CHAPTER TWO: CROSSING PATHS
The girls accompanied by a representative who picked the girls up from the airport, walked nervously amongst the huge tour buses, which were to house people that grace the covers of Teen Mags and were plastered all over walls.
“This is Steve, your driver” the rep says stopping in front a medium sized bus, where a man was crouched checking out a tire.
The man stands up, wipes his hand and introduces himself
“And this beauty here is your bus” he continues patting the door.
The girls looked up in ore, it was big, and it was theirs.
“Okay so, you can go get settled in, here’s a map of the arena, I suggest you familiarize yourself and perhaps get to know a couple of people, like security, I’ll be around if you need anything, but other than that, you’re on your own” the rep declares.
The girls thanked him then jetted inside the bus, buzzing with adrenaline.
“Oh-Mi-freaking-god” Chastity shrieks
Arora quickly takes the top bunk on the left-hand-side, Bianca the one below. Tatum snaps up the bottom right-hand-side bunk, and Chastity opts for the one above. The bus was not as big as some of the other ones, but still boasts quite a flashy interior. After walking through the door, your confronted with a couch on either side of the passage through, then hiked above the passage way is a T.V and Video, and to one side on a pull out table a stereo, that’s the entertainment ‘room’. At the end of the passage is a door which leads to 2 sets of bunks on either side, and another set of bunks to one side, opposite which sits a small set of draws, and a mirror, hung on the wall. The next room is the kitchen, which contained a fridge packed full of goodies, a cupboard also full, a sink and a microwave, which sat under the larger window, which was the end of the bus.
There was a brief knock on the door, Arora opened it, and was handed some pieces of paper. She thanked the messenger then walked into the entertainment corridor as the girls re-named it.
“Oh no” Arora remarks looking down at the paper
“What?” Tatum inquires of her friend
“Its the play list” she pauses “Sugar are here” she says
“Fuck No, you’re kidding tell me you’re kidding” Bianca yells grabbing the paper.
But to her disfavor there it was “Sugar” right before Vixen.
Bianca’s heart sank, “what is she doing here?” she asks herself, staring blankly at the paper. Bianca loathed that band, mainly because of the their “leader” Mandy Heathrow. They were at the same school, and were known as arch-nemesis. Mandy was a conniving 2-faced bitch, and everyone at Cali-High knew it, and now as though Bianca’s worst nightmare had become a reality, she was here.
Bianca threw the play list onto the floor.
“Well then we’ll just have to kick her ass on stage - blow them away, and as a direct result make them look like exactly what they are - crap”
“Hell Ya” the others scream.
“Now lets go explore” Chastity says moving to the door.
* 10 MINUTES LATER *
The girls were busy looking around the huge arena, fueling their natural high. Arora’s eye was drawn across the main room, up to the stage, her green eyes lock onto the figure, she couldn’t help but notice how he moved so perfectly to the rhythm of the background music pulling off each step as though it was like walking, there was something about him, something holding her direct attention.
“Who are you perving at?” Bianca inquires, waving her hand in front of Arora’s face
“No one” Arora responds snapping out of her trance-like state
“Yes you were” Bianca shoots back
“Why is it you always have to link looking around a room, as perving?”
“When you have drool coming down from the corner of your mouth that’s when I view it as perving” Bianca laughs
Arora shoots her best ‘as-if’ look at Bianca and walks away, briefly turning around to catch another glimpse of that figure whoever he was.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“Hey Bri, look over there - check out those chicks” Nicks says keeping up with the moves
“Yah I’m looking” Brian admits trying his best not to slip up, after all there were girls - and they were watching.
“Wouldn’t mind getting some of their tender loving care” Nick mutters loud enough for Brian to hear.
They both smile, thinking the exact same thing.
* 10 MINUTES LATER *
The four girls had split up. Bianca and Arora were in desperate need of a bathroom, and Tatum and Chastity had set off on the trail of 98 degrees. Arora stared blankly at the map she was holding, when she felt a knock against her shoulder.
“I’m sorry” the culprit immediately offers
“Its alright” Arora says spinning around to face whoever it was, it was him, the guy from the stage, Arora smiles inside, he was even more lovable up close.
It was her, the girl that he saw looking at him. He couldn’t help admiring her, as been face to face did her allot more Justice than the glimpse from afar he got earlier.
“Are you lost?” he asks looking down at the map she was holding
“Yes” she replies simply, afraid anything else that comes from her mouth would turn out to be a complete mumble and humiliate her.
“We really need the bathroom” Bianca pipes in, sensing her friend’s lack of words
“Over there” he says pointing across the corridor.
“Thanks” Arora says her heart melting into this guys eyes.
“His Crystal-blue sparkling deep eyes”, she repeats in her head, unable to detract from their view.
“Well thanks. I’m Bianca, and this here’s Arora” Bianca offers, knowing full well no more than 1 word sentences were going to come from Arora’s mouth.
Arora smiles, as a greeting and also because she couldn’t help but imagine what she couldn’t say out loud.
“Hi, I’m Brian, Your names seem familiar, but I’m not sure why”
“Read your play list? We’re half of the Vixen clan” Bianca says offering an answer to Brian’s query.
“Oh that’s right” Brian says
‘why doesn’t she talk?’ he wonders to himself as he subtlety glances at Arora
“Brian there you are” someone calls from behind the girls
A tall blond male joins the three.
