Chapter Four

The ride back to the hotel was silent. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife as the three just sat there.

Nova whispered out tentatively, "what are we doing tomorrow?" He wanted to break the silence.

Mark looked at him crossing his arms over his chest, "well, we don't have anything planned tomorrow so I figured we could all go do something."

Julian broke his silence as well leaning forward. "Where are we going?"

Mark shrugged his shoulders. "I figured the beach would be okay."

He smiled wide nodding his head. Julian hadn't been to the beach in a while and was excited to go, but he was still a bit skeptical about going out in the public. "Aren't you worried that paparazzi will swarm me?"

"Don't worry, you'll have body guards."

Julian let out a chuckle and grinned wide. "Okay, that actually sounds pretty nice." He could already picture himself just relaxing on the beach, laying in the sun. Plus being able to cool off in the beautiful ocean.

Even though it's fall right now, in California it's still unbearably hot. So Julian got excited at the thought of going to the beach. He wasn't one of those people who were lazy and stayed inside to avoid the heat. He at least would go out and do something.

With body guards of course, or he would go in disguise.

Julian looked over at Nova smiling, "have you ever been to the beach Nova?"

"I think when I was really little," he said narrowing his eyes as he thought. "Yeah, when I was about five years old we went to Myrtle Beach." Nova could remember digging in the sand for seashells.

Julian leaned back into his seat, crossing his arms behind his head. "Well, you've never been to a California beach so this will be fun.

Nova scrunched up his face, "what makes it so different?"

Julian reached over patting his shoulder, "don't worry, you'll see tomorrow."

Nova didn't understand what he meant by that but decided to just take Julian's word for it.

Finally the three arrived back at the hotel, which Julian was thankful for. He was feeling a bit exhausted and couldn't wait to jump into bed.

The three climbed out of the car and walked into the hotel being greeted politely by the staff. Asking if they liked their rooms and if they needed anything.

"You two head up to your room," Mark said waving them off. As they started walking towards the elevator Mark called out, "Make sure you both are up and ready by ten and no later than ten!"

Julian just gave a thumbs up as the doors opened and they walked in the elevator. He pushed the button and leaned heavily against the wall, rubbing his hand over his face tiredly. He looked over towards Nova who didn't look tired at all.

Nova was what most people called a night owl. He didn't really get tired easily, but still went to bed at a reasonable time just to make sure he was well rested for anything he had to do the next day.

"How are you not at all tired?," Julian questioned.

Nova looked over blowing his hair from his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. "I just don't tire easily. It's just how I've always been."

"So what? You stay up really late?"

He shook his head, "nope, I go to bed at a regular time usually." "But I always kind of have to force myself to sleep, because I'm not really tired."

Julian shook his head as the doors opened again and they both walked out, walking towards their room.

"If I could never be tired I would find that amazing. With all the constant shows and interviews I do, it starts to drain me." He put the key card in the slot and opened the door, Nova walking in behind him as the door shut.

Nova nodded his head, seeing what he meant. "I would be the same, and I probably will be in a couple weeks," he chuckled softly.

Julian gave him an easy smile and nodded his head. He then rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before saying, "you know you can sleep in the bed with me if you want?" "It won't be awkward for me."

Nova felt his cheeks turn a light pink. Half from nerves, and half from his shyness. He wants to share a bed together?

He finally cleared his throat and said softly, "no thank you, I'm kind of a cover hog." Which is true. Nova liked to wrap himself up in blankets no matter what the temperature is outside. Even if it was the middle of summer he still liked to curl up underneath them.

Julian smiled sheepishly and said, "no problem." There was an awkward silence that hung between the two and Julian shuffled his feet wanting to say something but didn't know what.

"I think I should change into pajamas," Nova said walking over towards his suitcase. He unzipped it and grabbed some sweatpants and a t-shirt, then zipped it back up neatly.

"Uh, yeah of course. I don't mind if you use the bathroom first," Julian said smiling nervously. Why was he acting like this? He's usually the most confident guy in the room, but around Nova it's like he became tongue tied.

Nova just bit his bottom lip and walked past him, into the bedroom and then the bathroom attached to it. He didn't know why Julian seemed so nervous. Nova really hoped it wasn't because of something he did, he's tried to be more open than usual since he and Julian are sharing a room together.

Once in the bathroom, he quickly changed into his clothes. He then took off his glasses and turned on the water, splashing cold water in his face. He then realized he forgot his toothbrush and bit on his bottom lip, realizing he had to go back out.

He let out a sigh and opened the door, walking back out to small living room area. He stiffened when he saw Julian going through his camera.

Nova was kind of weird with his camera, not really liking anyone touch it. His fingers twitched at his sides and he coughed to get Julian's attention.

He immediately put down the camera when he saw how troubled Nova looked. Julian also felt his heart preform a little somersault at the sight of Nova without his glasses. He could see more of his eyes, seeing that Nova had long and thick lashes.

