A week later… Kallie returned from work, completely gracious it was the weekend.   She threw on a pair of sweats, grabbed a snack from the kitchen, and then returned to the television.  She was going to meet Deana, Kevin and Amy at the Blue Note later on that night, but wanted to relax for a little while before getting ready.  As she turned on the TV, the phone rang and she reached over to answer it. “Hello?” “Hey Kallie.” “What’s up Brian?” “Nothing much… how does it feel… TGIF you know!” Kallie laughed.  “It feels great!  You’re hanging out with us tonight right?” “Yup, I’ll be ready as soon as my shift ends.  I’m excited to meet your friends.” “Me too.  So I’ll see you later then?” “You bet.” “Bye.” “Bye.” ~*~ Kallie arrived at the Blue Note as Deana, Kevin and Amy were waiting outside.  “Hi guys.” “Hey Kallie,” Amy said as Kallie walked up to them.  “This sounds like a cool place.  I heard the music from the door,” Kevin said. “Oh it is, and I have an in with one of the staff,” Kallie smiled.  “You guys will meet Brian later.” “Can’t wait,” Deana said.  “So let’s hear those beats.” They walked inside the Blue Note, as Brian waved from serving drinks to a table.  He motioned form Kallie to take the front table as Kallie waved back and led them to the table. “Wow, what an ambiance,” Kevin said as he sat down. “Yeah, I had a blind date here once,” said Deana.  “You did?  You never told me,” Amy cocked her head to the side. “It was an Internet thing, no big deal,” Deana shrugged her shoulders. Kallie snapped her head up as Kevin laughed.  “Ah, the dating service of the 21st century.” “Come on, it’s like not anyone has never done it before.” “I haven’t,” said Amy.  “You never know whose on the other end of that phone line.” “Oh live a little Amy.  I was safe about it.” “I agree with Deana…” Kevin started as Kallie began to cough.  “Hey you OK?” “Fine, just a little something stuck in my throat,” Kallie waved her face, but really wanted to get away from this conversation as much as possible.  She seemed to be saved as Brian came up to the table and set down some water.  “Hi guys,” Brian smiled. “Hey Bri.  Um, this is Amy, Deana and Kevin from work.  Guys, this is Brian.” “Nice to meet all of you,” Brian smiled.  “What can I get for you tonight?” “Uh, I guess cappuccinos for all,” Kevin smiled.  “I’ll buy, ladies.” “Coming right up,” Brian said as he went into the back. “You don’t have to do that Kevin,” said Kallie. “Hey, what guy has three lovely ladies by his side?  Let people think I’m the biggest player here,” Kevin leaned back in his chair. Deana rolled her eyes as Kevin leaned forward.  “So tell me more about this blind date Deana.”  “Like I said, it was nothing.  We met in some acting chat room, we started talking, and he took me out the next week here.” “Ooh, did you hook up?” Amy smiled. “Trust me, it was better online,” Deana brooded.  “The guy could type, but he couldn’t talk.” Kevin finished his water.  “Yeah, but I don’t think it’s such a bad thing.  Words seem to have more meaning than anything does online.   I’m talking to someone now, and she’s cool.” Kallie looked at Kevin.  “You are?” “OK, do tell,” Amy leaned on the table. “She’s from here, has a great love of music, and very intelligent.  I met her in a music chat room.” “You think you’re gonna meet her?” “Who knows?” Kevin shrugged his shoulders.  “I like what we have going now.” Kallie blushed a deep shade of red as she sipped her water.  Could it be… HIM? “Kallie are you alright?  You’ve been kinda silent,” Deana said. “Probably because she has an Internet story to tell,” Amy smirked.  “Am I right?” “Uh, maybe,” Kallie finished her water. Brian brought the drinks over to the table.  “The set is starting guys.  Enjoy.” “Thanks Brian,” Kallie smiled.  “I’ll join you in about half an hour.” “No problem.  See you all later.” Brian walked away. The crowd was silent as some musicians began to play.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the set, although Kallie’s mind was elsewhere.  Could Kevin be Strngalong?  He is a musician, because he told Kallie that he used to work as a piano player in New York City.  