Pop - Ch. 10

 

                “Quiet on set. First positions… here we go. Roll cameras.”

                “Speed!”

                “Slate in. Action… Max.”

                “Is this dress really necessary? It’s only a movie, John. You really didn’t need to buy such a fancy dress.”

                “Well, Ms. Hiebert, you look positively radiant! That dress suits you very well. It’s a token of my gratitude. Why, if you hadn’t helped out with my daughter last week I wouldn’t know what to do!”

                “You are a man of your word, Mr. Howard. Come, it would be quiet the inconvenience to miss the show.”

 

                “Cut!” yelled the director, “Good job Maxine. Good job Hunt. Take a lunch break and we’ll see you back here in thirty minutes.”

                This was my life now. Big time famous actress. Every day of this week so far I’ve been waking up at various early hours of the morning and wouldn’t hit the sheets until late at night. I loved it though. Everything about it. My life was a constant adrenaline rush, and I devoured it like candy.

                I looked back up at the director and gave him a smile before half-running back to my room, still in the dress I was wearing. Lunches weren’t necessarily exciting or anything, but I today I knew someone was waiting for me. And I knew exactly who that someone was.

                I ran into my room, but I saw nobody there. Alekk must have gone to the snack cart. Quickly I got out of my dress, changing into some sweats while eating nachos at the same time. My stylist always complained about my diet. Apparently I didn’t get the memo that nachos and fries were truly horrible things, but I didn’t care. I dumped more jalapenos on mine as I completed my comfy outfit with an old T-shirt.

                I turned around to watch something on the television when I noticed a smiling Alekk sitting on the couch. He had been there the whole time. It was easy to see why he was about to start laughing at any moment – I hadn’t noticed him. I shrugged at the thought of it all. It really wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before. I gave him a little smirk.

   “So…,” I said, slowly walking towards him.

                “So…,” he repeated, rising off the couch and walking towards me. Man, he looked so perfect. His hazel eyes bore at me and the shirt he was wearing was doing a terrible job at hiding his muscular chest. He quickened his pace, scooping me into his embrace.

                And before I knew it, I was kissing Alekk, our bodies melting together. We really couldn’t be separated for long. His hot lips would course along my jawline and down my neck, before joining with my lips again in a pattern I wished would never end. I could smell his sweet cologne – with hints of cinnamon and citrus. I would allow my fingers to entwine in his soft blonde hair. Meanwhile he would almost cradle me as his strong arms wrapped around my waist.

                “I love you,” he breathed, his minty warm breath making me feel dizzy as his hand smoothed a piece of hair out of my eyes. His touch left me blushing a deep crimson red.

                “I love you too.”

                The way he smiled was enough to make me go crazy. I pulled him in closer, wanting another taste.

                And that was basically how I spent my lunch break.

                After lunch time, a few scenes, and changing back again to my street clothes some few hours later, I was ready to leave my room. Alekk grabbed both of my hands. He held onto them tight, the warm of his hands encircling my palms. I loved this – his touch. It was moments like these that he made me feel so protected. I gave him a reassuring smile. Something told me that I already knew what he was going to say.

                “Are you sure you don’t want to do anything for your birthday? Just us at the house with champagne and old DVD’s?”

                I knew it. Alekk was always the party planner – he used to have a lot of parties back when I had first met him. It was unusual to him that anyone would reject going “all out” on their birthday, or for any occasion really. So when I told him last week that I just wanted a relaxing birthday with no party and no guests, I guess you could say that he was in a sort of shock.

                “I’m sure,” I smiled, “I’ve been so tired this week.”

                “Okay,” Alekk paused, sighing, “let’s go to the house.”

                He loosened his hold on one of my hands to open the door, letting us down a long corridor that would be filled with paparazzi until we reached our limo. He squeezed my other hand tighter, however, never letting it go until we had reached the beach house.

                It was so nice to be back. I had been here every weekend, but every weekend it was like I had never left. Every winter I spent away from this house, I felt like I was away from home. The gorgeous ocean views with the white sand beaches were still the same. My room was still the same. Alekk’s porch was still the same. Nothing had changed in this house and maybe that was why I liked it. I still couldn’t believe it had been over two years since I first stepped foot in this place. Suddenly I felt like swimming.

                “Let’s go to the pool,” I said, facing Alekk after I put my things away. He gave me a look of misunderstanding, his brow furrowed.

                “So one minute you say ‘oh, I’m SO tired, Alekk’ and now you want to go swimming? Make up your mind, Maxine,” he laughed.

                “PLEEEEEEASE?” I begged. Alekk looked away for a couple of seconds, appearing as if he didn’t hear me. When he couldn’t hold his smile any longer, he faced me again, nodding in agreement.

                “Well, it is your birthday.”

                “YES!” I exclaimed, sprinting downstairs where the pool would be. I had already changed into my bikini – I knew he would say ‘yes.’