"W-Why were you touching my camera?," he stuttered out quietly.

Julian bit the inside of his cheek, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be nosy." "I just wanted to see the photos you took tonight."

Nova walked over and picked up his camera quickly. "Just ask first," he said looking down at his feet, hugging the camera to his chest. His camera was like a diary to him, to have someone go through something so private to him made him feel vulnerable.

Julian bit the inside of his cheek harder, feeling really bad because of how upset he looked. It made him feel very uneasy to see Nova this way, avoiding eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it would bother you so much Nova."

"It's fine, just, please don't do it again," he said firmly."

Julian nodded his head quickly. "Of course, I'll make sure to ask for permission next time okay?" He really just wanted Nova to stop looking so uncomfortable around him.

Nova didn't answer but just nodded his head, deciding to skip one night of brushing his teeth. "I'm going to bed."

"Do you need your glasses out of the bathroom?"

He shook his head, "no, I'll be fine." "Do you know if there are any extra blankets?"

Julian gave him a smile saying, "let me check."

He walked into the bedroom and looked in the closet. knowing that hotels usually kept extra bedding in there. And lo and behold, there was bag with a pillow and blanket in it.

Julian pulled out the bag and walked back to Nova handing him the bag. "There, if you uh, if you need anything just knock on my door okay? Or, you know what, I'll just leave it cracked for you."

Nova looked up into Julian's eyes and gave a small smile. "Thank you, but I'm sure I'll be fine."

Julian chuckled softly and shrugged his shoulders, "okay, okay, I'll let you get some sleep."

He slowly backed into the bedroom. "I'll just be, in here, you know, sleeping." Julian said continuing to back up, bumping against the door.

Nova covered his mouth to hide a giggle but said with amusement, "okay, good night."

"Good night." Julian said shutting the doors. He let out a breath mumbling to himself about how stupid he was.

Meanwhile Nova was just laughing quietly to himself. He didn't know why Julian seemed to act so nervous around him. Maybe he's just not use to sharing a room with someone?

Nova decided that had to be it.

He leaned down unzipping the bag and pulled out the pillow and blanket. Nova then set the pillow neatly at one end of the couch and unfolded the blanket, laying it over the makeshift bed.

He then climbed into bed at the same time Julian did. Both of the boys curled up in their bed. Julian on top of the covers. and Nova underneath them.

***

Julian woke up the next morning to hear the shower running. He slowly opened his eyes and rubbed them with his hands to get the sleep out of them.

He sat up and looked over at the clock on his bedside table, it reading nine o'clock. Julian then heard the shower turn off and looked up as the door opened.

Julian felt his heart jump out of his chest and the breath leave his lungs.

Nova had his head bent over, his hands moving a towel across his hair. His torso was bare and he only had a towel wrapped around his waist.

Julian thought he looked gorgeous. He was small and petite and his body just looked perfect in every way.

He knew that it probably wasn't good to stare so long so he quickly and quietly laid back down, closing his eyes to pretend he was still asleep.

Nova looked up, hearing something. He hoped Julian wasn't awake, that would be extremely embarrassing.

Nova let out a sigh of relief when he saw the other boy was still asleep. He walked back into the main room and shut the door behind him.

Julian let out a breath he was holding in and decided to wait a few minutes before getting up to get ready so Nova wouldn't be suspicious of him.

"Alright lets go, remember Julian, don't be to obvious," Mark said pointing at him.

Julian rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, I won't wear my neon, 'I'm Julian Kyle sign', this time since it didn't work out so well the last time."

Nova chuckled and grinned to himself.

Mark rolled his eyes and just pushed him towards the car. "Just get in Julian."

Both Julian and Nova climbed into the car and they were off to the beach.

Julian looked over at Nova to see him looking out the window at the sights.

He brought his camera with him because like previously told, Nova never leaves anywhere without it. "I hope your camera is waterproof," Julian said making Nova look from the window to him.

"Why?"

"You may or may not be getting splashed today," he smirked mischievously.

Nova glared at him playfully, "do that and I'll make sure the next shot I get of you is really ugly."

Julian gasped softly but then gave a crooked smile. "Not possible," he leaned back into his seat. "Every photo taken of me is beautiful."

Nova rolled his eyes mumbling to himself to which Julian smiled at.

Mark watched the two boys go back and fourth between each other. He was glad they were getting along, but at the same time he didn't want Julian to get to close and start falling for the boy.

Which little did he know, was already starting to happen.

The three arrived at the beach, but only Nova and Julian were dropped off. "I got some stuff to work out for your concert tomorrow. Go have fun." "Nova take pictures if you want, but you're not really on the job today."

Nova nodded his head and then they both waved as the car drove off.

They had a body guard with them, but one that was dressed regularly so it wasn't noticeable.

"Come on, we'll find a spot for your stuff," the guard said walking off in a random direction. Nova and Julian trailed behind him.

