ONE WEEK LATER
They had just left another venue and all was well. No one had gotten suspicious when they had found Jacob emerging from Alyssa’s bunk the morning after they had their fun. They had just assumed he had stayed with her to make sure that she would be okay. What they did notice though, was that he seemed to be even happier than usual but they didn’t think much of that either, they just wanted to enjoy it while it lasted.
On another note, everyone seemed to be paying more attention to Trevor and Bree anyway. They were always really buddy-buddy with each other and people could tell they were flirting. When they had a day off, sometimes Trevor would hold her hand while they walked or put his arm around her shoulders or waist. He smiled at her a lot and she often smiled back. Everyone could see sparks flying and they knew there was a connection there. Alyssa hoped things would go through and she also hoped that Rion wouldn’t try to get in the way again. So far, so good, he hadn’t called since the day when Bree and Trevor kissed for the first time.
It was late and everyone else had gone to bed. Trevor was sitting up watching television with the volume on low. He didn’t know why but for some reason he wasn’t tired even though they had just finished another huge concert. He had a lot on his mind and he just wanted time to himself to think about it. Mostly, it was about Bree and where their relationship was going. He wondered if she was ready to make that step to becoming a couple, only official in their little group of course but a couple all the same.
Trevor was so engrossed in what was on TV and lost in his own thoughts, he didn’t realize someone enter the front of the bus and sit down next to him. The person put a hand on his shoulder and he jumped. He spun his head quickly to see Bree smiling at him. She laughed light and he smiled back. Putting his arm around her, he turned his attention back to the TV. She snuggled into him and he kissed her on the top of the head.
“Trevor?” she asked quietly after a few minutes of silence. He looked down at her and smiled.
“What sweetheart?” he asked calmly. She didn’t respond. Instead she lifted her head up to his and gently kissed him on the lips. His eyes shut as he returned and deepened the kiss. Her arms flew up around his neck and his found their way around her waist. That sat there that way for several moments, just kissing and enjoying in each others embrace. Finally, they pulled apart. Trevor looked at her and smiled the warmest smile he had ever given anyone. “Does this mean you’re ready to be mine?” She nodded and snuggled back into him. He kissed her on the top of the head again and laid his head to rest on top of hers. They eventually fell asleep in that position and didn’t move all night.
THE NEXT MORNING
It was unusual for him but Ashley found himself the first one awake the next morning. He slid out of his bunk and went into the bathroom at the back of the sleeping area. He didn’t bother to shower yet as he felt it was too early. Besides, he was going to let everyone else shower first like usual because he took longer than anyone on the bus, including the females. He brushed his teeth and washed his face. Drying it off with a towel, he opened the bathroom door and headed out to the front of the bus to get something to eat.
He was still drying his face off on the towel and wasn’t watching where he was going so you can imagine his surprise when he bumped into someone. He put the towel down to see Lorelai standing in the door. She looked surprised and had a hand to her chest. She smiled weakly when he saw her and he smiled back.
“I’m sorry Lorelai, I wasn’t watching where I was going. I didn’t mean to run into you. You’re not hurt are you?” She shook her head and laughed.
“It’s not the fact of being hurt that surprised, it’s just the fact that you ran into me in the first place,” she said cheerily. “I didn’t expect you to be up at this hour Mr. ‘I like to sleep in until the last minute’.” It was Ashley’s turn to laugh. She smiled at him. “So, what are you doing up at this hour anyway?”
“I know just as much about as you do. I don’t have any idea why I’m up so early. I guess God must have something to do with it. There must be something that’s bound to happen this morning.”
“Oh, like what?” Ashley thought for a moment. Then a grin spread across his face.
“Like this,” he said, leaning in and kissing her lightly. She was taken by great surprise but she didn’t pull away. Her eyes fluttered shut at the end of the brief kiss and a smile lit up across her face. He pulled away and smiled back at her.
“What was that for?” she finally managed to ask.
