When You Look Me In The Eyes

Third Wheel

*Nick plops down at the kitchenette staring at his phone, B sits down across from him with a sigh*

(Bailey) did she answer you yet?

(Nick) No...I can't believe she would just leave and not say goodbye, it doesn't make any sense...

(Bailey) well, Maybe she....*B stops as she sees Isabelle step onto the bus behind Nick*

(Nick) maybe she what?

(Bailey) Maybe she is standing right behind you....*smiles*

*Nick turns to see Isabelle, A smile spreads across his face as he hops up and scoops her into a hug*

(Nick) I thought you left...

(Isabelle) I did...I went to see Tay...to tell her goodbye

(Nick) *confused* goodbye? Where are you going?

(Isabelle) *shrug* all over....Tucson...Las Vegas...

(Nick) what? That's where we are going... *chuckles* did I miss something?

(Bailey) wait....what?

*Mom and Dad step onto the bus*

(Dad) ok...little announcement...

*Kevin, Joe, B and Nick turn their attention to Dad*

(Dad) The other day I offered a job to Isabelle as your on tour fitness trainer...she has decided to accept

*A smile spreads across Nick's face*

(Nick) are you serious?

(Dad) *nods*... you will have daily workouts with her...she also has a lot of experience with minor injury management which should come in very handy

*Everyone turns and looks at Joe*

(Joe) *looks around* HEY...why does everyone look at me when he says that?

(Dad) *chuckles* Isabelle will be bunking on the assistant bus and be doing some of the runner work as well...

(Nick) how long have you been considering this??

(Isabelle) *shrugs* Your dad pulled me aside on Thursday with the proposition...

(Nick) *eyes wide* you've known this was a possibility since last Thursday? Why didn't you tell me?

(Isabelle) It was a big decision...I didn't want to mention anything until I was sure

(Nick) so when did you decide?

(Isabelle) this morning...*smiles*

(Dad) *squeezes Isabelle's shoulder* I'm glad you decided to come...we are happy to have you *smiles*

(Nick) VERY happy *smiles*

(Mom) Ok....I'll play the bad guy and say that there will be some rules...Nick, we know that you and Isabelle are dating...same rules apply on the road as they do back home...no girls in the bunks...that goes for all of you *looking toward Joe and Kevin* Keep things appropriate and remember that you are on the road and in the public eye so be mindful of your actions and what you say...Isabelle, you have yet to experience the uber pandemonium so the boys will have to prepare you a bit on what can and cannot be said to the media etc.

(Isabelle) Uber pandemonium?

(Nick) *chuckles* fans...lots and lots of fans....

(Mom) It's good to have you as part of the team sweetie...*Hugs Isabelle*

(Isabelle) Thank you...*smiles*

*B stands up and walks back toward the bunks and hops in her bunk closing the curtain*

*Isabelle's smile fades*

(Nick) *sigh* I should probably go handle that...*smiles at Isabelle before walking toward the bunks*

*Isabelle walks over and sits down at the kitchenette across from Joe and Kevin*

(Joe) are you really going to make us work out everyday?

(Isabelle) uhhh, yes...that is my job...

(Joe) what kind of workouts are we talking?

(Isabelle) I dunno yet...I'd definitely like to work on your vestibular skills...

(Joe) my what?

(Isabelle) balance....I would like to get you to a point where you don't fall down all the time *smiles*

*Kevin and Mom chuckle*

(Joe) Hey! I do NOT fall down all the time...

*Isabelle cocks a brow*

(Joe) ok...so I'm a little clumsy...most girls find it adorable

(Isabelle) Something tells me they would still find you adorable even if you weren't constantly injuring yourself

*Nick crawls up into B's bunk and lays down beside B, B is laying on her side facing the wall*

(Nick) you are clearly upset about something

(Bailey) you must be the smart twin

(Nick) woah... You are mad at me?

(Bailey) and observant....you really are a catch

(Nick) hey...*rolls B over to face him* whats wrong? Why are you mad at me?

(Bailey) I'm the third wheel now...you are going to leave me out

(Nick) *chuckles* wait...you are mad at me for something I havn't done yet?...that's a new one

(Bailey) well, you will...so why wait to be mad...that's the one thing I really like about tour...you spend your detox time with just me ...now you are going to want to spend it with HER.

(Nick) Ok...first off...you will never be the third wheel...if anything you are the second wheel or half of the first....secondly...I am not going to leave you out and my detox time will always just be you and me

(Bailey) *sigh* you promise?

(Nick) promise

*B tucks her head into Nicks shoulder*

(Bailey) *sighs* she must really like you

(Nick) *smiles* you say that like it's a bad thing

(Bailey) no...its not ...

(Nick) But...

(Bailey) but nothing

*Nick looks at B and cocks a brow*

(Bailey) *giggles* stop...I'm happy if you are happy

(Nick) I am

(Bailey) Well ok then

Bailey Inner Monologue

LIE...I'm not happy. I mean...I'm happy that he is happy...but beyond that, not so much. I don't trust Isabelle, She is sweet and she seems to genuinely care for Nick but I have a bad feeling about her and I cannot shake it.

Chapter End Notes:

Let the tour begin!