“Oh yeah, guess what, Bridge?” Jason asks me.
“What?” I say going into the kitchen and getting a glass out of it.
“You wanna know who our opening act is? We just found out.”
“Yeah sure. Who is it?” I ask, pouring some water into my glass. “Want some?”
Jason shakes his head, “Well, have you ever heard of this guy named Travis?” I had just started walking out of the kitchen, but when Jason said his name the glass slipped out of my hands and crashed to the floor, shattering into millions of pieces. Jason jumps up and rushes over to where I am. “Are you okay?” He asks as he lifts me up off the floor and puts me onto the carpet. “You don’t have anything on your feet and you might cut yourself.” He explains. Jason gets the broom and sweeps up the mess.
“You did say, um, Travis, right?” I ask, biting a fingernail nervously.
“Well, yeah.” Jason says, standing up from his squatting position on the floor as he lifts the dustpan full of glass from the floor. “Am I missing something?”
“No, no. Me dropping that glass had nothing to do with you mentioning Travis as your opening act. Nothing at all.”
“So, you dropping that glass did have something to do with Travis?” Jason asks, throwing the glass away.
“I didn’t say that.”
“But I know that’s what you meant.”
“Not necessarily. So, is this guy good?”
“He’s great! This guy is definitely going places.” Jason says.
“That’s great, dude! I gotta come to one of your shows.”
“Well, we’ll be in Florida for two days next month. I can get you some passes. Bring Ashlee along, and Chasen. I’ll tell you when later though.”
“Okay, that would be great.” I say smiling.
“Good, then it’s all set.” Jason says, returning the smile. “Hey, you wanna catch a movie later?”
“With you?”
“Yeah, of course with me! Who do you think girl? Me, you, and Missy can go catch a movie later.”
“Me, you and Missy?” He nods. “Uh, can I bring Ashlee with me too? You know what they say, three’s bad company...”
“You mean, three’s a crowd.”
“Whatever. It’s the same difference. A crowd is sometimes bad company, you know...nevermind.”
Jason laughs, “I know what you mean.”
“Good. Now, what time do you want to meet at the movies?”
That Night...
“Okay, Ashlee. Me, you, Jason, and Missy are all going to the movies.” I explain to Ashlee as we wait for Jason.
“Missy’s coming too?” Ashlee asks, surprised.
“Yeah, she’s coming too.”
“Damn, why didn’t you tell me before?”
“Why? So you’d decide not to come?”
“No, so I would remember all those karate lessons from way back when.”
“You never took karate lessons, Ash.”
“Hey! All those Jackie Chan movies are the next best thing!” She exclaims.
“Jason’s here!” Chasen yells for the entire house to hear. Taylor was asleep in my mom’s room so I was a little worried that Chasen had woke him up.
“We’re out Ms. Robinson!” Ashlee calls to my mom just before we walk out of the door.
“Okay, have fun!” My mom calls back. Ashlee and I walk outside to the driveway where Jason and Missy were both waiting in the blue Explorer.
“Hey y’all.” Jason says as Ashlee and I climb into the back seat.
“Hey, Jase. Hey...Missy.” Ashlee says, rolling her eyes.
“Don’t mind her.” I say to them.
“Yeah, don’t mind me at all. It’s just that time of the month.” Ashlee says.
“Okay. Not needed info, but okay.” Jason says. He pulls out of the driveway and starts down the street.
“Jason?” Missy asks, placing her hand on top of Jason’s.
“Huh?” Jason asks.
“Ashlee taps me, “Check this out...” She says.
“What movie are we going to see Jason?” Missy asks. Ashlee was being her mouthing out the exact same words at the exact same time. I can’t help but laugh at her antics. Missy turns around in her seat and glares at me. My eyes widen and she turns back to Jason.
“We’re going to see Men in Black. Bridget and I decided on it at her house.” Jason says, looking through his rearview mirror at me and smiling.
“Oh.” Missy says.
“What’s wrong? You’ve seen it before?” Jason asks her.
“Well, um...yeah, I have.”
“She’s so lying.” Ashlee whispers to me.
“Oh, you want to see something else?” Jason asks, glancing over at her.
“You don’t have to, Jason. I mean, just because I’ve seen Men in Black and want to see The Game doesn’t mean we can’t go see Men in Black.” Missy says.
“Second time around isn’t so bad.” Ashlee says.
“I agree. Maybe you’ll see something you didn’t catch the first time.” I say.
“They’re right, Missy.” Jason says. “The second time around won’t be so bad.” Missy looks at him a little shocked, but then her face returns to normal.
“You may be right, Jason.” She says sitting back in her see and watching the street ahead.
At the Movies...
“Hey Jason, Ashlee and I are going to go on inside and find some seats.” I say to Jason as he and Missy head towards the concession stand.
“Oh my gosh, did you see her face when she looked at me in the car? If looks could kill I’d be sprawled out across that seat.” I say to Ashlee as we look for seats in the theatre.
“Yeah I know. I saw that. There are some seats.” Ashlee says pointing to four seats in a very nice spot. Ashlee and I go over and occupy the seat while waiting for Jason and Missy to return.
“You were right about her, though.” I say to Ashlee as Jason and Missy walk into the theatre. “Hey! Over here!” I call to them. “She seems kinda, you know, bitchy.”
“Yeah, I know. She sorta is.” Ashlee says, letting her voice go down to a whisper as Jason and Missy came over. We sit in this order: Ashlee, me, Jason, and Missy.
“You guys gonna get something to eat?” Jason asks. “I mean, if you don’t have money you can borrow some from me.” Jason says, starting to reach in his pocket. I stop him by putting a hand over his.
“Jase, it’s okay. We have money. We’re not getting anything.” I say, moving my hand.
