Aim High, Never Rest

The elevator door opened, revealing the typical events of the lobby in superstardom resort, Palm Woods. 

It's just an eventless Sunday morning with nothing really happening for me. I woke up at a usual reasonable time. Tyson made breakfast consisting of chicken wings and mini hot dogs. We ate in constant chatter of me rolling my eyes at the silly antics Nathan and Tyson performed.

The past week has been great, consisting of Hawk prepping us up for the first release of our currently unnamed EP. He listened through each track carefully, professionally approving the five songs entirely.

Our manager handpicked five out of the seventeen songs we have. The choices were definitely successful since the head of our record label approved our wonderful songs. 

The only work we had to physically do at this moment is to record some extra parts to provide for our tracks. Some sounded scratched and recorded unprofessionally from a laptop, which was a completely accurate statement. 

Hawk called a studio session at two so I still have some time to kill before the limo arrive, prior to the session. And I was hoping something worth masquerading my time would occur in this boring lobby. 

My long, black, high-heeled boots clonked softly against the carpet floor and my dark colored eyes wandered around the area, taking in the dull atmosphere. 

The usual pool-chillin' crew was chilling at their usual spot at the pool outside the lobby. Mr. Bitters was behind his counter as usual, talking to Hannah, who also happened to show up in the same exact spot she always stood commonly. She's probably pestering at him about something irrelevant and stupid, as always. Camille was moving her hands around intensely with her method acting script in front of her on her usual spot, the couch. Why can't there be something different for once? Why can't something eye-popping and worth associating with just walk in the lobby and kill the drowning typical scenery? 

As my mind processed the wishful thoughts, the front door to the hotel opened. The doorman helped keep the door open as a dude in a striped shirt and grey jacket struggled with the luggages whilst making his way to the other side of the open barrier between outdoors and the lobby. 

He managed to drag his way into the lobby, revealing his face. My eyes widened in some sort of shock. I don't know what that was but I'm starting to freak out. My heart has this unusual feeling of pounding uncontrollably and I have to hold back a giggle. It's disgusting. 

His messy, light brown hair blocked his eyes. He huffed loudly, blowing the strands out of his eyesight to improve his vision of making it over to the counter. Aware of this, Bitters shooed Hannah away from his counter and shot the new guy a fake plastered smile. The smile he commonly used for his guests.

I don't know what this feeling is but it's definitely a good one. It's like I'm suddenly just content on studying the person. My eyes gazed intensely at the minor hand gestures he makes during a conversation with the grumpy manager. The way his tall body structure took its stance fascinated me. It stood respectfully still with some form of slackness slump to it. 

The way his eyes fluttered when...

"Maxi, what's up?" a hand landed on my shoulder, shooting my body form upwards in shock and unexpected surprise. I turned to the offender with a hard gaze. No surprise it was Kendall, ruining my rarely wonderful moment, again.

"Get lost" I spat at him, turning away to get another good look at the new guy at the counter.

He took a folded piece of paper out of his hoodie pocket and gave them to Bitters. A faint smile can be seen on his face. 

"You like him" came out of Kendall's mouth. My head snapped away from the guy to the annoying hockey-hooligan. 

My jaw dropped, eyes widened in shock. 

"Maxine Johnson, the cold hearted singer, finally has a crush on someone!" his lips broke out into a smirk.

My glare hardened and my lips twitched slightly,

"I do not have a crush on him" I growled, controlling my voice level. I cannot throw another angry fit at Kendall now. The new guy will see and I'm in a relatively good mood for someone who's always so pissed off at everyone. 

"You so have a crush on Jordan" he said, matter-of-factly. 

My whole facade dropped.

"Jordan?" 

"Yeah, that's his name" Kendall looked to be proud of himself. I so want to wipe that look off of his face.

My eyebrows suddenly raised.

"How do you..."

"He's in a band and decided to record some vocal and guitar parts with Gustavo after having creative differences with his previous producer. We often see him around Rocque Records" he explained.

My whole mind went blank and it's so unusual that my conscious is trying to convince me that I actually do like the guy.

"Oh"

"I have an idea!" Kendall point his index finger up in the air, full of readied ideas.

"How about, no?" 

"I'm going to help you with Jordan!"

"No"

"You need it"

I glared at him once again. 

"What?"

"I don't need your help" I spat out.

"Yes you do!" he said in a smartass tone. It ticked me off how confident he was with this.

"I don't need some amateur telling me how to talk to a guy" I replied, rolling my eyes.

"I..." he points to himself, "... am not an amateur" 

"Kendall, honestly, what do you know about crushing and dating a guy?" 

"Everything!" his hands flew into the air in excitement. "Your motive is to make a move and flirt with Jordan. Jordan is a guy. And I know what guys want in a girl and what they would like to see in a girl. Because I..." he gestured his hands towards himself again with a smug grin, "...am a guy".

I groaned and grumbled a 'fine' before letting him run off to Jordan, who just happened to step away from the counter with his room card in hand. 

"Nice to see you here, Jordan" Kendall started the conversation.

