some adorable stuff

Pop - Ch.9

                It had been a month since my birthday – the end of the summer. I always hated endings, whether they were in the form of a book, the end of a candy cane, and my least favorite which was always when summer ended. It’s always pretty, and I think that’s what makes it hard. You start to notice that a slight winter chill is trying to filter its way in, yet you pretend that nothing’s happening. Because the moment you realize and take in the reality that you only have a few days left, that’s when autumn settles in. No more skin-tingling warmth. No more swimming in the sun. Summer is the chance for the world to have a break, but no break was meant to last forever.

                Not even mine.

                “What are you thinking about?” asked Niv as he approached me after washing the dishes from the breakfast he attempted to make. I was standing at the window, looking out at the ocean that wasn’t so approachable anymore. My whole world had changed. From my birthday on everything was entirely different. For instance, Niv making breakfast this morning.

                But not just that. I mean, I could go down to the ocean if I wanted to. It was right there – just a quick run and I’d be there, testing the warm waters with my bare feet. Niv and Alekk could even come if they wanted to. But it would never be the same. It would never be just me, Niv, and Alekk down by the beach and the few vacationers. We wouldn’t be able to swim by ourselves without interruption. Because now it would be me, Niv, Alekk… and the paparazzi. Oh, and our bodyguards. Suddenly everyone knew where we lived. I looked back at Niv.

                “I’m sorry.”

                “What for?”

                “It’s my fault,” I answered, “I mean, I know you want to swim so badly. Now none of us can go because of me.”

                Alekk, as usual, appeared out of nowhere.

                “Well of course we can go,” jutted Alekk with a smirk.

                “But the cameras…,”I looked back outside. You could literally see the paparazzi surrounding the house. I don’t know if they were trying to hide, but they were doing a really horrible job. I could see speakers, baseball caps, and cameras peaking behind various columns and walls. Some random guy obviously thought hiding behind a small flower plant was a good idea. I really didn’t get his logic. I could see everything, from his balding head to his bright orange shorts. Man, those things were really short. Talk about being stuck in the 80’s.

                “Max, those cameras came AFTER your birthday. If you really think about it, the focus has been on you. Plus by “we” I meant my accomplice here, Niv, and myself.”

                I must have had a face of complete confusion, because BOTH Niv and Alekk laughed. The last time they laughed this much was when I first saw Alekk parading about the house in his underwear, and immediately ran to my room so no one would see me blush.

                “Max, you know we love you and all,” said Alekk between laughs, “but that doesn’t mean you have to be EVERYWHERE with us. Niv and I need some man-bonding time, anyways. And no one is going to stop us from going to the beach!!”

                It was my turn to laugh now as Alekk and Niv gave a salutatory high-five to each other. Niv then paused and gave me a look as though it was asking for my permission.

                “Fine. Go,” I tried to sigh dramatically.

                Without a word more, Alekk and bolted out the door, making a straight shot towards the beach. The paparazzi had obviously given up their useless hiding spots, trying to run with all of their equipment after the two crazy boys I had fallen in love with. I smiled as Alekk and Niv ran faster, making the paparazzi look like newcomers who were experiencing their first boot camp workout. They continued to run away from the cameras, before the waves lapped at their feet. Without a second more, Niv and Alekk dove into the water and swam until everyone else just gave up. Some people even got back into their cars - which hadn’t been driven in over a week – and practically drove home.

                I walked into the kitchen and finished the dishes that Niv hadn’t done yet. That’s when I heard a beeping sound come from Alekk’s cell phone. I walked over to it.

                No, don’t look at it – what are you doing? I had never even glanced at the contents of Alekk’s phone. It just wasn’t right. You don’t look through your boyfriend’s phone unless they invited you. I mean, he never gave me permission to look at his phone before, but I had never asked. We’ve never had the need to look through each other’s things. At least I don’t think so. We trusted each other now.

                I noted how little my conscious was worth as I unlocked the password with the keypad. A new text message. I selected it and about dropped Alekk’s cell phone on the floor. I scrambled to make sure it was firmly in my grasp before I continued to read.

 

 

                Before my mind had time to react, much less think, I had already deleted the text. Realizing what I had just done, I set Alekk’s phone back on the counter, letting myself sink to the floor.