“They might want to watch their weight.” Missy says, trying to sound nonchalant about it.
“Actually...” Ashlee starts.
“We’re watching our teeth. Going to the dentist is just not fun.” I add.
“I hear ya.” Jason agrees.
“Do you really?” I ask holding out my hand.
“Oh yeah.” Jason says as we do this special handshake thing that we’d come up with. Missy just watches us.
“Um, Bridget?” She asks. I look at her. “Would you be a doll and accompany me to the restroom?” I look over at Ashlee and she shrugs.
“Sure, I guess.” I say standing up. I follow her into the restroom.
When we get there, she checks all the stalls and turns to me. “Listen and listen good. I understand that you have known Jason longer than I have, but all the open flirting going on between you two- -”
“Open flirting? What are you- -”
Missy interrupts, “I’m not finished. I refuse to let you steal Jason away before I have a chance with him so I suggest that you back off and let me do what I have to do. Because believe me,” Missy says, coming up closer to me so we’re nose to nose, “I’ll make sure that Jason knows any dirt I can get on you. You’ll be sorry that you ever tried to come between us at all.” Missy says. She backs off a little. “Got it?”
“Um, yeah. I got it Missy.” I say to her. “I’ve definitely got it.”
Missy and I come back, and of course, she was all smiles because Jason was there. I plop down in my seat next to Ashlee. “You made it back alive, I see.” She says.
“Yeah, I did. Missy’s a bitch.” I say, glaring at Missy from the corner of my eye.
“What’d she say?” Ashlee whispers.
“First off, she said Jason and I are openly flirting. What’s that all about?! Then she goes, ‘I refuse to let you steal Jason away before I have a chance with him so I suggest you back off’. What is he? A toy? Then, she ends her little speech by saying that I’ll be sorry if I come between them. Is she insane? I don’t remember openly flirting with Jason in any way.” I say low enough for only Ashlee to hear.
“I told you, Bridge. That girl has got some serious issues.”
“Hey Ash, are you staying over?” I ask her as we walk up my driveway.
“Yeah, I have to call my mom and let her know, though.”
I unlock the door, “Well, go on and do it.”
“Hi!” Taylor exclaims running up to me. I kneel down.
“Hey Taylor!” He jumps into my arms.
“Bye-bye?” He asks.
“Yeah, I went bye-bye. You aren’t going anywhere.” I say as if he can understand every word. I stand up.
“Lee!” He exclaims almost jumping out of my arms to get to Ashlee.
“Hey sweetie!” Ashlee exclaims, picking him up. She had just hung up with her mother.
“Mom! We’re home!” I yell.
“Okay!” I hear her call from the back of the house.
“Come on, Lee!” Taylor exclaims as Ashlee puts him down. He begins to pull her towards Chasen’s room. “Game!” He exclaims. I giggle as the two disappear around the corner. I walk upstairs to my room, sliding off my shoes and falling back onto the bed. I hadn’t been there five minutes when a heard a male voice come from my doorway.
“How was the movie, pumpkin?”
I jump up at the sound of the voice. “Daddy?” My dad had been gone for nearly two months. My eyes rest on the tall man with dark brown hair and green eyes. He gives me a crooked smile, and his arms unfold. I run into his arms. “I missed you so much.” I say.
He kisses the top of my head. “I missed you too, sweetie.” My dad was an archaeologist so he wasn’t home all too much.
“How was your trip?” I ask him as we pull away.
“Same old, same old. Not quite as exciting as is seeing my family again. I hear another member has been added to the household.” My dad knew whom he was talking about, but he wanted me to say it.
“Yeah, Taylor is staying with us now.”
“You’re okay with this, right?”
“Yeah, Dad. I am fine with this. He belongs here.” There is silence between us. “How long are you going to be back home?”
“Well, almost a year. Surprise.” He says. My eyes light up.
“Oh my God, for real?!” He nods, and I hug him tightly. “That is so great!”
“Mr. Robinson?” Ashlee says, slowly making her way towards my room. My dad turns around with his arm around me.
“Hey Ashlee.” He says with a rising inflection in his voice.
“Hey!” She exclaims, and runs over to hug him. “Long time, no see.”
“How’s it goin’?” My dad asks with one arm around me, and the other around Ashlee.
“Well, you know, just graduated, but you were there so...nothing really.”
“As usual.” I say, and Ashlee playfully glares at me.
“Haven’t changed a bit.” My dad says with a laugh as the three of us head towards the stairs.
The Next Day...
Ashlee and I decided to bring Chasen and Taylor to the mall with us. Justin had gone in to rehearse for the upcoming tour and he wouldn’t be back until later in the afternoon. Ashlee treated us all to an ICEE so we were just window shopping for the time being. On our way out, we promised the two boys that we’d stop at the toy store. As we were walking by the music store, a huge crowd of girls was gathered around the entrance. “I wonder what’s going on.” I ask.
“I’ll go ask.” Ashlee volunteered. She walks over to the nearest person. “Sorry to bother you, but what’s going on over here?”
“Well, there’s an autograph signing here.” The woman answers.
“Oh yeah? With who?”
“You know that new singer Travis? Seems he’s really big down here.”
“Are you shittin’ me? Excuse my language, are you serious?” The woman nods, and Ashlee hurries back over to me. “Bridget, we have to leave, and now.”
“Wha-why?” I ask.
“You’re not going to believe who you’re standing less than a hundred feet away from.” Ashlee says, trying to pull me, but I don’t budge.
“Who is it?”
“Travis.” I freeze. “You’re lying. Please tell me this is a joke!” I exclaim. Ashlee shakes her head. “We have to go. You guys ready for the toy store? I hope so because we’re going now.” I say and begin to drag Chasen and Taylor with me. Ashlee quickly follows. “He’s back.”