“I’ve liked you since the first day I say you. Something in my mind just clicked. I knew I wanted to take that chance but I wasn’t sure of much of anything because my relationship with Shelly was still on again off again. So, I didn’t know what to do.”
“What happened to make up your mind?” she asked softly.
“Shelly called me a few days ago. She said she thought it better that we just remain friends since if we kept trying to make this work, the on again off again stuff would never end. She said she was sorry but I told her she didn’t have to be, I understood perfectly, and I did too. She said she hoped I found that special someone and that she would be right by my side the whole relationship, giving her support. I told I thought I may have already found the right girl and she was actually happy to hear I was ready to go into a fresh and new relationship. She wished me luck and well, here I am. So what do you say Lorelai, would you take a chance with me?” He smiled kindly at her and she blushed.
“Well, you see Ash, I have a confession to make,” she said finally. His face fell.
“You do,” he asked in a quiet voice. She nodded. “What’s that?”
“Just that, well, you’ve always been my favorite member of O-town and I always dreamed of being with you. But I didn’t know if you would even consider going out with an Asian.” Her hands were clasped in front of her and her head was down. Her long silky black hair hung down over her shoulders and Ashley thought she looked absolutely beautiful even though she was still in her pajamas.
“Are you kidding me?” he asked softly. “Asians are some of the most beautiful people on the planet. I’ve always wanted to date one and you,” he put his hand under her chin and lifted it up so he could look into her eyes, “Are perfect,” he finished, once again bringing his mouth down to meet hers. Her hands wound up around his neck and this time the kiss was deepened.
“Whoa! Didn’t see that one coming,” said a sudden voice behind them. Ashley and Lorelai broke apart and turned around to see Erik standing there, his mouth open in surprise. He quickly shut it. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?” he said in a falsely sweet voice. Ashley grabbed the pillow of off Lorelai’s bed as it was the closest thing to him and hit Erik with it.
“Yeah dung brain, it’s called a private moment!” he said in false anger but he was laughing. Erik pretended to defend himself against the pillow. He ran off and grabbed the one from his own bed, coming back and smacking Ashley on the head with it. Lorelai smiled and laughed at their childish behavior.
“Who you calling dung brain, egg head!” Erik shouted, laughter in his voice. It was long before their pillow fight had woken everyone up and they all came to see what was going on.
“What’s going on here?” Mike M. asked, stepping in between the two of them.
“Nothing Mike,” Ashley responded.
“We’re just having a friendly pillow fight,” Erik added. Mike M. looked at Lorelai. She nodded, indicating that the two them were only having a bit of fun. Mike M. shook his head.
“You two do know you just woke everyone up, right?” Ashley and Erik looked at each other and nodded.
“Sorry,” they both said.
“Ashley started it,” Erik said. “He called me a dung brain and hit me with Lorelai’s pillow.”
“And then Erik called me an egg head and hit me back with his own,” Ashley replied. Mike M. shook his head again.
“Why you guys still act like children sometimes it beyond me. You need to focus. You are not children anymore, you’re adults, and you have work to do.”
“Take it easy Mike,” Jacob said, “They were only trying to have a little fun.” Mike M. glared at him. Jacob didn’t realize it but he had his arm around Alyssa. He looked around at the group and noticed that Trevor and Bree had come in from the front and were holding hands. Then he looked back at Mike.
“That’s not the point Jacob. We don’t have time for fun right now. We have to finish this tour. We were already put two and a half months behind because of your accident. We can’t afford to fool around unless the schedule calls for some free time.” Mike C. walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Cool off a bit Mike,” he said. “Jacob’s right. Adults or not, young guys are going to screw around. Let them have their fun. Besides, we won’t arrive at the next venue until tomorrow morning. They have a whole day on the bus, they need to be allowed at least some leisure activity.” Mike M. sighed.
“I’m sorry Mike, you’re right.” He turned and looked at the guys. “Sorry about that, I’ve kind of been a bit frustrated lately. There are some problems going on at home and I can’t be there to take care of them. Could you guys forgive me?” None of the guys said anything and that made Mike nervous.
