I was whistling, my hands in my pockets. I was listening to Hammer Time on my iPod and I was having a hard time stopping myself from bursting out into a dance. I meant I knew I was walking on the street, but sometimes you just felt that beat in your bones. My head started to bob to the beat and I started to clap my hands, as if I was in High School Musical or something. I couldn't dance and stuff but who cared? Like who even knew me right now? I could just move my feet a little...
There were hands around my shoulders and I was being dragged back. I let out a yelp and struggled against the hands but the guy behind me was far stronger than I. He was tugging me so hard that I lost my balance. He hooked his arms under my armpits and pulled me down the street, toward a dark alleyway. I looked at people for help, but they were simply smiling at me as if it were all a big joke or something.
We arrived in the narrow alleyway and my captor released his grip on me. I stumbled awkwardly to my feet and then promptly spun round, my brow furrowed in detirmination and my fists high in the air. I wasn't going down without a fight. Then, of course, I saw the handsome face of my kidnapper and my fists dropped to my side.
"Cam, what the hell?" I snapped.
"Hey, what's with the cranky attitude?" he responded.
"I thought someone was going to kidnap me!" I yelled, putting a hand over my racing heart and still feeling the buzz of adrenaline.
Cam burst out laughing, "and you were going to fight them? Oh my god, are you suicidal? You can't even open a jar of pickles by yourself."
I scowled and turned off my music. Cam leaned back against the wall suddenly, a tiredness settling into his face. In fact I had noticed that he was far less... vibrant than usually. In fact, he had been kind of... sad? Immediately I was ridden with guilt. I should have asked earlier, but yesterday with Ace... I pushed the thought out of my mind. Cam was far more important than a kiss right now.
"Hey, Cam, what´s up?" I asked softly, walking toward him.
"I autographed some girls bra today," he whispered, his eyes wide and fearful.
I smiled at him. C'mon, wasn't that every guys dream? To have women throw themselves at them? Cam was on a rollercoaster heading up, up, up. His fame was gaining by the minute. Pictures of him on tumblr had thousands and thousands of notes. He'd been asked to do an inteview the other day about modelling. Surely, that couldn't be what was wrong?
"I... just... I'm freaked out. When I walk in to a room, some people point at me. All these girls keep on messaging me and Lee is getting mad, and I got paid more than a Thousand dollars for my last shoot!"
I bit my lip, processing the information. Maybe fame was more overwhelming than I had anticipated. More than a Thousand dollars... shoot that was a lot! I was expecting a nice Christmas present this year. I'd have to see what I wanted... I pursed my lips and thought for a moment. Maybe some shoes... god knew I needed a new pair. I'd blown for this month by the plane ticket and the dinner... I was completely broke. I had paid the rent in advance thank god, but my nicer pair of shoes had broke the other day and I couldn't afford a new pair.
"Serena!" Cam barked, "did you even listen to me?"
I looked at him, my eyebrows raised. "Sure, hon. Lee will be fine, you know what she's like. And I think every person goes through this bit when they get famous. I mean you're getting rich and recognition. What on earth is not to like?"
I patted his arm and I was about to continue on my way home. I wanted to talk to Ace and then maybe email Zac. Plus it was my turn to cook and I didn't even know what we had in house to eat. I definitely couldn't afford to order something right now . Perhaps chicken drumsticks with some potatoes and salad. That was good on the taste buds right?
My arm was grabbed and I was yanked right back into the alleyway. I sighed grumpily at Cam, jerking my arm back.
"Serena, you don't get it. You need to help me," Cam pleaded.
Jeez Louise, I thought. Fine. There went my chance to email Zac and talk to Ace. But then again, what were friends for? I chewed my lip for a moment and then looped my arm through Cam's.
"Okay, lets go home and we'll see what we can do," I proposed.
Cam sighed, looking relieved. He rested his head on mine and we strolled down the street, all urges to dance out of my system.
***
Cam and I were in his bedroom, watching the Lion King. As the credits rolled I turned to face Cam, brushing his hair off of his face. He sighed and closed his computer up, setting it on the nightstand beside the bed. I figured Cam just needed to rant to his best friend, and that was what I was there for.
So he started to spill how at first it had been so much fun. He'd met a few celebrities and the girls were swarming. But it started to go wrong when Lee was in her jealous mood, and they'd screamed at each other for basically a whole night. They patched things up, they Always did, but Lee was still paranoid. When his mom came, she frowned at the wild style of his life, and the way these shoots and catwalks intervined with studying and all that. So then they argued and they barely managed to reconcile before she left. The interviewer kept on asking these probing questions about Cams life, and basically totally invaded his privacy. Then he just kept on wanting to go and get a drink, be normal, but everywhere he went he was forced to sign things and people kept on giggling and pointing and it felt like he was drowning under the spotlights.
