“I hate you, you’re so weird,” I joked and he laughed, “thanks for the heads up man, I won’t divorce you, I’d be too scared.”

“Haha, that’s just how I roll,” he said in his gangster voice again, “it’s okay I’m just joking. So dinner tonight, we on or are you giving out on me?”

“Now why would I miss a chance to hang out with the famous Joe Jonas?” I said and I could practically hear his smile through the phone.

“Flattery will get you no where Ms.Cardoza,” he said and I smiled as well.

“Once again another plan, failed. What time you coming to get my sorry ass?” I asked and he ‘hmm’ed through the line.

“How about I pick you up around seven?” he asked and he sounded like one of my old boyfriends. It was actually quite comical, so laughed, “what’s so funny?”

“Nothing, seven’s fine. May I ask the dress code mister?”

“Umm... casual, alright I’ll call you when I’m in the city,” he said, and I nodded to myself.

“Okay, gotta go talk to you later,” I said and he made the ‘mhm’ sound.

“Bye bye,” he said and I said bye and hung up. Once again I could feel the butterflies in my stomach flutter like they were just struck by lightning. I couldn’t be more happy, and I turned to the guys, “what are you guys doing tonight?”

“Johnny got us tickets to the Yankee game, but I’m guessing someone won’t be coming,” Tristan said looking at me.

“Hey give me a break. I’ve got a ‘date’” I said using the hand quotations around the word date.

“Mhm,” he replied, “you know Mina and Tinsley will be highly disappointed that they won’t be seeing you,” at this my head sprung up, with wide eyes.

“No fair, Mina and Tinsley are coming??” Matt nodded and I frowned, “goddamnit, why don’t I ever know any of this????” the guys shrugged and I sat back in my seat.

“They’re at the hotel right now, and they’re spending the night cause they’re going to Bamboozle tomorrow,” Julian said and none of them took their eyes off the t.v. I wanted to see what they were watching so I got up and scootched over by them.

“What are you guys watching?” I said and saw why their eyes were glued. They were watching the Maxim’s Hot 100 Special, and I sighed, “men...”


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“So he kissed you?!!” Mina exclaimed sitting on my bed with Tinsley who soaked up every single word of the past day and a half that I’ve told them about. I turned around from my closet, and smiled a big grin nodding. They both did a little jig and squealed on my bed. Seeing movement from the door we saw the guys lean back on the couch and send us raised eye brows. We just ignored them, and continued on our girly rant.

“Oh my god. I can’t believe you Rox, you kissed Joe Jonas man!” Tinsley gushed leaning her head on her palms for a moment and then shaking her head at me and looking back at my laptop.

“I know neither can I, and seriously I talked with him, and I even told him about Christian and he didn’t freak out, he actually understood,” I said picking a few pairs of jeans, and skirts from my closet. I had already deciding that I was going to wear a white tank top with this nice green zip-up I got from American Eagle before I had met up with Joe and them yesterday, and I don’t know what on the bottom yet.

“Really?” Mina asked and I nodded solemly looking between the jeans and the mini skirt.

“Usually you think that would damage the guys ego a bit right?” Tinsley asked and I shrugged

“I’d think it would, but he seemed cool about it. Jeans with the cold moccasins, or mini with flip flops?” I asked looking between the two girls and they both inspected the plain blue straight leg jeans on the bed or the light blue mini.

“Jeans,” they both said, “it’s cold out,” Tinsley added and I nodded putting the skirt away.

“What time is he coming?” Mina asked picking up my skirt and looking at it nicely.

“Seven,” I said closing my closet, and walking back over and grabbing clothes and a bra and underwear, and skipped towards the bathroom, “Be right back, taking a shower.”

“Wait!” at the door Julian yelled and I turned around, to see that the guys were all dressed and I could no longer hear the t.v. in the living room as well as the one in my room. I noticed that the guys all had their Yankee shirts on and their hands in their pockets.

“You’re leaving now?” I asked and the guys nodded, “damnit, alright,” I said putting the stuff on the bathroom sink really quick, and then jogging over and giving the girls hugs as they got off the bed, “have fun okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Have for with Mr. Wonderful,” Tinsley said doing a fancy schmancy voice.

“I will,” I said nodding, and I have Tinsley and the guys a hug and they left me at the door. I closed and locked it behind me. I was heading towards the shower once again when my phone rang it’s ringtone happily.

You’re an exception to the rule

you’re a bonafide rarity

you’re all I ever wanted

southern girl

could you want me?

I hasten towards the night stand where my enV was vibrating violently, and I looked at the ID. It was him.

“Hello?” I said.

“Okay, so I’m in the city, and I should be there in like ten minutoss,” he said and I could tell he had the window open in his car or something.

“Oh okay, just come on up when you get here, we’re on the sixth floor, and it’s 618,” I said turning the shower on and then walking out into my room.

