Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 52 & 53 Why He Does What He Does/Hey Jealousy

*Trisha*

We spent most of today running errands.  Casey, myself, James and Maggie. I took them out for lunch, then we did a little clothes shopping. James got a haircut while Casey and I got our nails done at the same salon.

 It's fun hanging out with Casey. I don't have many woman friends with the job I have but she is really easy to talk to. This is something I can't say about Julia. I just can't see myself hanging out with her. In the very beginning we spent a lot of time together in preparation for the big Gala event and Julia WAS fun to hang with, but that was before everything got crazy. Before her and Nate broke their contract with NBC's America's Voice. One of the biggest things you were not allowed to do was get involved with your coach outside of America's Voice. Julia did just that. Then Nate fucking fell in love with her. Now she's a complete mess of a person. Not her fault of course but hanging out with her...yeah. That's just not going to happen.

Yet, after James got his haircut, he asked Casey if we could possibly bring him to The Avalon to see Julia. Of course, Casey said yes. She'd never say no.  But I'm sure as hell not going into that place. James knows this.

******

*James*

"Thanks for bringing me, Case." I say gratefully. I can tell this is the last place Trisha wants to be and not surprised she's choosing to wait in the car. I even made the girls stop at Julia's favorite fast-food place to grab her some grub.

"No problem. Take your time, ok? Tell her we said hi. I'll come visit her soon." Casey can also sense Trisha will not be saying those words.

"C'mon Mags." I wait for Maggie to hop out of the car and Casey puts her leash in my hand, making sure my grip is good before letting go.

The nurse inside leads me to Julia's room where she is sitting up in bed, looking bored out of her mind. She doesn't see me yet as I stand in the doorway, so I observe her for a moment. She is staring aimlessly out her window from her bed. She looks so sad.

"Hey." I startle her but the minute Julia sees me her face brightens right up, and she smiles. "Sorry I haven't come to see you for a few days. This place isn't my favorite place in the world. I've been avoiding it."  I admit. Maggie jumps right up onto Julia's bed and snuggles with her. It's the cutest thing. "Casey and Trisha are in the car. We were out running errands."

I walk in and hand Julia the McDonald's bag.

"Mcdonalds. You're favorite heart healthy food. If you're not hungry I get it."

"Aww. James. Thank you!" She takes the bag and puts it on the table, then practically jumps out of her bed and into my arms with excitement. I've missed this. I hug her for so long it's ridiculous. "I've missed you so much." She buries her head in my chest.

"I've missed you too." I sit on the bed next to her and lean my forehead on hers and close my eyes. This would be the time where I'd kiss her. And God, do I want to kiss her right now.   But I can't. I'm with Trisha now. I force myself to turn my face away and bury it in the crook of Julia's neck, hugging her instead.

 I can feel her body shaking and it's not the kind of shaking from detox. She is holding back her tears. She's about to cry. I pull away a little to see her face.

"Aww, sweetie. You ok?"

She nods yes but then shakes her head no and buries her face into my chest again, clearly crying.

"What's the matter?"

That's when I realize it. I realize Julia knows.

"Nothing. I'm being stupid, sorry." She wipes her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt and pretends to smile. I see right through it.