"We were being evil," Mitch said, sitting on the couch. "Demonically evil."
"Could you please actually tell me what you guys did?" Kirstie asked, rolling her eyes. Mitch had been answering indirectly for some time now.
"Well, are you sure you want to know?" Mitch twiddled his thumbs, tilting his head to the side. He gazed up at Kirstie, standing above him.
"Yes! That's only what I've been asking after for about ten minutes now!" Kirstie blew up on him. She sometimes wondered why Mitch was seen as so cute and sweet when really he was clever and dishonest to about everyone except for Scott.
"We took notes," Mitch said simply, hiding what the notes were actually about on purpose. "Or is that illegal now?"
"You're so frustrating!" Kirstie exclaimed. I can't believe him! How does Scott put up with him twenty-four seven?
"You're one to talk," Mitch mumbled under his breath. "I don't even want to be here in the first place!"
"Then why don't you leave?" Kirstie was nearly yelling. "Because I certainly don't want you here!"
"A-are you sure?" asked Mitch. He'd been really confusing on purpose, but Kirstie just… wasn't herself lately. The old Kirstie would never lash out at him like that.
"Go! Go now, and leave me alone!" shouted Kirstie pointing at the door. Don't go crazy, she commanded herself. Mitch isn't that annoying. But he deserves it. "Get out." Her voice was cold enough to freeze something.
"Okay," Mitch said, sounding close to tears. "I'll just leave now." He got up and quickly walked out of the room, not looking back at her.
Kirstie stood, arms crossed, looking proudly on as her little friend left her. She was positive he was crying. And, not being exactly sure why, she was happy about it. It gave her a sense of power. They couldn't tell her what to do, or what to say. They couldn't tell her who to date. I guess I blew up on him like that because he didn't want me to be with Avi, Kirstie thought.
As the adrenaline rush of screaming at Mitch slowly left her, Kirstie felt awful. Why did I yell at him like that? He's probably sobbing into Scott's shoulder, talking about what a terrible friend I am. Kirstie's thought swirled worriedly around as she sat slowly down on the couch. She put her head in her hands. What came over me? I guess I was just so mad that no one could understand my feelings, and I took all my anger out on him.
Another knock came on the door.
Kirstie didn't even want to get up. She called out from her stop on the couch. "Come in."
Avi opened the door and saw her on the couch. "What happened?"
I forgot I invited Avi over! Kirstie thought, sitting up a bit more. "Oh, nothing."
"Kirstie, you were crying. Obviously something happened!" Avi sat down next to her, squeezing her shoulders.
"I-I was crying?" Kirstie was surprised. I guess I didn't realize.
"It must be the tour," said Avi, putting his arms around her and resting his cheek on the top of her head. "We're all so stressed out."
"No, it's not," Kirstie sat up, pulling herself away. "I was just, I don't even know. I was such a bitch. Mitch came in to talk to me, and he left crying. I just- I couldn't help it. I screamed at him like a horrid, rotten, no good, evil person."
"Maybe he deserved it," Avi said, laughing. "He can be a bit frustrating sometimes, huh?"
Kirstie smiled a bit. How does Avi always know how to make me feel better? "Yeah. I wonder how Scott puts up with him."
"Because they love each other." Avi was completely serious now. "And when you love someone, nothing can keep you apart."
Their eyes locked, light jade green on chestnut brown.
"I guess so," Kirstie said quietly.
After what seemed like forever, Avi spoke.
"Now, aren't you gonna go apologize?"
"Right." Kirstie got up. "One thing before you leave. Do you know anything about those two's plan thingie?"
"Not a word," Avi said, shrugging.
They walked to the door together and split off on their separate ways down the corridor.
Kirstie watched as Avi disappeared into his and Kevin's room, the door closing quietly behind him. She sighed, then turned and knocked on Scott and Mitch's door.
Scott opened the door, and upon seeing who it was, promptly shut it again in Kirstie's face.
"Guys!" Kirstie knocked louder. "I need to say sorry!"
"Not interested!" Scott yelled through the door. "You're a buttface!"
"Scott! Trust me!" Kirstie was upset. How could they be this way? I want everything to be normal again.
"No!" Scott's voice sounded betrayed.
"At least let me in so we don't have to shout through a door in a hotel!" Kirstie called. She had a point. It was rather ridiculous.
Scott begrudgingly opened the door and watched Kirstie walk in like she was a bomb that was about to explode.
"Thanks," Kirstie said carefully.
"Yeah, I let you in," Scott said. "But if you think I'll let you see Mitch? Uh-uh. You're sure wrong." He shook his head, arms crossed.
"What?" Kirstie was appalled. "I just want to apologize!"
"No." Scott's blue-gray eyes were cold.
"Why are you so- so-" Kirstie couldn't find the right word.
"So what? Um, frustrated? Hurt? Protective?" He ticked them off on his fingers. "I don't know what's gotten into lately, but you're not the Kirstie I knew. Not the Kirstie I was friends with."
"I'm here," Kirstie said mournfully. "Please, listen to me."
"Can't. Sorry." Scott closed his eyes, pointing towards the door.
Kirstie sighed. "See you later." She left the room, shoulders slumping. Who could she turn to now? She'd been horrible to her best friends, and now neither of them would talk to her. It was uncomfortable talking to Avi, wondering what he thought of her and what he felt like. There was Kevin, but he would side with Mitch. How come everyone has a soft spot for that little guy? Kirstie asked herself. I wonder, if I tried being short and high-voiced and gay and innocent-secretly-sneaky for a day, would everyone like me again? She sighed. I won't get anywhere pretending to be someone I'm not. I guess if they don't like who I am, they don't need to be my friends.
But one horrible question lingered in Kirstie's mind and haunted her dreams that night: What would they do when they needed to start practicing for the tour? Together?