“Okay, see you soon,” he said.

“Bye,” I said and hung up tossing the phone onto the bed and happily, and quickly hurried into the shower.


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I had just finished conditioning my hair when from inside I heard the doorbell to the front ring. Had it really been ten minutes? I didn’t even have time to wonder about it. I rung out my hair and grabbed the robe on the door, and rushed out of the bathroom, through my bedroom, and through the lounge room, and up to the door. I opened to find Joe there with his hand in his jacket pockets, and he was looking down the hallway, but his attention turned to me, and he smiled sweetly. I returned it and stepped aside letting him come inside, and he looked around.

“Nice suite,” he said and I closed and locked the door behind me.

“Thanks Johnny really did a lot with this one,” I said and Joe turned to, and embraced me in a hug, I smiled into his shoulder and he hugged me back.

“How was your morning?” he asked sweetly, pulling back, I motioned my hand for him to follow me and I walked to the bedroom.

“It was nice my mom made waffles, so I was immediately in heaven,” I said and chuckled.

“Nicee,” he said and flopped down on my bed, but sat up and pulled out my phone, moping out a sorry laying back down.

“It’s fine, look I’ve gotta go check, but my laptop’s right next to you, and there’s the remote on the night stand, so help yourself,” I said waving him off as I went to the bathroom, and he sat up. I raised my eyebrows.

“What I don’t get to come?” he said and I laughed shaking my head and going into the bathroom. I heard the t.v. turn on and I cracked the door open a bit and peeked through. He was laying on the bed leaning up his elbows. He had taken on his black jacket, and he laid there in a pair of blue jeans, and a blue and black striped v-neck t-shirt with a bring yellow crew neck under it. He had on his tan and red Nike dunks and his hair was in that faux-hawk that he told me he likes to call the ‘Johawk’. I shook my head and began to get dressed. When I was done I opened the door, and quickly threw on some lip gloss, and dried my hair with a towel. I had bent over to get the hair on that back of my neck, and I stood up and looked in the mirror to try and fix my hair when Joe was behind my shoulder with some stupid face on. I screamed and he held his ears. I turned around and smacked his shoulder.

“Owwwww,” he laughed and turned to me, “what was that for?”

“Don’t scare me like that,” I said giving him the eyes and he put his hands up.

“Fine, fine,” he said and leaned against the door frame, and just watched me. I was putting some anti-poof creme in my hair when I noticed this, and gave a little smile.

“What?” I asked and he just shook his head. I tousled the ends a bit and then turned to him, “ready?”

“Yes, I am,” he said smiling like an idiot, and looping his arm. I put up a finger telling him to wait one moment and he hung his head. I ran over to the night stand, grabbed my phone, and some money, and then skipped to where he was, “ready?” he asked and I nodded and he yanked me towards the door.

“Owwww, geeze I’m yours for tonight, I’m not going anywhere,” I said and I could see his smile brighten as he dragged me down the hallway towards the elevator. We stopped and he pushed the button.

“I know, I just don’t wanna waste anytime,” he said catching his breath like me across from where I was leaning on the wall. I smiled and laughed, there was a look in his eyes, that I couldn’t exactly place my finger on, but it sent shivers down my spine, an automatic alert for the butterflies to flutter once again. He pushed himself slowly off the wall, and he walked straight over to me. I looked him in the eyes, but I couldn’t put my thoughts together, they seemed to be in a tizzle. Having him this close to me should be a hazard. I couldn’t think straight. Soon enough he stopped in front of me. He smiled a bit and looked down guiding his hands onto my hips. Where his hands touched my skin, it burned and sent shivers down my spine once more, I looked down to his hands, where they were, and I gave a little smile.

I opened my breath to breathe a little, and looked up, and my breath hitched at how close he was to me. He looked me in the eyes. Brown to green. He moved one of the hands from my waist and up around my neck and pulled my face to his, our lips were inches apart when the elevator bell rang, and we jumped apart. I blushed, and I looked up at him and he smiled as the snobby looking rich couple gave us a weird look and huffed and continued on, once they were past Joe went in the elevator but I took the liberty to bend over in their direction and smack my ass. Joe laughed as they turned around and then yanked me into the elevator giving a wave as the doors closed.

“Aww c’mon man, you ruined,” I whined and he held a finger up to his lips.

“Silence is golden,” he said and I pffed, and leaned against the wall, deciding not to bring up what just happened, “so where are you taking me?” he put a hand to his chin, and then his eyes brightened.

“ESPN zone,” he said and I narrowed my eyes at him, he laughed, “what?”

“That is the most guy-ish place that you could possibly take me. What is it like a sports bar?” I asked sighing, and he gasped at me.

“Nooooo!” he shouted, “it’s so much more than that. They’ve got games, and food, and yeah sure they’ve got a sports bar, but that’s besides the point,” I laughed at him, “just trust me okay?”