Dan walked up and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked him in the eyes. “What’s going on at home, Mike?” he asked sternly. Mike could tell he was concerned.
“There’s a big financial mess going on. Someone broke into my account and used my money to buy thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. I’m being charged with the bill but it told them I’m not the one who did it. A filed a police report but until the get a hold of whomever is behind it, responsibility for paying the bill falls on me and I don’t have that kind of money right now. The bank has already threatened to foreclose my house if I don’t pay up and the police haven’t cracked anything yet. I’m really worried, I don’t want to lose my home for something I didn’t do.” Dan looked at him sympathetically.
“Would it help if you could go home and work with people to try and get this matter cleared up?” he asked. Mike M. nodded. “Then go.” He started shoving him to the door. Mike turned and looked at everyone else.
“Do you all think I should go?” They all nodded. “Alright then, I will have one of the security cars following the bus to take me to the nearest airport and then I will catch a flight back to Orlando. Hopefully, I will be able to rejoin you later. Will you be alright with just Mike C. to guide you and tell you what’s happening?” Again, they all nodded. “Alright, good luck and I will try to see you soon.” They all waved goodbye as he grabbed one of his bags and told the driver to pull over. He got off the bus and the driver pulled back onto the highway, continuing on its way to the next venue.
ONE MONTH LATER
Everybody cheered as they ran backstage and grabbed some water. They had finished the final concert of the tour which was set right in Orlando where they could just go home and relax for a few days until they had other things to do. They wouldn’t be starting their European tour for another three months yet so they would be home for a while. Although, due to Jacob’s accident, it wasn’t as long as it would’ve been but it was good enough.
Alyssa and Jacob had tried to get intimate again, they both really desired it but they were always interrupted by one thing or another and so they had to settle for making out when they could. Actually, outwardly, they seemed like they were a little on the avoidance side but they had planned it. Jacob was not ready for the guys to know that he was very interested in the girl he had wanted to stay distant from and Alyssa was okay with that. She told him just to take his time and they don’t have to be anymore than friends with benefits yet if he wanted. He had been relieved when she had accepted not to let it show in front of the guys. He wanted to go with her, but he wasn’t ready for it to be public yet. Alyssa cared so much for him that she would wait until he was.
When they headed out of the venue later, Alyssa got a big surprise. Mark was waiting for her along with her mom and dad, her older brother Nathan and her younger brother Adam. She threw her arms around each of them in turn, hugging them tight. She had missed them all especially her family.
“You did great Alyssa,” Mark said. “As you know, the album dropped while you were on the tour. Sales are high, so high in fact you have almost reached platinum already!” Alyssa shrieked with happiness. She threw her arms around Mark again and squeezed him so tightly that he thought he was going to pop. “Can you let up a little on the grip.” Alyssa pulled away.
“Sorry Mark, I’m just so happy.”
“I know you are.”
“Congrats Lissy,” Erik said, giving her a hug.
“Thanks Erik.” She returned the hug and then hugged each of the other guys in turn, thanking them when they too congratulated her. When she got to Jacob, whom she had decided to save for last, a tear ran down her cheek as she hugged him lightly. He looked at her and brushed the tear away with his thumb.
“Come now Lis, why the tears?” he asked as gently as he could.
“It’s just that, I’ve just realized the tour is over and that means, I might never see you guys again.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Mark said. Alyssa turned around and gave him a confused look. He smiled. “O-town’s record company was so impressed with your performance as an opening act, that they have decided to include you in O-town’s European tour but as a second headliner, not an opening act. It will become a joint tour which will now make it called the O2 Star European Tour.” Alyssa’s eyes lit up and so did the guys. This was the first time they had heard about this.
“You mean, I get to headline with O-town on their European tour?!” Alyssa cried excitedly. Mark nodded and she jumped up and down with joy at the thought that she would be seeing the guys again. Bree dropped her head and Mark looked at her.
“Come now Bree, why the long face?” he said cheerfully.
