Author's Note: Ah I'm SO sorry about the wait. I was away and then I had writer's block. I hope this chapter meets your expectations, I didn't want to let you guys down! By the way I got way too distracted by Josh Hutcherson at the MTV Movie Awards while writing this. Making it so much more difficult to focus! Anyways, your comments make my day, I hope you enjoy! :)
I heard the faint sound of a car engine coming from outside my window. The time on my phone read 6 p.m. on the dot when Josh pulled into my driveway. He has always been incredible with his timing, I don't remember a day he was ever late. I'm a little jealous of that, I sometimes feel like I'm always in a rush, like right now.
Purse, where is my purse? I scanned around my bedroom and my eyes locked on my closet. I couldn't have put it in there, could I? I pulled the door open a few inches, cringing as I slowly opened it further. Realizing that an avalanche of clothes wasn't about to fall down on me I swung the door open the entire way. The smell of fabric softener inched its way past me to fill my entire room with its sweet smell. Just as I thought, there was no purse hanging on the hook. This calls for drastic measures now.
I stuck my head out into the hallway, and called into the air. "Mom, where's my purse?"
Without a moment of hesitation she quickly responded, "On the chair in the dining room!"
I could see Josh now, watching the minutes tick by and smiling to himself. He knows exactly how I'm like, and the best part is that he doesn't mind.
I grabbed my purse from exactly where my mom said it was. How do they do that? It's like if your mom can't find something, you're never going to find it again. Walking out the door I caught his eye, and sure enough he was grinning. I reached out my hand to open the car door when it jerked forward.
"Ha ha, very funny!" I yell so he can hear from inside the car.
The next time I go to open the door he stays put, but the door is locked. I folded my arms in front of my chest and glared at him, while my foot impatiently tapped against the pavement. He laughed and I heard the 'click' of the door being unlocked.
"You think you're hilarious, don't you?"
He shook his head from side to side, "Nah, it's just fun to annoy you."
"Oh really?" I questioned.
"Yup, figured that out a long time ago," he grinned.
"How long ago?"
"Remember back in elementary school when you sang in the talent show, and I was going through those 'opposite day' phases? Then you asked me how you sounded I said—"
"Bad." I answered, finishing his sentence.
"The look you gave me afterwards was absolutely priceless. You ran away before I said 'happy opposite day!'"
The old memories started to appear like pictures in my brain. I could remember this moment like it was yesterday.
"I was so mad at you until you gave me that flower. Actually, it was more like a weed," I giggled.
"Yeah, nothing like the flowers you got this afternoon," Josh added.
His eyes left the road for a split second to look at me. "So, spill. Did Ryan actually invite me? I got the feeling that he didn't like me."
"Welllll…." I paused, "not exactly."
He shot me a questioning glance.
"He suggested that I bring my mom, but I told him you'd love to hear his music," I confessed. "I don't know what his problem is; I really hoped he would like you."
"I'll try my best tonight to become friends; maybe I'll give him flowers, "he teased.
I chuckled, and focused my attention to the scenery outside of the car window. L.A. never ceased to amaze me. If I were to look out of my window in Kentucky, it would be nothing to like to what I'm seeing now. There was sun was reflecting off car windows and mirrors as we drove past, billboards standing tall over small fenced in trees, and corner food vendors calling for people to check out their latest treats. There wasn't any direction you could look to where there wasn't something going on.
Josh drove up to an employee of the venue's parking lot security, and flashed him our VIP passes. He waved us along to the back of the arena where we passed a massive lineup of people, anxiously waiting for the doors to open.
"Do you think people are going to line up like that for The Hunger Games?" I asked, gazing back as we walked into the building.
"I don't know, but that would be so cool," Josh exclaimed.
The fans were already starting to get excited when they heard the news that we were starting shooting the film soon. As a matter of fact, we leave for North Carolina in a couple of days! I can't even wrap my head around how they're going to react when the first trailer is released.
I came to a stop in front of a dressing room door labelled 'Steele.' "This is it," I knocked gently against the wood.
"Come in!" Ryan called.
Inside, Ryan was standing in front of the mirror doing the finishing touches to his appearance.
He ran the extra hair gel that was on his hands through his hair. "Hey, babe."
His eyes shifted towards Josh, "Hey."
"Are you nervous for tonight?" Josh asked, leaning against the wall behind him.
Ryan shrugged, "Maybe a little, it's the largest crowd I've played for."
"I don't blame you, man. I'd be nervous too!"
I saw a smile tug at Ryan's lips, but he did a good job at hiding it.
"Want a tour?" Ryan said, taking my hand.
His hand felt warm and clammy, someone was more nervous than he said he was. "I'd love a tour. Are you coming, Josh?"
He pushed himself off the wall with his elbows. "A chance to maybe run into Maroon 5? Of course!"
I've never had the chance to be backstage at a concert, and it's a lot different than I expected. There were crew members carrying amplifiers and other equipment back and forth, security guards making their way to the ground floor, and the sound of cheering fans were beginning to fill the arena. There was nothing overly glamorous about any of it.
