One Million Branches

Part Five

Butterflies fill my stomach as he continues to look at me. His eyes look down at my lips and then back up to my eyes. He leans forward and kisses me.

Something about kissing him just felt right.

He pulls out of the kiss and I smile.

“Mike…” I start to say.

“I wanted to.” He says.

A smile goes across my face and he smiles back.

“I’ve liked you for the longest time.” He says smiling.

I feel myself blush and I kiss him again.

We both just lay on the couch staring at each other until I yawn.

“I guess I should go to bed.” I say standing up.

“Sleep in my bunk.” He says hopefully.

“Sure.” I say heading back to the bunks.

I change into pajama shorts and change into one of Tony’s white Key Street shirts.

Mike strips down into basketball shorts and crawls into his bunk. I crawl in after him and lay against the wall. He wraps his arms around me and closes his eyes. Within minutes I hear him lightly snoring. I smile at his sleeping figure and just watch his chest move up and down.

I hear the bus door open and then close.

“Where’s Liz and Mike?” I hear Tony ask.

I hear someone walk into the bunk area and I close my eyes and act like I’m asleep.

I hear the curtain open and then close.

“Liz is sleeping with Mike.” I hear Jaime whisper.

“Are you serious?” I hear Vic ask.

The curtain opens again and I can feel the boys staring at me.

It closes again and I open my eyes.

“I’m gonna go to bed.” Tony says.

“Night man.” Vic and Jaime say in sync.

I push them out of my head and push my head into Mike’s chest. I close my eyes and drift into a deep sleep.

I wake up the next day and grab my phone. 4:43 pm. I sigh and climb out of Mike’s bunk. I take a quick shower and get ready for the day. I pull on a pair of jean shorts and a white muscle cut Key Street shirt. I fix my makeup and look at how straight my hair is. I walk into the front of the bus and all the guys are sitting in there.

“Happy Birthday!” Jaime yells.

“Happy Birthday Liz!” Vic shouts giving me a hug.

“Happy Birthday Lizzy.” Mike says giving me a kiss as I sit on his lap

“So we’re gonna take you out to dinner after we check into our hotel.

“When are we getting to our hotel?” I ask

“Five minutes at the most.” Vic says.

“Could we actually maybe just order room service and watch movies?” I ask.

“Whatever you want to do.” Vic says smiling.

Mike gets up and packs his bag and I do the same. I finish before the boys and head back to the front.

I sit on the couch and scroll through my twitter.

@Tony_Turtle: It’s amazing how you think you know someone but you don’t.

I almost reply to it but I ignore it.

The bus stops and Vic walks in.

“Let’s go.” Vic says.

Everyone gets up and we leave the bus.

I pull my suitcase and walk side by side with Mike.

Vic checks us in and we all head into the elevator.

“So we got a big ass suite. It’s on the top floor. There’s a pool and spa and everything.” Vic says handing everyone keys.

We get to the top floor and head to our room. Vic opens the door and all of us fly into the room. I choose the bedroom I want first and the boys fight over the other two bedrooms. I walk into the living room area and collapse on the couch.

“Someone order room service!” I whine.

“I will!” Jaime shouts running into the room.

He orders us all food and we all watch Pitch Perfect as we wait for our food to come.

“Can someone get us booze?” I ask.

“There’s literally a huge bar behind you.” Vic says.

I sit up and look behind me. I see a bar with tons of alcohol lining the shelf behind it.

“I forgot to look around the room and see what’s in here.” I say shaking my head.

I stand up and go to the bar. I pour shots of tequila and down it. I find a small bottle of whiskey and start drinking it as I walk around the room.

This hotel room is literally the size of a house. I open the curtain and find a door that leads outside. I walk over to the pool and dip my hand in it. I look at the spa and then go to the balcony. I lean on the edge and drink the whiskey as I look at Las Vegas. I sit down in one of the chairs and just listen to the sound of the city below me.

“Liz food’s here.” Jaime says breaking me away from my thoughts.

I stand up and go back into the hotel room. We eat and continue drinking. Even though it’s my 21st I don’t really feel like getting wasted. The boys aren’t even drinking as much as usual either. I look at the three boys and realize we’re missing someone.

“Where’s Tony?” I ask.

“He went down to the bus. He’s been in a weird mood all day.” Mike says.

“Yeah he’s not talking to any of us.” Jaime says.

“Maybe you should try talking to him? I mean I know it’s your birthday but he’s always in a better mood when you’re around.” Vic says.

I shrug and set down the bottle of whiskey.

I grab my phone and key to the room and head downstairs to the lobby.

I head outside to the bus in the parking area for bigger vehicles and head onto the bus.

“Tony?” I call out walking through the bus.

I check every inch inside the bus and can’t find him anywhere.

I sigh.

“The roof.” I mutter to myself.

I get off the bus and climb the ladder to the roof. Of course there sits Tony facing the opposite direction of me.

I climb up quietly and sit next to him.

“Hey Tone.” I say breathe out.