"You kissed Keri.." Mary repeated, staring at him.
"How... I... huh ... yeah I did.." he stuttered, looking down at the floor. "How do you know?"
"Come here.. " she smiled, patting the empty space beside her. He crawled in the bed, his heart beating fast. "Keri called when you were gone.."
"What for?"
"She told me what happened...and said that she's the one who kissed you and well... that it was her fault... "
"Oh....." was the only thing Brian could say. That was the last thing he was expecting. Keri called and said the truth...?!
"She didn't want this to come between us and she saw that you were not comfortable about it so... she confessed.." Mary shrugged.
"It was only a kiss Mary.." Brian said, his blue eyes searching for the trust in Mary's.
"I know..." she replied with a soft laugh. He stared at her with a strange look. "What?"
"I can't believe you are taking it that way... you don't even feel a little angry at me or something??" he asked.
"Should I? Should I start yelling over a simple kiss...that, as you said, didn't mean anything?" she asked back, raising an eyebrow.
"Um..no ... of course not...but... I dunno...I thought you'd feel a bit angry or sad or ... whatever.."
"I would be lying if I'd say it didn't do anything to me..." she started.
"Then why do you hide it?"
"But... I trust you... Keri was kind enough to call.. saying that she felt bad about it over me so... I don't think I should throw a hissy fit or anything.."
"I feel bad too.." Brian sighed, looking down at his hands. "I don't know what got into me... I swear.."
"It's okay Brian.." she said with a little smile. "But there is one thing I need to know.."
"What?" he asked, looking up at her.
"Do you love me?"
A smile appeared on his face as he stared into her eyes. He leaned closer and kissed her softly.
"So much.." he whispered.
"I love you too.." she smiled, kissing him back.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
"Tomorrow night.."
"Already???"
"Yeah.. listen we had a deal... and it's not like you had so much things to do into this.." the low voice said through the phone.
"I know...I just.. didn't think it would be so soon. It's okay!" Ally murmured.
"Okay then... and you better do what I tell you huh?"
"I .. I swear!" she said with a shaky voice.
"Are you scared?" he softened his voice.
"I...um..no...of course not! Why would I be scared?"
"That's a good nasty girl!" he giggled. "Well... don't forget everything I told you ... I'll see you tomorrow.."
"Alright...see ya tomorrow.."
"Bye!" he shouted before to hang up.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** The Next Morning ***
Gaby woke up early that morning, after a weird dream that she have had. It wasn't a bad dream... just some dream that gave her a little hope. She got dressed fastly and walked down at Aj's bedroom. She still was feeling pissed about what had happened with Katya the night before but.. she couldn't be angry at Aj 'cause it wasn't his fault. She just hoped that he was okay. She didn't know what had happened after she had stormed out the room.. but she didn't know why, she felt like today was going to be a good day. She knocked on the door, praying that he wasn't sleeping.
"Hey!" Aj greeted, as he opened the door.
"Hey... how are you?"
"I'm alright.." he shrugged.
"Were you asleep?" Gaby demanded.
"No... I didn't really sleep of the night really.." he sighed.
"Oh...what happened? Did you...um..."
"Yeah...I kicked her out" he replied, looking down.
"Oh I'm sorry... really...I hope it wasn't my fault.." she said, touching his shoulder.
"No... I had to do it." he said with a little smile. "And you girl defenitely slapped the hell out of her.. " he added with a giggle.
"Um..yeah.." Gaby said with a laugh. "I don't know what got into me."
"Well..anyways, it's over now. She's gone."
"You okay?"
"Um... well, will be sooner or later... You want to come in?"
"Yeah.." she stepped inside and went over the couch.
"So, what bring you here?" he asked, sitting at the edge of the bed.
"Oh yeah! I was gonna forget!" she laughed. "I was just wondering if you could lend me your laptop for a few hours.."
"Oh yeah sure no problem!" he stood up and walked over his suitcase. "Here!" he handed her the computer.
"Thanks a lot! I'll give it to you later tonight! Like before the show."
"No problem." he replied.
"You sure you'll be alright? You know... you can always come and talk to me huh?"
"Yeah I know. But... for now...I wanna be alone I think."
