-Kat's P.O.V.-

I rolled over with a groan. Yesterday's events had overcrowded my brain, so I had decided to just go back to bed and sleep away my troubles. I didn't even bother waiting up for Remmy, I'd hear all about her weekend on our long drive back to LA.

I stretched and sat up, scratching the back of my head. Rolling out of bed and onto the cold floor, I padded over to my suitcase, and grabbed some light, summery clothes to throw on for the car ride home.

"What time you wanna head out?" Remmy called hoarsely from amongst her soft blankets and pillows.

"I guess whenever." Grabbing some makeup and my toothbrush, I went into the bathroom to make myself look human.

"Okay." She groaned rolling out of her comfortable pillow mass and following me into the bathroom to clean her face.

"So.. Are you and Alan like.. a thing now?" I asked, raising a brow at her in the mirror while uncapping a dark red lip stick and applying it.

Ignoring my question, she examined herself slowly, then shrugged. "Naw, we're mostly just friends with benefits." She winked and exited the bathroom with a laugh. I shuddered at the thought.

"It's fun, you should try it sometime. Austin is practically begging you to suck him off." She giggled from the other room.

I suppressed a small smile. "Oh hunny, I know he is."

We both erupted in a chorus of laugher.

"I'll be right back." Remmy said, opening the hotel door. "I'm gonna go pull the car into a spot closer to the front door."

I absently nodded in her direction and leaned back, brushing myself off.

I was so happy we were heading home today, I was desperately in need of catching up on my writing. But mostly I just missed my cat Bottle Cap. I'm pretty sure Remmy missed him too.

I threw all my shit into the small suitcase and zipped it up. I didn't really care if it was wrinkled, but I knew I'd get an earful for not folding it when Rem got back.

-Austin's P.O.V-

It was loud everywhere I went. The whole bus was bustling with noise as everyone got ready to leave Denver.

"AUSTIN!" Someone called from the front lounge. "COME HERE AND HELP US PACK THE MERCH BOXES!"

I groaned and crawled off the bunk throwing the magazine I was reading down on the bed with a slap as the pages shut.

"Okay, hang on." I grumbled, rummaging through the cabinet I had claimed as my own and pulling out a pair of black jeans. Grabbing a belt, I shimmied my way into the tight pants, and threaded the belt through the loops of jean fabric.

I made my way towards the pestering voice as I did the buckle up, and found a bedraggled looking Alan carrying a large cardboard box filled with what I assumed to be our unsold merch.

"Good morning sleeping beauty." He said with a smile. "Nice to see you decided to come help."

I rolled my eyes and took the box from him as he waggled his eyebrows.

"Yep, I just couldn't resist your gingery charm."

He hurried around letting out a laugh as he went back outside. "Who can."

I snorted at him and ducked underneath the door frame, following him out into the summer heat.

I went to one of the vans that was already packed with boxes and set it down on the ground as people loaded them in carefully.

I needed to sneak away soon so I could go and see how Ariel was doing. I felt bad about the lack of thought I had been giving her the past few days, but Kat was the only thing on my mind, and it was actually really starting to piss me off because there was a possibility that I would never see her again. A very strong possibility at that.

There were only a few more boxes to go, so I helped pack them up and put them in the van.

"I'll meet you guys back here in a bit." I called, turning to find the Subaru.

"Oh no you won't." Jared said coming up beside me and resting a hand on my shoulder. "You'll stay right here. We don't need to lose you again."

I panicked. I really needed to get to that hotel, I had Ariel's plane ticket to LA in my pant pocket.

Leaning down, I looked him in the eye. I put my hand on his shoulder mimicking him. "You remember that hot girl Kat I was telling you about?" I asked him seriously.

He gave me a funny look, then nodded.

"And you know how grouchy I get during long car rides?" He nodded again, dropping the clipboard he was holding to his side. I raised my brows at him.

"I was going to her hotel for one last 'visit' before we hit the road." Adding the blow job gesture so he would understand that 'visit' was very obviously not what I'd meant.

"Relieve the stress of being trapped in a vehicle with four other sweaty guys for so long, you know?" I said. Absolutely lying through my teeth. As much as I wished what I were saying was true, I didn't know what else to say that would get me a way out of here for a little while.

"How long?" He grunted. He knew the score, he was a guy too.

"An hour tops? Drive there and back? Maybe more."

He shook his head. "Whatever, go get some of whatever it is you need, and meet us back here as soon as possible." He chuckled and walked away.