"Kendall, what's up dude?" the two shared a hand shake and I couldn't help but admire the way his light brown eyes sparkled when he was engaged in talking to another person. 

"Just trying to find a way to find something productive to do"

"Well, at least you don't need to spend endless hours on unpacking the stupid things in this" Jordan tapped his fingers gently against his black suitcase.

I couldn't help but smile at the way he chuckles casually in a non-sophisticated conversation like this one.

"So, Jordan, I was wondering. Since you are in a band, already broken out into the music scene, you could be helpful to my friend over there" Kendall pointed at me, Jordan's gaze following after.

I shot Kendall a death threat look. He was making me sound desperate. Kendall really wasn't good at playing wingman. 

What surprised me was Jordan smiling his adorable smile, walking towards me with Kendall in tow.

"Hey" his expression shined brightly.

"Hi" I gave him a small wave, trying to hold back a big grin. I would look stupid if I failed my pokerface. Kendall is still an idiot for putting my face at risk of humiliation. 

"So you are in a band? Or what's the deal?" he asked, voice cheery and casual. His lips tugged upwards on the right which I find very amazing. 

"Yeah, my band just signed with a record company and we are preparing for our first release" I explained, trying to sound joyful and not spiteful like my usual demeanor. 

His lips formed a thin line and his eyes told me that he was deep in thoughts. Kendall just stood beside him, trying to rub his failed accomplishment in my face. He only forced the guy to talk to me, it wasn't an accomplishment. It wasn't even big help at all. Kendall is horrible at being my wingman.

"Did you eat yet?" Jordan broke the silence.

I shook my head.

"I'm going to drop my stuff off in my room. But do you want to get lunch with me in ten?"

My whole insides exploded. Is this how having a crush on someone feel like? My body feels weird and a jolt of excitement passed through me. At this moment, nothing else really mattered. Not even the stupid idiot standing beside him.

"Well?" I realized I still haven't given him an answer.

"That sounds great! See you in ten minutes!" I said enthusiastically.

He shot me another grin before dragging his things to the elevator.

"I told you I was good!" Kendall said, smug look on his face.

"Yeah, yeah"

"I think someone owes me an apology and a thankful comment"

I rolled my eyes at him, trying to hide my excitement. But he could easily see right through me. I just knew it.

"Sorry Kendall, and thank you for helping me. But I still hate you" I added the last comment in a low voice.

"Yeah I know, didn't expect anything less. Go get ready for the lunch date!" Kendall pushed me towards the elevator that Jordan just entered. 

"Why do I need to go there for?" I asked.

"Never mind" Kendall pulled me away from the elevator.

I sat down on the sofa across from Camille. She's a psycho bitch. That's all I gotta say!

She overdo her roles and that is definitely why she didn't get them. Over achieving won't get you anywhere. That's what I believe, at least. Just do what you have to do and not go overboard with it. If I decided that before Hawk mapped out my career, I plan out what I should wear in public and design everything myself prior to my new EP release then Hawk wouldn't like it and drop our band. We are supposed to do what we gotta do and finish the rest when it's the appropriate time. 

I believe acting is almost the same thing. But I won't tell her anytime soon. It's none of my business and if she fails, she fails. If she succeeds, she succeeds. Not my problem.

"There's my lady" Kendall's happy tone interrupted my thoughtful insight on Camille.

My head turned to the general direction Kendall pointed out. Jo walked through the door, smiling cheerfully like her life is so perfect. I despise people living a perfect life. It's not fair.

"Hey, you" Kendall poked her nose when she was close enough to touch. 

Smiling, she pecked his lips.

"Hi Maxine" she greeted with a small wave.

I mumbled a greeting and attempt to turn away.

"How are you?" she asked me.

"Good. I got some tracks to run with Hawk" I answered.

Her eyes grew wide and her whole cheery mood dropped. I glanced over at Kendall to see the same.

"What?" I snapped at them, crossing my arms.

"Hawk?" they both screamed. 

I groaned at them. What are they going to complain about now? Why can't they just leave me alone and stop trying to bring problems onto me? 

"Whatever" I turned away just to be pulled back again. 

"Maxine, Hawk is terrible" Kendall started.

"Yeah... Every band under his label is talentless and usually end up getting nowhere in the music scene!" Jo finished for him.

My eyebrows furrowed at the comment. How dare she trash my band like that? She doesn't know what it's like being in the music scene so she has no right to judge. But my band is amazing and we work so hard trying to get a record label. She decides to try to ruin it. I officially despise her even more.

"Shut up, my band has talent. You wouldn't know since you have no experience in the music industry. We work so damn hard to be here and I don't think you have much authority and place in judging my band and I"

"I didn't..."

"I don't want to hear your stupid voice" 

Kendall's eyes grew even wider, now trying to pull Jo away from me.

"Hey, can't you approach this situation in a nice way? I didn't even mean it like that!" Jo snapped back, surprising me that there's a feisty side to this perfect little angel.

"Don't make excuses. I don't take shit from anyone. Especially from someone like you!" I fought, raising my volume a notch higher this time.

"Let's go" Kendall literally had to drag her to the elevator.

"Good luck Maxi!" Kendall yelled.

