“Sounds nice,” she said completely disinterested.
Guess I’m the pooper to my own party. How nice. Did that classify her as shit? Ew.
She usually didn’t drink but she needed one desperately. I’m free, she giggled to herself. Perfect a guy held Abigail’s attention so she could slip away. She saddled up to the bar.
“Can’t you find it in your heart to spare one for the birthday girl?” she asked the bartender. She gave him a gracious thank you when a shot sat in front of her. She downed it quickly and looked at him expectantly.
Ha! Being a young Hollywood starlet has it perks. Riches, alcohol for underage teens. What more could one ask for? A surreptitious relationship?
“Aww, you hold the keys to my heart.”
“Out of all you Hollywood elites, you seemed the most normal.” He said fixing a drink.
“Thank you I try.” She snorted. It wasn’t very lady like. Chaos would descend and vultures would feast on her soul if her mother ever heard the sound.
“You know you didn’t have to ask, you could just order one.”
“You do have a point.” It was sad, but the rich had fewer restrictions than other people in society. Money made the world go around.
“So what’d you get for your birthday?”
“A necklace from my parents. It’s way too expensive but they seemed hell bent on giving me more.”
“Is that such a bad thing?”
“No.”
“I’m sure they brought you a car.”
“Yeah, me too.” she said sighing. The bartender was confused. Didn’t she want a car? Who wouldn’t want one? Hell, he was twenty-four years old and would sell his left nut for a new car…maybe not his left nut, a finger perhaps?
“Isn’t that what every teenager wants?”
“Apparently, I come from a planet that hasn’t been discovered yet. I landed here on earth and I’ve been deemed an unknown species.”
“Why?” he asked perplexed.
“Because I want a horse!” she whined. The bartender guffaws filled the air. Iris was confused. What was so funny?
5
Hollywood Elite
“I like you! You are something. How about I take you horseback riding sometime?” he asked her. She had the boldest pair of light brown eyes he’d ever seen. They were like honey. Iris was confused. He was a stranger. She couldn’t just ride off into the night with him.
What the hell did he think this was? Arabian nights? No barbaric tendencies for her.
“I’m sorry, little lass here is taken.” A familiar silky voice resounded from behind her. She fought the chill that shot down her spine. He was a narcissist.
Never! It’s the alcohol. Why the hell did this man give me alcohol! I’m a child for crying out loud. And Jean-Pierre is not attractive. He’s ugly. A fugly!
When did Jean-Pierre get here? Was he stalking her? Or did her mother tell him to keep an eye on her?
“Aren’t you from Latin descent? I’m not a lass,” she huffed out clearly irritated with him.
“Of course not,” he said with smoldering eyes. Iris felt her body hummed with warmth. He was dangerous.
“Umm, I think I’ve had enough to drink,” she said leaving the bar. She was running away with her tail between her legs. She didn’t understand why Jean-Pierre was so interested in her. Clearly there were other women who were throwing their panties at him.
I hope they stink! Stinky panties! Le gasp!
She could go hide out in the study. It was massive; it should’ve been called a library. It was easily one of her favorite rooms in the whole house. When her parents decided to expanded the house, they combined four rooms to make this her special place. It even had a secret passage way to get to it. She smiled feeling like she was going back in time. It was a time where she and her best friend would hide and tell each other everything. There were no secrets between the two. Sighing she press the small button embedded into the painting. Stepping into the room, she closed her eyes and threw her head back. She loved the smell of books and old leather. She spent many of nights in Neverland with Peterpan and fighting evil sea witches. She was one of those people that would reread books. Some days a random quote would come to her and she would search for the book until she found it, and fall in love with the characters all over again.
A gasp left her lips when hands suddenly covered her mouth. “I knew you’ll be here.” A masculine voice tumble out of the boy she’d never expected to see again.
When did he get here? How? Why?
“Chester,” she whispered. His hands released her and spun her around. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest as she faced the one and only guy she’d ever loved. His beautiful blond hair was styled messily on his head and his eyes were so unique—a deep violet color. When he left, she was heartbroken. It was why she spent so much time dreaming, sometimes reality was much harder to deal with.
“I couldn’t miss your seventeenth birthday,” he said scratching his neck. He was nervous. Iris looked at him clearly shocked.
“Shouldn’t you be touring the world Chazzy,” she sneered, turning her back on him. He was a famous rockstar; she knew she shouldn’t read the tabloids, but they were her only connection to him. He wrote and tried calling her several times, but she just couldn’t deal with him. It was hard, she’d been thrown away like trash.
“Don’t be that way Iri,” he said reaching out towards her.
“No!” she shouted snatching her hand away. She couldn’t let him. She fought her tears as they sprang to the corners of her eyes. This was why she didn’t want to see him. All the feelings would come rushing back. She couldn’t do this.
“Why are you angry with me?! You’ve ignored me for years! Left me alone!” he yelled back at her. Anger, hurt, and sadness pumped furiously through his veins as his body trembled. She was his world.
