Rylann rushed around the apartment trying to find her missing high heel. She hadn't seen the missing shoe, since...since, well that's how long it had been since she wore them. She owned one pair and rarely ever gave their whereabouts' a thought, until she had no option about whether to wear them or not. Her form-fitting, backless black dress clung to her curves in just the right way. Her hair hung in her face, still undone, and she wore one black high heel. She quickly glanced at the clock as she rushed through the living room still on her mission.
"6:15!!! Dammit!" Rylann screeched as she continued her frantic search. "Jay help! He's gonna be back in 15 minuets and I'm still not ready!"
"Woo, chill...you can borrow a pair of mine, or Zan's?" Jayde attempted to calm Rylann's nerves. "You cool girl? You're acting all skitzy?"
"Yea, I'm fine...I just, I dunno, maybe I'm nervous?I mean we haven't been on a `date' in 6 months. And I just want to look perfect?" Rylann fidgeted.
"Sweetie, you look amazing! Relax, you could be wearing sweats and Benji would still think you're beautiful." Jayde gave a reassuring smile to her friend. "Now c'mon, let's get you some shoes."
Rylann and Jayde started toward the spare bedrooms when a soft knock came at the door.
"Is that him? Why would he knock?" Rylann whispered. Looking down at her self, her hand quickly grabbing at her hair.
"Chill, I doubt it's him, he wouldn't knock, he IS living here!" Jayde responded. "Go to my closet and look for some shoes, then have Zan help you with your hair. I will go answer the door...Relax Ry!"
Jayde turned and walked toward the front door, leaving Rylann to scold herself. `God why am I acting this way, its just Benji' she thought.
~*~
"Chill out, I'm coming!" Jayde screamed at the door as another knock was heard. She swung open the door, revealing someone she was not familiar with. "Can I help you?" she stared into the eyes of the mystery person.
"Ummm, yea, I think. Does Rylann Wilson live here?" a nervous female asked.
"Yea...just a sec." Jayde turned to shout in the direction she had left Rylann. "RY!!"
"Jay, she'll be out in a minuet, we're just finishing her hair!!" Zan screamed from her room.
"She'll be right out...um, do you wanna come in?" Jayde asked wearily.
"Yea, thanks." Jayde moved aside allowing room for the girl to come in. She watched her intently as she saw her carry in a suitcase. `How long's she planning on staying, we're outta rooms!" Jayde thought to herself. There was an uncomfortable silence between the two as they waited for Rylann. As Jayde was about to speak, Rylann entered the room almost on cue. Rylann stared in confusion, obviously expecting Benji.
"Amy?" she managed in a whisper.
"Hey Ry! Ummm...I hope you don't mind me just dropping by like this, it's just, you said the other day that I could stop by whenever I was in the city..." she answered, worried her sister would not like the `surprise'.
"Oh, sorry, you just, well I wasn't expecting you!" Her face softened as she engulfed her younger sister in a tight hug. "How long you here for?" She asked as they parted.
"Well...I am hoping for a while. I have been looking for a reason to leave, and when I finally heard from you the other day, I thought this was my ticket!" she smiled weakly.
"Wow, so Mom doesn't know, does she?" Rylann knew the story. It was how she had left. Sudden and quick. That was the only was to leave that hell. You look for your way out, and then make a mad dash. Amy nodded in response to her sisters' question. " Where are you staying?"
"Umm..." she began, nervous to ask her sister.
"Amy, you know you are always welcome with me!" She smiled. What kind of person would she be if she turned her sister away, especially since she knew what life at `home' was like. " We are a bit cramped though!" She laughed. Jayde smiled at Rylann.
"But this place is so big..." Amy started to say before she was drown out by the sound of 4 men entering the apartment.
"That's why!" Rylann laughed. The guys turned their attention toward the girls. Joel walked toward Jayde wrapping his arms around her petite frame. Benji stood back, looking at Rylann. Paul walked by, completely unfazed by the new person, while Billy stood starring at Amy intensely.
"Wow Ry, you look...incredible..." Benji gawked.
"Thank you Babe." She smiled at him, then at Jayde. "Amy, this is my finance Benji, his twin brother Joel, and Billy. That other guy who walked by was Paul. They are all in a band together. Guys, this is my younger sister Amy." Rylann introduce everyone.
"Oh, so your Amy." Benji said, as he remembered his conversation with Rylann about her very limited family.
"You've heard of me...." Amy answered shyly.
"Yea, Rylann...she speaks good of you." He smiled, trying to ease her uncomfort. Rylann smiled at her sister, and notice Billy standing behind her, eyes fixated.
"You ok Billy? You're quiet and look pretty spaced out?" Rylann asked.
"Huh? Oh yea, I'm fine..." he answered still staring at Amy. She grinned, seeing the obvious attraction. She turned her attention back to Benji.
"Babe, go get ready...reservations are at 7...and you're still not showered." Rylann said gently while kissing his cheek.
"Right...I can't wait to go show you off!" He kissed her quickly before scurrying off toward the bathroom.
"Well...I'm really sorry Amy...we are kinda outta rooms with the guys staying here..."
"She can stay in my room, I can sleep on the couch..." Billy chimed in.
"Are you sure... I mean, I don't want to kick you out of your room..."
"No, well you wouldn't be kicking me out, there is a pull out sofa in the room. As long as you don't mind sharing a room..." He asked, hopeful.
"Not at all, you were nice enough to offer me your room!" Amy smiled.
"Great, it's settled. Billy, would you mind helping Amy with her things?" Rylann asked. Billed nodded and grabbed one of Amy's bag's. "Amy...I'm really sorry to leave you, but Benji and I kinda have plans tonight. I am sure Billy wouldn't mind showing you around the city..." She said more as a question.
"I'm free tonight!" Billy smiled.
"Great. And Don't worry, he's not a complete psycho!" Rylann joked.
"I trust him" Amy smiled slightly. She grabbed her remaining bag and followed Billy to his room. Rylann retired to her bedroom to finish getting ready and to wait for Benji. Jayde and Joel headed out for a bite to eat with Paul and Zandria. Billy opened the door to his surprisingly neat bedroom wide.
"Here's the room..." he smiled. Amy passed him to get a better look around. She brushed against him as she entered, making his smile broaden.
`Hot girl staying in MY room!!" Billy thought to himself before following Amy to help her unpack...