Relationship Status

Chapter 2

…

She sang beautifully on the stage, impressing the judges and the audience as well every week with her beautiful voice.

Backstage, the three guys minus Casey sat at the couch, not bothering to take their eyes off of the screen as she sang.

The other girls have been noticing the three guys' behavior. Every time she sings, the guys are all settled down on the couch watching her.

Another thing the girls noticed is that, every time she sings and they're all on the couch and they're talking to them, they're not taking their eyes off of the screen like they don't wanna miss any second of her performance.

"Yo, boys!" Naima shouted from the table, backstage.

"Yeah?" they all answered in unison but never looked away from the screen.

"We have donuts, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream!" Naima shouted back.

"Nah, we'll eat later when she gets here," James replied.

Naima shrugges and looked back to the other girls and Casey. "We've tried," Naima said then sighed loudly for the guys to hear.

…

"Finally, good thing I'm done and I'm happy I got positive feedbacks from the judges," she said entering backstage and heading to the fridge.

She grabbed a bottle of water and walked towards the three guys. She sighed as she flunked down on the couch.

"You were great," commented Scotty.

"Thanks," she replied with a smile.

Deep inside Scotty, his heart already melted.

"James, you're next!" one of the American Idol staff informed him.

"I'll better get ready," James said to Paul, Scotty and her.

They all nodded at him. He stood up leaving her with Paul and Scotty alone.

As for Scotty, being the least obvious of the three guys, left the couch and joined the other girls and Casey on the table.

Scotty sighed heavily and looked at the girls. "Let me guess, you can't make a move because of Paul and James?" Naima asked.

Scotty sighed again and gave her a silent treatment.

"Aww… our little country boy's heart is broken," Naima said running her fingers through his blonde hair.

Scotty chuckled then looked back at Paul. He sighed and looked away again for what seems like the nth time.

…

"I did it!" James shouted as he entered backstage.

They all cheered and hugged him. It's what they do to each contestant.

James was waiting for her to hug him but she didn't. Instead, he saw her cuddled up with Paul on the couch.

He managed to flash a smile but failed. Being the mother of the Idols, Naima noticed James' expression.

"James, can I talk to you for a second?" Naima asked him and pointed at the corner.

"Sure," James replied following Naima at the corner.

Naima sighed before speaking.

"I saw the way you look at them a while ago," Naima said crossing her arms over her chest.

"Who?" James asked acting like he doesn't know who Naima is talking about.

"Paul and…" Naima didn't finish her sentence because the girls were really not that far and we might not know they can eavesdrop.

"Ssshhh!" James silenced her loudly that almost everybody turned and looked their way.

"It's nothing," Naima said.

And they all looked away.

…

At the Idol mansion…

Everyone was exchanging goodnights and hugs and James was already entering his room when someone tapped him lightly on his back.

He turned around and there she was, smiling beautifully and shyly.

"Hey," James said.

"Hi, so, uhm… goodnight?" she said feeling like a fool.

She doesn't know how to act around James that's why she didn't give James so much of her attention.

"Goodnight," James replied.

She hugged him tightly and longer than the others.

She leaned in forward and kissed him in the cheek.

She nodded. "Goodnight," she said and with a little wave, she left.

James stood there like a fool watching her walk towards her room and soon she was out of sight.

He sighed and entered his room, touching his kissed cheek.

"What happened?" Scotty asked.

"It's nothing," James replied with a smile.

"Our Durbin got kissed!" Paul exclaimed.

"Who kissed you, dude?" Casey asked.

James shook his head. "I won't be telling you guys, you'll just annoy me to wits end,"

…

Lights were then suddenly turned off in the Idol mansion.