NLTL Chp 3
AJ stifled a yawn as he climbed inside his black Expedition. It was too early for rehearsal. He hadn't been able to fall asleep the night before. Having started a movie marathon in his home theater around 9:00, he wasn't able to fall asleep until about 2:00. He had become engrossed in the movies he watched one after another. He kept telling himself he needed to get some sleep, or he'd be sorry in the morning-- and sorry he was. He hit the snooze button on his alarm clock four times before finally getting up and dragging himself into the shower.
As he put his keys in the ignition and started the car, he reached over toward his console to pull out a pair of sunglasses. This morning his trademark sunglasses would be not only good for completing his look, but for hiding the dark circles under his puffy eyes from lack of sleep as well. As he rummaged through several pair of sunglasses, something caught his eye on the floorboard of the passenger side, mostly obscured by its position under the seat. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and he reached across the seat and onto the floormat, pulling the object from under the seat into plain view. He groaned inwardly as he realized what it was. 'Mariah's bag,' he thought to hiimself. 'Shit.' A fleeting thought shot through his mind. 'Maybe I should look to see what she has in there,' he thought. He quickly ruled out that thought. 'It's probably just some clothes and junk. Who cares anyway?'
He picked out a pair of sunglasses as curiosity still coursed through his mind. Backing out of his driveway, he flipped on the radio and halfway listened to a commercial advertising a help line for pregnant teens. Pulling onto the mostly deserted highway, he smiled as he remembered her annoyance and bad fortune from the day before. Sighing deeply, he figured he'd get her belongings out of his sight as soon as possible. He'd just have to drop her bag off at her place after rehearsal. He didn't want any remnants of Mariah-- or her bad luck-- around him.
Trudging into the studio ten minutes late, AJ felt four pairs of eyes following him inside. He didn't care. He felt hungover. And, looking around, he noticed Fatima hadnt even arrived yet. He didn't feel so bad.
"J-- can I talk to you for a minute?" Brian asked, walking toward him.
AJ closed his eyes and took a breath. "Look, I know I'm late, and--"
"It's not that," Brian replied
AJ's brows furrowed. It was rare that Brian ever needed to talk to him. He usually confided everything in Nick. "Sure." Howie, Kevin, and Nick looked deep in conversation as AJ followed Brian to the side.
AJ slid his sunglasses up onto his head and looked down at Brian.
"You look tired," Brian said, looking at AJ's swollen eyes.
"Yeah," AJ replied. "I stayed up late watching movies last night. You look tired yourself."
Brian shrugged. "I guess. Had a rough night."
"Really?" AJ said, wiggling his thick eyebrows.
Running his hand over his curly, sandy hair, Brian sighed. "Okay... LeighAnn and I are having some... problems right now. She's been complaining about the tour coming up, and I know it's rough on her, but... this is my career, ya know? She agreed before we got married that she wouldn't do this. I know it has to be hard for her, and I know she has to get lonely. I told her she could come along, but she blew up and said she didn't want to live her life on the road..." he trailed off.
AJ looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry to hear that, " he told his bandmate. Relationship problems suck, and AJ was silently thankful to be single at the moment. There was one set of problems he wouldn't have to deal with.
"Yeah..." Brian said, looking down and sighing. AJ knew how much he loved Leigh, and Brian really looked hurt.
"Wish I could do something to help, Rok," AJ said, calling Brian by his nickname.
Brian caught AJ's eyes. "Actually... I hate to ask, but would you mind if I went home, packed up some stuff, and stayed over for a few days? I really need a break from everything."
"Sure," AJ replied. "You know my door's always open. It's been awhile since you and I have had the opportunity to have quality 'guy time' anyway."
Brian smiled. Before he could open his mouth to offer AJ a 'thanks', a loud clapping sound filled the room, startling him.
"Alright, guys, let's get started!" Fatima's voice boomed loudly.
AJ sighed and looked at Brian. This was going to be one long day.
Standing under the steady stream of cool water flowing from his shower head, AJ closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Rehearsal had been grueling, especially after next to no sleep. As the refreshing water ran over his skin, AJ ran his hands through his hair, relaxing now that his straight month of rehearsal was over. He finally had time to himself... time to stay home, watch TV like a lazy bum, hang out with Brian if he needed some company, cook some homemade food if he wanted some... time to get sleep. As AJ rubbed soap over his well-defined chest, a sudden thought entered his mind. 'Dammit!' he silently cursed. He had forgotten all about Mariah's bag. He had been so caught up in entering relaxation mode, he had completely put the thing out of his mind. He closed his eyes and shook his head, rinsing off and stepping out of the shower all too soon for his liking.