"Go to hell!" I shouted back.

He ignored me.

When the elevator door opened for Kendall and Jo, Jordan came out from it. The trio shot each other signs of greetings before the pair got in and Jordan got out.

He spotted me on the couch looking rather grumpy. 

He made his way over and I had to fake a plastered smile. Being in a bitchy mood is no way to start a first date with someone I actually like.

"Hey Maxine, you okay? You seem kind of on edge" he put a hand on my shoulder.

My whole body was in shock at the contact. His touch made me feel so helpless. This is serious and I better make the best out of this lunch date.

"I'm fine, thanks. Let's go!" I pointed towards the hotel dining room. 

He nodded respectfully, gesturing for me to enter the area first. Possibly, wanting me to go first due to his unfamiliarity of this hotel. 

The waitress brought us to a table and we sat down across from each other. I honestly expected him to hold out a chair for me but obviously, I know nothing about a casual first date with another person because he didn't.

He pushed his side bangs out of his face and shifted his seating closer to the table.

"So Maxine, right?" I nodded, tinting a little smile.

"How did your band form?" he asked, crossing his legs. His eyes gazed at me and my response in interest. I wonder if he really cared about the story of my band or Kendall forced him to. 

"There really isn't an interesting story to how the band formed. My friends and I got together and decided to make a band since we all played instruments"

"Are you willing to do what it takes to make it far?" I nodded.

"That's good. Let me tell you that it's not easy. It took my band a lot of time to get recognition" he explained, eying the waitress that just came over with the menu.

"Order anything, this meal's on me" he gestured towards the menu in front of me.

I grinned, picking up the folded plastic.

My eyes skimmed through the list carefully, indecisiveness kicking in. I can't seem to focus on choosing what food I want to order. I'm very confused to what I should do. What kind of food should I order to impress him? Why am I over-thinking this?  

"Choose anything, really" he insisted.

I nodded, finalizing my choice.

We both made our decisions and placed our menus back down on the table. 

"So, what are you doing at Palm Woods?" I started, desperate for any kind of conversation.

"My band is in the process of recording our second studio album. The rest of my band already recorded their parts with the producer in New York..."

"You're from New York?" I cut in.

He nodded.

"Me too!"

"Poughkeepsie?"

"No, Manhattan" 

"Anyways, the producer dated my sister and they didn't end on good terms so it was extremely awkward to work with him. So I decided to work with Gustavo Rocque instead. I've known this man for a while and I respect his view on my music" 

"Wow that sounds interesting!" I said, taking a sip of water from the glass cup on the table.

"Well, it's a bother to move out here. If it weren't for Gustavo, I wouldn't have chosen a place so far from home"

"Yeah and also it's very..." heavy footsteps interrupted my speech. Jordan's attention averted from me to something behind me, out of my peripheral vision.

"Jessica, how dare you steal my boyfriend away from me?" before I could even look up at the offender, I feel water thrown at me, soaking my whole face. 

I huffed, shaking the liquid substance off. 

When I was done, I see Camille holding my once-filled glass cup. What the hell was that for? That ungrateful bitch. How dare she do this to me on my first date, basically ruining it.

"Camille, what the hell was that?" I yelled, unable to control my anger anymore. I feel like a volcano, ready to erupt dangerously any second.

"I was practicing for my role in..." 

"I don't care, leave me alone! I don't even like you, what makes you think you can go up to me and mess with me?" I pushed myself up from my seat, staring  up at her icily. She gulped and turned away.

"I'm really sorry, Maxine" 

I huffed again, sitting down.

"Have a good day guys!" Camille exclaimed awkwardly, dashing out of the restaurant.

"Oh my god, I feel so embarrassed right now" I groaned, banging my head against the table.

This was not a way to start my first date. It really isn't. Jordan probably thinks I'm a freak now. Not that I'm not. He just didn't have to know. I guess he knows now.

"That was funny though" Jordan chuckled. I looked up at him, meeting his eyes.

"Maxine, don't be mad. You'll be fine. Let's just eat" Jordan reassured and I immediately felt better. I didn't care how uncomfortable I feel with my wet hair dripping on my clothes. He was across from me, not thinking any different of me. That's all I care about now.

When we were done with lunch, he paid for the bills and we walked back to the lobby together.

"If you ever need any advice for your band and music, don't hesitate to ask me. It's always nice conversing with a fellow musician" he said, grinning.

"Yeah, thanks" I muttered, not knowing what else to say.

Is this the part where he kisses me? I hope so.

"See you around"

Pause.

No kiss.

He turns to leave.

"Yeah, see you" I mumbled at his retreating figure.

As soon as Jordan retreated to the elevator, my band animals piled out. 

They made sounds of savages and charged at me.

"Max, where the hell have you been? We've been worried that you'd miss this studio session!" Tyson screamed, attacking me with a hug.

"Get off" I shoved him away from me, rolling my eyes.

"Where were you though?" Collin asked.

"Screw off" I gritted through my teeth.

"The limo's at the door!" Nathan yelled, catching all of our attention, as well as most people at the lobby.

"Let's go!"