This Time Around

The Pasadena auditions were awkward, to say the least. Trying to act normal was hard for Simon and I, and Randy noticed the tension, though he never questioned it. Randy had always played the overprotective brother in my life, and at times like these, I really appreciated it.

I was in the break room alone when Randy confronted me. I was refilling my water glass when he came in and shut the door behind him.

"Yo Pauls? You got a minute?" he asked, motioning for me to sit down.

"Sure Randy, what's up?" I asked, totally unsuspecting of what he was about to tell me.

"I have a confession," he said, not meeting my eyes. "When, uh, when we were in Hawaii for auditions, I..." he stopped suddenly, seemingly unsure if he should go through with what he wanted to say.

"Just spit it out, Randy," I giggled, sure that whatever he had to say couldn't be this serious.

"I saw you and Simon, dude, behind the cove. I always figured it would happen sooner or later between you two, but I never suspected now when you're both..."

"Attached?" I asked, finishing his sentence.

"Yeah," he said. "I'm not trying to condemn you two, I mean, what's going on is just between the two of you, and it's really none of my business. Its just...I've noticed some awkwardness lately, and I just wanted you to know that if he has hurt you, or if he EVER hurts you, I'm here for you dawg."

"Thanks Randy," I said, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "He didn't hurt me, it's just over between me and Simon, we couldn't let it continue. Just be here for me, okay? I need a friend right now."

"Of course dawg, of course," he said with a comforting smile.

We both paused for a minute- - neither of us knowing really what to say.

"Do they know?" Randy asked.

"Does who know?"

"Colt and Terri," he said, "Did you tell them?"

"No, no we didn't," I said a bit sheepishly.

Randy nodded. "It's probably best dawg, just try to pick things up now from where they are."

I nodded in agreement, starting to get lost in thought.

Suddenly a sense of dread filled me.

"Randy?" I asked tentatively, "You...you didn't mention what you saw between me and Simon to anyone did you?"

"No I didn't," he said shaking his head.

"Okay, good," I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

I was sure I could trust Randy, and knew I shouldn't even worry about it, but I have to admit, it made me a little queasy knowing there was someone else besides Simon and I who knew what went on during the summer.

I gave Randy a weak smile as I suggested we return to the audition room; I was ready to get this process over with and go back to my semi-normal life.