Ch. 14

Patrick *POV*

"Flight 207 to Los Angeles is now boarding."

I looked up from my magazine after hearing the unembodied voice call out. I stretched, stood up, and grabbed my suitcase. "Come on guys, let's go," I said smacking Joe in the back of the head with my rolled up magazine.

His head rocked forwards and his eyes shot open. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, "Finally! We've been sitting here for like two hours!"

"I didn't want to be late, this is an important flight for us. We need to show the record deal we aren't just some lazy, irresponsible kids from Chicago," I said stepping into line.

"But we are," Andy piped up from the back of the line.

"Trick's right, we gotta make a good impression. Plus, he's just excited cause we are gonna see Courtney again after so long," he said with a smirk.

"Did anyone let her know we're coming?" Andy asked.

"No, we figured we'd surprise her by showing up to her dorm," Pete said rubbing his hands together demonically.

"We should dress up like security and knock on her door pretending we got an anonymous tip she was dealing hardcore drugs from her room," Joe said smiling.

"That would be awesome, but where would we get security uniforms? Plus, she would recognize us right away. Especially Patrick, he looks all cupid like. Too nice lookin' to be a cop on a college campus," Pete said handing the lady his ticket.

"Wow thanks," I said bitterly.

"It's okay Trick, we'll probably skip out after a while and check out the college ladies," Pete said moving his eyebrows up and down. "So you and Courtney could, ya know, catch up,' he said giggling. Joe was making a circle with his fingers and moving his other finger in and out.

"You guys! I'm still with Elisa remember? Plus, I'm pretty sure she's still with that freak Gerard," I said, his name still sent a shiver up my spine.

"Really? He may be handsome as fuck, but she could do way better," Joe said. We all looked at him and his eyes traveled between the three of us, "What? He is pretty good looking, for a pasty vampire."

Pete shrugged, "You know what? Now that I think about it, he is pretty attractive. I mean he's got that bad boy edge to him, ya know the kind that's really smooth with the ladies."

"Are we really having this conversation? Traders, all of you," I said as I searched the rows for my seat. "Ah! Here it is," I placed my carry on in the compartment above and took the window seat.

The rest of the guys found their seat and settled in. Joe sat next to me and Pete and Andy had the two seats across the isle. I put my headphones on and pressed play. Joe Jackson started sing about all the couples passing by his kitchen window (Is She Really Going Out With Him? great song, 10 outta 10). I leaned my head back and closed my eyes until I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and Elisa's name was flashing across the small screen. I flipped it open and pressed the little green phone.

"Hey Lisa, what's up?"

"Hey honey, I'm glad I caught you in time! I thought I was gonna miss you. I just wanted to say have a safe trip and I can't wait to see you again!" I could hear her big mile in her face, it was so contagious.

"Aww, thanks. I will, I'll only be gone for a week, then after that I'm all yours."

She giggled, "You bet you are. Maybe we can go see that new-"

"Excuse me sir, but you have to hang up and stow that now, the plane is about to take off," the stewardess said with a painful smile. You could tell she had probably said that a thousand times today and would have to say it again a thousand times again.

"Uhh hey the plane's about to take off. I gotta go, bye Lisa, I love you."

"Love you too Tricky!"

I hung up and slipped my phone into my jacket pocket, Tricky? That's new. The pilot came over the speaker and they played the cheesy safety video that looked like it was filmed in the 80s. I just ignored them and listen to Joe Jackson sing to me about all the pretty girls (Pretty Girls, also a good song).

"Hey, we're gonna go ask that lady at the desk. Be right back Trick!" Pete called from down the hallway.

I continued to circle around the hall for what seemed like a billion times. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and scanned all the little white boards looking for Courtney's name. I turned a corner and saw an ancient looking janitor mopping the floor. Maybe he knows where her room is. I called out to him but he didn't respond. So I walked a little closer and tapped on his shoulder. He sort of jumped and turned his head, that's when I noticed he was wearing headphones. He tugged them down and I could he the muffed sound of what ever he was listening to.

"Hey, uhh, do you know where room 307 is? I've been walking all around and I haven't been able to-"

He cleared his throat, cutting me off, and pointed behind me. I turned and saw a single door, all alone. What? I could have sworn that wasn't there before? I turned around to say thank you but he had already made it down to the end of the hallway. I shrugged and made my way to Courtney's door. God, what am I gonna do when she opens the door? What am I gonna say? 'Hey we stalked you all the way from Chicago even though you told us not to.' I was standing in front of her door, come on Patrick! Just knock, it's not like you're a stranger! You're her best friend for God's sake!

I took a deep breath and raised my fist to knock, but I froze. I let out my breath and sighed. Why is this so hard for me? I shook it off, enough stalling. Actually, maybe I should wait for the guys- no! God just knock! My internal fit was interrupted when I heard laughing from the inside. It was Courtney.

"Stop it!" she screamed, giggling again.

For some reason hearing her laugh made me feel all fuzzy inside, and safe. It calmed me down enough to bring my hand up all the way and finally knock. I heard someone rustling out of bed and walking towards the door. The chain lock on the inside was undone and the doorknob turned, but when the door opened I was face to face with Gerard!

"Wha-wha-"

He gave me an evil smirk, "Hey there buddy, what brings you here?" He was leaning there shirtless with his arm up against the open door, "What? Cat's gottcha tongue?" I peaked past him into the dorm, I couldn't see much. The only light was from the dim paper lights strung along the ceiling. I couldn't see her in there. He must has seen me searching the room for her because he called out to her. "Hey babe! You gotta visitor!" He looked back at me with that evil smile.

Then I saw Courtney wrapped up with only a bed sheet come out from another room. Her hair was messy and the cream colored sheet dragged behind her. She had an empty smile on her face and mascara was smeared all around her eyes. "Oh hey Trick, what's up?"

I was taken back in horror, "Wha-what! Where you..." I couldn't even say it.

"Was I what?" she asked confused. Gerard just watched from her side. He slipped his arm around the back of her waist and pulled her closer. "Come on Trick, come on."

"What?" I said quietly.

"Come on."

"Wha-"

"Come on Patrick! Wake up!" Pete said shaking me awake.

I shot forward and looked around. I was on the plane still, it was empty. I was breathing heavily, thank God it was just a dream.

"Woah, you okay man? You look like you just saw ghost, what where you dreaming about?" Joe asked looking concerned.

"That's just it, a ghost," I said letting out a sigh.

Hey guys! So did I get you? Did I make you gasp and gnaw at your finger nails? Probably not, but that was a fun twist wasn't it? Yeah, pretty proud. So leave a comment, love to read those! Subscribe if you wanna find out what really happens when Patrick shows up on Courtney's welcome mat. And to all te guests that have been leaving me wonderful comments about how much you love the story, thank you! Anywhore.. Thnks Fr Rdng!