I feel a little introduction is needed to this fic so, er, here goes! This isn’t really a “new” fic; I started writing it about a year ago so it is set in the summer of 2001 and is all a bit out of date now because of that, just in case you’re confused. It’s not very good, but Kate (The First Time, Superstar, also Living The Dream etc) blackmailed me into carrying it on and putting it up – she made me, I have no mind of my own!! Anyway, this fic is dedicated to my bestest friend in the whole world – this is your story babe! So, enjoy it people! And don’t be disappointed when you discover it’s pretty rubbish, okay? Promise? Good, you may read. Lol. Oh and btw, if anyone saw FANatic on MTV, this is THE Living The Dream, lol (has a1’s approval, haha), so there are a lot of chapters to come!! Chloe xxx

Chapter One

“Here we are then.” said Mark, opening the door and stepping inside, letting Rose, Chloe and Ben walk through before closing it behind them.

The four of them had just had a night out together in London courtesy of a1’s record company and after much eating, drinking and laughing, had decided to go back to the hotel suite that had been booked for them, to chill out.

“Wow!” exclaimed Chloe, heading straight for the large four-seater cream sofa situated in the middle of the room. “This is amazing!” she said of the room.

It certainly was. The whole place was decorated in relaxing blues and creams. There was a main sitting area as you came through the door, with two big comfy chairs and a huge sofa in front of a wide screen TV, equipped with a VCR, DVD player and Sky. Behind that was a kitchenette and off both sides of the main area were doors, two on each wall, leading to four en-suite bedrooms, each with a double bed in the centre, pine bedside tables either side, a walk-in wardrobe and a room off that containing a jacuzzi-bath, shower, wash basin and of a course, a toilet. Back in the main room, between the TV and the sofa was a low coffee table supporting a bucket of three bottles of champagne on ice and…

“CHOCOLATES!!” shouted Rose excitedly.

“Oh my god, how cool is this?!” Chloe said as Ben came and sat next to her on the sofa.

He smiled at her. “This is very cool.” he said.

Mark knelt down in front of the TV and studied the pile of films next to it.

“What have we got here?” he said to himself, picking up the first case. “Wow, really new ones.”

Rose sat down next to him. “Like what?” she asked.

“There’s loads! I haven’t even got half of these!” Mark looked very impressed.

“Really? Cool! Read them out!” Chloe requested from her position on the sofa.

“Just the new ones or all of them?” he asked.

“All of them!”

“Okay, we’ve got, Down To Earth, Charlie’s Angels, Bridget Jones’s Diary…oh cool, Austin Powers 1 and 2, Scary Movie, The Mummy Returns…oh wow! Shrek!”

Ben laughed at Mark and turned to Chloe and said, “He’s very into his movies, he gets a bit carried away sometimes!”

Mark was still going through the films.

“Jurassic Park 3, Tomb Raider, Pearl Harbour, Titanic, Bug’s Life, Captain Correlli’s Mandolin, that’s really boring, um… Evolution, Get Over It, Coyote Ugly, Save The Last Dance, Sweet November, oh Paul would like that one, it’s got Charlize Theron in it, he has a big crush on her! Star Wars, Along Came a Spider, Series 7, now that is really good, Deep Impact, Four Weddings and a Funeral…”

He was interrupted by Ben shouting, “Oh that’s my favourite film!”

“Independence Day, Wild Wild West, that’s funny, Vertical Limit, What Women Want, The Dish, Valentine, The Mexican… that’s it. So, the big question is, do we want to watch a film, and if so, which one?”

“No, I’d have to disagree with you there Mark,” said Ben. “I think the big question is, WHO WANTS CHAMPAGNE?!”

“I do!” said Chloe.

“Me too!” Rose added, getting up from the floor and taking a place on the sofa on the other side of Ben.

“What about you Mark?” Ben asked.

Mark looked uncertain. As a general rule, he didn’t drink, not because he thought he shouldn’t but just because he didn’t want to.

“I don’t know…”

“Oh go on,” cajoled Ben. “What harm’s it gonna do? We won’t let you get drunk.”

“Oh alright then,” Mark said, giving in. “seeing as it is a special occasion. Not too much though.” He warned.

