Chapter 2



He walked right down the bus aisle, until he reached the back seat, where I was sitting.

My heart was racing. Oh my God- he isn’t… is he? I was thinking.

“Anyone sitting here?” He asked me, with a half smile on his face.

He was so unbelievably gorgeous close- up! And he wanted to sit next to me- ME!

“Er… no,” I said. My voice sounded all high and squeaky!

Fantastic.

But I was sooooo nervous! It was Christian from a1.

a1!!!!!!

He did break into a smile then (I think he could sense how nervous I was) and he sat down right next to me on the back seat.

And I just sat there, frozen, unable to think or do anything. What was I supposed to do when a gorgeous, world famous pop star (did I mention gorgeous?) was sat right next to me?!

Go, “So… hi- how you doin’?!!”

Er… I don’t think so.

But he spoke to me then. He turned to me and said, “You don’t look very happy.”

Oh great. What a first line.

He must have seen how unhappy and miserable I was looking when he got on the bus. And then I suddenly realised I wasn’t looking very good either- I hardly had any make up on, and my hair was a mess! I thought that no one would see me here, so I hadn’t bothered!

Oh shit, shit, shit!

And by contrast, he looked so immaculate. I suppose it’s easy for pop stars though; they don’t have to try and they still look good.

He had the most gorgeous green eyes and lovely looking blond hair! It had curled around his face- the “curtained” look, infact. And he didn’t have a hair out of place! And he had lovely lips, too…

I suddenly realised I must be staring, so I quickly said, remembering vaguely he’d said something to me, “er…no. I’m not that great.”

Although you’re certainly helping my mood, I thought.

“Why, what’s up?” He asked. He looked pretty interested actually. It was like he was an old mate and we’d just met up for the first time in a couple of weeks. It wasn’t like he was a gorgeous superstar and I was a plain nobody and we’d only met 2 minutes ago!

If he was going to be friendly though- which I’m glad he was- I might as well reward him by at least trying to be cool, calm and collected. Even though I was all over the place inside!

“Well, I went into the City this morning,” I started, “ and then I went shopping for a couple of hours, and had lunch. And I was really tired and I just wanted to get home, but when I got back to my car-“

I paused. It would look really good wouldn’t it, if I said I KNEW the car battery was dead before the garage came? And besides, he’d never know.

“- and I fond the car battery was dead.”

“Ohhh,” said Christian. There was a mixture of interest and sympathy in his voice.

“And so I called the garage and they picked up my car. And now I have to go home on the BUS,” I said the word ‘bus’ with as much disgust as I could to voice my annoyance.

It really must have shown too, ‘cos Christian laughed.

And he had the cutest laugh ever!

He made me smile, too.

“What’s so wrong with buses?” he asked me.

“Huh! What isn’t wrong with buses?” I rephrased for him. “I just don’t like them, that’s all. It’s a personal thing,” I told him.

“Why didn’t you take a taxi then?” he asked me.

“I really didn’t feel like walking back into the city centre,” I told him. “I’m too tired and it’s hot. And I’m on a bus. And that’s why I’m miserable.”

He half laughed again.

This was very promising! I’d made him laugh twice do far and he was actually making me feel much more comfortable, because he was so friendly.

“Oh- I’m Christian by the way,” he suddenly said, and he held out his hand for me to shake it.

Well, he’d certainly learnt all the British traditions, I thought!

Of course, I did know Christian was Norwegian. That’s the only thing I did know about him actually- that, and that he was in a1.

Arragghhh! I keep forgetting that! He’s in a1.

It was my turn to laugh.

“I know who you are!” I smiled, but took his hand and shook it anyway (just so that I could say I’d touched Christian from a1. a1- arrrraggghhhh!!!).

“I’m Katherine,” I said. “But everyone calls me Kate.” Which was true- my whole family and friends do. It’s just so much easier.

It felt weird to be shaking hands with a pop star- especially Christian! His hand was really warm and it was a pretty firm handshake. It was pretty disappointing when it was over, actually!!!

“No… Katherine’s a really pretty name. I’ll call you Katherine,” he smiled at me.

