"Laura, please tell me. I'm worried." I looked up into Brian's eyes. You
could read everything when you looked in his eyes. What he was feeling, and
pretty much what he was thinking. The blueness of his eyes were now dull, and
filled with worry. I touched his face gently. He took my hand away and held it.
"A friend of mine was in an accident. She's not doin' well, so I told Steph
that I would just skip the Cleveland and Cinni concerts, and you guys could
go. She said that she would just have Kevin switch the dates around." I
lowered my head and looked at the table. I had to fight back the tears that
were threatening to storm down my face. I wanted to cry, and I wanted Brian to
hold me while I did it. But I couldn't. I was to strong to cry, to brave. But
I was also scared. Scared that he wouldn't hold me, and I would find out he
didn't like me the way I liked him. Much to my surprise, Brian pulled me
close, and when he did that, I let the tears flow free. He rocked me back and
forth, and whispered soothing words into my ear. I stopped crying, but I
didn't want to let go of him. Everything seemed perfect, and I didn't want to
ruin the moment. Then he pulled away. I wanted to tell him not too, but my
phone rang before I could.
"Hello?" I asked
"Hey LO." Inessa said quietly.
"You in Columbus?"
"Yea, I can't talk for long, I'm about to leave the hotel and go to the
hospital."
"Yea, I better go to, I'll be there in like, a hour."
"OK."
"Bye." I hung up the phone and put my head on the table.
"What's wrong now?"
"Nothing, I just. I mean..." I sighed "All my friends are with Shannon now.
I'm not. I've only been one of her best friends since like, first grade! If
only I hadn't gone on this stupid tour..."
"I wouldn't have met you." Brian said, cutting me off.
"Brian, don't talk like that if you don't mean it."
"Laura, you of all people should know I do mean it. Remember I was the guy
who wanted to go out with you!"
"Yea, and I am the girl who made a big mistake by saying no!" I got up and
ran to my bunk. I was more confused than upset. I didn't know what to do, or
what to say anymore. I knew I liked Brian, I knew it! It was impossible not
to know, yet I blew it. I looked out my window. We were driving along a
country highway. I knew we had to be close to Columbus. I heard someone knock
on the side of my bunk.
"Yea?" I asked quietly
"Did you mean what you just said in there?" It was Howie
"What do you mean Howie?" I asked as I opened the curtain to my bunk.
"I heard everything. Do you like Brian?"
"No, I just said that because I like to lie and lead guys on! Of course I
meant it!" I yelled
"Laura, be quiet, you'll wake Angie. Tell him you like him. Everyone knows
Brian has a crush on you!" Howie said.
"Easier said than done." I mumbled
"Laura please, do us all a favor. You know if you don't talk to Brian, you
both will be moping around the bus.''
"But Howie.."
"Don't but Howie me. Go" Howie commanded. But then Angie woke up.
"Aunt Warwa, I don't feel good. And I had a nightmare." Angie called
"What doesn't feel good?" I asked, climbing down from my bunk. I pulled
back the curtain that covered her bunk.
"My tummy, and my head. I feel like I'm gonna throw up. I'm cold too."
Angie complained. I felt her head.
"Jesus Christ Angie! Howie, grab the thermometer." I said. Angie was
burning. Howie ran to the first aid kit and brought back the ear thermometer.
I stuck it in Angie's ear. "One-hundred friggen three! Howie, go get a bowl
of ice-water, and some towels." I picked Angie up and took her into the TV
room. "AJ, Steph, Stop making out and move over!" I yelled. I put Angie down
on the couch. Howie came in with the water and towels. I dipped one into the
bowl. "Angel, this is gonna be cold, but I need to but it on. OK baby doll?"
"OK." She said in a small voice. We put the wet towels over Angie, and her
temperature went down to a hundred. We had a half hour till we were in
Columbus. So I sat on the couch with Angie's head on my lap. I stroked her
head, and she soon fell asleep. I gently put Angie's head on a pillow, and
walked out to the Kitchen where the others were.
"Hey Howie. Thanks for helpin." I said
"No prob, you can help me." He said, looking at Brian.
"OK, I will, let me get dressed." I said with a sigh. I got my bag and
pulled out a tank top and shorts. I ran to the bathroom and threw them on. I
fixed my hair and put on some make-up. By the time I was down, we were in
Columbus, but still had a ten minute drive to Jake and Rachel's house.
"Hey
Brian. Can I talk to you?" I asked quietly.
"Sure, where though?"
"Let me move Angie to her bunk." I walked back and picked Angie up, then I
set her in her bunk. I walked back to the TV room and sat down. Brian came in
a minute later.
"What do you want to talk about?" Brian asked
"What do you think?" I said
"Us." He said with a sigh.
"There isn't an us though, there's only a you, and a me." I said
"What's that supposed to mean?" Brian asked. I looked into his eyes. Hurt,
confusion and fear were in them. I couldn't find the words to tell him what I
felt, so I leaned over, and kissed him deeply. His body tensed up, but soon
relaxed. He pulled me closer. I knew we had to be close to Jakes, and it took
all the energy I had to pull away from him.
go...
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