(LA, California)
The tour had finally finished. Alanna was both relieved and sad. The tour had been a lot of fun and she would miss all the people she had worked with on a daily basis. Avoiding JC had become tiring though. They hadn't talked for the last couple of weeks and if anyone had noticed they hadn't said anything. She had come to terms with the fact that all they would ever have is that one night. The tour being over meant they would no longer have to see each other. Of course with Lance being her manager there would always be a connection between them and they would no doubt bump into each other from time to time, but no longer would they have the day to day awkwardness.
Now that the tour was over she also had the worry about what was going to happen next. Of course the first thing was the video but nobody could predict the success of her song. After the video was made she would go home for a break before a series of promotional activities that Lance had set up would start. Because Lance also had the group to worry about employees of FreeLance Entertainment would accompany her.
Today the wardrobe for her video had been chosen. Because the song was uptempo the dancers had also been included. Alanna was happy about that because she wouldn't have to go through the unknown experience alone.
The video revolved around Alanna confronting her "boyfriend" about what he really wanted from her. It was to be set in various locations including a club, apartment and beach promenade. The director, Lucas Morgan, had explained how everything would work over the 2-day shoot and that had put her at ease a little. She’d never realised how much actually went into making a video before.
Alanna was now back at the hotel hoping to get an early night ready for tomorrow's shoot. Her dancers had gone to a club because they weren't needed as early as her. The elevator doors opened and she stepped aside to let the occupants out. Looking up as the last person emerged she froze in shock. "JC what are you doing here?"
"I'm producing some songs with a group in a couple of days so there was no point in me leaving only to have to come back again," he rambled.
Alanna nodded. "I should be going," she said quickly and hurried past him into the elevator. When the elevator began moving she rested her head back on the wall. He still had the ability to shake her up. She had no idea that he was going to be there, Lance hadn't said anything. They had travelled to LA the day before to finish one last promotional day after the tour and then they were officially on their break. She had assumed that JC had left with the others that morning. Now that she thought about it he had been absent from the farewells the previous night. If she just kept away from him then everything would be fine. She would be on location most of the time anyway.
She went to her room and called her parents.
"Hello?"
"Hey mom."
"Hey sweetie how are you? You just missed your dad, he went to pick your brother up."
"Tell him I called will you?"
"Yeah I will. So how are things going?"
"Good. I met the director for my video today. I still can't believe this is happening to me."
"You deserve it honey."
"Thanks mom."
"So when will you be home?"
"In 3 days, fingers crossed. Unless anything else comes up I have a flight booked for then. It seems like plans always change in this business though so I'm not getting my hopes up too much yet."
"You're looking after yourself aren't you?" her mom asked worriedly.
"Yes mom. I'm going to get an early night tonight."
"You're eating right aren't you? What did you have for dinner?"
"Well I haven't exactly had anything yet," she admitted. There was no point in lying to her mom, she would see straight through her.
"Alanna! I want you to go and get something right this minute. You hear too many stories about people not eating right and collapsing."
Alanna rolled her eyes as she listened to her mother overreacting. The fact that she was still trying to look after her even though she was on the opposite side of the country made her feel good though.
"Okay mom I will."
"You promise?"
"Yes I promise."
"Good. I'll let you go now. I love you."
"Love you too. Bye."
She reluctantly pulled herself off the bed and took a quick shower before heading downstairs to the restaurant. She didn't feel like eating alone so she just ordered a quick snack to take away. While she waited she glanced around the room. Couples ate by candlelight and friends laughed together. She overheard a conversation at the bar.
"Don't you thinking you've had enough sir?" the barman asked cautiously.
"I've not had nearly enough," the customer laughed. "Another double please."
Alanna looked up. "JC," she whispered.
"Miss here is your order." She quickly paid for it and grabbed the bag before hurrying over to where JC was about to down something alcoholic. By the looks of it he'd had a few already.
"JC what are you doing?" she asked.
He looked sideways at her. "I'm drowning my sorrows," he laughed bitterly.
