ON THE ROAD
It was now the next day and the bus was headed all the way across the country. The opening concert had been in Atlanta but the rest of the tour would start on the west coast and work its way back across. It was about noon and Sukari had yet to emerge from the sleeping area. Alyssa couldn’t believe she had been that upset over a stupid bunk. Oh well, it didn’t matter, as long as she still did what she was supposed to.
Alyssa glanced around the room. The Mikes were napping and the rest of the backup dancers were in the back watching a movie. It was just her, Bree, and the guys in the front of the bus. Bree was playing a video game with Trevor and Ashley, Erik was making a sandwich, Jacob was working on his lyrics, and she and Dan were playing chess.
“Checkmate.” Alyssa spun around, startled at the sudden sound of Dan’s voice.
“Huh?” Dan pointed to how his pieces had totally blocked her king. She looked down at where he was pointing. “Hey, no fair, I wasn’t even paying attention!” He laughed.
“I know, that’s why I did it,” he said with a smirk. She picked the pillow up off the chair she was sitting in and threw it at him. He laughed and threw it back.
“No fair, I don’t want to play anymore!” she pretended to pout and crossed her arms over he chest. Jacob looked up from where he was writing, a small smile played across his face. He had to admit, she really did look cute like that.
Alyssa turned and saw Jacob smiling at her. He immediately dropped the smile and looked back down at his writing. Alyssa just shook her head. He could try and fake it if he wanted but she knew he had been smiling at her.
“What?” Dan asked. She looked back at him.
“You didn’t see that?” He looked mildly confused.
“See what?”
“Jacob.”
“What about him?”
“He was smiling at me.”
“Oh he was, was he?” Dan looked over at Jacob who seemed to be absorbed in his writing. He smirked. Looking back at Alyssa, he said, “I believe you.”
“You do?” He nodded. “But you didn’t even see him do it.”
“Yeah well, he always appears to be very absorbed in his work when he doesn’t want to be caught.” Alyssa laughed.
She turned her attention to the video game Bree, Trevor, and Ashley were playing. Ashley was currently watching as Trevor and Bree raced. He had been playing with them but was sitting back now because Trevor had offered a challenge. Surprisingly, it looked as though Bree was winning. However, Alyssa knew Trevor had to be letting her win. Bree had never been very good at racing games. Not being much better herself, Alyssa had always beaten Bree when they played. Bree crossed the finish line first and socked Trevor in the shoulder.
“What did you do that for? You won, there’s no need for it.”
“Yeah, but you let me win.” Trevor looked shocked and offended.
“I did not!” he said, sounding surprised.
“You did too. Ask Alyssa. She’s really no good at this game either but she beats me all the time. That means I really suck.” Trevor laughed and Bree smiled.
“Okay, you caught me, I let you win.” Bree frowned.
“Why?” she asked curiously. Trevor blushed and looked down at his hands. She looked at Ashley.
“Isn’t it obvious,” he said and got up. She still looked confused. “He likes you.” Without another word, Ashley disappeared into the sleeping area. A moment later, Trevor got up and ran after him.
“Oh, I’m gonna strangle him,” he said as he too disappeared into the sleeping area. Alyssa looked at Dan.
“What was that all about?”
“You know how Trevor’s shy right?” Alyssa nodded. “Well, it really comes out when he likes a girl. He chokes up whenever he tries to tell her so, Ashley saved him the trouble and did it for him.”
“And now Trevor wants to kill him,” Erik added, coming over and sitting down at the table. He took a bite of his sandwich and stuck a chip in his mouth.
Just then, Mike M. appeared, emerging from the sleeping area, still looking tired. “What just happened?” he asked. “I was taking my nap and then all of a sudden, I heard Trevor yelling. Why is he mad?” Dan smiled at him.
“Trevor’s not mad, he’s just upset because Ashley told Bree that Trevor liked her.”
“Why would he think that?” Mike asked. It was Bree who answered him.
Because, he let me beat him at a race and when I asked him why, he just blushed and looked down at his hands. I looked at Ashley for an explanation and he said Trevor liked me. Then he disappeared into the sleeping area. A moment later, Trevor got up and followed him, saying something about strangling him. That’s when you came out.” Mike just shook his head.
“Well, so much for my nap.” Mike C. stepped out of the sleeping area then. He held Trevor by the arm.
“I thought I’d separate them,” he said. “I sent Ashley into the back to watch the movie with the dancers and I’m bringing Trevor out here.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea!” Jacob said sarcastically. Mike C. frowned. “Before you ask, Trevor was upset with Ashley because Ash told Bree that Trev liked her. If you put Trev out here where she is, he might be a bit on the uncomfortable side.”
“Basically, he thinks you should’ve put Trevor in the back and brought Ashley out here,” Erik said. Dan looked at Jacob.
“What?” Jacob asked. Erik looked between the two, a confused expression on his face.
“Yeah, what?” Erik asked, focusing his gaze on Dan.
“I don’t think putting Trevor in the back is much better. Pretty girls shy him up and there are five of them back there.”
