London Times

I made sure I was the first one to the hotel room, to make sure Katie hadn't left her dress laying around or anything. Tammy gave me a look of confusion as I ran past her to the door. I peeked my head inside to find Katie sitting on the bed, staring dreamily at an infomercial on the television. I really hoped she had something on her mind and hadn't just simply, lost it.

I gave the room a quick glance before walking in and flopping down on my stomach across the bottom of the bed. Katie looked down at me, still smiling and got up to greet her mom.

"Hello, oh lovely mother of mine." She almost whispered as she wrapped her in a hug. Tammy, very stiffly returned the hug.

"Okay, what did you do and how much is it going to cost me?" Tammy asked, tossing her purse on her bed and pulling off her shoes to relax after our long day of walking. It was surprising at how calm she had remained while asking. Katie let out a fake gasp, as if appalled by the very thought.

"Nothing! I just...had a great day is all." She let out a sigh before getting up and heading back toward the bed I was laying across. I rolled over quickly giving her a quick 'Watch it!' look, because she had just slipped up. And her mother caught it.

"I thought you were home all day sick?" Tammy crossed her arms and I casually rolled off of the bed, heading towards the bathroom. Katie was looking towards me for help.

"I was! Sick, I mean...I got to watch a marathon of the X Factor. It's just like American Idol only British! Did you know that Leona Lewis started out, winning? Amazing." I felt my jaw drop as she'd just fed her mom this load of poo, and she was falling for it. I've corrupted her.

"Oh, well all I want you to eat for dinner is some soup." She walked over to Katie who was sitting down on the edge of her bed now. "How are you feeling?" Tammy asked as she felt Katie's forehead. "Hm...no fever." She leaned back, examining Katie's face.

"I feel loads better now." Katie tried to convince her.

"Better safe than sorry Katie bug, lay down. I'll go call room service." I stood there, watching from the bathroom door. When Tammy was safely out of sight, I ran full speed to the bed, jumping and landing right beside Katie who shot up beside me.

"Tell me everything!" I nearly shouted from excitement, "Don't skip anything! I wanna know every last detail! Where did you guy's go?! Did he kiss you?! I need details woman!" Katie wasn't smiling anymore and actually backed away from me a bit. I stopped, sitting back and placing my hands in my lap. "I get excited easily." I whispered defensively. Katie let out a laugh, scooting back.

"I know, but that's why I love you." I looked up at her and smiled, crossing my legs to get ready for the story. "But I can't tell you yet." I felt my heart sink.

"Don't make me go all psycho midget on you." I warningly held up a finger to point at her. Katie rolled her eyes, swatting my hand away.

"You're 5'4 Ellie. That doesn't make you a midget." I poked out my bottom lip, as to pout, and got up from the bed. "And I was thinking that maybe we should wait until after your date, and then discuss them tomorrow." I shrugged. I'd nearly forgotten that later on tonight, I'd be going on a date with Danny. I smiled, though more to myself.

"That sounds-"

"Alright, they'll be up in a bit." Tammy said as she walked back into the room. I forced a smile back onto my face and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

Part of the plan had been to keep Tammy out and active, so that she'd go to bed early tonight. It worked. Katie and I were laying on the bed watching some British show when we found that Tammy had finally fallen asleep, somewhere around eight. This gave me an hour and a half to get ready. I got outta bed, dropping down onto my knees and pulling out my outfit from under the bed. I noticed Katie sit up.
"You better hope he's taking you somewhere where you actually can wear a dress." What was she talking about? I looked up at Katie who now had her arms crossed as though something annoyed her. I shrugged her off and hurried to the bathroom.

"Okay." I said, sliding on my heels. It had only taken me an hour to get ready. My hair was fixed, my makeup was done, and I was all set. "If she wakes up..."

"You're out of luck." I stopped, just as I had been placing my earring in my right ear. Katie smiled, shaking her head to show me she was joking. "If she wakes up, you went down to the lobby to do your laundry." Granted, it wasn't the best excuse but, she'd probably still be out of it and believe it.

