Run Away From The Pain

Feeling Normal.....Ish?

I woke up to the heat of another person warming the skin of my back, and a strong arm wrapped around my waist. 
For a split second, a panic rose up inside me, only to die down when I remembered that Steven had crawled into the bed with me before we fell asleep an hour or two, ago. 
I yawned and rolled over in his arms, so I was facing him.
I didn't want to seem creepy, so I just kept my eyes closed, pretending that I was still asleep. 

His breathing was so soft and slow, and I couldn't help but peek out from under my lashes, opening one eye, just to get a look at the angel sleeping beside me. 
What did I find?
One very adorable, grinning Steven Tyler.

"I knew you were awake." He chuckled, leaning in to kiss my forehead. "Goodmorning, sunshine."

"What time is it?" I sat up, yawning.
He flicked his head over to the clock on the tiny bedside table which was in the small room. 

"Uh..." He paused, squinting so he could read the clock. "I think it's 10:49"

"You think?" I laughed a little. "Anyway, what are we doing today?"

"Well.." He paused, scratching his head for emphasis on his 'thinking'. "We're on our way to Pheonix, and we should be there in another hour or two. Then we'll check into the hotel... and uh..... I think I wanna stop by a studio to see what you guys have on this new song, but if you want to do something else.. shopping, or sight seeing or something, we can do that."

Steven's smile was so genuine it gave me a warm tingly feeling all over my body.

"Sounds perfect." I smiled back. 

"Hey, how come you never said anything about how awesome you are at playing the guitar?" He asked, in shock. "Like, the fuck, Alex?! You're awesome! I bet you can sing too!" 

"Nah.." I bowed my head, blushing. "I'm really not that special. My dad taught me when I was younger.. you know... before I was taken and all." I got a little nostalgic, and shivered a bit at the tangible memories. 

"I'm sorry..." He muttered, clearly embarrassed that he brought up such a touchy topic. 

"Don't be.. It's a happy memory." I grinned. "I remember we were jamming once in my basement, and I began to play this one riff that I just thought of, off the top of my head, and he was just blown away. He always used to ask me 'Alexandra, when did you get so good.. I mean, you're better than me!' He used to joke with me all the time, but I think that was the first time he said it and actually meant it." I chuckled "The complete shock that was on his face was so funny." 

I was getting so lost in the memories, I hadn't noticed Steven, who leaned in so close to me, that our faces were only about an inch apart. 
I froze with a mix of fear and anxiety, as we sat there, just staring into each others eyes. 
He peered down at my lips for a split second, and then returned hiz gaze back to my eyes, almost as if he asked a silent question.
I was about to answer it for him, when there was a light knock on the door.

"Hey.... Alex..." *knock knock* "Hey, it's Tom... We're at the hotel. Come on out." 

I answered Tom, while continuing to stare into Steven's eyes. 
"Okay, I'll be right out..." i called back to him. 

"Tell Steven to come too..." Tom's laughter faded as he walked away from the door, and off the bus. 

"We better go.." I finally tore my gaze away from his, as I slowly backed up, and off the bed. 

Before I could turn away, Steven tenderly, yet quickly and somewhat forcefully, cupped his hands on either side of my face, and kissed me.
I didn't pull back this time... I couldn't... I was too shocked, considering he caught me so off guard
After a moment or two, he pulled back.

"I....." He stuttered slightly. "I'm sorry... I couldn't control myself... I've just been wanting to do that for a long time, now..."
I shut him up by leaning in, and planting a light kiss on his lips, also showing him that it was okay. 

Before either of us could process what just happened, I stepped out of the room, and off of the bus

I stepped out into the hot and heavy air of Pheonix Arizona, and took a deep breath, inhaling all the scents that were around me. 
I walked through the spinny door of the hotel, to run right into Tom with a very smug grin on his face.

"Oh.. shit, sorry Tom..I didn't see you there.." I sighed, and then looked up at him, with a strange expression. "what's with the face?"

"I knew it..." He smiled

"Knew what?" I raised an eyebrow, hoping for an answer, though I didn't recieve one. "Tom... Tom, you knew what?!"

"I'm Mr. Sweet Emotion... I could see this coming from a mile away." He laughed, and then nudged me with his elbow. 

"See what?!" I half yelled, wincing at the volume of my own voice. "Sorry..... but seriously, what did you see?!"
Just then, Steven walked in behind the door, with his aviators on, and his denim jacket slung over his shoulder. 
Tom just winked at me, and walked away, humming the tune for Sweet E. 

"What was that about?" Steven took off his glasses, and eyed me.

"Honestly, I wish I knew..." I muttered, and then walked further into the lobby of the hotel.

