Tina tossed and turned on her bed. Her head hurt with thoughts of everything that was going on. She listened closely and she could hear A.J. walking around in his room. The muffled sound of him singing along with his CD player was heard. She clenched her jaw and stared up at the ceiling. Tina closed her eyes and tried to force herself to go to sleep. The faster she drifted off into dreamland, the faster the day would end. Her near slumber was quickly interrupted by the sound of her someone knocking on her door. Tina rolled her eyes and threw her pillow.
“Alex, go away!”
The door opened and she saw her mother come into the room. Her glasses shimmered in the moonlight that was peeking through the window. Tina rolled over on her side, her back facing her mother. She felt the other side of the bed sink down a little. Her mother had sat down on the bed.
“Tina, Alex told me you’re not coming with us to his rehearsal.”
“So.”
“So, don’t you think your brother would like to see you there?”
“What difference does it make?” Tina said while gripping onto her pillow.
“You’re being a little selfish,” her mother commented calmly.
“I’m being selfish?” Tina said as she sat. “He’s the one who’s running off to be in some stupid boy band.”
“So, you’d rather see him give up his dream than be happy?”
“No,” Tina replied with a sigh.
“Then why are you fighting with him on this?”
“I’m not,” Tina denied.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed your behavior lately. You’ve been moody and distant to everyone in this house.”
“Whatever,” Tina mumbled.
“Tina Marie McLean,” her mother said in a stern voice. “I am losing my patience with you. You will come with us to his rehearsal and you will be supportive.”
“Fine,” Tina said with a sigh.
Her mother didn’t say another word. She stood up and left the room. Tina grunted to herself as she stood up and turned on her light. She looked around at her room. It was strolled with all kinds of clothes. She was a little surprised that her mother didn’t say anything about it. Tina looked around for her shoes then settled for a pair of flip flops that were sitting by her bed. She slowly walked out of the room and down the narrow stairway. Her mother was already headed out the door while A.J. was tying on his sneakers. He looked up at her and smiled. Tina stared from behind the recliner and folded her arms together. A.J. stood up and walked over to him. She watched him as he slowly moved closer to her and pulled her into a tight hug. Tina buried her head in his chest and sighed. She couldn’t help but return his embrace.
“Let’s go,” he said softly.
“Okay,” Tina said as she followed him outside.
Tina stood on the porch as he locked the door behind them. She looked over by the car and saw Lizzie hanging out from the backseat window. She waved wildly at Tina and grinned.
“Lizzie’s coming with us?” Tina questioned.
A.J. whirled around and grinned when he saw her sitting in the car. ‘Yeah, I called her earlier.”
“Fun,” Tina muttered.
“Hey, none of that,” A.J. said as he urged her toward the car.
Tina remained pretty quiet for the rest of the night. She watched her brother rehearse with the other members of the group. It wasn’t exactly her idea of a fun time. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Lizzie, who was practically drooling over her brother. Tina continued to ignore Lizzie and stopped her glance on the young, blonde guy dancing to the right of her brother. She found herself a little curious about him. He looked to be about her age. His blonde hair was shiny and neatly styled. Tina admired his skinny figure, he wasn’t athletic, not like the others. He was somewhat awkward in his appearance, but there was something about him that made her want to keep watching. She didn’t even know his name, but he was definitely attractive. Tina realized how hard she was staring and turned to her left. Lizzie looked at her and grinned widely and poked her side.
“You’re pathetic,” Tina muttered.
“Hey, I can’t help it. He’s just so…yeah,” she said with a sigh.
Tina slouched back in her seat and shook her head. “You’re hopeless.”
“Oh, whatever, I saw you staring at the cute blonde.”
Tina shot her a look from the corner of her eye. “I was not.”
“Yes, you were,” Lizzie said with a laugh.
“Stop being annoying.”
“Oh, come on. It’s not like I’m gonna go telling on you or anything. You know better than that.”
“Lizzie, just shut up about it, okay!” Tina demanded.
“Fine, I will, sheesh!” Lizzie said with a laugh.
The music stopped and the boys stopped dancing. A.J. grinned as he walked over to them. Tina watched Lizzie jump up and hug her brother. She glared and shook her head as she stood up and walked outside. Tina had just opened the door when she felt herself bump against someone. She fell onto the floor with a soft grunt.
“Damn, I’m sorry,” said a male voice. “I didn’t see you.”
“I’m fine,” Tina muttered as she dusted off her shirt.
“Let me help you up,” he said as he offered her his hand.
Tina looked up and took his hand. She stood up and realized it was the blonde one. Her heart skipped a beat as she stared into his bright blue eyes that shone under the street light.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked softly. “You fell pretty hard.”
“I’m fine,” she repeated, not sure of what else to say.
“I’m a little clumsy like that that,” he admitted. “I’m always knocking over something.”
“It’s okay,” she said as she shifted on her feet.
“You’re Alex’s sister, right?” he asked as he leaned against the building.
“Yeah…I’m Tina,” she said as she held her hand out to him.
“I'm Nick. Nice to meet you,” he said as he shook her hand.
“You too,” she said while her cheeks began to flush, feeling relieved that it was too dark for him notice.
“So, um, do you go to school at Central?”
“Yeah,” Tina replied casually.
“My sister goes there. Maybe you know her, Leslie Carter.”
Tina shook her head, not really attempting to remember the name. “I don’t really know a lot of people.”
“Oh,” Nick said softly. “Well, I better get back in there.”
“Yeah,” Tina with a nod.
“Nice talking to you,” he said then went back inside.
Tina let out a loud sigh of relief and looked up at the sky. The air was cool with the obvious season change…winter was definitely close. She continued to stare up at the stars, off in her own world when she heard the door open again. Tina quickly looked to her left to see A.J. coming toward her. She looked down at the sidewalk and chewed on her bottom lip.
“There you are,” he said as he stood to her right. “Why are you out here by yourself?”
“I don’t know,” she shrugged then looked at him.
A.J. cautiously looked around and pulled a cigarette from his pocket. Tina watched him as lit the cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke.
“Watch the door,” he said. “Mom will kick my ass if she sees me.”
Tina snickered and looked at the door. “I don’t like it when you do that either.”
“Yeah, well, you’re not Mom,” he said then took another puff. “That’s enough for now,” he said as he put his cigarette out on the sidewalk. I gotta get back inside. Are you coming?”
“Yeah,” she replied.
A.J. squeezed her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. “It’s all going to be okay. You know that, right?”
“I know,” she replied.
“Good,” he said with a smile. “Come on, you can watch me sing my solo.”
“I’m jumping for joy,” she joked.
A.J. glared at her then ginned. “Get inside,” he said then pushed her through the door.
Author's Chapter Notes:
I know it's been a while since I've updated this one. I was grocery shopping today and I came up with some really good ideas for this story. I think I'm ready to keep going. I hope you like it so far.