“Erm… ok,” I said. But I was thinking, arragghhh! He thinks my name’s pretty! But I HATE my name!!

He kind of turned away then, and started looking around the bus. He had such a cute profile, I couldn’t help noticing. I couldn’t help noticing everything about him!

He was soooooo cute!

And I just couldn’t believe I, I, was talking to him on the bus.

That’s a point actually- what the hell was Christian a1 doing on a public bus in London? I hoped he wouldn’t mind me asking. We knew each other’s names now, and I’d told him what I was doing here, so he couldn’t possibly mind, could he?

“So… what are you doing on a bus?” I asked. I didn’t mean for there to be so much surprise in my voice, but it just came out like that.

He looked back and grinned at me. “Pretty weird, you’re thinking- huh?”

I nearly blushed at that. I don’t know why.

I looked down to avoid him seeing me, in case I had blushed. “I just thought that pop stars had like, Ferrari’s and Mercedes’ and cars like that,” I said. “I didn’t think they even used buses.”

He laughed that cute laugh again. “I suppose that’s the impression everyone gets.”

I looked up at him again. “It’s not true, then?” I asked.

“Well, I suppose the really rich and successful pop stars have Ferrari’s and stuff, but we haven’t really been around that long and we’re definitely not rich,” he said to me.

Which I thought was really weird. I thought all pop stars were rich, even those new ones from TV- ‘hearsay- they apparently had £500,000 each after their FIRST single. And I knew for a fact a1 had been around ages, so why wasn’t Christian rolling in it?

“And I actually don’t have a car at the moment,” he said. “It’s not that I can’t afford one, though! It’s not that bad! It’s just I’ve been really busy lately, that’s all, and I haven’t had time to get one.”

“Ohhh,” I said. It was an invitation for him to continue- why had he been so busy?

But I wasn’t sure he was going to take it.

And I could understand that- we’d only met a few minutes ago! He didn’t have to tell me everything about his life!

He paused, and I could see he was thinking about it.

And then to my delight, he took up the invitation!

“You see, I was actually living with the other 3 guys in this really big, great house in London. We’d all decided to move in together, I think it was about a year ago now,” he told me, and I nodded, listening interested.

“And the house was really nice, and I really enjoyed living there and everything, but after living with the guys for about a year, they can start to get really annoying.” He laughed, and so did I, intrigued.

“Can they?” I said.

“Yeah! Actually though, Mark is a really good housemate, ‘cos he’s quite tidy and goes out quite a lot, so we don’t see each other more than we need to! But Ben and Paul are soooo messy! They just leave everything everywhere. Especially Ben! He never put anything away and never cleared anything up. He was starting to really get on my nerves!” he laughed again, and you could tell he didn’t mean to be nasty about Ben! They were probably the best of mates, really.

“And then he would just go around everywhere singing! He could never ever shut up! And he would never sit still doing anything, either. He’d talk all the way through videos and jump around dancing to all the a1 tracks! Oh, and he never did any housework either. God, Ben’d kill me if he knew I was telling you this!” He suddenly said, and laughed again.

“You don’t have to. You don’t even know me,” I said, and then immediately wished I hadn’t.

But luckily Christian said, “Oh, how’s he gonna know? Anyway, we also had Paul’s Alsatians living with us. They’re really great, but I was just feeling a bit crowded and I needed a bit more privacy. So, a couple of weeks ago, I moved into my own flat in Greenwich,” he finished.

Greenwich?

Greenwich?!!

He lives in Greenwich now?!!

Arrraagghh!! I live in Greenwich! This is soooo weird!!!

He must be getting off at the same stop as me….

… cool!

“So, you moved as far away from them as you could?” I joked, knowing Greenwich was an hour from London.

He laughed. “You know, I think I must have sub-consciously! But anyway, I’ve been really busy doing that up and getting all the furniture done. I got it all from IKEA so it was as Scandinavian as possible!” He laughed. “And it’s just finished, actually. So now my priority for this week is to get a car.”

“Have you ever had a car?” I asked him, hoping that didn’t sound too stupid.

