What Happens Under The Sun

''How long was that line? You left to get your drink like fifteen minutes ago!'' Jessica said when I returned to the table.

''And why are you do wet?'' Jordan added.

''I was following this guy and got locked outside in the back lot.'' I said. It wasn't a total lie.

''Did you get his number?'' Jessica asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

''No, I lost him when I got locked out.'' I said and she laughed.

''Oh well, win some loose some, now come and drink!'' she said.

''Actually I think I've had a bit too much, I'm feel pretty queasy and my head is pounding.'' I lied, hoping it would stick.

''Liar.'' Jessica accused instantly. She knew me to well to believe that I was feeling sick after a few drinks. I was once in a shot drinking competition with a forty-year-old Russian guy and won.

''Am not!'' I defended but it was a lost cause, she was on to me.

''That guy you met obviously invited you back to his place, so quit lying about it and go.'' She said and I thanked god for how much more believing Jessica was when she'd had a few.

''But my dad…'' I trailed off. I still had to cover that base. He'd want to know and I didn't want Jessica to tell him I'd gone home with some guy.

''If he asks, you're sick as a dog.'' She said, picking up her glass.

''Thanks Jess!'' I said.

''Nooo problem, besides I wanted the apartment to myself tonight.'' She said, looking at Jordan. Her hand disappeared under the table and Jordan perked up immediately.

''Have fun.'' She said, but her eyes were locked on him.

That had gone perfectly. I had made sure that neither Jessica nor my dad would be wondering where I was tonight. It couldn't have gone better.

I still had a bit of time though, Tom hadn't called yet. I decided to go to the bathroom and freshen up. There was no doubt in my mind that the photographers were still out front waiting for someone famous to come out not wearing underwear or hammered out of their mind and even though I wasn't 'big news' there were bound to be a few shots snapped of me leaving and I didn't want to look like a complete hobo.

I wiped off the makeup that had smudged down my cheeks and put some water in my hair. I tried to make it look intentionally messy; it worked well enough. My phone buzzed in my purse and my heart leapt.

''Outside waiting, hurry up, I miss you already.'' It was from Tom. My heart thudded in my chest as I left the bathroom.

I wove through the crowd and narrowly avoided being seen by my dad. That could have been disastrous. I did spot Jessica on the dance floor though and she winked exaggeratedly at me.

The second I stepped outside, cameras started going off. The flashes seemed to die down though once they realized I wasn't that important.
There was a black limo waiting at the curb and the driver got out to open the door as I got closer. From outside of the car, you couldn't see anything inside, but I knew that when I got in, Tom would be waiting.

''Finally.'' Tom said, sliding towards me the second the door was closed.

He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me softly.

''Home then Mr. Kaulitz?'' the driver asked when he got back in.

''Definitely.'' I answered for him.

''I love you.'' Tom whispered in my ear and I smiled widely. I couldn't help but admit how nice it felt to have that fact out in the open, to allow it to be out in the open.

''I love you.'' I said, turning and pressing my lips against his. Something told me that this would be a common phrase throughout the rest of the evening.

We sat in silence most of the way back to Tom's apartment; not because there was nothing to say, but because nothing needed to be said. It was like that morning at the resort when we'd spent roughly an hour just looking at each other, only now we knew just what those looks and touches meant. We knew we were in love.

Let's face it, we always had been.

I had been so far in denial that when I finally admitted the truth, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I didn't have to force myself not to feel anymore, I didn't have to pretend that I didn't want him with every fiber of my being. We didn't have to pretend anymore.

We walked up to his apartment, hand in hand, and I couldn't help but smile at the amazing free feeling that washed through me at our open display of affection.

When we got up to his apartment, he unlocked and opened the door. Before I could even step inside, he turned around and blocked the doorway. I furrowed my eyebrows.

''What are you- ah!''