Into your arms
Chapter 2
"Wake up!" Andee's unmistakable voice instructed "Your brother called, he wants to know where you are!" that last bit of information had my eyes open and me sitting up.
"Oh shit!" I exclaimed, "Jasper called?!" I asked pushing my hair out of my face and throwing the covers off me, "what did he say?! Please tell me you made up a really really good lie!" I begged feverishly. Her face went blank, I began to worry. "You didn't tell him the truth did you?!" I demanded
"No, no! Are you crazy?! He's over protective enough as it is!" She protested "I thought he was going to be out of town for the whole week!"
"Yeah, I thought that too! What did you say when he called?!" I asked impatiently
"Well, I didn't exactly answer…" she said softly
I gritted my teeth, "Well, who did?" I howled
"John"
"I'm going to die" I shuddered
"He said a good lie for it though!" She explained "John told him that he was John O'Callaghan from The Maine, and he only had your phone because you accidentally left it at the venue last night, and he found your name in the info and was waiting for you to get up so he could take it to you at your hotel" she smiled "and I'm almost positive he bought it"
"Let's hope so for your sake" I moaned "Where's my phone anyways so I can call and tell him where I am"
"Here" Andee said tossing the phone to me
"Thanks" I muttered I held down the '1' key before putting it to my ear "Where's John?" I mouthed hoping Jasper didn't pick up
She pointed to the wall, so I assumed that meant 'next door'
I nodded
"Hey sis" Jasper cheerfully called into the receiver
"Hey bro, er, what's up?" I ask hoping this wasn't a trick
"I see that boy gave you your phone back"
"Mhm, he was really nice. I didn't even know I lost it, I'm glad he gave it back" this is too easy, lying like this. I wasn't exactly proud of it either. Andee gave me a smile and thumbs up before she walked back over to her room
"Yeah, well, when are you coming home?" He asked curiously
"I'm not sure; I think I'm going to stay here for a few more days maybe a week or so"
"Okay, well, I might have to go out of town again, so call me at least once a day, please"
John walked back into the room, he smiled "I will–love you—bye" I wasn't even sure if he could make out my words, I was talking to fast.
"Love you too" just as he finished I hit the red button on my BlackBerry Curve, and set it in my lap.
"Hey there" John said sitting beside me on the bed
"Hello" I said softly piddling with my phone
"Feeling better?"
"Much" I said glancing up to smile at him, then my phone again
I seen him give me a crooked smile "So, I heard you tell your brother you'd be a while…"
"Yeah, I was thinking I don't get out much, and since I'm out, why not enjoy the free time?"
He laughed, "Smart thinking…" he paused his eyes were tracing my face "How far away do you live anyway?"
"I live about two or so hours away, in Huntington beach area"
"You're only about six hours away from me then…"
"Mm, cool" I said trying to sound like I knew where he was going with this, I didn't look up though
"Since you're on vacation, and this is my last stop before heading back home, would you like to come?" I glanced up at him, tracing his expression. He gave me a half smile, that make me feel something tracing down my spine. I couldn't say it didn't sound like fun. "Your friend should come too" he added
"Yeah, that sounds fun!" I couldn't hide my smile and excitement. "I'd love to!" I gleamed
"Well good, we're leaving in about hour or so, get a shower and I'll drive you over to the venue to get your car" he gave me a friendly kiss on the cheek before he got up, I tried to keep my composer but I felt like screaming shouts of joy.
"John?" I called after him
He turned and smiled "Yes?"
I paused looking at him, "I need my clothes then…" I smiled
He laughed; his face turned ever so slightly a red color then faded back to his natural sandy color within an instant. "Right, right!" he said walking over to the small closet, grabbing two hangers and tossing the clothes at me. "Do you have anything else besides these?" he asked raising an eyebrow, "If you're coming to stay, you need clothes and all that other girl stuff" he reminded me
"Yeah, I've got a duffel bag in my car, Andee's got one in there too" I picked up the clothes and headed for the bathroom. "I think we'll be okay" I said shutting the bathroom door
John shrugged and walked back over to the other room using the linked walkway. That shower was just what I needed, it was hot, and it helped my muscles relax. I really needed this time to myself to get my head straight. It bothered me that I hadn't really talked to Andee at all, everything was just so chaotic. Maybe the six hours in the van would give me time to talk to her; after all she was my best friend.
I quickly got out, leaving just enough hot water for John to use. I dried off the best I could, the bathroom was all steamy and soggy, making it hard for me to dry off completely. I slipped my underwear on and fastened my bra, getting agitated when it stuck to my still damp skin. I pulled my pants off the hanger, and glanced down to find my original shirt was replaced by a sleeveless The Maine shirt that read'You can't tan with your pants on' with a piece of paper on next to it reading:
Hope it fits, thought you'd like it. It's pretty hot outside, a lot like you. Har har. – Johnny
A smug smile hugged my face, my cheeks started to turn that rosy color. I drug my pant on, zipping the zipper and fastening the button. Next was my shirt. I slipped it on, it fit like a glove. I took a towel and wiped the mirror off. I grabbed John's clothes and walked back into the main room.
He was perched on the bed; beside him was Garret and Andee. I tossed the clothes at John, and then I turned to look at the long mirror against the wall behind me.
I had an awkward look on my face "Does this look okay?" I asked looking down at the outfit, spinning slowly for them.
"Yes, you look cute!" Andee sang
"Nice" Garret added
"I like it, a lot" John said smiling "Are you ready to go get your car?"