I looked around me at the grandiose room.
There was a giant chrystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, modern couches, and chairs were placed in little clusters across the marbled floors of the room. About 50 feet away was a large black countertop, separating the hotel's employees from the guests. I assumed this is where we were to check in, considering we all started walking towards it. 
Bell hops were running around with carts full of bags, while hotel guests were either stuffing themselves into the elevators, or throwing themselves across the couches of the lobby. 
I gasped as I drank in the scene around me. I've only been in one other place this elaborate in my life time, and I was so young, I could barely remember it. 

Steven broke me out of my reverie by grasping my hand and pulling me through a throng of people.
Crowds of people gathered around us, screaming and cheering, and snapping photos.
Some were shouting questions like; "Steven, when's the next album coming out?" or "Steven, and Joe! We heard the toxic twins aren't so toxic anymore! What happened?" One even dared to shout: "Steven! Who's the lucky lady? New Girlfriend?"
The last one made me stop dead in my tracks, and gape, wide-eyed at the paparazzi, and Steven.
I don't know why it took me by such surprise, but it did.
Steven turned around, to look at me, mimmicking my shock, then his eyes softened and a playfull smirk danced across his lips. 
He wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me close to his side, then preceeded to whisper into my ear.
"Well.... are you?" He asked, as light burned in his chocolate eyes.

"I.... uhh...." I froze, unable to speak. "I... I...."
I didn't know what to do, so I just reversed the roles. I grabbed Steven's hand, and pulled him through the crowd, just like he'd done for me, moments before. 

When we made it into elevator safely, and the doors shut, we all let out a sigh of relief. 
After a few moments a voice broke the silence.

"So... are you?" Joe asked.
I turned around to look at him, then at Brad, Joey, Tom who just smirked and winked at me, and then finally at Steven. 

"I... uh.... I don't......" I stuttered, trying to find the right words to say. "I don't know...."
This strange light was still dancing around Steven's eyes, at he stared down at me, holding the gaze of my golden-green orbs. 

"Not forcing you to do anything you don't wanna.." He sighed, stepping back with his hands up, like he was serendering to the police. 
Just then, the little bell in the elevator dinged, and the doors opened. I stepped out and began to speed-walk down the hall. I couldn't get away from this situation fast enough.

Within moments of my hasty departure, Steven was by my side, matching my quick pace. 
"Alex.." He called out, stopping me in my tracks. I turned around to face him, and gave him a wary smile. "This is our room..." 

"We're...." I paused, looking for any sign on anger, or hurt in his eyes. "We're sharing a room?"

Out of nowhere, the hurt I was looking for, blossomed. 
"Yeah... uh... unless you don't want to?" He averted my eyes, and looked down towards the room key he twirled in his palm. 

"No... I.... uh.. I do." I smiled. The light was back in his eyes, though it was sharing the small space of his irises with the hurt that was still looming. 

We walked into the hotel room and I saw, both to my relief and my dismay, that there were two beds instead of one.
I walked over to the bed that was closest to the large sliding glass door, which lead out to a balcony, and plopped down, while letting out a long exasperated sigh. 

"Steven... I.." My words were interrupted by two quick knocks on the door, followed by a small voice calling out "Bell Hop!"

"Coming!" Steven answered, and bounded over to the door to open it. 
A young boy, probably around my age, pushed in a large cart with bags piled onto it. 
He pulled off my two medium sized suitcases, and set them down infront of my bed, then preceeded to do the same with Steven's bags. 
When he was finished, Steven handed him an Andrew Jackson, which made the boy beam.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Tyler! Is there anything else I can help you with?" He looked between Steven and I, hoping for an answer. 

"No, we're fine for now." I smiled at him, as he bowed his head and exited the room with his large cart of luggages. 
Steven closed, and locked the door behind him, and then turned to me. His gaze burned holes into mine. 
He bounded over to me, and then pulled me into a passionate kiss. 

Though his spontaneous actions scared the shit out of me, it felt so right. 
I deepened the kiss, by cocking my head to one side, and parting my lips, so I could allow his tongue to slide into mine. My fingers intertwined themselves in his luxurious deep brown locks, as our tongues did the tango. 
After a minute or two, we broke apart for air, breathing heavily. 

"Woah..." I gasped... when I finally caught my breath, I began to speak. "Steven, I-"

"No, Alex." He cut me off. "Let me speak... I'm not gonna force you into something if you don't want to be with me. This is your call, this doesn't have to be anything definite. We can take it slow.... Like I said I'll be here whenever you're ready. We'll go at your pace..... I would absolutely love for you to be my girlfriend though."

I couldn't help but grin at the goofy smile he had on his face. 
"I.... I guess we could try this.." A small smile spread across my lips. "But.. I can already tell this won't be normal... ish.."
He grinned so wide I thought his cheeks were going to explode.

"Oh... You have no idea, Baby."