"Thank you." I was forgetting something. That little alarm was going off in the back of my head, and I had no idea what I was forgetting. I stood still, looking the room over. I couldn't see past Tammy's bed. "My contacts!" I shouted, hurrying into the bathroom. I found my contact case laying on the counter. There was only one. "Katie!" I nearly shrieked, dropping down onto my hands and knees. I had to find it, I had to find it!

"What?!" I looked up at Katie who was looking worried. She probably thought I'd been severely injured or something.

"I lost my contact! I only have one!"

"How do you lose a contact?" She asked, dropping down beside me.

"Oh, I don't know maybe because it's clear, and about as big as the end of my thumb!" I heard my phone go off in the other room and I jumped up, smacking my head on the sink. "Ouch!" I cried, rubbing my head and hurrying into the other room to answer it before it woke up Tammy. I pulled my cell out of my clutch, which was on the bed. It was Danny. "Hello?" I answered.

"You ready yet? I'm out here in the lobby." What time was it? I turned to see the clock flashing 9:35pm. Fantastic.

"Yeah! Sorry, I'm kind of...losing my head up here." I was late. I mean, sure it was only five minutes but come on!

"Don't worry about it. It's kinda nice down here." I smiled, I guess he was trying to make me feel better.

"I'm on my way Danny."

"Alright then. No rush though! I did not rush you."

"I know. See you in a bit." I looked up at Katie as she'd come out of the bathroom, empty handed.

"Bye." I hung up the phone, tossing it back into my clutch.

"I gotta go." Katie crossed her arms in the doorway.

"And what about your contacts?" I knew she'd have difficulty dropping that.

"What about them? I can't find them." I turned heading toward the door as Katie ran over to my suitcase.

"Well, you know what that means." I let out a gasp, staring wide eyed at what I knew was now in her hands, of course I couldn't actually see it because she was too far away. But I knew...oh, I knew.

"No..." I whispered, backing away slowly. Katie rolled her eyes and stepped closer to me, holding my glasses out in her hands.

"Ellie, you can't see anything more than twenty feet away from you without them." There was no way I was wearing those things on my first date with Danny. I opened the door, and took off full speed down the hall and to the elevator.

"You'll never take me alive!" I shouted back, just as I scrambled into the elevator. I noticed Katie stick her head out of the door and into the hallway just as the elevator doors closed shut.

"Oh, real mature Ellie! Real mature!" I stuck my tongue out.

I made it safely to the lobby, squinting into the crowd to find Danny. I held my clutch tightly in front of me as I slowly made my way towards the door. Oh, boy did I hope he saw me first.

"Ellie?" I smiled, turning around to find Danny get up from the circular sofa. He was in a tux which was weird for me, though he looked nice. I smiled as he looked my dress up and down before remembering he'd brought me a bouquet of roses. "Thought I'd make it formal and all." I smiled, taking the roses. It was a little embarrassing, seeing as I'd never been given a bunch of roses before. Especially in front of this many people.

"Thanks."

"Yeah, you look amazing. By the way."

"Well likewise." I stepped back, but not too far back, so I could examine his black tux. "I never pictured you as the 'tux' kinda guy." Danny shrugged, smiling to himself and straightening his tie. I laughed because he was trying to seem professional.

"You'd be surprised." He held out his arm, and I looked at it in disbelief before taking it.

"Where are we going exactly?" I asked as I followed him out of the lobby. I felt my jaw drop open as I saw the limo.

"To an opera." I liked the way his accent twisted the word. He opened the door, ushering for me to climb inside. "After you." I was in shock. This just didn't seem like the same Danny from the coffee shop. I got in and waited for him to climb in on the opposite side.

"I'm impressed." And I really was. I'd never been inside a limo before, and I soon found myself checking the place out. It was ginormous, especially for only Danny and I.

"Yeah, the opera was in town so I figured I'd take you there."

"How did you know I'd wanna go see an Opera?" I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd asked Katie.

"You're a woman." Okay. So that's how it's gonna be?

"Oh alright then so for our next date, I'll just buy you some beer and we'll sit around watching football all day." Danny's smile broadened.