“Fineeee,” I groaned and he clapped like a happy child, as the elevator dinged signaling that we had made it to the lobby.

“C’mon,” Joe said grabbing my hand once more and dragging me towards the door. We made it out onto the street, where it was growing dark, and cold. We stopped outside the entrance to the hotel.

“Which way captain?” I said rubbing my arms to stimulate heat, he noticed and came over putting an arm around me and rubbing my arm, he pointed to my left and we headed off in that direction, him telling me that this place was not too far from here. We were silent for a moment as we walked down the street in comfortable silence. As I walked under his arm I looked up to see him looking out to the street with a nice smile on his face. I looked back down to my hands. They were freezing. WHY THE HELL WAS IT SOO COLD!?!?! I wrapped my right arm around his waist and immediately felt the heat from his body on my hand. It kinda ...turned me on that I could feel his body heat, but I had to keep it hidden. He looked down to me.

“Cold?” he asked and I nodded a little. He wrapped both arms around me and rubbed my arms, which sort of made me feel better. Just mostly the fact that he had his arms around me. I had never had feelings this strong about a person so quickly. Not even Christian. And it scared me. I didn’t want to make the same mistake with Joe that I did with Christian, but I had a secure feeling that Joe wouldn’t do that. He removed one of his arms and we walked normal once again.

“Joe?” I asked and I could feel his body vibrate from when he spoke, he let out a ‘hmmm’ looking down to me happily, “are we close?” I was going to ask him about the hallway, but I decided not to ask him and make things awkward this early on in the night, I figured I’d ask him later.

“Umm... we should be,” he said pulling me to the left, as we rounded a corner. I had noticed which direction we’d been walking in but we wound up in Time’s Square, and it was completely dark.

“Wow,” I said and looked up at Time’s Square, and stopped for a moment to look around. I pulled my sleeves over my hands and rubbed them together as Joe stood next to me, “I’ve seen it before, but its always more and more beautiful every time,” I said with a smile, I looked over to Joe and he smiled as well. There was a twinkle in his eyes, that just made me even more happy than I already am if that was possible

“C’mon, I can see the sign from here,” he said placing one hand on my shoulder to turn me in the direction, and pointed to the sign with the other.

“Okay,” I said as he walked with me in the direction once more, and we talked about our new albums coming out.


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“I’m gonna call Roxanne,” Mina said as the crowd cheered and Arod sped around second base and Manny Ramirez threw the ball in, but A-Rod was already rounding third, the third basemen threw to the catcher and A-Rod slid into home and was called safe. The crowd roared as the Yankee team came jump and cheering out of the dugout. They had just won 7-6 over the Red Sox. The guys and Tinsley all screamed while Mina held the phone close to her ear, and Tristan squeezed her close.

“Hello?” she heard Roxanne say giggling into the phone, “Joe stop it!” Mina heard her squeal as the crowd died down and they began to exit the stadium.

“What’s going on over there?” Mina said with a sly tone in her voice, “Someone doing something they’re not supposed to?”

“Noooo, me and Joe are at ESPN zone,” Roxanne replied holding the cell phone on her shoulder and using her other hand to maneuver the air hockey stick. It was 6-5 and she was winning.

“Oh sounds cool are you having fun?” Mina asked and she heard Roxanne groan on the other side as she hung her head and Joe laughed like a mad man .

“Yes, we just ate and he decided to challenge me to air hockey, but I just lost a point to the psycho killer, how was the game,” Roxanne said pulling the puck from the spitter and placing it back on the table, smacking it straight over to Joe.

“Good we won, A-Rod got a inside the park home run in the 10th inning and won it for us,” Mina said as Tristan pulled her up and ushered her towards the tier exit.

“Sweeeettt,” Roxanne said smacking the puck back over to Joe.

“Yes, very. Well we’re gonna catch something to eat and go back to the room, so give me a call when you’re on your way back, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, gotcha,” Roxanne said stopping the puck with the hockey stick. She laughed a bit and criss-crossed it over to Joe.

“Alright have fun, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Mina said jokingly.

“Shut up, bye,” Roxanne said and hung up, but while trying to put the phone down she missed the puck and it went into the opening, giving Joe the game winning point, “Not fair!” she yelled and stood their jaw opened at Joe who just laughed at her.

“You losttttt!” he laughed, and she frowned crossing her arms, “Awwwww,” he said walking over to her, and engulfing her in a hug, “I’m sorry sunshine,” Roxanne just laced her arms around him as well and took in the sweet but spicy scent of his deodorant, and American Eagle cologne.

“You’re wearing my favorite cologe, so I’m gonna forgive you,” she said looking up to him from his chest. He laughed.