Hm. I thought, seems legit.

-

A short while later I found myself on the fifth floor of The Best Western. I had extremely high hopes that I'd accidentally run into Kat, but I knew it wouldn't happen, she was probably halfway to LA by now.

I sighed Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. Five knocks. That's how Ariel always knows it's me at the door and not someone else.

I waited a few minutes and when no one came, I knocked the same pattern again. Nothing. Weird, she usually gets the door immediately. A pit formed in my stomach and I leaned against the door jam. Where was she?

I checked both ways, it was clear.

"Ariel?" I whisper/yelled quietly, trying the door handle. It rattled but didn't budge.

"Fuck sakes." I muttered thumping a fist on the door. "Ariel? It's me are you in there?"

Nothing again. I was nervous as to why she wasn't pulling open the door and wrapping me into her warm embrace, but she could've been showering or maybe getting ice. Something other than what was thrumming around inside my head. Jeremy.

He'd gotten out of jail recently, but I hadn't breathed a word about it to Ariel, it would terrify her. The last thing she needed was news that her crazy ex was on the prowl again and might want revenge or some shit.

I let out the breath i'd been holding and made my way down to the front desk. Maybe I could get some information on room 533, Ariel's room, see if she had maybe checked out for some reason.

The front lobby was clear and there was no one behind the counter. I noticed a small black bubble near the roof, watching.

So they have a camera trained on me but yet there's still no one here to fucking help out. I thought in annoyance.

I dinged the little bell and waited as it resounded around the lounge area leaving me feeling empty and anxious. Quickly, I reached up and covered the bell with my hand, bringing the sound to an abrupt stop. I wiped my slick palms on the top of my pants, trying to stay calm. Why the fuck is no one coming to help me? God dammit.

"Excuse me sir?" A small blonde girl said, blinking innocently at me. She was wearing a green employee uniform with the company logo sewn on and a large, pearly white smile. "Can I help you?"

I let out a long frustrated sigh. "Yes. You can. The girl from room 533, is she still here?"

She beamed at me. "I'm sorry sir, we're not allowed to give out customer information."

I wanted to strangle this girl more than I ever had wanted to strangle Kat. Fucking Kat, get out of my head. I don't want to think about you right now.

"I know, but it's important to me. I have something to give her." I said, still fighting to stay calm, and bracing myself on the long, granite desk.

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "What you two do in your free time is none of my business," her smile faded as she tried to reason with me. "but I'm afraid that still doesn't allow me to break our policy, I'm very sor-"

I cut her off, slamming my hand down on the counter. "She could be in danger!" My voice cracked in defeat at the word danger, and all of my self control drained away.

She jumped and the few people meandering through the lobby stopped and turned our way. One man even took a few steps in our direction like he was going to step in.

I lowered my voice. "Please, I just need to know if she checked out."

The girl smiled at me politely and picked up the phone, dialing a number and quietly saying a few things into the speaker.

After a minute, she hung up and smiled again, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. I waited for her to say something but I felt two people grab my arms before she could. Maybe she wasn't even going to in the first place. I turned to my attackers, and saw two very unhappy looking men dressed in all black with small, silver name tags pinned to their chests. They must work here too. I thought

"Please come with us sir." One of them said.

"Okay wait, hang on. This is a misunderstanding." I grumbled standing in place.

I felt a sharp tug as they drug me towards the exit. I tried to pry my arms free at first but gave up, there was no point.

They left me at the curb and went back inside, one hovered near the door to make sure I didn't come back in.

"Fucking hell!" I shouted, pinching the bridge of my nose.

All the sudden, the taste of blood flooded my mouth as someone thwacked me on the back of the head.

"You should watch your language, it's impolite to fucking curse." Came a female voice filled with laughter. "Did you seriously just get kicked out of a hotel?"

I nodded and turned to the sound. She snorted.

"Thats pretty talented you dipshit."

My mouth tasted awful but I didn't want to spit in front of her. "You made me bih ma tongue." I said as best I could in my current situation.

She chuckled. "What are you even doing here?"

"I uh," I paused, "came to talk ta aweal." I probably sounded ridiculous but my tongue really did hurt.

She laughed. "Aweal? You sound like a retard. Besides she already left."

"Wha da ya mean?!" I exclaimed.

"Remmy and I were getting ice for our drinks and she asked if we could give you..." She trailed off as she dug through her purse, pulling out a note tangled in headphone cords. "This. She wanted me to give a really tall guy with neck tattoos this." She extended her arm so I could take it.

