Episode 32

Kelsey returned to the apartment and shut the door quietly behind her.  Caitlin and Aislinn were sitting expectantly on the couch, waiting for Kelsey’s post-date story.  They started to formulate words, but Kelsey motioned them to silence.  “He’s probably still out there!”  She whispered.  They nodded and the three of them sat motionless until the sound of Tom’s car leaving was clearly heard.  Then Kelsey screamed at the top of her lungs, “HE KISSED ME!!!!!!!!!”  Caitlin and Aislinn jumped up and started screaming too.

“WAS IT LIKE A DEAD FISH???”  Caitlin asked impatiently.

“NO!” Kelsey yelled back, “IT WAS WONDERFUL AND STARTLING AND… I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE IT!!!”

Over the other two, Aislinn yelled, “This calls for a One Direction ice-cream dance celebration!!!”  She cranked up the music and pulled out the ice-cream (well, Almond Dream for the beloved Kelsey).  They passed the night in a state of delirious excitement and insanity.  Chick flicks, chocolate, and lots of laughter characterized the regular sleeping hours.  But by 9 am, the risen sun found the three girls fully dressed and lying, soundly asleep, on the couch.  The evidence of their party could be seen in the empty ice-cream containers strewn around the room, pillows and blankets carpeting the floor, and movie cases piled haphazardly on top of the entertainment center.  In short, it was a mess.

Outside the hotel room, David Archuleta paced nervously, attempting to work up the courage to knock on the door and say good morning to Caitlin.  He had brought her a bouquet of pretty pink flowers to brighten the morning.  However, he couldn’t decide if it was overkill to see her before their first official date or not.  His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.  He looked over and saw Tom coming up behind him.  Tom nodded, acknowledging David’s presence. He had come over early as he couldn’t bear to be away from Kelsey for a moment longer after the wonderful kiss they had shared the night before.  The two men awkwardly stood in front of the door.  David, uncertain as to what he should do, hesitantly knocked.  Then they waited, still refusing to make eye contact or initiate verbal communication. There was no answer or sound from inside.  Impatient, Tom knocked loudly.  Still no answer.  Tom then growled something under his breath and pulled out the spare key card and swiped it to open the door.  David’s eyes widened.  He was sure that that was not allowed!  However, his curiosity won over and he followed Tom into the room.  They both stopped dead at the insanely awkward sight in front of them.  The three girls were sprawled across the couch amidst a pile of chocolate by-products and bed coverings.  The men glanced at each other and mutually decided to beat a hasty retreat before they were noticed.  Kelsey, however, happened to open her eyes at just that moment.  She, grasping the tension of the situation almost immediately despite her fuzzy head, nudged Aislinn and Caitlin awake.  Then three sets of extremely angry eyes were directed in the general direction of David and Tom.  They cringed.  Kelsey’s hair was in a very messy bun on top of her head and her make-up was smudged across her entire face.  On top of that, the couch had left beautiful lines in her forehead and cheek.  Tom smiled uncertainly at her.

“You look…lovely?...Dear?” Tom attempted to placate the growing storm in Kelsey’s chocolate eyes.  It didn’t help.

“Get out!!!!!” Kelsey screamed and pointed toward the door.  Tom obeyed with alacrity.  Aislinn had left well before this point, and Kelsey now followed her to the sanctity of the bedrooms.  This left Caitlin and David alone.  He proffered his offering, the flowers filling the room with a sweet aroma.  Caitlin wasn’t looking too awful – she had no residual make-up and her hair was sorta straight (although she couldn’t say that it was her biggest desire to have David see her in her PJs).

“These are for you…I just wanted to tell you that I am excited for our date tonight!” David said, still slightly nervous.  “And I’m sorry for bursting in on you…but you look fantastic, considering, you know, the morning…and just waking…” He trailed off as he realized that this conversation was probably not helping the situation.  Caitlin just smiled (a forced smile, to be honest – she is NOT a morning person, and this trait was enhanced through staying up all night) and thanked him for the flowers, then sent him on his way.  She then joined her roommates and went to sleep, putting the awkwardness out of her mind.