“Okay,” he said nodding.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I slowly walked around the neon-lit room with my lazer gun in hand, and bright neon green chest pad flashing. Wait... flashing that means...

“Hey!” I said turning around seeing Joe behind me in his bright orange chest pad shooting away. My chest pad told me to return to home base for a charge up. So I hung my head and walked as he kept shooting me. I hid behind the home base for a moment. I charged up and hung my head back.

“Charge complete,” said the voice and I sighed looking straight seeing Joe standing there.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to be back here, I’ve got home court advantage bucko,” I said pointing my gun at him, he laughed and turned around walking away. I slowly followed behind him, but lost him for a moment when a little kid started to shoot me. I ran around and hid behind a corner from the kid.

“Come here often?” I heard his voice behind me and I screamed bloody murder, and the intercom came on.

“Is everyone alright?” they asked and everyone replied a yes.

Joe laughed at me quietly and I smacked his shoulder.

“Not funny,” I said now noticing how close we were. Shit. A darkened corner, and Joe, and me. Damnit.

“I thought it was,” he said relaxing against the wall. I could see his darkened eyes focused on mine even in the dark. Dammit I could feel them.

“Hmm,” I said turning from him, and peeking my head out the corner. No sign of that kid. Thank god. I turned around to see that Joe was close to me again, “whatcha doin?” I asked slowly, and a sly grin spread across his perfect face. He shrugged and moved closer. I swallowed hard and tried not to vocalize it, as he moved closer about to close that space between us. His lips hovered over mine, when the lights went on and I looked up, and the computer spoke

GAME OVER.

PLEASE EXIT.

I looked back to Joe who had backed away.

“C’mon,” he said, and grabbed my hand walking ahead of me. I was sure that he couldn’t see me and I smacked my self on the head ‘mentally telling myself that I was a complete idiot’. WHY THE HELL DID YOU HAVE TO LOOK AWAY?!?!? fuck, “Oh shit, it’s 11:30. We should head back,” I nodded as he picked up his jack from our table and put it on, pushing up his sleeves.

We walked out onto the street, and he threw his arm around my shoulder again and we walked slowly through Time’s Square, I could occasionally feel a drop of rain here or there. And Joe laughed when one fell on my nose, and he wiped it off with his thumb. He laughed at me and told me if was cute. I blushed a bit but pinched his side making him squeal like a girl. I laughed and began to tell me a story about last month when he was on tour with Kevin and Nick and the bust got a flat in the middle of no where and how no one knew how to change it but their dad, and they wouldn’t stop bugging him like ‘is it done yet?’ ‘Is it done yet?’ I laughed and told him that I would’ve punched him if he did that to me. We were walking when Joe stopped for a reason I didn’t know. I had stopped walking and looked him.

“What?” I asked with a smile as his awestruck face.

“Baskin & Robins! Do you want ice cream?” he asked and I thought about it a little bit, and tilted my head.

“Sure,” I said and we walked towards the door, but it wouldn’t open and just then the lights shut off.

“NOOOOOOOO!!!!” I heard Joe yell sadly, and I practically had to peel him off the glass.

“It’s gonna be okay,” I said rubbing his back as we walked.

“I really wanted ice cream,” he said sounding like a little boy who couldn’t get his Superman action figure.

“If you want we can stop at a duane reade or something. I’m sure they have the little cartons of ice cream,” I said giving a smile and he returned it shaking his head.

“Nah, it’s okay,” he said and rubbed a raindrop off his forehead, “C’mon we should hurry before it rains.”

“Eh alright,” I said and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and we turned down the familiar corner and walked for a while. The drops began to fall more frequently. I just looked at Joe and he made a weird face and we began to walk a little faster but that didn’t help up. We were still a little ways away from the hotel when the rain started to pelt down. Me and Joe began to laugh, as we hurried through the rain. It just came down harder and harder so we stopped drenched under a closed down news/flower stand where a faint light sorta shone where we were standing. I laughed and shivered as my hair clung to my face, and Joe wrapped his arms around me and we watched the rain fall, with a laugh. I turned to him. He had that look in his eyes again. The same from the hallway and the corner in lazer tag. Shivers raced up and down my spine again and I waited.

