JC and Alanna stared at their friends standing in the doorway. Justin, arms crossed over his chest with a knowing smirk and Ashlyn standing behind him, looking curious but nervously shooting her friend apologetic glances.
The bed companions looked at each other and back to their friends.
"It's not what it looks like," they cried in unison.
Justin started laughing. "Yeah sure guys. Don't worry we don't want the sordid details. That's more Chris and Joey's style. We just wanna warn you to be more careful in the future."
“Justin..."
"Don't be embarrassed JC, I don't blame you although I'm having doubts about Alanna's state of mind."
"Justin..."
"I won't hold it against her though. I hope you guys used protection."
"JUSTIN!"
"Yes JC?"
"SHUT UP!"
"Okay calm down."
JC, now sitting up, placed his face in his hands. "You two better come in so we can explain otherwise I know everyone in this hotel will know within 30 minutes of you leaving," JC said pointedly looking at Justin. "Are you just gonna stand there?"
"Well where do you want us to sit? There are no chairs, the floor isn't too inviting and I sure don't wanna join you in that bed. I don't know about Ash and Alanna but I ain't up for a foursome with you."
Ashlyn hit Justin over the head and dragged him to the edge of the bed. "Sit."
Justin reluctantly sat down.
"Okay go ahead," Ashlyn gestured to her friend and the pop star next to her.
"Okay I guess I'll try and clear this whole mess up. Not that I should have to explain to you Justin, it's none of your business. For Alanna's sake though you can know the truth."
Justin nodded.
"Alanna stayed back yesterday when you guys all went out, as you know she was ill. You know I wasn't that great either. So anyway I couldn't sleep so I decided to go pay Alanna a visit. Nobody else was around so she let me come in to bug her. We talked for a while and fell asleep okay?"
"Okay whatever you say."
"Justin get it in your thick skull, nothing happened."
"So what's the deal with you two all cuddled up then?"
Alanna decided to step in and help JC. "I got upset while we were talking. Some stuff from my past was brought up, things that affected me a lot. JC comforted me, that's all. He was my shoulder to cry on."
Alanna caught Ashlyn's eye. A silent exchange between the two friends occurred and Ashlyn immediately understood what had happened. She had finally shared her ordeal with someone else. Ashlyn knew how hard it must have been for her and suddenly felt a great deal of respect towards JC for helping her friend.
Knowing the reason why, Ashlyn knew she should leave. Justin was understandably confused about what had happened but she had to get him out of the room to spare any more questions.
"Come on Justin, I'm hungry. Come buy me breakfast."
"I don't wanna..." Justin stopped when he saw Ashlyn's eyebrows raise before motioning to his crotch. Damn. How long could she keep the blackmailing up.
"Okay Ash, breakfast it is."
When they were out in the hallway again Justin turned to Ashlyn. "What was that all about?"
"Just leave them alone Justin. Alanna went through a lot of things a while ago and she was hurt badly...emotionally, not physically. JC is the first person she's trusted with it other than me. I'm just glad that he could be there for her."
Justin realised that was all he was gonna get out of her. "Okay, just let me know if she ever needs any help okay?"
Ashlyn smiled at his kindness. "I will."
They headed to the elevator. "So breakfast still on you?"
~*~
The moment the door shut an awkward silence descended upon the room.
"Um...how are you feeling this morning?" JC asked.
"Better. You?"
"Yeah, it must've been a 24 hour thing."
Silence again. Alanna sighed. "Listen JC, thank you for last night."
"It's okay. I'm glad I could be there for you. Thank you for listening to me too."
"You're welcome, that's what friends are for."
Alanna smiled. "Wanna go get some breakfast? I'm starved."
"You read my mind. Meet you outside in 15 okay?"
"You're on."
~*~
(Orlando, FL)
"Oh it's so good to be home," cried Alanna.
"I know what you mean, I missed the sunshine," Ashlyn laughed.
The two girls were walking backstage at the arena they were due to play at that night.
"What are you going to do on the mini-break we have?" asked Ashlyn.
"I have no idea. Spend some time with the family I guess. I don't know what I'll be doing in the day while my parents are at work and Ryan is at school though.”
"Yeah that sucks."
" I understand though. Their whole lives can't stop for me. My parents both have a lot on at work and I told them not to take the time off. We'll still get to see each other plenty. They'll be sick of me by the time I leave."
"Girlies." Alanna and Ashlyn turned to see Chris barrelling down the hall like a maniac. He jumped on Alanna and tackled her to the ground."
"CHRIS," shouted JC as him and Justin approached.
JC offered Alanna a hand, which she gratefully accepted. She dusted herself off. "Thank you JC. Chris what was that for?"
Chris looked back with puppy dog eyes. "I'm sowee."
Justin rolled his eyes. "Anyway I just came to tell you that I'm having a few friends over tomorrow and you're invited. Well Ashlyn's not cos she's mean to me." Ashlyn stuck her tongue out at him. "I'm kidding. So you wanna come?"
"Yeah I guess, what time?"
"Come over about 3 pm and we can go in the pool as well."
"Okay then."
"I'll write some directions down for you later."
"Okay. Well we need to get going, I'm meeting my family for lunch."
"See ya later," the guy's called.
"Bye," the girls responded.
"So we're going to the Timberlake joint huh?" said Ashlyn as they headed towards the exit where Alex awaited.
"Looks that way."
"Do you know how much we could sell those directions for?"
"ASHLYN!"
Chapter 14
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