“Exactly the reason why Ashley shouldn’t be back there,” Jacob said. The three of them glanced at each other and then made a dash for the back of the bus. The Mikes shook their heads, Alyssa blinked, and Bree looked mildly surprised. Trevor, who was still being held by Mike C. fidgeted a little. He looked as though he was uncomfortable.
Dan, Erik, and Jacob barged through the door to the back of the bus. Dan had said five because he had forgotten that Sukari had yet to emerge from her bunk. So, there were only four girls back there. Sure enough, Ashley sat in the middle of all of them. The two guy dancers had been shoved to the side of the room.
“What’s up guys?” Ashley said with a smile. Jacob smacked his forehead. Dan wiggled his way in between the dancers, grabbed Ashley by the arm, and dragged him to the door. Erik was smirking. “What are you doing?”
“Saving these girls from perv-ville,” Dan said. Jacob opened the door again and Dan dragged Ashley out. He threw him on his bunk. “Stay!” he said before returning to the front of the bus.
“Sorry about that, girls,” Jacob said in a rather bored voice.
“I’ll stay here to make sure Ash doesn’t try to sneak back,” Erik said. Jacob nodded and left the room. Erik made himself comfortable on the floor. The dancers giggled. The two guy dancers rolled their eyes. Erik pretended not to notice.
Sukari had heard Dan yelling at someone. She poked her head out of her bunk, just as Dan disappeared into the front of the bus. She glanced down the narrow aisle and saw Ashley stick his head out too. He stuck out his tongue at the door to the front of the bus. Sukari couldn’t help smiling when he did that. Ashley’s eyes fell on her and she quickly pulled her head back in her bunk. He looked mildly confused before he disappeared back into his own bunk.
Trevor sat kind of awkwardly on the couch. Bree was next to him. She had turned off the video game and had gone to get a book. She now sat on the couch with her legs crossed, reading. Dan had returned to his spot at the table, across from Alyssa. The two of them had started another game of chess. Mike C. was on his cell phone yet again. Mike M. sat looking over some documents. Jacob entered and shut the door to the sleeping area behind him.
“Where’s Erik?” Dan asked, not looking up from the chess board.
“He stayed back to make sure Ashley didn’t try to sneak back in. I believe we can trust Erik alone with those girls.” Dan nodded. He still didn’t look up from the chess board. Jacob took the seat that Erik had left vacated. He frowned at Erik’s partially eaten sandwich. Dan finally looked up at him.
“Maybe you should take that to Erik,” Alyssa said. Jacob looked at her for a moment. “Oh come on, you can’t be that disgusted, it’s on a plate.”
“I’m not disgusted. I just don’t see why I should be responsible for his sandwich!” Alyssa laughed as she moved a pawn forward. “What’s so funny?”
“You are Jake,” Dan said, trying not to laugh himself. Jacob looked from Alyssa to Dan and back to Alyssa again. She nodded.
“I don’t see how it’s funny.” Dan sighed.
“Oh Jake, you put yourself out to be so selfish sometimes.” Jacob just looked at him.
“I do not!” he finally said, although he was smiling. Dan playfully hit him on the shoulder. Jacob pretended to be offended. “How dare you!” Dan laughed.
“Oh Jacob, you never fail to make me laugh sometimes.”
“That’s because he’s more serious than anything,” Trevor said from the couch. Jacob and Dan both looked at him. Although he was speaking to them, his eyes were on Bree. Jacob and Dan looked back at each other and grinned. Dan looked back at Trevor who was still staring at Bree.
“Hey Bree,” Dan said. She looked up and smiled at him.
“Yeah Dan?”
“Can I talk to you for a second, I mean privately?” She looked mildly surprised but nodded. She put the book down and got up. Trevor grabbed her arm. She looked down at him.
“What is it Trevor?” Bree asked sweetly. Trevor blushed and she smiled.
“Where are you going?” He obviously didn’t hear Dan ask to speak to her.
“Dan wishes to speak to me for a sec. It won’t take long, I’ll be back.” Trevor frowned.
“But I don’t want you to go speak to Dan for a sec, I want you to stay here with me.” Alyssa smiled. Bree looked at him and then back at Dan. Dan smiled also and shrugged. Bree looked puzzled.
“Don’t you need to speak to me?” she asked. Dan shook his head.
“No, I just said that to see what Trevor would do.” Bree smiled and Trevor glared at him. “Judging by his reaction,” Dan went on, “I would say it’s clear that he likes you.” Trevor now looked as though he wanted to strangle Dan.
“Pipe down Miller, before I attempt something I might regret!” Trevor said warningly.
“I’m so scared,” Dan replied sarcastically. “Trevor, you couldn’t hurt a fly!” Trevor just glared at him again. Dan laughed. Jacob smiled and Trevor turned his glare on him.
“He’s right you know. You’re too gentle to hurt anything. I bet it’s why you were only yelling at Ashley. Besides, if you could hurt us, you wouldn’t. We’re some of your closest friends. You know you’d never forgive yourself if you hurt one of us.” Trevor sighed.
“Yeah, you’re probably right, Jake, I would never forgive myself. Why do you think I said I might regret what I did to Dan if I did it? I’m such a softy. I really need to learn to be more tough.” Jacob laughed.