"Hey! That'd be some fun wouldn't it?!" I felt the urge to slap my forehead but decided against it, seeing as how that would be something Katie would do. "So that means, there's going to be a second date?" I blushed, turning to look out the window.

"Well I guess that depends on how well this one goes, doesn't it?" I turned to find him smiling at me. "So," I figured now was the time for small talk. "You said you had a beagle? Bruce?" Danny looked toward the front of the limo.

"Yep. Named after-"

"Bruce Springsteen." I nodded, "I remember he's your favorite musician right?" I smiled, happy that I'd remembered.

"So who's Edgar named after?" Apparently he'd remembered as well.

"Have you seen the Disney movie, 'the Aristocats'?" Danny laughed, clearly knowing where this was headed. "Well he's named after the butler." I bit my bottom lip from embarrassment.

"Is that your favorite movie? Or..." I shook my head.

"Nah, my favorite movie's 'Without a Paddle'."

"I love that movie! The part with the tree ladies and..." I raised an eyebrow. Waiting for him to finish. "Have you seen E.T.?" I gave him an 'uh huh' look, raising my eyebrow.

"Nice save."

"I thought so."

"So, that's your favorite movie then?" Danny nodded, reaching for the bottle of champagne which I hadn't noticed before. No. I could not drink again, especially since this time, Katie wasn't here to protect me.

"Ever since I was lil'" He smiled, handing me the glass he'd just poured.

'Alright, here's what we'll do. I'll pretend to drink it, so he doesn't feel bad.'

I mumbled a thank you, holding the glass up to my lips and letting the liquid slide into my mouth, and right back into the glass. I wanted to gag, that was the most awful drink ever! I remembered now why I never drank it on New Years.

"I hate this stuff." Danny's eyes and nose seemed to scrunch together as he choked down the last bit.

"Huh?" I sat my glass down. "Danny...then why did you pour it?" He shrugged, setting his glass down as well.

"Tom told me it was romantic." He flashed that smile of his again, the one from the time he'd asked me out, and I couldn't find myself to yell at him. Even if he was an idiot, he was a sweet idiot. I leaned over, closer to him.

"Well, I don't like it either." I whispered, as though it were a secret.

"Then why'd ya drink it? Ya silly girl!" Danny then began to laugh like I'd never seen before. I couldn't help but gasp, and smack him with my clutch.

"Because I didn't want to be rude!" I crossed my arms, sitting back in disbelief. I mean, he was the one that chose a drink he didn't even like! "And you drank it too!" I pouted.

"Yeah, but only because I thought you liked it!" His voice was still all high pitched from where he'd been laughing. It was obvious he was fighting to stop. His argument was making no since and I couldn't find myself to argue back! I opened my mouth, determined to not let him have the last word, when the limo pulled to a halt. "Well," He looked past me and out the window. I closed my mouth. "Looks like we're here." I rolled my eyes and reached for the door handle, when my door was pulled open for me. I grabbed hold of the hand that had reached down to help me out, and I stepped out onto a...red...carpet...

"Wicked." I smiled to myself. There were loads of photographers, it was like we were at some famous event only Danny and I were of no importance. I looked up at the man who had helped me out and gave him a friendly smile as he tipped his hat and stepped aside, waiting for Danny to get out of the limo. He stepped out, and I noticed him look for me.

"Ah, Mr. Jones it's nice to see you again." Danny smiled, nodded, and grabbed hold of my arm trying to hurry me inside. I was a little confused as to what his rush was.

"Mr. Jones?" I giggled once we'd gotten inside. Danny let out a 'psh', waving his arm in front of him.

"He's gotta be polite now doesn't he?" I guess...but something was beginning to seem really weird. I kept quiet as Danny gave our tickets to the ticket lady, grabbed to pamphlets and escorted me to our seats. To my dismay, we were sitting in box seats, which I suppose would have been an excellent view if only I could see. "Here you are." He handed me a pamphlet which read something in Italian I was guessing.

"Thanks."

"You know, they used to have these fancy little binocular things back in the day." Danny was trying to impress me with his knowledge, but I guess he didn't know people still used them. And that they were called Theater Binoculars.