As he lowered his head to mine. I waited more, and then I realized that noting this time was going to come and interrupt us. My eyes jetted around us and then back to Joe who watched me closely with a smile. I gave a half smile back as he lowered his head to mind and closed the space attaching his lips to mine. No, let me repeat, No guys’ kisses ever made me feel like this one. As his lips pressed to mine, my breath sucked in, and I inhaled his scent once more. His hands rested on my hips and used them to turn me to him and deepen our kiss. I took the liberty of laying my hands on his neck softly feeling the soaked dark baby hairs from the nape of his neck beneath my fingers. I moved my lips with his, and he brung a hand up around my neck again and pulled me closer. He traced his tongue along my lips asking for an entry, I savored the feeling before opening and letting his tongue collide with mine in the sweetest dance I’ve ever. I breathed in deeply as he hugged me tight, and pulled back from my lips with a smile, he was going to speak, when I whispered, “no,” and pulled his face down to mine once more. He smiled and laughed into my kiss. Hugging me again, the water from our hair dripping down our faces. He pulled back again, and smiled brightly at me.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for that,” he said with a glint in his eye, I laughed and looked out to the rain, I grabbed his hand and pulling him out to the darkened, emtpy, wet street and smiled. Spinning around for a moment. He smiled, and grabbed me, hugging me close, “Be mine?” he asked into my hair, and I smiled into his shoulder. I pulled back to look in his eyes, and smiled. He laughed at the goofy grin on my face. I jumped into his hold and he laughed even more, “that’s a yes?”

“THAT’S A HELL YES,” I said as he put me down. He smiled and lowered his head to mine once more, and I happily kissed my boyfriend through the threatening sheets of rain that came down on us.

Nothing could ruin this moment.


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“She’s back!!!” Mina yelled hopping off the bed and Tinsley ran to the front door to see Roxanne walking in soaking wet.

“He’s back!!!” Nick yelled jumping off his bed and Kevin dropped the Xbox360 remote control and they ran into Joe’s room next door to find him soaking wet.

“What happened?”

“Well we went to ESPN zone...”

“I took her to that ESPN zone place...”

“And we play air hockey...

“And lazer tag...”

“Where he almost kissed me...”

“I almost kissed her in there...”

“But the machine called game over...”

“So it was late...”

“And we starting to walk back to the hotel...”

“And it started to rain down hard...”

“So we hid under a news stand...”

“And just laughed there for a little while...”

“I don’t know the moment was just right...”

“So I kissed her...”

“And he kissed me...”

“It was worth everything...”

“It was the best kiss I’ve ever had...”

“So she danced in the rain for like a minute or so...”

“And he called me over...”

“she hugged me...”

“And then he asked me...”

“So then I asked her...”

“And I said yes...”

“And she said yes...”

“It just feels so...”

“Amazing...”

End Ch7

Ch8

“No I told you, we’re not there yet! Calm down, I’ll be there,” I said into the phone with a madman’s smile on as Mina gave me the eye. She knew for a fact now, that I was on the phone with Joe.

“Well, tell your driver-“

“Ronny is a very sweet man, much sweeter than you at the moment. Do not insult him Joseph,” I said using his actual name, and I could basically hear him cringe.

“Ugh, you sound like my mom, stop. I do not in any way want my girlfriend to remind me of my mother,” he said and I laughed, my insides tingling at the new title for me he was aloud to throw around.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” I said into the phone sadly, and Mina and Tristan rolled their eyes at me and I could hear Riley sigh from next to me, “alright, I’m gonna have to let you go, because I’m getting evil looks from the people in this car.”

“THEY ARE JUST JEALOUS!!” he shouted into the phone and I’m pretty sure that everyone in the back of the limo could hear it. They just rolled their eyes again, and I ‘hmph’ed, “Anywho alright I’ll let you go, call me when you’re here, I wanna see you before we go on,” he said and I smiled and nodded to myself.

“Alright captain, I can do that,” I said.

“Okay, doodlebing,” he said and I smiled at our code word. We had both decided that we wouldn’t say ‘love you’ until we actually meant it so we stayed up for two hours figuring out a word to say instead, and he finally came out and said ‘doodlebing’. I laughed for about five minutes straight, and then agreed that that was perfect.

“Doodlebing to you too partner,” I replied with a smile, and Matt and Julian just looked from the tv to me with a ‘wtf’ look on their faces. I just smiled.

“Bye babe,” he said, and I could hear him smile over the phone.

“Bye,” I said smiling as well, and then just holding the phone up to my ear for a little while.

“No, not this again, you hang up first,” he said and I laughed.

“Fine, bye bye,” I said and hung up placing the phone in my purse.

“You two are disgusting and it hasn’t even been one day yet, ugh,” Tinsley said from under Julian’s arm.

“Imagine how it’s gonna be when the months start piling in,” Julian pretended to whisper to Tinsley and she shook her head in disappointment. I sighed and leaned back in my chair look over to Mina for some help, but instead I saw her Tristan going for each other’s esophagus’. Yay.

“You say that about me, look at these two,” I said pointing towards them and Tinsley shrugged, and turned to Julian following in Tristan and Mina’s footsteps. I just sat back with Riley and Matt and looked out the window until Ronny lowered the window and chimed that we in fact were here. I felt an instant pang of excitement rush through me that we were here. Partially for the performance, but mostly because I get to hang out with Joe. Speaking of which, I was about to pull out my phone, when someone covered my eyes from behind.