“Don’t worry, we won’t waste good champagne on someone who’s not gonna enjoy it!” Ben reassured him. Ben liked champagne, maybe a little too much!!

“I’ll go and find some glasses then” Mark said, heading over to the kitchenette.

“I’ll help you.” volunteered Rose.

She followed Mark and started looking in the various cupboards.

“It’s really nice here isn’t it?” she asked him.

“Yeah, I think it’s the most expensive suite in the hotel.”

“Really? Wow! Do you always stay in places like this then?”

Mark laughed. “ No! This is purely one off. We’ve stayed in some really horrible places!”

“So this is all for us?” Rose asked, slightly stunned.

“Yeah.” Mark replied, turning to look at her. Noticing her surprised expression he said, “Well, we didn’t want you and Chloe to be stuck in a one-star flea pit. That wouldn’t have given you a very good impression of us! It was mostly the record company anyway. We just said we wanted somewhere nice. Are you really that surprised?”

“Yes! Me and Chloe both thought that you’d kind of want to get the evening over as quickly as possible and then send us home. We thought you’d find it a bit boring to go out with two fans.” Rose confessed.

“You thought we’d complain about being treated to an expensive evening with two beautiful girls? We’re not crazy! Anyway, you’re not just “two fans”, you’re both really great people. Trust me, we’ve had a brilliant time.”

“Really?”

Rose couldn’t quite believe he’d just said that.

“Really! And you know what Ben’s like. Every single girl in the whole world has ‘potential girlfriend’ written on her in his eyes, so he’s had a great time not having to work for a girl’s attention!” Mark said, finding four champagne glasses in one of the top cupboards and handing two to Rose.

“I wouldn’t think he’d have to do that too often. He’s a girl magnet!” Rose commented, taking the glasses from Mark.

“Oh you’d be surprised.” Mark told her. “He’s surprised sometimes! He’s well aware that ninety percent of the female population fancy him, but he does tend to set his sights on the ones that don’t, which is unfortunate.”

“He shouldn’t have too much trouble with Chloe. She really likes him, although she’d kill me for telling you.” Rose said, glancing through to the sitting area where Chloe and Ben were looking very cosy on the sofa.

Mark turned to follow her gaze and nodded. “Well you never know, she might just be in luck.”

“What do you mean?” Rose asked.

“He’s got that glint in his eye. Always happens when a girl’s got him. Not quite misty eyed, but almost. And also there’s certain things he only says and does for girls he likes.”

Just at that moment Ben’s voice came through the air. “Have you got the glasses yet? We’re dying of thirst out here!”

Mark turned to Rose. “We better take these through before he tries to drink it out of the bottle!”

They walked back towards the sofa.

“Here you go.” He said, handing Ben a glass. “You’re such an alcoholic! Honestly, you’ll scare Chloe and Rose away!”

“Don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere!” said Chloe.

What, not ever?” asked Ben, pouring the champagne.

“Yes, that’s right, we’re staying here forever.” She answered sarcastically, with a slight smile.

Ben punched her playfully on the arm and returned her smile. Mark and Rose exchanged knowing glances.

“Does anyone want food?” Mark asked once everyone had champagne. “Not you Ben.” He added quickly.

“Why not me?” Ben asked.

“Because you always want food!”

“I have a high metabolism.” Ben said defensively.

“That’s why you’re stick thin then?” asked Mark.

“I’ve already lost this haven’t I?”

“Yeah, might as well give up now.” Rose joined in.

“Aw, you’re all mean, leave him alone.” Chloe defended Ben.

“Thank you Chloe. They are mean.” Ben said.

Chloe smiled. “I don’t want any food thanks Mark.”

“No, I’m quite happy with the chocolates.” Rose confirmed.

“Okay then, one more question, what type of film do we want to watch?”

“A scary one!” shouted Ben.

“No, not a scary one! They give me nightmares.” Chloe objected.

“The only reason you want to watch a scary film is so you can be all brave and protect the girls!” Mark laughed at Ben. “You’re just as scared as them.”

“What is this, lets all pick on Ben day?”

“Stop being so sensitive Ben, we all know what you’re up to!” Mark said back.

“I’m just not going to say anything else. I’m just gonna sit here.”

“Good, now, what kind of film does everyone else want to watch?”

“Lets watch one that most of us haven’t seen.” Suggested Chloe.