                I knew this, me pretending to be Alekk’s scholarship student Alyssa, wasn’t going to last forever. I knew that at the beginning of this summer I’d only have about two months to relish in the glory of being in Alekk Weston’s vacation home. How did time go so quickly?

                But then there was the fact that Alyssa and Alekk somehow knew each other. How was that possible? I thought back into the days when Alekk was just a singer that I had a crush on – when I was madly obsessed with every detail People magazine could dish out. Alyssa… suddenly a picture formed in my mind. Revisited anger scorched my brain as I remembered Alekk’s face plastered on every magazine as my Aunt Karen and I stood in line at the grocery store. But it wasn’t just his face. It was his face connected to another girl’s face – Alyssa’s.

                Every girl in the country was distraught. Who gave this perfectly gorgeous, perfectly rich Alyssa person permission to date OUR Alekk? For an entire year they were everywhere and for an entire year our hearts were broken. They looked good together – too good. There they were walking on the beach or eating ice cream at the mall or looking at adorable puppies.

                And she was going to be here tomorrow.

                I panicked. That meant I had to leave. And before tomorrow. The idea just sounded horrible. Regarding this point in time earlier this summer, my train of thought would have been, “shucks, Max. Looks like summer is over.” But now I had two main reasons for wanting to stay. And I couldn’t stay. Not like this. Not like some huge lying basket-case. I was Maxine, I wasn’t Alyssa.

                I got up from the floor and looked out of the dining room towards the ocean. Niv and Alekk had never looked happier. I took a mental photograph. Maybe it was better that I was leaving this point in their lives. They had a pretty great summer. It’d be better to remember them like this anyways. Tomorrow would be filled with disaster – that I knew for sure.

                I glanced down at the paparazzi. Just five minutes ago I hadn’t thought much of them other than their hiding places. But now I realized that we weren’t that different. We all want our shot at glory, our second of fame. Some would get that. Some would get more, like Alekk. And some would get less. My name had been handed to many movie directors, but they would never see me. Starting tomorrow I’d be working hard at a mediocre job just like Wes. And I guess that was what I was meant to do all along.

                The sun was shining brightly as I turned to go run up the stairs and pack my bags.

 

                I was slightly pensive later that night as Niv, Alekk, and I watched TV, full from the hamburgers we just ate. Niv and Alekk were still in their light-hearted mood, and I was glad about that. But at the same time, hours went by like seconds and it ached me that my time with them was dwindling.

                There Alekk was, with his messy blonde hair and a face that had softened over the past weeks. He looked completely at ease, not hinting even at the slightest of what was to happen between now and in the morning. His eyes were fixed on the television screen. For once, I was glad that they weren’t focused on me. It was nice just to observe, like the first time I had seen him play guitar right in front of me. No smirk to cover up his emotions, no words to cover up his thoughts. Just Alekk.

And Niv. I looked over at him to notice that he had been watching me too. We both kind of looked at each other in silence – him smiling at me and me returning the favor. His blue eyes were so calm, like the ocean sometimes when we used to swim in the mornings. I couldn’t keep smiling, however. I tried to look elsewhere, but it was too late. Niv unsurprisingly noticed.

                “Are you okay, Max?” he asked. Alekk immediately looked over in my direction when he heard my name being said.

                “Yea,” I replied, “I just wanted to thank you for being so nice – letting me into your home this summer and everything.”

                “Max, of course we’re glad to have you here. You’ve changed our lives.” Alekk nodded in agreement, however slightly confused. I think it was due to how I sounded so distant.

                “Come on guys. You all are too depressing right now and we haven’t even watched The Notebook. So I propose we have some good, old-fashioned fun. Like dancing,” smiled Alekk. His smirk and attitude were back in their full effect.

                We grabbed all of our old favorite CD’s and played every single one of them. No brandy, no random people, just us. We danced around the living room, ran and slid on the hardwood floors, jumped on the couches, and remembered dance moves we hadn’t used in many many years. Niv and Alekk synchronized to a song from Alekk’s boy band days, still knowing every step perfectly.

