Chapter 13: LA Here We Come! **The next week** “V, you got everything?” “Yeah I do, but where’s my sunglasses?” “They’re in my bag.” “Well, what the hell are they doing there?” “I don’t know, you put them there.” “GUYS STOP!” That was Lauralee, after hearing the argument between them.  “Listen I’m going to ask you all one simple question: does everyone have everything?” “Yes, now that I have my sunglasses,” said Veronica smugly. “I told you I didn’t put them there!” yelled Laura. “Well who did?!” “I don’t know, the sunglasses fairy?!” Lauralee let out a whistle with her fingers.  Laura and Veronica stopped abruptly and turned to her. “If I have to hear this on the whole plane ride, I will throw myself off of it.” “Sorry Lau, I guess it’s pre-flight jitters,” said Veronica “Let’s go—we gotta meet them at the airport in half an hour.” ~*~ At Orlando International Airport, the girls had checked in their bags and went to the VIP lounge.  Marcus was standing at the entrance.  When he saw Lauralee and the girls, he smiled and waved.  “Well hello ladies.” “Hey Marcus,” said Lauralee.  “Marcus, this is Laura and Veronica.  They’re gonna be…” “Howie and Kevin filled me in,” he interjected, “and they’re waiting for you guys inside.” “Oh, are we the last ones here?” asked Veronica. “Yup, but its early,” said Marcus.  “Go on in.” The girls walked into the lounge, where an entourage of people were present: Alex, Howie, Kevin, Brian, Nick, Nick’s mother, Lou Pearlman, several management personnel, some representatives from their record company, as well as their security team. Alex, Howie and Kevin spotted the girls come into the lounge.  “Hey baby,” Alex said, coming towards Lauralee.  He gave her a hug.  “Hey stranger,” said Kevin coming towards Laura and giving her a soft kiss. “Oh, I’ll skip the hello,” Howie said as he grabbed Veronica into a kiss. “I’m so glad you could come,” said Alex, his arm around Lauralee’s waist. “Howie and Kevin made it easy for me to decide.” Howie and Kevin, after hearing that Lauralee was coming on the trip as Alex’s guest, had decided to invite Laura and Veronica as their guests.  The past week seemed to be like a whirlwind to them.  Each night the six of them had gone out to clubs, movies, and dinner—you name it.  Laura, Kevin, Howie and Veronica had gotten extremely close, so when they were invited, they jumped at the chance to go. “Wow, covering 3 states in a week,” said Laura, when she had been asked to go.  “I’m making my way up!” After making their way around, the guys introducing them to all that were in the room, they finally made their way to some couches near the corner and chilled.  Brian and Nick came over to join them. “Uh, guys, you want to introduce us?” asked Brian. “Oh sorry,” said Lauralee.  “Brian and Nick, this is Laura and Veronica, my two best friends.  Girls, this is Brian and Nick.” Everyone said hello.  “So this is why I haven’t gotten in touch with you all week,” Brian said to Kevin as he moved his eyebrows up and down. “Uh, yeah it is,” said Kevin. Some light conversation continued until Lou clapped his hands.  “Well everyone, the jet is here, so let’s get going.”  Everyone went down the stairs to the runway of the airport where a private jet was waiting. “You’re right,” Laura whispered to Lauralee as they walked on to the runway. “How?” “This week, y’know, you see them as people, but then when you get on a private jet, you take it in for a second and think ‘This is really what they do’.” “It is amazing, isn’t it?” “Damn straight.” ~*~ The jet landed in Los Angeles, where they boarded several limousines, one containing executives, another with the group and Lou, and the third with Lauralee, Laura, Veronica, and Nick’s mother.  They got to the hotel and checked in, after Marcus’s team swept the rooms to make sure they were OK.  Laura and Veronica stayed in one room, Lauralee and Alex in the next, Howie’s, Kevin’s, Brian’s, Nick and Nick’s mother's were all on one floor.  They all had to go to do press conferences, interviews, photo shoots.  Lauralee, Veronica, and Laura all went, being reminded to keep safe distances as to not attract attention, as Lauralee knew the drill clearly now.  After doing their final TV appearance, they all went out and did separate things: Laura and Kevin went to Sunset Strip; Howie, Veronica and Brian went to check out some local hotspots; Nick and his mother turned in; but Lauralee and Alex decided to stay in the room. “You know something?” said Alex, sitting on the balcony overlooking the Los Angeles skyline. “Hmm?” Lauralee said to him, being lost in the view. “I never thought I would be here.” “You were successful in Europe, Alex, what makes you th-“ “No, not that.  I mean I never thought I would be here with you.” “What?” “When I first saw you in my grandmother’s house, my first thought was ‘OK, this girl is beautiful, she won’t go out with me’.” “You thought I wouldn’t go out with you?  I thought I didn’t have a prayer!” “What makes you think that?” “Hey, I’m just a college student in New York.  I spend a lot of time hitting the books, being with my family, or hanging out with my friends.  I never thought I would meet you, and especially being here in LA.  Most boyfriends would take a girl to a fancy restaurant for a special time, not another state.” “You deserve it.” “No I don’t.” “Now why don’t you deserve it?” said Alex.  “Don’t you know how special you are?” “Alex, in my life, every time I get to a high point, something brings me completely down.  When I got my driver’s license, my first car was a lemon.  When I thought things with my ex-boyfriend were getting to the point of thinking he was ‘the one’, he told me he was seeing this girl for months and wanted to break up.  And especially… when I graduated from high school as valedictorian, 2 months later, my family suffered the biggest tragedy I have ever seen.  After that, I never try to exaggerate things, because I know something bad could happen.” “And you think this could happen with us?”  Alex looked down. “No!  I just feel that someone’s life couldn’t be perfect all the time. Alex, I could never take the relationship that we have for granted.  I treasure every moment we have together—either here in Los Angeles or chillin in your apartment.  I love being with you.” Alex looked at her and smiled.  “You probably are wondering why I’m asking you this.” “Kind of.” “Well, it’s because of this,” Alex pulled out a small box.  “Happy 2 month anniversary.” “Oh my God!” Lauralee exclaimed.  “Has it really been 2 months?” “Time flies when you’re having fun,” said Alex.  “Go ahead open it.” “I can’t believe I forgot, I didn’t get you anything.” “You being here with me is all the present I need.  Come on, open it.” Lauralee took the box and opened it.  Inside was an amethyst pendant cut in the shape of a heart, hanging from a silver chain. “It’s… beautiful,” breathed Lauralee, tears coming down from her face.  “My birthstone.” “I saw it in this little jewelry store near my grandmother’s house.  I saw it and automatically thought it belonged around your neck.” “Will you?” she said, taking the necklace from the box.  Alex put it on her. “Like I thought,” said Alex.  “Perfect.” “This is… I just…” Alex put his fingers to her lips.  “You deserve it.” Chapter 14 Contents Chapter 12