Julian looked over at Nova and saw him looking around smiling. "It's really pretty here."

Julian chuckled lightly smiling as well, "I told you it was different."

Nova looked at Julian and smiled sheepishly. "Is it bad that I assumed it was going to be something horrible?"

He laughed and stopped when the guard did. "No, I did that just to scare you."

Nova pushed him lightly mumbling, "jerk."

Julian rolled his eyes and took off his shirt, getting ready to go to the water. "Oh hush."

Nova avoided looking at Julian's bare chest the best he could, and kept back his blush pretty well. "Nope, can't make me." He didn't want to have these types of feelings again. They didn't work so well the last time he had them.

Julian just shook his head and then said, "race you to the water!" He took off towards and it was Nova's turn to laugh, following after him.

Of course Julian had beat him to the water, having a head start.

He dove straight in the water, loving how good it felt on his skin.

Nova shook his head in amusement, watching as Julian splashed around.

"Nova! Come on, get in!," Julian shouted out to him.

He slowly moved into the water, letting it wash over his feet first. He wanted to get use to the temperature before going in fully. Nova wished he didn't leave his camera behind because looking out at the ocean was a very beautiful sight.

Finally Nova went into the water and swam over to Julian giving him a smile. "This actually warmer than I thought it would be."

Julian laughed softly and then splashed Nova playfully, "well glad you like it."

Nova gave him a glare and splashed back, liking how Julian didn't question him about wearing a shirt while swimming.

Julian splashed him again and this was how the splash war started. The boys splashing each other back and forth, Julian playfully dunking Nova underwater.

He loved being able to be playful like this with someone. Being on the road without people around the same age as you didn't really let you have a friend. Yeah everyone on his team was nice to him, but he didn't really have anyone to joke around with.

So Julian was secretly very happy that Nova was hired.

The boys both got tired of swimming after a while so they walked up to their stuff. Their towels being laid out for them.

Nova sat down on his towel and pushed his wet hair from his face, it being stuck to his forehead. He looked up at Julian to find him already watching him, and felt his cheeks turn a light pink.

Julian cleared his throat looking away immediately. He could see the outline of Nova's body from his wet shirt clinging to his skin and it made his stomach feel all bubbly.

"Do you think we can get some food?," Julian asked looking at his body guard.

"Sure, why don't you come with me and he stay here. He won't get recognized as easy."

Julian didn't know if he felt okay with Nova being left alone and Nova noticed his look of concern.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine Julian," he said giving him a reassuring smile.

Julian sighed softly but nodded his head. "We'll only be a few minutes okay?"

Nova nodded and waved him off, "go, I'm hungry."

Julian chuckled shaking his head mumbling an okay, walking off with his body guard to find a food stand.

It took a few minutes to find a good food stand. Then a few minutes more of standing in line to get the food. Thankfully Julian hadn't been recognized yet. He kept his head down most of the time so people couldn't see his face.

As they were walking back Julian saw a guy sitting down and talking to Nova. He felt his stomach twist into knots and he gripped the drinks in his hands a bit harder.

Julian didn't know why he felt so jealous. He shouldn't. He's not Nova's boyfriend.

Although even from where he was standing he could tell Nova was uncomfortable with the guy talking to him.

He walked up quickly and smiled condescendingly. "Hey Nova, who's your friend?"

Nova looked up and saw a weird look in Julian's eyes, it didn't click for him that it was jealousy. "I don't know really," he said softly. He felt a bit relieved to have Julian back.

The guy looked at Julian with judgement, looking him over. "Who are you?"

Julian handed Nova his drink shrugging his shoulders. "Does it really matter?"

The guy looked at him like he was stupid and only made Julian feel angrier. "Duh, I need to make sure you aren't bothering him."

Julian's body guard just watched, making sure a psychical fight didn't break out between the two.

"You seem to be the only one bothering him." Which was true, Nova was just to polite to tell someone to leave him alone.

"Dude what is your problem?," the guy said standing up moving closer to Julian. "Are you his boyfriend or something?"

Nova slightly panicked, not wanting to be responsible if Julian got into a fight.

"No, doesn't matter if I am or not." "When someone obviously doesn't seem interested in you, you back off." Julian was calm on the outside but felt wound up on the inside.

The guy didn't think it was worth fighting this guy. "Fine, whatever man." He walked off and Nova felt his body ease off the tension.

Julian's demeanor went back to normal and he gave Nova a smile, like what just happened was something he did everyday. His body guard came and handed both boys their food.

"That wasn't a really smart thing to do."

Julian sipped his drink shrugging his shoulders again, "I didn't actually fight him. So I don't see a problem."

He opened his hamburger and took a bite looking over at Nova to check on him.

Nova was already looking at Julian wondering why he got so protective over him. They hadn't really known each other that well, and barely knew anything at all about each other. But for some reason it was a nice feeling to Nova. He was surprised to feel how he felt.

Julian made him feel safe.