Stumble

As the Idols closed their rendition onstage, they walked towards the wings backstage. Kelly braced herself for Carrie passing her by, trying to keep her composure for their inevitable brush by. Instead she was surprised when she heard Carrie call her name.

“Good luck.” She said genuinely, even grasping Kelly’s hand for a moment.

Kelly, slightly stunned, squeezed back for a second and said “Thanks.”

Both girls turned around when they heard Ryan begin Kelly’s introduction. Kelly moved towards the stage as Carrie moved to walk down the stairs.

Kelly turned around once more before walking out, and paused. The sight before her, though expected after seeing them onstage together, was still a surprise. Anthony had come behind Carrie and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed a line from the top of her neck to her shoulder.

Carrie turned around to hug him back. Noticing Kelly in her eye line, she kissed him hard on the mouth while unmistakably peering directly at Kelly over his broad shoulders.

Kelly stood there frozen until the stage manager asked her why she wasn’t onstage yet and she apologized walking out in a bit of a daze. This emotion quickly grew into anger.

She’d come off stage upset that this event had been tainted by feelings for Carrie she’d tried for a month to extinguish. She started dating an indie rocker for god’s sake. She had only recently realized that there were two major reasons they even had started a relationship while on tour: close proximity and loneliness.

Kelly had ended their fling a week ago. They were both headed for separate continents on their respective tours and promised to stay in touch, but Kelly had no intention of dating her Blackberry.

Meanwhile, Carrie was in her dressing room breaking up with Anthony. Last night was the first time they’d slept together, and Carrie was overcome with guilt. She felt lucky though because Anthony has become one of her closest friends since she’d entered American Idol. When she explained to him that the reason last night happened was because she knew Kelly would be at this event and the thought of seeing her was too painful, he understood. She needed consoling and her friend had provided that, but she respected him too much to let him think it meant more than that. Anthony had heard everything about her tormented encounter with Kelly last month, and though he loved Carrie, he too respected her too much to force her into a relationship with him when her heart wasn’t in it.

“I understand. Can I give you something at least?” Anthony asked solemnly.

“Of course.” Carrie said.

“First, I know that we’re all going off to do our separate stuff now that the tour’s over, but just know that you can call me anytime at all.”

Carrie responded with a relieved, “Ditto.”

“Second, tonight’s special, and if you still have feelings for her, what better time is there to tell her that. I know you’ve been waiting to hear from her, but…”

Carrie cut him off. “She has a boyfriend, remember? We both read about it.”

“That’s bullshit. You and I both know you can’t believe everything you read.”

She smiled. “Well, usually they’re right. At least what they see on the outside isn’t usually that far off from what’s really going on.”

“That’s true.” Anthony admitted. “I just want you to think about it for me. I don’t want this to have been in vain. At least try and hash it out and move on, I can’t stand to see you miserable. And finally…”

“Yes?” she asked expectantly.

Anthony scooted closer to her on the sofa. He moved his lips close to her ear.

“Just know that I still love you too even if it’s just as faux brother and sister.”

Carrie laughed and pulled him in a warm embrace. She kissed his temple just as the door flew open and in stumbled Kelly Clarkson.

She stammered an apology, “Oh! God, I’m sorry. I thought…sorry!”