“Shouldn’t that be my line!” she shouted back tears streaming down her face. Chester looked at her in bewilderment, he was supposed to be angry with her; not the other way around.
“You never said goodbye,” she whispered into the quiet room. Chester’s eyes widen. She was right. He felt like a complete idiot. He took her into his arms, her scent filling his nose. It was still the same. Vanilla. He tucked her face into his neck and felt the warm and salty tears spill in the crevices of his shoulder and neck.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. He and Iri were inseparable growing up. He’d always had a huge crush on her but never told her. Her large honey eyes were so beautiful and always filled with joy and happiness. He missed her. Every day he called her hoping to hear her voice; but she had refused him. It infuriated him, it hurt him; but it inspired him to write and to create music. He wondered if she’d ever listen to any of his music. Probably not. She’d grown into a beautiful woman. She was curvier now.
When he first spotted her his heart stopped. The black metallic teacup dress she wore was stunning. He’d remember her fighting with her mother about wearing dresses. He wondered if she was still the same way. None of the girls could compare to her. He chuckled, he was carrying a flaming torch for his best friend who probably didn’t even see him in that manner. Damn. Would he always be the best friend?
“What’s funny? I’m starting to think that today is laugh at Iris day.”
“Nothing. So, was there a bet?”
“Eh?”
“I mean what made you put on that dress. Don’t get me wrong. I like seeing you in it.” He said smirking at her. Chester was pleasantly surprised at the flush sweeping her face. Hmm what was this?
“You know my mom loves stuff like this.” She said turning away from him. Did he say he liked seeing her in stuff like this? Did that mean he saw her as more than a friend?
They shared one kiss when they were nine, but it was her first. Did that even count? I’m such a lame.
Thump.
She just needed to stay calm. She was going to hyperventilate at the rate she was going. He grabbed her han
ds and intertwined their fingers. She looked down at their joined hands in shock. What was he doing? He dragged them over towards the plush futon and pulled her down with him.
“Chester, what are you doing?”
“Did you forget? We used to lay together as kids in this very spot. We are much bigger now.” She smiled. He didn’t forget her. She snuggled into his side with her head on his chest. This was turning out to be the best gift of all.
“Now catch me up on everything that’s happened,” he said looking at the ceiling. He couldn’t be any happier with her in his arms like this. Everything felt right in the world. She was all he needed.
“You first.”
“The night I left. I’d never dreamt of getting a record deal. I was just a kid and there were other people there with more experience. My parents signed me up for the talent search without telling me, they were always searching for their big break.” He said vehemently. “Being around your family, gave them a little taste of fame, and they always wanted more. It was never enough. I had every intention of coming back to you. I had our favorite movies ready and my bag packed to spend the night,” he paused glancing into her eyes while trailing his fingers through her hair. “The agent wanted to sign me immediately, once they heard me. It was icing on the cake when they discovered I could play various instruments. If I walked away they would have went with a different person. My parents turned into yes people, it was the chance of a lifetime. It was finally in their hands—to finally be a part of the in crowd, no matter the cost. Even if it cost them my happiness.” He sighed staring at the ceiling as all the emotions from that night surfaced. Namely one—betrayal.
“Screaming and shouting I demanded to go back home. They told me my home was with them. I told them I could go and live with you. But I was ignored. I hated them with such passion. They took away the one thing I valued most.”
“What was that?” she asked her heart racing.
“You” he said glancing down at her. “I guess I should thank them in a way. Music is my passion, but what they did was unforgivable.”
“Where are they now?”
“I don’t know. I don’t care.”
“Don’t be that way Cheese. They’re your parents.” She giggled.
“You little devil! You remembered that nickname!” He pounced on her, his fingers digging into her flesh.
“Stop Cheese! I’m in a dress,” she said laughing as tears rolled down her face. “I give!” He released her and laid back down.
“What do you want for your birthday?”
You.
It was almost like he never left. There was no way she would ever utter the word.
Suddenly the door opened. Her dad entered the room, “I knew I’d find you here. Chester, how have you been?”
“Great Mr. McDerman. Thank you for helping me with the surprise.”
“Anything for little Iris.”
Iris blushed looking away from both men. “Well cupcake, everyone is looking for you. It’s time for your mother and I to give you your gift.”
Everyone was out front. She was right. A brand new shiny black car sat out front. Her mouth went slack. It was an Audi RS7. She ran gleefully up to the vehicle. It had white leather with aluminum trimming, she knew luxury when she saw it. It was a hundred-thousand-dollar car. Were they insane?
Chester whistled beside her. “That is one sexy beast you got on your hands.”
“Thanks mom and dad!”
“Oh my god! Is that Chazzy from Inked! He is so hot!”
Iris turned her head at the voice. She wanted to snarl at the girl who said it. She was glad when Ryan guided them back inside. Chester was supposed to be himself here.
“Oh we’re not done yet darling.”
She watched her parents with wide eyes. Her mother was in her father’s arms. “Well you can actually thank Chester here for this last gift.” Her mother said smiling at the young man. She glanced at him. He was just as flustered as she was.