“I like you the way you are,” said Bree suddenly. She had resumed her seat next to him on the couch. Trevor looked at her. She nodded. He smiled, blushing lightly.
“Does that mean you’ll go out with him?” Dan joked. Trevor glared at him again. Dan just smiled. “Relax dude, I’m only playing.” Trevor still glared at him for a moment.
“Sure,” Bree suddenly said, grabbing both guys attention. Dan was looking at her with curiosity but Trevor was gaping.
“What did you say?” he surprised himself by managing to ask.
“I said sure, I’ll go out with you.” She kissed him on the cheek before getting up and disappearing into the sleeping area, leaving Trevor in a state of shock.
“What did she say?” he asked Dan after several moments. Dan grinned but didn’t reply.
“She said she’d go out with you, dude,” Jacob said. He had gotten up and was taking Erik’s sandwich to the counter in the little kitchen.
“That’s what I thought,” Trevor responded. “So, what just happened here?” Jacob smiled at him. He walked over and put a hand on Trevor’s shoulder.
“Dude, I’m not sure but I think you just got yourself a girlfriend.” He walked back over to where he had been sitting and sat down again.
“I just got myself a girlfriend?!” Trevor cried, touching a hand to the cheek where Bree had kissed him. Jacob nodded. Trevor sprang up from the couch. “Then what the hell am I doing just letting her kiss me on the cheek?!” He ran to the door that led to the sleeping area, pulled it open, and dashed inside. Both Mikes looked up and shook their heads. Dan shrugged and took Alyssa’s bishop with his knight. Jacob just sat there watching them play, a smile on his face. Alyssa wore a small smile but that was about it.
Trevor pushed open the curtains to Bree’s bed. She was putting her book away and looking for another one. She jumped when she heard the curtains open. Her head whipped around and she let out a sigh of relief when she saw it was only Trevor.
“Trevor,” she said, clutching a hand to her chest, “You scared me.”
“Sorry,” he replied softly. “Can I talk to you? I mean alone?” Bree smiled. She could tell he was nervous.
Sure. Why don’t you join me on my bed,” she said, tapping the spot beside her. Trevor hesitated a moment and sat down. Bree pulled the curtains shut. “What’s up?” Trevor gulped. He looked down at his hands and took a deep breath.
“Well,” he began, looking back up at her, “I wanted to ask you…” He paused.
“What is it Trev?” Bree asked gently. He sighed and took another deep breath.
“Did you mean what you said back there?” Bree looked mildly confused. “When you said that you would go out with me, did you mean it?” he asked again with a more direct approach. She smiled at him.
“Of course I did. Why? You don’t want me to go out with you?”
“No, no, no, no, that’s not it at all. I just couldn’t believe you would do something like that so quickly. I mean you hardly know me.” Bree laughed.
“Well, that’s the best way to get to know someone. You spend more time with a boyfriend or girlfriend than anyone else besides your family, right?” Trevor nodded. “Besides, you’ve always been my favorite. I couldn’t be happier that you’re interested in me.”
“You couldn’t?” Trevor asked surprised. Bree nodded. “So, did you want me to make this official?” Bree laughed again.
“Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to make it official to the public, but if you want to make it official for us, you can.” Trevor nodded.
“I agree. The public is not a good idea right now.” He looked down at the comforter. Bree bent her head down so she could see him.
“Trevor?” she asked curiously. Trevor didn’t say anything. “Trevor?” she asked again. Trevor still didn’t say anything. However, this time, he did something. He brought his hands up to her head and pulled her to him, touching his lips to hers. Bree was surprised but she did not break away from him. Instead, she deepened the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. Trevor’s hands slid down to her waist and gently wound around it.
That sat there that way just kissing when suddenly, Bree’s cell phone rang. She groaned and pulled away. Trevor watched with pleading eyes as she picked it up and answered.
“Hello?” she said in a bored voice. A moment later, her eyes got very wide, then narrowed with anger. ‘Why are you calling me Rion?”
“Who’s Rion?” Trevor asked quietly. Bree ignored him. That was okay though, he figured she hadn’t heard him.
“No Rion, it’s over! Now don’t call me again!” She slammed the phone shut so hard, Trevor jumped. She looked at the floor, breathing heavily because of her anger.
“Perhaps I should go,” Trevor said, starting to pull open the curtain. Bree grabbed his arm and he stopped. She raised her head and looked at him.
“No, please don’t go,” she said and Trevor was surprised to hear how soft and calm her voice was. “I need you right now.”
“Who’s Rion?” Trevor asked again in a gentle voice.
“He’s my ex-boyfriend. I broke up with him because he hurt me, really bad. He keeps calling me, begging me to take him back. I never will though, never.”
“Then maybe we shouldn’t start a relationship now. It sounds like you’re not ready.” Bree looked at him sadly but nodded.
“I guess you’re right, I’m sorry.” She looked down at her feet. Trevor put on finger under her chin and lifted her head so he could look in her eyes.
“Don’t be,” he said softly. “I understand. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. But when you are, I’ll be waiting.” He kissed her on the cheek and got up to leave the bunk.
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