Celebrity Cruise [COMPLETED]

Chapter 13 - "I don't need rescuing."

"Knox?" a voice called out. Knox froze, slowly turning around. He had just walked off the elevator and was headed towards the main desk. He had returned to his room with Marcos when he realized there were details to discuss about the last night's concert.

He could easily have had Calvin get the information for him but he needed something to do. He was use to working long days, constantly moving from one thing to the next. He felt in limbo on the cruise. He would rather stay busy working on music and the show.

He turned to see Claire Reed walking towards him, a big smile on her face.

"Hey, how are you?" she asked when she reached him. She moved in for a hug.

"Good, how are you?" he said.

Knox had met Claire a few times, mostly in passing at award shows or parties. Her song had just hit number one and the whole country seemed to be wondering who she was. Knox had heard a DJ on the radio dub her America's girl next door and he thought the name rightly fit her. She had wavy blonde hair and a heart shaped, innocent face.

"How is the cruise going for you? I heard it got a little crazy at the pool yesterday," she said, walking beside him.

"It's been good. A little crazy but Marcos is good at handling crowds," he said.

"Isn't it great to see all these other celebrities? I ran into Margo Jennings yesterday and we couldn't stop talking about fashion. She said she had to design my next red carpet look."

"That's pretty cool. It's been fun to see the Last Call guys."

"They are hilarious. I ran into them last night. We ended up going to one of the bars and having a few drinks," she said. "They mentioned that you guys kicked around the idea of touring together."

"Yeah. Before I got my big break, we talked about it. I want them to tour with me now, but I don't think they will," Knox was distracted, trying to find his way towards the front desk. He didn't really want to be talking to Claire. She was nice, but he could see the star struck look in her eyes.

"They would be crazy not to tour with you. I think it would be the opportunity of a life time," she said . "I mean, if you asked me, I would drop anything to make sure it happened." Knox kept walking, knowing this was the reason Claire had come to talk to him. She knew he was going on tour right after this and she wanted to get on the tour.

"I know your touring right after this. Wouldn't that be a great show?" she said. "Knox Hamilton and Claire Reed. It would be America's sweethearts touring together."

Knox could see the headlines. The press would automatically link them together. He could tell Claire was already hinting at that and when he didn't go for it, he would be pegged as the guy who broke the girl next doors heart. "I already have my openers," he said.

"I know, but come on. It would be such good press. Can you imagine? We would have everyone's attention for the length of the tour."

"That's not really what touring is about."

"People would always be wanting to know what we were doing. It would be great for both our careers."

"More like great for your career," Knox thought. He finally recognized where they were and realized they had been walking in circles. He looked around trying to find a worker when he spotted Sky. "Sky!" he called out. She turned and walked towards them.

"Thanks so much for coming to get me," Knox said. He moved next to Sky.  "I totally would have forgotten all about that event if you hadn't shown up."

"No problem. Just wanted to make sure you didn't miss it," Sky said, not missing a beat. "If you will come with me, I can show you where to go." There was a confused look on Claire's face as she tried to keep up.

"Claire, it was great talking to you. I'm sure I'll see you again before the cruise is over," Knox said.

Sky started to walk away. Knox caught up to her a moment later. "Thanks for that," he said.

"No problem. But, wasn't that Claire Reed?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Aren't you guys like co-celebrities or something?"

"Co-celebrities?" Knox laughed. "I'm pretty sure that's not a thing."

"I don't know. You're both famous. Doesn't that mean you don't have to run away from each other?"

"She wants to tour with me," he said. "She thinks 'America's sweethearts' touring together would be good press."

"Your America's sweetheart and you didn't even tell me!" Sky said it dramatically, slapping his arm.

"Violent much?" he asked. He jokingly massaging his arm.

"It's just a little pay back for all the times I have had to rescue you," she said.

"Rescue me? I don't think..."

"Last night, today at lunch, just a second ago," she said. "That's three times in less then twenty-four hours. Face it, I'm like your own personal super hero."

"How did we go from goddess to superhero in the span of a few hours?" he asked.

"I'm very versatile."

"I don't need rescuing," he said.

"Keep telling yourself that, but damsel in distress seems to fit you."

"First off, I ran into your room last night," he said defensively.

"And that makes it sound so much better," she said sarcastically. It was entertaining to see him getting all worked up.

"I invited myself to lunch today."

"Again, making yourself sound really great here."

Knox ignored her comment and kept talking. "And I called to you just a second ago. It seems to me, it's more like you have been in the right place at the right time. Are you stalking me?" he asked.

Sky rolled her eyes and laughed. "Cause that makes sense."

"I did find you in my room yesterday and you just so happened to leave your door open last night. Coincidence? I think not!" Knox almost yelled.

Sky laughed so hard, she had to grab his arm to balance herself. "So you're a damsel in distress and I'm a stalker. We make a great pair," she said.

He shook his head and laughed. "What are we going to do?" he asked, after he realized they were headed in a certain direction.

"I have a job, so I am going to do that," Sky said. "You can do whatever you want."

"What do you have to do?" he asked.

"Conduct a scavenger hunt. Will you be the first to find all the items on the list? Explore the different parts of the ship and win a prize while doing it. Join us at two this afternoon in the moon lounge," she recited.

"Sounds enticing," he said.

"It's a real thrill," she said flatly.

"I'm in."

"You don't have to come just because I'm doing it," she said.

"Who says I'm doing it because you will be there? Maybe I want to win the prize. Jeez, stalker" he joked.

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Seriously all I can think of is the Little Mermaid song right now. It's cool I'll just bust out in song scaring my entire family! Anyways you should, you know...
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