He’s also said that he has talked to someone online.  Her mind raced… could she picture herself with Kevin? Kallie’s thoughts stopped as she saw AJ plug in his guitar and took a seat at the stool on the stage.  She hadn’t seemed him around in a while, as his hair had changed color to a dark brown, still as spiky as ever, wearing a white shirt that was cutoff at the sleeves, faded ripped jeans and black boots.  His rings were still as prevalent as ever as he picked up his guitar and took a seat. “Although I usually play some of my own written material, this song has been in my head for the past few days.  I figured I should play it to release it out of my system.” AJ began to strum a slow beat to a familiar tune.  Kallie recognized it right away, as it was one of her favorites. If you could only see the way she loves me Then maybe you would understand Why I feel this way about our love And what I must do If you could only see how blue her eyes can be when she says When she says she loves me Well you got your reasons And you got your lies And you got your manipulations They cut me down to size Sayin' you love but you don't You give your love but you won't If you could only see the way she loves me Then maybe you would understand Why I feel this way about our love And what I must do If you could only see how blue her eyes can be when she says When she says she loves me Seems the road less traveled Show's happiness unraveled And you got to take a little dirt To keep what you love That's what you gotta do Sayin' you love but you don't If you could only see the way she loves me Then maybe you would understand Why I feel this way about our love And what I must do If you could only see how blue her eyes can be when she says When she says she loves me The crowd clapped loudly, as Kallie clapped the loudest.  It was the first time she had heard his singing voice: gritty but yet so soft.  He seemed to feel the words to the song as he strummed each note, closing his eyes and seeing the emotion in his face.  In her eyes, it was better than hearing the original. “He’s good,” Deana commented.  “Has he played here before?” “He’s a regular here, as well as my next door neighbor,” Kallie sipped her coffee. “Wow, is he nice?” Amy asked. Kallie frowned.  “Not really.” “Well, you seemed to like him, based on how you reacted to his song,” Kevin smiled. “I like his music, not his personality.” Kevin rubbed his chin.  “Hmm, maybe I can take my Internet friend here for our first date.” “Wait a minute.  I thought you said you liked what you had going on now,” Deana smirked. “Well, maybe it could change,” Kevin smiled. Kallie bit her lip again as she saw the smile on Kevin’s face. Best to leave it alone as is, she thought. ~*~ Later on that night, Kallie, along with Brian and the rest of her friends went to The Amazon, a club that Kallie had previously been to with Brian.  They took a seat at the lounge and ordered drinks, as Kallie took a double shot of Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, a drink she usually didn’t have unless she was planning to get drunk on.  However, she was trying to forget about Kevin and her lingering thoughts on him. “Well, I say we hit the floor,” Brian smiled as he downed his beer.  “Wanna dance Amy?” “Sure,” Amy smiled as they walked to the dance floor. “Come on Kev,” Deana grabbed his hand.  “Let’s not leave them alone.” “Will you be alright Kallie?” Kevin asked her. “Yeah,” Kallie down another shot.  “You guys go on.” “I’ll save you a dance later,” Kevin winked as he followed Deana on the floor.  Kallie smiled, as she was feeling light and lofty from the tequila as she watched her friends on the floor.  She noticed Kevin dancing with Deana, moving so suave as girls were eyeing him on the floor.  Her head was spinning from all of the lights and the alcohol and looking around the floor when she saw a familiar figure at the bar.  Kallie peered closely to see the person in the white sleeveless shirt.  It was AJ, smoking a cigarette, his arm around some girl with a black dress that barely covered her body.  