"Ok well, I better go. Thanks for the laptop...and I'll see you later I guess." she said walking over the door.
"Yeah! Later." he smiled weakly before to close the door.
Gaby sighed and shook her head softly. She hated to see her friends sad. She pushed this thought away, hoping that Aj would get better soon and headed back to her and Lylian's bedroom, where her friend was still sleeping. Seeing that was already 11am, she grinned and put the laptop on her bed, before to run and jump on Lylian's bed.
"What the fuck!!" Lylian groaned, her eyes still shut.
"Come on, get your lazy ass up!" Gaby laughed, boucing on the bed.
"Who are you?" she asked, opening her eyes slowly.
"I know you'd like me to be Deryck but... sorry girl it's only your beautiful bestfriend Gaby..." she smirked.
"Gaby is not up at this hour...who are you and what did you do to her???" Lylian asked seriously, rubbing her eyes.
"Oh you're so funny!" Gaby replied, kneeling beside her.
"Really...what are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep anymore.."
"So you decided to jump on me? I never do this when I can't sleep!" Lylian exclaimed with a laugh.
"Because you're too nice... you could if you'd want." Gaby shrugged.
"Ok I get it!"
"You know Lily, if you'd like to sleep in Deryck's bedroom...I wouldn't mind.."
"You are kicking me out?"
"No! Of course not! But I heard you and him yesterday night in front of the door... it took you forever to leave him! And I remember you saying when he asked you to come in his room, and I quote: 'I don't wanna leave Gaby alone.. '... what is that all about?" Gaby said. "Was it just an excuse because you didn't wanna go or you really meant it?"
"Huh...I don't know!"
"You don't know? Come on, cut the shit...you are afraid to sleep with him???" Gaby asked, wide eyes.
"I am not!!" Lylian exclaimed.
"Oh you're such a bad liar!" Gaby laughed as Lylian rolled her eyes.
"Okay...maybe.. I'm not ready. We haven't been together for so long you know! And it's true I don't wanna leave you alone."
"Why? I have been alone way before that.."
"Well I am your friend, you've been through a lot and I want to be there for you. I hear you talking when you sleep and you're sayin some scary shit!"
"I talk when I sleep???"
"Yeah... "
"What do I say?"
"Things..."
"Oh really? that is really surprising... " Gaby said sarcastically. "Really, what do I say?"
"Sometimes you scream... sometimes... sometimes you ask for ..."
"for??"
"For your mother.." Lylian said with a sigh and looked down.
"Oh...." Gaby stood there, taking the words.
"So I think that means that... you need to be surrounded by your friends, wich I am!"
"Ok. thanks...but... still... if there are nights that you want to go with Deryck...I will understand."
"Ok. Thanks." Lylian smiled.
"Oh look at you. You're in love!" Gaby sang. "You've got that cheesy smile when I just say his name."
"I do not.." Lylian giggled.
"Yes you do! So...you really love him?"
"I... well... I don't know!"
"Yes you know!" Gaby laughed. "You love him.!"
"Ok... I do...I love him!" Lylian smiled. "He's nice and sweet..."
"You're lucky!" Gaby said before to sigh noisily.
"And what about you? Don't you have an eye on someone?"
"Um...no." Gaby sighed again before to let herself fall on the bed next to Lylian.
"No? No one? Not even a little crush?!"
"Lylian I don't eve know what a crush is!... I never lived it.. " Gaby said, looking at the ceiling.
"But you know what it is to like someone..."
"Not really .."
"Weren't you in love with William? That's what you kept telling me.." Lylian said, turning on her side to look at her friend.
"I thought I was.. I don't know what it was. I felt something for him but... I don't even know if it was love. I see you and Deryck...Brian and Mary... Kevin and Vickie... Howie and Michelle... and all that you guys have.. I never had this with William..." she replied, shivering just at the thought of him. God she had almost forgotten that he might still be near. "Damn I don't even know how I did to live with him all that time.."
"Well...I'm sure one day you'll find what we have... I'm 100% sure. You deserve it."
"Yeah?" Gaby said, her eyes welling up.
