Chapters for this story are always short and far between, and I am severely sorry for that. Thankfully, most of you are fans of my Twilight fanfiction as well. Those stories are updated more frequently. Well they were, time has been pressing down on me lately. I'm going to be moving into my residence building in about a week. A WEEK! I'm so nervous. So scared. Yikes. Anyways, I am going to try and make this chapter nice and sweet for you. Hopefully you gain a bit of insight from it. Um... I've been getting A LOT of alerts for this story lately. It seems as Sarah Dessen is becoming popular lately, or you've all finally decided to read some 'Just Listen' fiction. Either way, I'm glad I'm getting myself some readers.

Enjoy.

Oh and thanks to everyone who corrected me on Kirsten's name. Oops. :P

Chapter 6

There had to be about a dozen different magazines, ranging from the thickness of the New York phone book to as thin as the one back home, all of which had to do with some magnitude of wedding plans. Kirstin had them piled between her fluffy white socked feet as they rested on the edge of the coffee table in our hotel room. She was reclined, her blonde hair piled neatly on the top of her head, as she licked her thumb every few minutes to turn the page of the one she had in her hands now. This wasn't something ordinary people would find fascinating, but for some reason, Whitney was unable to keep her eyes off her older sister.

After the seventh time Kirstin glanced up to see her sister doing this, she grabbed the magazine that she had already read through and slid it across the table to her. It landed in Whitney's lap. "Pick out some bride's maid dresses for you and Annabel." She murmured. Whitney scowled, which Kirstin didn't notice due to her appraisal of the certain article in front of her, but after a moment Whitney opened the cover and began skimming through the magazine.

The empty cushion between Kirstin and me felt like no-man's land. My knees, folded and resting on the shoulder of the sofa, were tight up against my chest. I felt all too aware of my surroundings, which was uncomfortable. With a sigh, I looked at Brian as he cheered at the television. Someone must have gotten a goal. Something plastic hit my elbow and I blinked, looking over at our guest. He still wore his uniform from downstairs only it was opened to show off a white t-shirt underneath. He also had taken off his dress belt and thrown it across the arm of his chair, which he lounged in now.

"Chip?" Ron asked, his arm outstretched with his obvious way of starting conversation.

"Thanks" I murmured, taking one. His bangs were covering his eyebrows as he looked at me expectantly. I bit my lip and grabbed a handful. He smiled and pulled the bowl away.

"That's better. No one likes a girl who doesn't eat." He said, turning back to look at the television. I refused to look at Whitney. Kirstin noticed though, because I felt her as she poked me in the side. I ignored her and tried to focus on the game. I had no idea what was going on, so I made sure I cheered when the guys did, and I almost smiled every time they grumbled in disappointment. By the end of the game, the two people with testosterone were as close to the television as humanly possible without having your nose fogging up the glass. I had actually figured out what was going on and was as pleased as the guys when the game ended on a good note. We gave each other high fives as if it wasn't the first time we had watched a came together. Don't think I was comfortable though. Of course not.

I looked up at the clock, noticing how late it was. I still had enough time to call Owen without him getting worried. I stood up and walked towards my temporary room.

"Annabel?" Kirstin's voice asked.. ever so politely. I turned around. "Why don't you walk Ronald out, kay?" No one else could see, but I saw her as she gave me a knowing smile. I knew what she was up to now, and I didn't like it. But, I didn't want to be rude, so I nodded and started walking to the door. There was a bit of muffled laughter behind me, and then Ron was beside me as I opened the door and stepped out. He walked beside me in silence as we walked to the elevator. He pressed the button and we waited.

"Well Annabel, it was nice meeting you. It's a pity you aren't staying for too long." He said. We both faced the closed elevator door, so I had no idea what expression was on his face.

"Yes I have classes on Monday." I said. He made a sound in his throat that sounded as if he agreed.

"What are you doing tomorrow? Maybe I could show you around the city for a bit." I don't know what it was. But it seemed as if there may have been an edge of pleading in his voice.

"Umm. I don't think that's a good idea." I spoke lower. I could hear the elevator making its way up the levels of the building.

"What?" He smiled. "Do you have a boyfriend or something?" He asked. I turned to look at him and nodded. The elevator doors opened.

"Lucky guy." He smiled even bigger and I took a step back as he entered the elevator and turned around and looked at me. "But it's not a date. Just a tour guide." He smiled and then the door began to close. "Wake up bright and early." He said as the doors shut completely. I stood there for a second shaking my head. New York had the oddest men here.

...

"Did you have fun without me today? How was the show?" I leaned back against my bed and listened to my favourite voice.

"No. And it was alright. Scary somehow, because I knew you weren't listening in." He pouted.

"Next week I'll be there in the studio with you." I murmured.

"You better be. So how's the big apple?"

"It's... big." I laughed. "Not somewhere I'd want to spend more than a weekend in."

"Am I allowed to say ' good'?" He asked.

"Yes." I answered, laughing.

"Love you, baby." He whispered. My breath caught and I felt home sick like crazy.

"You too."

...

An: Sooooo? Next chapter has Will written ALL over it. Hehehe. Someone has come back to town!