“Why hello there” He says, his eyes wandering all over the 2 girls. He liked what he saw.
“Hi” Bianca replies admiring his impeccable hair
“Hello” Arora mutters briefly taking her attention away from Brian
“This is Bianca and Arora from Vixen, one of the openers”
“The name’s Nick” he says fixating on Bianca’s tanned legs that were perfectly shown off in her little skirt.
“Man I would really love to stay and chat, but unfortunately duty calls, and we have yet to finish our sound check and rehearsal, but I hope, in fact know that we’ll be seeing you later” Nick declares smiling sweetly, yet thinking what would not be considered “sweet”.
“It’s been really nice meeting you. Remember toilets are over there” Brian jokes forcing his eyes off Arora’s olive skin.
They wave good-bye and walk off, providing a bit of entertainment as they go.
“Oh-mi-gawd, what a babe” Bianca mutters laughing
“Quick I really need to pee” Arora squeals running into the toilets.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“Woho man, this tour is going to be good. Did you see the legs on that Bianca babe, she was fine, the other one was a hottie too. But you had your eye on her right?”
“I take the 5th amendment” Brian jokes, still wrapped up in Arora’s mesmerizing eyes.
* THAT NIGHT *
It was 5 minutes till Vixens turn on stage. So far Bianca had managed to avoid ‘bumping’ into Mandy, but she knew once their set finished it was inevitable that they would meet.
“I cant believe you got Drew to buy you lunch” Bianca laughs
“You bet we did” Tatum replies
“Yup, we got 98 degrees to spend their money” Chastity declares, proudly.
A hand gently taps Arora on the shoulder, snapping her out of her trance staring into the immense crowd, she spun around to see Brian’s Smiling face.
“Good luck” he whispers, studying her sexy outfit.
The girls had done their best to coordinating without looking tacky. Tatum was dressed in leather pedal pushers, with a black short sleeve top, with a glittery pink pattern on it. Chastity been the most out-going of the group, opted for black pants that tied up each leg, and a top, which was similar to Tatum but the pattern in blue. Bianca had on black 3/4 pants with a green trim and a short sleeve top, with a singlet top, that had a different pattern in gold on it. Arora was wearing long leather pants, and a 3/4 sleeves crop top, which was designed with a vine pattern, and a belly chain graced her waist.
“Thanks” she whisper back
Sugar’s final song finished, and the girls exited the stage. Bianca took a deep breath as Mandy approaches.
“Oh look if it isn’t the tramp, do you have to follow me everywhere?” Mandy demands, glaring at Bianca and the others.
Bianca glared back, her eyes locked on Mandy’s neck, “how easy it would be to just wrap my hands around her scrawny neck, and cut off her air-supply” she plans to herself.
“Why don’t you just go re-bleach your hair, I think you still have some brain cells left” Arora says mockingly
“You know its so sad, Arora, you have the making’s of a popular girl, yet your just household trash. Your fathers money is wasted on you, but if you ever decide to ditch this trash” she looks over to Bianca “then maybe we can talk”
“You know what, I’m flattered, but I would much rather have bamboo sticks rammed up my fingernails, then to ever be like you”
“Your on” one of the stage crew calls out
“Vixen 1” Chastity says throwing her hand into the center of the circle, quickly formed.
“Vixen 2” Bianca screams excitedly, placing her hand on top
“Vixen 3” Arora announces, also placing her hand on top
“Vixen 4” Tatum yells, adding to the pile of hands
“Vixen kicks ass” Bianca declares, for the benefit of Mandy
The girls smile quickly at each other and run on stage, Arora briefly turns around to catch Brian doing the ‘thumbs up’ sign.
“Hello New York” Chastity pronounces, ecstatically into the microphone “We’re Vixen, I’m Chastity this is Bianca, Arora and Tatum” she continues pointing to each girl.
Her greeting was replied with a couple of yells from the packed audience and the occasional wolf-whistle.
“The first song we’re gonna sing is, ‘You’re what I want’”
The music starts, as the girls take their place, each one nervous in their own right. The pull the dance off to perfection, and hit the right notes to the up-beat song. The crowd roars as Chastity sings seductively “want your kisses all over my face” followed by Arora enticingly singing “your the prize I long to claim”. The music stops, and in perfect timing the girls kick off the dance move, to complete the song.
“Okay this next ones a sweet song, I hope y’all like it, its called ‘Nothing left Unsaid’” Tatum says, puffing a little.
This song showed off each ones vocal talents, and personal habits when it comes to singing, the crowd was silent as the girls hauntingly charming voices, as they sing the sad lyrics, waving a hush over the audience. Arora finished on a high and hard note, yet pulled it off as though it was nothing.
“Right for this our 3rd and final song, we’re going to pick up our instruments, Arora on the drums, Chastity on keyboard and Tatum on the electric guitar, and me, I’ll be singing leads, this songs called ‘I don’t need you anymore’ and its dedicated to all of those people who think the world revolves around them - time for a reality check”
The crowd roared up again in anticipation. Arora counts in on the beats 1- 2- 3- *bang*. The electrifying live music and voice, bellow through the speakers, causing a reaction of clapping, and cheers. The song finishes with a loud *bang* on the drum kit.
“Thank-you “ each girl says into their mic.
“Remember Vixen” Bianca declares, into the mic. Then after a wave, the girls leave to the cheers and claps of the audience, for a performance well done.