"Really?" I smiled, pretending to be impressed. He simply nodded, turning to look at the stage. I watched down below us people began to file in, occupying the many seats. It was fascinating really, Danny and I were in the top. The box sections were for rich people, or those of importance. We were seated behind a rather old, wealthy looking couple and this made me wonder even more about Danny's career. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and somewhere below the music began to play.

"Thank you, Ellie." I jumped. I had been squinting a little too hard down at the stage. I couldn't tell if someone was on there or not.

"For what?" I looked up to find him seeming very sincere.

"For agreeing to come out with me." I smiled, glancing down at my clutch, which was lying in my lap.

"Thanks for asking." I then reached into the pocket of the seat in front of me and pulled out my Theater Binoculars, resisting the urge to look over at Danny. I didn't want to embarrass him, but I seriously couldn't see.

"Huh..." I heard him mumble, "Must have brought 'em back then." A smile began to creep across my face.

"Danny?" I asked after about an hour through the play.

"Yeah?" I tore my eyes from the stage.

"I have no idea what they're talking about." I admitted, dropping my binoculars back into the little pocket. They were speaking Italian, of course, and some woman was running around, kissing one guy, then crying because another guy said...well I don't know. My guess was that he wouldn't kiss her. Then one guy got arrested, and... I was confused. Not to mention, I could only see half of the stage. The left side was a blurry...Oh... Well, I knew where my other contact was...

"Well, you see that bird right there?" He leaned over so that his cheek was nearly touching mine. My breath caught in my throat and All I could manage was a nod. "She's in love with that bloke that got arrested."

"But what about the other guy she was snogging?" Danny laughed, turning his head to face me so that I could feel his breath on my cheek.

"He's the man she's betrothed to. That bloke's brother." I felt my eyes grow wide as I turned to find his face only inches from mine. And there went my heart.

"I..." I swallowed as Danny smiled, his eyes glancing down at my lips. "I didn't know you spoke Italian." He smiled, staring into my eyes for a moment longer. My breath quickened and I tried my best to hide it.

"I don't." He then sat back, holding up his pamphlet. "There's an English translation of the plot in the pamphlet." I bit my lip.

"Oh, right." I sat back, taking a deep breathe. Okay, what had just happened?

"Monsay!" Danny belted at the top of his lungs. We'd decided to walk home after the opera, and I was currently barefoot as we danced through the streets singing some song Danny had just taught me, at the top of our lungs. I was almost certain it was Spanish and Danny hadn't taught me the correct lyrics, but I didn't really care.

"Vivir estoy no contigo!" I sang as loudly as I could afterwords, throwing my arms in the air. A couple walking by froze as Danny knelt to the ground, throwing his arms in the air as if pleading for something from them. I laughed, running towards Danny and jumping into his arms. The bad part was, we both collapsed to the ground in a fit of laughter. The good part was, I landed on top of Danny so the fall was cushioned...or at least my fall was cushioned. There was no doubt in my mind that they thought we were drunk.

"Agh!" He shouted, propping himself up on his elbows. I leaned back, laughing so hard I was about to cry. "You're a natural aren't ya?!" Danny got up, lifting me off the ground in the process.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I bowed low swinging my heels, which were dangling in my right hand, in the air. "I'm here till Thursday! Be sure to tip your...waiter." I said to another passing couple. Danny laughed, dusting himself off and bracing himself. "What are you doing?" I giggled. He was a bit hunched down now as if expecting something to tackle him.

"Come on!" He motioned for me to run towards him, I believe. "You're gonna run at me, and I'm gonna lift you in the air!" I frowned, placing my hands on my hip.

"This isn't 'Dirty Dancing' Danny..." Try saying that five times fast. "And besides, I don't plan on falling back on the ground." My luck, I'd go soaring face first into the pavement. I turned and continued on my way back to the hotel, when I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist, lifting me pretty high in the air. I let out a shriek, just before my feet were placed back on the ground. My jaw was dropped as Danny ran ahead of me a little, laughing his butt off at my expression.

