Ashlyn looked up from her place on the bed as Alanna barged into her room. "What have I done now?"
"What have you done now? Oh I don't know. Only making out with America's number one teen idol without telling your BEST FRIEND!"
Ashlyn winced as Alanna's voice rose. "It's not what you think Al."
"Why didn't you tell me? I had to find out from CHRIS of all people."
"Damn, I knew he'd blab."
"It's a good thing he did. Would I have ever found out if he hadn't told me?"
"Probably not," muttered Ashlyn.
"Well that's just great. Nice to know you trust me."
"It's not like that," Ashlyn defended. "And anyway, you won't tell me what's going on with JC."
"That's because there ISN'T anything going on with JC and me!" cried Alanna exasperated. "What is it with you and Chris? And you can stop changing the subject."
"Okay this is what happened. A couple of days ago when you and Lance had that business dinner me, Justin, Chris, Joey, Bekah, Ben and Daniel went to some club. There was this guy that wouldn't stop hassling me and to tell you the truth it was getting kinda creepy. Justin pretended to be my boyfriend and when the guy didn't believe him we kissed. It lasted all of 5 seconds Allie and it didn't mean a thing. Chris saw what happened and made a big deal about it. Justin told him to shut up and not tell anyone. I didn't tell you because as I said it wasn't a big deal and I knew you'd probably react in the same way Chris did. That's it, are you happy now?"
"I've got a feeling this kiss meant more than you're letting on." Alanna looked at her friend for any signs to prove this theory correct.
"No Alanna. It was just a friend helping another friend out. End of story."
"Okay I'll leave it at that."
"Good. So where have you been? Sorry we didn't wait for you this morning. We were all really hungry and we figured you'd want sleep in on your day off."
"I went bowling with JC and Chris."
"Bowling?" asked Ashlyn.
"Yeah."
"Who would've thought that's what pop stars got up to in their spare time," laughed Ashlyn. "Shouldn't you be trashing hotel rooms or something?"
Alanna sighed. "Not funny."
"So you really like him huh?" inquired Ashlyn.
"Who?"
"Oh don't play dumb with me. JC."
"Alanna for the last time there is nothing going on between me and JC!"
"You wish there was though," Ashlyn stated.
"You're incorrigible. What makes you think that he'd want me?" she asked her friend.
“Oh so that's what's wrong. You know I could get Justin to find out for you."
"Don't you DARE," an alarmed Alanna shouted at her friend.
Ashlyn laughed. When she saw the frustrated look on her friend's face she immediately stopped. "Al, tell me the truth. You do like him don't you?" inquired Ashlyn softly.
Alanna looked down and whispered so softly that Ashlyn could barely hear her, "maybe."
Ashlyn gave her friend a sympathetic look. "What's the problem then?"
"Nothing can happen Ashlyn. Even if he felt something for me, which I doubt, it still hurts too much." A tear escaped from Alanna's sad eyes.
Ashlyn brought her friend into a comforting embrace. "I know kiddo, I know."
After a few minutes of silence Alanna drew back. "Thanks," she sniffed.
"No probs hon," smiled Ashlyn. "Bekah should be here in a minute. Why don't we have a girls only trip? It's only 2 pm, there's plenty of time."
Alanna smiled. "You're on."
~*~
Several hours later the girls had returned to the hotel weighed down with bags. "Man that was fun," said Rebekah.
Ashlyn laughed. "Yeah even if it didn't turn out to be a strictly girls only trip." The girl turned to see Alanna's bodyguard looking worn out and carrying yet more bags.
"Oh come on it wasn't that bad Alex," Alanna chuckled.
"Never again are you going shopping Alanna, never again."
"Hey did you buy me a present?"
The girls looked up to see Chris barrelling down the hall towards them. He hovered around the bags. "Down boy," chided Ashlyn.
"Sorry Chris, didn't get you a thing unless you want to model the latest range from Victoria's Secret," smiled Alanna.
"VICTORIA'S SECRET?" Joey came running to meet the girls. "Lemme see, lemme see!"
Justin, JC and Lance came down to see what all the fuss was about.
"What's going on," asked Justin.
Chris filled the new arrivals in. "They went to Victoria's Secret and Joey wants to inspect what they bought."
"Oooh," with an evil smirk on his face.
"Where's the bag," asked Joey impatiently.
Ashlyn and Rebekah pointed behind them to a red faced Alex who clutched the bag. "She made me," sighed Alex pointing at Alanna.
Justin laughed. "How could you Alanna?"
Alanna laughed along with him. "Not only did I make him carry the bag, I ALSO made him go in there."
"Evil, pure evil," said JC.
"You should have seen his face." Alanna gasped for breath. "He...he didn't know where to look." The 3 girls burst into a fit of laughter remembering what had happened earlier on in the afternoon.
Joey sneakily tried to grab the bag during the commotion. Alanna spotted him though and quickly snatched the bag before he could reach it. "You gotta move faster than that Joe," smiled Alanna.
"Yeah the only person who gets to look at Alanna's underwear is JC!" shouted Chris.
All eyes turned to Alanna and JC. Chris' remark had been an obvious reference to what had happened that morning in Alanna's room. To everyone else though it hinted in a different direction.
JC and Alanna both blushing furiously searched for something to say. JC finally spoke up. "Dead Chris...you're DEAD!" With that Chris' eyes widened before he turned and sprinted down the hallway with JC fast on his trail.
"You better run old man and you better run FAST!" JC could be heard saying as the men turned the corner."
The remaining people all turned to look at Alanna. "I'll be going I think." She snatched her bags away from Alex and quickly entered her hotel room. "Yep JC is right. Chris sure better run, cos if JC doesn't kill him then I'll be there ready and waiting," muttered Alanna.
Chapter 10
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