#whoispoly

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS

     We check into our hotel and learn our room has been upgraded to the penthouse suite and a note is waiting for us at the front desk:

    Congratulations!
        x J+J

Caleb immediately gets on the phone to call Jax.

"Guys, we broke into the top 40!" he yells and we are sure we've heard him wrong.

We cheer wildly and it draws attention from the entire lobby, who also join in on the celebration even though they have no idea what they are shouting for.

Up in the penthouse, we run around like kids at an amusement park.  Not only because we are still flying high from the news, but because we get to spend the night in a hotel suite like this.

There is floor-to-ceiling marble in the bathrooms, the biggest beds I have ever seen with sheets that feel like melted butter, and an infinity pool on the private balcony overlooking the strip shimmering below.

The guys shower and get ready to hit the town to celebrate, and I notice Micah hasn't budged from the balcony.

"Mikey, don't you want to shower?  We've been in the car all day," Eli asks him.

"I think I'm going to stay in tonight," Micah doesn't seem quite himself.

I don't understand, I would think this would be one of the greatest days of his life.

"But, it's Vegas," Eli looks concerned as he places his arm over Micah's shoulder and whispers something to him.

"Just really not feeling up to it. I'm fine. Please, go have fun."

Everyone prepares to head out the door and at the last second, I ask if they mind if I stay in as well.

"He's fine, P," Kole seems slightly irritated "he does this all the time."

That doesn't relieve my concern

Caleb smiles, "I think he'd like that, actually."

"Text us if you change your mind," Kole calls out with a 'hoot' and he's already back in party mode.

The door slamming behind them sends echoes through the now empty suite. Micah is still standing on the balcony in the same spot he was thirty minutes before.  I join him but say nothing.

"You should've gone with them," he breaks the silence, "I just kind of want to be alone right now." He doesn't glance my way, he stares straight ahead, hypnotized by the city lights.

"Can I be alone with you?"

He turns his head towards me and forces a smile, "You don't have to."

"I know. I don't have to do anything. I want to."

I don't need to know what is bothering him, but something deep within me is urging me to tell him about Raven, she never liked to go out much either.  It's not that she is antisocial, it's just crowds of people are very draining to her, so we always stay in, just the two of us.  My mom always told me I was missing out on the best years of my life, that I would have plenty of time to stay in when I am old, and that I needed to get out and live... but I was living.  I was living life alongside my best friend. I knew, even then, that being there for her was the most important role of my life.  I knew that even when she wanted to be left alone, she could deal with me.  I knew when to give her space, when to back off, when she needed a hug, and when she just needed me present in the same room without speaking. She is an extension of me and we are great at being alone together.