“Joe?” I asked my excitement seeping through my voice and the person removed their hands from my eyes. I turned around saw Matt standing there, “I hate you. You tricked me.”

“I thought that’d be funny,” he said with a smile, and him and Riley laughed at me. I gave them both a quick hit in the stomach and they keeled over.

“You’re an evil whore,” Riley said in pain, and I laughed at him.

“Hey, we should probably find out where we can chill and leave the shit until we go on,” Tristan said walking up with an arm slung around Mina, and raised eye brows towards the two pained boys. I nodded, and followed those two and Julian and Tinsley, with Matt and Riley by my sides, and we wandered around for a bit.

“HEY!” we heard someone shout, and I was the first to turn around to find...

A boy with a clip board jogging towards us. Damn.

“You’re Atrophy right?” he asked excitedly. We nodded, and the boy skimmed me up and down awkwardly, he couldn’t be more than 14, “Nice to meet you, I’m supposed to take you to the lock down room, so you can get settled so if you’ll follow me please,” he said and turned around. Once he did, Mina nudged me.

“Clip-board-boy’s got his eye on the goods,” she said and I rolled my eyes with a laugh and continued to follow the boy through crowds of people. We saw some people whispering with wide eyes as we walked by, some recognized us and pointed. We just decided to give waves and keep walking. We could come back out after we checked in to the lock down room. The boy led us down a hallway talking with Riley and Matt and stopped in front of a door with a tall man in black standing by it. He opened the door and gave us a nod.

Now from the outside the room looks like it’d be pretty small, but actually it’s pretty big on the inside. It had a high ceiling, and was widddeeee. I looked around, and was instantly reminded of the locker room at Sacmore. There were bands every where. Some talking with each other, and laughing like they’d been friends forever. Some just sitting around, and strumming guitars. There was so much commotion that I didn’t realize I’d been separated from the group.

Shit. I do this every time. I looked around, and spun clockwisex2, almost tripping over myself.

“You alright there buddy?” I heard someone ask and I turned around to see Nick standing there with a smile as if were laughing at me, which he probably was, I would’ve laughed at me too.

“That’s true, so I take it you’re looking for the metro?” he said sticking his hands into the pockets of his jeans, and I looked at his little outfit thing. He wore jeans, vans again, a white t-shirt. His curly hair was everywhere like always.

“Well I’m keeping an eye out, Matt actually tricked me before, and pretended to be him. I got excited,” I said with a frown, and Nick laughed at me, and let out a long ‘awwwwwwwwww’, and I punched his arm lightly. He laughed again, “it’s sweet.”

“Thanks anyways. I’ve gotta go find my band, they love to ditch me, but I’ll see you later. I’m coming to your show, so look for me in the crowd bucko,” I said and he nodded giving me a hug.

“Will do, I’ll let him know I saw you,” he said as we pulled back, and started to walk away.

I threw a thanks and a wave over my shoulder, and he did the same. And I walked around a bit more, seeing Riley’s messenger bag, I hurried over and tapped his shoulder, he turned around and smiled.

“Oh thank god, I’m not the only one lost,” he said and we continued to look for our band. Finally finding them in a corner they waved us over, and just like Sacmore we decided to split up and meet back here at two before we went on. Gave me definitely enough time to meet up with Joe, hang out, change, and then go to mine, cause Joe’s show wasn’t til tomorrow.


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Time seemed to fly as I walked around. When we’d gotten here it was eleven. Now it was one o’clock and I had been wandering for a half hour and still hadn’t found Joe yet. I was a little disappointed, and I walked around. I tried calling him but he didn’t answer. I didn’t want to call Nick and ask to talk to Joe because that was just rude. So I just decided to walk around. I’d met some fans who were flipping out because I was walking around here like a normal person. What was I an alien? I wasn’t going to be mean even though I was a little cranky. I just made some small talk, and signed some autographs, took some pictures, and continued on.

I had been walking around for a good ten minutes or so when my clumsiness decided to make it’s reappearance and I bumped into someone again, he smelled like Joe so I instantly got excited but when I looked up it wasn’t him but rather another attractive boy with brown hair and eyes, and quite a charming smile.

“Rafi,” he said holding out a hand, I smiled and shook it.

“Roxanne,” I said and he nodded, sticking his hands in his pockets, and beginning to walk off.

“Nice meeting you,” he said and walked away. Rafi. Was hot. But I had Joe, so I felt bad thinking about another boy when I had just snagged him. But it’s not like I would ditch him, I mean c’mon. I could go on talking about Joe’s good qualities for as long as this festival lasted. He was just... amazing. I immediately remembered that I met him about two months ago. I mean, it just seemed quick, I got a weird feeling about it, but pushed it off because of how I feel about him already. I can’t have thoughts like that, they bring nothing good.

“You know, you look pretty cute when you’re lost,” I heard a voice say again and turned around to see him standing there with a smile towards me, I smiled big and walked into his arms.