“Wow, you guys were great” Brian remarks, clapping his hands
Bianca looks around, and to her relief, Mandy’s gone.
“Thanks” Arora replies “Man I have to get out of these clothes, I feel all sweaty” she continues.
“Hey great performance, I didn’t know y’all played instruments too” Nick says walking up to the five.
“You bet we do, Arora could kick your ass in a drum contest” Bianca jokes
“I’d pay big money to see that one” Brian laughs
“We haven’t met, I’m Nick, and you are” he pauses “Tatum and Chastity?”
“Yep, glad to see you were listening” Tatum replies
Nick couldn’t help but feel like he had died and gone to heaven, in front of him were 4 amazingly sexy girls, but he decided to choose, after all he could get all selfish, well not yet anyway.
“Brian wants Arora, strike her off. Tatum’s nice, but looks a little to Posh, nice top-half though, and she’s blond, always a plus. Chastity - nice, a red-head they always are fiery, but I think I’ll have contestant number 4, Bianca, yeah, she’s nice” he calculates in his head, scooping Bianca from head to toe, stopping at what he considered important regions
Bianca could feel his eyes on her, but she didn’t really mind at all, after all she WAS checking him out, it was only fair.
“We’ll I’m going to get changed, I’m beginning to cook in these clothes” Chastity declares squirming around in her outfit
“I’m with you” Arora announces
“hey well after the show, we all probably going to head to a movie, you want to come?” Nick inquires
“Ah...well - actually....” Arora begins>
“We would love to go, just come and get us from our bus, when you’re ready” Bianca chimes in
“Its a date then” Nick remarks, hoping he would get a little action.
The four girls unable to deal with the sweat on them, ran off to their bus to get changed.
“Nice” Nick mumbles
* LATER THAT NIGHT * {9:00 pm}
The first show was finished. All the bands were now backstage, for the occasional meet and greet.
“Vixen?!” a voice calls from behind Arora
She spins around.
“Yes, One of them” she replies smiling as a little boy and girl, about 10y/o come running up to her.
“You were really cool, I love the drums and you play them real good” the girls complements
“Hey thanks. You know what, you guys are my first official fans” Arora says smiling
The two smile back.
“Could we have your autograph?” they inquire
“Sure”
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“Chastity right?” a figure says walking up to her
“Yah, and you would be?”
The figure stepped into the light.
“I would be AJ”
“Oh right, yeah I know you, from the Backstreet Boys right?”
“Correct, and you would be from Vixen”
She nods, she smiles to herself as she sneaks a quick perve at his well toned arms ‘very nice’ she mumbles quietly.
“So Chastity, that’s a nice name, like Chaste?” he says, obviously flirting with the redhead.
“Yah but don’t be fooled by the name” she replies, flirting right back.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“So can I kiss you?” Nick asks walking up to Bianca
She looks up, in shock.
“Gee, you’re forward” she answers
“Is that a yes?”
“No it was a gee, you’re forward”
“Well what’s the sense in mucking around, it obvious I want to kiss you, so I thought, what the heck, ask, so?”
“So? I guess that right, no sense in playing around”
“So, is THAT a yes?”
“Yes”
Nick leans in close to Bianca, his lips curved in a perfect position, her mind instantly flicks to what Mandy said earlier, a tramp? Was she? Just as Nicks lips are about to meet Bianca’s she pulls away, leaving Nick to kiss the air.
“On second thoughts, waiting always has its benefits.
With that she walks off, leaving Nick, without his kiss.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“Tatum, you rock” a teenager girl calls walking up to Tatum
“So do you” Tatum answers
“You guys were like rocking, way better than that band before you. I was wondering, could I have you autograph?”
“Sure you can”
Tatum was a little bit taken-a-back, she had fans, Vixen had real fans, not just supportive friends. She knew at that point things were going to get a whole lot better.
* LATER THAT NIGHT *
*knock, knock*
Arora pulls back the door, to see Nick smiling there.
“Hey you guys ready?” he asks
“Um just about” she mumbles trying to quickly fasten her long hair up
“Hey Arora” Brian says walking up behind Nick
“Hey, you guys wanna come in, we wont be long” she comments, sticking the last clip in her hair.
3 more figures approached the bus.
“Arora this Kevin, AJ, and Howie” Brian introduces
“Yeah I know, you’re on the cover of the mag I was reading” Arora laughs
She quickly prompts them to come in, and the obey.
“Wow its small” Nick comments laughing
“Yah he’s small but we like Bob” Arora replies, closing the door
“Head, in the way - trying to watch the end of Buffy ” Tatum beckons to Kevin whose heads right in the way of the TV.
“Bob?” AJ inquires
“Yah we named him bob” she pauses “ Bitchin’ on Board” she laughs
“I like it” Howie jokes
“Guys, get your asses moving” Tatum calls to the others
“Oh by the way I’m Tatum, and let me guess, by means of my amazing talent, I say, Your Howie, AJ, and Um....Kevin” she declares, laughing.
“Your talent amazes me” Brian replies
Chastity and Bianca emerge from the other room, AJ saw his mouth dropped to the ground, and he quickly wiped his mouth - just in case.
Nick too couldn’t help but notice, how fine Bianca looked, yet his mind trailed off to what happened earlier. “Play it cool this time” he tells himself
“Right let’s get going” Brian says, directing out the door.
* 10 MINUTES LATER *
They arrive at the movie theater, in the mini-bus, AJ gave instructions to the driver on when to come back and where to meet them, ect.
