Breaking Point

L.A.

"Promise?" I asked desperately.

"I promise," Carrie sang with a bright smile.

She had just told me that she bought us tickets to fly out to LA for an entire week because she wanted to spend her birthday and Valentine's Day with Michael.

I didn't want to deny her any of the fun she deserved, especially on her birthday but I was still hesitant.

It had been a month since that day I left Luke and Ashton standing alone in the hotel room. And besides the few texts from both of them asking me to change my mind a few days later, I hadn't heard from either of them since. I begged Carrie to make sure I wouldn't run into them when we were LA. She promised me I wouldn't.

"Then I'll start packing," I sighed with a smile. She squealed and hugged me.

"Yay! This is gonna be so fun, Sky!" she exclaimed.

I didn't want to rain on her parade, but it wasn't going to be fun for me at all. I knew that I'd hate to ruin her time with Michael by being the third wheel so I'd probably end up staying in the hotel room for a week straight.

"Our flights leave at 2 o'clock in the afternoon tomorrow," she said as she left my room. I sighed and began packing.

This is either going to be entirely boring or a disaster, I thought to myself.

---

"There he is!" Carrie squealed as she saw Michael approaching us. We'd just arrived at the airport. He had a bouquet of flowers in his hand and I smiled. They were both so cute.

Carrie ran into his arms and he lifted her a couple inches off the ground. I stood there awkwardly until they let go.

"Hey Mikey," I smiled as he pulled me in for a hug.

"I've missed you guys!" he said as he took Carrie's hand and headed toward the parking garage.

"I've missed you, too. So much," Carrie replied as she stood on her toes to plant a small kiss on his cheek.

"We've all missed you," Michael said quietly, he glanced at me from the corner of his eye but I pretended I didn't notice.

"So what're you guys gonna do today?" I asked, changing the subject.

"I made dinner reservations for us. The three of us," he clarified. I sighed, relieved that he was aware of my reluctance to see Luke and Ashton. But I still didn't want to be a third wheel.

"Actually, I was thinking about going to the hotel and relaxing for a bit," I lied.

"Oh, are you sure?" Carrie asked, concerned. I nodded convincingly and she smiled back softly.

"If you need me, just call," she said sternly.

"I will, mom," I laughed. I grabbed my suitcase and told them I'd catch a cab to the hotel. I waved goodbye as they both climbed in back of a van, the driver ready to take off.

---

"Carrie Miller," I repeated loudly to the lady behind the marble hotel desk.

"I heard you, Miss. But I still have no records of a reservation for that name," she insisted for the second time.

"Try my name again. Sky Anderson," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose with my fingers. The lady quickly typed into her computer.

"Sorry Ms. Anderson, still no records," she said apologetically. "I'd give you a room now but we're completely booked. It is near Valentine's Day after all."