Ryan peeked out to the stage entrance, "Well, I was going to bring you onto the stage, but looks like things are about to start."
Above the noise of the rapidly filling arena, a voice was calling for Ryan to get ready to play.
"I'll see you after," Ryan placed a kiss on my lips and disappeared back into his dressing room.
I turned around to find Josh, finishing a conversation with one of the crew members. I swear that boy could have a conversation with anyone, well…maybe not Ryan.
"You didn't get to meet Maroon 5, but wait until you see our view of the show!" I motioned for him to follow me.
We slipped out the side entrance onto the ground floor. We were in a sectioned off area right by the stage, but off to the left so that the public filled the center.
Josh rubbed his hands together, "Alright, I'm ready to see why you like this guy so much."
I found myself watching Josh for the majority of Ryan's act, analyzing his expressions of approval or denial? Which answer did I want more? His approval, saying that he loved the guy, and he's glad I'm happy? Or did I want him to say to go ahead and kick him to the corner, because I could find somebody so much better?
"The guy's got talent," Josh clapped with the rest of the crowd.
I smiled, listening to the arena of applauses as Ryan waved goodbye to the audience. He must have ran into his dressing just to set his guitar down, because he came over to stand with us right away.
"You rocked, man!" Josh shouted over the ripple of cheers as Maroon 5 stepped onto the stage.
"Thanks, dude!" When it comes to his music, Ryan can never turn down a compliment.
"Hello, L.A.!" Lead singer Adam Levine, called to audience before he started to play.
They began with their newest single, Payphone, and then continued with some of their songs from their upcoming album that's not yet released. I perked up at the next song I heard playing through the speakers.
"This song is called She Will Be Loved."
I turned to my left, "Ryan can we dance?"
He folded his arms, "I don't dance."
"Come on, please!" I begged.
"No, I need to get stuff done." I watched in disappointment as he disappeared backstage.
"Ahem," I heard Josh say, clearing his throat.
I turned towards him and he was holding out his hand. I just stared at it.
"Come on. You said you wanted to dance, didn't you?" he said, stepping forward.
"But—"
He took my hand in his. "No but's, we're dancing."
Josh pulled me close and the scent of his cologne surrounded. We began to sway to the music with his hand still enclosed around mine.
I don't remember how long we were dancing for when I felt his warm breath tickle my neck. "I love this song," he whispered into my ear.
I nodded and a shiver made its way down my spine, causing goose bumps to appear. It must be cold in here or something. This was the first time I've noticed the changes in Josh since he left six months ago. This arms were more defined and strong, and just his overall build was more muscular for the role he had to play in the movie.
"What are you thinking about?" Heat came rushing to my cheeks when I realized I basically just checked out my best friend.
"Nothing, why do you ask?"
"You're biting your bottom lip. You always do that when you're thinking."
He was right, I was biting my bottom lip and I didn't even realize I was.
"I was just thinking how much of a horrible dancer you are."
He stopped swaying and frowned.
I couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Happy opposite day."
His arms wrapped around me once more, but this time it wasn't to dance. No, he had me pinned against his chest while his hand that was holding mine began to tickle me. He knows that's my weakness, I may just be one of the ticklish people on this Earth.
"S-s-stop!" I spit through laughter.
"Say 'Josh is the best dancer in the world'," he was laughing as well.
"Never!"
I wiggled out of his grasp and collided with someone who was behind me. A stern face of a 6'2" security guard was looking down at me.
"Settle down, or I'm going to have to ask you two to leave," his booming voiced warned.
I looked up at Josh with my lips pressed tight together to avoid smiling, or worse, laughing in the security's face.
"Sorry," Josh said with the same tight lipped expression.
The security guard's pager went off and he turned in the opposite direction to answer it.
"Yeah, settle down, Jennifer," Josh poked me in the ribs.
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, Joshua," I replied in my best imitation voice.
We laughed and continued to watch the rest of the concert.
After the show was over, Josh was backstage finally getting his conversation that he wanted with Maroon 5, and I was back in Ryan's dressing room.
"Hey, Jenn," Ryan looked at me. "Before I take off on the road tomorrow, and before you go to North Carolina, did you want to come over for the night?"
"Sure, I'm just going to say bye to Josh."
I walked out to see him by himself with his phone in his hand, sending a text. I snuck up behind him and put my hands over his eyes.
"If you move, I'll shoot," I said in a deep voice.
Josh's shoulder's shook in laughter, "You must be pretty talented if you can shoot somebody with no hands." He reached up and with ease he pulled my hands away from his eyes, holding them before letting go.
"Ready to leave?" he asked, facing me.
"Actually, I was going to head back with Ryan if that's okay?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll see you tomorrow for that radio interview."
"Oh, right! I almost forgot about that. One last interview, then we're off to film!" I said excitedly.
"Can't wait! Anyways, see ya then."
I pulled Josh into a hug, but as I went to pull away, he kept me there and whispered into my ear.
"Be good, okay?" he said before letting go.
"When am I not?" I asked innocently.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Just being a concerned best friend, bye Jenn."
Then he turned and walked away, and I could swear I had goosebumps again. They really need fix this airconditioning...