“Chick flick” Nick says looking at the poster Bianca was pointing too.
She shot a “who-cares what you think” look to him, and carried on discussing the movie.
“Okay, compromise time, what about ‘Matrix’? It has Keanu, and It’s not a chick flick?” Arora offers
The others quickly agree. The 5 guys were doing their best to simply blend into the crowd, their look was complete with hats, coats, and sunglasses, even if it was late at night. The 4 girls on the other hand were bouncing around drawing attention on purpose.
* 10 MINUTES LATER *
They quickly take their seats, Howie ducks in first and heads right down to the wall, Kevin follows, in front of Tatum, Chastity takes the seat to her. Bianca gets abruptly jolted out of the way as AJ sneaks in to sit next to Chastity, Nick follows him, then Bianca sits down next to Nick, Arora slops onto the next seat, and Brian seats himself next to her. Bianca shuffles nervously sitting next to Nick, she could only imagine what he was thinking, as to what happened earlier.
* 10 MINUTES LATER *
“Man Keanu looks so hot” Arora murmurs quietly
Bianca giggles a “Hell Ya” in reply
“Hey?” Nick whispers to Bianca leaning in close
“What?” Bianca asks
“I’m sorry for before, I came on really strong, I’m sorry for that”
“That’s okay”
Her mind quickly shot into action, ‘what doesn’t he like me now?’ she ponders to herself
“I really like you” he continues
‘there’s your answer’ she says putting her own mind to rest
“Do you think we could start all over?” he questions
Bianca leans in close to Nick, reaching up a little she delicately places her soft lips onto his cheek brushing it with a kiss, ever so briefly and tantalizingly “I’d like that” she airily whispers.
He reaches his arm up over her, resting it on the back of her seat his hand lightly placed on her shoulder.
“How’s that?” he queries
She lets her head fall gently onto his shoulder in subtle reply. He smiles as he breathes in the sweet flower-like scent of her hair.
Brian looks over to Nick, his arm around Bianca, his attention then shoots back to Arora, studying her, he watches her, smiles when she does, entranced by the way she flicks bits of her hair away form her face, the way she curves her lips into a perfect smile, he watches her lips craving to lean over and place his on top, he quickly dismisses the thought. His focus then heads back to Nick envious of what he has.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
AJ’s hand slide up Chastity’s leg, providing a quick turn-on for him, she gently smacks it back.
“Its not play time - yet” she says seductively
AJ smiles inside and out, ‘what a wild women’ he thinks to himself, his hand still resting on Chastity’s leg.
Kevin couldn’t help but notice Tatum, her soft blond hair, sitting just below her shoulders. He liked blond hair, there was just something about it, something that really turned him on. His eyes wandered uncontrollably over her body, studying the possibilities. He defiantly liked what he saw. In a fit of somewhat guilt somewhat reminder, his mind flick back to Jennifer, his girlfriend, though why he was unable to decide, or even understand.
“No harm in looking” he re-assured himself, smiling back at Tatum.
Brian couldn’t take it anymore, he tired to dismiss this on-joining craving, but everything she did, gave him the craving. He was locked in fixation, studying the way she bit her bottom lip as the action blared across the screen, he had never felt like this before, his mind shot to the desires of his flesh, he couldn’t control his lust, something about her, just drew him in like a fish on a line. He took a deep breathe plucking up every ounce of courage he could muster, he lifted up his arm from his side, and ever so gently placed it around to the back of her chair.
“She’s not doing anything” Brian says to himself, hoping it’s a good sign.
His hand shakes nervously, he promptly swallows the lump in his throat, his eyes now fixated on her almost bear shoulder, covered only by a shoe-string strap, he expands his hand and smoothly places his hand on her shoulder, then with amorous strokes his circles his fingers running his hand across her shoulder, up her neck.
“God she feels so good” he mumbles in his head, loving the feel of her soft skin.
Arora’s eyes widen, her heart slams into a faster rate.
“What is he doing?” she questions to herself.
His touch felt so good, she’d never felt a touch even remotely close, but yet something frightened her, as his very touch made her tingle down into her soul. She bolts upright, Bianca looks across in wonderment.
“What’s wrong?” she quires
“Um, I - ah, have to go to the bathroom” and with that Arora bolts out the theater door.
Brian’s heart plummets o the floor, it felt to him as though his heart had been ripped out and trampled on right there, in front of him, he sinks his head down into his chest, trying his hardest to hold back the tear so eager to escape.
“Oh-Mi-God, you are such an idiot” Arora says to the mirror, she peers in deep so confused by what’s peering back. She liked Brian she knew that, or did she? Her mind was a cluster of continuous spinning thoughts, if she did like him, what on earth was she doing out there, so many conflicting arguments floated in her mind. The bathroom door swung open, and Bianca walks in.
“Are you okay?” she asks looking worried
“I’m fine” Arora mumbles in reply
“So what happened back there?”
“I just needed to go to the bathroom” Arora lies
“Arora when are you going to learn, you cant lie to me, it never works, so what happened did Brian do something?”
“No” Arora lies again
“Arora don’t make me use your full name”
“Okay yes he did something...”
“Did he hurt you, I’ll kill him, I swear I will..”
“Bianca, let me finish, he did nothing, it was me, but I don’t want to talk about it” she pauses “ Man I’m such a dumbass” she says her head sinking into her hands
“why on earth would you think that?” Bianca says wrapping her arm around her friend.