Wrapping a lush towel around his waist, he walked to his room, standing in front of a full- length mirror across from his dresser. He padded across the floor, dreading this next escapade of his. As he dropped the towel to the floor and slipped on a pair of boxers, he decided he would not let Mariah of all people dampen his mood. After all, he was just stopping by to rid himself of her useless belongings. They did no good for him anyway. He selected a white wifebeater and his favorite pair of baggy jeans, dressing himself comfortably. After putting gel in his hair and slipping on some sandals, he was off to do his duty. After this was done, he had no excuse to not come home and relax.
Mariah lay on her long, soft sofa surrounded by silence. The televison was off, the phone was off the hook... she just lay, no thoughts running through her mind, her eyes open staring blankly off into the distance, not focusing on anything. She was still in her clothes from the day before, her hair still halfway in a ponytail down her back, loose strands framing her face smeared with paint. A sudden knock at her door startled her, and she jumped. Who could it be? She remembered calling the towing company about her car. It was probably someone from the company wanting to tell her her car was in the driveway and, in the process, handing her a bill. He could just leave it by her door. She didn't feel like visiting with anybody. A few seconds later, a second forceful knock sounded, and, frustrated, she got up and trudged to the door. Without looking out her peephole, she unlocked and opened the door-- and, to her surprise, AJ McLean looked back at her.
"What are you doing here?" Mariah asked, not thinking to look down at the bag he was holding.
"I think this is yours," he said, holding the bag forward, his eyes trained on her face. She certainly didn't look like the Mariah Cohen he knew. Her face was void of all makeup, but spattered with crimson paint. She was barefoot, and was wearing old track pants and, he was guessing, an old t-shirt from high school. Her eyes were swollen, and she looked like she hadn't slept for a day or two.
Mariah stared at the bag for a few seconds, and then a bulb of recognition lit in her mind. It was her bag she had packed and brought with her a few days before when she had walked out on the other girls of Fantasy.
"Oh," she said, taking the bag from AJ. "I totally forgot all about it. Thanks."
AJ continued to stand outside her door, looking at her, wondering why she looked like she did.
"Can I help you?" Mariah asked flatly, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear. She put her bag on her shoulder and shifted her weight to her right foot. So he had brought her her bag... what did he want, a purple heart?
"Uh...no. I mean...." he looked at her critically, his thick eyebrows furrowed, his round eyes showcasing a glint of confusion hidden by his shades "Are you really that upset about leaving Fantasy? If you're this.... miserable... maybe you should go back and try to work things out."
Mariah looked at AJ, her eyes narrowing by the second. "Number one, why are you in my business? Fantasy, my life-- it has nothing to do with you."
AJ shrugged, cutting her off. "Whatever."
"It has nothing to do with Fantasy anyway," Mariah mumbled, her eyes shifting to the floor, studying her paint- chipped toenails.
AJ smirked inwardly. He had gotten lucky the past few times he had run into Mariah. She seemed to be having terrible luck, and he loved seeing her struggle. Behind her confident, exuberant exterior lied a normal girl, miserable over God-knows-what, troubled and cranky.
Mariah looked up at AJ again, his eyes hidden by sunglasses. She wondered what he was thinking. And why was he still standing there?
"Can I help you?" Mariah repeated, emphasizing each word. She didn't feel like dealing with anybody, least of all Alexander McLean. She was anxious to get back to lounging around-- alone.
"No," AJ answered. "Just admiring your beauty,"he replied, sarcasm dripping from his raspy voice. A self-assured smirk adorned his full lips, his goatee distorted from the half-smile on his face.
Mariah was stunned. She dropped her bag to the ground, her eyes wide with disbelief. There was no way that asshole just said what she thought he said. She looked straight at him, his smirk still wide.
"Fuck you," she said lowly, her voice deep and even.
AJ, still smirking, stroked his chin. "Hmm..."
"You know what, asshole? Let me know when your mother dies, and I'll reciprocate the favor." Mariah slammed the door in his face, leaning against it, taking a deep, even breath.
AJ stood on the other side, stunned. What did she just say? Her mother.... died... was she serious? She had to be, with the way she looked. Hell, he had no idea. He would've never said anything like that if he had known.
"Mariah--" he started. "Dammit," he cursed under his breath. "Mariah, listen--"
"Leave me alone," she said evenly from the other side of her door. "Go away!"
"I had no idea..." AJ trailed off.
"Get the fuck away from me!" she screamed.
AJ's shoulder's slumped. Shit. He had tried to apologize, and she wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise. He let out a breath. Why should he be sorry? How the hell was he supposed to know her mother had died? He turned away from her closed door and strode toward his Expedition, still feeling a little guilty, his guilt turning into anger. Whatever. He hoped she'd enjoy her time-- completely alone.