“Okay, good idea. What about you Rose?

“I don’t mind.” Said Rose. “What do you recommend?”

“Well Series 7’s really good, it’s kinda scary but it’s funny as well. It’s like a spoof of Big Brother and Survivor, all those reality TV shows.”

“Oh yeah, I wanted to go and see that but it’s an eighteen and so I couldn’t. It does look good. And you could save me from the scary bits if you wanted to.” Chloe said suggestively, looking at Ben.

“Okay, lets watch that one!” Ben said enthusiastically.

Everyone laughed.

“Rose? Do you wanna watch that?” Mark asked.

“Yeah okay, but if Chloe has someone to protect her on the scary bits, I think it’s only fair that I get someone as well!”

Mark smiled. “I think I can manage that.” he said.

Mark put the video in the machine and Ben turned all the lights off. Then they came back to the sofa and sat on either side of Rose and Chloe. Mark pressed play on the remote control and the film started.

Two and a half hours and a lot of alcohol later, the film was over and Rose was asleep against Mark. He had his arm around her and was also asleep. Chloe and Ben however, were wide awake but like Rose and Mark, were snuggled up together. Chloe’s head was on Ben’s shoulder and he had his arm around her waist.

Ben looked at Chloe. “Are you tired?” he asked quietly.

“No.” she whispered back.

He looked over to Rose and Mark and shook his head. “They’re such light-weights!”

“I know, but it’s very sweet.”

“It is quite late mind you.” he said, looking at his watch.

“What time is it?” Chloe asked.

“About 1.”

“Really? God, it doesn’t seem that late!”

“I know.” Ben paused before saying, “If you’re not tired, do you wanna come into my room and chat? So we don’t wake these two up, y’know.”

“Yeah, okay, but let me get changed first. I’ll be more comfy.” Chloe agreed.

“Okay, I’ll change as well. These jeans are actually really uncomfy.”

“Why’d you wear them then?”

“Wanted to look nice.”

“You always look nice.” Chloe said looking away, embarrassed she’d just said that.

Ben just smiled at her and they both stood up, albeit unsteadily as they’d had rather a lot of champagne.

“Um, which one’s my room?” Chloe asked.

“The one your bag’s in.” said Ben wisely.

“And that would be…?”

Ben burst into laughter. “I don’t know!” he said and then grabbing her hand, “Come on, lets go and explore!!”

Giggling, they crept across the room to the first door.

“You open it, then the monsters’ll get you first!!” Chloe whispered, stepping back.

“I’m not being eaten by monsters, you do it!” Ben argued, pushing her forward closer to the door.

“No!”

“Okay, we’ll both do it, but we need a weapon!” declared Ben, grabbing an empty champagne bottle and handing the TV remote to Chloe.

“No that’s not fair, you’ve got a better weapon.” she said.

“It was my idea!”

“But you’re bigger than me!

“That is true.” Ben thought for a moment and then said, “Alright, you have the bottle.”

They swapped weapons and Ben twisted the door handle so it was slightly ajar. Then, stepping away from the door and taking Chloe’s hand, he said, “After three okay?”

Chloe nodded.

“One, two, three!”

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!”

Chloe and Ben charged towards the door and burst into the bedroom, waving their “weapons” wildly around.

Ben turned the lights on.

“I don’t think there’s any monsters in here.” He said.

“I don’t think this is my room.” Chloe said.

Looking around, they saw Mark’s bag on the bed.

“I don’t think it is either.” Agreed Ben. “Unless you’re Mark.”

“I’m not Mark.” Stated Chloe.

“Well then it’s not your room.”

“Shall we go and find it then?” Chloe asked.

“Find what?” came a voice from behind then.

“Ahhh!!” Chloe screamed, grabbing hold of Ben.

Ben simultaneously threw the remote through the air in the general direction of the voice.

“Why are you in my room?”

“Mark?”

“Yes Ben.” Mark replied.

“Oh, we thought you were a monster!” Chloe giggled.

Mark shook his head. “You two are so drunk.” He said.

“We are not.” Said Ben indignantly.

“You really are. You’re so gonna regret it in the morning.”

Ignoring Mark’s last comment, Ben swiftly changed the subject. “What are you doing up anyway?”