                We had swum until the sun started setting. It was a nice break, to be able to take a dip in the cool waters of the pool. Swimming always seemed to relax me. The buoyancy of the water felt nice along my neck and back, relieving the built up stress that I had accumulated over the week. Alekk would float beside me. He wasn’t a great swimmer, but loved his company. I loved how this was like our break, to talk about whatever we wanted. He would ask me about my acting, and I would ask him about his concerts. It was our time to relate to one another.

                Alekk and I were now sitting in the living room of the beach house, a glass of champagne in our hands that we were sipping slowly while watching a show on the television.

                “Well, I hope you had a good start to your ‘refreshing’ 21st birthday,” chuckled Alekk, still amused by the fact that I didn’t want to do anything grandiose on the day that I could legally drink. I gave a small laugh, setting my glass on the coffee table.

                “I did, thank you very much Alekk.”

                Alekk smirked, before giving me a gentle kiss. These didn’t happen very often, so I returned the favor. He smiled up at me, the combination of his eyes and blonde hair making him appear innocent. It was the second smirk, however, that told me he was anything but. He was halfway through pulling up his shirt (over his perfect abs, may I add) when we heard the sound of a set of keys unlocking the front door. Immediately Alekk composed himself.

                “Niv!” I screamed, leaping off the couch, sprinting towards him as he set his bags down in time before my arms caught him in a hug that was more like a death grip. He hugged me back, not so “death grip-like” but still tightly. He smelled as he always had, like the ocean. I gave him a huge grin and saw that his blue eyes were smiling back at me. The blue eyes I had been dreaming of for the past month.

                “We missed you Niv,” smiled Alekk, walking over to hug his best friend. They gave each other a look and then laughed.

                “How was your trip with the parents?”

                “Good,” breathed Niv, “it was a nice cruise. It took a lot of pictures and stuff.”

                Dark circles formed under Niv’s eyes. As far as Alekk and I knew, he had been on a plane since three this morning. He grabbed some of his bags.

“Well we’re glad you’re back,” replied Alekk, walking with the bags towards Niv’s room.

                “Uh-huh,” scoffed Niv, “and what have YOU guys been doing? Making mini-Maxines since I’ve been gone?”

                I felt my cheeks get that stinging warmth as they soon were red as roses. Alekk just laughed. Niv gave a prideful smile, piercing his blue eyes playfully at Alekk and I. He just grabbed his one other bag and started walking upstairs.

                “On that note, I think I’m going to get everything unpacked and take a hot shower. That plane ride was gruesome.”

                I quickly grabbed the bags that Alekk was holding and ran after Niv.

                “Here, I’ll help you.”

                I looked back at Alekk, who was staring at me, a playful smile curling at his lips.

                “You would,” he whispered.

                I returned his playful smile, shrugging my shoulders before following Niv with his bags.

                “Ugh, I could fall asleep right here,” sighed Niv as he fell into his favorite armchair. He leaned his head back, mimicking the act of sleeping, his eyes closed. He looked so vulnerable, his dark hair cascading slightly against the back of the chair. I walked over until I was a few inches away, hovering over his perfect face, over his perfect lips. I closed the space until I felt the warmth of those lips against mine.

                “I guess I didn’t miss out on much,” he laughed lightly, as I became lost in his eyes. He continued to smile up at me, his gentle hand caressing my face.

                “No,” I replied, “as always I still love you.”

                “And I love you. So I guess we’re all caught up now.”

                He kissed me so lightly, like a soft warm breeze, cradling my chin. I paused to look more at Niv, to take in the sight of him. To make sure he was here. I ran my hand over the features of his face, smoothing over his dark eyebrows, feeling the contours of his forehead, nose, and lips. A month was too long. Too long without him.

                “I’m assuming you didn’t come up here to solely help me in unpacking my bags,” Niv smiled, holding me close.

                “No, not really,” I replied, biting my lip. Niv shook his head, as he picked me up and walked us over to the warm shower he had already started.

                About an hour later Alekk, Niv, and I sat at the bar over a few glasses of champagne. It was only a couple of seconds but the silence was starting to get uncomfortable. I could tell they were thinking this whole birthday thing was weird. Any normal person would have planned a trip to Las Vegas, went bar-hopping, or at least have a keg-filled house party. Yet here I was, in the beach house by myself, besides Alekk and Niv.

                “Well, let’s get this over with,” I commanded, grabbing the first glass. Alekk and Niv followed suit, and we clanked our glasses together, giving each other fake cheers. It turned out a boring birthday party was what we all needed. After our second glasses we got bored, and decided just to skip to dancing. That was when I heard another knock at the door. Who could it possibly be now?

                I about had a heart attack when I opened the door. It was none other than Wes standing before me. Healthy, strong Wes. I hadn’t seen him in over a year. Tears formed in my eyes as I gave him a hug that could last for an eternity.

                “Surprise!” Alekk chimed from across the house, him and Niv still dancing. I couldn’t believe it. He did this? He brought Wes home early for my birthday? I hugged my cousin even tighter. My only family. The last time I had seen him, he was leaving for the army. He had seen everything, been put in danger – and here he was, safe in my arms.