The note was creased and stained with coffee rings.

Austin,

I know about Jeremy. I'm hurt you didn't tell me, but I'm safe. Caught an early flight to LA and I'll be staying close to you. Call me when you get in. 213-289-5504

-Ariel

I exhaled relieved but the guilt pricked at the back of my neck.

I looked up to thank Kat, but she was already at least a yard away walking back to their car.

I jogged up beside her and grabbed her hand. She stopped dead in her tracks and whipped around to faced me, the awkward tension between us was like electricity. It grew unbearable, so I let go, and cleared my throat, taking a step back.

"Thanks, um for the note." I stammered lamely. If this was the last time I'd see her, I wanted to sweep her off her feet or something so she'd remember me, and I wouldn't be just another guy she fooled around with.

But maybe that's all I was.

"Don't shit yourself now." She teased. "Your face is glowing like a sunburned ass on a hot day."

I choked on my spit. "I um, you look really nice.. Is all." I stuttered mentally hitting myself in the face for looking like such a pussy in front of her.

"Oh hunny. This is just painful to watch." She put a hand on her hip and used the index of her other hand to flick towards my jean pocket.

My gaze slowly traveled to where she was pointing on my body, so I reached in. Pulling out another feathery piece of paper.

That chick you almost fucked at warped, but didn't because you're lame ass. 213-363-1565

"How touching, you added your own personal flare." I smirked folding the paper back up. "Hang on, when did you- How did this even get there?"

She shrugged. "Magicians never tell." She laughed, backing away slowly to the car once more.

I saw her friend standing out the door and looking over the top of the car at me. She saluted before ducking in and shutting it. She must do that a lot. I thought. Alan had mentioned something about her doing that when he was ranting on how much he liked her. Kat got in too and I could just barely see her through the tinted windows as she put her headphones in.

I shook my head and began walking across the lot to where I'd parked the Subaru.

That girl is going to kill me.

-Kat's P.O.V-

That stupid boy is going to kill me. I thought putting in my headphones and flicking through the 1456 songs I had illegally downloaded online.

I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light came on by Brand New. One of my favorites.

Remmy mumbled something I didn't hear, so I flicked the earbud out of my ear and turned to face her as she started the car. Pulling out of the parking lot and onto the freeway.

"Pardon me?" I asked.

"You guys are really cute and I don't even know how to handle it." She said with a smile. "Also please sleep with him soon so you can tell me about it." She flicked on the turning signal and merged lanes.

"Well I'll try my best." I laughed. "And we are not cute! I'm not even into him!"

She snorted. "Tell yourself whatever you need to help you sleep at night. You're the one who gave him your phone number."

"That's not fair!" I wailed jokingly. "What about you and Alan, there's gotta be something more there than just sex!"

She tapped her thumbs on the steering wheel. "I don't know, actually. I mean we have a lot in common and all but... He's a big deal, and I'm.. You know, not."

"That doesn't matter! Have you ever heard of band members dating other band members? No! Because they date whomever they like and I think he just might like you." I smiled at her and she tried to suppress her smile but it eventually broke through.

"I hope so." She said quietly, still smiling.

"That's the spirit." I told her squishing the bud back into my ear. And turning up the volume.
I watched the side of the road blur by. And the large glittering city turned into a little toy sculpture in the distance.

I hated road trips, I felt trapped in the small car. I mean at least there was Mc Donald's chicken nuggets and coffee. If there wasn't, I'd jump out the car window and go get some because lets face it, ten outta fucking ten.

I laid my head back against the headrest. Maybe I'll fall asleep, and when I wake up there'll actually be chicken nuggets and coffee in my hands. Maybe we'd even be at home. I hoped Austin called me, I really did, for the past few days he'd been stuck in my mind and it made me want to hit him again. God dammit. I didn't have a crush on him, and if I did, well shit, I wouldn't let him know that. Not in a million years. I'd only given him my number because I guess he was kind of a cool person. Actually no, I mainly just wanted to continue teasing him from afar. He was exceptionally fun to tease, so I figured I couldn't just stop now.

Thoughts of this week (mostly that stupid boy) flooded my brain, and I dozed off in the passenger seat. The only thing swirling around my mind was the one person I wish would go swirl around anywhere else.

Notes

Thanks for reading. ^u^

Kat's outfit if you're interested: http://www.polyvore.com/summer-ish/set?id=132799108

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