“She’s gonna go away to Europe in three months and I won’t see her or Trevor for a while. I don’t want to have to go through with that.”
“You don’t have to,” Mark said. Bree looked up, a confused expression on her face. “How good are you at make-up?”
“She’s the best!” Alyssa cried, throwing an arm around her best bud. Bree smiled and blushed. “She did my make-up for every concert. Isn’t that right?” Bree nodded.
“Good,” Mark said, a smile on his face.
“Why is it good?” Bree asked, still confused.
“Because, I’ve decided to hire you as Alyssa’s personal hair and make-up artist. If you think you can handle it, than you will get to go along with them on the tour. That way you won’t have to feel sad about being left behind.” Bree’s face lit up this time.
“I accept, I accept, I accept!” she cried, jumping up and down just like Alyssa had done. Alyssa smiled at her friend’s happiness.
“I’m so happy for the both of you,” Mrs. Star said, coming over and giving both girls a light squeeze. Mr. Star smiled and nodded his approval. Nathan walked over and wrapped his sister in his arms.
“I am so proud of you little sis. You have done so well for yourself.”
“Thank you Nate,” Alyssa said, using the nickname she had always called him by. She turned her attention to Adam who was walking towards her with a smile on his face. A tear struck her eye as she watched him. Adam had turned eighteen while she had been on tour with the guys. She was sorry she couldn’t be there but he had never been mad at her. He was happy that she was taking the time to get herself well known and try to achieve success in the music world. Even though he was her younger brother, it was Adam who had encouraged her to go for it with her singing. With his support she had found herself a record company and a manager and was well on her way. Now thanks to him, here she was, her debut album out and almost at platinum. When he reached her, she pulled him into her arms and gave him a big hug.
“See?” he said, “I told you could do it.”
“Thanks for always believing in me Adam.” He pulled back and smiled.
“Of course. As an older sister, you were always there for me instead of acting like I was rotten annoying and embarrassing to be around.”
“I never believed in all that sibling rivalry anyway. Nate and I always got along well too. Mom and dad taught all three of us very well. That’s why we are always there for each other and I am proud of my family. I can honestly say I have the best family I could possibly have.” Adam smiled. Then he and Nate walked back over to the their dad and waited patiently.
“Are you going to be alright honey?” her mom asked.
“Sure mom, why?”
“Because you’re going to be getting a room for a while in our house,” Dan said, coming over and putting his arm around her.
“I am?” he nodded. Alyssa glanced at the other guys and they seemed just as surprised about it as she was. “Are you sure?” Dan laughed and followed her gaze to the other guys.
“Of course.”
“Then how come they don’t know?” she asked, indicating the other guys with her thumb. Dan laughed again.
“I’m the leader, I find everything out before they do if we don’t find out as a group. Remember how when we got here, Mike C. held me back while everyone else got of the bus because he said he wanted to talk to me?” Alyssa nodded. “Well, that’s what he was talking to me about. He said our record company and yours had come to an agreement that if you were to be performing a lot with us, it was only fair that you stay with us until you earned enough money to buy your own house wherever in Florida you wanted.”
“That sounds reasonable,” said Trevor. Ashley, Erik, and Jacob nodded their agreement.
“Are you sure you have room?” Alyssa asked.
“Of course,” Ashley said. “We can just turn one of the few guest rooms into your permanent room for any time you come over.”
“Anytime I come over?” Alyssa asked confused.
“Sure,” Erik said, “You don’t think that after all we will go through together, we’re just gonna let you walk out of our lives, do you?” Alyssa shook her head. “Okay than. The room will be yours to keep and you can use it any time you come to visit.” Alyssa smiled.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Don’t mention it,” Erik replied. “Now, are we gonna wait around here all day or are we gonna go home? I’m craving corn pops and we don’t have any on the bus.” Everyone laughed and then piled into the waiting limos. Before climbing into the limo she would share with Jacob, Dan, and Trevor, Alyssa said a quick goodbye to her family. She climbed into the limo and watched them wave as they fell out of sight.
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