                “Thank you,” I sobbed, tears of happiness flooding down my cheeks. I looked up at Wes.

                “Please stay here forever,” I partially begged. I knew that could never be possible. Not now anyways.

                “I’ll stay as long as I can,” Wes chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. His eyes were blood-shot. He was about to cry, too. We laughed at each other in our obvious failure to overcome our emotions.

                “Champagne?” I asked.

                “Yes. Please,” he laughed.

                After Wes loosened up, all four of us would alternate between dancing and watching old DVD’s. It was nice to see everyone revert to the way we were a couple of years ago, before all of our lives became hectic, dangerous, and busy. It had only been two years and we had matured so much. Everything had changed. But tonight we could forget our responsibilities. We could have fun, relax, and after a few hours all we wanted to do was sleep. I was the first to show any signs of exhaustion, which the boys found funny considering it was my birthday.

                “Here, you’re going to fall over,” laughed Niv as he saw me attempt to walk to my room by myself. He picked me up and I remembered falling asleep in his arms. Alekk and Wes remained in the living room.

 

 

 

 

                “To be honest, I didn’t expect this all to last this long,” Wes spoke, after a pause of silence after Max had left the room. Alekk’s brow rose in confusion.

                “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
                “Of course you do. You guys. I mean it’s been two years.”

                Alekk bowed his head in defense, it was his defeat. He suddenly knew what Wes was talking about. Their relationship – the one he and Niv shared with Max.

 

                “You know it’s wrong. I mean it’s been two years, but something like this doesn’t last forever. It was never meant to. Eventually it’s going to break. If not by you or Niv, then by something else.”

                Alekk knew this speech was coming. It was bound to come the minute he and Niv, for lack of a better word, agreed to “share” Max. Yet however prepared he made himself for this speech, he had never been fully ready for it. The blood boiled in his veins.

                “I love her though,” he replied. Wes looked at him with empathy. It was always going to be this. Alekk proving his love for Max, ever since those two years ago.

                “Is it love, or selfishness? Do you really love Max – would you be willing to let her go? Or is the reason for you holding on this long because you know eventually she has to choose, and you want to come out the winner? You want her to choose you, even though Niv came first.”

                Alekk wasn’t quite sure how to answer. He automatically wanted to retort “I love her” again, but what good was that going to do? That was the reply of someone with a lack of maturity. That wasn’t the answer Wes was looking for.

                But of course he wasn’t selfish – was he? Niv was his best friend. He never wanted to hurt him. He would never be so cruel as to steal Max away from his best friend. But he loved Max; he loved her with every inch of his being. It was like the feeling of being pushed underwater. It was so easy. Max had easily been on his mind for two years. There was no way he could get her out of his head. No matter what he could try, there Max was, resonating in his mind.

                It was painful to think about. Wes was right, however, and perhaps that was the most painful part about it. Relationships like this were never meant to last, nevertheless exist for this long. He wanted Max, but he also wanted to have his best friend. He knew Niv wanted the same thing. And as much as they would both want to keep it that way, there was no way for any of them to have everything they completely wanted. Alekk and Niv could never completely have Max without ending their friendship, and Max could never completely have both Alekk and Niv.

                Alekk looked back at Wes and decided to answer.

                “It’s not hard to imagine that this isn’t going to last forever, I know. But right now this, whatever it is, works. For now. But when that time comes, I’ll play my part, no matter what my part is. For her.”

 

                “Hey guys!” whispered Niv cheerfully, as he walked down the stairs.

                “I just put her to bed. She’s alright. A little drunk, but alright.”

                Alekk patted a space on the sofa next to him for Niv to sit. Wes gave Alekk an understanding look that meant that the conversation was at a safe place, over for the moment. Niv was completely oblivious and sunk into the cushions, enjoying the DVD that was playing at the moment…

                …Until Max was seen stumbling down the stairs a few minutes later.

                “Whew! Wow… I’m drunk, or sick, or something.”

                Niv, Alekk, and Wes all gaped in horror as she could barely support herself, yet was still managing to step down each stair without completely falling on her face. Alekk immediately ran to her side, grasping her hand as she cleared the last three steps.

                “What are you doing, Max?” Alekk asked with concern.

                “I decided I didn’t want to sleep,” giggled Max, “I wanted to see you guys.”

“Well that’s uh, nice,” gasped Niv, who was now sitting at the edge of the couch, ready to assist Alekk in his attempt to help Max. They were getting closer, just a few yards away now. Alekk loosened his grip on her hand, realizing that he was probably cutting off her circulation. Suddenly Max clutched her side, her expression full of pain.

                Max yelled in agony, the pain immediately making her sober. She gasped, trying to walk herself to a couch. She was only a foot away when she collapsed on the floor, her world turning black.

                “Someone call 9-1-1!” bellowed Alekk, who had caught Max’s head before it hit the floor. Niv and Wes were already out of sight, searching for a phone to call an ambulance.

 END OF CH. 10