Chapter 30 - FML
I did my best to smile as I walked up the steps, tucking my hair behind my ears. Being in this kind of spotlight was new to me, and I didn't know if I would ever get used to it. Of course, they really wanted to take pictures of the movie stars. To them, I was just in the way. My picture would be published anyway, so I was trying my hardest not to make an ugly face.
Once inside, it was like a totally different world. People, dressed in clothes I could only hope to afford one day, mingled, a soft murmur of voices filling my ears. There were tables scattered around, some people sitting, some standing, but practically everyone had a drink in their hand. Servers with glasses of champagne on platters wondered around, offering every guest a drink. I took a deep breath before I stepped forward. This is for Ari, I told myself.
Before I could even blink, Savanna and Arielle were gone. I knew there were interviews to do and pictures to take, but I hadn't planned on spending the whole night alone. More than anything I wished Ben was there to hide in the corner with. Hanging my head, I tried to sneak away to the restroom, but the universe had other plans. I hadn't taken more than three steps before I crashed into a firm body, knocking me straight on my ass.
"Damn," a deep voice exclaimed, a hand suddenly appearing in my face. "I'm sorry, dude. I didn't see you." Mason James. Movie star and country singer all wrapped into one. He had played the male lead in Ari's movie. This wasn't the first time I had met him. He had said a few words to me every time I visited Ari on set. Mostly just 'hey' and the occasional 'can you get me a water?' He was buff with piercing blue eyes and bleached blonde hair that swooped into his eyes. Basically the epitome of every girls first love in 2012.
"My fault," I muttered, taking his hand and letting him pull me too my feet. "I wasn't watching."
"Me either," he said, flashing me his award winning smile. I'm guessing he expected me to swoon, but I just rolled my eyes. This seemed to catch his attention. As I tried to walk away he reached out and grabbed my wrist, forcing me to face him. "Hey, do I know you?"
"We've only met like ten times," I smirked, crossing my arms. "You're not going to ask me to get you a water this time, are you?" Realization flashed in his eyes as he looked me up and down.
"You're Arielle's sister." It was a statement, not a question. "She's pretty good, you know? She's going places." I hadn't spent much time thinking about Ari's acting career. I knew she loved it, and the Millers were able to offer her endless opportunities that I never would've been able to give her in Alaska. However, I didn't like the idea of her being gone to film all the time.
"Guilty as charged, Arielle's sister. That's me." As a waiter walked by, I swiped a glass off of a tray and chugged the entire contents. I didn't like the taste of champagne, but I needed to de-stress. And I still needed to go to CVS. It's like my mind was consumed, and I wouldn't be able to focus on anything else until I had taken that pill.
"Whoa, don't you think you should slow down there?" For some reason, the slight country twang in his voice irked me. I wanted to smack the smug look right off his face. Deep breaths, Shiloh. Flashing him a smile, I turned on my heels to walk away. "Shiloh!"
"Oh, so you do know my name," I laughed, unable to control myself.
"I do," he nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "But you don't seem to know who I am."
"You're Mason James. I just don't care." I shrugged and walked away, swiping another glass of champagne as I walked. The bubbles tickled my throat as I sipped. I kept walking until I found the most recluse table, the one in the far back that no one wanted to be at because it was right next to the speakers. No one was sitting, so I pulled out a chair and placed my head in my hands. Much to my annoyance, the chair next to me slid out. I didn't have to look up to know who it was.
"It's refreshing," his deep voice said. What was the deal with this dude?! And why was I so angry? "In my career, I have people freaking out because I entered a room or trying to use me for my connections."
"That must be so tough," I meant it sarcastically, but he didn't pick up on it.
"I knew what I was signing up for," he leaned back in the chair, placing his hands behind his head. From the looks of it, he wasn't going anywhere any time soon. "What's your story?"
"My what?" I rose an eyebrow at him, confused. "I'm sorry, this wasn't an invitation to get to know me."
"I'll take the challenge." He smirked, eyes glinting. I'll admit it, the boy was attractive. In fact, in any other circumstances I probably would've been drooling. But I just couldn't stop thinking about needing to take the pill. On top of everything else, I could not worry about getting pregnant. Plus the one person I actually wanted was on a plane going back to Tennessee. "Look, you can talk to me or wander around this party having boring conversations with a bunch of old, rich people who invested in this movie. Which is it going to be?"
Suddenly, I had an idea. "You have a limo, right?" I asked, sitting up straight. I was hopeful, because this was probably my last shot at getting out of here.
"Yeah," he rose an eyebrow, cocking his head to the side. "Why? Is little miss attitude ready to dip already?"
"Please, just take me somewhere," I begged, turning to fully face him. "We'll come right back. It's really, really important. Trust me, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate."