"Of course!! Aw come on don't cry or I will too.." Lylian giggled, hugging her friend.
"Look at us... two big babies.." Gaby laughed.
The two bursted out laughing and after Lylian got dressed and ready, they went down at the hotel restaurant for breakfast. They were soon joined by some other dancers and couples and they all ate together, talking and joking around.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** During this time ***
"Do you have anything to do today?" Marilyne asked Nick as they both were getting dressed.
"Nope...so I was wondering... maybe we could go out? Just the two of us.." he said, turning around to look at her.
"Really?" she smiled. "Like on a date?!"
"Yeah! It'd be great."
"Yes.. of course!" she nodded. "You're sweet.."
"I know...I'm the sweet type guy.." he rolled his eyes and she laughed.
"But you can get pretty wild.." she smirked.
"Didn't I show you last night...?!" he grinned.
"Yeah ... you did!" she giggled. "So um...what would you like to do today?"
"Maybe .. we could go to the movies?!"
"Yeah that sounds good to me... " she grinned.
"Ok well let's go eat some breakfast and we'll then I'll check with security and stuff to get us out of here!"
"Sure!" she said and the two headed downstair.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** During this time ***
Aj got up when he heard the knock on the door, thinking it'd be the room service he had just called for a few minutes ago.
"Here's what you called for!" Amanda smiled when he opened the door. She was holding a tray with food he had ordered.
"They have new maids in here?" he grinned.
"Yeah my dancer job didn't pay enough so.." she joked as she entered in the room and put the tray on the table.
"Well, thank you miss!"
"You're welcome!" she smiled. "So...how are you?"
"You heard the latest news?"
"Um..yeah I heard Howie telling Brian.." she replied. "You must not feel really good huh?"
"Well you know... it's not that bad 'cause... that relationship was just a bunch of shit so... I don't really care much I think. It just feels weird to say that I am single..." he said and then smiled. "Hey, I'm single. Wow I haven't said that for while!" he added as she laughed.
"Feels good?"
"Um..it doesn't feel that bad!" he smiled too.
"That is great 'cause I decided that my mission today is to take you out and make you forget about ... everything!"
"Really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "And how do you plan that?"
"You'll see!" she simply replied. "So... I'll come and knock on your door in about an hour alright?"
"Yeah alright I guess!" he said, still smiling. "See ya later!"
"Later!" she shouted before to close the door behind her.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Later that day ***
"Damn, I think I never spent that much money in all my life!" Aj exclaimed as him and Amanda entered in his bedroom, hands and arms full of bags.
"Was fun wasn't it?"
"Yeah it was!" he laughed. "Especially to see that woman face when I said I wanted to try the red dress... Good God. She was gonna give it to me!"
"Well you are a star... " she laughed. "She knows sometimes stars have weird ideas!"
"I'm not a transexual and I don't look like one!!!" he shouted, as Amanda bursted out laughing.
"I didn't say that!!"
"You better!" he smirked. "Thanks a lot for today...it really was fun and .. well it helped!" he said, getting suddently serious.
"You're welcome!" she smiled and hugged him."If you ever need anything, I'm right here!"
"Thank you!"
"We have to leave in like an hour so I'll go get ready!" she said, taking some of her bags.
"Alright. See ya later my lil' fave dancer!"
"Later!" she giggled and walked out of the room, a smile still on her face. But it faded when she saw Keri walking down the hallway. She didn't know her much but she knew she wasn't playing fair with Aj... and she didn't like that.
"Hey... Amanda right?!" Keri asked kindly.
"Yeah." Amanda tried her best to sound friendly.
"You're coming back from Aj's room? Is he in there?"
"Um..yeah. But... I don't think it's such a great idea for you to go and talk to him. I mean, not right now... it took me forever to finally change his mind.." she said sincerely.
"Oh... well I.. I wasn't really going there. I was just wondering if he was there. I was just checking if Lexy was back..."
"Okay...I don't wanna be rude or anything... it's just.."
"He's your friend and you protect him. It's okay." Keri smiled.
"Yeah... well... I'll see you later?!"
"Yeah I think we're going to the concert tonight too... "
"Cool! See ya around then!" Amanda said with a little smile and walked in the elevator.