What’s got him so nervous?
They moved to her dad’s studio, and she gasped. It was a painting of her and Chester together. They were both young. She was maybe ten? She was looking at him with a smile on her face while he looked down at her. They were standing in an open field.
“C’mon Iri!” he said taking her hand like old times. “But why? My parents and the party,” she trailed of looking back at her parents.
“It’s okay dear. Go,” her mother said smiling at her. Iris eyes sparkled and she gave her mother a grateful smile and followed Chester out of the studio and into the wide-open space.
“Cheese, where are you taking me?” Dusk was fast approaching and the sky was brilliant in color—orange, pink and white.
“You were always impatient.” He pointed to something in the distance. What she saw made her heart stopped. He was gorgeous—a black Belgian. He was thick and muscular, his main flowing out behind him. She raced towards him. She wanted to climb him immediately, but waited patiently as he sniffed her. Chester slowly came up and lucky for her, he had a couple of sugar cubes in his pocket.
“How did you know?”
“It was something you always talked about growing up. Your parents and I hatched the plan. You need a car to get around in and I could help get the horse.”
“He’s beautiful.” She shook nervously. “How long are you here for?”
“I don’t know. I could stay a couple of months, but it’ll be bad if I stayed any longer. The paps are always hounding me.” He wondered if he could get her to leave that school and come with him. There was an elite academy she could attend, and be herself. He would even return if she came with him.
“What’s his name?” he asked her. Iris looked calmly at the horse. It was a nice change of subject. She should have known he wouldn’t be able to stay with her. She was afraid of ruining their friendship and he was always traveling. Why would he give that all up for her? She wasn’t anyone special.
“I’ll call him Blitz,” she said climbing onto the horse bareback.
“Iri! What the hell are you doing! What if you fall off?” She looked down at Chester’s frantic face, maybe if he stuck around longer she’d be less reckless.
Jerk. Coming back into my life. Filling me with hope. Only for me to worry when you’ll leave me again. I’ll get through this. After all, my panties are bigger.
“I got this,” she said racing off with Blitz. Her laughter filled the air. She felt like she was flying. She was free! It was thrilling. Her horse’s hooves beat against the ground, her hair in the wind, and the dying rays of the sun on her face. This was what she wanted. It was getting dark and fast. She raced back towards the house. She expected Chester to be waiting for her but he’d left. She dismounted Blitz and led him to the stall. She didn’t understand why she expected more anyway. He was her best friend. Wasn’t she crushing on Axel anyway? She thought about her earlier encounter with him while brushing Blitz.
“What are you doing out here all alone little Iris?”
“What are you doing here Jean-Pierre? Shouldn’t you be harassing some other girl?” she asked blowing him off. Jean-Pierre didn’t know why he was so interested in the girl. She was a breath of fresh air. It was different from the lustrous women who were always on the prowl.
“You sound like a jealous lover.”
“You wish.”
“You ride?” She stared at him with shrewd eyes. She couldn’t figure out which context he was using the word, but knowing him it was probably the latter. She was thankful when Chester showed up. He had gotten her a coke.
Whoops. Guess he wasn’t abandoning me. I’ve got to really work on being suspicious of people. I blame this cold cruel world! And the invisible man hiding in the corner.
“I’ll be seeing you around gorgeous.” He said leaving the two alone.
“What was that all about?” Chester asked watching Jean-Pierre’s retreating form.
“I have no idea.”
6
; Racing Heart
The week had gone by fast and all too soon Iris knew she would be starting the first day of senior year. She sighed, she was excited to get back to her friends but she didn’t like spending time away from Chester. They’d bonded. It was as if they’ve never spent the last three years apart.
“I can pick you up from school.” She glanced at him through her peripherals. His face was stoic and there was a faraway look in his eyes as he stared at the sky above them. The wind tousled his hair; the strands were fluttering around in a synchronized dance. His moves graceful—she knew there was a puppet master with invisible strings manipulating his movements. He was too graceful and out of her reach. He was a celestial being forever out of her grasp. Was this how Clyte felt as she watched Apollo with unrequited love? Did she love him? What about her attraction towards Axel? Was he nothing, but a rouse to distract her from her true target? She was so confused. How could she go from having no boy problems to things being overly complicated? The sad thing—she was the only one who knew about the complexities of love.
She imagined telling her mother about her love life. She would stand on some fancy grand stage singing show tunes and telling her about love woes. Sad music would play subtly in the background, while Iris would look on with unspeakable horror; suddenly her mother would launch into a burlesque song telling her to go after her man. She shook her head at her dastardly thoughts. There was just one problem, which one was she supposed to go after? She wanted Chester with a passion but was afraid to ruin their friendship and rejection, and Axel—he was smokin’ hot. Did she need to say more?
“You can’t pick me up Cheese. Then everyone will know I’m wealthy, better yet, friends with a rock star and they’ll try to become my friend. I don’t want that.”