I felt terrible for dismissing his troubles, as if making money meant that you didn't have the right to be sad. I led him to the living room and I turned on the television, putting on the dumbest sitcom known to man. Cam looked at me, looking like a beaten puppy dog. I just waggled my finger at him and then made a steamy cup of coffee. I brought it over to him and I snuggled into his side.
"For the moment, we're going to watch this. We aren't going to think of all this... crap. We are just going to relax a little and let loose. You need to take a little break," I smiled at him.
Cam looked at me for the longest time and then said, "thank you."
"I don't deserve that," I admitted, "I was thinking of making drumsticks earlier, when I should have been worrying about you."
Cam smirked and shook his head, which I took as his sign of forgiveness.
***
I made his dinner earlier, and then he showered and went to bed. Yes it was eight o'clock on a Sunday, but Cam was just exhausted. Within the next thirty minutes he was snorning happily. The sound made me happy and I could type away to Zac, explaining that Cam was a little sad and that he could do well with a little call from Zac and Jane. I then told him about my broke situation.
I finished off my email with a stupidly corny paragraph because I was Always sentimental after watching the Lion King:
Zac, you mean a lot to me. You have been such a big rock of support. I wish you were here a lot of the time, but not as much as I wish that you're being incredibly happy. I love you so much, and I know you are happy which is why I'm smiling whilst I'm typing away. I cannot wait till you get back home though, because I miss your piggyback rides. We need to have a race again, you and me and Cam and Ace. We will pwn them so bad. We form a super awesome team, and even though I'm flying solo right now, I want you to know that we'll be super awesome again soon. Have a great time with Jane and keep it in your pants buddy ;) <3
lots of love, Serena xxxxxx
After I finished that up, I started to prepare dinner for Ace and I. The Phone started to ring of course whilst I was peeling the potatoes and it scared me so much that I cut into my hand. Ugh my nerves would be the death of me. I picked up the Phone and answered with a quite grouchy hello, trying to one handedly put a bandage on.
"Serena!"
I frowned and then cleared my throat, "Um yeah. Who is this?"
"It's your mom, silly."
I felt a little bad for not recognizing her voice. I wondered if that showed her poor our relationship had grown these past months. However, I reminded myself, there was no reason to shower in doom and gloom because we were going to fix things. We were. I had to keep telling myself that and acting to prove it, because words were great but actions were louder.
"Hey, I miss you," I replied, smiling.
"Sugar, I miss you too. I just... I wanted to apologize once again for everything and-" my stoic mom was blabbering and I started to laugh, despite myself.
"Mom, we both messed up. We can do better this time though, so there's no point of opening that can of worms," I said.
"You've grown up so much. I'm so proud of you," my mom said, "but that wasn't the only reason why I called..."
My hand tightened around the Phone and something in my chest grew rather... cold. I heard the door unlock and I spun round. Ace stood by the front door, looking a little nervous. I smiled, and then pointed to the Phone.
"The wedding invitations have been sent out, and of course, you're invited. Um, its in two weeks."
I took a deep breath and forced a smile on my face, "wow. How great for them."
"Honey, there's no need to pretend. Look I was hoping I could visit you in two weeks. Of course I'll be heading home before the wedding, but I really want to see you before they tie the knot."
I agreed of course, and then assured her I was fine but that I needed to finish preparing dinner. She seemed doubtful, but it was perfectly true. I did need to finish up dinner. I hung up on her and then just got cooking.
***
"Who was that on the Phone?" Ace asked.
"My mom is coming in two weeks," I said and then waited a moment as he put a potato in his mouth, "also the wedding is around the same time. I think she's coming so she can convince to go."
Ace swallowed. his eyes narrowed. I could see his temper flaring up and I started to laugh, telling him that I couldn't care less. My twin sister and Alex could go where the sun didn't shine. I was utterly finished with them. Ace still looked doubtful but his temper was put to rest.
"I... so," he said, "about yesterday.... I said something which ran along the lines of 'I love you'."
I pressed my lips together and then walked over to him, settling down into his lap. Ace raised his eyebrows, looking a little apprehensive and unimpressed with my butt on his legs.
"Something also ran along the lines of you kissing me," I whispered, putting my mouth close to his.
I saw his tiny little Ace smile tug at his lips and he severed the gap seperating our lips. I let myself lose myself in the taste of him, allowing myself to forget about that dumb Phone call. And when their memory threatened to enter my memory again, I pressed myself closer.