Cutting it a bit close, the buses rolled up to their Milwaukee hotel at a quarter to five. An hour and a half behind schedule, and 30 minutes before they were appointed to be in for rehearsal.
"The cars will be here in 15 minutes, so I need everyone back here in 10" hollered one of the members of security, loudly clapping his massive hands together while the others frantically scurried around, grabbing their bags and swarming to the elevators. "You all know the drill!"
The first to hit their floor were Kristy and Laurel; the two once again sharing living accommodations.
"I swear, I will never get used to this chaos!" Kristy proclaimed, aggravatededly trying to balance her belongings in her arms while attempting to swish one of those inapt electronic key-cards in the lock. After a few nerve-racking trials, the light finally flickered and the door was thrown open.
"Just put everything down by the beds, and we'll sort through the stuff once we get back" she prompted.
Kristy normally hated to leave things in disarray, but seeing as how they were pressed for time, she had no choice but to set aside her mania and disregard the clutter she was surrounded by.
Laurel obeyed and let their luggage’s crash to the floor in a loud thump. "I gotta take a leak before we go anywhere" she said, leaping over one of the queen sized beds and speeding in to the bathroom.
Shaking her head, Kristy smirked. Good old Laur! The one constant in her life.
"Kris, how much time before we have to go?" Laurel's voice echoed over the flushing of the toilet.
"Uh, lemme check!" she yelled back, just as soon searching the room for a clock. After a few seconds, her eyes came to rest on the round redwood table next to the window. Her brow furrowed. Not only had she spotted the clock, but a single blue rose resting at its side. A fishy feeling grew in the pit of her stomach, and she felt somewhat hesitant about heading over there to take a better look. Her legs unconsciously lead her to the table, and as she gazed over it, she discover a note with her name printed in bold letters attached to the flower. Just as she was about to pick it up, a hand intercepted her and snatched it.
She spun around and slapped her friend in the arm "Hey, give that back!" she protested.
"Give what back?" Laurel taunted, slipping the envelope in her shirt.
Kristy gave her an evil glare "Don't make me go in there"
"I just wanted to read it" she whined, reaching down her top, and handing it back to it's proprietor.
"Who's it from?" she queried, leaning over her shoulder.
"Your guess is as good as mine" Kristy shrugged "It's blank"
A thought occurred to Laurel as she watched her friend carelessly dismiss the paper in the wastebasket
"I bet it's from Brian!" she exclaimed.
Kristy got a doubtful look on her face "You think so?"
"Oh, I know so! I'm so sure it's him. It's so Brian! Who else could it be?"
Her nose scrunched as she pondered while twisting and knotting the gold chain around her neck.
"I guess I should go thank him, huh?" she reluctantly mumbled. Conversing with Brian wasn't exactly topping her list of priories. As a matter of fact, avoiding him was! Who wouldn't feel the same after that catastrophic date? Well, evidently Brian wouldn't if he sent that flower...She sighed.
"I'll meet you downstairs..." Kristy said, exiting the room. Why the hell did she have to notice that damn rose? She would have been perfectly content spending the rest of the tour dodging Brian in the halls. But now, she was obligated to see him. Damn her mother and the good manners she'd instilled in her!
**Meanwhile**
"Crap, I forgot my page! I'll be right down Kev"
"Hurry up!"
Brian nodded aggressively as he made a quick 180 on his tracks.
"God, what's the matter with you Littrell?" Brian grumbled under his breath as he reentered his room. Over the last twenty four hours, his mind had been scattered every which way and he had a feeling he knew why- Kristy. Ever since their romantic soiree, he couldn't bring himself to think of anything else but what he'd be divulging to her on their next encounter. Telling her might be hasty, especially considering they had only been on one date, but his heart told him that telling her how he truly felt was the right thing to do.
Once again deep in thought, Brian didn't notice the door gently creep open.
"Ummm"
Startled, Brian let out a low pitched squeal as he turned to find Kristy a few feet away from him.
"I didn't hear you come in" he croaked.
Biting her lip, Kristy peered down at her chafing feet. How was she to confront him about this? The sexual tension had been unparalleled between the two up until their date, when she realized that there was no substantial romantic bond between them asides broken hearts needing mending. And what if he didn't feel the same? After all, he had sent that rose... that had to mean something...
"Kristy, I..."
"Brian, this..."
They both sighed awkwardly. "You go first", Kristy insisted, figuring she would need a few spare moments to summon up her courage before crushing his spirit.
"Look, Kristy, this is really hard for me to say, and it really has nothing to do with you, but I really don't feel that this- we- are working out"
Kristy's shoulder's slumped as her eyes beaded out. "What?"
The guilt began to eat away at Brian's heart. He felt just terrible about hurting her. "I'm so sorry, Kristy. You're an extraordinary person and you mean so much to me, and you've helped me more than you could ever imagine, but-" lowering his voice, he sighed "I'm just not ready yet"
"You're kidding? I can't believe this" Kristy said, bursting out in to uncontrollable laughter.
Brian was about to go on apologizing when her unexpected reaction made his tongue tangle.
His lips curled as he crossed his arms offensively over his chest "I'm glad you're finding this so amusing"
"No, I'm not amused, it's just that" she continued to laugh "It's just that-- you took the words right out of my mouth!"
Brian's forehead creased in bewilderment "Pardon me?" he implored.
Kristy smirked. Boy, was she ever relieved. "Brian, I came here with a heavy heart to tell you that there was no way that this could ever work out, and expecting you to be devastated. But low and behold, the sentiment is more than mutual"
Feeling at ease by Kristy's confession, a slight grin spread across Brian's face "Well I guess that settles it" he sighed.
"Who ever isn't down in the next minute is gonna have to hitchhike their ass to the venue" An inopportune voice trumpeted through their conversation.
Without further ado, the two quickly bolted for the elevators and made it to the lobby just in the nick of time.
Within seconds, they vacated the premises and were off to the concert.
Neither Kristy nor Brian could believe how smoothly their confrontation had gone. And grateful for it, that they were...
As they rode over the overpass, Kristy smacked her head "Oh crap" she exclaimed, recalling what her true intentions had been "I forgot to thank him for the damn flower!"
***I know that this chapter is very short, but I just couldn't fit this scene in to the next one, so I decided to go ahead and post it anyway. Chapter 49 is just around the corner, so please stay tuned.***