                It was fun, letting go for a while. I was so lucky these last couple of months. We danced until our limbs couldn’t take the strain anymore. The hours kept ticking, but it took the sun starting to rise for me to notice just how many had gone. A strong, single thud came from my heart as if it were a warning that it was about to beat as quickly as it could unless I got away. I stopped dancing, and looked to Alekk and Niv, who were dancing their way to exhaustion.

                “I have to go,” I said before I realized, then said, “to sleep.”

                “Wait, why?” asked Niv, as he drew in enough air to fill up the house.

                “It’s late!” I exclaimed, “I’m never up this late!”

                “Well as you can tell, we are,” said Alekk, giving a quick glance at Niv, “but go right ahead, sunshine. We’ll make chocolate chip pancakes for you when you wake up.”

                A classic smirk from Alekk and a tired smile from Niv I realized were going to be the last looks I’d get from them. “Sad, but at least they’re happy,” I thought. I ran up to my room and shut the door, noting that Alekk wouldn’t be making breakfast for me this morning, but for Alyssa.

                I tip-toed around my sort-of room as quietly as I could, waiting for Wes’ voicemail system to come through. I knew already that he wouldn’t be up at this time, but I had to leave him some sort of warning before I showed up at his doorstep as a surprise. For once in this moment time moved too slowly for my liking, seconds seeming like hours. Finally I heard a robotic voice. I sighed.

                “Hey Wes,” I whispered, “please tell me you’re going to be at your house in about an hour.”

                I placed my cell phone back in my bag, slinging it around both of my shoulders as I peered around what was my room one last time. To me, this was my home. Not my room at Aunt Karen’s, nor anywhere else. Time had picked up its pace though, and I knew I had to leave now. I checked around to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.

                Then I went to a window whose screen I had already punched out, and slid down the rope I had already anchored. I began running into a full-out sprint as soon as my feet had hit the ground, making sure Alekk and Niv wouldn’t get the chance to see me go.

                Wes had been waiting for me by the time I had arrived at his house, surprised to see me running towards him with my bag. I had run the entire way. I didn’t mean to, but I couldn’t get myself to stop. I set my bag down once I reached the deck, almost knocking Wes over with the momentum that came with my hug.

                “Are you okay, Max?” he asked, smoothing over my hair, which was sweaty from my run. He didn’t seem to care. He just held me, letting my quivering muscles re-adjust. I was thankful that the once thin-as-a-pole Wes was now tall and strong, because I was pretty sure I wasn’t able to stand up by myself without any assistance.

                “No,” I replied, my voice breaking. Oh, I was crying. As if he understood completely, Wes picked me up. As he carried me, he went to also pick up my bag from the ground before bringing us both inside his house. What I remembered next was crying myself to sleep as Wes went to go put my bag upstairs.

                Alekk was just finishing up with the pancakes he made for Max when he heard a knock at the door. He thought about how horrible the timing was, considering there was still an undercooked blob of batter on the pan.

                “Be there in just a second!” He yelled, hoping it was loud enough for the recipient to hear. He wished he had someone to open the door. A butler, maybe. Yea… why didn’t he ever have one of those? He certainly had the money to hire one – heck, he had a maid before Max came. It was always annoying, however, when someone was at the door and he was busy doing something else. Or thinking of other people as he could soon come to find out.

                Finally he set the cooked pancake on the plate, turning off the burner of the stove before walking towards the door. He caught a glimpse of himself in the shiny window on the way to the door. Man, he looked like a zombie. Why did he stay up late last night again? He composed himself and went to open the door.

                “Alyssa,” Alekk gasped. Standing before him was none other than his ex-girlfriend. She still looked the same, though his views on her had changed during the past years. Though she used to be the beholder of all his attention, now he just viewed her as plain annoying. She smiled her perfect smile that Alekk five years ago would have gone crazy over.

                Suddenly Niv barged through the door, shoving past Alyssa as he said a casual “oh, hey Alyssa.” Then he stopped, and did a double-take, realizing what he just said.

                “Hello, Niv,” she winked, knowing from past experience that her appearance alone would make Niv blush and stammer. He completely ignored her though as he apparently had something more important to say to Alekk.

