Only one problem

“A Michalka?” the receptionist said.

“That’s us,” Aly said. “Give us our keys and we can get out your hair.”

“Which one of you?” the receptionist said.

“What?” Aly said. “I’m Aly, she’s AJ - won’t be offended if you get us mixed up. I was told our agent had called ahead and arranged things?”

There was a pause. The receptionist squinted at the screen, then back up to her guests.

“Oh!”

“What is it?” AJ said.

“I think I know what’s happened,” the receptionist said. “Minor miscommunication, sorry. You’re both in the system as A Michalka, it must’ve been treated as a duplicate entry, sorry. You’re here under one person.”

“Really?” Aly said. “Fine, I guess, one room’s better than none.”

She took the key, and helped AJ carry their bag through the hotel. Touring again always came with its unexpected pitfalls. They could deal with this.

They made it to the room, throwing their bags onto the table. AJ sighed.

“Only one room,” she said.

“We can share,” Aly said. “We’ve done it before.”

“I know, I know, just nice when we have a little space,” AJ said.

Their bags didn’t contain much; it was more for practice instruments, snacks, things to make the journey easier. Most of their on-stage stuff was taken care of by the venue proper. Still, they talked for a bit more, made sure they were all on the same page about tomorrow’s performance.

And as the hours wore on…

“Only one bed,” Aly said, eyeing the room.

“We can share,” AJ said. “I guess.”

“Let me guess, you didn’t bring pyjamas either?” Aly said.

“I mean, did you?” AJ said. “Waste of luggage space usually.”

Aly sighed. Night, then, was slightly more awkward than it was supposed to be. AJ rolled over in her sleep, and Aly tried to ignore the heat at her back.

When morning came, it wasn’t long before the performance. After not making eye contact for most of the morning, they opened the pressed bag in their wardrobe - stage outfits were kept separate, to avoid getting too creased in a suitcase. It had been left here, waiting for them.

Aly unwrapped it, and paused.

“Not again…” she muttered.

“Only one outfit?” AJ said.

“We can try to share?” Aly said. “Have no idea how.”

“Dibs,” AJ said, quickly grabbing it. Aly grabbed it back.

“Hey!” Aly said. “I’m not just going to go on stage without the outfit to-”

There was a tearing sound. The two looked at each other, starting to redden.

“Um,” AJ said.

Unsurprisingly, the concert got a lot of cheers. They hurried out of the venue after as quickly as they could. Hopefully they’d have actual stage outfits awaiting them at their next stop, whenever they got there.

Aly was still blushing when she made it back to the room. The two sat around for a little, before AJ peered out the window. She chuckled.

“We’ve got a groupie,” AJ said.

“Not surprised after we went on stage like that,” Aly said.

She paused, then a gleam entered her eye.

“Only one groupie?” Aly said.

AJ looked back, and grinned.