“He put his arm around me, and he was like running his hand over my skin, but I bolted, he’s probably sitting there wondering what the hell is wrong with me”
“Did you want his hand there?”
Arora nods, then shakes her head, then shrugs, a ‘help-me’ look plastered on her face.
“Well do you like him?” Bianca inquires
“I think so” Arora responds
“Then work from there, just do whatever feels right, okay?”
Arora nods slightly.
“Now lets go back in, you’re missing Keanu in leather” Bianca jokes
Arora didn’t like that idea, she would much rather stay put,
“how can I go in there and face him?” she questions to herself as Bianca pulls her out of the bathroom.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“You stupid idiot” Brian says condemning his actions “you just had to do it, give in, and ruin everything.
His heart was in distress, as he sunk deeper into his chair, so his tears wouldn’t be seen as he relived that moment, over and over in his head.
* 5 MINUTES LATER *
Arora and Bianca walk back into the movie and quickly take their seats. Brian quickly looks down deciding its time to study his nail. Arora’s eyes stay focused straight ahead.
“What now?” he wonders unable to stop craving the feel of her olive skin.
“What now?” she ponders, wanting his touch to continue.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
Nicks hand goes back to its original position, as does Bianca’s head.
“Everything alright?” he questions
“Nothing you need to worry about” she offers in response.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
AJ couldn’t resist, his eyes drawn to Chastity’s bear neck, he wanted her, right then and there he leans over and passionately runs his tongue across her neck. Chastity draws away teasing.
“Later” she reminds him.
Tatum could feel Kevin’s eyes wandering over her, she sucks in and flicks her hair, making sure he’s getting the best perve possible, she liked been the focus of attention, who wouldn’t? She reminds herself to keep up with the movie so as not to be lost in the plot. Her eye nab a quick peek at Kevin, she just couldn’t ignore the urge.
* 2 HOURS LATER *
They all pile out of the mini-van, as they arrive back at the arena.
“You guys want to come and hang in our bus for a while?” AJ offers making it quite clear he only really left the invitation for Chastity to accept.
“Um, I think I’m going to go off to bed” Arora mumbles, pulling away from the group
Brian’s head drops lower he couldn’t even bring himself to make eye contact, he had so much he wanted to say, yet he was unable to speak, so he quickly ducks away from the group as well.
“Yah I’m with Arora” Tatum yawns
“Well see you all later then” Howie says departing
“Yah c-ya” Kevin says ducking away, his mind wondering what was wrong with his cousin.
Arora and Tatum, begin to move away.
“I’m going to, I’ll see you later” Bianca says removing Nicks arm, from around her waist.
Nick shoot her his best ‘puppy-dog’ look “stay a while” he begs
Bianca looks over to her friends for approval, they nod in response.
“Okay a little while” Bianca says, giving in to Nicks spellbinding eyes.
“Well I better make sure Bea here doesn’t get in trouble” Chastity says simply looking for an excuse to carry on her harmless flirting.
“Isn’t that Arora’s job, after all she is my guardian” Bianca laughs
“okay, Um don’t do anything worthy of been called dumb-ass-erish, be back before 2.00 and just be good” Arora offers.
With that they part their ways, heading in each ones direction.
Arora plonks herself down on the couch.
“Something wrong?” Tatum queries running a brush through her hair.
“How about I made a complete fool out of myself, made a really nice guy feel so bad he cant even make eye contact with me, and not to mention my head is going to explode with confusion, is that what you call something?”
“Wow, long list, care to talk?”
“Brian came on to me, it felt so good, his touch on my skin, but I panicked, something screamed at me to get out, so I bolted, and I guess he feels so bad he feels the need to study his fingers instead of looking at me”
“Maybe your just not ready for him in your life, with everything about your parents, your new career choice, just give it sometime, give yourself sometime, it will all clear up, you’ll see”
Arora bleakly smiles at Tatum, offering her a ‘you-are-so-right’ look.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
Bianca sits herself down on Nicks coat, laid on the back surrounding the arena, she peers up into the depths of the stars, entranced. Nick slips in close to her, trying his hardest to not give in to his desire to undress Bianca.
“I want to know everything about you Bianca”
“Everything?” she retorts
“Everything” he airily whispers as the breeze into hr air, sending a pleasurable chill up her spine.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
AJ hands ran up Chastity’s top, his lips flooding her face. Kevin and Howie had retreated to bed, as Chastity and AJ, commandeered the Entertainment room. Chastity’s head fell onto the couch arm, as AJ’s eyes widen with passion his smile like one of a lion ready to pounce. As he lunges forward, Chastity ducks out of the way.
“I need a drink” she says nonchalantly.
* 20 MINUTES LATER *
Tatum was dead asleep, Arora on the other hand couldn’t even keep her eyes closed, her mind a maze thinking, not of anything in particular, just thinking. She flops down look out of the window to the star-lit sky, pen in one hand, paper in the other.
She was alerted to a faint knock on the door, she walks over and opens the door, but is taken a-back by who it is.
“Hey” Brian mumbles
“Hi” Arora weakly replies
“Can we talk?” he asks, still trying to avoid eye contact.
“Sure” Arora mutters
she steps out, closing the door behind her, her heart pounding at an alarming rate.
