Luggage, done. Shoulder bag, done. Passport and Visa, done. She had everything set for her trip to the United States, a journey she had been planning for weeks. Her boss only gave his employees one during the summer to have their respective break, week she would use to visit friends overseas. Much organizing needed to be done in the previous days she had to remain in the city in order to get it all ready. Hence why she couldn't accept Damon's invitation to Spain, Lebanon and Syria, next three stops for the band. He was disappointed for her refusal but he understood this was the right thing to do. Their time down south had been marvelous, the best in months. He spoke to her about his feelings and she seemed to respond equally. But both were aware of their particular situation. They were not a formal couple, at least not yet. Now it was up to distance, time, and especially her, to decide what was to happen next. Hopefully it would benefit him.
Long, exhausting and exasperating. Such had been the trip and Melissa was grateful for finally setting foot over American soil. Since she would only remain for a week there were no major issues on her stop in Immigration. What seven days they would be though. Her two friends Diana and Gina, coming from California and Florida respectively, would all meet with her in no other than Las Vegas, a place they've always wanted to go to. Seven days of excitement just ahead and she couldn't wait for them to start.
Their encounter was joyful to say the least. After months of communicating through the internet they were finally able to meet in person and catch up in their respective lives. From then on meals were taken, malls were invaded, hotels and attractions were visited. As was expected they attended as many bars and night clubs as possible, dancing the night away and having the most fun one could experience in such a bustling city. The girls became restless during their stay, never stopped partying. It was the perfect way to celebrate their being young.
The shrill ring of the phone made her stop her process of putting on her pajamas. How weird, in the middle of the night? It dawned on her instantly it might've been 3:30 am in the Pacific coast, but it was already full morning in Britain, the only place she could expect a call from. Did something happen? Or maybe it was just Damon wanting to talk for a few minutes? She prayed nothing was wrong as she lifted the receiver. Sure enough, she had a phone call from London. "Oh God, I hope everything's alright..." "Hello, Melissa?" The voice at the other end startled her. "Paul?" Shocking, was it really him calling? "Wow, you recognized me immediately." Her initial surprise was instantly replaced with a girly chuckle as she explained: "You have a very recognizable voice, maybe you haven't noticed." "Ha. Anyway, how've you been? How's Vegas?" "It's been so much fun, this is such a cool city...wait a minute, how did you get this number?" "Where else? From the email you sent Jamie telling where you're staying. I was with him when he first read it. I know it was for him and Damon but I hope you don't mind my prying in and calling you." She had to admit it was pleasant to hear him, even while she thought it was Damon at first. "Paul, you're so not annoying. On the contrary, I love talking with you so your call was a nice closing to the night." About four silent seconds passed on until he answered in a mellow tone: "Thank you sweetheart, that made my day." He asked her of the things she had been doing in the States, responding and jokingly swearing she hadn't slept with anyone even when the circumstances encouraged it. Overall it was a comforting way to go to bed, listening his voice.
Like any other woman with her friends, she told them about Paul's late night phone call and proceeded to explain how she met him, Damon and the others, as well as the subsequent unbelievable events. They were attentive, listening with no interruptions to her conversation. It wasn't until she was finished that they gave their opinions on the subject. Undoubtedly Damon liked her as much as she liked him. However, by her account of things, there was a slight possibility, if not a high one, Paul was interested in her the same way. Especially considering his attentions and demeanor towards her. Plus, his phone call? Only a person with romantic intentions would bother to call someone located on the other side of the world. Or he's such a close friend he merely wanted to say hi; such was Melissa's hypothesis. "Besides", she added, "how could he possibly have feelings for me? There's no fucking way, he's too old for me. A man his age could never love someone too young, especially as crazy as me." Her friends reminded her the old saying: love is ageless. Being dozens of years her senior couldn't be an obstacle for him to aspire something much deeper with her.
Damon's angelic face appeared in her sleep, allowing her to reminisce all they have lived together since they met. The glances, the smiles, their conversations, their gestures, Glastonbury. Only in her wildest dreams did she imagine so intense experiences in such a short period of time. Yes, she cherished every single one of them. All of a sudden a manly, mature face crept in grinning at her tenderly. What was Paul doing there? Why did he show up everywhere she was? This didn't necessarily bother her but she couldn't explain his constant presence in her life. From their conversations together she perceived him as a humble person not giving much importance to his rockstar status as well as the fame and adulation adjacent to it. All in all he was someone she hoped to stay friends with. Did he have a romantic inclination towards her? She kept denying it, assured of his amicable ways. Because that is what he was, a friend. Right?
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