Back to the Dream Page
Chapter 5
As Kat rummaged around the closet, trying to find the shoes she'd thrown in the day before, she thought she heard a slight knocking on the door. She stopped moving for a second and frowned. No one I know would come this early. When the sound didn't come back, she went back to rummaging around in the closet. The knock came again though, and Kat straightened herself out. She made her way to the door and peered out. Concern filled her when she saw JC on the other side and she rushed to unlock the door. "JC! What are you doing here?"
JC shrugged as he came in. "I don't know. I wanted to see if we could talk."
"I'm about to go jogging. Would you like to join me? We can talk as we go."
"Sure. That'd be good." He let Kat search a while longer for her running shoes and grinned when she held them up to him triumphantly. "Let's go!"
A few minutes later, JC was matching Kat's easy stride as they made their way along a jogging path. They kept quiet a few moments, letting themselves get used to the running before Kat brought up the question again. "So JC, what did you want to talk about?"
"Oh, not much. I just wanted to know how you were doing and all that."
Kat knew that JC was stalling, but she wasn't about to press him. "I'm doing fine. Life's been all right since you guys were last here. I'm doing fine in all my classes, thank goodness. And when I'm not in school, I'm out and about doing one thing or another." He chuckled slightly and she turned to him, amazed at how quickly his mood had changed. "What?"
He grinned back at her. "Just imagining you running around doing all those charitable good deeds of yours. Tell me, do you still volunteer at all those places?"
"Yup, and I'm having a blast doing so."
He shook his head, smiling. "If only I could spend my time like that. What a refreshing change that would be."
"Oh, come on now. You've got a great life! You're doing something few people get to do. You get paid to sing your heart out and travel the world and get so many chances to do other things."
"But at such a great price, too. You know it's not all fun and games. Every move I make is watched by millions of people and I have no sense of privacy anymore. It's difficult living up to everyone's expectations and giving it your all so that everyone else is happy."
"But are you happy, JC?"
"Most of the time, yes, I'm happy."
"And the rest of the time?"
He glanced at her and gave a weak smile. "It gets lonely out on the road. I'm around the guys 24/7 but it gets tiring. I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world, but I wish I could share it with someone, you know?"
"It'd be nice to share it with someone, but would you really want to subject her to the scrutiny of the media?"
"It's a slight drawback, but I don't think she'd mind. And it would get rid of the loneliness."
"What? You don't think you'd be lonely if you didn't have all the fame and glory you have now?"
JC remained quiet a moment and Kat glanced up at him, waiting his response. Slowly, he answered. "That's a new way of putting it. I guess I sometimes forget possibilities like that."
Kat smiled. "JC, whether you're famous or not, everyone's bound to be lonely."
"I know, but even the realization of that doesn't stop me from thinking otherwise."
Kat shrugged. "I guess we're all entitled to our own opinions."
The two of them jogged on in silence a few minutes before JC spoke up again. "What about you? Don't you get down because you don't have anyone special in your life?"
"Sometimes, but I don't let myself dwell on it too long. I'm too busy with my own life to even begin to think about having a boyfriend. But still, that is only most of the time. The rest of the time… Well, you get the picture." He nodded a response.
Silence continued as they started jogging their way back to her apartment. Kat let her mind wander. Do I ask him now? Do I dare be selfish and bring up what's been haunting me these past couple of months? What if I'm right? Could he possibly be the one who's writing the letters? It would be nice. It's been such a long time since we last talked like this… But what if I'm thinking wrong? What if he's just being friendly? Could I take the embarrassment?
Kat didn't have to wait long for an answer. JC had been wondering what was going on in her mind and when he noticed a slight frown start on Kat's face, he brought it up. "Hey, Kat. What's bugging you?"
Instantly, Kat forced a smile onto her face. "Nothing."
"Liar. Come on. Out with it, Kat. I already told you what's bothering me. What's up?"
"JC…"
"Yeah?"
Kat decided there was no use in trying to be vague. "Do you know anything about some notes from a secret admirer?" Kat quickly looked up at JC and saw the surprise show on his face before he tried to hide his feelings.
"I… Uhh… What I mean is-"
"Are they from you?"
He burst out laughing. "From me? Where'd you get that idea from?"
Kat smiled. Okay, so he's out of the picture now. He wouldn't lie. I'm glad that it isn't him. It's better off that we're friends. However, Kat couldn't suppress the bit of disappointment she felt. If not him, then who? "I don't know," she finally answered. "It's just been bugging me. The fact that I haven't talked to anyone as much as you lately didn't help me in my reasoning. Still, do you know who they're coming from?"
"Yup, but don't even try to get it out of me. I swore that I would never reveal the identity of your admirer."
"JC!"
He laughed. "Sorry, little one, but no can do."
"Oh, you're just a big meanie, you know that?"
"I know."
Laughing, the two of them went inside her apartment and were greeted by Dee. "Hey, you two! I was wondering where you were." JC immediately went to Dee's side and gave her a big hug and a quick kiss on the forehead. "What? Couldn't be separated from the two people you love most for very long?"
Kat stood there, at the door, taking it all in. JC and Dee looked back at Kat, smiling. Now it was Kat's turn to start whining. "Dee! You're not!" Her roommate gave a nod and Kat started squealing. JC let go of Dee a moment to let Kat hug her friend. "How dare you not even tell me you two were together! I feel so left out!"
Dee laughed. "You know I had my reasons. We wanted to see if it would work out first, and now that we see that it has and probably can, you're the first one to know."
"I'm so happy for you guys!" Kat stepped back and let JC drape an arm around Dee's shoulders as the two of them sat down on the couch. Deep inside her heart though, she was saddened at the sight. When will it be my turn? Oh, Secret Admirer, whoever you are, let yourself be known soon! You only have a day until you all leave again…