“Yeah- when I was living with the guys we had 2 cars between us 4, but I couldn’t very well take one, could I?” He said. He smiled at me, and had a little glint in his eye.

“Of course you could’ve!!” I laughed. “It’s only a small thing like a car! They wouldn’t miss it!”

“They probably wouldn’t,” Christian laughed. “But I’ll get my very own soon, and then I won’t have to use “horrible” buses!” He flashed a grin at me.

I couldn’t believe how totally great this guy was! He was so friendly, it was just magic. He’d only just met me, and yet he was telling me about living with all the other members of a1, and moving into his own flat… and he laughed at nearly everything. I’d totally lost the nervous feeling in my stomach. He still totally over awed me, ‘cos he was in a1 and he was so fantastically cute, but I didn’t feel so awkward and uncomfortable around him anymore. I felt like I could talk to him about anything and we could just have this fantastic conversation. And I’d only known him a few minutes, too! Crazy. I felt like I’d known him for much longer than that.

“Are you gonna get a Ferrari, then?” I asked him, half joking.

“Oh yeah,” he said, raising one of his eyebrows at me. “Of course.”

I laughed. “What kind of car do you want to get?” I asked. Maybe he was one of those weird guys who weren’t obsessed by fast cars.

“What car you’ve got?” He suddenly asked me.

“Oh- a Honda Civic,” I told him proudly. I love my car!

Except when it broke down in London car parks.

“Cool. I don’t want anything too flashy,” he said. (Was he saying my car wasn’t flashy?!!)

“Maybe I’ll get something Scandinavian, so I can match it with all my furniture in my flat from IKEA!” He suddenly laughed.

“You’re so lucky to have your own flat,” I said, with a degree of jealousy. “It must be fantastic to have your own space, and everything the way you want it.”

“You don’t have your own flat?” He asked, a little surprised.

I gave him a look. He’d expected me to have my own flat, had he?

“How old do you think I am?” I asked him laughing.

“I dunno. 23? 24?” He suggested.

I laughed again. I had no idea I looked that old! Especially with no make up on! Jeez, I must look about 26 with a full face on!

“I’m 21,” I told him.

“Oh!” He said, even more surprised. “You still live at home, then?” He asked.

I shook my head. “Oh no! My family live up North in Lincolnshire. At the minute, I’m living in a rented apartment in Greenwich. I’ve been living there for about a year now,” I told him.

“You live in Greenwich?” He said, again surprised. He was saying out loud exactly how I’d felt a few seconds ago!

I nodded. “Yeah. And that’s why it’s so annoying to be on this bus,” I told him. “’Cos I have to travel on it for an hour!”

“So- you live with people, then?” He asked.

“No- I live alone,” I told him.

“But isn’t that like your ‘own’ flat, then?” He quizzed me.

“But it isn’t mine! It’s only rented. And anyway, it’s soooo small! And dark, too. I couldn’t imagine living there for the rest of my life!” I laughed, shuddering. That would be like, my worst nightmare come true.

“Are you planning on moving out, then?” Christian asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m actually looking for a flat at the minute. One closer to London. But you know what? Seens as there’s now a free place at the house you lived in with the other 3 guys…” I trailed off, and Christian caught my drift.

“The guys’d like a girl there, actually! Especially Ben! But you’d never manage a few months there. Ben’d drive you crazy! Unless of course, you’re one of the 99.9% of girls in England that fancy him,” he said.

I laughed, ‘cos I knew for a fact Abbie, my best friend, fancied Ben from a1 like mad!

“I think I’m in the 0.1% minority, then,” I said to him.

“He’s not as bad as I make him out to be, though. He’s a great guy- one of my best friends. It’s just that he can be so incredibly annoying,” he said.

“You think I could cope living with the other two?” I grinned.

“Oh yeah! Paul and Mark are great. I’ll just have to give you their address and their phone number and you can give them a call! I’m not sure they’re looking for a lodger though!” He smiled.

“Oh well, never mind. Anyway, I’m putting off looking for a flat properly until the summer,” I told him.

“What do you do exactly?” He asked me.

