A Christmas Surprise

Four

Dec 2001

Brandon

I felt something had changed between us before we even spoke, before she even saw me. I was standing at the bar when she walked in with her brother and her friend Thomas. It was Thomas I noticed first, as his tall lanky figure was hard to miss. Jessica was right by his side, her blonde hair cut into a Debbie Harry style bob with bangs, her black lined eyes taking in her surroundings. I was caught off guard when her blue eyes settled on me, I had been so busy watching her, I hadn't realised she had seen me. I gave an awkward wave and smiled as the three of them headed over to me.

"Happy Birthday!" I said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Thanks," she said grinning at me. I held her gaze for a moment, before she introduced Thomas.

"I can't believe a year has gone by so fast," I said, wary that Michael was standing there.

"I know, right?" Jessica smiled, but I could tell she was also holding back, because of her older brother's presence.

"Ok you two," Michael said sternly, looking at Jessica and Thomas, "It may be Christmas Eve and it may be your birthday, but the bar is off limits and if I see either of you with an alcoholic beverage you are out of here," he said wagging a finger at them.

"Yes dad," Thomas said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Listen, you are only here to see the band and then you are getting a taxi home, so none of your smart ass comments or you'll be going now," Michael said, his temper rising.

"Let's calm down, Michael, I'm sure everyone will behave," I said putting my hand on my friend's shoulder, suddenly aware that I wanted to misbehave with his sister, "I'm nervous enough without you being all tense and tetchy, why don't we have a drink and these two can have a soda?"

Jessica

Brandon was a little tipsy by the time Dave came over to our little party at the bar. We had all been laughing as Brandon was telling us about some of the gigs he and his new band The Killers had done so far and how not all of them had been received so warmly. I had felt a connection to Brandon, that hadn't been there before. I couldn't help looking at him and our eyes met more than a few times, and I couldn't seem to prevent myself from holding his stare, despite the fact that he was friends with Michael, who was standing right next to us.

"Hey man, it's time to get ready," Dave said after he had nodded at us politely when Brandon introduced me and Thomas. I felt my inside flip over as I was excited to see Brandon perform and it was almost time. The club was busy, partly because it was Christmas, but Michael was talking to few people who seemed to be there, like us, to see The Killers. We took a spot near the front of the stage and waited as the speakers and amps were connected to the various guitars and keyboards. Brandon appeared on the stage and immediately took a stance behind his keyboard. I felt my heart beating way down in my stomach as I watched him. He had changed into a slim fitting black shirt and trousers, his hair was styled in messy fashion with his fringe pushed over to one side and he had a small white flower pinned to his chest. I looked up at him and realised I had real feelings for this boy. I also noticed I was not the only female in the room admiring the lovely Brandon Flowers. A few pretty looking girls were clapping a cheering as Brandon stepped up to the mic.

"We're The Killers, but this won't hurt a bit," he said, his soft voice sending a harpoon through my heart.

"Oh girl, you've got it bad," Thomas suddenly whispered in my ear, making me turn upon him quickly with a scowl, worried that maybe my feelings were visible for all to see, "don't worry, I won't tell," he said with a laugh as the music picked up and we began to move our bodies along to the beat.

Brandon

I changed quickly, I exchanged my sweaty shirt for a dry one and blasted myself with deodorant. I checked my hair and face in the mirror before I went back out to the club to find Jessica. I knew Michael would be ready to send her and Thomas off home in a taxi as quickly as he could, so I was eager to get out to her. I had felt her watching me on stage, but it hadn't made me nervous like I thought it would, it made me crave her attention more. I knew I was treading on dangerous ground, but I couldn't seem to help myself from continuing to venture onwards.

I was met by a few comments of praise and back slaps as I headed out into the main club. I nodded and waved shyly, not really used to the attention. We were growing more popular as time went by, but it was still early days for us. I saw Jessica sitting on one of the battered brown leather sofas at the side of the bar. Michael was sitting further over, seemingly engrossed in a conversation with Dave. I couldn't see Thomas anywhere. I walked over, trying to be as casual as I could. I was met with handshakes and voices of encouragement.

"Do you want a drink?" Michael offered as he stood to go to the bar.

"Bourbon please," I said as I sat myself down on the sofa next to Jessica as if it was the most natural thing in the world, little did everyone else know, that every nerve in my body was tingling as I felt our denim clad knees graze each other. Jessica looked at me and smiled, her eyes betraying her feelings as she held my stare.

"Jessica?" Michael asked looking at his sister, "just one more soda and then you and Thomas will be going home, ok?"

"Ok," Jessica said with a slight pout, but as soon as Michael was away to the bar we turned our attention on each other, drawn like two magnets.

"You were amazing up there," she said catching my eye and then looking down at her hands, fiddling with a silver ring on her finger, "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Jess," I said, "that means so much coming from you," I said smiling at her, falling into her eyes.

Jessica

I felt myself push up close to Brandon as Thomas squeezed back on to the sofa after his visit to the bathroom.

"Move up," he said with a grin as we shifted ourselves along, I felt my heart beat fast as my thigh pressed into Brandon's. He bit his lip as he stifled a giggle, moving himself forwards to take the glass of bourbon from my brother. I smiled up at Michael as he passed me my soda. after a few moments of silence between me and Brandon, I felt him move, as he settled back into the couch. Everyone else was in conversation with various different people around us and in that moment I felt like we were unnoticed, sitting back on the sofa together, alone.

"I never got a chance to thank you for my birthday gift last year," I said, swallowing as he turned to face me.

"You are welcome," he said with a heart stopping grin, "I enjoyed that night so much, I think about it a lot."

"Me too," I said butterflies flooding my insides as I felt his fingers intertwine with mine in a secret holding of hands between our sides. He looked at me, his eyes full of something more.

"How is New York?" He asked softly, as he slowly stroked my thumb with his.

"Fine," I managed to answer, "but the stars are better in Vegas," I giggled, trying to hold back the hysteria that was building inside of me.

"I finish my boxing day shift at Caesar's place at seven, we could check them out together?" he whispered, our heads bent together.

"Ok, I'll meet you there," I said, instantly trying to think of excuses to tell my parents.

"Right, birthday girl," Michael said, suddenly turning his attention to me, "it's time you went home," he said and I winced in pain as Brandon hid our joined hands by squeezing them together between our thighs. He pulled his hand free and sat forwards as if nothing had happened. I stood up and waved to the group as me and Thomas left, escorted by my brother. I put my hand up to cover my smile as Brandon lifted his glass at me and winked, telling me that our boxing day plan stood and that I hadn't imagined it all.