Remember Me? (One Direction & Josh Devine)

Chapter 2 - Kiss me Slowly

*Aspyn's POV*

So I told Paul everything. I told him about the nineteenth birthday present, the dumb idea, and the story about the coffee shop, absolutely everything. Uncle Paul seemed to tense up when I mentioned Josh Devine. Was he hiding something? My past with Josh and Alex Devine is complicated. No one who knows about it is proud. In fact, it's more than just not being proud, it's being angry.

"Do you know where you are? Any street signs or anything?" Paul asked eager to find me and Alex.

"I can't read French very well and there are no signs. I see a bunch of trees, an old house that looks like it's about to fall, and an intersection right ahead. That's it."

Paul mumbled something about that place being so familiar sounding. "I know where that is... I think. I'll be there as fast as I can."

When Paul said fast, he meant fast. He was there within half an hour, almost a full hour faster than it took me and Alex to get here.

"Alex, wake up! We're saved!" I screamed dramatically in his ear. His eyes shot open as he hugged me from across his seat.

"How did you manage to save us? It had to be you, Aspyn," Alex praised with a large grin on his face.

"Well, I just called up Paul," I smiled back at him. Alex's face dropped into a shocked expression.

"You mean the Paul? Uncle Paul!?" I nodded.

Unlike Josh, Alex was close with Uncle Paul like I was. We hadn't seen him since the days back in the hospital before he left. Well I guess Alex saw him while I was off in some demented dream that rendered me unconscious for six months.

Alex bolted out of the car and ran straight for Paul. I smiled at the giddiness on both of their faces once they reunited.

"Uncle Paul!" I screamed as I got out of the car shortly after Alex. I gave Paul a hug and thanked him for picking us up.

He told us that a tow truck would come by in a few minutes to get the rental car and park it back at the hotel with a full tank and a charged battery.  Again, I thanked him.

Paul's car was nice and warm, which I was grateful for, since I had spent the past morning and afternoon in a cold car freezing my butt off.

"So where are you taking us? This isn't the way to our hotel," Alex inquired.

"Sorry guys. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you two to work with me for a bit. But if you want, when we get there, I'll get one of the drivers to take you guys back to your hotel," Paul offered.

"Speaking of your job, what is it?" I asked with my curiosity spilling all over the place.

"Umm... I help out some musicians," Paul explained bluntly. I didn't ask any further questions.

The car ride to wherever Paul worked was completely silent. I fell asleep next to Alex, resting my head on his lap. The nap felt good. Alex was holding me the entire time. That's what best friends are for. When we got the Paul's workplace, I instantly woke up. All I could hear was screaming girls. The voices were everywhere.

"What the heck?"

"Alex, Aspyn... I work for One Direction as a body guard as well as just a general babysitter."

It took me a while to take in all the information. Uncle Paul was working for One Direction. I didn't listen to their music, but I knew they were a huge influence in the music industry today. Suddenly, I remembered something very vague, but it was something. There is a reason why I don't listen to their music. It has to do with one of the Devine boys. Is it Josh? Is it Alex?

I close my eyes and think. Two years ago, after that one night, after that one accident, after finding out that one thing, everything became a blur. All I remembered was my name, my birthday, Alex was my best friend, and that I hated Josh. Of course, I remembered my family too and some other small details, but I could never remember what happened between Josh, Alex and I. Maybe I just didn't want to. Alex never told me. I never asked. I never thought it was important. But today, being here with Paul and a bunch of One Direction fans, it all just has to make sense.

"Aspyn," Paul shook me away from the thoughts, "let's go inside now."

~~~~

Paul led us through a long hallway filled with rooms on every side. They all had signs on the doors. Most of them were dressing rooms; others were snack and refreshment rooms. Finally, Paul stopped in front of the fifteenth door down the hallway. The sign said "Waiting Room." Alex and I shrugged as we walked into the large space. The first thing my eyes fell upon was the beautiful acoustic guitar sitting in the corner of the room. The guitar was under a spot light, I swear. The strings looked so untouched and perfect. The second thing I noticed was the long table along the side wall that was filled with food. There were tacos, chicken wings, pudding cups, carrots, cake, and much more. The only thing that wasn't on the table was a single spoon. Only forks and paper plates could be used apparently.

Alex took my hand and led me to sit with him on one of the couches. Being in such a bizarre place of employment felt weird. I think the weirdest part of it was the fact that all the girls outside screaming and crying wish they could be in here, but out of all of them, me and Alex were the ones who were shoved into this place, only doors away from One Direction's dressing room.

"Feel free to snack on whatever you want. You can do whatever, just as long as you guys don't break anything," Paul instructed before leaving Alex and I alone.

I released Alex's hand and walked up to the guitar. There was something about it that just seemed so intriguing. Last time I checked, I don't even know how to play guitar. I don't know what compelled me to pick it up, but I did. I put on the guitar strap and sat down on the wooden stool next to the guitar stand.

Alex looked at me funny. I think he asked me what I was doing or something along those lines, but I was too busy checking if the guitar was tuned. I strummed mindlessly. Every note and chord coming from the guitar was pure perfection.

I looked back at Alex, who seemed amazed. He looked like someone kicked all of child like tendencies out of him. His expression was hard hitting. He looked so mature and serious, almost handsome. Almost. He looked too much like Josh to be handsome, but he still wasn't bad looking.

"I can't believe you remember how to play," Alex manages to say, his eyes glassy and on the verge of tears.

"I didn't know I ever knew how to." I feel hollow. Alex still has a dead serious expression on his face, but it's hard to read. Why did I used to know how to play the guitar? Why can't I remember?

"Aspyn?" Alex's voice wasn't in his usual fun and lively tone. He sounded like he was in tears. I kept my eyes from looking at him. I hate seeing him sad.

"Yeah?"

"Can you... can you play a song? And maybe sing along to it?" Alex pleaded.

I turned back to face him, to say that he's being silly, to tell him that I won't, but Alex looks so helpless. He looks so hurt, but at the same time, he looks like everything is finally put back together.

"Anything for you, Alex," I complied as I began to play the chords of my favorite song, Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute. I don't know how I did it, but I played.

~So what do think is up with Alex? What was so special about the guitar? And I gave you a few clues about Alex, Josh and Aspyn.

1. It happened about two years ago.

2. It upset a lot of people.

3. It led Aspyn to hate Josh.

4. It led to an accident.

5. The accident made Aspyn lose her memory.

The rest you guys can try to piece together :P

until next time!