He chuckled, "I hate these things. You don't have to beg to get me to leave. Come on, I'll call my driver to meet us up front." Breathing a sigh of relief, I followed Mason back through the crowd of people, hoping no one stopped me on the way. The good thing about not being in the movie is that nobody really cared who I was. Before I knew it we were walking down the red carpet again, paparazzi yelling at us. "You know there will be rumors about us dating, right?"
"I don't care," I told him, rolling my eyes. Ben knew I wouldn't do that to him. He trusted me, right?
"Then let's give them something to talk about," he chuckled, grabbing my hand and snaking his fingers through mine. I was so shocked I froze, but before I could react Mason opened the door to the limo and motioned for me to get in. Silently, still surprised, I stepped inside.
"Why did you do that?" I asked once we started to drive away. I thought celebrities tried to avoided rumors, not start them.
He shrugged. "You're hot. If they're going to be talking about me, might as well for being with a pretty lady."
"Men," I snorted, crossing my arms and looking out the window. "Can you just take me to CVS?"
"That's where were going?" He asked, mouth falling open. If I wasn't so nervous I felt like I was going to puke, I would have laughed. "That's the emergency?"
"Don't ask questions," I narrowed my eyebrows, trying to seem as intimidating as possible. I barely knew Mason and I wasn't usually so demanding, but I guess that's what desperation does to a person. Sighing at my attitude, he told the driver to take us to the nearest CVS.
When we arrived, I exited without a word. I half expected him to try and follow me just to be nosy, but he stayed put. Part of me was super embarrassed to be wandering around the store, looking for a pill that only a person who had been having unprotected sex would need. I didn't even know where to look! Finally, I found the box and headed to the checkout. The man at the counter gave me a weird look, or maybe I was just paranoid. Either way, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I ducked back into Mason's limo and breathed a sigh of relief.
"You dragged me all the way over here for that?" Mason asked me, sounding bored. With a forced smile, I raised my hand and held up my middle finger. If he reacted I didn't see it, I was too busy grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge and downing the pill. "So who's the ass who left you to need that and didn't even buy it for you?"
"He's not an ass," I crossed my arms, huffing. "It's complicated." And it was. I wanted to call him and hear his voice just to calm me down, but I didn't even have a phone.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Why would I tell you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I don't even know you."
"Exactly," Mason leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees. He sat in front of me, blue eyes glinting. "Who better to vent to than a guy you barely know and probably won't see again after tonight?"
For a moment I was silent, pondering his offer. He was right. And so I poured my heart and soul out to him as we drove around aimlessly. I told him about why I had moved in with the Millers and how Ben was a major asshole. I told him about how somewhere along the way I had got to know the boy underneath, the one who was secretly sweet and would kick his friends ass for trying to touch me. I told him how, before I even realized it, I had fallen in love with him. I told him about Savanna walking in on us and forbidding us from being together. I even told him about Monica. When I was finally finished I sat back, running a hand through my hair. I was out of breath and my mouth was dry from talking so much.
"Damn," he breathed, looking at me with something that resembled pity. "He is an ass."
"He isn't!" My gut wrenched as I felt the need to defend Ben. "It's not his fault I'm a foster kid in his home."
"Look, I'm going to keep it real with you," Mason narrowed his eyebrows, "The guy seems like he has an MO."
"A what?"
"A MO. Modus Operandi. It's Latin. It means the way people do things, especially if it's a pattern." I rose an eyebrow, frowning. Who would've thought that Mason James was actually smart? "Ben knocked up that Monica girl, and for all we know forced her to have an abortion. That means he didn't use a rubber. Now, here you are all alone buying this Plan B, but if you hadn't the same thing could've happened to you. Who knows how many other girls it's happened to. It's his MO."
I wanted to slap him. Angry tears burned at my eyes at I looked out the window, trying to control my rage. How dare he talk about Ben like that?! He didn't even know him. Even though I was angry and itching to defend the boy that I loved, the voice in my head couldn't help but wonder, was Mason right? I knew Ben had been with a lot of girls...Was that just what he did? Fuck them and then leave them?
Mason sighed. "Pedro, take us to Club 28. This girl needs to have a good time."
"I don't think-"
"Look, it's either go out with me, or go back to that boring party and get lectured by Savanna again. That woman scares me. But the choice is yours, Shiloh. What's it going to be?"
I looked him up and down, trying to figure out what game Mason was trying to play. This guy barely knew me, why would he want to take me out? Maybe he just took pity on me. Either way, he was right. Savanna would be mad I had left the party and I was sure to get an earful, might as well enjoy my last night of freedom for the foreseeable future. "Fine," I told him, "but I'm not staying out too late and you have to drop me off at my hotel."
