CHAPTER ELEVEN
 

The moment I managed to get back to the hotel I ran to the girls’ room to see if Michelle was ok. Kevin said that AJ took her back to the hotel because she wasn’t feeling good but I knew it had to do with whatever the reason was for her being so distant. I pounded on her door until my hand hurt. There was still no answer. I knew deep down it must have been something that I did but I honestly had no clue what it could be. I ran a hand through my hair. My clothes were a mess from me messing with them out of nervousness and anger and I knew my hair was tangled because I couldn’t keep my hands from it.

I ran to AJ’s room and pounded on his door hoping he had some answer to why Michelle was acting the way she was. It took on a couple of seconds before he answered his door, he took one look at me grabbed his key card and stepped out into the hall way.

“Nick, what’s wrong?”

I ran my hand through my hair again not knowing where to begin.

“She’s pissed at me. I must have done something to piss her off. What did I do? I know she must have told you.”

The look that AJ gave me made me realize he didn’t know what I was talking about.

“What in the world are you babbling about? Michelle wasn’t feeling all that well and had a headache so I took her back here. She’s sleeping.”

I smiled, “So I didn’t do anything to piss her off.”

AJ rolled his eyes and nodded, “Yes, you didn’t do anything to piss her off. Geesh you act like you like her or something. What is going on with you dude. I’ve never seen you so bent out of shape over a girl before.” He said pointing at how I was. I knew exactly what he meant too. I probably looked terrible which up until that moment I truly felt.

I shrugged, “I don’t know. I just don’t want her to be mad at me.”

AJ rolled his eyes again, “Whatever dude. I’m going to bed and I seriously think that your over-worked imagination needs to be there too.”

I ran my fingers through my hair again, “You’re sure she isn’t mad at me for any reason.”

“No Nickolas. She’s not angry at you. She had a headache and wasn’t feeling good. Do I need to tattoo the damn thing to your forehead backwards or something?”

I knew he was getting aggravated with me so I decided that maybe he was right and I should go to bed.

“Thanks J. See you tomorrow.” I turned on my heel and walked to my room hearing him open his door and shut it. A sheer sense of joy swept through me and I thanked God that for once I didn’t do anything stupid that would have pissed Michelle off.

* * * *

I woke early the next morning with a pounding headache. I took a deep breath, smelling cologne that was all too familiar. I opened my eyes and sure enough my suspicions were laid to rest, I was in AJ’s hotel room and was in his clothes. Looking around his spacious suite I noticed that he wasn’t even in the room. I got up out of his bed and made my way to the door. When I reached the door I looked back to see his sleeping figure on the couch still fully dressed in the clothes he wore to the club last night.

I ran a hand through my hair wondering what all happened last night. The last thing I remember was talking to him sitting at the bar then Kev was there telling him to take me here. I smiled knowing that he took me here to take care of me, which last night I knew I probably needed. I sighed and opened the door stepping out into the hallway to go down to the room that Liz, Courtney, Riss, and I were supposed to share. I closed the door quietly and when I turned around I ran smack dab into someone. I closed my eyes knowing by the smell of the guy alone, who it was. I looked up and opened my eyes to see a pair of piercing blue ones staring back down at me with anger apparent in them.

“So you had a headache last night huh. I hope it was good.”

His words stung me deep, deeper then any that had ever been said to before.

“You don’t know what happened. Nothing happened!” I called out to his retreating figure. Watching him walk away hurting even more then his words.

“Whatever. AJ should have just told me last night instead of making up some damn excuse.”

Tears filled my eyes as he got into the elevator. He didn’t even turn around when he got in. So I watched as the doors shut his back to me the entire time. I immediately turned around and banged on AJ’s door hoping I would wake him up. I know that it looked exactly to Nick as he thought. I mean I was leaving AJ’s room at 8 in the morning wearing AJ’s clothes. Hell if I was him I would have thought the same thing but I would have at least listened.

“What is…?” AJ’s sentenced stopped the moment my eyes met his and he pulled me into his room and shut the door. “What happened, Michelle?”

I stood there my head in my hands as I started to sob. I tried my hardest not to but the harder I tried the harder I cried.

“Shhh.” I heard AJ say as he pulled me into a hug and let me cry on his shoulder. He ran a hand through my hair and whispering in my ear. “What happened? Tell me Michelle.”

After a few seconds I calmed down enough to choke out the most crucial piece of information. “He thinks I slept with you.”

AJ pulled back so he could look at me. He studied my face and his eyes got wide. “You mean Nick right?”

I nodded and he looked up at the ceiling. I reached up and wiped my eyes but tears still fell.

“Nick believes that you and I… that we…”

I nodded again. He reached out and wiped my tears.

“Michelle, I am so sorry. That boy can be so pig headed sometimes.”

I sniffled. “He hates me. I know he does, and I didn’t even do anything.”

AJ went to start his coffee pot. I slumped into the couch feeling horrible. AJ came back moments later with two cups and some sugar and cream.

“He doesn’t hate you. And if he did why are you letting him bend you so far out of shape?”

I sighed. “AJ what I’m about to tell you can not and I mean CAN NOT leave this room.”

AJ nodded taking a sip of his coffee and looking at me. I sighed and took the jump that I had been dreading since Nick and I started talking.

“AJ I am really beginning to like him but I can’t act on my feelings.”

“Why not? You’re not with anyone.”

“I just can’t. It’s not possible. We’re from two totally different worlds, and my career is just beginning and it wouldn’t be fair for him or me. Besides that he doesn’t like me the way I see him,” I took a sip of my coffee happy with my explanation.

AJ just looked at me and sighed softly, “Look Michelle. I’ve been in the root of depression that you seem to have yourself in. I don’t know what exactly has happened in your past but right now your future is here with us. Don’t block us out and don’t push us away when we want to help. I don’t know what is going through Nick’s head and I don’t know if he even feels the same way, but I do know that you have been the only reason why that boy has smiled lately and your friendship is his healing right now.”

I nodded listening to every word AJ was saying as if my life depended on it.

“He might be acting stupid right now, and believe me he will hear it from me, but don’t push him away. At least keep your friendship.”

I sighed and nodded. “I really don’t want to lose that but he’s mad at me.”

AJ was about to say something when a knock on his door stopped him. He got up and opened the door letting someone in. I turned around to see Liz standing there.

“OMG! What happened, Shell?”

I sighed as she sat next to me.

“Nick is mad at me because he thinks I slept with AJ last night. He saw me leaving AJ’s room this morning and jumped to conclusions.”

Her face went from concern to anger. “How dare he?! I can’t believe him. I thought that boy at least had some sort of sense. Geesh I guess he is a dumb blonde.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that, and neither could AJ. Liz looked at me then stood.

“Where are you going Liz?”

“To find Nick and beat some sense into him. I’ll talk to you in a bit.” I caught the look she gave J as she walked out the door and smiled. I knew she came here to see him and was side tracked by me, but I’ll make it up to her, I know I will. I left shortly after that and headed to the room that Kevin got for us. I curled up in a bed and fell in a dreamless sleep not even wondering where everyone else was.