Back on the road, the buses was now heading for Tucson which was a long journey. It was planned for them all to stop off at Oklahoma City for a stretch and some stock up on food. Hoping to catch Alex before they head off the bus, she tries to find out where everyone is planning on going to eat but it seems he's already made plans with one of the security guys. Fifi gets invited to join Maddie, Nick, Howie, Leigh, Brian and Leighanne. Thankfully they all take her mind off things.
Once everyone had eaten and time to stretch their legs, it was time to be setting off again. She didn't see Alex at all through the rest of the night and decided to make herself comfy in her bunk; maybe even read a book.
Feeling the vibration by her pillow, Fifi grabs her phone; still sleepily, she accepts the call. It's her mom, checking up on her and watching to catch up. When asked what her plans were for the day, all she could think about was staying in her bunk and eating lots of junk food. A day of reading and pigging out sounds like heaven for her although she did feel pretty whacked out. After talking on the phone for over half an hour, pangs of hunger strike her tummy so she goes to the kitchenette. As there's not much food still that she fancies, she notices that the buses are parked up at a gas station so she gets dressed. While stepping off the bus, she sees Alex standing by the entrance, smoking and bravely, she walks towards the doors past him. Kevin and one of the security guys are with him, she smiles and says hello, in particular to Alex. She looks him in the eye but he turns away, to her disappointment. Voices in her head telling her to keep walking in and just focus on browsing in the shop. Glancing out of the window once inside, she sees Alex who's laughing and messing about. Trying to avert her attention back on the food, not being able to focus and undecided, she picks some breakfast bars and fetches some fresh orange juice. When walking back to the bus, there's no sight of Alex so she just goes straight to her bunk.
A little while later, finding herself with her book laid open on her chest, she hears her name being called and she pops her head out from behind the curtain to find Nick standing there.
"Wanna join me and Maddie in the seating area, we're gonna play some card games?"
Observing him standing there with his hand holding on to the ceiling rail and his other hand on his hip, wearing a big grin on his face; how could she refuse?! She's had a nap so having a laugh with her two close friends will do her good.
Finally the buses arrive in Tucson and relieved, everyone makes their way into the hotel. This hotel looks even bigger than the last one and has more facilities.
"So what are you gonna wear tonight for the get-together! I don't want to be too dressed up but something quite nice."
"I actually don't know... It's rather warm here so probably a little jumpsuit or dress, maybe? I'll do my hair in a loose chignon to keep my next cool... Like me to do something with yours Maddie?"
"Hey ladies, what you up to?!"
Nick trying his best to charm the two girls with his trademark smile ad wrapping his arm around Fifi's waist. Maddie was walking in front of them. Fifi feels glad of Nick's comfort.
"Nick, why don't you hang out with us while we get ready? We'll blast some tunes through the speakers and order some room service."
Laughing to himself...
"Cheers Fifi, but how about I come back in say an hour's time? Then I can sort myself out, hopefully you'll both be ready and then we can order room service. Watching you women getting ready, kinda gets a bit boring."
"Oh okay then." She mutters under her breath trying not to feel down...
"It's not as if you've not seen me before, I just wanna hang out with you, anyway, never mind."
Then she sees Nick looking at her, smiling and he pulls her in for a hug...
"Maybe if it was just you, then I would." Whispering in her ear so Maddie couldn't hear him and blushing; she smirked back at him and told him she'd see him soon. With that, Fifi closes the door and Nick wanders off to his own room. For the next hour, the girls are busy prepping themselves for the get-together. Out of the blue, there's a knock at the door so Maddie goes to see who it is and it's Nick. As he sits down, scanning the room; his eyes are brought to attention when he spots Fifi getting ready in the bathroom. The door is ajar and he watches, licking his lip when he sees her sliding on her pink dress; damn his thoughts go to where they shouldn't.
They chose what they wanted to order and sat about chatting whilst listening to some random music, waiting for the food to arrive. The food came and just as they finished, Brian and Leighanne knock at the door. They all had a few drinks and thought they better make their way down to the private bar to join everybody else. Alex had kept his distance from Fifi and averted his eyes when he realised she was looking at him, who was obviously trying to work him out. She was starting to feel withdrawn and she couldn't understand why he was being so hostile towards her. By now it was getting late and all Fifi felt like doing was hiding out in her room. She had one last dance and then finished her coke before saying bye to everyone.
