Kallie woke up, slightly lifting her head and putting it back on the couch pillow.  Her head felt like it was going to explode; her mouth dry as can be.  She opened her eyes and looked around.  She was in her living room, lying down on the couch; her throw blanket covered her.  Her shoes were off, and when she looked at her side, a big glass of water was on the coffee table, as well as the wastebasket next to the couch.  Kallie reached over and sipped the water to wet her mouth, then dipped her fingers in it to splash some water on her face.  She stood up slowly and walked into the bathroom, where she felt nauseous, got sick in the toilet and sat on the toilet seat. What happened to me last night?  She got up and looked in the mirror, where her makeup was smeared on her face, her hair in every which direction and her clothes wrinkled from them being slept in.  She opened the medicine cabinet, took some aspirin to calm her throbbing head, and then took a long hot shower. Feeling a little better, she managed to get down some dry toast and sip some tea.  The phone rang, like church bells in her ears, and she answered the phone. “Hello?” she said in almost a whisper. “Hey you.  Looks like you’re still feeling last night,” said Brian. “Ugh, don’t ask.  What happened last night?” “Tequila is what happened to you.  You were absolutely drunk.” “Remind me not to go near that stuff for a while.  Oh, by the way, thanks for being me in last night, and for the water.” There was a pause on the other end.  “It wasn’t me.” “Of course it was you.” “Wait a minute… you don’t remember what happened?” “All I remember is that I was sitting on a bench with you.” “Oh man,” Brian laughed.  “I didn’t bring you in… AJ did.” “Say what?!” Kallie exclaimed, then put her hand to her head from the sharp pain. “He shared a cab with us, then volunteered to bring you to your place.” “Did the girl who had almost no clothes join us?” “Nope, he dumped her at the club… Wow you were toasted last night.  He must have been in rare form to lay you down and get you water,” Brian said. Kallie shook her head.  “I just can’t believe it.” “Well, believe it.  I told you; sometimes he has his moments.  Look I gotta go.  I’ll check in on you later OK?” “OK, talk to you later, bye.” “Bye.” Kallie hung up the phone bewildered.  She couldn’t believe he had done that for her.  She expected him, even if he did bring her in, to just leave her at the door and let her pass out in the hallway.  She turned on her computer and checked her e-mail.  When she received the e-mail from Strngalong, her mind raced again with the thoughts she had been trying to get out through her consumption of alcohol.  With shaky hands, she clicked on the e-mail to read it. From: Strngalong To: Musekgrl Subj: I’m outed Hey! Looks like people know about us now.  Admitted in a conversation that I was having an online… something with someone.  Said to be careful, but I know better LOL.  Hope you enjoyed your Saturday night as much as I did… except seeing people get wasted at a club, but I enjoyed the tunes.  E-mail me soon! Strngalong Kallie felt the lump in her throat rising to her mouth, and she was sure it wasn’t because of the hangover.  The clues were right in front of her face: the club, the conversation, seeing people get wasted.  It was all true… Kevin was Strngalong.  ~*~ Kallie had avoided looking at her computer all day.  Was she disappointed?  Wasn’t she?  She didn’t know.  The thought of not knowing who he was seemed comfortable to her, but now that he had a face, it seemed… weird.  Sure, she had thought Kevin was handsome, nice, intelligent, but it wasn’t the type of person she expected.  She expected someone a little more passionate, a little of wildness in his soul.  Kevin seemed too suave, too calm about music to be him.  But the facts were all there.  She had to deal with it and try to figure out a little more about Kevin/Strngalong without him finding out the truth.  She heard AJ playing through the wall of her living room, the same tune she had heard ever since she had moved into the apartment.  This time, she heard him humming a singing melody to it.  He was moving on to the next phase of his song, and hearing him sing sent chills up her spine.  She wanted to thank him for last night, but she took Strngalong’s advice: don’t be too pushy.  He was starting to come around, but was that out of kindness, or pity?  Going to his door and saying thank you?  Nah, too little.  Sending him food?  Get real!  No it’s got to be subtle, she thought.  Thinking a bit more, she got a flash.  She went to her bedroom to get dressed. ~*~ She went to the door next to her, feet firmly in place as she knocked on the door.  She took a deep breath as she heard footsteps coming towards her and the door opened.  AJ stood there a little surprised by who was standing in front of her. “Hello.” “Uh, hi,” Kallie stammered.  She stopped and stared at him for a second, those brown eyes with the same look as when she first met him on the terrace. “Can I help you?” “Oh, sorry,” Kallie gave an embarrassed laugh.  “I… just wanted to thank you for helping me out last night.  I apologize for being so drunk.” “It was better than leaving you at the door; or else Mr. Castillo would’ve evicted me for letting a tenant pass out in the hallway.  I’m already on thin ice with him.” “I see,” Kallie nodded.  “I bought you something, to thank you,” Kallie gave the box that was in her hands to him. “Uh, you didn’t have to do that,” AJ accepted the box. “I wanted to.” “I guess, thank you,” AJ leaned on the doorframe.  “Do you want to open it?” “Oh, yeah,” AJ opened the box and looked inside.  It was the first time she saw a smile come from him as he picked the gift from the box.  “Earphones.”  Kallie smiled, a little relief came to her face.  “That way I won’t have to hear your ‘private music.’” “Yeah, I guess so,” AJ said.  “Well, I better go.  Thanks again,” Kallie turned away. “Wait,” AJ said.  Kallie turned around, looking as surprised as AJ did. “Yes?” “You’re welcome Kallie,” AJ said. Kallie smiled.  “See you around.” “Yeah, see ya.” Kallie went back into her apartment, more relieved than she had felt.  “At least he called me by my name this time,” she smiled to herself. Chapter 7 Contents Chapter 5