"Bye!" Keri waved and continued walking. She stopped in front of Aj's room for a few seconds, wondering if she should knock or not. "no... you have nothing to tell him.." she told herself. "And I have no reason to apologize... apologize for what anyways?" Her mind kept playing with her... one side of her wanted to apologize 'cause she knew she had hurted him but in another hand... he had lied to her and it's not like she was in into him as much as he was into her. She held her hand and passed the door, going to Nick's. She knocked and waited a few seconds...but no one came. She sighed and knocked again, in case they wouldn't have heard.
"Hey.." she heard a voice coming from her left. She turned around and saw Aj standing in his doorway, staring at her. He had actually came out to go talk to Nick...
"Oh..hey!" she replied and turned back to Nick's door, wishing it would open.
"They are not back yet?" Aj asked.
"Don't seem to..." she sighed."damn" she murmured to herself. She finally turned around and looked at him, he was staring at her. "What?"
"N..Nothing.." she stuttered, looking at the floor. "Damn why are you always looking so good.." he thought. He felt so mixed up...he was sad because of what had happened the night before with Brian ... he was a bit angry but... he couldn't be mad at her...show her he was mad. He wanted her to apologize but he knew she would never do that...why would she? It's not like they were a couple. She was free to do whatever she wanted to. "Anyways..um.. bye." he said, closing his door slowly.
"Aj wait.." she called, surprising herself.
"What?" he said with a low voice, peeking his head out.
"Um... no forget it.. " she replied, turned around and left by the stairs. Aj stood there, looking confused, and when he finally realized he had been staring into space for at least the last 5 minutes, he shook his head and walked back in his room.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
Amanda walked into hers and Ally's room to see her friend whispering in the phone and hanging up.
"Who was that?" Amanda asked, letting the zillions bags she had fall on the floor.
"Um.. a wrong number." Ally replied fastly, sitting on her bed.
"Really?" Amanda frowned. "You know, you've been receiving a lot of wrong numbers for the past few days.."
"Really?... I didn't realize.." Ally said, taking a magazine and flipping through it. "How was shopping? What did you get?"
"Couple of things... shirts, pants... "
"A whole new wardrobe?!" Ally sniggered. "Was about time!"
"Oh shut up!" Amanda threw a pillow at her. "So really, what are you up to? Those freaky calls and stuff?"
"Nothing!! Why do you say that??" Ally almost yelled. "Nothing is up!"
"Yeah and like I'm gonna believe you.. you're screaming at me!" Amanda laughed. "Come on, shoot."
"There is nothing!" Ally repeated, with a softer tone. "Why do you think there is something up?"
"Dunno... you've been acting weird. for the past week. Just don't tell me you're still planning on dissing Lylian?! 'Cause I mean..get over it... you did the choreography for 'Get another boyfriend' ...isn't that enough?"
"I still don't like her but I don't plan anything.." she replied, looking down at her magazine.
"If you say so.." Amanda said, still looking at her with a weird look, not seeing Ally's crossed fingers. "Are you coming to the hockey game tomorrow night?"
"What hockey game??" Ally asked, looking up, wide eyes.
"Pittsburgh vs Colorado.."
"Who's going?"
"Everyone I think.." Amada shrugged.
"Um.. yeah... I'll come. Be right back..need to go to the bathroom.."Ally said, taking her cellphone without Amanda noticing.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Later, a little while before the show ***
"So Gaby, found anything interesting?" Aj asked, entering in the dressing room to see her sitting with the laptop on her.
"Not really.." she answered, her eyes glued to the screen.
"What are you looking for actually?"
"My mom.."
"Oh really??"
"Yeah...but.. I think it's hopeless.." she sighed, scrolling down a website. "I've been looking for over 5 hours now."
"Well there must be something somewhere..." he said, plopping himself down beside her.
"Yeah... anyways, I'll check this out some other time.." she replied and was about to close the laptop but Aj stopped her.
"Wait...look at that.." he pointed at something on the screen. Gaby looked at the name he was pointing at and her heart started beating faster.
"Shit.." she whispered, reading the words of an online newspaper article in front of her.
