Ready. Set. GO DRAMA!
It's now two days past the Jennifer Incident. James, though we had a truce, has still been incredibly moody.
It could be because of the tension that still lies between himself and my brother. It could by because Logan won't stop talking, trying to fill up the awkward silences. It could be because every time I come to breakfast, Carlos says something about 'how pretty she looks today', raising his eyebrows at James.
I am sitting down at the table, sipping a Coke and eating a sandwich. The guys asked me yesterday to bring them lunch, so after I'm done I'll be off to the studio.
I finish my sandwich off in one big bite, and dust crumbs off of my hands and lap. I swig out of my Coke and set it down, grabbing my purse. I stop at the fridge and pull out the sandwiches I made them earlier, and set off.
My phone buzzes as I walk out of the Palm Woods, stepping into a cab. The name that pops up tells me that I have a text from Jo and I open it.
Everyone's talking.
I groan, knowing immediately what she is talking about. The cab driver gives me a strange look, but I ignore him.
….
When the driver pulls up to Roque Records five minutes later, I hand him a bill and thank him, heading in to the studio.
The receptionist says, "Hi," when I walk by, but I only return it with a nod. A thousand things are buzzing around my brain.
Is it really so bad that everyone's talking? Yes. Isn't there anything I can do? No.
Suddenly I bump into something, and realize that it's Gustavo. His large frame blocks my entrance to the studio, and I begin to go around him.
"Hey," he stops me. I can't see his eyes through the sunglasses but he seems amused.
"Yes?" I ask. He raises one eyebrow at my tone.
"I saw your catfight the other day," he says, approving. "You're a scrapper." I roll my eyes at his choice of words. Kendall would approve.
"Where did you see it?" I sigh.
He shrugs. "YouTube." He moves out of my way finally. I walk into the studio thinking, It's official. I've been YouTubed.
"Thanks, Katie!" Kendall exclaims, and I have a sense of déjà vu at his words. I hand him the bag of sandwiches.
Logan frowns. "No chips?" he asks. I narrow my eyes.
"You didn't ask for chips," I state simply, and sit down on my favorite hangy egg-chair. I pull out my phone and reply to Jo's text.
I guessed as much. I've been YouTubed.
When I'm done punching the letters on my phone, I snap it shut to see Kendall already done vacuuming his sandwich.
"Holy crap, Kendall!" I exclaim. "That deserves a world record. He grins, picking ham out of his teeth.
"Yeah, I know," he says proudly, and high-fives Logan. I roll my eyes and look around for Carlos.
He is sitting on the other side of the room, in what looks like deep conversation with James. Their heads are bent towards each other, and Carlos' brow is furrowed in concentration.
"Carlos!" I call. He doesn't look up, and I heave a frustrated sigh. "Car-los!" His head snaps up this time. He gives me a questioning look, and I make a motion to come over to me.
He begins walking to me, his expression like that of a person delivering bad news. I feel my heart quicken.
He sits down on the floor next to me, and asks, "What?"
I hold up Jo's text in front of his face. "I've been YouTubed," I say, and his eyes widen as he reads the words.
He tries to appear calmer. "Maybe not everyone's talking, per se. Maybe only a select group of individuals are discussing your triumphant victory."
"A: I don't think Jo would lie about that kind of thing. And B: When did you start sounding so smart when you speak?" He shrugs at the last question, saying something about his Word-Of-the-Day calendar.
He looks at his hands, idly twiddling his thumbs. He runs a hand through his hair and sniffs loudly.
"What were you talking to James about?" I ask. He looks like a deer in headlights at my question.
"I-I-I don't know what you're talking about," he says. I grab him up by his shirt, and look around myself to see if anyone's watching.
"Let's not forget that I broke a Jennifer's nose two days ago," I say in a low voice. He winces, before caving.
"I was talking to him about…you." My heart leaps, and starts pounding irregularly.
"And?" I ask.
Is this about to happen?
One of those corny, cliché moments when the guy of my dreams realizes he's crazy about me?
Am I going to find out that James is in love with me, too?
"He's wondering how you'll react to the news that he decided to give Jennifer another chance."
Thanks lovelies, for all of your fabulous reviews.