I laughed at the way he said it. “Nothing! I’m a complete lay about!” I teased him and he almost blushed, which I found really, really sweet.

“No, I’m at University in East London,” I told him.

“Oh wow! What are you studying?” He asked me, suddenly really interested.

“I’m actually training to be a teacher,” I told him. “I want to get my degree, and then get a job somewhere! Hopefully!” I laughed.

“What do you want to teach?” He asked. He had totally turned to face me now, and he seemed really, really interested in what I was doing, which surprised me a little bit. He seemed really keen to know.

“Er… I actually want to teach primary school children. You know- 9, 10, 11 year olds,” I said.

“Wow- that sounds really fun!” He said. “Have you always wanted to work with children?”

“I don’t think it’s that. I just really want to teach. It sounds sad, but that’s why,” I said.

“It doesn’t sound sad,” he assured me. “So, when are you finishing the course?”

“Well, I’ve got my exams in 2 months, which I’m really, really nervous about! And then I leave university hopefully, if I pass in July. And then… I’ve gotta find a job. Oh, and a flat,” I smiled at him, showing my present complicated situation.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll be fine in your exams,” Christian said. “If you want to be a teacher that much, then I’m certain you’ll make it.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly, and this time I couldn’t stop the blush. It was really nice of him to be so encouraging.

“So… erm… how are a1?” I asked. It came out a bit stupid, but I wasn’t sure how to ask. But we’d been talking about me, it was time he talked again!

He laughed. “Er… they’re fine,” he said.

“What’ve you been up to?” I asked. Now I have to be really interested, I thought! Replay the gesture!

“Well, we’ve just come back from a big tour of Asia and Europe. That was really fun. The fans over there are fantastic! We went there to promote the album a bit more and our last single. And then we came back a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been busy moving out of the house to the flat, and we’ve been recording things for TV shows. We’ve actually just finished recording our video for our next single, “One More Try”,” he told me.

“So- you’ve been working non- stop, then?” I smiled.

“Yeah, but we’ve got the weekend off which is sooooo cool! I’ve been visiting friends in London today, and now I’m going home to chill out!” He laughed again.

I couldn’t help noticing that when he smiled, he had the cutest dimple near his right eye, which made his eye crinkle up! It was really cute!

“I’ve got a free weekend, too. And I think I’ll just chill, too,” I said.

“It’s just really great to get the time off, you know. We work so hard all of the time, travelling, touring, promoting, doing interviews and photo shoots… it can get really frustrating.”

“I would just love to travel as much as you do though!” I sighed. “You’re really lucky. I wanted to take a gap year out after my A-levels to go travelling, but I just couldn’t.”

“Oh, I do love travelling! Especially to places like Japan and Australia, but it’s just that I hardly spend anytime at home. And I miss my family in Norway, too. I hardly ever get to see them.” He seemed sad all of a sudden.

And then I suddenly got a huge reality shock- Christian was not majorly arrogant or show-off-y like as I’d imagined all pop stars to be. He was just a normal guy, who missed home, and just wanted time to chill out, like everyone else. He was just in such a famous and glittering job. In a boy band that had had No.1’s and countless other hits and had adoring fans, mainly girls, all over the world! Yet, just talking to him on the bus just now, he seemed so normal. He didn’t seem famous at all. I’d kind of forgotten he was- he was so convincing!

And I’d totally forgotten he was Norwegian. His English was word perfect. When he spoke for a while, you could hear the Norwegian accent coming through, but really, it was just like he was a Briton!

“Your English is so good though. You’re perfect at the vocab,” I complimented him, and he almost blushed again!

“Thank you, it’s really nice of you to say so,” he said quietly.

“So, what do you think of England, then? I suppose for once you can say there’s better weather here!” I laughed, but I think I’d touched a soft spot. He looked really distant- he was obviously thinking about home in Norway.

I shouldn’t have brought it up and I felt guilty. I shouldn’t have got so close to him. I may be all relaxed and comfortable with him, but at the end of the day, he’s still pop star Christian from a1.

But Christian suddenly spoke as I was about to apologise.

