STORIES TOLD, STORIES LIVED

Chapter 4

ALESSIA'S P.O.V

I told you I was a badass in arranging stuff. That's one of very few things I always do best.

We're here, six days later. Weekend. Arina and I have been staying all day in our room, enjoying life with bunch of novels for her, free wifi access for myself, and endless shots of caffeine to support life.

James:
We're leaving Manila in 15.

A beep on my phone, again, for countless of times already. Glad Arina didn't notice even for once, because I managed to shut her from reality by accompanied her to that book store yesterday. Thank you very much. I know I'm smart.

"Gah... Look at my sister. She wants me to pick her up at the airport." I started today's drama.

"Hmm?" Arina reacted unsignificantly.

"Guess I should get ready then." I fake a lazy move and sigh.

"And what? Taking your phone with you to the bathroom?"

"Don't even bother trying." I rolled my eyes.

"Messing up with you, sweet human. Go away."

I quickly took my towel and phone altogether to the bathroom. I naturally don't take too long time to shower. By not too long I meant I could be ready in fifteen, including little bit of make-up and hairdo. But since I would need less than an hour to reach the airport in order to make it on time, which was airtight with their arrival schedule, I eliminated unnecessary touch. Bam, eight minutes for all.

"Fast." Arina commented, but never left her eyes from the novel.

"Taking that as compliment, thank you." I took my bag, phone charger, and make-up kit. "Sister can give you a stressful day off."

"Bye bye! Tell her I said hi!"

"Bye! Eat your lunch."

"Aye, mommy."

Really though, I wish I had time to reply to that joke but let's save it for later. I ran to the main gate, asked the security to get me a taxi. Glad it was Saturday and still pretty early.

Forty-five minutes. I reached the airport by 8:50 AM. Still had fifteen more minutes from schedule. I took my time to get ready for the whatever left unpolished in women's bathroom. After all, they're the band. I should represent the best version of myself too.

James:
You here? We just landed. Gladly don't have to take care of baggage claims.

Finally, another beep. My heart was dropped. Well, safe to say so.

Me:
Yes, I'm at the south exit. Where you guys at?

Sent. I tried to find the flight itenarary just to make sure. Yes right, I was in the right position.

"Excuse me, are you Alessia?" Suddenly an airport security approached me.

"Yes Sir. How do you know my name-"

"I need you to come with me. It's alright."

"They can see me, don't they?"

"Yes." He answered fast. "Now stay calm. I'm going to lead you to different access where they have been waiting."

"Because coming out from here isn't the option." I nodded.

This security was very nice, though he only showed plain reaction. I mean, don't they all do. Some people were staring at me like I was just got busted, and some others weren't care. He took me further to this side of building that was not exposed for public. Here I found an unused velvet rope and carpet that I believe were made to be used occassionally. Bet this was where they usually sneaked in and out those important people.

"Alessia!" One bass tone voice called my name.

"Uh... Too bright from here I can't tell who's talking. But hey yeah I'm Alessia." I waved back.

Slowly all these tall humans were coming toward me. I gasped, literally. I met the familiar faces that I usually only saw on Arina's fangirl wall.

"I'm Connor." He asked for a shake hand but quickly changed it with a free hug. "Nice to meet you."

"And you're Riley, Toby, James, and Anthony." I waved to all of them. "Welcome to Malaysia, guys."

"Happy to come back, though it's not like how it should be." Anthony replied. "So..."

"Oh! Follow me. I managed to get us a rental car. It's a van. Hope you don't mind. It will take you everywhere, and I promise, unnoticed."

I led the way to the nearest parking lot where I have asked the driver to wait. This was why I took a taxi to my nearest station from campus main gate and continued with the MRT, because I have asked the van to stand by the airport.

"Fancy." Toby's first word as he hopped in.

"Hope you like it?" I grinned.

"For an undercover mission? Heck I love this." He gave bigger grin.

"Undercover." Riley chuckled at his brother's interesting choice of word. "So, since we only have two days here, what should we prepare of?"

"Nothing." I smiled. "I have spoken with James through nights and days to pull this off. All permit was done - school, parents, everything."

"Can we hire you to be our tour manager?" Connor laughed the loudest because here we found the pouty James.

"Not necessarily going to replace me though." James fought back. "But that's amazing Alessia. Thank you very much. On behalf of myself and the band, you've been very helpful. I supposed to be the one who took care of those."

"Well, I should say it's a lot easier to be done by the actual student, rather than have you to do it. People would ask so many questions, and we don't want that." I smiled to them. "When you think is the perfect time to execute this?"

"Tonight's dinner. For sure." Connor raised his hand. "We can ask for a complete room service. It's a penthouse, right?"

"Indeed." I nodded. "Well then I should go back first to do the pick up."

"Don't worry. We can handle it from here, miss. I'll drive them safely to the hotel." The driver interrupted us.

"That's lovely. Thank you Sir." I replied to him. "All set?"

"Yes." They all said in unison.

"Guess you can pull over at my nearest bus station, Sir?" I spoke back to the driver and he gave a quick nod.

We complimented the ride with so many questions about life, my school, music preferences, upcoming tour, and what not - like I was the VIP interviewer. It was so much fun. The guys were amazing. I guess this was how they naturally acted. No heavy instruments, just themselves with couple of shirts in each backpacks. Anthony told me that he's set all the equipments to fly back with the rest of tour crew to Orlando, as the trip was extended to only the five of them.

This should be interesting.