Airports and Holiday Inns

Chapter 1: The Meet

"Brennan! Can you look over here please?"

"Justin, give our news network a shout out!"

"Timmy! Is it true that you dated a forty year old woman last year?"

"Alex, could you tell us who your recent single is about?"

I took it all in, as the flashing lights shot through my irises. Going through this on the daily means your private life is incredibly public and you have not a minute to yourself, especially when it's your last day in a particular location. My ophthalmologist claims that I'm going blind. Just one night to myself, that's all I ask for.

"Thank you all, truly. That'll be enough. Safe travels home, everybody." I announce with a charming grin, as I take my best friends by the hands and attempt to run inside.

If only our night stay at the Holiday Inn across from us and our flight would go this smooth. I go to the front desk and nonchalantly tell them our names and where we'll be staying. Meanwhile, they try to keep their composure while beaming, with an appearance reminiscent of the Chesire Cat from Alice In Wonderland. At this point, I'm used to the excitement, so it doesn't phase me as much as it probably should. I give them a smile in return, as I take out my phone to check my feed and we start our way off to the hotel I'm staying at. As usual, the feed is crammed with false rumors and fan responses. You reply to the good stuff, ignore or rebuke the bad, depending on how bad it is. It's a daily routine.

I vigorously attempt to type out my gratitude while continuing my way down the hall and to the hotel, when I feel my body graze another, and hear the slam of someone falling to the hardwood floor below my feet. I rapidly put my mobile device in my pocket and crouch down to see what happened.

"I am so incredibly sorry, truly. Here, let me help." I offered, as I started to pick up her surroundings and grasp her hand to assist her in getting up.

"It's no problem, really. I needed something to stretch out my pencil skirt, considering my ass is way too big for it. Hey, at least I can be grateful that I'm not an elder. If they were in my shoes, you'd might have to call security." She joked, letting out a small giggle.

"Thanks, by the way." She noted, before turning around and continuing to walk in the direction of her flight.

Her voice drew similarities to Grace Kelly and her face screamed New York Fashion Week, so I decided to double-check the skirt's fit on what appeared to be her small frame. Before I knew it, I was running back towards the girl, leaving my friends behind. She didn't have to turn back around if she didn't want to. With the way she moved, I would be happy even if she spoke with her back turned to face me.

"Wait up!" I yelled. "I'm Alex Rogers, of 7 Minutes In Heaven. I have a deal!"

"Don't know what that is, but unless you're Howie Mandel and there's a million dollars on the line, I'm not interested."

I was taken aback. How could she not know who I was? Everyone knew who I was. I never knew I would feel so offended, since fame isn't really a priority for me, but it burns similar to putting your hands on a hot stove. At this point, I'd need to do whatever I can to convince her.

"Maybe not, but I could make you feel like a million bucks!" I desperately attempt to seduce her.

She quickly turned around, but not with the expression I would have suggested.

"First of all, I am not a prostitute. The only thing that'll make me feel like a million bucks is a million dollars itself. However, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and hear your offer. Carry on." She sighed, with her arms folded over her chest.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. I guess I'm not exactly used to not getting what I want. I know, I'm being a little bitch. Maybe if you don't have to go right away, you could catch your flight tomorrow and stay with the boys and I."

"It's fine, I'm not mad. I just wanted to inform you in case you were an actual sleaze, which I didn't suspect you were." She replied, before taking a second to ponder the offer. "I should go home, my mom wants me to. However, my mom can wait twelve hours. I'll stay." She announced, observing my joy, before interrupting it. "On one condition. I'm here with a friend. She has to stay too."

"Deal!" I immediately agreed, without thought. With my luck, it'll be a night to remember. Hallelujah, amen.

"Great. I'll get my stuff and cancel my flight. This should only take 30 minutes. I'll see you then, Alex. Oh, I'm Katherine, by the way. You can call me Katie." She declared, introducing herself with a little nod..

She walked off, as I began to walk back towards my friends who were probably waiting at the spot where I left them. I more than likely owed them an explanation, and I was ready to give it to them calmly, maintaining my composure. That's when it hit me that I didn't even ask them prior if the pretty girl and her friend could stay. I just prayed to God they weren't mad at me. If they were, we were in for a rocky night and an even rockier flight. They can't blame me, though. If they had this opportunity, they'd take it too. Hell, maybe one of them will find her friend equally attractive and it'll be a story to tell for the ages. I arrive back where I started, before I chased the girl. Here, I noticed that there were three grumps with pouts on their faces.

"We heard everything. You were practically screaming over there. Wasn't this supposed to be a bros night?" Justin questioned, furrowing his brows.

"You can't announce bros night and then bring girls along! It's against the rules! Bro and girl aren't synonyms." Timmy explained, which was followed by a nod from Brennan.

"Come on, guys. You literally sound like kids. You guys can even have one of them. I just wanted to have some good times before we came home from tour. You know how we miss touring so much after we leave it behind. Let's stop pouting, cheer up, and make this a night to remember." I argued, sitting down in between the three others with a grin on my face.

Just as I sat down, they all agreed with me and got up to start walking towards the hotel again and I followed. Night to remember, I reminded myself. I just have to play my cards right.