| Chapter Six: One And Only |

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“Good, everyone is here,” the director surveyed the room the next day. “Smile people! Alright, what are we doing today? Ok, boys we’re shooting the performance pieces and the girls’ critiquing shots. Any questions? Good. Off to wardrobe, everyone.” He began ordering the crew next.

The routine was almost the same as yesterday as the girls were powdered and brushed and styled and then styled some more. Except instead of the more casual clothes of yesterday, the girls were dressed up in skirts and almost business like attire.

Malia lucked into a black skirt and cap sleeved shirt. Her hair was pilled into an elegant updo with her layers sweeping her face. Leighanne’s mane had been pulled into a fancy bun and Megan had been given a chin length flip.

Leighanne sighed. “I regret last night now,” she said to Malia, careful not to show any anger.

“Me too! And for more reasons than one,” Malia agreed. “Where’s Megan? Oh never mind, she’s right here. Ready to go into the main building?” she asked, once they had all been given a once over.

“Sure, why not?” On the way there they ran into the boys who were also all done up. The filming took until about seven that evening, with almost no breaks. Even Brian and Nick, famous for stirring up mischief and having a good time, seemed tired.

“I'm just worn out from yesterday,” Brian confessed in the parking lot. He began to tickle Malia, who was leaning against a tree. “See? She’s not even resisting.”

“Yes, I am. I'm passively resisting. See?” she held her hands up in the air. Brian grabbed them and yanked her over to the rest of the boys. She giggled but then told him, “Not today Brian.”

“Hey baby,” Brian called to Leighanne, who had just made her way across the lot. They’re together. Again. She observed.

“Well, since I need to make it back, and here it is already 7:39, I had better get going,” Malia said. “Tell Megan goodbye for me, please Leighanne.”

“Ok, will do!” she said brightly, glad to get Malia away.

“Ciao!” she waved and was gone. Leighanne quickly wrapped her arm around Brian’s waist and snuggled up to his side.

“You two seem to have become fast friends,” Leighanne remarked, making sure not to let any resentment show.

Brian looked at her oddly. Where’d that come from? He wondered. “I suppose so. She’s nice and we just sort of clicked. Why’d you ask?” he said, pulling her even closer.

“Oh no reason. It just seems every time I turn around I see you two together. I just wanted to make sure my best friend and best man, or rather, ‘boy’ aren’t going to run away together.” She gave a small, forced laugh.

Brian pretended to retch. “You know you’re the one and only,” he reassured her. Smoothing her hair he kissed her tenderly. She sighed contently. “Now we better get out of here,” he said checking his watch.

“I suppose you’re right,” Leighanne agreed. “I'm going to wait for Megan, since she’s staying with me. One more kiss?”

“One,” murmured Brian, just before he brushed his lips with hers.

“Make it count,” she told him, pressing hers back as she stood on tiptoe she whispered into his ear. “I love you forever.”

“I love you, Leighanne. See you tomorrow!” He shoved his hands into his khaki pockets and flashed her a wide smile.

“Bye!” she shouted, and then began waving Megan, who had just exited the building, over.

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Malia pulled on a pair of dark denim boot cut jeans. “Ahh!” she sighed, the laughed, considering she was home alone, except for Max. She grabbed her white tee shirt with the American flag off a chair and slipped on some comfy shoes. “Boy, this place is a mess!” she groaned. She swept the towels off the bed and floor and hung them up in her adjacent bathroom. Once in there, she grabbed her cosmetics and put them back into the case on the counter. She picked up her hairbrush and began absently running it though her hair. She carefully studied her reflection and heaved a long sigh. Don’t do this, her mind screamed. She pulled her hands away from picking at her face, but still mentally scrutinized her appearance. Walking back into her bedroom the cheerful décor did a decent job of lifting her sprits. The pretty, floral Laura Ashley bed spread and window hanging reminded her of spring. The pale lavender walls, her favorite color, also helped sooth her lonely mood. “Lonely, I'm so lonely,” she made up a hook. “Nope.” She shook her head, laughing again at her ability to have a conversation with herself. She propped up some photos on the dresser that was next to her bed. A lingerie chest and small closet contained the rest of her items. She threw some pillows onto her bed and strolled into the living area of her apartment.

By the table that seated four, a backpack lay. On a shelf above it laid her books. Near the table was a small kitchen. A greater mess lay there: today’s breakfast dishes, groceries to be put away, and miscellaneous papers cluttered the counter. Malia loaded the dishwasher and tacked up the important papers on her bulletin board, not even bothering to check most of them. Shoving the dry groceries into the cupboard she grabbed the Windex and started scrubbing. On the calendar that hung near the door Malia checked out the upcoming week. “Work, prep classes, and fun! Pool with Clara, Julie, and Megan, and the mall with everyone. Awesome!” she read as she rubbed a stubborn stain. Making her way into the den-like alcove she straightened up magazines, propped pillows, and quickly vacuumed. Drawing the shades she let in her dog, Max, a sheepdog, but he didn’t shed. “Awww, that’s my boy,” she sighed, rubbing his ears. He responded with many earnest licks. “I'm so sorry I have to leave you alone all the time,” she murmured, hugging his torso. She looked at the clock on top of the TV. “Nope sorry, baby, it’s too late for a k-l-a-w.” Max, an intelligent dog, had learned both ‘walk’ and ‘w-a-l-k’ meant something good. Spelling it backwards confused him-for now. She rubbed his ears one more time and danced into a small room off the kitchen.

Her reading and writing room was Malia’s favorite room. A deep midnight blue, she had painted the ceiling with silver stars and a moon. On a small table was a computer and phone. A floppy disk, containing backups of all her writing lay on the table as well.A comfy chair was stuffed into one corner, next to a wall over overflowing bookshelves. And avid reader, far above her reading level throughout school, classics such as “Anna Karenina,” a sixth grade favorite, and “Jane Eyre” vied for space. Also on that side of the room a cello laid on its side, and an acoustic guitar stood on a stand, next to a box of music. Playing cello in the orchestra, and guitar for fun, all sorts of music were heard in the small room. Broadway classics and pop acts, including the music to Backstreet Boys were frequently played, as well as the assigned pieces from orchestra class.

Sighing now that all her cleaning was done she flopped onto the couch in the main room. “Mom got me a really nice place,” she said, looking around. She smiled, thinking to her conversation with her that morning. The phone rang in the kitchen. “Speak of the devil . . .” She grabbed the cordless and hoisted herself onto the counter.

“Hello?” she chirped. “This is Malia.”

“Hey Malia,” Megan greeted her. “You know how we always talked about getting together as a big group and watching movies, staying up late, all that jazz?”

“Oh yeah! We should just do that already,” Malia replied.

“My thoughts exactly. So, here’s my next thought: Clara and Julie can do it this week. I called them first. Leighanne can, she’s sitting here next to me (Duh), so I was wondering, why don’t we get the boys to come?” Megan proposed.

“I don’t know . . . why not? But don’t get your hopes up.”

“Too late. Well, just ask them tomorrow. Should it be at your place?”

“Once again, why not? Sure,” Malia agreed. “How about Friday night?”

“Perfect. Look, I have to go now, but I’ll see you bright an early tomorrow morning. Ciao!” Megan hung up. Malia dialed an easy sequence-her parents. After informing her protective ‘rents that she was indeed safe and happy she went to bed.

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| Chapter Seven |