What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 11

"Alright, we'll see you guys on Saturday before the challenge." Jake said to Tom and I as he gave Tom a quick hug goodbye. "See ya." I said while he hugged me next. Then, James came up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "See you Saturday." He whispered into my hair. "Definitely." I whispered back and pulled away. After that, James and Jake left and it was just me and Tom. "Now what?" Tom looked at me with a bored look. "Wanna fuck?" I said with a straight face. He looked at me with wide eyes and we both started laughing. "That was good." He smiled. "No but seriously, what do we do now?" I asked. "We could stay in and watch Netflix. Or we could jam a little bit, then watch movies if you want?" He asked me. "Yeah that sounds good." I nodded my head. "Sweet." He smiled then went and grabbed his guitar. "What shall we sing?" He asked as we both sat down on the couch. "Hmm..how about some Backstreet Boys, I Want It That Way?" I suggested, knowing that was the song he sang for his arena audition. He looked at me and shook his head but began strumming the guitar anyway. Tom and I started singing, and we sounded great together. He has a really unique voice that I didnt notice before because Its so overpowered by the other voices in the band. Once we were done with that song, we sang a few more then decided to give our voices a rest. "Movie time?" He set his guitar down and looked at me. "Movie time." I confirmed and got in a comfortable postition on the couch. "Want some popcorn?" He yelled from the kitchen. "Duh!" I yelled back. I could hear him chuckle from where I was sitting. After the popcorn was done, he came back out into the living room and sat down next to me. "I think I should get to pick the movie since you got to pick last time." He stated. "Be my guest." I said. After much debate, he finally decided on Step Brothers. Once the movie was about a quarter finished, my phone vibrated, so I unlocked it and seen that I had a text. It was from James.

James: Hey :)

Me: Hey, what's up? :)

James: Just laying in bed thinking. You?

Me: What are you thinking about? And Tom and I are watching Step Brothers. It's stupid.

James: You take that back! Step Brothers is hilarious! And i'm thinking about a lot of things, but they all involve you...

Me: Fine, I take it back. And what about me?

James: Well for starters, I still hate the fact you didnt give yourself a solo for Saturday.

Me: We've been over this. I dont think my voice should be used for a solo. I'm okay with it. You should be too. We sound great and I have no doubts that we're gonna make it to judges houses. :)

James: Fine. The second is...well, us...

Me: What about us...?

I was unsure about the direction of this conversation.

James: Well specifically the way we slept together, the things we talked about before we fell asleep, the way it felt when I kissed you this morning and when we said goodbye.

Me: I don't know what to say...

James: Tell me that you feel something too.

This conversation was not one I planned on having today, so it took me off gaurd. I didn't know what to say to him, so I did the worst thing I could have done. I didn't reply.

James: Aria?

I looked at the text and debated on what I should say, but In the end, I still didnt reply.

James: Ignoring me won't make me go away...

I don't know what to do. I like James, a lot. And part of me wants to be with him, but another part of me knows that I shouldn't. I was at a standstill. But I know what I need to do.

Me: You aren't wrong. I like you. A lot. But we can't become anything. We're in the same band. Imagine if things ended badly, how would that effect us professionally? I think you and I should just stay friends.

It killed me to say that. I never wanted to hurt him, or myself for that matter. But it needed to be said.

James: Ok, but what if it doesn't end at all?

Me: Don't be ridiculous. You and I both know it would end eventually.

James: Actually, we don't know that, but I respect your decision and reasoning. Just friends. I can handle that.

Me: Good. Just friends. I think this is best.

James: Does this mean I can talk to you about my girl troubles?

Me: Only if I can talk to you about my boy problems.

James: Deal. :) #bffsforever

Me: Yay! #bffsforever

James: Ok, I'll let you finish the movie now! See you Saturday! :)

Me: See you Saturday! :)

I pushed send and then returned my attention back to the movie.

***SATURDAY MORNING***

"Tom! Wake up, we're going to be late!" I yelled as I finished applying my make up. After my eyeliner was on, I ran into his bedroom and jumped on his bed. "TOM MANN! IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP RIGHT NOW, I AM GOING TO POOR ICE COLD WATER ON YOUR HEAD!" I yelled and jumped at the same time. "You wouldn't dare." He grumbled. "Try me." I said as I got down off the bed. He slowly removed the blanket from over his head and looked from me to his clock. Once he saw that it was already 11:00am, he jumped out of bed and grabbed the clothes he planned on wearing for today and ran to the bathroom. He was only in the shower for like seven minutes before he came out with just a towel wrapped around his waist. "I hope that's not what you're wearing. I mean, the girls in the crowd will go crazy for it, but I'm not sure how the judges will react." I joked. "Damn. You mean I need to pick out a different outfit?" He asked sarcastically while he plugged in the hair dryer. "I mean, only if you want to. I'm not complaining." I smiled and took a bite of the toast I made before I started my make up.

fifteen minutes later and we were both dressed and ready. "Alright lets go, we're supposed to meet the rest of the boys in twenty minutes to rehearse." I said as I grabbed my purse and made my way towards the door. Tom followed just seconds behind and we both got in the car and buckled up. "You ready?" He looked at me and started the car. "No. You?" I shook my head nervously. "I guess we'll see." He replied. And with that, he pulled out of his driveway, and headed towards the arena.

UPDATE!! :) HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE THE STORY SO FAR! ♡