     “Right.” Jared smiled “Well…” Jared thought for a while “There are not many places we can go now at 2 in the afternoon, but… why don’t you follow me and I’ll take you somewhere fun?”

     “Oh, ok. But you promise it’ll be fun?” Kirstin asked as two valet guys brought their cars.

     “No promises. I’m not very good at picking fun places to go, but we can try.” Jared chuckled a bit.

     “Hm…” Kirstin faked a suspicious look “Fine. I’ll just follow you, then.”

     “Good.”

     They both got into their own car and took off.

 

REDDING, CA – AIRPORT – APR. 6th, 2002 – SATURDAY

     “So, what’s up?” Erik did a hand-shake with Ashley as soon as they met in the airport.

     “Nothing much. What about you guys?” he did the same hand-shake with all four guys as they stood there, waiting for Mike.

     “Pretty much the same.” Dan informed.

     “Where’s Kirstin?” Jacob asked Ashley.

     “She’s staying. Why?”

     “I thought you were gonna bring her along.” Trevor said.

     “Why would I bring her along?” Ashley frowned.

     “Well, don’t know… but maybe… because she’s your girlfriend?” Jacob looked at Ashley.

     “I didn’t want her around.” Ashley informed.

     “What?” Jacob sounded surprised.

     “Why not?” Trevor asked.

     “Please, don’t tell me you guys broke up. Please!” Erik pleaded.

     “No, it’s not that. We’re absolutely fine. It’s just that… I have to think a lot about something I have in mind and she can’t be around, or it will mess everything up.”

     “Really? What’s that?” Dan sounded curious.

     “Can’t tell you right now, but once I have everything planned out, I’ll definitely tell you guys, because I need your feedback.”

     “Ok.” the four said in unison.

     “Good.” Ashley smiled and nodded.

     “Hi.” the guys got interrupted by three girls “We’re huge fans of you guys. Do you mind taking pictures with us?”

     “No, of course not. Come here.” Trevor told the girls, already placing his arm around 2 of them.

 

REDDING, CA – MINIATURE GOLFING CLUB – APR. 6th, 2002 – SATURDAY

     “Miniature golfing?” Kirstin asked Jared, shutting the door to her car “You’re taking me miniature golfing?”

     “Sure, why not?” Jared asked, closing the door to his own car.

     “Hm, Jeez, I don’t know. Maybe because we are not 10 anymore?” Kirstin stopped beside him.

     “Come on! At least try it before complaining about it!” Jared pulled her by the wrist.

     “Ok, ok. Fine!” she let go of his grip.

     “I bet you never even went miniature golfing before.”

     “Actually, I haven’t.” Kirstin frowned “Well, good thing, because now I can at least try it before saying I hate it.”

     “See? Good. Let’s go then.” Jared grabbed her by her wrist again and headed to the entrance.   

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – HOTEL – APR. 6th, 2002 – SATURDAY

     Ashley trailed inside his hotel room and closed the door behind him. He placed his bags on the foot of the bed and collapsed onto the bed. He then looked at his wristwatch. 3:30 p.m. He took his cell phone out of his pocket and searched for Kirstin’s home number.

     “Hello?” he heard someone other than Kirstin answer the phone.

     “Hello. Mrs. Addams?” he questioned.

     “Yes. Who is this?”

     “Hey, it’s Ashley.”

     “Oh, hi, Ashley dear. How are you?”

     “I’m fine. How are you?”

     “Fantastic.”

     “Good. Mrs. Addams, can I talk to Kirstin, please?”

     “Oh, Kirstin is not here, dear. She went out for lunch with Jared and still hasn’t returned.”

     “Really? Did she call telling anything?” Ashley was worried. What if something bad happened?

     “No. But I’m sure she’s fine sweetie. Otherwise, I would have gotten a call already.”

     “I guess you’re right.”

     “I’m sure I am. Don’t worry, sweetie.”

     “Ok.” Ashley nodded “So, I’ll try to reach her on her cell phone.”

     “Ok, you do that.”

     “Thanks, Mrs. Addams. Bye.”

     “Bye, dear.”

     “Weird…” Ashley said while pressing for Kirstin’s cell phone number on his speed dial.

     “Hello?” Ashley heard Kirstin’s voice on the other end and also a lot of noise.

     “Hey, Kirstin.”

     “Hey, Ash!” Kirstin sounded excited to hear from him.

     “Where are you? Still at lunch?”

     “Oh, no! Jared and I had lunch then he brought me here to this miniature golfing club. Now we’re just hanging here and having a drink. I’m so tired.”

     “I bet.” Ashley was bothered by that news. Jared and Kirstin went miniature golfing? Ashley knew Kirstin was just trying to get her friendship with Jared back on track and that Jared was dating Cindy, but, still, he couldn't help the jealousy he felt in the pit of his stomach. Ashley imagined all the ways that Jared probably touched Kirstin. He imagined Jared suavely coming up behind Kirstin and helping her line up her shots. He imagined Jared giving her a hug after she scored a hole. He could have stood there for a long while torturing himself, but he realized that Kirstin was talking to him.

     “Hello? Ashley, hello?” Ashley heard Kirstin calling out.

     “Yes!” he exclaimed, waking up from his thoughts.

     “What happened?” Kirstin questioned.

     “Nothing, sorry. It was Dan that just barged in here.” Ashley lied.

     “Oh, ok.”

     “So… I just called to tell you I’m at the hotel already. And if you need anything, just call me on the cell, alright?”

     “Oh, ok. But I’ll be fine. Do you already know when you’re coming back?” Kirstin asked.

     “Nope, not yet.”

     “Ok. Don’t forget to call me telling me that, alright?”

     “Yeah, sure. Fine.”

     “Ash, are you sure you’re ok?” Kirstin was worried. Ashley sounded weird.

     “Yeah, I’m fine. You go have fun with Jared now.”

     “Don’t mind if I do.” Kirstin giggled.

     “Ok. Then talk to you later.”

     “Ok. Bye. I love you!” Kirstin said.

     “I love you, too. Bye.” Ashley pressed the end button and stared at his cell phone “Damn it.” he punched the mattress and got up, heading out the room.