“You’re pretty cute,” I said into the shoulder of his that was covered in a black and white vest over a pink and white striped shirt, and he chuckled and hugged me tighter, “But not when you cut off my air supply,” he loosened the grip and I leaned back to look at him. He smiled at me with that twinkle in his eye, and lowered his face to mine with a sly grin. His lips were warm and soft, and sent a tingle down my spine. Our first kiss had been wet and powerful, not to say this one wasn’t, but now that we were dry it seemed to have a different effect on me, it was better. I hugged him as his lips seemed to mesh with mine, and smiled. I pulled back, and looked around.

“You sure, we should, you know... in front of all these people,” I said and he just shrugged it off and went for my lips again, put my hands on his chest pushing he back a little so his face removed from mine, “no offense Joe, you meant a lot to me, but I don’t want to be mauled by your fans because I was kissing you in public,” I said and he hung his head back. I laughed at him as he groaned.

“Just when I get a girlfriend she has to be modest,” he said and looks towards the sky, “Damn you,” he said pumping up a fist. I giggled and he looked down to me, “if we must then sure, but you’re mine otherwise,” he said throwing an arm around my shoulders, and turning to walk, “now since you were lost, I’ll show you where we all were,” he said pulling me towards one stage where Brand New was performing. We stopped next to Kevin, and Nick, and apparently some of their friends. I looked around and noticed that most people were completely wild. It was fun to watch.

When I thought of the word watch, I immediately thought of the time, and I freaked pulling out my phone.

2:55 p.m.

SHIT.

“Joe, I have to go,” I said I grabbing his arm, and he looked at me weird, and tilted his head.

“Why so soon?” he asked grabbing my head and giving it a nice squeeze. I explained to him that I had to go get ready to go on. I explained to him that we were gonna be on the Monster Stage at 2:55. He nodded and hugged me tight, “Good luck lover, I’ll see if I can stop in before the show,” he said and I nodding, smiling, and hugging him back, he pulled back from the hug and kissed me square on the lips for a moment. It felt so right that I really didn’t want to move, I just hugged him and pulled away.

"Doodlebing,” I said kissing his cheek quick and I could see him blush as he looked down.

“Doodlebing,” he said with a proud nod, and I smiled walking away and slowly letting go of hand before I walked off in the direction of the lock down room.


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“Yeah, I ended up finding him. Well actually it was the other way around,” I said sitting in a spinney chair as Tinsley curled my hair into waves, I played with one of the large sequins on my green dress. It was the mini dress Mina wore to my sweet 16 last March. The air conditioner was on full blast in here so I put on the leather jacket I was going to wear early, and rolled up the sleeves.

“Well at least you saw him at all before the show,” Mina said flipping through a magazine in a chair next to mine.

“True, it just sucks that I don’t get to see him as often,” I said and played with my black fingernails. Mina nodded sadly.

“Hey, is he free tonight? We should all go out” Tinsley asked happily.

“I think so, we haven’t really talked about anything tonight yet,” I said shrugging my shoulders, and Mina handed me my phone.

“Call him, and see,” she said as I took it from her hands, and held down three sticking up to my ear. After a few rings his voice echoed over the line.

“Hello doll face,” he said in a sing-song voice.

“Hey,” I said looking over to Mina who was caught up in her magazine, and Tinsley was curling another piece of hair.

“What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you and Nick and Kevin wanted to do something tonight with all of us, go somewhere, you know,” I replied and began to play with the hem of the dress.

“Mmm, I don’t know if I want to hang out with you,” he said jokingly, “kidding. Umm, sure, like what?”

“I don’t know yet,” he laughed at me, “shut up, think of something during the show, and get back to me later.”

“Can do, I gotta go, we’re making our way to the stage, now.”

“We’ve twenty minutes till we go on, just come on back.”

“Okay, I’ll be there soon, try not to jump off a cliff.”

“Mm, I don’t know I’m stuck on a decision, I don’t know if I’m so repulsed by you, or completely smitten. Damn it’s so hard,” I joked but Mina looked up raised eyebrows. I waved it off.

“I’m hurt, I’m leaving bye.”

“Bye lover.”

I hung up the phone with a laugh, and put it on the counter.

“What’d he say?” Tinsley asked smoothing down my hair.

“He said sure, and that he’d just drag Nick and Kevin along, and that they’d think of something to do,” I replied as Tinsley stepped back, done with my hair.

“0oo0oo thank you,” I said standing up and moving a few pieces. She smiled and we all sat down for a moment, and talked about Joe, Tristan and Julian, when there was a knock on the door. We continued to talk as Matt got up from the couch to go answer it.

“But yeah, I don’t things are pretty good right now,” Mina said shrugging her eyes switching from me and Tinsley to behind me and Tinsley. I turned around to see Nick creeping over behind me but he frowned I turned around.