“Arora I just wanted to say - I’m sorry, I should have never put you in the position I did, it was stupid, I just want you to know I like you, and I may have made the biggest mistake of my life, so I hear, hoping that maybe we could - uh- maybe, Um I was thinking that you might - uh”
Arora could tell this was difficult for him, it was obvious he was struggling to say what he felt, which only confused her more.
“Maybe, Arora” he pauses and stares deep into her eyes “I think I lo....”
“Brian don’t” Arora interrupts “Please don’t say what I think you’re going to. There’s something I need you to know”
Brian’s heart stopped, ‘what?’ he ponders ‘did she love someone else?’ ‘does she find me simply repulsive?’ Brian questions
“I’m not ready for a relationship, for once in my life there’s no one telling me who I am or what I should be, for once I have the chance to find out who I am, but I afraid if I add anyone to the equation, they will only end up getting hurt, Brian I could only cause you pain. I really need you to understand, please”
Her words though not intended to were stabbing like a sharpened knife, she didn’t feel the way, he’d fallen, hard, yet she wasn’t returning the love he longed to show, he felt crippled with pain, the tears welling up inside, begging to escape.
“Brian I don’t want to hurt you, you don’t deserve that, I can only cause you pain”
“Why wont you let me decide that?”
“Brian please” Arora eyes began to well up, she knew this was hurting him, but what other choice did she have? “I need to find myself, before letting anyone else into my life, please understand”
“I understand” Brian replies half-heatedly
“Are you alright?” she questions touching his arm.
He pulls away in fear of his desire.
“Yah I’m fine, I respect that” he lies
“Friends?”
‘No I can’t be your friend, that’s means I would have to look at you, yet ignore the longing the craving to be with you, it would be like constant torture eating away at my very soul’
“Sure” he responds out loud.
* THE NEXT DAY *
Arora rubs her eyes studying herself the mirror, she had barely slept at all, her face showing that.
“Morning” Tatum chirped sweeping her hair back into a ponytail
Arora grumbles in reply.
Chastity and Bianca were dead to the world sleeping soundly.
“Bianca, Chastity get up” Tatum says imitating a mother
“We have 1 and a half hours to be at the photo shoot” she continues, shaking Bianca, who simply shrugged her off.
The girls were off to their first photo shoot, for the publicity of the Tour, and also for the cover of they debut single, which had been recorded, and need the finishing touches, that of a cover.
“Chastity, get up” Tatum firmly says
“Just 10 more minutes” Chastity says hiding her head under the pillow.
“Alright you guys asked for it” Arora says picking up her water gun.
She moves in close to Bianca, who face was turned to the wall, she pulls back on the trigger sending a shoot of water straight into the side of Bianca’s face. Bianca squeals jumping up in shock.
“Oh-mi-god, you are so dead” she screams bounding from her bed, and grabbing her pillow.
Arora runs out the front door, Bianca running up behind her, Arora darts around the lot, as Bianca screams “I’m gonna kill you” at the top of her lungs.
Nick, Kevin, Brian, Howie and AJ, as well as some assorted others, step out of their buses to investigate what all the racket is about.
Arora bursting with laughter slides around the place trying to avoid Bianca’s swings with the pillow. She stumbles unable to control her laughter at her psychotic friend, Bianca grabs the opportunity and grabs hold of Arora’s leg, the two topple over onto the ground in a fit of laughter.
They look around, and realize all eyes are on them. Bianca stand up, and brushes the dirt off her.
“What y’all have never seen a Vixen pillow fight before” she says helping Arora up, then gently hitting her with the pillow.
“I win” she laughs
“Hell No” Arora responds
And with that they march back into their bus, leaving the crowd in wonderment.
“So, Chastity what did you and AJ get up too?” Tatum quires
“I did the usual”
“Oh right the, lead ‘em on, make them beg, then just-when-there-about to get what they want, smash it, and leave them begging for more, till they cant stand it anymore and their hormones run ramped” Tatum declares, prancing around the room.
“Bingo” Chastity laughs
* 2 HOURS LATER *
The mini-buses pull out of the arena, off to the photo studio. Everyone involved in the tour was to be there for promotional photos, and some would be asked questions revolving around the tour.
“I look like crap” Bianca mutters looking into her compact
“What were you ‘DOING’ last night?” Arora asks implying her answer
“We talked that’s all” Bianca replies, smiling
“Yah sure” Arora mumbles, just loud enough for Bianca to hear
“So are you buying lunch again?” Tatum inquires looking over at Drew
Vixen were sharing one of the mini-buses with 98 degrees, as they were put with them.
drew laughs and nods quickly. “Will the others be joining us?” he asks looking over to Bianca and Arora.
“If you’re paying, I’m in” Bianca says laughing
“I’ll pay for you” Nick says smiling at Bianca
She couldn’t help but harmlessly and perhaps a bit flirtatiously smile at him
“How about you?” Jeff inquires looking at Arora, liking what he saw.
Arora snapped out of yet another trance she was so deep in.
“Uh - what?” she questions a blank look on her face
“I’m inviting you to lunch” Jeff answers leaning in close to her.
Arora’s mind was elsewhere, namely with Brian, her thought wrapped up in him, the way he seemed so calm yet distraught last night, she knew she had made him feel bad, ‘but what else was I meant to do?’ she reminds herself. She carelessly nods, not really hearing what was said, she didn’t care.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“So let me get this right, you’re Mandy, Tammy, Victoria, Lucy and Annie?” Howie inquires
Each girl nods.