                “Alekk. Max is gone!” Niv was breathing heavily as he held up a piece of rope that he found hanging out of Max’s window. Suddenly his words, and the situation of Alekk and Alyssa seemed to click. Max was gone. Alyssa was here. He remembered his first conversation with Max two months ago – her words constantly streaming through his mind.

                “My real name’s Alyssa, but people call me Max.”

                He didn’t care, but for goodness sake Alekk had to know. He had to know everything.

                I had spent the rest of the day crying, telling Wes everything that had happened as he just listened, and let me cry. Every now and then he would get up to make me some soup, or to put in another movie. Movie marathons were our way of coping with whatever came our way. Whether it was Aunt Karen disappearing on us, or this.

                “I knew the end of the summer was going to suck, but I didn’t think it’d be this bad.”

                “Shh, none of us did,” Wes soothed.

                Alekk and Niv had to be so mad. I had lied to them for two months straight, pretending I was Alyssa just so I could stay in their house. What kind of a person was I? Why didn’t I think that the ramifications were going to be my burden when everything was said and done?

                Wes and I were about to watch the end of The Lion King when my cell phone rang. Nervously I answered the call, pressing the phone up to my sticky tear-stained face.

                “Hello?”

                “Max, she’s gone,” I heard Alekk say. I wasn’t quite sure where he was going with this, so I held onto his every word.

                “All she wanted was money for college so I gave her some money and she’s gone now. Niv told me everything. We’re getting ready to go visit his parents for the week. Come with us.”

                His voice – he really wanted me to come with him and Niv. Niv’s parents. They only made that trip once a year. If I was just his scholarship student, this would have been our deadline. But I wasn’t just his student, no, I had never been his student. But now apparently I was Max, the girl that Alekk liked. The girl that he wanted to take to Niv’s parent’s house.

                “No,” I replied.

                “Why not?” asked Alekk with a sense of yearning. That “no” was so hard to blurt out. Alekk’s voice was like silk, and if he was standing here beside me instead of me having to talk to him through the phone, I might have lost my mind all together.

                “How could you want me to be with you? How would you be able to trust me?”

                “Well, let’s put it this way,” said Alekk smoothly, “you lied so that you could see me, correct? So why would I have to worry about that?”

                We ended the conversation there, my cheeks burning as I sat back down on the couch with Wes, who eyed me suspiciously.

                “So, I take it you’re going to visit Niv’s parents?”

END OF CH.9

Pop - Ch.8



***Before you read: This story is slightly more mature than the other chapters I have posted. 

 

                I lay in bed with my eyes open. I had been like this for a while. The bed wasn’t my own, it belonged to someone else. I couldn’t remember how I got here, or why. I do remember some of the contents from last night and earlier this morning. I also knew that something was different.

                I reflected on that “something” because the something was me. I had changed. Not for anyone. Not by anyone… it had been my own doing. The feeling is so surreal, but no, not in a bad way. This was just the beginning of my life.

                Oh Maxine, what did you get yourself into?

                I know exactly what they’re thinking. Any day now, Max. Just pick. Their faces were gripping on my every move – not that I really moved much in the last minute. But I just couldn’t. I couldn’t pick. How horrible was I?

                “I,”good start Max, but you need to spit the rest out. Niv and Alekk are still staring. In fact, they look a little confused. “I?” Where’s that supposed to go? Come on. Just another word. Get an actual sentence going this time.

                “I uh,” closer…..

                “I mean,” okay Max, now you just sound ridiculous. At least save the poor guys the torture. One, two, three… go!

                “This is going to sound really selfish – and I really wish I wasn’t. I don’t really know how else to say this, but I need the both of you.”

                Finally their faces didn’t represent eagles eying their prey. Niv’s brows furrowed in confusion. And I have to admit, Alekk was pretty confused too.

                “So… you want the both of us?” asked Alekk. His blanket of charisma just moments earlier had completely vanished.

                “Yes.”

                Niv pretended to be really interested in something. I think it was the floor. Then he looked back to me with his sapphire eyes.

                “Okay.” Alekk nodded in agreement to Niv’s reply. I looked at them apologetically.

                “Well. I think I’m going to get some sleep now.” I headed up to my bedroom. No word from them.

