Flipping through the channels nothing really caught her eye. Finally she stopped on MTV, went and got herself a drink and sat down to watch numerous people prance round on T.V. She turned her head to see Lori coming through the door, dumping her bags on the floor and sitting next to Kiley.
“Hey”
“Hey” Kiley replied, smiling at her dark haired friend. “Good day?”
“Yup. You?”
“Okay. What you doing tonight? Fancy renting some videos or something?” Kiley suggested, desperate to do something fun. Since Saturday night everything seemed to be boring, compared to the glitz and glamour of the famous, even if she had only been involved for a few hours.
“Kile I’m sorry, I’ve arranged to go out with Danny.... you could come if you want”
Kiley raised her eyebrows, knowing it wasn’t really what Lori wanted, she was just trying to be nice. “No, thanks for the offer, I’ll just stay here.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. Oh, can I borrow your little bag please?”
Kiley nodded “Just leave my stuff on the bed, I haven’t emptied it since the weekend.” she said, tuning back to the T.V.
“Kiley?!” she heard Lori call from her room.
“Yeah?”
“Who’s Brian?”
“Who’s who?”
“Brian”
“Brian?”
“Brian. Number in your bag.”
“What?” Kiley asked, completely lost. “C’mere!”
Lori bounded into the living room and jumped over the back of the couch, handing Kiley a slip of paper, a name and number scrawled across it. “Brian....” she muttered, trying to remember a Brian who had handed her his number. It was a rare occurrence that anyone handed her number, so no one sprang to mind.
“Who is he?” Lori pressed, eager to know all the details.
“I don’t know.....” Kiley started, but suddenly remembered. “Oh God!”
“What. C’mon, tell me who this mystery man is!”
Assuming it was Brian from the film premiere she told Lori. “The guy from the film... the one who nicked your drink.”
“Ooooh. Very good Kiley!!” She shouted, running back to get ready for her date.
Kiley sat and stared at the paper in her hand. Folding it up and putting it in her pocket trying to forget about it, turning her attention back to the T.V screen.
Lori slammed the door as she left the apartment, leaving Kiley alone once again. She turned off the T.V, bored by teeny bopper videos. Making her way into the kitchen she remembered the number in her pocket. Glancing at the phone, on impulse she pulled the number out of her pocket and dialled.
“Hello?” came a voice after a few rings.
Kiley paused, seriously thinking about hanging up.
“Erm, this might sound reeeally stupid, but.....” she paused, wondering whether she should say she had the wrong number, but curiosity got the better of her. “..by any chance, did you leave your number in my bag on Saturday night?” She heard a chuckle from the person on the other end of the phone before they spoke up.
“Kiley”
“Uh-huh... and you would be Brian?”
“I would be Brian”
“So....” she stopped, unable to think of anything to say.
“So.....” he added, waiting for her to finish.
“Um, when did you give me your number, or have I lost part of my memory?”
She heard another laugh escape his lips. “Let’s just say I was very discreet.”
“Very discreet” she repeated, intrigued by his manner.
“Why did it take you so long to call?” he asked, also intrigued.
“Erm, I only found your number about an hour ago.”
“And it took you an hour to walk towards your phone?” he teased, making her relax a little.
“Hey! You could have been anybody!”
“But I’m not, I’m Brian”
“And the fact that your name is Brian makes it all right does it?”
“Yup. Brian’s a very good name.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry ‘Brian’.” she said , emphasis put on his name.
“Not a problem. You enjoy your self Saturday?”
“Yeah, what about you?”
“Yeah I did.” he paused, wondering if it was too soon to ask her, but decided on it any way. “What are you doing now?”
“Well, erm, nothing.” she stuttered, unable to think of an excuse quick enough. “Why?”
“Could I meet you again?” he asked shyly.
Kiley was shocked but agreed. “Where? You wanna come over here?”
“Would you mind? Public place not the best idea, not that I’m.....”