“Hey Nicky boy, you were home late, what did you and Bianca get up to last night?” AJ asks, smirking from ear to ear.
“We just talked, we didn’t get UP TO anything, if your implying what I think you are” Nick replies
‘Bianca?’ Mandy thinks to herself, a plotting smirk brimming on her face.
“Bianca Taylor?” she asks
“Yah, you know her? Nick quires, his attention all hers
“Uhuh, we went to school with Vixen, Arora and Bianca were in the same grade as me, we are - knew each other quite well”
“Cool, so what was she like at school” Nick jokes
“Well” she purposely pauses “My mother always said no one likes a tattle-tail”
“What does that mean?”
“Its really not my place” she says trying to sound sincere
‘What did she mean?’ Nick wonders to himself, a perplexed look on his face.
‘Perfect’ Mandy thought to herself, she had gotten his attention, sown the seed, now all she needed to do was continue to slowly feed it. ‘That bitch Bianca is going to be hurting after this one’ she laughs to herself.
The buses pull each to halt, outside the studio, and everyone piles out. The crowd are quickly distributed to go to make-up and wardrobe, etc.
“Nick” Bianca calls out, catching a sight of him
Nick spins around, and walks over to where Bianca and Arora are.
“Hey babe” Nick says pecking Bianca on the cheek
“Hey to you to” she says returning the kiss
“Look if you guys are gonna make-out perhaps I should leave” Arora says
“So Brian didn’t come home till very late, I hear, you are kept him up all night huh?” Nick inquires smiling with curiosity
“He wasn’t with me” Arora mumbles
“Sure, come-on spill” Nick continues
“Look I don’t know where he was, but he wasn’t with me, understand?!” with that she walks off, wiping the tear away, just the mention of his name hurt, because it only reminds her of the way his eyes welled up when she told him, she couldn’t love him back.
“What did I do?” Nick asks, baffled
“Brian didn’t tell you?”
“He hasn’t said anything all day, I thought maybe he was just reliving his night”
“He probably is, just not in the way you think”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know if I should say anything”
She begins to walk in the studio direction. Nick follows.
“Please”
“She told him she didn’t love him, that she couldn’t”
“Why, I thought she liked him, he sure as hell liked her”
“She just has allot of conflicts in herself, she has to resolve first, her parents were very restrictive, she broke free coming here, risked it all, and she has to find herself. I don’t doubt that she likes him, she just needs time, to figure things out”
* 2 HOURS LATER *
Everyone emerges from make-up etc. Dressed and ready.
“Alright, girls on this side, guys on the other” the photographer announces
The scene was like a pirate ship, with everyone dressed accordingly.
“Okay, you, you and you, over there” he says pointing to Lance, Justin and Joey “Pick up the swords” he demands
“You, and you, up to the lookout” he says pointing to Chastity and AJ.
AJ smiles, as he offers Chastity to go up the ladder first. She accepts, laughing, she didn’t care that she was in a skirt.
“You and You, over there onto the side, sit up on it” he demands pointing to Tatum and Mandy.
Mandy glares at Bianca as she walks past, Bianca returns the glare.
“You, and You, and You go onto the other side” this time he points to Drew, Jeff, Britney Spears and Tammy.
“You at the steering wheel” he mutters to Kevin
The photographer went on to place people in set positions with added extras. He stands back and admires the picture.
“Okay you, and you, arms together like a seat” he says to J.C and Brian
“And you, sit on top of their hands”
“Me?” Arora questions
“Yes you”
She swallows the lump she had done so well at avoiding Brian and now she was about to sit on his hands. She hops up. The photographer grabs her arm, and places it around Brian’s neck, she was sure, everyone could see her uncomfortable face.
“Smile” the photographer says, backing away to once again take a look.
Brian was paralyzed, he had been doing so well at avoiding Arora, and now his hand was basically on her butt, he studies her face, as he had done so many times before, he loved the way she blinked, and almost craved it, and for that he hated himself.
Both Brian and Arora force out fake smiles. JC leans over just as the flash clicks as kisses Arora’s cheek.
Brian saw the whole thing, something inside him jumps, and he lets go of his grip, sending Arora crashing to the floor.
The crowd laughs, as Arora screams.
“I’m so sorry” Brian says offering his hand up
Arora smiles bleakly her face a little red with embarrassment. JC leans down and hauls Arora into the air, over his shoulder. Brian looks on with dismay, and deep seated, hatred.
“Take the picture now” JC declares, laughing.
Bianca, Tatum, and Chastity all knowing what went on last night look on, knowing how much this must be ripping Brian up, there right in front of him, some guy was blatantly flirting with the girl that held his heart.
* 1 HOUR LATER *
The photo shoot finishes finally, after many switches around, and flashes of the camera, it’s all over.
“How’s your butt?” Chastity jokes as Arora joins the others
“Oh ha-ha”
“I can’t believe he dropped you THUD” Bianca laughs imitating the sound effects
“How about we just DROP this” Arora pleads
* AT THE SAME TIME *
“Man you dropped her good” AJ laughs
“I didn’t mean to” Brian mutters
“Dude she went BANG - on the floor”
“Yah AJ I get the picture”
“What happened out there man?” Kevin inquires
“I don’t know” Brian responds, walking away
“Where are you going?” Howie asks
“For a walk”
“Shouldn’t you check it out with security?”
“I don’t give a stuff what they say” he announces, walking out of one of the side doors.