                Maybe I could change my mind. I stood there in my bedroom for a moment. There had to be some way that would make me choose one or the other. But I couldn’t. I could easily choose many reasons for liking both Niv and Alekk, could easily choose something each had that each also lacked. But I couldn’t really imagine say, going through tomorrow completely cut off from them.

                They should have never been nice to me. That was the problem. I couldn’t reverse time, however. I would have never guessed for this to happen.

                I could only imagine how they felt, though. I bonded them – two best friends – in a team that they initially didn’t sign to be a part of. What they hoped for tonight was for some sort of remediation, and it was like I had thrown their plan in their face. They wanted peace and I was selfish. They wanted water and I gave them fire. We all knew that this, the three of us, it wasn’t right. But I so wanted it to be.

                How do you get something impossible to work?

                Exhaustion caught me by surprise as I sank into the ocean of sheets on my bed.

                I woke up the next morning to Niv standing in my bedroom wearing only swim trunks. I was confused. How did he let himself in? I must have forgotten to lock the door. And how did I get so lucky to have this sight standing before me?

                “What the -,” I started.

                “Shh,” he whispered, “get dressed. You know where to meet me.”

                And within the next second he was gone. I took pride in the fact that I knew exactly where to meet him. The beach. We hadn’t been there together in so long, it seemed. It would feel good to have some sort of normalcy as far as being in the Alekk Weston vacation house went.

                I looked out the window from my room. The view was wonderful. The serenity of it all caused me to stop and think of how lucky I was. I didn’t know how long this was all going to last, but it seemed like every second I was counting my blessings. I knew Wes and I were going to make it. I had gained new friends. Friends whom I had grown to love. And really, what more could I possibly ask for? Love, family, and togetherness. That’s all I needed.

                I got dressed in my suit and ran outside to go meet Niv down by the beach. That dark hair, and those blue eyes. A perfect way to start off my birthday.

                I got down to the beach, where Niv was waiting. He stood there, patiently waiting for me, just like he always had. He was always patient, calm, and understanding. I think that’s why I liked him so much. He was the vacation to Alekk’s craziness.

                “I thought you were sick,” I teased. Niv looked at me and gave me one of his heart-throbbing smiles.

                “I’m not anymore,” he laughed, “C’mon, let’s swim!”

                And just like that, he jumped into the waves as though nothing had happened this past weekend. As if it was just us again. So light-hearted. So carefree. Let yourself go, Maxine, I thought. Enjoy the moment for what it is. I ran towards the water.

                The ocean was so delightful. It had never been this calm before. Niv and I took this moment in time in its entirety. We both kind of knew that this could possibly be the last time we would have something like this. The simplicity.

                Right now it was us, but we both understood that soon everything would be him, Alekk, and me. It would be cameras with nowhere to hide. It would be our faces on screens all over the world. Everyone would scramble to get to know every bit of our lives. No privacy. This indeed would be the last time that Niv and I were going to be unknown.

                “Why did you take me to the beach?” I asked Niv as we relaxed on the lawn an hour later. Niv looked up at me.

                “I just wanted some time with you before things get crazy.”

                “I know,” I replied, “I guess I didn’t notice it either, but things are changing.”

                Niv looked back up at me like he was about to say something. Then paused a little.

                “Max, you’re sure that you like me as much as Alekk, right? I mean, a lot happened this weekend. You don’t like him more than me, do you?” Niv’s eyes looked so blue, so innocent. I couldn’t believe such a wonderful person could like me as much as he did. And I couldn’t believe he said what he did.

                “Niv, of course I like you. I mean, I know everything’s gotten so hectic lately, but I honestly don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here.” I brushed his dark ebony hair out of his eyes, his warm skin sending little jolts up my fingertips.

                “Good,” he sighed, intertwining my hand with his before giving it a gentle kiss.

                We stayed there for a while, letting our skin soak up the skin as usual, always after going to the beach. But after that moment we realized that our being alone, at least in this matter, had to slowly come to an end. It was already mid-afternoon, and we still hadn’t gotten ready for my birthday party. So Niv, never letting go of my hand, gave me a look that I understood as meaning that we did have to go, and leave the ocean for some time. I nodded, and we headed back to the house, where Alekk was most likely waiting.