"See!" He stood up straight now, walking towards me. "That wasn't so bad now was it?" I smiled, rolling my eyes.

"You're an idiot. What was that suppose to prove?" Danny stepped closer towards me, looking down as he stood a good six inches or so taller than me.

"That I could lift you up without falling." He then smiled triumphantly and flexed his muscles. You really couldn't help but laugh. "How long are you gonna be here?" He asked as I'd continued walking.

"Another three weeks." I replied smugly.

"You don't think you'll ever...I mean, you don't like it enough to stay?"

"I love it here! It's just my mom-" I stopped. How old was Danny? I needed to fix this. "My mom doesn't want me to move so far away. She's old and, my brother and I are all she's got." I looked over to see him nod in understanding.

"I know what you mean. I got an older sis, and I don't think I could leave my mum either." We both looked at each other and half smiled. This night was too perfect to ruin with complications. Suddenly I felt Danny's hand gently grab my hand. I looked up at him and he gave me one of his brilliant smiles that made shivers run throughout my body. Was now a good time to be feeling guilty for my fib? Yes, because it wasn't a fib. It was a lie. Fib's were funny, for amusement which you always confessed to and, lies were to save you from something.

"I didn't know you had a sister." I said, changing the subject.

"Yeah, she's only 25 and she thinks she's just right about everything." I laughed,

"I'm sorry Danny, but I think that's all women." Oh...wait...

"I shouldn't comment to that right?"

"Right." I smiled up at him as we came to a stop in front of the hotel. I couldn't believe we were here already. It seemed unfair, I mean, as if Katie's date had been hours longer than mine but, the play alone was three hours...

"So," Danny cleared his throat, pulling his hand away and placing both hands in his pockets. I took this time to really look at him. Danny's tie was pulled loose, and his coat was now unbuttoned. His curly hair was now tangled and strewn every which way thanks to our stellar dance moves. "We should definitely do this again sometime!"

"Yeah, the opera was amazing. Thanks Danny." He laughed, clearly I'd misunderstood him...

"I meant the singing in the street." My mouth went in the shape of an 'O' as Danny scratched the back of his head nervously. "Most girls think it's embarrassing when I do that, and you actually joined me." I felt myself beginning to blush. I suppose most girl's would object to such behavior, but I thought it was actually fun...

"I guess I'm different." I smiled as Danny stepped closer, this was it. Oh my gosh, this was it.

"I guess so..." My heart went crazy again as his lips moved steadily closer to mine. I could feel his breath mixing with my own...

Help! I need somebody, help! Not just anybody! Help! You know I need someone! Help!

I bit my bottom lip and opened my eyes to find Danny hadn't backed away, but he was now smiling. My phone went off again and he opened his eyes.

I could have screamed.

"I'm sorry," I fidgeted with my clutch trying to get it open to pull my cell phone out. "Just-one sec." Danny smiled, nodding and stepping away a few feet. I flipped my phone open. "You better be dead, or you will be when I get up there." I snapped. I heard Danny laugh from behind me.

"Ellie! Get up here right now!" I took a breath,

"Is she awake?!" I was done for if she was. I hadn't exactly brought any clothes with me...

"No! Just," She paused probably checking to make sure Tammy really wasn't awake. "Get back up here!" I let out a growl. "Quick!" And the line went dead.

"Katie?" I looked at my screen. She hung up on me. I let out a sigh, tossing my phone back into my clutch. "Danny, I'm really sorry." He smiled, stepping closer and grabbed my shoulders, gently pulling me closer to kiss my forehead.

"It's alright, she sounded like she was freaking out about something." I laughed shrugging.

"Yeah, I better go see what's up." Why was this happening to me? "I'll see you..." Danny smiled,

"Be expecting a phone call tomorrow." Oh, the old 'I'll call you' line. I forced a smile and trudged into the hotel and up to our room. Katie was definitely going to get it. It didn't take me long to get to the door.

"Katherine Ann Anderson." I growled, throwing my clutch and shoes in a random direction. "You have the worst timing in the history of timings. Do you know that?" I shouted, stomping my foot. She stared up at me wide eyed for a second, before pressing her finger to her lips to shh me.

