Big Time Inspiration-

Chapter 2

*Apartment 2J*

How long have I been in here? I've been laying in the swirly slide for about 20 minutes now. Day off today, but I have nothing to do. Told the guys I wasn't feeling well. I closed and thought about yesterday. How could I be so stupid? I opened my eyes, exposing my sight to the yellow glow from the slide against my skin. I took out a marker and started drawing stars on the slide. I was at about 7 when I heard someone knocking. I licked my fingers and smeared the stars clean.

The guys were out at the pool and Katie and Mrs. Knight went to San Diego again, so I guess I had to answer the door. Sliding down, I got up and dragged my feet.

The knocking got louder. "I'm coming!" I yelled at the door.

I twisted the doorknob and pulled the door open. My jaw dropped and my eyes grew like they were through a magnifying glass. It was Star and she was wearing a white sundress with her hair curled. She was so hot!

"Hi, the guys told me you weren't feeling well. I brought some fruits for you." She raised the picnic basket she was holding, that I haven't noticed until now.

Again, I had nothing to say and she had an awkward look on her face. I don't even think I was blinking. Damn, what's wrong with me?

"Can I come in? I just wanted to check up on you."

I stepped aside and let her enter. She walked carefully, she was so light on her feet. Her clothes were so pretty. It made me look at what I was wearing: A stained blue and green baseball t-shirt, brown shorts, and converse. Good job Carlos, so suave.

"You can put the basket on the table." I said, while closing the door.

She turned around quick and started laughing, "Oh finally, a sentence!" She choked out in between her gasps for air.

"Is it really that funny?" I started to smile too. She was so cute, the way she had her arms around her stomach while laughing.

"Oh, now you're smiling?"

"What?" I asked, scratching my head.

"Sorry. But ever since we met, you barely smiled or said a full sentence to me. I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with me. The other option was maybe you were just weird." She laughed again.

"Yeah, I'm just weird. I used to think toys would come alive every time we left the apartment."

"That's cute."

Wait what? Did she just say I was cute? My laughter went back to a confused look; she noticed.

"You're not really sick, are you?"

"No. I just wanted to be alone."

"Mind if I ask you something?"

I nodded. What could she possibly ask me, though?

"Could you sing your part in A Shot in the Dark? I know it's weird but I really like your voice."

"Really? You like my voice?" I couldn't help but walk closer. Maybe a little too close, because she stepped back.

"Mhm…so can you?"

I was more than happy to sing for her. Ecstatic. She was hot, and she wanted to hear me sing. I put on a grin and get on top of the counter.

I promise you I'm gonna be there,
I wanna be there,
No matter what happens,
No matter how tragic…

I sang with my arms suspended in the air. Then I realized something. My part wasn't that long. Why'd she make me sing those lines?

"Bravo!" She clasped her hands. "I know you're probably thinking why I wanted you to sing those lines, they're really short."

Wow, I bet she's psychic!

"Actually," she continued, "I like your longer parts too. I just chose this one because I thought it was really sweet. The promise in the lyrics… I can relate to it."

I got off the counter and waited for her to finish her thoughts. She looked troubled. Her eyes were focused, but clearly, her mind wasn't.

"Star?" I finally asked. She came back, her face turned a shade of red.

"I'm sorry, I was thinking about Dak. There were so many promises he couldn't keep. Things he never really meant."

"Zevon? You dated Dak Zevon?" It was hard for me to believe. Mostly because I knew I couldn't keep up with Dak. "What happened?"

"His head got too big. Felt like he was the world. So he took our relationship for granted. After we split, I lost my inspiration for singing and writing. But when I heard your voice and some of the lyrics from the demos my uncle showed me, it was like they all shot back at me. You inspire me Carlos."

Score! Beat that, Dak! I inspire her. Best news I've heard all day.

"I don't know how. Yeah, it's weird. I'm weird." She started laughing a little. Maybe because what she was saying wasn't really making any sense.

Recovering herself, she leaned over and hugged me. She smelled like oranges. I almost forgot to hug her; Luckily I did. Having her in my arms made me so happy, I swear I almost cried. I looked up to the ceiling and thanked the being upstairs for this perfect moment.

"Carlos," she spoke again, "I want you to be one of my best friends here. Jo and Camille are really nice. But it'd be cool to have a guy friend on the side. Is that okay with you?"

I smiled and nodded ecstatically, "Of course!"

"Well… I got to go. Uncle wants me at the studio really soon. He wants me to go over some of your guys' harmonies and see if he could blend my voice in there."

She gave me a high-five, which I happened to miss. She walked out of the room and down the hall giggling.

As soon as I was sure she was far enough, I closed the door and faced the emptiness of the MTV crib-like apartment. I smiled and brought my fists down rapidly as I screamed and yelled. "Yeeah! Woo!"

I've never had a girlfriend before, but I've liked a lot of girls. This one feels different. Is it normal? I shook it off and ran to the pool to meet up with the guys.