The barman caught her eye and gave her a pleading look. "Come on JC, let's get you back to your room."
"No I don't want to. It's too quiet in there, I can't sleep and all that leaves is thinking. I don't want to think," he slurred.
Alanna sighed. He wasn't going to make this easy. "JC you can't stay down here like this. People are going to recognise you."
JC snickered. "They'd think this was bad. What would they say if they really knew what I was like huh Alanna?"
Alanna closed her eyes knowing what he was talking about. "PLEASE JC, just do this one thing for me." She took his hand and tugged on it lightly to indicate for him to stand up. She was surprised when he began to rise. He stumbled slightly and she grabbed his waist to steady him. Yep he was definitely going to make this hard.
"JC just lean on me," she said shakily as she guided them out of the restaurant to the elevators.
When they got inside the elevator she held him up against the wall. She hadn't realised he was so heavy. She looked up at him and he had his eyes closed and an almost painful expression on his face.
When they reached the floor she was staying on she once again supported him as they made their way to his room. At least she hoped it was his room. It was the room he'd had the night before. She'd seen him entering it. She just hoped he hadn't changed once the others had left.
"JC where is your room key?"
"I don't know," he mumbled.
She was beginning to get frustrated with him now. He didn't have a jacket on so it must have been in his jeans' pocket. "Oh great," she muttered. With a deep breath she carefully slid her hand into one of his front pockets. Her hand immediately came into contact with something and she pulled it out. "Bingo," she said looking at the key card. She was thankful for finding it first time. She had no desire to be caught fishing around in a teen idol's pocket.
She slid the card into the slot and kicked the door open with her foot. She pushed JC into the room and onto the bed before shutting the door behind her.
Looking at him she noticed he was looking very pale. He sat up suddenly. "I don't feel too good," he said before diving off the bed and running to the bathroom.
Alanna's eyes widened. "Oh God," she said before running after him. She found him slumped over the toilet. He sat back against the wall and groaned. She passed him a glass of water and flushed the toilet.
"Why are you helping me?" he mumbled, his eyes still closed.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly. She walked into the bedroom and found a T-shirt and shorts for him to wear to bed. "Here," she said holding them out to him. "Do you think you can manage to change into these?"
He opened his eyes and nodded taking them from her.
She closed the door behind her and walked over to take a seat on his bed. She placed her head in her hands. She couldn't believe she had got into this. So much for keeping away. She couldn't have got much closer if she tried.
She looked up when the bathroom door opened. He still didn't look too good but at least he could hold himself up now.
"I'm sorry," he said. He walked over and crawled across the bed next to her before lying down.
"It's okay," she said quietly, looking down at the carpet.
"No it's not okay and you didn't need to help me after what I did to you."
"I couldn't just leave you there."
"Why? I left you."
She breathed in sharply and looked at him. His tired eyes were looking straight at her. "I don't want to talk about this JC. I think I should be going. I have an early start tomorrow."
"No please don't go," he begged. "I can't stand being in here alone."
Alanna debated what she should do. When it came down to it though she was too worried about him. He may go back down to the bar or be sick again. Reluctantly she agreed to stay.
"Thank you," he said, relaxing visibly.
"Why did you do this JC?"
"I can't stand to think about how much I hurt you," he admitted. She could tell the alcohol was still affecting him because his speech was still slightly slurred. "I got scared and I ran. Instead of hurting myself I ran but I ended up hurting both of us in the end. Now you'll never give me a chance."
Alanna gasped. He was drunk, he couldn't mean that.
JC grabbed her hand and pulled her down next to him. Her first instinct was to get away but then he began speaking again. "Please don't leave me Allie, I don't want to be alone anymore." He had his eyes shut but she saw a tear escape the corner of his eye. He also had a tight grip on her hand.
She felt her lip trembling. She wiped away the tear and brushed his hair back gently. How had her life got so complicated. If only he truly meant that. The hurt was too much right now though. Tonight she would grant his wish and stay by his side. She curled up and silently cried herself to sleep clutching JC's hand.
Chapter 24
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