It's Been A Long Time... [Desperate Measures Sequel]

Fifteen.

I hated keeping secrets from my friends, I hated keeping secrets now days full stop. I had been trying to keep on the straight now days but it was getting more and more difficult. 

AJ had been acting awkward with me since we were together in the hotel room and I didn't want to leave him on an awkward note, I didn't want him to hate me once I had gone. I wanted to let him know before the evening but I knew I couldn't let any one know. I had promised Shane that I would keep it secret. 

"I'm starving!!" Karl let me know in a sharp voice as we sat in the restaurant after ordering. "When will they bring our food out?"

Luke and AJ broke into a conversation with Karl leaving me to ponder in my own thoughts. I suddenly wasn't so hungry, I couldn't bear to be away from my friends, I just wanted more from life. I would see them all the time I guessed, they would only be a phone call away. I needed to prove to Stephanie that I could do it, that I had changed. I needed a fresh start away from Dean. 

"Tasha?" Luke nudged me as he spoke my name.

I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow, "Sorry?"

"I was just saying don't you think Karl should go back and help them cook?" 

I opened my mouth to speak but quickly closed it and nodded in agreement. 

"I thought we were a team Tasha. I thought we were together at all times." Karl narrowed his eyes as me. 

Luke raised his hand and put his fingers into the shape of the 'too sweet' and motioned his hands towards me, I followed his lead and we 'too sweeted' in front of Karl who crossed his arms over his chest in a huff.

"Well..." AJ shook his head. "You lot are being a little childish today."

I looked at him, I didn't know how I could do without him in my life right now. "Just a little excited about seeing the changes tonight." I lied as I gave a little fake clap.

AJ raised an eyebrow at me, "We have nothing to worry about. The only thing you have to worry about Tasha is wether there is going to be an nice looking guys coming to our side."

"That's a little harsh." I snapped at him as I hit my hand on the table.

"I'm sorry," he apologised as he shook his head. "I'm just a worried to be honest."

"Look," Luke rolled his eyes. "We four have no problems. You are the champion AJ, you aren't moving to any other place. Me and Karl belong here with you so they won't move us. And Stephanie doesn't want you Tasha so you are off the hook too. We just need to stick together and stay strong."

"Lets just leave it as it is right now!" Karl snapped at everyone bringing silence. "Lets just have a nice meal together and be friends. Right," Karl smiled. "What are we doing tonight?"

AJ shrugged, "I was thinking about getting a head start on the travelling."

"I wouldn't plan on it," Luke said as he looked up from his mobile. "Shane had sent a email on an afterthought for the show tonight. A blue vs red brawl after moving to the other shows. Getting ready for Survivor Series."

"Brawl?" I groaned, "Sounds like a lot of hard work."

The three guys laughed.

"Okay so tonight," AJ spoke as a waitress placed our food down in front of us. "The four of us can start travelling, you can drive Tasha."

I groaned, "Why me?"

"Because women aren't half as violent as men." Luke pointed out. 

"You need to rethink that," I shook my head at Luke. "Tonight you can watch and learn." I looked to AJ "And then you can drive AJ. I'll be needing my rest."

Backstage I was sat with the three guys, my hands sweating, shaking a little with nerves. I felt an arm go around me and I looked up at Luke as I smiled. "Thanks," I smiled at him. 

"You have nothing to worry about you know Tasha," he reminded me, "We just get to sit back and watch. Then we fight."

I laid my head on his chest and nodded as I looked around the room. My eyes met Dean's as he glanced over at me. I lingered my view on his for a few seconds before looking away. 

"Tasha," AJ spoke as I sat up straight giving Luke his arm back, I looked at AJ and smiled. "Do you know something we don't?"

"Don't be absurd." I tried to laugh it off but a tear left my eyes as I couldn't keep it in no longer. I stood up and pushed my chair out from the table, "I have to go."

I found myself heading to the nearest female toilets. I headed in the restroom and looked in the mirror, my hands shaking, the tears falling. I didn't want to leave my friends behind, I didn't want to be just another girl on the other show. Here I had friends, here I had people I could depend on. 

"Tasha!" I heard AJ's voice shouting from the other side of the door as he banged on the door. 

"Go away!" I managed to get out my mouth as I tried to wipe away some of the make up that was smearing down my face. 

The banging continued before AJ spoke again, "Come on Natasha, come out and speak to me. It's just me, no one else."

"No!" I snapped as I threw the tissue in the bin before kicking the bin over in frustration. 

I was so mad, mad that I had to keep it as secret, mad that I was leaving these people behind, mad that it was until they cancelled the brand split. I picked up the bin and threw it at the wall on the other side of the room. 

"I am coming in there!" AJ warned before he opened the door and looked over at me. "It's okay you know."

"It's not okay!" I snapped at him as I looked away from him and to the mirror. The crying had made me red under the eyes and there was still black from my mascara that had run down my cheeks. "I don't want to do this."

AJ walked towards me and pulled me into a hug, his embrace as warm and tight. "You can do it, you have come so far."

I tried to push him away from me, tried to push away from his grip but this made me hold me tighter, he knew I needed this. "Why do you even care?" I asked him as I gritted my teeth. 

"You are one of my closest friends Natasha," AJ spoke as he stroked my hair and leaned his chin on my head, "I hate seeing you like this."

My hand clutched his shirt as he held me, my tears falling on his clothing and making it wet. I looked up at him and bit my lip. "I don't want to leave without you."

"Don't be silly" AJ continued to stroke my hair before he kissed my hair. "You are doing so well. I want you to know we will always be with you. We are behind you whenever and you can always give us a call, always come and hang out with us."

I smiled at him as he finally realised his grip and took my head in his hands, coming down to my level. "You are one of my best friends Tasha. Tonight we are going to celebrate your getting out of the mad house."