"Yeah, just let me get my shoes on" I said looking down at the floor, I scanned the room
"By the door" John informed pointing down the small hall that led to the door.
"Cool" I said walking in that direction "See you when I get back Andee" I called down the hall
"Okay!" She called back
It wasn't long before John has his arm around my waist and was leading me out into the hot California sun. I felt like I hadn't seen sun in days because the rays were so heavy. John placed a part of ray bans over his eyes, and smiled handing me a pair of matching yellow ones.
I smiled; "Thanks" I muttered climbing into the over sized van. There was writing all down the side, and the trailer was parked right beside it.
"So, Jazz, tell me some more about yourself." John asked glancing over at me before he pulled out of the hotel parking lot.
It was so weird hearing him call me 'Jazz' I bit my lip, thinking of where and how to start my answer. "What do you want to know?" I finally muttered staring out the window. The sky was bright blue, and only a few clouds were in the sky. What clouds there were, looked like pulled strains of white cotton candy.
He laughed "Everything"
I turned my head to find him smiling at me, and I smiled back. I turned my gaze back to the window, and thought of what I should tell him first.
"Well" I began "I just turned 18 about four months ago, I graduated just two months ago. I live with my older brother, Jasper, which you talked to earlier today, and our dog Max. I plan to attend community college in the spring, and I'll be majoring in Photography. I've only got three best friends, who've been my best friends, my whole life. I don't have a boyfriend; I haven't been on a date in a year and a half. I tend to keep to myself a lot. I'm not much of a people person, but I'm generally nice." I didn't bother to look at him after I finished
He laughed "That's lovely"
I turned to him and smiled "Thanks. So, tell me about you Mr. O'Callaghan"
I searched his face as he thought "Where do you want me to start?" he asked glancing over at me
"Anywhere" I suggested "I'm not picky" I added smiling
"Right" He paused "Well, I just turned 21 back about three months ago. I'm in a band called The Maine, with my best friends. I still live at home, with my parents and my little brother. I haven't had a girlfriend in almost two years. I've lived in Arizona my whole life. I'm pretty boring, and I don't find myself as attractive as everyone makes me out to be. I have self esteem and confidence, I just haven't gotten used to fame. I still think of myself as John, the nerd." he laughed at himself.
I couldn't help but laugh too. "Well, we have a lot in common"
He smiled "We do"
The van began to slow down, stopping soon after
I glanced around, after a second I found my navy blue Jeep wrangler off to the side of the parking lot, just as I'd left it. I tossed a "Thanks" over my shoulder as I slid out of the van. I walked over to my Jeep and climbed in, John waited for me at the edge of the asphalt that led to the road. I pulled up behind him before he drove out.
I followed him back to the hotel in silence. My radio was off and I was enjoying the time to myself, again. My thoughts were kept generally quiet now that I'd come to grips with reality.
My phone ended this peace; my cup holder began to vibrate.
"Hello?" I asked agitated
"Hey" Devin my boy best friend greeted me; I'd known him since we were in diapers.
"Oh, hey Dev. What's up?" I missed him; it was good to hear his voice.
"Where are you? I haven't seen or heard from you since you left two days ago!" he sounded both hurt, relieved, and happy all at once
I felt terrible "I'm sorry, a lots been going on. I met John, and I ended up staying with him, Jasper doesn't know so don't tell him. I'm going to stay with him for a few days back in Arizona, Andee will be with me, I'll keep in touch, I don't have long to talk, so I'll text you. I'm sorry I have to go, but I'm back at the hotel so I have to pack before we leave, I'll call you tonight, promise"
"Okay, I want to hear all about it when you get home, so take lots of pictures. Tell Andee I said hey, and I miss her too. I know you're busy so I'll let you go, love you"
We'd arrived at the hotel "Love you too" I said climbing out of my Jeep, after I hung up I slid my phone into my back pocket. I walked toward the piled up bags I found by a group of familiar faces. John met me on my way up and grabbed my hand.
It was weird how easy and comfortable his hand felt in mine. I couldn't help but look up at him, like something was moving in my stomach; I didn't know what this was or how I should react. He met my gaze with a friendly comforting smile, as if to say something along the lines of its okay. I couldn't help but smile back.
We were greeted with a few waves, and a hello or two. Andee said nothing, all she did was smile, and I did the same. The boy's began to grab there bags and load up the van, I stood by Andee while John helped with the bags.
John joined me after everything was loaded up, "I'm going to ride with you, in the jeep if that's okay…" he said rubbing the back of his neck.
I smiled, "That's fine" I glanced over at Andee, "who're you riding with?" I asked curiously
She smiled, "Garrett I think, we're all going back to John's anyways. I'll meet up with you there"
Garrett walked up and slipped his arm around Andee's waist, "You comin'?" he asked with a smile
"Yeah, I'm coming" She began to walk toward the van; she turned and gave me a smile before climbing in. Garrett did the same.
We watched them pull out of the parking lot and begin to drive, I could feel John grab my hand and I looked up to find the emotion in his face.
"You ready?" he asked smiling
"I think so" I said using my free hand to unlatch my keys from my pants. We walked over to the jeep, he opened my door for me and I climbed in. He followed over to the passenger side, and I pushed the seat back for him so he'd have more leg room. He climbed in, and fastened his seat belt, just as I did before putting it into reverse. Six hours of driving ahead of us, thank god my iPod was fully charged.