"Quiet! Mom's still asleep!" She motioned towards her mother and I rolled my eyes, stomping off into the bathroom to replace my contact which I'd worn, with my other. I changed into my pajama's and trudged back into the bed area, sitting down beside Katie.

"What was so important that you had to ruin what, probably, would have been the best kiss in my entire life?" Katie pointed at the t.v., opening her mouth to speak. No sound came out though, and her eyes closed slowly as she turned back to face me.

"He almost kissed you?! Like on the lips!?" I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Yes. Almost, and now he's probably never going to talk t me again." Be expecting a call tomorrow. Like I'd seriously never heard that one before?

"Whoa, I'm sorry but, look." She pointed again at the television. It was one of those 'bump its' commercials.

"I know my hair is flat Katie, but you know I've been using that new volume shampoo! You gotta give it time to work! You said you wouldn't tease me anymore!" I stood up in a huff. I couldn't believe she had me come up here for that.

"No, Ellie the show, not the commercial. Just hang on a sec." Well, that was certainly awkward... I sat down beside her. The show came back on, there were three girl's sitting on one sofa, and two guys sitting on another. They began talking about something called McFly...

"I'll tell you what, you should have seen Sam when we met McFly." One of the guys said about the other. He then began mimicking him, or how he'd supposedly acted. Then he said something that really caught my attention. "You know Danny, you look so lovely with your new curly hair!" I looked over to Katie, who was looking at me as if expecting me to start screaming again.

"Coincidence." I stated, turning back towards the television. I began laughing at how the guy named 'Sam' said that the other went in to kiss Danny. I glanced over at Katie who was still seeming a bit upset. They talked about their first reactions for another minute or two, before the screen suddenly went to someones house. "Hey!" I jumped a little as a very familiar face appeared on the screen. "He looks just like Dougie!" I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. The Dougie look-a-like walked into the house and right behind him, "Danny!" I barely had enough breath to finish. I gazed at the t.v. in amazement. This wasn't possible.

"Do you know what this means Ellie?!" I found myself nodding.

"They have twins!" Why hadn't Danny told me?! He said he only had an older sister! I flinched as Katie smacked me in the back of the head. "Hey!" I cried, grabbing the spot she'd smacked.

"Twins?! Please tell me you're joking!" I frowned, shaking my head. "Ellie! That is Danny and Dougie! And that blond guy is the one from the club! His name's Tom I think."

"They're not in a band Katie. That's insane." I crossed my arms. I couldn't believe that...even though it would explain a lot...the waitress, that guy helping us out of the limo, the limo, the photographers... "You're being silly."

"Ellie! You can't ignore this. They lied to us!" I bit my top lip, spinning around to face her.

"They did not lie. Even if they are famous, what does it matter?! We're dating rock stars. Who cares?" I went over to our bed and climbed underneath the covers, pulling them up to my chin. It wasn't possible. Danny was sweet, funny...I actually liked him and he was a rock star.

"I am not dating Dougie, Ellie, we just went on a date...I'm not seeing him anymore, and you shouldn't see Danny anymore either. You know how rock stars are." She was bringing up Jess and Nick again. Yes, we have a best friend who dates a rock star, Nick Jonas, to be exact. Jess hardly ever gets to see Nick though, he's always away on tour and it breaks Jess's heart. He even dumped her once for Miley Cyrus, though he came crawling back. Rock star's were unpredictable and I knew they couldn't stay tied down to just one girl, especially since they were always away.

"It's not them." I repeated, looking up at Katie. "And I've seen how you act around Dougie. You really like him Katie, and don't even think about pulling that tough girl act with me. I know you like the back of my hand, and you can't stay away from Dougie." She stared at me for a while. It was true, I'd never seen Katie act the way she did with Dougie, and I knew she couldn't just stop seeing him. Without another word, she walked over to her suitcase, grabbing her pajama's and heading into the bathroom. I rolled over in bed, facing the wall.

"It wasn't Danny." I said once more before drifting off.