Smiling she said softly, “Let’s not get carried away, Johnny.”
His eyes narrowed at her until they were small slits, as if he was trying to
read into her thoughts. “How would you like to break the mold, Gab?”
Shrugging, she said, “I wasn’t informed that I was trying to fit a mold,
Johnny. Nor do I want to.”
Smiling, he triumphantly announced, “You have eight solid songs here,
Gabby. How many songs were you thinking for on your album?”
Thinking, Gabby intently rested her head in her hand, “I wanted 12 songs.
13 is bad luck... I’ve had enough bad luck that I care to have.”
“Can you write four more songs?”
Gabby shrugged, “Yes, sir. I can.... But what makes you ask.”
“A great deal of the pop artists today don’t write their own music. Now,
the critics would be enthralled with you if you wrote your own, Gabby. They’d
embrace you, not turn their backs and talk about you.”
Gabby nodded, “How’s next week? Next Thursday? That’s exactly one
week.”
“For your songs?” he asked curiously. A surprised look on his face.
Brushing a stray hair behind her ear, she returned to her days of
nervousness. “Ummm....is that...is that umm....too...late?”
An amused look crossed Johnny’s face, and he laughed, “No, I was
surprised you’d have them so soon. Very happy actually.” Opening his desk
drawer, he pulled out an envelope. He opened it up and took out a tape. “I just
received your demo. Tonight, the crew that is on is going to be making copies.
First, we’re going to target RCA, Sony Music, Epic Records. However, before
we send out a tape, I like to give it a personal touch. I always include a picture
of the artist- in this case you. Which means that there will be a photo shoot.
How does tomorrow sound to you?”
Smiling, Gabby answered, “Since Justin got me fired, it sounds great”
Johnny’s eyes widened, and he commented, “That boy needs to be put on
a leash.” After they both got over fits of laughter, Johnny closed the
conversation, “I’d like you to get a good nights sleep tonight. No working on
songs, and if Justin comes, tell the boy to go home. He can terrorize that cat of
yours another night!”
As Gabby got up, she replied, “Okay. I promise, Johnny.”
“Go home, Justin.” Gabby ordered.
She heard a groan, followed by Justin’s voice, “But Gabbbbbbbbby! I
brought pizza for us! Pepperoni. You know you like it...”
“I’m...a vegetarian!” she explained, making a false excuse.
He groaned once again and persisted, “Gabrielle Reynolds, we both know
that’s not true!”
Roughly, she pulled open the door, sticking her head out. Of course,
Justin had anticipated this, and had the pizza box ready and open.
Unfortunately, somehow, Justin had the pizza angled a little too high, and
Gabby’s head was a little to far down, and she ended up with a face full of pizza
sauce. She yelled, “Juuuuuusssstin! What are you doing?”
“Now I have to come in! Let me come in and clean your face off...”
By then, he was leaning against the door jam, and when she jerked open
the door, Justin fell in, also falling into the pizza.
That only sent Gabby into a fit of laughter, upon which she helped Justin
up.
“Now it’s my turn to clean you up Gabby. You’re a mess. Ya coulda
called me if you were that hungry. I woulda come sooner!” he said between
laughs.
Her face formed a frown, then she began, “Ya know Timberland...”
“Oh chill girl. Ya know you have pizza on your face?” Justin asked, still
humored by the events that had transpired.
“Timberland, I can clean myself up. I just took a shower, but why not take
another one?”
Pouting he protested, “But Gabbbbbby! I can do it! Besides, you still
have to get this pizza out of my hair!”
Frowning she then laughed, “Maybe you should think twice before taking
a pizza bath next time, Jus.”
“Well...maybe! But still. I need this washed out,” he argued.
Gabby shrugged, “Then, why don’t you go home and do it?”
Smacking his hand to his forehead, he yelled, “Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl! That is a
Mercedes out there! You can’t get pizza all over it!”
Gabby threw a towel in Justin’s direction, and ordered, “Put that on your
shoulders so your shirt doesn’t get wet.” Ignoring her orders, Justin pulled his
shirt off. Surprised, Gabby gasped, “Ack! Justin! What the.... warn me before
you do that next time.”
For a moment, should stood, mesmerized by him, then she snapped
herself out of it.
Pulling down the shower head, she soaked his head with water, flattening
his fro. She poured some generic apple shampoo into her hand and ran her
fingers through his head, scrubbing at his scalp. When Justin started making
noises of enjoyment, Gabby decided that was the end to washing his hair.
Instead of not saying anything, she spoke up, “Justin, enjoying this by any
chance?”
His head bobbed back and forth, shooting stray shampoo her way.
“Awww man, Justin! Did you ever hear of verbal communication? It works well!
Doesn’t shoot shampoo either!”
He turned his head when she wasn’t paying attention, and was greeted
with a face full of water. A possessed gleam caught his eye and he asked,
“Awww, scared of a little shampoo? It’s okay! I’ll make it all betta! Gimme a
hug!”
Before Gabby could protest, Justin wrapped his arms around her in a wet,
soapy hug. Gabby let out a loud groan, “Justtttttttttttttttin! Can’t you ever
behave?”
As hard as she squirmed, Justin held her tighter. Peering up into her
eyes, he asked seductively, “Why...Gabrielle Reynolds, are you afraid of me?”
That caused Gabby to expel a loud groan, as she struggled harder.
“Justin! Come on. This is not funny in the least! You’re all wet!” Gabby
exclaimed, somewhat angered.
With blue eyes that looked like pools of water, Justin gazed down at
Gabby. He leaned down until his forehead was resting against hers. “Gabby, I’m
so glad I found you.”
Something was in the air. Something was fated to happen. Gabby could
feel it with everything in her. Justin began to straighten up, and pulled his
forehead away. Then, ever so gradually, he began to lean down towards her.
That was something that Gabby was not ready for. Turning her head quickly,
Justin’s lips collided into her cheek.
“Gabby!” Justin exclaimed.
With a tender gaze, she said softly, “Justin, if Johnny finds out that you
were here tonight, I’m in for it. I made a promise to him, and I like to keep my
promises.”
Justin turned to look at her and took note of the degree of sincerity in her
eyes. “I’m sorry. In that case, I’ll go. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
Scared that she had hurt his feelings, as he was about to go, Gabby called,
“Justin!”
He turned around in the door way of the tiny bathroom, as she came
forward. Gabby wrapped her arms around him. As they held each together, a
shiver went through her. She whispered softly next to his ear, “Thank you
Justin. Thank you for being the best friend that I’ve ever had.”
Nodding, Justin pulled her back, “Don’t thank me, Gabby. Please don’t
thank me. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t care.” And with that, Justin turned and
walked out the door, leaving Gabby to her thoughts and the vivid memory of his
arms around her. It made her feel loved. It made her feel warm inside.