“Try to scare me kiddo?” I said and he nodded sadly, and came over to give me a hug, “Oh Nick this are my friends Tinsley and Mina, guys this is Nicholass,” I said and he shook their hands politely then stated that he was going to watch the Yankee game with the guys, I nodded and he gave a wave walking off towards the couch. I watched as Kevin followed, “Okay, Kevin. I see how it is,” he just smiled and sat down on the couch, “that’s Kevin.”

“And hereee’s Joeyyyy,” I heard a voice again from behind me and Joe popped up beside our chairs, with his arms spread out wide. Tinsley jumped and Mina laughed at her and I just smiled at the two. Joe moved over and sat on the arm of my chair, “Hello gang. My name is Joe, how are you doing?” he said and I looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“We’re fine,” Tinsley said a little unsteady and I laughed, “I’m Tinsley, and this is Mina,” Joe nodded, and replied that it was a pleasure to meet them.

“If you don’t mind could I steal her away for a minute. I’ve gotta talk to her about something,” he asked the two nodded and walked over to the couch finding spots on the floor and glued their eyes to the tv like the rest of the guys had, “Someone’s looking pretty good,” I smiled.

“So, how was the rest of your day?” I asked him as he spun my chair to face the one that he sat in. He grabbed and held my hands.

“It was good, look on the walk over here me and the guys were talking, and maybe we’ve got the perfect place to go tonight,” he said with a smile, I could tell he was excited.

“Okay, good, because I don’t know what there is to do around here,” I said screwing up my face a little bit making Joe laugh.

“We got your back,” he said and I nodded, and I look towards the tv to check the score of the Yankee game practically in Joe’s face. I think he thought I was going to kiss him so one I got the score I leaned back in my chair looked at him to see him with his eyes closed. I felt bad that I didn’t so when he was going to open his eyes, I gave him a quick kiss and he gave me raised eye brows.

“What?” I asked with a smile.

“You’re so cheap,” he joked crossing his arms, and I crossed mine as well, as we took lead into a staring contest. He gave me weird faces and I did my best not to laugh as I did a few a back, he smiled obviously giving up. I pumped my fist in the air cheering, making everyone on the couch turn and look at me weird, that is until the tv screamed that Melky Cabrera got a hit and they all sharply turned back around causing me and Joe to laugh. He sat foward and grabbed my hands once more, “Do I get a real one this time?” he asked with that smile. The one that melts the hearts of teenbopper girls everyone, but mine about 50 more because he was actually mine. I smiled with a nod, but leaned back signaling that he had to come to me. He hung his head with a laugh, “You’re a little tease,” he said and I raised my eyebrows in our silent conversation. He smiled and leaned into me, and connected his lips with mine placing one of his hands onto my cheek, I pulled back and smiled at him and he returned it.

“Well this cheap tease has to get everyone to stage, so we can go on, this cheap tease will see you around,” I said standing up. He frowned, “tough luck sport,” I said turning to the guys, and girls, “guy we should start going,” I said and they groaned and stood up.

“Let’s go rock the Casbah guys,” Tristan said after giving Mina a kiss and heading for the door. I turned back to Joe.

“See you after the show,” I said giving him a quick kiss, sliding on my flats and following my band mates out the door.

End Ch8

The Value Of Ten Dollars

Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the State Fair every year. Every year Stumpy would say, "Martha, I'd like to ride in that airplane." And every year Martha would say, "I know, Stumpy, but that airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars."

This one year Stumpy and Martha went to the fair and Stumpy said, "Martha, I'm 71 years old. If I don't ride that airplane this year I may never get another chance."

Martha replied, "Stumpy, that airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars."

The pilot overheard them and said, "Folks, I'll make you a deal. I'll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say one word, I won't charge you, but if you say one word it's ten dollars."

Stumpy and Martha agreed and up they go. The pilot does all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word is heard. He does all his tricks over again, but still not a word.

They land and the pilot turns to Stumpy, "By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn't."

Stumpy replied, "Well, I was gonna say something when Martha fell out, but ten dollars is ten dollars."

Halloween Party

A black couple was invited to attend a Halloween costume party. The husband asked his wife to get him a costume. The first day she came home with a Batman costume. "Woman", he said, "you know there has never been a black Batman! I can't wear this! Get me something more suitable for this party." So the next day, he came home to find a Superman costume for him. "Woman", he said again. "There has never been a black Superman either. People will laugh at me if I wear this. Now get me something I can wear!" On the third day he came home to find 3 large cottonballs, a white belt, and a 2x4. "What is this?" he asked. Politely, she said, "You can attach those cottonballs and go as a domino, you can wrap that belt around your waist and go as an Oreo cookie, or you can shove that 2x4 up your ass and go as a fudgesickle!"