Gravity

I was exhausted after the show. There were three wardrobe malfunctions. Two of which involved CC's pants, causing his backside to be visible. Despite his protests, it needed to be fixed. One of Jake's guitars broke and Ashley broke a microphone. I had been running around from start to finish until I had finally retrieved to my bus.

I remained in my bunk, staring up at the ceiling. I had put some music on to keep me company. Ashley wanted Dee in his room tonight. Just Dee. Although CC offered his room, I felt uncomfortable. His room had only one bed. I wasn't up to sharing or kicking him out, so I retreated to my bus.

The drivers were gone on someone else's bus. We wouldn't be leaving until the next day anyways. I liked being alone most of the time, but I had gotten so used to having Ashley, CC, and Dee by my side I didn't enjoy the feeling anymore.

"Anyone home?" A voice called when I heard the bus door open. The voice was deep, but smooth like velvet. I knew it was him.

"Just a minute!" I called. I grabbed the stack of letters, shoving them to the side of the bunk, not caring if they were wrinkled, and closing my emails on my computer before sliding my computer to the edge of the bed, out of sight. I jumped down, fixing myself in the mirror. I had changed out of my outfit into a pair of jeans and a baggy Batman shirt. I attempted to fix myself, but didn't want to keep Andy waiting. Deeming myself presentable, I stepped out into the lounge.

Andy stood there. His makeup was off, hair wet from a recent shower, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. He was grinning, a black guitar in his hand and some sheets of paper. I smiled, "What's up?" I asked.

"Nice shirt," He smirked and I blushed. I was embarrassed to have him see me dressed like before. I had at least kept my makeup on, but I still felt insecure. "I told you I would get you to play. So I figured we could play together," He held up the guitar.

"Uh, I don't really feel like it," I said softly and his smile fell to a frown.

"Of course you aren't. You're shy, remember?" He asked and sat down, "But it's okay because you're only playing in front of me. No big deal," He smiled. He was oblivious to what he did to me.

Sighing, I sat down on the couch next to him and grabbed my own guitar, leaning against the armrest next to me. I pulled it on to my lap and Andy did the same with his, "Know any good songs?" Andy asked, "That we can play together?"

"Uh, not really," I shrugged and he once again frowned.

"I don't like it when you lie to me," He sighed, "Do you know 'Buried Alive' by Avenged?" He asked and I nodded. "I'm not very good. Or, not as good as Jake and Jinxx, but we'll manage," He grinned and put his hand to the strings.

He started to pluck at the strings, but I did nothing. My hands were shaking too much for me to do anything. I just stared at my shoes, and hoped he wouldn't notice. Still, I heard his guitar stop and I felt his eyes on me, "You're not playing," He stated as if it were the most shocking thing in the world.

"I can't," I whispered.

"Ken, you can do it. Just play the part," He urged. The thought of messing up in front of Andy kept swirling in my mind. I shook my head and I could hear him attempting to encourage me when I felt hot tears on my face. "Kennedy!" He exclaimed and I turned to him. His eyes full of guilt. I moved to leave but he caught me.

He sighed, setting down the guitar. He reached over and removed mine, setting it gently on the other side of the couch before leaning over and wrapping his arms around me. I froze, not able to move. He was warm, like Christmas, and it enveloped me like nothing I had ever experienced. I then lifted me arms and wrapped them around his neck, burying my face in his neck. He too did the same, pulling me closer and holding me tighter. He sighed, "You don't have to be afraid of anything," He said softly. "Will you try to stop crying?" He asked and I nodded.

I didn't say anything, I just savored the moment. Slowly my tears subsided, and all that remained were the small but quiet hiccups that occurred from not getting enough air. Soon enough those were gone too, and we were in silence. He pulled away looking at me. It wasn't until he reached forward and put his thumb on my cheek that I realized there was still a tear lingering on my cheek. He smiled softly, wiping the tear away and I couldn't help but give a smile back.

Exhausted from my min-breakdown, I leaned back on the couch. I nestled between the armrest and the pillow, only for Andy to crawl to my side of the couch so he was leaning on me. His head was on my shoulder, his arm lazily tossed over my lap, his fingertips brushing my hips. He sighed, "This is extremely comfortable," He noted and I took in a deep breath. I remained there, too content to move away. "Hey, Ken?" He asked.

"Y-Yeah," I managed to say.

"Can you play with my hair like you did earlier today?" He asked. His voice was innocent, completely pure. Nothing wrong with the question.

I raised my hair and ran my fingers through his black locks. He smiled faintly at the gesture, becoming completely relaxed as I continued. And I didn't stop.

-

Andy couldn't help but feel extremely warm as he leaned closer into Kennedy. He refrained from gripping her waist. As much as he wanted to create imaginary circles on her hips, he stopped himself.

