The Coldplay Reporter

Chapter 17

I don’t know how long I sat in the beanbag chair, but I eventually must have gotten really sleepy, because when I awoke, I was lying on my bed. 

            It was dark outside, and dark in the hallway.  Glancing over at my old alarm clock, my eyes widened.  It was eleven o’clock at night, which meant I had slept through dinner.  I suddenly wondered where Chris was.  We didn’t have a proper guest room at my parents’ seeing as we never had anyone over.  Those who did come over slept on the couch.  Perhaps that was where Chris was.  Rolling over so that I was sitting up, I realized that I probably needed to shower. 

            Fumbling with my dresser drawer which contained everything I needed for after my shower, I managed to open it, retrieving each and every article of clothing I needed.  Shutting the drawer as gently as possible, I tip-toed to the bathroom, cringing as the door squeaked as I closed it. 

            I took a shower of regular length, and then changed into a pair of shorts to sleep in and a t-shirt I hadn’t worn in years.  Surprisingly both still fit well, which impressed me. 

            As I exited the bathroom, my curiosity got the best of me, leading me into the living room.  It was very dark, but I could make out Chris’s outline on the couch, holding back giggles when I noticed his feet hanging off.  He was just too tall to be sleeping on it.  

            Walking closer to the couch, I squinted, trying to see if he was actually asleep.  As I got to the edge of the couch, he stuck out his leg, causing me to trip.  Losing my balance I fell practically on top of him, my face inches from his. 

            By this point, Chris was unsuccessfully holding back laughter.   I just knew that we were going to wake my parents up.  If I did that, I was pretty sure that I would never hear the end of it.

            “You slept through dinner.”  Chris’s voice was low, barely loud enough for me to hear what he was saying.  

            “I know…”  I touched my nose to his and kissed him repeatedly, my hands tangling in his hair.  His body was incredibly warm against mine, and I wondered why he was sleeping with a t-shirt on.  Possibly he didn’t feel completely comfortable being out in the open like he was.  Anyone could just walk through the living room. 

            Pulling away from him, I stroked his face with my right hand.  Even in the dark, he looked incredible.  A thought suddenly presented itself in my mind.

            “Chris?”

            “Mm…”

            “We can go to my room; you know….if you’d like…”

            Chris laughed and shook his head.  “I don’t think that would be a wise thing to do…”

            My face grew hot, and I looked anywhere but at him.   “We’d just be sleeping.”

            He seemed to find that one comment the most hilarious thing I had said yet, beginning to laugh again.  “Oh you know better than that, you can’t keep your hands off me.”

            Pouting, I attempted to get up off the couch, but his arms restrained me.  “Don’t go just yet.  I wanted to ask you something.”

            Chris grew quiet for a moment, his hand rubbing my back.  “Do you really think that going on tour with me would be the best decision you ever made?”

            I grew silent, and I was afraid that I was going to start crying.  All I would need to do was embarrass myself.   Shutting my eyes, I exhaled.  “I thought it was a great idea.”

            “But it would work much better if you just bought yourself a small house around here for the time being.  I can find a hotel here where I can spend my time in between shows.  That would work out much better, I feel.”

            I was crying now, and I was positive that he could tell, as I was to the point where I couldn’t breathe.  Positively snorting, I choked out, “But-I won’t-get to- see you much!”

            “You’ll see me about every day.  Isn’t that what you wanted?”

            Sniffling, I nodded.  “That is what I want.  I don’t like going a day and not being able to see you.”

            “Me either.”

            He grew silent for a moment and kissed my forehead.  “You’ll see that everything is going to work out just fine.  You know I will always make time for you.”

            We lay there for an hour longer, then he kissed me goodnight, before I walked back to my bedroom.  Morning light was already coming through the window in my room, but I slid into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin.  I would get enough sleep so that I would be able to function the next day around my parents.  

            As soon as I got to sleep, I was dreaming.  The only person I dreamed of was Chris.  We were back at his London apartment, and the rain was coming down in sheets.  The two of us were sprawled out on his bed, our bodies intertwined.  He was quiet for the longest time, and then he asked one of the most important questions in the entire world.  I said yes, and almost immediately, it was as if my world had been turned on its side.  I went an entire year and a half without seeing him.