He held up his hands as if in surrender, "I wouldn't dream of anything else." A few minutes later we pulled up in front of the club. There were green neon lights above the front door that read Club 28. It got its name from being on 28th street, right smack dab in the middle. Paparazzi weren't there yet, thank god. All we had to do was walk inside. The bouncer at the door greeted Mason by name and let us right in, no questions asked.
"How do you do that?" I asked, eyes widening. The inside was filled so thick with cigarette smoke my lungs were immediately screaming for fresh air. "You're only nineteen."
"Okay, stalker," he chuckled, leading me up to the bar.
"Everyone in the United States knows your age," I told him, pushing his shoulder playfully.
"I know the owner," he looked down at me, straight into my eyes. He was a whole foot taller than me, so it was kind of intimidating. "He doesn't care if I drink as long as I'm safe."
"Perks of being famous, I guess," I rolled my eyes and turned my back to him, taking in the place. A DJ stood on a stage, jumping around as the pounding beat filled the building. Flashing lights made it hard to see, but I could just make out figures on the dance floor grinding together in a mob. This place was packed.
"Mason!" A man exclaimed, making me turn. He was older with gray hair and a mustache, wearing black pants and a white button up shirt. "Good to see you again."
"Hey, Marco," Mason reached out and gave him an awkward half hug over the bar. "How've you been? How's the family?"
"Doing well," he smiled, eyes drifting to me. "And who is this?"
"Shiloh," I held out my hand, taking his to shake. My throat hurt from having to yell over the volume of the music.
"A friend," Mason clarified when Marco looked between us. "Hey, let us get four tequila shots with lime"
"Coming right up," The man left to get the shots, leaving us alone. I rose an eyebrow at Mason, crossing my arms.
"Who said I drink tequila?" Truth is, I didn't drink at all. Especially after that night with Marks. I had told myself I would never drink again. But when in Rome, right?
Or in this case, Hawaii.
"Oh no. You need to loosen up," he said, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me so that I moved around. "Have fun tonight. Forget about that other guy. You need to, you look like you have a stick up your ass."
"You know how to charm a lady," I said sarcastically, sticking my tongue out. Just as I was about to tell him no thanks, Marco came back and set two shots in front of me. In one swift motion Mason threw a shot back, not even flinching at the taste. Eyes lingering on the lime, I hesitantly picked up a glass. A few shots wouldn't hurt, right? The only thing it would do to me was help me loosen up a little. As much as I hated to admit it, Mason was right. I was stiff, and forgetting about Ben for one night wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world. Besides, Mason wouldn't do anything to me. That would be really bad PR for his career.
So before I could over think it I grabbed the shot and tilted my head back, forcing the liquid as fast as I could. Before I could process the taste I grabbed the second glass and threw it back, popping a lime in my mouth and sucking. My whole body convulsed in reaction to the liquor, making me twist my face in disgust. Why do people drink that stuff?! It's just lighter fluid you're putting into your body, I swear.
Mason's eyes were wide in shock. "Whoa, she's a pro!"
"Hardly," I scoffed, but grabbed Mason's second shot and downed it before he could protest. Go big or go home, right?
Before I knew what was happening, I was right in the middle of the dance floor. Mason was a fantastic actor and an even better singer, but his dancing was far from the professional level. I couldn't help but giggle at him as he moved his hips, pumping his hand in the air to the beat. I felt lighter after three shots in a row, like it was easier to laugh, and suddenly the music took over my body. I started moving to the rhythm, putting both my hands in the air and throwing my head back with laughter. A few seconds later Mason was handing me another shot, this one filled with a brown liquid. I didn't ask what it was, I threw it back and tossed the glass over my shoulder.
After each song, Mason would hand me another shot glass. Soon, I had downed nine. Or was it eleven? I had lost count, but the room was spinning around me. "Oh my god!" I exclaimed as a new song started to play, "I love this song!" I grabbed Mason around the neck, much to his surprise. He recovered a second later, though, and placed his hands on my hips, mirroring my movements. Smirking, I rubbed my hips against his to the beat, pulling myself closer so that our faces were inches apart. Just as it looked like he was going to kiss me, I turned around so that my hair hit him in the face. Something deep inside me told me that I shouldn't be doing this, but it was like I couldn't control my actions. I couldn't stop the giggles from slipping from my mouth.
Suddenly, the spinning of the room became more intense. I felt Mason grab my waist and try to grind against me, but his motions were sloppy. He was wasted. If we were having a contest, I definitely would have out drank him. He had been slurring his words five shots ago!
That's the last thing I remember before I woke up in a bright room, wrapped in white blankets. My head was pounding like I had been hit over the head with a malate and my mouth was completely dry, but it didn't take me long to realize I was naked and Mason James was laying next to me, bare ass facing the ceiling.
F.M.L.