You're My Number One

Chapter Two

The house was wicked. I won't go into major detail but imagine a dream house where the seven of us could work hard and play hard then you wouldn't be far wrong. There was a gym, indoor swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and even a climbing wall!

And, I was pleased to find, we each had our own rooms. I had a feeling I'd need some privacy on this trip and you don't get that with Tina whom I normally share with. No offence Teen!

We didn't get up to much that first day. We had a couple of magazine interviews to get through but that was it work wise. The real work would start tomorrow in the dance studio. It was gonna be no mean feat trying to learn eleven routines for this tour.

In the evenings, we were left to our own devices being the responsible adults that we were. Or so they thought! It was just like being back at college.

After a scrumptious meal of pasta and salad, we'd all collectively decided to spend the evening together in what Jon christened "the common room". Except it was more like an entertainment room. In it was a massive electronics system with a TV, DVD, stereo...the works!

I popped back to my room for a sec as someone had switched the heating on full blast and I wanted to change into one of my little t-shirts because I was so hot. I was just about to enter my room when someone grabbed me from behind and started tickling me. I giggled, thinking it was Jon. He was always doing things like that. I turned around, intending to get him back. But it wasn't Jon standing there. It was the man of my dreams.

"Hey you," he grinned.

"P-Paul!" I stammered, "what are you doing?!"

He grinned at me, "I couldn't resist! I've hardly seen you today. If I didn't know you any better Hannah Spearritt, I'd say you're avoiding me."
I laughed nervously. "Am I?"

"Just don't make a habit of it yeah," he said, giving me a playful punch on the arm.

I almost flinched at his touch. "Course not," I said and I punched him back. And you have no idea how much effort that took.

He grinned at me again. "What are you doing up here anyway?"

"Er...getting changed," I replied. "I'm really hot." And you're making me even hotter Mr Cattermole.

"Same here. I'll see you downstairs in a sec then," he said and walked off in the direction of his room.

I just nodded dumbly. I almost fell into my room and collapsed on the bed. My legs had turned to jelly. I couldn't believe I was acting like that around my best mate Paul, who I could talk to about anything and have such a laugh with. Now all I wanted was to have his babies.

Come on Han, this is ridiculous. I had to snap out of it and try to act with some semblance of normality. I was spoiling it for myself and I'd start spoiling it for everyone else if I wasn't careful.

I quickly changed into a t-shirt then gave myself a little shake. "Sock it to em' Han," I said out loud, closing the door behind me. "What will be will be..."

-----

The other guys were all waiting for me when I got downstairs.

"Yo Han, you wanna play Twister?" asked Bradley with a grin.

"Twister? Yeah, definitely," I replied with enthusiasm. I'm always up for a laugh.
Jo spread the mat across the carpet. "I haven't played this since I was ten," she said. "How do you play it again?"

Luckily, we all remembered enough about the game and got started. We hadn't laughed so much for ages. We had such a brilliant time and played the game over and over again.

By this time, we'd abandoned the proper rules and just tried to get into as much of a tangle as possible. Which wasn't difficult with Bradley around.

"Hey, watch it Brad, that's my hand you're standing on," yelled Tina, who was at the top of what looked like a human pyramid.

"I'll shift it then," said Bradley.

"NO!" we all yelled with some justification because as soon as he moved we all came crashing down. And guess who was right at the bottom? Yes. Yours truly.

I couldn't stop laughing at first, despite the feeling of being crushed. I opened my eyes to see who was lying on top of me. I nearly died when I saw who it was. Yes, you've guessed it. Paul.

I stared right into his eyes. And he stared right back into mine. I thought I saw something different in them as we both lay there but I dismissed it as soon as it entered my head. I could feel his breath on my face and smell the aftershave on his neck. He smelt divine. My heart started racing.

He was only on top of me for about ten seconds but it seemed like a lifetime. I felt annoyed when Jon broke into the moment by shouting, "Paul, stop squashing Hannah!"

It brought both of us to our senses and Paul got off me. The others were all laughing and despite feeling extremely flustered, I tried to make light of the situation.

"God Paul, you weigh a ton," I laughed. "Have you weighed yourself recently?"

"Oi Spearritt, I'll get you for that," he replied and started chasing me round the room.

"Go Hannah!" Jo grinned.

I was still giggling like a schoolgirl when he grabbed me from behind, carried me over to one of the sofas, and threw me onto it.

We'd fooled around like this countless times before. But tonight was different. Paul was gazing down at me as I lay there on the sofa, breathing hard. And for the second time that night, he gave me a look I hadn't seen before. It was an intense look. I smiled back at him, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks.

The others started to gather around us, not wanting to miss out on the joke. Not that there was one. I quickly held my hand out towards Paul. "The least you can do is pull me up," I grinned.

He obliged bless him. Then the others started talking about getting some drinks. We decided to let the boys do the honours.

"Do you want a drink Han?" Paul asked softly.

"Yeah, that would be great. Thanks," I replied, equally as softly.

He smiled and walked off with Jon and Brad, leaving me standing there, wishing more than ever that I could express what I really felt for him. As he got to the door, he looked back at me and smiled again. I returned it before sitting down on the sofa, trying desperately to regain control of my heart.