“Do I get the pleasure of escorting you to lunch?” Nick asks walking up behind Bianca
“You may. But we having lunch with some others so you’ll have to tag along” she jokes, admiring his half open shirt.
“Alright, I’m going to go get changed, meet you down in the cafeteria?”
Bianca nods, as Nicks disappears.
The girls move towards the stairs down to the cafe.
“I think I’m going to skip lunch, and go for a walk” Arora says moving away
“By yourself?”
“Yeah”
“Well, okay, but don’t forget where we are, b back in an hour, oh and DON’T talk to strangers” Tatum orders
“Sure, Mom” Arora laughs
Brian pulls the cap down to cover his red eyes, the rain was pouring down, but he didn’t attempt to move under shelter, the rain on his face made it had to distinguish the tears.
‘What is your problem? Get over it’ he sternly tells himself.
He had never felt like this before, sure he had ‘loved’ girls, but Arora was different, he barely knew her, which usually would be a reason NOT to fall in love, or lust, or maybe it was that, which reeled him in, the old tail of desire and unrequited love.
Arora slumps down onto the wooden bench seat, sucking back on the “double-chocolate” thick shake she had. She felt like crap. She searches down into her bag, hoping to find her usual ‘medicine’, “ha” she says pulling out her wallet. She then takes out the “American Express” which of course her parents paid for, Arora didn’t care about the whole morals of ‘paying your own way’ she needed to shop, it always worked in the past.
* AN HOUR LATER *
Arora arrives back at the studio and flops down onto the empty chair next to Bianca.
“You went shopping?”
Arora grunts in reply.
“Did it work?” Tatum asks
The girls knew that Arora answer to things was to spend her parent’s money that was her way of dealing with things.
Arora let her head fall onto the table. She rolls it around “No” she mumbles.
* 1/2 AND HOUR LATER *
“So what did you actually buy?” Chastity inquires, closing the door to the bus behind her.
“I don’t know” Arora says throwing the bags onto the couch
The rain was still pelting down making loud noises on the roof of the bus.
“But I saw these cool tops so I bought 1 for each of us, in a different color, their in there somewhere” she continues pointing to one of the many bags.
“Oh I like this” Tatum says pulling a pink fluffy cardigan from another bag
“Have it” Arora declares ‘Not my size anyway”
“So why did you buy it?”
Arora shrugs, “Just cuz I could” she bleakly replies
*Knock knock*
Bianca opens the door.
“Hey babe” Nick says, looking very wet {ohhhhhh yeah}
“Get in here you, your gonna get a cold” Bianca demands, flicking a droplet off his nose
“We’re going to watch a video, y’all care to join us?”
“I’m in” Tatum responds
“Me too” Chastity replies
Arora puts down the chocolate bar she’s eating, when she realizes everyone’s looking at her.
“You don’t have to come” Bianca offers
“Na, I’m there. I’d love to come” she lies
* 10 MINUTES LATER *
“This bus is like a castle” Tatum admires, walking onto the boys bus
“How come you get this big thing, what you think you’re famous?” Bianca jokes.
They walk into the entertainment room. Nick promptly sits down on one of the couches and gestures Bianca to join him, which she accepts. AJ beckons Chastity to join him on the beanbag. Tatum takes a seat, next to Kevin and Howie.
“Oh I Um, don’t really want to watch this movie” Brian says moving to get up, realizing there was only 1 seat left, the one next to him.
Arora takes a deep breath.
“Sure you do” she says sitting down next to him.
She smiles shyly at him, and he returns the smile.
“So what are we watching?” Tatum inquires
“Uh, ‘Scream’” Howie says picking up the cover “Nick’s Choice”
“Its called Tack you fuck-rag” Bianca yells out, laughing
“Do you want to die Sidney?” Chastity continues
“Do you like Scary movies?” Tatum announces trying her hardest to sound scary.
“Liver-alone get it? liver-alone” Arora pipes in
The 4 girls erupt into laughter.
“I gather you’ve all seen it?” Nicks asks
“Have we? OH MI God, its like OUR movie” Bianca declares
* 2 HOURS LATER *
“Well we better go rehearse” Tatum says
“Oh yeah there’s that” Chastity says drearily
“We got to go for sound check and all that too” AJ admits.
Everyone gets up, and exits the bus.
“I’ll be there in a sec, okay” Brian says, moving to one of the other rooms
The others walk away. Arora stops and walks back into the bus.
“Brian?” she calls
“Yes?” he says walking back into the room
“We’re friends right?”
Brian takes a deep breath and puts on his most sincere face.
“Yeah” he replies
“Great. Because, I’d really like that” she says, trying her best to sound as though she meant it
“Me too”
“Okay Friends then” she declares, leaning over and briefly hugging him.
He pats her slightly on the back, he didn’t want to tempt himself beyond what he could handle. She draws away, and smiles.
“Okay, I’ll see ya later”
“Yah bye”
With that she leaves.
Brian knew he was fooling himself to think that he could look at Arora only as a friend, but he also knew it wasn’t fair to tell her that, none of this was her fault, he knew that much. He cons himself into a least trying to act just a friend, and right there he swore he wouldn’t tell her how he felt, till she initiated it.
* AT THE SAME TIME *
Arora gave herself a job well done.
‘Great he wants to be friends, that’s perfect’ she says to herself
But she didn’t know just how wrong she was, and how un-perfect the situation was.