Far From Here (A Marianas Trench FanFic)

Chapter Eleven

A few sleepy hours later, we land in Chicago. Katie and I grabbed our stuff and were among the first down to the airport. We gathered our luggage, and headed to rental car claims. We’d be using one until Josh arrived with my car and the rest of our stuff, including the furniture. I smiled, thinking back to that kiss of Josh and Katie’s. Well, that should make things interesting…

            “Ms. Mathers, your car is ready.” The guy behind the desk said with a triumphant smile, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded my thanks and took the keys.

            “Which is it?” I asked.

            “The red one, lot B, space 17. Have a nice day, ma’am!” He responded and I walked off, leaving Katie with the bags. I found the car easily enough, it was hard to miss a brilliant red sedan. I got in and drove up to the pick up area, texting Katie to let her know I was there. She came out a couple of seconds later, hauling a cart loaded down heavily with our bags. I emerged and helped her load everything in the trunk and backseat. We settled in, shoving my Fall Out Boy CD into the player in the car, blasting as we drove to the apartment across town. I smiled as we pulled up to the building, we had the penthouse (yeah, my old house was prime real estate). Katie and I walked in and I realized we must look like shit. I was wearing shredded skinnies Josh had bought me for my last birthday, a black v neck tank, and no make up with my hair going all crazy. Katie wasn’t too much better, and we were still wearing flip flops from the tattoo shop, since our feet weren’t allowed to be covered with shoes just yet. The doorman eyes us eerily, almost as if daring us to track dirt in. I rolled my eyes, tossing my bangs out of my right eye.

            “Hi, I’m Kristiana Mathers, who do I talk to about getting the keys to my apartment?” I asked him, pulling my ID out of my pocket. He checked my appearance against it, then pointed down a hallway.

            “Thank you, sir.” I snorted, then Katie and I walked down to the manager’s office. It was open, and I carefully avoided the boxes scattered around the room. I so did not want to start this by tripping over something.

            “Umm… Hi? I’m Kristiana Mathers…” I said, looking for someone behind the huge stack of boxes over the desk.

            “Well, hi there, Ms. Mathers!! I see you have finally arrived, and with your roommate as well, I see!” A voice, sweet and low with a southern drawl, announced from behind the stack, and a very small woman climbed out. I grinned, she was so petite! A thick bun of crazy jet black curls was falling apart down her neck, and the glittering brown eyes reminded me of Matt when he was laughing. God damn it, don’t look at her eyes, Kris!!! I didn’t need or want the reminder. Katie came in and put a hand on my shoulder.

            “Yeah, we’re here! We just flew in this morning, and our stuff will be arriving here in a few days. We were just wondering if we could have the keys to the apartment?” Katie stated, very calm and cheerful. I smiled at her, grateful. She winked at me and I chuckled.

            “Well, I’m Tina Kisner, the manager here. You guys have the penthouse apartment, correct?” Tina yipped, disappearing behind the boxes once more. We answered yes, and looked at each other with curiosity in our eyes. I wondered if this chick was always like this. Then she reappeared in a minute with keys in her hand.

            “Here we go! Enjoy the room, it’s still fully furnished, and be warned… We have a band that lives the level below you, so ignore them or report them as you feel, we won’t make them move out because I like them!” Tina giggled, a dreamy look on her face.

            “Does this band have a name or a record label yet? Maybe we know them!” I asked, pondering if I could work with them for a video maybe, for like a project or something in class…

            “Oh, they have both! It’s not super big yet, but they just released a new album about a month ago, I have no idea if it made it to Canada or if you’ve heard of them…” Tina trailed off, and then grinned at something behind Katie and I.

            “Am I interrupting something?” A voice that sounded vaguely familiar said shyly from behind me and I turned to see Patrick Stump, from Fall Out Boy standing in the doorway. My jaw dropped, and I nearly screamed.

            “I was just getting the new tenants the keys. These girls have the apartment above yours. Are the rest of the boys in?” Tina laughed, a tinkling sound that was mildly annoying. Patrick nodded and entered the room fully.

            “Hi, I’m Patrick, it’s nice to meet you.” He smiled the heart stopping smile I’d come to adore in the years since I’d heard Take This To Your Grave and watched every video they’d done.

            “I’m Kristiana Mathers, this is my best friend, Katie Dorne. Please, call me Kris. I’m a pretty big fan, Mr. Stump.” I said, and he immeadiately blushed bright red. He extended a hand for both of us to shake and we did. I was amazed. Fall Out Boy lived downstairs from me? Holy crap, I was going to LOVE Chicago.

            “Well, thank you, Kris. Are you from around here?” Patrick asked just before Pete strolled into the room, tripping over the edge of a box as he did so. I laughed and shook my head.

            “Nah, Kate and I are from Canada… But I’ve liked you guys since my cousin mailed me the CD.” I muttered, and was greeted by Pete suddenly jumping up nearly into my nose.

            “Well, HELLO PRETTY LADY TALKING TO CAPTAIN AWKWARD PANTS!!!” Pete yelled, almost deafeningly in the small room. I rubbed my ear.

            “Um… Hi, Pete?” I said, a little confused. He grinned and lifted me off the floor in a hug. I squealed, as I really hated being picked up.

            “Hey, Pete, put the girl down… She’s obviously more Pat’s type!” Joe Trohman yelled as he walked in, swatting Pete playfully on the shoulder and Pete dropped me directly into Patrick’s arms. He smiled down at me as I leaned against him, trying to get my balance.

            “Jesus, guys… We’ve barely known them for five minutes and already you’re attacking them? Give them at least a week!” Andy fuckin Hurley muttered as he flopped down on the only chair. Tina grinned and kissed the older boy’s cheek.

            “Hey, cuz.” Andy said, and I finally stood on my own. Patrick didn’t remove his hand from my arms, and I couldn’t help but blush a bit.

            “Well, it’s been a long morning, and I think Kris is just a tad jet lagged, so can we have the keys to the apartment, please, Tina?” Katie chuckled, seeing my eyes on Patrick’s hand on my arm. I was biting my lip to keep the smile in. Tina handed her the keys and we took off.

            “BYE GUYS!!!” I screamed as we entered the hallway. I don’t think we were meant to hear the next bit, but Katie and I paused in the hallway when we heard Pete speak.

            “Aww, little Patrick’s got a crush on the black haired one!!” Pete teased and I could almost hear Pat blush.

            “Bro, chill out. I just met her, don’t even know her. No crush is present.” Patrick said back, and I choked back a giggle. He did like me, or at least thought I was cute.

            “SO?! That doesn’t stop you from thinking she’s hot. She is, don’t get me wrong, but her friend was SMOKING.” Pete chuckled and I glanced at Katie with wide eyes. We fled the hallway, barely making it to the lobby before we burst into hysterical laughter.

            “Well, at least living in Chicago won’t be boring!!” I managed to gasp out as we entered the elevator. Katie shook her head, and we nearly fell to the floor when the elevator doors opened up to our glorious apartment. We stared in awe at the luxury around us. We stood, leaning against each other trying to catch our breath.

            “Woah.” Katie and I said in unison.