They were at the bar, the girl downing a shot of Jack Daniels, and whispering to AJ.  AJ seemed amused as the girl put down her shot and kissed his lips.  She moved down to his neck and AJ smiled until his eyes caught Kallie’s.  Kallie felt like a peeping tom as her eyes cast downward rather quickly.  She saw AJ turn her attention to the woman, obviously enjoying himself.  Feeling even more disgusted, Kallie got the waitress’s attention and ordered another double shot.  ~*~ By the end of the night, Kallie was blasted.  Kevin, Deana, Amy and Brian figured that out as Kallie was slumping in her seat. “OK Kallie, how many fingers am I holding up?” Brian asked as he waved two fingers in front of her face. “Whatever,” Kallie brushed his fingers away from her face. “Yup, she’s toast,” Amy sighed. “Damn, and we didn’t have our dance,” Kevin stroked her cheek.  “Come on, let’s go home.” Kevin and Brian slung Kallie’s arms around their shoulders as they helped her out of the club and sat her down at a bench. “I think we gotta get two cabs, I can get Kallie home,” Brian said. “You sure?” Deana asked. “Yup, I’ll take care of her, don’t worry,” Brian smiled.  Kevin walked out to the street and hailed a cab.  He sat down next to Kallie.  “You OK?” “Fine and dandy,” Kallie slurred. “I bet,” Brian smiled.  Amy walked up to them as Deana and Kevin joined them.  “Cab’s here.  You sure you’ll be OK?” “No problem,” Brian said.  He shook their hands.  “It was nice to meet you all.” “Us too,” Amy said. “Talk to you guys later,” Kallie waved to them and laughed. “OK,” Kevin smiled.  “You rest up Kallie.” Deana, Amy and Kevin left in the cab as Brian was sitting with Kallie.  He was about to get up and get a cab, when he saw AJ walking towards them.  Kallie looked questioningly at AJ as he walked up to Brian. “Sup man, saw you on the floor earlier,” AJ shook Brian’s hand. “Yeah, got my groove on a little bit,” Brian sighed.  “Listen, can I share a cab with you tonight?  Looks like I’m running out of cash.” “What happened to your, uh, friend?” AJ waved his hand.  “Forget her, total bimbo.  So can I?” “Uh sure, can you get one?  My hands are full with Kallie.” “No problem,” AJ went to the street as Brian stayed with Kallie. “Are you crazy?” Kallie asked. “He needs a ride home,” Brian reasoned. “Alright, but if I puke, point me in his direction.” Brian laughed.  “You got it.”  AJ got a cab and Brian tried to help Kallie up, but she slumped over again.  “AJ, can you help?” AJ rolled his eyes as he helped Brian get Kallie into the cab.  Kallie sat by the window, as Brian and AJ filed into the cab. The cab pulled up in front of the apartment complex as Brian and AJ helped Kallie out of the cab.  She had the spins and mumbled, “I’m so dizzy.” “I better get her into the elevator,” Brian said. “You know what, I’ll bring her up,” AJ said.  Kallie lifted her head in surprise. “You sure?” “Yeah, go on man.  Thanks for sharing the cab,” AJ said. “No problem,” Brian turned to Kallie.  “I’ll call you tomorrow.” “OK, Brian,” Kallie smiled a drunken smile.  “You’re the best.” “Uh huh,” Brian smiled as he walked away. AJ stood there as Kallie leaned on the side of the building.  “I can get there by myself, you don’t have to help me.” “Right, that’s why you have to lean on the wall,” AJ put her arm around his shoulder.  “Come on.” AJ walked with Kallie to the elevator and got out on their floor.  She stumbled with AJ as they got to Kallie’s door. “Where’s your key?” AJ asked her. Kallie unsteadily opened her bag and got out her key, and he took it and opened the door. She helped her way along the hallway, and walked into the living room as she fell on the floor.  AJ helped her up and led her to the couch.  “I think you better just stay here.” He swung her legs around so she lay down and took off her shoes.  “You know, if I wasn’t such a gentleman, I would be taking advantage of you.” “Right, like you would have a chance,” Kallie slurred again, her head becoming cloudy as she felt her throw blanket around her.  She closed her eyes and heard the door close a few minutes later. Chapter 6 Contents Chapter 4 Song by: "If you could only see" Tonic