Andy didn't understand why he felt something fluttering in his stomach. His heart was beating faster as Kennedy continued to intertwine her long fingers in his hair. It was still damp, and her warm fingers created a soothing sensation, causing goosebumps to rise on his skin.

He focused on Kennedy's movements. They began to slow gradually, to just her fingers barely moving. He tried not to move too much as he looked up, her eyes closed peacefully. He sighed, but instead of moving to leave, he leaned back down and cuddled closer to her. Thinking back, he never had moments like this with Kat. Sure, Kat liked to sit on his lap and hold his hand, but they were never intimate like this. They were never simple. Kat always did something seductive to ruin an innocent moment, and they would end up rolling around on the bed (or couch) for a few hours. It was afterwards that Andy would hope to get moments like that, but Kat either always left or fell asleep.

Suddenly, Andy felt guilt running through him. He had a girlfriend, he thought, a girlfriend he loved. Here he was, comparing Kat to someone he saw as his best friend. Sure, Kennedy didn't always act like a best friend towards him. She was awkward at times, and usually reminded him that she was an employee. But Andy couldn't help the connection he felt with her. She was always there. He wasn't sure why these feelings came up, or when they actually started. He had always felt something for Kennedy, but Kat had always come first.

Andy sat up, looking down at Kennedy. He couldn't help but smile as he saw how adorable she looked cuddled against the couch in a Batman shirt. He brought a hand up to her cheek, brushing his fingers over the porcelain-like skin. They feathered across her cheek, barely caressing her. He sighed, looking away and taking a few deep breaths, "Don't think like this, Andy. It's just a phase," He muttered, "You're just missing Kat," He assured. Deep down, he knew that wasn't the case.

Andy stood, leaning down and taking Kennedy in his arms. One arm under her knees, another behind her neck. He lifted her slowly, and she let out a small whimper, and he smiled. She cuddled into him, not realizing that he was actually carrying her. He walked slowly over to the bunks, careful not to let any part of her body bang up against the walls. He didn't want to wake her.

When he approached her bunk, he stopped. He didn't want to let go. He kind of just wanted to stay there, holding her in his arms with her head pressed against his chest. He once again took in a deep breath before leaning forward and gently placing her in her bunk. He pushed the blankets aside, seeing a lot of papers shoved in different places. He laughed, "You work too hard," He said softly. He pushed the papers and envelopes aside, not bothering to look at them. He figured they were just papers regarding tour and all of the legalities.

When her head hit the pillow, Andy pulled the covers to her shoulders and watched as she took in several long and soft breaths. He leaned forward to press a kiss to her cheek, but stopped. An image of Kat immediately crossed his mind. Instead, he reached forward and gave her shoulder a soothing rub before he stepped away and out of the bunks.

He tried not to look back as he left the bus, heading to his own. But he knew he wouldn't get any sleep, despite how exhausted he was.

There was too much on his mind.

-

"Will you get dressed, already!" Dee shouted.

"I have to get this letter on their bus," I told her. I grabbed the envelope, still shoved into the side of my bunk, and sealed it before running out the door and towards the band bus. They were all getting ready in the hotel, leaving me to sneak on silently.

Andy had left sometime after I fell asleep. I don't remember falling asleep. I assumed he had picked me up and carried me to the bunk sometime before he left, because I didn't wake up on the couch like I had expected to.

I shoved the letter in the middle of the stack of other letters that the boys received on tour and quickly ran out, heading back to the bus where Dee was waiting impatiently, already dressed.

We were back in San Diego. And in a few days we would be in Hollywood for two shows, an album release party, then we would be off to Europe. I knew once we were back in Hollywood, Kat would be back at Andy's side.

Dee looked fabulous as always. She wore a black dress with a royal blue pattern on it, to match her freshly died blue hair. She was getting tired of the green. Her shoes were sky-high, as always, and her makeup was flawless, "You're outfit is already layed out. And for God's sake, don't try to change it," She threatened.

I had no intentions of doing so. I was still embarrassed about my little crying fiasco with Andy, and I felt like I needed to redeem myself. Tonight Andy was going out with us, and I wanted him to see that I could dress like Kat. I could be sexy if I wanted to. So I wasn't going to hold back.

My dress was short and all black with thick straps on the shoulders. Around the mid section, pieces were cut out to show off my skin. I paired it with a pair of red heels, added some jewelry, and left my hair down and wavy. I wore bright red lips and smoky eyes. I truly felt sexy, and tonight I was going to let go.

"You look hot," Dee complimented.

"I know!" I laughed and she shook her head, smiling.

Outside the boys were also dressed. CC was waiting for me. I walked beside him and he smiled down at me. Ashley sent me a wink, and we began the short walk to the bar.

Nothing was going to stop me.