Aware

four

•Anna•

A night before my flight to LA, my mind was in chaos. I didn't know what to do.

Should I go or should I stay in the comfort of my home and save my heart the time and effort?

I called my close friends and they all agreed that I should go because they think that this only happens once in a lifetime.

This was my biggest chance after 7 years of pursuing Brad. So I walked to the closet and started packing my things before I could change my mind. It was meant to be a 3-day stay at the Angeles Beach Club Hotel and a VIP ticket to their show at Club Nokia.

Just for safety measures, I called my friend and dental colleague, Liezel.

"Hey, Liez. You home right now?" I said while fiddling the laces of my chucks.

She laughs about something John, her husband, said then went on to talk to me

"Hey Pat. Home as in the Philippines? Or in LA?"
"In LA. Are you there right now?"

"Yes, I am. Is this about the Brad thing? Are you coming?" By the way she said it, 'twas quite obvious she was excited for me and I'm not gonna lie, somewhere deep inside of me, I'm hella excited too.

"Umm yes, and this ticket comes with a hotel reservation, a VIP ticket to their show and a backstage pass. I just wanted to ask you a favor." I said while checking the things I brought in my suitcase.

"Sure! What is it? And wow, he's really serious about you huh?" She said while giggling at the thought of this as something that's really happening right before our very eyes.

Maybe he is serious but I pushed the thought away. I don't want to assume and get hurt in the end. It's just that it's much safer this way.

"Umm either that or he just likes to splurge a lot of money and break girls' hearts just for the heck of it. And oh, about the favor, I was hoping that if things go wrong I could crash at your place? You know, not finish the trip and not make him think I'm taking advantage of this and of him"

She stops to think for a while then said I could crash at her place if ever things do go wrong where she thinks it won't. She believes that this is the thing that I've been waiting for and all of my friends think I deserve it. I told her that I'm convinced that I do deserve it so she hang up the phone after we said our goodbyes.

I left Jesse with my neighbor, Denise who's always kind enough to do it when I'm out of town. Jesse seemed to have grown some adoration towards her.

I'm not ready for 13 hours of flight, but I sure am ready for you, Bradley.

After 13 hours of sitting and sleeping in the airplane. It finally landed at The Los Angeles International Airport.

When I went out, I was fetched by Mr. Feeble, a man who wore a tux and had Franklin Roosevelt's beard. He was holding a card that says;

"ANNA, THE GIRL FROM THE PARTY" and I can't help but laugh at what's written on it.

He accompanied me and placed my things on the back of an automobile and then we headed off to the hotel.

It was fancy, I could say. My room had caramel-colored walls, my bed was fluffier than my life, the bathroom had a complete set of freebies from lush bombs, expensive bath sets, and there were expert detailing on every piece of furniture in the room. I felt like a princess.

But my subconscious mind kept knocking my heart again leaving me with nothing but fear. Fear about where I am, and what situation I'm in. But just as I was about to cry, someone knocked at the door.

I opened it and Tris was standing there with his hands in his pockets.

"Umm. Anna, right? May I come in?" He asked while gesturing his hand inside the room.

I smiled awkwardly and opened the door bigger so he could go inside.

"You just checked in, yeah?"

"Umm, yes. Mr. Feeble, the man who wore a tux just delivered my things here."

"Cool. Me and the guys except Brad, cause he doesn't know about this, thought you might want to sing Demi's part in Somebody to You tomorrow. Could you do that? Can you sing? It'll be a surprise performance for Brad."

"Umm, I'm not sure if I could do that. I don't have the guts."

He frowned then brushed his hand along his hair "Why not? You do sing. I'm just testing if you're telling the truth or if you'll say yes without me telling you what we know about you. Come on, Anna. It's for Brad anyway." Typical Tris as usual made a puppy-face after that so I don't have any choice but to agree.

It's for Brad anyway. And I'll do any thing for him.

Tris smiled at me and said I should come with him now to practice the part while Brad was out with Joe going to God knows where.

We went to Club Nokia and I can't contain the feeling that was settling at the bottom of my heart, which was a pang of insecurity and a bit of jealousy.

Being a celebrity sure do gives you the creeps. We planned that Brad shouldn't know about me singing Demi's part so they suggested I shouldn't call Brad and not see him, at least not until tomorrow.

After the practice, I went shopping for clothes that I should wear for tomorrow, but in the end, I settled with ripped jeans and a shirt that has The Vamps' logo on it. I went back to the hotel and for the first time in forever, I admit to myself, I can't wait till tomorrow.