“I like England. The people are really friendly here, and I suppose the weather is warmer! Well, sometimes it’s the same as in Norway!! And I live here now, so I’ve grown to like it. London’s a good city to live in, too. It’s so busy and exciting.”

The “homesick” moment seemed to have passed, which was good, but I still didn’t feel comfortable with the whole thing.

“I’m sorry- I shouldn’t pry too much into your life. I didn’t mean to talk about Norway,” I apologised, and felt better for doing so.

“What are you talking about?” Christian said. “I don’t mind talking about Norway. I’m used to it. Anyway, I’ve lived here for 6 years, so I’m kind of getting used to England being my home- although my roots will always be in Norway,” he said.

“When did you join a1 then?” I asked, changing the subject.

“4 years ago,” he replied.

That caught me off guard.

“I didn’t know a1 had been around for that long!” I gasped.

He laughed. “No, no! We haven’t. We’ve only been around for two! I was in the band with Paul for a while before Mark and Ben joined,” he informed me.

“Oh.” I felt a bit stupid for not knowing that much about a1. Which I didn’t anyway!

“I’m not that clued up on a1,” I admitted to him.

He gave me a wry smile. “Oh?”

I smiled again, embarrassed. “Well I know each of your names! And I could identify each one of you, and I know at least 2 or 3 of your songs! You did ‘Take on Me’ and ‘Same Old Brand New You’ didn’t you?” I said, trying hard.

He nodded.

“And- didn’t you do ‘Like A Rose’, too?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yeah, ages ago. Don’t you listen to a1, then?”

I felt really bad and ashamedly shook my head. “I don’t have any of your singles or albums,” I confessed.

He laughed. “Don’t worry- it’s not a crime! I’m not gonna stop talking to you simply ‘cos you don’t listen to a1! What music do you listen to, then?” He asked.

“Well, I do like pop actually- it’s just that I don’t happen to listen to you. It’s not that I don’t like a1! But I’m more into Steps, Westlife, and stuff like that,” I told him.

“Ahhh, I know Westlife. They’re good guys, we hang around with them from time to time,” Christian said. “And Steps have the same managers as us! We supported them on tour when we were first starting out. They’re good mates, too.”

It sounded so weird that he knew all the bands I liked!

“I like 5ive too,” I said, remembering.

He wasn’t too pleased with that, though.

“Ohh… 5ive. Let’s just say they’re last on a1’s party guest list at the minute,” he said, his eyes narrowing a little bit.

I was intrigued. “You don’t get on with 5ive?” I asked.

“They slagged us off in a magazine about a month ago and we’re not very happy with them at the moment,” he said. He sounded quietly angry, too.

I decided to change the subject pretty hastily. “So, what music do you listen to?” I quickly asked.

That seemed to grab his attention. “Oh- I’m the biggest Bruce Springsteen fan, ever!” He said, eyes shining. “I love his music! I listen to him all the time!”

Bruce Springsteen? I was thinking, “Rock King!” Oh well he is a guy I suppose. Aren’t they all into new metal, rock and garage, and everything other than pop?

As I turned my head slightly, as he said something else about Bruce Springsteen, I saw out of the window, very briefly go past, the sign on the edge of the road saying:

GREENWICH

I almost jumped. We were in Greenwich- already?

An hour had gone?

“We’re in Greenwich,” I suddenly interrupted him. “I just saw the sign.”

He stopped and nodded. I looked at my watch and indeed, it had just gone three.

“Well, I’m getting off in a couple of minutes,” I said. I knew my stop was about 5 minutes into Greenwich. It was because I only just lived on the outskirts of Greenwich- not totally deep into the area.

“Oh! I thought you were getting off at the main Greenwich stop- you know- the last one,” Christian said. He looked a little distressed, actually.

“No- I get off next. Why- are you getting off at the main one?” I asked him, and he nodded.

Ohhh, I thought. So we won’t be getting off at the same stop together after all. What a pity.

The main stop was about 15 minutes or so down into the main central area of Greenwich. But this stop only left me a couple of blocks away from my apartment, so I had to get off here. And I knew it was soon, so I started to get ready. I put my shoulder bag with my carrier bags as I started to put on my denim jacket.