Kiley cut him off and smiled “Brian, it’s okay, I know what you mean.” She gave him directions and quickly ran round the room, picking up any incriminating evidence of a messy apartment and throwing it in a nearby cupboard.
* * * * * *
I cannot believe I’ve invited a strange man round to my apartment when I’m in on my own Kiley thought, taking a deep breath and heading towards the door. She brushed her hair out of her flushed face and pulled the handle, opening the door to see Brian grinning at her.
“Hi”
“Um, hello” she said nervously “You wanna come in?” Stepping back, she let him into the lounge.
“Well, I don’t think standing in the hall way would be...”
“Yeah, yeah” she smiled, stopping him short knowing some sarcastic comment was about to come. “Wanna drink?”
“Drink would be nice, Coke if you’ve got it” he said, sitting down on the couch and examining the room. Reaching for the remote he turned on the T.V. From her position in the kitchen, Kiley could hear the low murmur of the television and smiled to herself. Certainly making himself feel at home she thought, pouring their drinks into the ice filled glasses.
“So” she said, sitting herself down on a chair next to him, handing him his Coke.
“What have you been doing since I last saw you?”
“Oh, you know, hanging out, um, not much really” he said, sounding uncomfortable, making Kiley frown.
“You haven’t been in the studios or anything?”
Quickly turning his head towards her he looked shocked. “You know who I am?”
Kiley smirked and shook her head. “Well, unless I’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, yeah. Sorry”
“No, s’all right, it’s just I’d like to meet someone sometimes who actually doesn’t know who I am” Kiley looked at him sympathetically.
“Well, in case you’re wondering, it doesn’t bother me”
“It doesn’t?”
“Nope” she replied, making him smile.
“That’s good. I think I’d like to get to know you. You seem interesting”
“Interesting?! You think I’m interesting?! I don’t know whether I take that as a compliment or what!”
“Make it a compliment. You seem normal. I don’t meet many normal people.”
“Oh. That’s quite worrying.”
“Yeah, it is. Screaming teenagers: well, no explanation needed. The rich and famous: rather up them selves, the guys... well, what can I say about them?!”
“I think you have a point.”
“I think I do” They sat and chatted for a while longer, both of them feeling completley at ease, even though they’d only known each other a couple of hours. They had the T.V on quietly in the background, making any silences which occurred between them less uncomfortable. Finally Brian got up to leave. “Think I better be going”
“Oh” Kiley said, once again, trying not to sound too disappointed. She glanced a the T.V as she got up, stopping as something caught her eye. “Hang on a minute Brian” she said, keeping her eyes focused on the screen as a recent basket ball match was reviewed.
“You like basket ball?” Brian asked, joining her.
“Uh-huh” she said, straining to hear the reporter. Helping her out, Brian reached for the remote and turned up the volume.
Hearing the final score, Kiley laughed. “HA! Yes! They won!”
Brian turned to her and looked at her quizzically. “You like basket ball?!”
“Yes, I do, and the team I absolutely hate just lost”
“You play?”
“Well, no, but I used to. Never have time any more. You?”
“Oh yes, I love to. Never seem to have the time though”
“Bet you I could beat you”
“Bet you you couldn’t”
“Oh you do, do you?” she asked turning to him and placing her hands on her hips.
“I do.” he replied shortly.
“Well, I think not. I’m a mean player. I’d whip your ass”
“Would you? We'll just see about that”
“Fine”
“Fine. We will. I’ll give you a call, we’ll meet, play one on one and see who wins. Deal?”
“Deal” she agreed, firmly shaking his hand before he smirked at her and walked out of her apartment.
“I’ll call ya!” he called out as he left, leaving Kiley to plonk herself down on the couch and close her eyes, worn out by his constant, friendly chatter. Even though she was whacked, she realised she’d enjoyed his company. He’d definitely cheered up her lonely Friday night.