The Coldplay Reporter

Chapter 9

“How did you like being up front?” 

            Chris’s voice was loud, considering he was trying to be heard over the crowd.  The two of us were standing backstage, preparing to set out for the hotel.  The other guys were already in the vehicle ready to go and were waiting on us. 

            Chris was absolutely drenched in sweat, which was understandable considering how hot it had to be under all those lights.  I was warm as well as I had found myself jumping around during most of the show.  I’m sure I was a complete sight to see.  

            Smiling at Chris, I stood up on my tip-toes kissing him.  Never mind that the others were waiting on us.  I didn’t care at that moment.  I desperately wanted time to simply stop for a moment and let me enjoy “the moment.” 

            Eventually, though, the two of us found ourselves walking to the same black SUV we had arrived in.  We both slid into the seats in the back, very nearly causing me to bump my head on the ceiling.  Guy, Will, Jonny, and Phil were talking excitedly about how well the show went, and paid no particular attention to us in the back.  Reaching for Chris’s hand, I squeezed it, saying, “I had a great time tonight.”

            He smiled and motioned for me to release his hand.  “I’ve got to take this shirt off, if you don’t mind, it’s not exactly clean.  Putting on a fresh one would be the best.”

            Again, I found myself staring at him as he changed shirts.  I was hopeless.  Completely hopeless.  Giggling to myself, I sat against him, wrapping my arm around him.   He was still incredibly warm, but I didn’t mind that one bit.  I wasn’t going to ever take his presence for granted if I could help it.  He meant everything to me.  Everything.

            We reached the hotel at about midnight, my eyes struggling to stay open.  I had had a long day, after all.  The six of us checked into our rooms, Chris carrying my luggage for me. 

            Our room was fantastic to say the least.  It was the nicest looking room that I had ever stayed in – even nicer than the hotel I had stayed at in London during my first visit there.  That first visit had changed my entire life.  I was forever grateful to my boss (and almost to Marie) for such an opportunity.

            It took me little time to shower and prepare for bed, as I wasn’t one to particularly waste time when I was tired.  I knew Chris had to be tired to and doubted we would talk much that night.  I certainly didn’t feel like talking, myself. 

            I was almost asleep when he sat down on the bed next to me, looking over at me to see if I was still awake.  “You’re still awake.”

            His voice sounded surprised and almost flattered that I wasn’t asleep already and had instead, waited for him.  Which, that was exactly what I had done.  I had intentionally waited for him because I wanted to at least be able to tell him good night.  I wasn’t planning on staying up much longer.

            After a few minutes of simply looking at me, he lay down beside me, moving his pillow closer to mine.   His face was just inches from mine, his blue eyes looking intently into mine.  I couldn’t breathe, to say the least.  Nor could I find any words to say to him.  I was completely frozen – unable to move an inch.  But he was able to move, for he began to kiss me, his hands becoming slightly tangled in my hair.  I could do nothing but kiss him back, wrapping my arms around him.  He wore no shirt, and his back felt warm against my hands.  I don’t know how long we remained like that, but something told me that I needed to go to sleep so that I would be pleasant to be around in the morning. 

            Pulling away from him, I touched my nose to his, unable to hold back a giggle.  I felt as giddy as a little kid on Christmas morning.

            Then I said something that I had never said to any guy before:

            “I love you.”

            Chris pulled me to him, so that my head rested against his chest.  He didn’t say anything for a moment, and then he kissed the top of my head.

            “I love you too.”