Somewhere around 11 p.m., the bus pulled into a gas station in a small remote town to fill up. Everyone on board was allowed off to stretch or to get snacks for fifteen minutes and then they'd have to be back on the bus no matter what.
Malia walked inside the small store, the bell jingling above her head. She smiled at the older woman behind the counter and continued her trek towards the snack aisle. Nick walked up behind her and put his arm around her, "Sooo..what should we get for the trip?"
"I don't know..I want Doritos though..," She said picking up a bag.
He grabbed a bag of Sour Cream and Onion potato chips and took her hand, leading her towards the candy aisle.
AJ's eyebrow rose in question behind his dark sunglasses as he saw Nick take Malia's hand and take her towards the candy. Brian smiled, "Well damn, it is about time."
"What?"
"He has had a crush on her for so long and it has taken him like all his 20 years in this world to figure out what to do about it."
"Think so?," AJ asked as he grabbed a couple bottles of coke.
Brian nodded, "Yeah.."
"But does SHE like HIM?"
"It's obvious J..just watch her sometimes. She almost stares a hole through him when she thinks no one's looking."
"Dude..this is cool and all but think about it...the press and everyone already thinks they're dating and they keep denying it. What if..."
"I know AJ..I know. If they ever do start to date; it could be a disaster."
"They would be cute together though..and you know the relationship would last..they've known each other for practically forever."
Brian nodded, "Yeah I know that..I just hope they both know what they're doing."
"Hey, B?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't think they're supposed to know what they're doing."
Brian smiled, "They have no clue."
After buying their food, everyone boarded the bus again. They were all wired and knew it was too early for them to sleep just yet. They had all had naps earlier in the afternoon anyways. So, they decided to play the most infamous party game of them all: Truth or Dare.
Malia plopped down on the floor inbetween Kevin and Howie, chips and drinks between them all. "Okay, I'll start. B, truth or dare?," AJ asked looking at Brian.
"Truth.," He replied without hesitation.
"Is it true that you and Leigh once snuck onto the top of a hotel and were caught makin' out by a media helicopter?"
Brian's face turned about five shades of red as he nodded meekly. "It wasn't a helicopter though; it was one of the hotel's staff coming to turn off the lights on the pool and hot tub."
Everyone began to laugh, as did Brian. He sobered up, or tried to, "Okay, okay. Kev, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"Malia, turn on the radio behind you."
She did as she was told and about started to laugh as Britney Spears flooded from the speakers. Brian grinned at his cousin, "Karaoke buddy."
Kevin rolled his eyes before standing up, using a hairbrush as a microphone and began to sing to Britney Spears. It was a sight to see, definitely.
After the tears from the laughter stopped, Kevin asked Malia, "Truth or dare?"
"Ummm...truth..I guess."
"Is it true you auditioned for MMC, the same time Justin Timberlake did, and you had a HUGE crush on him?"
Malia shot a look to Nick, "I can't believe you told them!"
Nick threw his head back laughing, "It was too good!"
"So it's true?!," Howie asked smiling.
Malia groaned and smiled as well, "Well...yeah.."
The guys erupted into laughter. " 'Splain girlfriend.," AJ said pointing at her.
She sighed, "Okay, I was like 10 in the first place so you gotta remember that. I went in there to audition and I guess it was the third or fourth cut and I made all those, as did he. I just thought he was so cute and he was sooo nice and everything. He was the only other kid that talked to me without being a huge snob about it. He was cute, that's it, I'm over it."
"Does he know who you are?"
"One question per truth Bri."
"Malia!"
She shrugged innocently, "Sorry, it's the rules! Soooo D, truth or dare?"
The game continued until only AJ, Nick, and Malia were the only ones still awake. Malia yawned and stretched her legs out in front of her. "Guys..I'm tired, I think I'm done."
"Yeah me too...," AJ said stretching.
"We'll have to continue this game later I guess.."
"Yeah, sounds good. I'm going to bed, night guys.," She said getting up.
Both echoed their goodnights and watched as Malia disappeared down past the bunks.
AJ turned to Nick, "So Nickster, what's goin' on with you and Malia?"
"Nothing..why?"
AJ looked at him skeptically, "Uh huh, suuure Nick, whatever you say."
"Why do you think something's going on with us? Was it because I held her hand when we stopped at that gas station? Dude, I've always been kinda physical with her and she has always been with me."
"Okay, if you say so. I'm headin' to bed..see you in the morning bro."
"Yeah...Night J."
Nick sighed and ran a hand absentmindedly through his hair, he ALMOST found him out. At least, that's what Nick kept thinking. He had just begun to realize how much he really cared about Malia. But he had no clue she felt the same way. Plus, the more he thought of being with her the more he thought of how the public and media would react. He knew he shouldn't think of the media or his fans at that point in time, but he had to, they were always there. He knew some fans were be mad but most would just be happy knowing he was happy. He also knew that the media would eat up whatever him and Malia did. Whether she was seen with another guy in the mall that just happened to be her friend but it was reported that she was cheating on Nick. Then more fans would be pissed off at her. Or whether Nick was seen at the movies with his sister and one of her friends, a girl, and it was reported that he was the one that left Malia all out in the cold all alone. He knew that would never, ever be true. But the tabloids would always report it as truth.
He sighed, his eyes were getting heavy and he needed some sleep of some kind. He pushed himself off the floor and walked down towards his bunk and crawled in, pulling the drape shut. His eyes slowly dropped closed, but acutely aware of Malia...sleeping above him.
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