Eleven:
“Don’t ask, Sarah,” Stacy said as she started the car.
“But Stace-”
“No! Just leave it alone!”
“Stace, what is wrong with you? Is it because I left?”
Stacy sighed as she maneuvered her way trough the remaining cars and pedestrians in the parking lot. “I should have known you wouldn’t listen. No, I’m not mad at you, but if you’d been there . . . if you’d seen what I saw . . . then you would understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Chris. And HER.”
“Who? Gina?”
“Yes, assuming that’s really her name.” Sarah simply looked at her, patiently waiting for the rest of the explanation. She didn’t have to wait too terribly long. “He was all over her, Sarah. He stopped talking to me to go ‘save’ her from Lance and Joey and he ended up with her practically in his lap.”
“Well they’re all friends,” Sarah started, but Stacy was adamantly shaking her head.
“She’s staying in his room.”
“What?”
“He told her he forgot his key and she pulled one out of her pocket and said he better let her in. I know I shouldn’t be so upset because at least he’s happy, but . . .”
“But you are upset.” Stacy nodded, brushing away a stray tear which she would never had admitted was there. They rode in silence the rest of the way. Sarah was starting to think Stacy wouldn’t even come in, but she did, muttering something about there always being the chance to jump Lance or Justin.
It was exactly ten minutes after their arrival that JC and Sarah disappeared into his room, leaving Stacy to amuse herself. There wasn’t much to do. Justin had disappeared, cell phone glued to his ear, talking to Britney of course. Joey had gone to call and check on Briana. Lance had been making polite conversation when he got a business call that he “Couldn’t afford not to take.” Steve and Wade were eating. She hadn’t seen Chris at all. She heard the elevator doors open and turned, bristling at the sight of the person stepping off.
Gina smiled and opened her mouth to say hello, but Stacy glared at her and turned around. She shook her head in confusion and stopped at the door to Chris’ room, pounding on it. It swung open and she was jerked inside so quickly she almost fell down. Stacy had turned back around in time to see that and she headed for the elevator.
“Chris, what was that all about?”
“I, um, uh . . . is Stacy still out there?”
“Yeah. I don’t think she likes me very much.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Oh, let’s see, maybe it’s the ‘go to Hell’ looks or the pointedly ignoring my presence. So, why are you hiding in here?”
“Oh, no reason.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him. “Christopher,” she said in a warning tone, arching a brow. Chris stared at the floor.
“I’m scared,” he mumbled.
“Of what?” He mumbled his answer and she honestly had no clue what he’d said, but she knew what it was about. “You really like her, huh?”
“Yeah. I do. A lot. I really like her.”
“OK, Chris, I get the point. It’s not gonna do you any good to stay in here when she’s out there. We’re leaving tomorrow. Take this chance.”
“But . . .”
“Chris, just talk to her. I know it’s been a while, but you have talked to women before, and asked them out.” She shoved him out in the hall. Within two minutes, he was opening it again. “What are you doing? Go talk to her.”
“I can’t. She left.”
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