The smell of french toast and orange juice floated in the air. From the corner of the room, the song 'secrets' by one republic was playing. I opened my eyes slowly, scanning the yellow walls and vintage furniture. Then, I heard footsteps and voices.
"Yes, Yes, she's fine..." a female voice said. "No..... I mean, well really?... well she's here now.... no! I will not....thats your own problem..... really. bye." She said, then set the phone down. I began to sit up, stretching my arms. She walked over and sat at the end of the couch I was sleeping on. I gave her a confused look.
"Hello Asha." She extended her hand, "My name is Jackie. You will be living with me until you become famous or move out and stuff." she said to me.
"Wait... what?" I asked, still confused. "Where... am I?"
"13 plaza street. Apartment." she answered.
"uhh, not to be rude, but who are you?" I asked, she laughed.
"My name is Jackie Cortland, I'm Drek's older sister. I'm 26 and I'm a professional photographer." she smiled at me. I stayed silent. I was originally planning to stay with Jackie, didn't I know that? Well, the real question was how did Josh know that? Jackie checked her nails and flipped her shiny black hair.
"Oh." was my smart response to her. She stood up and walked to the window, singing along with the music.
"My God, amazing how we got this far, It's like were chasing all those stars....." she pulled back the white curtains letting the sun light leak in brightly. I groaned. "Welcome to Paris, Asha!" she sing-songed. Her deep green eyes shone brightly, but they paled in comparison to her brothers. "So." She said as she plopped down on the cushions next to me. "Tell me, Why does Drek want me to apologize to you for him?" She asked, not unkindly, but not exactly un-nosy. I darted my eyes around, and then I ran a hand through my hair.
"We had a fight last night." I started to say, clearing my head. "Actually, I uh, started it. So really he uhh, umm, actually has nothing to be sorry for..." I babbled, but she just closed her eyes and put her hand up to stop me.
"Nevermind. He'll have to learn how to settle his own problems. Don't beat yourself up, okay?" she looked at me with concern, which I found surprising. The only time I really saw Jackie or knew her was for half of a year that I lived with them, and then she didn't talk very much. She went to live with her aunt in Fairbrook, about an hour away, to go to another school for artistic kids. Drek's mom wondered why I never considered going there. I loved to dance. And sing.
"Plus, he'll take on my wrath on Wednesday." Jackie shook her head. I turned my head around to look at her.
"What," I said in confusion, "about Wednesday?" I asked.
"He... he's coming." she stumbled. "I thought you knew."
"No." I said, getting up from my sitting position. Jackie shot me a sorry glance. "I didn't. Now excuse me, I'm going to take a shower and see if my new friends are available." I said, dragging my blanket behind me as I headed for the room Jackie had painted my name on. Jackie threw her head back and laughed.
"No," she smiled. "you are not. Well, you're taking a shower, but afterwords we are touring Paris. Together. Just us, we need to get to know each other more, Pierce!" she yelled down the hall, and afterwords I closed my door and huffed. Who is she to tell me what to do? Well, she is helping me. Plus, maybe it'll be good for me. Whatever. I blew the dangling hair from my face and scanned the room. My mouth basically dropped in astonishment. Every thing was made with a light pink/light green color theme. It looked like a vintage room. I even had a small canopy above my bed. There on the end of my bed, sat my laptop. I plugged it in and booted it up, automatically connecting to the internet. I blasted music as high as I could get it, and then I stripped off my clothes and threw a green towel around me. I was just about to open the bathroom door when the door on the opposite side smashed open.
"Asha!" Jackie gasped. looking at me, towel wrapped around. "Your auditions were moved! Now they're Monday!" she almost squealed.
"Great." I smiled tightly. "Do you mind?" I asked, gesturing to my half naked body. She shurgged and went back out the door, shutting it.
I let out a deep breath and hopped into the warm shower. When I got out, I washed my face and put my make-up back on. I glanced at the calender in my room, it's last 'x' was yesterday, Friday. I sighed. Two days to practice for an audition? No way. I got dressed and Opened my door finally. Jackie gasped and turned around when she heard me. She was talking with another boy on the couch. He slowly got up and turned around. It was my turn to gasp. His green eyes shined bright when he saw me, and a smiled tilted on his face.
"Hello, Asha."
