Justin glanced shyly across at Lauren sitting on the couch opposite him. 'She's so beautiful', he thought to himself. 'And funny! She'd been the centre of the conversation for most of the evening and Justin was growing more and more intrigued by this dark featured girl with every story she had to tell.
Lauren glanced bashfully across at Justin and thought about how sweet he had been. Her uncle Johnny had told her various things about the group he managed and she recalled stories of the cocky, arrogant teenager he'd referred to but since she'd arrived and he'd opened the car door for her at the airport until he'd pulled her chair out for her at dinner, she'd changed her impressions of the tall, curly haired guy. 'It's nice to finally meet a guy my age not obsessed with looking macho in front of his friends. Not to mention how hot he is.' Lauren smiled to herself.
"Well, I'm beat", yawned Lance.
Yeah, me too. And we have a big rehearsal tomorrow don't forget guys", JC hinted.
"I take that as your hint that it's time for bed, huh Dad?" Justin replied sarcastically.
"Goodnight guys...and girls" JC added."Justin, Chris; you'll take care of these girls right?"
"That shouldn't be a problem", Justin beamed as his blue eyes met Lauren's.
Lauren stood and stared at the walls of Justin's room, filled with basketball shirts, posters and trophies. Her eyes settled on a larger than life poster of a scantily clad Janet Jackson and she smiled to herself.
"Ah...Justin?"
"Hmmm?"
"Where can I..ummm..get changed?"
"Oh...ummm..bathroom's two doors down on the left"
"Ok, thanks". By the time Lauren returned to the room, Justin was already settled on the mattress on the floor, his eyes closed and a contented look on his face. Lauren had to stand and stare at his angelic face for a few moments before sliding between the crisp sheets of the bed on the opposite side of the room.
"Goodnite Justin", she whispered as she switched off the bedside lamp.
"Goodnite Lauren", came the soft reply through the darkened room.
"You can change in the ensuite", Chris said as he prepared himself a bed on the floor of his own bedroom.
"Ah, no..it's ok. I'll sleep in my clothes", Amber replied, looking around at the scores of football memorabilia that decorated Chris' walls.
"Huh? Oh...ya wanna borrow something?" Chris enquired.
"No..I don't - " Amber began as she remembered this afternoons calamity.
"No...really, it's ok. I'm really sorry for the way I acted this afternoon...it's just...I.." Chris broke off as he rummaged through his chest of drawers.
"I understand", Amber said weakly. Chris gave her a puzzled look.
"I just got out of a pretty rough relationship myself", she explained. They stared at each other for a moment and Chris' lips finally broke into a slight smile, the first in weeks.
"Here, ya can change in there", he said as he handed her a t-shirt and boxer shorts and gestured towards the bathroom.
"Thanks", she smiled back. When she returned, Chris was already dozing on his makeshift bed on the floor. As she switched off the lamp and snuggled under the covers she was alone with her thoughts for the first time in hours. Two nights ago she had been cuddled up to her boyfriend in their own bed in her own familiar apartment and now she was alone in a strange bed with a mysterious guy asleep on the floor beside her. Finally Amber began to drift off into a much needed peaceful sleep.
