The One Chapter 9
Star woke up the next morning, alone. Then she remembered what had happened the night before, the nightmare, the kiss, and most of all, AJ's arms around her as she went to sleep. She shook her head, put her light robe on and went to the kitchen where Lisette was.
"Lisette, have you seen AJ?"
"Yeah, he left about an hour ago." Lisette stared at Star's sad expression. Her eyes went wide. "Why? What happened?"
"Nothing. I was just wondering where he was that's all." She sighed. "I'm going to call Isabel and see if she wants to go out today. Wanna go?"
It was Lisette's turn to sigh. "I can't! The rest of our stuff is coming today."
"Maybe next time, Lis." Star grabbed the phone and dialed Isabel's number.
"Iz, it's Star."
"Nothing. Listen, can you pick me up in about an hour?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Howie walked into the studio, confused. "Okay, Bone, why did you ask me to come here when we're already finished recording the album? I could've spent more time with my wife this morning!" He looked at AJ's face. "Man, Isabel can wait. What happened to you? You look like hell!"
"Star happened to me, D."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm in love with her, man."
Howie's eyes went wide. He shook his head and whacked AJ on the back of his head. "Man, you made me think it was something worse!"
AJ rubbed the area where Howie hit. "Ouch." He sighed. "I love her, D. I really do, but I don't think she feels the same way."
Howie laughed. "You never had problems getting the ladies."
It was AJ's turn to laugh. "I know that, but for some reason, I can't do that to Star. She's one of my best friends!"
"Man, she's changed you. Before you even met her, every time you saw a gorgeous girl, you'd flirt with her to no end to get her. Now, you meet someone who's meant for you, and you act like she's one of the guys!"
"So, what should I do?"
Howie clapped AJ on the back. "Just tell her how you feel."
AJ snorted. "Yeah, right, D! I know she doesn't have feelings for me. Not romantic ones anyway."
"She does. I saw the way she looked at you at the wedding."
"Really? You think she feels the same way about me?"
"I'm positive. Go tell her how you feel."
"I can't."
"Why not? You love her, don't you?"
AJ sighed. "I do, but it's not a good time to tell her."
"Why not?"
"She's having nightmares, D."
"What?"
"She had one last night. I spent the night in her room so she'd feel safe."
"You told me way too much. New subject."
"What is it?"
Howie sighed. "Well, Isabel has been acting really moody lately. She's tired too, but she says she's fine. I know that's not true!"
AJ scratched his head. "I don't know. Unless."
Howie's eyes went wide again. "Unless, what?"
"Do you think Izzy's pregnant?"
Howie shook his head. "We're not ready to have kids."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"He did WHAT?" Isabel screamed as she drove her silver Cavalier down the highway.
"Izzy, I'm telling you! He came into my room, kissed me, spent the night in my room, and he wasn't even there when I woke up this morning!"
"You know what I think?" Star shook her head in reply. Isabel sighed. "I think AJ has it bad for you!"
"He doesn't feel the same way about me."
"Stop acting like you're in high school! He likes you, you like him. Why can't you just swallow your pride and tell him how you feel?"
"Because I'm afraid of what he will say."
"Don't be. Just tell him. He loves you."
"Really?"
"Yeah! Everybody saw how he was looking at you at the wedding! The man is totally in love with you!"
"It's not a good time for me to tell him."
"Why not?"
Star sighed. "I had another nightmare last night. That's why AJ was in my room. That's why I can't tell him. Plus, I'm still trying to move on from my breakup with Robert."
"You're still having those nightmares?" Star nodded. "Man and I thought I had problems."
"Iz, it's no big deal. I can deal with the nightmares. They're apart of my past. Even though it's scary, my parents are in it and that's the last time I ever saw them."
Isabel sighed. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"I have a doctor's appointment today at 2. Can you come with me?"
"Why are you going to the doctor's office? Are you sick?"
She shook her head. "I think I'm pregnant."
Star looked at Isabel, shocked. "Really?"
"I think so." She shook her head. "You're going to come with me right?"
"Of course!" She smiled. "We're still going to the car lot right?"
Isabel laughed. "Yeah. We'll get you a car, go get something to eat and go to the doctor's office."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Two hours later, Star was the proud owner of a 1999 silver Mitsubishi Eclipse. "I'll meet you at the mall, ok?" Isabel said.
"Okay, I'll see you then."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Twenty minutes later, Isabel and Star were sitting in the food court, splitting an order of cheesy fries.
"Isabel, I want to be with him, but I can't bring myself to tell him how I feel. He's one of my best friends!"
"I can't tell him for you. That's not my area. I'm married, remember?"
She laughed. "Yeah, I remember. You're really lucky, Iz. Howie's a great guy."
"And AJ's right for you. You just have to trust him, and get over that scum, Robert."
Star sighed. "I know." She checked her watch. "We'd better get to the doctor's office."
Isabel agreed. They grabbed their things and left the mall.
"I'll meet you there!" Star called. She got into the car. "Maybe I should just tell him," she said aloud. She shook her head, turned the car on and left the parking lot.
Chapter 10
The One
Queen Li's Stories
Main
