elevenfiftynine

*****
	“AJ, you’re drinking way too much.  We’ve decided, from
observation, that you need to talk to someone about your
problems instead of drinking them away,” Said Rick, their
tour manager as they held a “meeting.”  Which basically
meant decisions were going to be made without AJ’s input.
“ AJ, you do realize that this is for your own good, right?”
AJ didn’t reply, just kept a cold stare directed at Kevin,
knowing he was the one who had decided a meeting was in
need.
“ I don’t need anyone to talk to,” He said finally, standing
up.
“ You’ll be having sessions with this guy every other night
starting from four until five,” Rick finished up firmly,
standing up and in front of the doorway, blocking AJ’s way.
“ Understood?”
“ Listen, Rick- Kevin, I DO NOT need anyone to talk to,OK? 
End of subject.  THis is my decision and I’m turning you
down,” He waited until Rick reluctantly moved and he walked
out and went to find Q, his bodyguard so he could go back to
the hotel.
“ Hey, Q, I need a ride to the hotel,” AJ said when he
turned the corner and saw Q with Skylee.
“ You’re not hanging around for the show to finish?” He
asked, looking up from the magazine he was looking at over
Sky’s shoulder.
“ No,”
“ Um.  Ok, Skylee, you have to come with us.  There are no
free guards to stay with you-”
“ You know what?  I’m a big girl.  I’m sure I can manage
sitting here until you get back,” Skylee said in an annoyed
voice, ignoring AJ.
“ Kevin made it clear that if we left you alone, it’d mean
our jobs,” Q pointed out.
“ I might as well go back to the hotel myself,” Skylee
muttered, standing up and reaching for her bag.
“ He’s not just saying that because he doesn’t trust you-”
Sky snorted and Q continued;
“ People will do some crazy things to get closer to the
guys,” He said, leading them to the backdoors.
“ I’m sure they’d try and kidnap me,” She mocked.
“ Good point, they’d probably bring you back after the first
five minutes of whining,” AJ remarked as they walked to the
SUV.
“ I believe I was talking to him,” Skylee said coldly.
“ Well, you said it aloud so I assumed it was a free for
all, like it always works out to be with you,” She ignored
his comment as Q unlocked the doors and she climbed into the
back.
“ I’m surprised you didn’t insist on sitting up front,” (AJ)
“ Only you would do something as childish as that,” She
replied.
“ OK, kids, stop bickering,” Skylee shut her mouth and tuned
Aj out for the rest of the ride.
“ You sure you can get up alone?” Q asked as he pulled into
the hotel’s front entrance.
“ Yeah, Thanks for the ride,”
“ See ya later, Q” Skylee got out of the car and started
walking to the glass doors.  AJ caught up with her
unintentionally and she glanced at him, not saying a word.
“ What floor?” He asked as they got in the elevator.
“ 12...Same as your’s,” 
“ I was being polite,”
“ And I didn’t say anything wrong,” She answered.  The
elevator fell into silence again and it seemed like decades
before it stopped.
“ After you,” He said, his tone seemingly mocking.
“ Thank you,” She walked ahead and down the hall,stopping at
room 1204. 
“ What a delightful coincidence, we’re right next door,” He
said dryly.  In response, she slammed the door shut and he
chuckled...


					*****
	Skylee opened her eyes at three that night and wondered
what awoke her when she realized someone was at the door.
“ Hold on,” She called, her heart speeding as she felt the
first grips of panic. 
“ Who is it?”
“ It’s Nick-” She pulled open the door and found Nick and Aj
standing in front of her.
“ Jesus Christ!  IT’s three fucking am and you’ve scared the
Hell outta me!  What do you need?”
“ Whoa, calm down, Sky.  You’re gonna have a heart attack;
you’re really pale,” For a second, she felt overcome with
tears, riding that delightful trip down memory lane.
“ Skylee, are you Ok?  We didn’t mean to scare you,” Nick
asked, his voice sounding anxious as he rested his hand on
her arm.
“ Yeah.  I’m fine,” She said, taking in a deep breath to
calm down before speaking.
“ Did you need something?”
“ Uh, yeah.  We’re gonna go clubbing.  Wanna come?” Nick
asked, still looking fazed.
“ Um...No, thanks.  I’m tired,” She smiled at him as AJ
cleared his throat pointedly.
“ OK, we’d better get going.  I’ll see you later,”
“ Ok, bye,” She shut the door and sighed, really needing
someone to go to for a hug and a few words of comfort.
“ Get a grip, Sky.  You’ll get through this,” She said,
walking slowly back to bed where she spent the rest of the
night in a dreamless and uneasy sleep...