                “It’s about time,” smirked Alekk, but in a gentler tone than he would normally use. He knew that Niv and I needed our space, at least for this morning. He seemed more at peace than he would usually be. It was a nice aspect to see.

                “Yea, I realized I should probably get ready for this crazy birthday you guys have been bragging about,” I smiled.

                “Speaking of which,” Alekk added, “I happened to take a look at your wardrobe. Not that I know a whole lot about lady fashion, but I’m pretty sure your flowery dresses are not up to par. At least not for tonight. So um, I got you a little surprise.”

                My eyes widened. What surprise? I ran up the stairs to my room.

                And there in my room stood two ladies, one I guessed to be a stylist and the other a make-up artist. My jaw just about dropped. I’ve never had this before. So this is what celebrities were used to. I was practically in heaven. I squealed. Then turned to Alekk and Niv, who were both now in the room as well.

                “Thank you!!” I cried. Niv looked at Alekk and laughed jokingly in unbelief. Alekk gave me a warm smile.

                “See you in a couple of hours, sunshine,” winked Alekk before heading downstairs. Niv walked up to me. My whole world was spinning. Hours? Would it really take that long?

“I can’t believe this.”

                “Classic Alekk,” Niv replied, grabbing my hands, instantly making me blush in front of the ladies still standing in my room. Then he kissed me, and I about died. He was perfect. His lips were warm – I could have just stood there and let him kiss me all day. But he pulled away.

                “You have to get ready,” he laughed slightly, “you’re so beautiful already, though.”

                And then he went downstairs. I hadn’t noticed how red my face was until I heard “aww” simultaneously from the ladies behind me.

                It had been hours of constant dress tugging, hair pulling, eyebrow plucking and nail filing. But we were finally done. Eight in the evening and I was ready, almost. I still hadn’t seen myself yet. The ladies, Rebecca and Wendy, told me from the beginning they wouldn’t let me see myself until I was absolutely done. A “surprise” they had said. Well I was ready for this surprise to be unveiled. Enough surprises I’m sure were to come my way during this birthday party already.

                Rebecca and Wendy led me over to a mirror, blindfolded and all. One of them was fixing my dress to perfection, when the other untied the blindfold from the back of my head. I still had my eyes closed.

                “Go ahead and look,” instructed Wendy, the stylist. My eyelids flew open to see someone I hardly recognized. It was myself, I was sure. But I had never looked like this before. I had never worn a dress like this in my entire life. My hair was done in these perfect curls that cascaded perfectly with the dress. And my eyes. I really looked like a celebrity. I looked famous. I finally recognized myself when my goofy smile came into view. Then I looked back at Rebecca and Wendy.

                “Thank you guys so much,” I sighed, my eyes welling up with premature tears. Rebecca started dabbing them immediately.

                “Oh no, don’t mess up your eyes now sweetie,” she said calmly before stepping back, admiring her work, “now go have some fun.”

                “And we’d help you out anytime,” smiled Wendy. I didn’t know what else to say. I was so thankful. I just smiled back and tried to exit my room without twisting an ankle.

                Just downstairs were Alekk and Niv, dressed up in a way that could have convinced anyone that was how they dressed all the time. Their faces, though. That I couldn’t get out of my mind forever.

                Niv looked up at me with his big blue eyes, his face perfectly still except for his eyebrows, which were skewed up a little. Alekk had the look of complete shock. My heart sped up a little when he took a slight step forward. Alekk was almost always composed, almost always tried to play it “cool.” Not today.          

                I happened to glance out towards the living room. It seemed to instantly change; even though I knew I was gone for a couple of hours. Colored lights were everywhere. People that I didn’t know were scattered all over the place, dancing to music that was louder than what should have been allowed. Amazing smells of food came from the kitchen, the clinking sound of ice to glass told me that Alekk also had a working bar nearby. How did they do all of this?

                And then I thought. Of course – it was Alekk. For a moment I almost forgot that he was the most popular celebrity in the country. Probably in the world.

                I decided to try and forget who Niv and Alekk were, and so when I walked up to where they stood, I wrapped my arms around theirs and had them walk me to my birthday cake.