A bit of time passes and Maddie was just coming in the room trying to be quiet, nt wanting to wake Fifi up. Although unbeknown to her, Fifi is still awake but had decided to face the wall away from Maddie. Maddie was finally in bed and immediately, she was asleep with her breathing heavy whilst Fifi laid there in the dark with tears falling down her cheek.
It is now the next day and it's a show day, when Fifi opens her eyes thinking she overslept. She looks over to where Maddie was sound asleep. Surprised when she checks the time on her phone and clambers out of bed to explore outside the window. It makes her squint as the sun is shining so brightly, gleaming on the glass roof down below. Dressing and washing herself, grabbing her book, she sets off to a secluded little area out in the garden. Perching down on a padded bench in a mystical fairytale themed section, tiredly forces her mind to concentrate on her book. Still, she can't believe that she's up and outside at five in the morning; but what's the point of staying in bed where she can't sleep. Some time passes by and she's disturbed when Alex's voice startle her...
"A classic there; Macbeth is it?"
She looks up; before her heavy, sleepless eyes, she's face to face with him and she mumbles back to him...
"Yeah, I expect it not your thing is it?"
"It is, that's why I said a classic. Don't just assume with me, I may look like I'm some hard nut but I'm not, not really!"
Taken aback slightly but politely offers him to sit down next to her.
"Maybe for a little while then. So, what other Shakespeare have you read?"
"Twelfth Night and now this one. Everyone knows Romeo and Juliet. You?"
"I've read a fair few. I remember you used to like reading years ago, it's nice to see you still so. I am sorry about what happened with us, I shoudn't have lead you on like I did, Fifi."
Astonished by this unexpected apology and perhaps a little angry at his confusing statement, she knows he didn't lead her on so what is he talking about.
"You didn't lead me on Alex. We were in a relationship togeter or I thought we were, anyway."
"You don't get what I mean, oh never mind. I'm off, see ya!"
Tears try to fall but Fifi manages to hold herself together and goes back into the hotel. Searching through her phone contacts, she dials a number for someone who she knows she can talk to... Shakily, trying to speak on the phone and thankfully, they answer straight away. Walking to their room, she feels her footsteps move faster and soon she is knocking on the door. The door opens; with her bloodshot eyes and unable to speak, she's invited into the room and she runs into the arms of Nick. Stepping away from the door to close it, he wraps his arms around her, cradling her and stroking her hair. Eventually, her breathing calms down.
"Want to sit down babe? It's okay, I'm here. Come on, I'll take you over to the sofa."
So hand in hand, he leads her to the sofa without saying a word.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Nick, I'm such a mess. I can't cope, not sure I can handle being on tour; I love it but I'm no sleeping. I'm isolating myself and struggling concentrating when I'm supposed to be working... I... I need to leave."
"What will I do without you here? Can I do something to help I thought you were enjoying working with us?"
Sensing from her lack of response, he's really worrying about her... Hopelessly wanting to get to the bottom of why Fifi is in so much distress, he tries again to get more information out of her...
"Fifi, if I can help, then please let me. You're not making much sense, if you love it so much then what's the problems?"
"I... I...I'm so confused. I don't see any other way apart from leaving, I need to get my head sorted out. I'm up, down, angry and excited..."
Pushing a strand of hair off her face, he cups her chin...
"Why don't you give it a few days, hang out with me and see how you feel... Maybe by then, things might feel more bearable. If it gets too much, we'll take a breather away from everyone and I can be there for you properly."
It's the only thing he could think of, he doesn't want her to regret leaving the tour especially as she loves the job so much bht in his mind, he thinks he's figured out what or who the problem is. His gut instinct is telling him it's Alex.
"Nick, okay, I'll stay. Hopefully things will improve and get easier. Us girls proper suck!"
"Well, that ain't a bad thing!"
"Typical blow, always thinking of that!!"
This made them both chuckle. She was glad he could make her laugh and relax the way he did, even if it was stuff like this. They stayed on the sofa with their arms cradling one another for a short time. Nick's stomach started to rumble so he ordered some food from room service.
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