“You woke me up.” Mark informed them, rubbing his eyes.

“Oh, oops! We were looking for my room.” Chloe told him.

“So you found mine?”

“Yeees…” Chloe said slowly. “We’re not doing very well. Where’s Rose?”

“She’s asleep.” He said looking behind him to the sofa.

“Well wake her up, we can have a PARTY!!!!” Chloe shouted loudly.

Ben laughed and hugged her. “Where’s the champagne? We need some more!!!”

Mark looked at them incredulously. “It’s half past one in the morning, don’t you think you’ve had enough?”

Ben and Chloe looked at each other.

“NOOOO!!!!!” they shouted.

Mark shook his head.

“You two are mad.”

“Oh but it’s so fun!!” Chloe exclaimed.

“I’m going to bed now, I’ll see you in the morning.” Mark said sensibly.

“BYE!!” Chloe and Ben shouted again.

Mark went over to where Rose was still fast asleep and picked her up, his muscles flexing as he did so. Then he carried her carefully to her room, opening the door with his elbow, pulled back the duvet and laid her on the bed. He pulled the cover back over her and gently kissed her forehead.

“Goodnight.” He whispered almost inaudibly before he left her room and headed for his own.

Meanwhile, Chloe and Ben, now slightly more sober, had managed to find their own rooms and were getting changed. When she was ready, Chloe made her way across the suite to Ben’s room. She knocked on the door before going in. As she entered the room, Ben was putting on a grey t-shirt. He looked up as she came in.

“Hello!” she said.

Ben smiled at her.

“Come here.” He said.

“Why?”

“Because I want a hug.”

“Well maybe you can’t have one.” Chloe said coyly.

“I’ll pillow fight you for one.” Ben offered, obviously still not completely sober.

“Okay!” Chloe agreed readily.

The both climbed onto Ben’s bed and grabbed a pillow.

“Okay, one, two, three, GO!!!”

For about 20 minutes, they bashed each other with pillows, accompanied by shrieks, shouts of “ow!” and a lot of giggling until Chloe got the upper hand and managed to snatch Ben’s pillow off him.

“Ah-ha!!!” she said triumphantly.

“That’s not fair, give it back.” Ben complained.

“No.” Chloe said, throwing it on the floor, as far away from the bed as she could.

“I’ll get yours.” Ben threatened.

“Go on then.” She dared, holding it above he head.

Ben grabbed Chloe’s hands and tried to prise the pillow out of them. She struggled to get away from him and he put more effort into it, so much so that he pushed her over onto her back and ended up kneeling over her. They stayed like that for a few seconds, breathless from the fight, and then Chloe grinned at Ben and said,

“Your hair’s all in your eyes.”

She reached up to brush his brown floppy hair from his face and as her hand touched him, he kissed her. As their lips parted, Ben rolled over so they were laying side by side, their faces inches apart.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for ages.” Ben confessed.

“You’ve only known me for a few hours.” Chloe pointed out.

“Exactly, ages!”

Chloe smiled at him. “You can do it again if you want.”

They moved closer and kissed again, this time for longer and as the kiss grew more intense, Chloe wrapped her arms around Ben’s neck and he slid his hands around her waist, holding her tightly against him. When the kiss ended, they stayed in the embrace.

“So,” said Ben looking happily at Chloe. “what do you think it’d be like having a celebrity boyfriend?”

Chloe acted as if she didn’t know what he was getting at. “Pretty rubbish I should think.” She said with a smile.

“Hmmm.” Ben said, detaching himself from Chloe and pushing her away with his hand. “Anyway…”

Chloe laughed. “Nah, I guess it’d be okay.”

“Just okay?”

“Yeah, I think so. Unless it was Paul of course. Now that would be good…”

Ben grinned. If Chloe hadn’t been smiling too, he’d have thought she was serious, but he knew she was only joking. Thank god.

“How about me?” he asked.

“You?” Chloe said, looking at Ben. “Well I dunno… I suppose I could just about put up with it. If I had to.”

Ben pulled her back towards him. “Let me take you out again then?”

“Maybe.” Chloe said, smiling. “Could probably be persuaded.”

“Ah, well I’ll bear that in mind.” Ben said, pulling Chloe back towards him and relaxing beside her.

“You do that.” Chloe said, closing her eyes.