Double Trouble

Chapter 5: Literally Running Into Each Other

"Who...?" I start to ask, but she drags me through the doors of Papi's. Lights are flashing and not the cameras. It's from the lights of the pizza parlor.

"Scott said Ricky is still interested. I think he's looking for a Homecoming date...," she coos. "Now we can go together, me, Scott, you, and Ricky!" She pulls me through the crowd until we're at the back of the restaurant, and two very handsome boys are standing by the pizza topping bar. One is stuffing his mouth with several slices of pizza. "Hey, Ricky!" A cute boy turns around, the one with pizza in his face. "This is Skye, my best friend."

"Hey, girl," he slurs his words. I roll my eyes, out of habit. The boys that I see at Hollywood parties are not this drunk. They are sober, flirting with all the supermodels. "What's up?"

"Listen," I turn to the girl, "I think you've got the wrong person. I'm not this Skye...," I trail off, my eyes landing on the cute guy walking into the pizza parlor. He lights up the room, and not like any of those cameras around the corner, probably still looking for me. Wait--if they recognized me, why didn't this girl recognize me? I have to get out of here. "Who is that?" I ask her suddenly. She looks at me incredulous.

"Did an alien abduct you and return another person?" she demands. "Because you are not my best friend right now." I look at her, and then back at the mysterious boy. "That's Ethan, your best friend. You remember, Ethan, Ethan James." Ethan James. A cute boy, a very cute boy, that I happen to like.

"Who's that girl with him?" I ask. Believe it or not, a not-so-impressed, bored-looking girl is with him, hanging onto him like a little puppy.

"That's Mindy, his obnoxious girlfriend," she rolls her eyes. His girlfriend must not be that popular, or she is, and everyone hates her. I've played this role in movies.

"And he's my best friend?" I ask.

"Yes!" she says. "But he has a girlfriend. That's why I'm setting you up with cute boy Ricky." Ricky seems nice. Ricky seems cute. But this Ethan...

"I'm going to go talk to him," I say, without hearing the girl's response. I weave myself through the crowd, no one noticing me. Hmmm...I must come here more often. Crowds of dancing girls surround boys and dance all over them, while I try to keep my focus on the task at hand.

Then I think of the movie.

I mean, Dale Morris will probably understand if I have a boyfriend? And if he doesn't, we will run away with each other and live happily ever after. We'll go to Barcelona with Ren and Tally, but she is a gossip.

He grins from ear to ear when he sees me. "Skye! You made it!" I stand face-to-face with him. Even from up close, he is extremely attractive. Even when he speaks. He stands there, his smile turning into a frown. "Did I say anything?" he asks confused. I snap out of my trance.

"No," I finally speak. "I mean, I just came over here to say...hi."

"Hi," he says, waving his hand.

"Hi," I reply back.

"Wanna grab a booth and talk?" he asks. Talk. An actual boy wants to just talk with me? "Mindy is with her friends." He shrugs, showing a hint of sadness. Ah. Girlfriend. It makes sense now.

"Sure," I nod in agreement. As I'm walking in a trance, my Sidekick buzzes.

Maggie: Ethan? Really? I thought he was with Mindy! You go, girl!

I shut off my Sidekick and slide into the booth with this boy named Ethan.

"So, how have you been? he says, flagging down the waiter. "Two Cokes." He looks at me. "I got that right, right?" He grins from ear to ear. "I'm right." He smiles in triumph. "So, how have you been?" I look into the party, and then back to his face.

"Okay," I say weakly.

"Are you okay? You seem tense," he asks in worry. I grab my purse and head for the door outside.

"I think I need to go home, actually." He quickly scrambles to get up and follows me outside.

"What?" he asks in disbelief. "You just got here."

"I know. Which is why I need to get out of here," I start to say, "I don't belong here."

"Yes, you do. We belong together," he blurts out. He pushes a strand of my hair back into place behind my ear. In my purse, the Sidekick buzzes. I heave it farther on my shoulder. "C'mon, Skye, stay." He smiles when he feels the scar on my right cheek bone, hidden by layers of hair done by stylists. "I never knew you had a scar right there." He pauses. "I never really seen this side of you," he adds. He coddles my face in his hands.

"I need to go," I say hoarsely. He steps back. "Bye."

"I'll see you tomorrow," he says, opening the door to go inside, and he disappears.