I wanted to thank Christian for the company. The bus journey sure would’ve been dull without him and I couldn’t believe how the time had flown as we’d talked! He really had cheered me up. I couldn’t wait to tell Abbie I’d been chatting to Christian from a1 on the bus ALL afternoon!

There wasn’t much room in the back anymore, so I was struggling to get my jacket on. Christian saw this, and helped me get my left arm through my sleeve, which I thought was really sweet of him.

“Listen Christian- it’s been really nice, you know. I’ve really enjoyed chatting to you,” I said, as I took my hair out from under my jacket. “I feel as though I’ve mad a new friend!” I joked, as he helped me with my other arm.

He nodded, as I put the jacket on.

“Er… Katherine, there’s something I want to do before you go,” he suddenly said, sounding a little serious.

He hadn’t let go of my arm.

“What?” I asked.

And before I knew what what was happening, he pulled me really close and began to kiss me.

I just sat there, frozen for a second, unable to believe what the hell was going on. But then I slowly began to respond to his kiss and it was just fantastic.

The heat of the bus began to make its presence known again- either that or Christian was making me feel hot.

But wow- I was kissing Christian from a1!

And the kiss was so wonderful. He was so soft and gentle and tasted gorgeous! He had caught me so off guard- but now I didn’t want this kiss to end…

But a few seconds later, Christian pulled away and broke out in a huge grin.

I just sat there, reeling in it all.

I’d just snogged Christian a1.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for ages,” he said.

I felt like choking. This was all so incredible! And sudden. I don’t think it had really caught up with me yet.

“Er… um…” I was totally speechless, and he knew it.

He laughed. “Are you ok?” He asked.

“Er… yeah… fine.”

I feel FANTASTIC! I was screaming inside. You are such a good kisser, you are such a fab person, and I don’t wanna get off this bus!!!

“Listen, I want to see you again,” he suddenly said.

“Wha?” I nearly cried. Is he asking me out? I wondered.

Oh my God, OH MY GOD!

“I really wanna see you again sometime,” he repeated, looking right into my eyes.

Oh my God, he was sooooo gorgeous! This can’t be happening to me! Not plain, old, boring, normal Kate!!

The bus suddenly stopped, and lots of people stood up. I hadn’t realised how many people had got on the bus since Christian had come on- God, it was nearly full! Lots of people had stood up, wanting to get off at this stop- my stop.

“Christian, I have to go,” I said. I quickly pulled my shoulder bag over my arm and began gathering up my bags.

“Do you have…” Christian began, but he trailed off, knowing the answer was yes.

I stood up and made my way into the bus aisle. The hustle of the people, and the chatter made it all suddenly really noisy. I balanced the carrier bags in my hands again, and steadied my shoulder bag.

Then I looked back at Christian. He looked really desperate- he really didn’t want me to go. He was sat on the edge of his seat.

“How can I get in touch with you?” He called to me.

I was slowly backtracking, now. I didn’t want to miss my stop, but I couldn’t let this chance with Christian slip by.

I had a real chance of perhaps getting a date with someone who I got on really well with. Who I’d decided I really liked, and whom I fancied like crazy!

I shouted to him, above all the noise, as the distance between us started to grow. “My phone number is 863411!” I shouted it as loud as I could.

But I could see him frown at me. “What?” He called.

I was halfway down the aisle now, some people even came out from behind me, so they were blocking my view of Christian.

I dodged and leaned right so I could see him. I don’t think that he had heard me before. I shouted as loud as I could at him, hoping if he couldn’t hear me, he could at least lip read.

I shouted as loudly and was clearly as I could, “8, 6, 3, 4, 1, 1!”

I still don’t know whether he heard me.

People behind me were wanting to get off, and were pushing me backwards, so I had to turn around and walk down the aisle, so they didn’t push me over.

I got to the front of the bus and tried to look back for Christian, but I couldn’t see him.

I was hustled down the steps and onto the pavement by the people behind me. As soon as I got down, I looked back to see the bus doors closing.

I looked up to the back window, for one last look at Christian, but the bus sped away down the road, and then was gone.