Ryan searched for her hotel key, she found it at the bottom of her purse. It dangled loosely as she put the key in the keyhole. She turned in it to the left, hearing the click. She turned the knob and pushed the yellow door forward.
Ryan placed the key on the dresser and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked around for a few seconds before she bent over to take off her shoes.
Watching the boys show was physically, and mentally draining. Never had she seen the commitment, power, or energy they gave throughout the whole show. She didn't know how these guys did this day after day and not get sick of it.
Ryan heard something moan and the covers she was laying on started to shuffle around, like waves against a shore. Ryan quickly stood up from the bed. There was someone in her bed. No one told her that she'd be sharing with anyone.
Ryan tilted her head to the left and tried to make out what or who was under the covers.
Ryan swallowed deeply and took one step forward. "H-H-Hello?" she stuttered.
Her heart and breathing were beginning to start the flight or fight mode. The cover flung over, revealing a very groggy person.
"Lance?" Ryan clutched her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
"Ryan? What are you doing here?" he asked, just as shocked and confused as she was.
"No, what are YOU doing in MY room?" Lance coughed, sounding like he was coughing up flem. "Oh Lance, here…sit up."
Lance lifted his eyebrows up and his lip twitched slightly back. Ryan walked into the bathroom, leaving Lance baffled by all that just occurred. Minute's later Ryan walked back into the room; her arms loaded with supplies. Ryan looked up at Lance, his expression was written all over his face. He was in disbelief. Ryan was in a little disbelief her self. She didn't understand why she was doing this, but she knew that she had to help him.
Ryan walked over to him, spilling everything in her arms onto the night stand that stood next to him. Ryan sat on her knees so she could be at level with him. She extended her hand towards him. As it got closer to his face, he pulled back. Not knowing what she was doing. Ryan sighed with frustration.
"Well, you stop being such a baby! I'm just trying to feel your temperature."
Lance blushed a little and relaxed against the pillow that laid behind him. Ryan extended her hand once again, this time completing her task. The back of her hand softly touched his forehead. She pulled it back quickly as if she was hurt.
"Damnit! Your scorching hot!" Lance laughed lightly and grinned. "Oh my gosh! Hell must have frozen over! You laughed at something I said and even smiled a little! I'm on a roll!"
"Don't push your luck…"
Ryan grabbed a damp wash cloth from the night stand. "There's that famous attitude again." Ryan placed the wash cloth on his forehead. "This should cool down your temperature a bit." Lance coughed again. "You sound like your getting bronchitis…here, take this." Ryan handed him some cough syrup and NyQuill.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" He asked drinking down the disgusting liquids.
"Because I'm nice. You just never gave me a chance."
Lance looked down at his hands, feeling guilty for what he's put her through. He really started to wonder why he a part of this whole conspiracy. He had never had a reason to be mad or upset with Ryan. Lance didn't understand why he let Anne control him. He tried to figure out why he was doing this for Anne. He always came up with the same answer; he didn't know. Of course they use to be a couple and he would do anything for the ones he loved. But he didn't love Anne…not anymore.
Lance looked up at Ryan; she was fiddle with some gauze. His eyes remained on her as she stood up and walked over to her laptop. He never realized it before, probably because he was brain washed by Anne, but Ryan was a very attractive young woman. To him she just had this hair. This hair that made you want to run your hand through it. Lance's thoughts were lost when Ryan started to talk to her self.
"Oh come on, why do you always do this to me!"
Lance laughed to himself as he heard Ryan getting frustrated at the computer.
"Do you always talk to your computer?"
Ryan turned her head to Lance and smiled shyly.
Her head returned to the screen and she said, "Only when the refrigerator's mad at me."
Lance laughed, but the laughter turned into coughs. Ryan, concerned, rushed to his side. When the coughing died down Ryan handed him a glass of cold water. Lance thanked her and took a few sips and placed the sup to his side.
Lance looked into Ryan's concerned eyes. He couldn't stand it; she was too nice, too caring. He couldn't be rude to her anymore. He was going to call Anne and tell her that he wanted out, and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. He didn't want to hurt Ryan anymore than he already has.
"Lance?" Lance blinked breaking his thoughts and went back listening to Ryan.
"Yea?"
Ryan had the look of fright on her face. She was so unsure, but she knew that she had to go through with asking lance what was on her mind for so very long.
"Why…?"
Lance looked at her puzzled, but he knew exactly what she was trying to get at.
"Why do you hate me?"
Ryan felt the world lift from off her shoulders. She let it out; she finally let it out. All she hoped now was that he would answer her truthfully.
He couldn't tell her about Anne, she wouldn't believe him. He had to lie, but he didn't want to hurt her anymore.
"I-I-don't…hate you"
"You sure fooled me…" she said coldly.
Lance closed his eyes and continued to answer her. "Ryan…I don't know what to tell you. I don't know why I acted the way I did. I'll never understand it myself. I don't know why I did it…so you'll never understand. That's all I can tell you."
Ryan sighed. She wished that he would just tell her. She looked down at her hands they were trembling.
"Fine…" Ryan's sad expression told it all.
She has only been away from home for about less than a week and she was already eager to get home.
"Your show was really good tonight…" Ryan changed the subject, she couldn't bear to feel the way she was.
Lance's groggy expression turned into a weak smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it the show Ryan…we aim to please."
Ryan rolled her eyes and took the cap to the cough syrup and placed it back onto the proper bottle.
"Are you staying the whole night?" Ryan asked picking up the trash around her.
"Just until JC comes to pick me up…" Lance turned to Look at the clock and continued. "Which should be in three hours at the most."
Ryan got up, the trash in her hands. She dusted herself off with the free hand and headed towards the bathroom.
"Fine, but I'm need to take a shower and get changed…"
Lance's eyes widened and his lips twitched into an evil grin.
"You've been hanging around Chris and Justin way TOO long…wipe that perverted smile off your face!"
With that Ryan threw the items in the trash and closed the wooden door behind her.
Lance smiled at her comment as she shut the door gently after her. He snapped out of his trance. His breathing started to deepen, becoming more separated. Along with a sudden weakness coming over his body. He yawned, followed by two deep coughs.
(Twenty minutes later)
Ryan walked out of the bathroom, running a towel over her damp hair. Her lips twitched into a full smile when the vision of Lance, knocked out on the bed filled her view.
"The medicine must have kicked in…" she said to her self as she walked closer to the bed.
Ryan pulled the covers from underneath him and put them over him and tucked the edges of the sheets in. She was almost tempted to give the poor guy a kiss. Ryan shook off the thought.
"I'm getting caught in the moment…" Ryan covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned.
It was 1:47AM. She needed sleep…there was NO way she would share that bed with him.
An idea popped into her head as she ran to look for a sheet of paper. Ryan found the room list and checked for Lance's room number. 310.
She yawned again and grabbed her stuff. She grabbed onto the golden doorknob and took one last look of Lance. She would have ever of known that he was such a terror by now peaceful he look right then and there. Her face softened as she stared at him. She sighed and gently opened the door and closed it behind her.
