What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 57

Dress rehearsal for tonights result show went fine. I don't really like singing with all the other contestants though, everything feels so rushed and crowded. I like the song though. This week we're singing Katy Perry's Firework. Anyway, after dress rehearsal for the opening number was done, the boys and I went to go rehearse our bottom two song, hopefully we won't need to use it since our performance of Everybody went really well. But just in case, we decided to sing Perfect by Pink. I spent the entire day sneaking glances at James to see if he would look at me. He never did. Apart from James hating me, the only other thing I could think about was the fact that Caden leaves tonight. I really wasn't ready for him to go, but I know that things back home need to be taken care of. After the boys and I felt confident in our song for tonight, we went back to the house to relax for a few hours as usual. "Let's do something." Casey blurted. Right now we were all watching a movie to pass the time. "We are doing something." Tom said. "No, I mean let's go to the park or something. To celebrate Cadens last day here." Casey urged. "Umm, need I remind you that last time you wanted to 'celebrate Caden leaving,' it didn't end well." I said and all the boys laughed. Except James. Of course,  why would he laugh at a fucking joke? "Funny. But seriously let's go! And Chris, Reece, and Tom can invite their girls." He said as he stood up and put his shoes on. We all sighed and got up to go with him. Chris, Reece, and Tom did as Casey suggested and texted Brittany, Meg, and Kirsten. It will be nice to see them again, I smiled to myself. When we got to the park it was empty. We stood around and talked for a while before the girls all showed up, and then we all just ended up standing in a big circle talking and laughing. "James, why aren't you standing by Aria? Isn't that an unspoken rule for couples?" Brittany asked curiously, and a few of the boys cleared their throats uncomfortably. "What? Am I missing something?" Brittany looked around confused. Chris slowly leaned in and whispered something in her ear. "Oohh...my bad." She held her hands up and looked at me apologetically, and I smiled reassuringly at her. "So now what?" Tom asked. He had his arm wrapped protectively around Kirstens waist, and her back was pressed lightly against his chest. I then looked over at Chris and Brittany. Chris had his arm wrapped around Brittany's shoulders and she was resting her head on his shoulder. I then noticed that Meg and Reece were holding hands, and having a whispered conversation that nobody else could hear. All these happy couples made my heart hurt. Literally. The memories of me and James together caused a tightening in my chest that I couldn't explain. Part of me wished that I was back in America, that way I didn't have to see him every day. Being around him constantly, and not being able to touch him was too much. I snuck a quick glance over at James and to my surprise, he was already looking at me. It surprised me even more when he didn't look away. We stared at each other for literally over twenty seconds before Casey got my attention. "Earth to Aria." He snapped his fingers in front of my face. I blinked my eyes a few times before looking at him. "What? Sorry.." I apologized. "I wanted to introduce you to my friend." He looked at me weirdly. "Aria, this is Layla." Casey introduced and I looked at the girl. I was so confused. "Layla?" I accidentally said out loud. "Yes. That's her name." Casey said and shook his head at me. I stared at the girl for a second before snapping out of my confusion. "Oh, um...nice to  meet you." I extended my hand and pretended I didn't know her. I remember her telling me that Casey didn't know she was a stripper so I can't exactly say that I know her because we work together. She gave me a grateful smile and shook my hand. "Nice to meet you." She greeted. "James?" Jesus christ! There's another girl. This one I've never seen before though. "Claire?" James turned to look at the strange girl. Except, she wasn't a stranger. I know that name. Claire...that's the girl who had the abortion. That's James' ex. But why is she here? "I've been looking for you." She said. The look on James' face was nothing but shock. "What are you doing here?" He asked. Everybody else was silent. "I miss you. I just...wanted to see you." She smiled. Oh hell no. Did this bitch actually think James would just forgive her? Apparently she did, and she was right. James ran over to her and enveloped her in his arms. They hugged for a few seconds before they finally pulled away from each other. Before I realized what I was doing, I started running. Running away from James and his ex, whom he clearly missed. Away from the group of people watching me go. I heard them yelling after me but there was no stopping. My legs had a mind of their own right now, but I wasn't arguing with them. I just needed to get away.

WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL. OMG. LAYLA AND CASEY AND THEN CLAIRE AND JAMES?! WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN?