Hey everyone it's time for another update. I'll remind you that I do not own the guys who make up Big Time Rush. Since I only received one song recommendation, I've chosen my own. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
I woke up the next morning and looked around the hotel room. I was lying in the bed next to Staci's and the door combining the two hotel rooms was wide open. If I remembered correctly I had fallen asleep on the pullout couch in the other room. Staci's bed was empty and I could hear the shower running in the bathroom. James and Logan were conversing in the adjoining room.
"Oh good you're awake," Kendall said walking into my room. "I thought you'd be more comfortable sleeping in the bed."
"I was wondering how I got here," I said looking at him. He looked so amazing with bed hair standing feet away from me in boxers and a t-shirt.
"You kicked me at about three a.m. So I moved you out here. I had a feeling your dad would kill me if he found us sleeping in the same bed." Kendall sat at the foot of the bed.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" I asked watching Kendall shake his head.
"No, it didn't hurt. But it was enough to wake me up. That and the fact that we left the television on. So I just carried you out here and put you in bed."
"You say it like it was no problem at all. Look at your shin, it so hurt when I kicked you, you have a bruise. I'm sorry."
"My leg isn't as bad as yours," Kendall said tracing the scar down my leg. It sent shivers down my spine.
"I should probably get ready, and so should you," I looked at the clock and added "we're leaving in about a half hour."
I walked into the bathroom after grabbing jeans and my favorite Hollister t-shirt. Staci was busy applying eye shadow as I entered the shower. I still felt Kendall's warm hands tracing the scar down my leg and tried washing it off. No matter what I attempted the sensation would not leave my skin. I gave up on the intense scrubbing and shut off the water. I grabbed the towel hanging outside and wrapped it around myself.
"What was all that grumbling about? You sounded like a mad woman," Staci said catching my eye in the mirror.
"Long story," I replied. I pulled on my clothes and started to run a comb through my damp hair.
"I have this weird feeling Kendall likes you, like likes you a lot."
"Oh puh-lease. I so do not need any more boy drama. Stace I'm sick and tired of it. Like you said I should stay single for a while."
"I never said that, ok maybe I did. But Ari, just give him a shot."
"I slept with him last night," I sighed putting down the loose powder brush I was just using. "Not sex sleep, but he and I fell asleep watching TV. He carried me to bed at three a.m."
"He's a keeper! Arianna do not let him go. You know what those…I'm not even going to mention those spoiled brats. But Ari they will try to steal him from you. You gotta make Kendall yours before they make him theirs," Staci said as she left the bathroom. "I'm going to find Logan."
"It's just not the same without Mom here," Philip said getting out of my dad's rental car.
I looked up at the empty mansion. My brother was right; it wasn't the same without my mom there to greet us. The atmosphere surrounding the place was depressing. I felt like if I took one step forward tears would just start falling down my face like a waterfall. I took a step back and found myself in Carlos's arms. He looked at me with big sad brown eyes. I couldn't move from where I was standing, it was like something was holding me there.
"It's going to be ok," Carlos said giving me a hug. "You're one of the bravest people I know."
"I don't know if I want to go in there," I said stepping back one more time. "I can't go in there. Dad I'm just going to show the guys around. We'll be back later."
"You're not going to cry on me are you," James asked giving me a hug.
"I think I might." I hid my face in his shirt. "I just really need to get out of here."
"I'll drive," Staci said. She took the keys from me and slid into the driver's seat. "Ari, just take a deep breath. We'll be out of here in no time."
"I'm so sorry Arianna," Kendall said wrapping his big arms around my tiny body. He helped me get into the car. I could barely stand on my own, from the shock.
"Thanks guys. I didn't think it would hit me this hard. I thought I was over it," I sighed. "I just cannot be here. Do you have any idea how weird it was on mother's day? I spent the entire day bawling my eyes out."
I watched the huge house become a little speck as Staci drove down the street. Horses were grazing in the fields surrounding the road, only ten of them would be coming back to California with me. Staci merged onto the interstate to take us up to Schuylkill County to show the boys Centralia. The cars in the opposing lane didn't seem to be moving at all compared to the speed of Staci's driving. I rested my head on Kendall's shoulder and continued to look out the window at the mountains. I played through songs in my head searching for something if anything to sing tomorrow. Several came to mind to honor my mother, but I needed something for the fans to enjoy.
"How's it going," Kendall said helping me out of the van. "Who new Staci could drive a minivan like a racecar?"
"It's ok now that I'm away from there. That house is just so depressing," I managed to say without tearing up again.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable this morning. You were wrong about this place, it's interesting. It looks like something out of a movie."
"Don't fall in," Logan shouted running up behind us. "And why don't you kiss her just to get it over with. You know you want to."
"I'd rather not kiss her," Kendall defended.
"Oh but Kendall you know you want to kiss me. So why don't you just kiss me, right here and now in these old coal fields," I teased tracing my finger down his cheek. "You didn't shave this morning did you?"
"What do I need to shave every day? I would have shaved if I had more time to get ready this morning," Kendall said.
"Just kiss already," James shouted pushing the two of us together. "It's not like she'll eat you."
"I won't make you do it, if you don't want to." I leaned away from Kendall and watched his facial expression.
"I'm not afraid to kiss you. I want to actually, the timing just isn't right. Plus who wants to share their first kiss with a bunch of people," Kendall whispered into my ear. "I really do like you Arianna, but now isn't the time."
"I understand it's all just a joke anyway for them. If we were to kiss I'd rather it be serious and meaningful. Not that it wouldn't be meaningful right now. I hate explaining myself."
"Then don't, you don't have to explain anything to me. Except for how you know about this place."
"Everyone knows about Centralia," Staci said. "And now you will go deep into a coal mine at our next stop then the whole mine thing is over."
"It's not going to collapse or anything is it?" James asked.
"Seeing as how they've been giving tours there since like forever I really don't think so," I said walking back to the mom van.
"What are you doing out here?" Carlos asked me. "It's nearly midnight and you have a concert tomorrow and a birthday party."
I stood looking out at the green pastures where horses were grazing. "I'm just thinking. Half of these guys will be sold next week. I just wish they all could come to California with me."
"Maybe they can."
"Yeah but they can't. I have to sell ten of them. I love all these horses."
"There's a therapeutic riding center that can probably use them. They need to turn people away because they don't have enough horses. I mean they won't be yours but they will be close to home. Have you thought of songs to sing?"
"Yeah, there's this one "Fight Like a Girl" that I want to sing in remembrance of my mom. I just haven't thought of one to sing with you guys yet. The others I have lined up."
"We'll come up with something. What about that 'American Honey' song by Lady Antebellum? I just heard it on the radio on my way out here. That's a guy and a girl singing."
"You know they have a better one, it's called 'Stars Tonight'. It would be perfect. Do you think you guys can pull off country?"
"It won't hurt to try."
Thank you for reading.