“I don’t know Chris, but how about some place quiet so we can talk, we got a lot of catching up to do!” She put in.
“Yes, I know, why don’t we go out to dinner, I’m sure we can find somewhere nice and quiet,” He suggested.
“Sounds prefect,” Grace said, smiling dreamily. She wasn’t sure what it was, but something was different about seeing Chris now than it was back in high school.
“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow night at 7, I’ll pick you up, I got just the place.”
“Ok, see you then bud, bye!” Grace hung up the phone smiling and picking it right back up to call Kayla.
“Well, I went to arts college in Orlando like I said, then I was working at Universal for a while before I got in the group, and since then it’s been like one big whirlwind,” He answered. “What have you been doing?”
“School, school, and more school,” She told him as they laughed.
“You never did do anything with your gorgeous voice,” Chris pointed out.
“I wasn’t meant to be onstage like you, I definitely didn’t give up my writing, but the stage wasn’t for me, I’m not as much of a ham as you, Chris.”
“I know, It’s just something that comes naturally to me though,” He boasted.
“I know, it always did, so, when do I get to see you and these wonder boys do your thing?”
“That depends, when can I tear you away form those stupid books?” He exaggerated.
“Whenever, you want!”
“Alright, well, tomorrow is our last show, you’re welcome to come, I can see if I can get you tickets and if we go out after you’re welcome to come.”
“I doubt that one, but I’ll definitely come to see you do what you do.”
“Good. So, any new loves in Miss Grace’s life I should be aware of?” Chris questioned, interested for more reasons than anyone knew.
“Nah, few dates here and there, I don’t’ have the time for anything serious anyways,” She answered as Chris felt some sort of relief wash over him. “What about you, dating any movie stars these days?”
“Please! I couldn’t get a movie star if my life depended on it, but no right now, there’s absolutely no one,” He answered as they both laughed.
“Well, thanks for a great night, Chris,” Grace said as she and Chris stood outside the front door to her apartment complex.
“It was my pleasure, it’s was so good to see you again,” He told her as they both smiled, feeling the tension between them. “Well, I have an early morning tomorrow, I’ll call you, bye,” Chris said, leaning in to give Grace a hug.
“That depends why I’m making the drive,” She answered laughing.
“Well, is to see Christopher Kirkpatrick on stage a good reason?” She question.
“Good? That’s a great reason.”
“Good, I’m going to see him tomorrow, I’ll tell him I need another ticket for a friend, I wanna try and make this a surprise, ok?”
“Alright, can we make a day tomorrow or are you busy?”
“Nah, just working until like 7 in the morning then I’m home for the day, so if you leave at like 8 or 9 that gives me time for a little nap, ok?”
“Alright, see you tomorrow Gracie girl, love you.”
“Love you too, see you tomorrow,” Grace said, smiling as she hung up the phone. It was going to be exactly like old times, just the three of them, only now, there was something different this time.
“Hey Grace,” Chris greeted her as she entered the lounge.
“Hey bud, you leaving or you on?” She asked him.
“Oh, I’m on, unfortunately,” Her told her, smiling.
“Good, now we can keep each other company,” She told him, smiling brightly.
“Oh joy, I just can’t wait,” He told her sarcastically.
“I know, now come on, we have to work!” Grace said, linking her arm in his as they walked out of the lounge to start the night.
“Yeah, I think I can handle it, hopefully, I’ll leave them at the will call window for you guys, ok?” He told her.
“Alright, thanks Chris see you tonight, bye,” Grace said, hanging up on Chris and calling Kayla.
“All right, it’s set, he’s gonna get me two tickets and whatever and leave them at the will call window for us, I can’t wait to see his face when he see you, he’s gonna freak,” Grace told Kayla in one long sentence.
“Sweet, I’m so excited, well, I’m about to leave so I’ll see you in about two hours ok?” Kay said, packing the last of her things before she left.
“Alright, bye Kay, see you soon,” Grace said.
“Bye Gracie, see you later,” Kayla hung up the phone and placed it back on its cradle before heading out the door for a day she wouldn’t soon forget.
“We’re always good,” Chris told him.
“Are they hot?” Justin asked.
“Justin, they’re almost my age!” Chris exclaimed, grossed out at the though of Justin and Grace.
“Eww…that’s gross, wait, why almost?” he asked confused. If they had graduated with them should they be the same age?
“Well, I stayed back a couple times and Grace skipped like two grades, I don’t know who she’s bringing but I’m sure she’s a genius too, so there you, they are like JC and Joey’s age, sick ha?”
“Very…”Justin said, letting the sentence trail.
“Whatever, she’s one of my best friends, you guys will love her!”
“Ok, well, we have to get back to rehearsing now, come on,” JC said, getting up and heading back to the center of the stage.
As they stood they saw a man riding around on a motorcycle, odd grace thought but shook it off. Soon, the same man came back around and slowed down next to the girls. Grace and Kayla were getting a little scared at this point but just kept looking straight and not pay him any attention.
“Grace?” She heard her name whispered.
“What do you want Kay?” She asked, assuming it was her.
“That wasn’t me, it was him,” She said, pointing to the guy in the helmet.
“Who are you?” She asked.
“You know me, can we leave it at that?” He pleaded. “Come on.”
“No, I don’t know who you are there’s no way I’m going anywhere with you until I know who you are.”
“Gracie girl, you know me, come please come with me, I don’t have a lot of time.”
“I know who you are!” She said, having it suddenly click when he used her nickname, it was Chris.
“Don’t say my name, I’ll hurt you severely, now get your friend and let’s go,” Chris said, hopping back on his bike.
“We’re going on foot here buddy, how are we gonna keep up with you especially in theses!” Grace said, pointing to the high boots she was wearing.
“Relax, I’m gonna go slow, just come with me.”
“Alright, let’s go, chick.” Grace said, pulling Kayla by the hand with her as they followed Chris.