Chapter 8

The next morning I woke up to a heated argument between Nick and Donna. Not wanting to get involved, I kept my eyes closed and listened.

"Nick, what is she doing here?" Donna asked sternly.

"Amy and I were watching TV here last night and we both fell asleep. Nothing happened Donna calm down."

"You're going out with her, aren't you?" Donna accused. I could picture her pursed lips and her arms folded across her chest. "Because that's certainly the rumor around here!"

"We're not going out, Amy and I are just friends!"

"You know the rules Nickolas; no dating my employees. I'll be back up here in an hour to get you guys for your radio interview, and when I get back she'd better be gone!" I heard Donna stomp angrily away and slam the door.

"Hurricane Donna gone?" Brian asked as he stepped out of his bedroom.

Nick sighed. "Yeah. How the hell did she figure out that Amy was here? What, did she set up security cameras in our rooms?"

"No, actually that was mine and Kari's fault," Brian admitted sheepishly. "We uh...kinda were together in the girls' room last night-"

"But Brian, you were supposed to be with me last night!" Nick whined. I was tempted to "wake up" but I decided to wait a little longer.

"Nah Nicky, I told you the last time you weren't good enough. Anyway, we got up early to get breakfast and Kari noticed that Amy wasn't here. I said she was probably downstairs with you and Donna heard. After she bothered us for about 20 minutes and couldn't bust us because technically we're not going out yet, practically ran downstairs to yell at you."

After a little while I got tired of their idle chitchat about Brian getting lucky so I slowly opened my eyes.

"Morning sunshine," Nick said brightly. "You finally up?"

"So I'm lazy," I said, rubbing my eyes. "What do you care? Oh hi Brian, didn't see you there."

"Thanks a lot. Jeez, why am I always ignored?"

"It didn't sound like Kari was ignoring you last night." Nick replied.

"You mean you got lucky with Kari?" I asked, pretending to be surprised. "Damn that girl moves fast, considering you guys hadn't even kissed."

"Actually that's about all we did on the bus after she told me she liked me," Brian said shyly.

"I wonder why she didn't tell me that," I said more to myself than the guys. "I'd better go, I'll see you guys later!" After I gave Nick a kiss on the cheek, I went upstairs to talk to Kari.

"I'm back!" I called out as I entered our room. "Kari, where are you?"

"In here!" she called from her bedroom. I walked in and found her sitting on her bed. "So, I here you had some fun with Nick last night."

"Not as much fun as you and Brian," I replied sarcastically. "Whatever happened to your whole 'I'm waiting for the right person' speech?"

"Brian is the right person."

"Maybe but you guys aren't even going out," I pointed out.

Kari thought for a few moments. "You're right Amy. I'm going down to his room right now and demanding that we start going out!" She marched out of the hotel room and slammed the door. As I was looking for an outfit to wear a few minutes later, I heard the door reopen and Kari come rushing back in. "Amy you have to come with me! I got all the way to their door and I like, freaked!"

I sighed. "Fine, come on." Kari grabbed my arm and dragged me down the stairs.

Kari froze as she was about to knock on the door. "Amy I can't do it."

"Fine, then I will!" I knocked on the door and Nick answered.

"Hey girls."

"Where's Brian?" Kari demanded.

"He's in-" She shoved past Nick and ran into the room. "Brian!"

We got AJ instead. "Hey ladies," he said. "What's up?"

Kari ignored him. "Brian get your ass out here!"

"What the hell is going on?" Nick and AJ asked in unison.

"Kari thinks Brian's only using her for sex," I whispered to them.

AJ's eyes widened. "They had sex?" Nick and I nodded. AJ walked out of the room, muttering angrily.

By this time, Brian had come out. "Hey Kari, what's wrong?"

Kari rolled her eyes. "Like, what do you think's wrong? You're using me for sex Brian!"

Brian stared at Kari in disbelief. "Say what?"

"Don't try to pay Mr. Innocent Brian, it's like, not working. If you aren't just out for sex, and if you like me so damn much, then like, why the hell haven't you asked me out yet?"

"Because I was waiting for the right moment." Kari scoffed. "I'm serious Kari." He got down on one knee, took Kari's hand. "Kari, will you go out with me?"

"Yes!" Kari squealed happily. She pulled Brian up and they hugged.

"Awww!" Nick and I said in unison.

"Guys!" Howie panted as he and Kevin ran into the room. "Donna's coming you'd better get the girls out of here."

"Where are they going to go, there's no way out but that door!" Nick said.

"No, follow me!" Brian led us into his bedroom. "You girls hide in the closet and don't come out until we're gone." He gave Kari a kiss on the cheek. "See you guys later."

A few minutes later Kari and I heard the door open and Donna walk in. "Where are they?" she asked.

"What are you talking about Donna?" Nick asked innocently. "Amy left an hour ago."

"We'll see. Knowing Brian he probably hid them in his bedroom. In fact, I think I'll check." We could hear the footsteps getting closer.

"Shit Amy, what are we gonna do?" Kari whispered.

"I don't know." There were no clothes in the closet, so there was nothing to hide behind. "Just keep quiet and maybe she won't check in here."

"So Brian, where are you hiding them? Under the bed? Nah, that's been done to death. How about the closet?"

We could hear Donna getting closer and closer. "Why does this feel like something out of a stupid scary movie?" I thought.

Donna's hand was on the door and she was about to open it.

"Donna! Your cell's ringing!" Nick called.

"Shit!" She rushed out of the room and Kari and I snuck out of the closet.

"Look," I whispered as I pointed to a door near the back of the room. "We can get out that way." We ran out the door and shut it quietly behind us and bolted up the stairs and to our room.

"So who was it Donna?" Brian asked sweetly after she had gotten off the phone.

"No one important. Now come on guys, into Brian's room. I want you all to see when I catch those girls in his closet." They all followed as Donna entered the room and neared the door. "No one can fool Donna Wright!" She flung the door open triumphantly. "Come on out girls, you've been caught!"

"Um, Donna?" Kevin said, trying to stifle his laughter. "There's no one there!"

"What?!" Donna walked into the closet and looked around. "I could've sworn they were here! Those girls will answer to me, sooner or later."