                A wish, candle smoke, and some dancing later, we had found ourselves at the bar. Apparently Niv and Alekk thought it was funny that I had never had alcohol before as they lightly sipped on their drinks. Niv at first explained how he was against it all, that is until Alekk offered him some red wine. We sat together some minutes later, slightly buzzed and downing out last “birthday cake shots.” Alekk was the one to stand up first.

                “Let’s go dance,” he said with a huge grin. Niv gave a laugh, grabbing my hand as he stood up. I twirled around, mimicking a ballerina before catching myself, slightly dizzy.

                “Yes… let’s,” replied Niv. Before I knew it we three were entering the dance floor, which looked more crowded than it had earlier. It must have been my state of mind. But we certainly were much closer than we had ever been. And those shots were starting to set in.

                The beat was so loud. I was getting lost in the music – everyone was. I accidentally touched Niv’s abs, which were hard and smooth. My first response was to let go, to keep dancing to the music. But I didn’t. Instead I brought myself closer to the towering Niv who in turn cupped my face in his hands so gently as we kissed in front of everybody. It was almost like no one else existed. A cloud was covering us – I was in a daze. I couldn’t wake myself up. But someone would for me.

                A strong arm wrapped around my waist, bringing me full circle, pulling me so close to him. Alekk. My mind was still in its cloud but my heart was beating wildly. I could feel his, too.

                Suddenly he closed the space between us, and I could feel him kissing me with a passion as if this was his only chance - on my lips and now down my neck. My mind jolted awake and was going a million miles an hour. Everybody was watching, but I didn’t seem to care. I kissed him back just as fiercely, with energy I never knew I had. Alekk would press us so close I was sure we were going to melt.

                Camera flashes were starting to go off, and I realized that Niv’s hand was reaching for mine. Immediately I was aware of what was going on. Paparazzi. They caught not only Alekk, but me with Alekk. It couldn’t be like this. I turned and kissed Niv with as much force as I had kissed Alekk, both of their arms wrapped around my waist.

                One thing was for certain. We had to get out of here. Now.

                The next morning I woke up on the lawn, overlooking the ocean. My first hangover was starting to kick in, I could tell by the way my eyes strained to open against the sunlight. The cool breeze that I usually welcomed didn’t help, either.

                I looked around, and saw that both Niv and Alekk were now also starting to wake up, on either side of me. From the slight amount of memories I had from last night, and by the way they looked this morning, it was obvious that we didn’t just happen to fall asleep here.

                As I stood up, a huge headache started to set in, and I felt more tired than I had felt laying down on the grass. Alekk noticed how tired I looked and immediately got up from the ground. Niv was still debating whether or not to keep sleeping. The alcohol hadn’t affected him as much as it did to me. I reflected back to his brandy days. That must have been why.

                “Come on,” he lulled as he scooped me up in his arms. He still smelled so good. I nestled my head against his neck and shoulder. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep in his arms as he carried me into the house.

                I lay in bed with my eyes open. I had been like this for a while. The bed wasn’t my own, it belonged to someone else. I couldn’t remember how I got here, or why. I do remember some of the contents from last night and earlier this morning. I also knew that something was different.

                I reflected on that “something” because the something was me. I had changed. Not for anyone. Not by anyone… it had been my own doing. The feeling is so surreal, but no, not in a bad way. This was just the beginning of my life.

                Oh Maxine, what did you get yourself into?

                Suddenly Alekk appeared.

                “Did you get enough sleep?” he asked, concerned. Immediately I jumped to the next question.

                “Whose bed is this?”

                Alekk gave his little smirk, teasing me.

                “It’s mine. Yours was covered by people… and vomit.” Alekk made a disgusted face.

                “Don’t worry, Max. It’s not like I took advantage of you or anything.”

                I got up to follow Alekk before he left the room, and grabbed at his hand. He was facing me now.

                “And what about last night?” I asked.

                “Max,” Alekk laughed, “you took advantage of US.” I gasped in shock. Alekk continued to laugh.

                “Don’t worry though, we still love you and all.” Alekk winked before kissing my forehead lightly. He then went downstairs, leaving me to ponder.

END OF CH.8