Jules & Rules Chapter 14

14.

Aside from her Family Law professor, who seemed to be obsessed with lecturing on the Brangelina adoptions, fall semester at ASU couldn't have gone by any faster for Julie. Jen lived in the same apartment building, which didn't turn out to be so bad as a result of her leaving after only two weeks of university life.

The band continued with their tour, attracting more media coverage with every show they played. The end result being greater exposure, sky-rocketing album sales, and a "couple" nickname for Alan and Julie. That's right, they had been turned into a Brangelina. They were now Al-J. It took a while for Julie to get over the initial shock. There were literally pictures of them floating around on the internet, yet, not once did she notice anyone taking shots. There was even one from early September when they were at the beach near his home. Bloggers actually wrote about her and they didn't just know her name, they knew who she was; first, last, and even middle name. And of course they didn't look over her connection to Jordan Bensfield. The girl with the famous step-brother and label-owning dad was dating Alan Thomas of Foster. That's who she was to anyone who was interested. It bothered her to no end but Kady kept her sane. Her logic was simply to deal with it, but Julie needed to hear it. She also needed someone to complain to. Fame was not something she wanted. She had practically dreaded it. Moving to L.A. to live the life of a socialite had been an option she always refused. A life out of the spotlight was what she wanted. Yet, even though she knew the band would make it some day, she still threw herself into a relationship with the lead singer. He was something she couldn't refuse.

Julie awoke to the sound of a door knob turning. She wanted to turn to see who it was but couldn't. The white sheets rustled as she made herself more comfortable, slipping further under the warm comforter. This wasn't her own bed, but it might as well have been. Kady made a noise from the identical, veil-covered, four post bed across from Julie's. The ceiling fan rotated above them, making a faint noise that was actually relaxing. Together with the cool breeze and sound of crashing waves flowing in from the balcony, it created a perfect environment for sleeping in.

As much as they wished it was their apartment, it wasn't. Kady and Julie were spending their Christmas in a hotel on a small island off the coast of Mexico. Keith and Taylor's surprise came out of nowhere but no one was complaining.

She nuzzled her face into her soft pillow as the sound of a tray cart being pushed got closer.

"Looks good. If you don't get up, I'm just going to help myself."

Kady groaned from under her sheets, "You would help yourself anyway."

Julie turned to face him, pushing the comforter down to her waist. "Hey."

Jordan rolled the tray in between the two beds, then took a seat on the edge of Julie's bed. "Out late last night? It's almost noon."

Kady stuck a hand up from under her sheets and shushed him. It was so drawn out and loud that it put a half-smile on Jordan's face. Julie slid her legs from under her comforter and draped them over the bed. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep but the tray of food was too enticing.

"We may have partied a little. Kady may have had lots and lots of shots of tequila," she whispered, eyeing the muffins.

Jordan looked a bit worried. "Nice job, Kay."

She mumbled something that neither of them could understand. It was probably a swear word.

He made no effort to whisper. "Where are Keith and Taylor?"

Julie bit into a blueberry muffin, closing her eyes as she chewed. It was so soft and warm that it melted in her mouth.
"Fifth floor ... above us," she said, motioning to the ceiling with her free hand.

"When did you two get here?"

"A few days ago," she replied, before taking a sip of orange juice.

He watched her take another gulp before asking another question.

"What have you been up to?"

She thought for a second. "Let's see, we've done some reading, card-playing, swimming... ummm."

"Sleeping," Kady added, still heavily under her sheets.

Jordan picked up the small brochure that lay on the tray cart. "Reading? Card-playing? Are you in camping mode or something?" He paused to look over the brochure.

Kady finally turned towards them and pulled down her sheets just enough to make eye contact. "Noo. We were just waiting for you, silly. You're just what we need .. some adventure." She used a slap-happy tone which made Jordan look up from the brochure.

"Good," he grinned and started to read off a list of things to do on the island. "Snorkel, visit the Mayan Ruins, tour a nature reserve, scuba dive, swim with whale sharks..." He said the last one with a little more excitement in his voice than either girl would've liked.

Kady stood up in her bed, her dark brown hair pulled up in a high ponytail. "No, Jordan. I really don't want to be swimming anywhere near a shark."

"Whale sharks don't eat people."

"I know they don't eat people, but they're ginormous. I don't like the idea of swimming next to one."

Jordan tilted his head towards Julie, who was now snacking on some fresh fruit, and stared with pleading eyes. "All it takes is two votes."

She pondered for a second, bringing the glass of orange juice to her lips, eyeing both their faces. "It does sound kind of fun."

Jordan flashed his smile and bobbed his head as if he had just won something.

Kady shook hers. "Alright, alright, but you're swimming right next to me." She got up from bed and set her feet on the cool stone floor. "Right next to me, Jordan."

"I got it," he grinned.

Kady continued past him, on her way to the bathroom, when she was interrupted by a knock at the door. Immediately, she changed her path to go open it.

"Must be Taylor and Keith," Julie said over her shoulder.

"No," Kady replied as she opened the door.

A tall woman of about 30, with a platinum blonde bob and black framed glasses, stormed past Kady. A group of people, most likely her assistants, started hauling in some sort of materials, including some fabric.

Both Jordan and Julie stood up from the bed. "Can i help you?" Julie asked in a confused tone.

The woman finally looked up at her. She was younger than Julie had initially thought.

"Are you Kady or Julie?" She asked sternly, turning her head back and forth between the two girls so fast that Julie didn't know when to reply. "You know what, never mind. It doesn't really matter. We don't have much time." She snapped her fingers and two of the male assistants ran to her side with pens and papers in hand. "They're practically identical. Who could tell them apart, anyway."

With his hands in his pockets, Jordan stepped forward. "Well that's Kady and this is Julie."

The woman sized him up. "And who are you?"

He cleared his throat. "Jor-"

"Forget it," she interrupted. "There was no mention of a male, was there?" Her assistants shook their heads in unison.

Kady walked up to the woman. "Who are you?"

The woman flashed an annoyed smile. "Daphne has asked me to come all the way here just to measure her precious little, spoiled nieces."

Kady stepped closer. "Nieces?"

"Precious?" Julie looked even more confused. Since when did her aunt send people to take their measurements.

"Well you're going to the fashion show, are you not?"

Jordan looked over at Julie, his eyes wide. "You're going to that fashion show?"

The woman stepped over to Jordan. "We can't have you here." She tried to act nonchalant but was clearly checking him out.

"Right," Jordan sighed, looking directly at her. "I wouldn't want to distract you or anything." The woman crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

"I'll see you guys later."

***************************************

Later turned out to be that evening at a small seaside restaurant a short walk from the hotel. The girls walked around to where the patio tables were set up in the sand, under the night sky. The decorations were simple yet relaxing and the live music wasn't too distracting. The table where Keith, Taylor, and Jordan had already been seated, stood near the edge, in clear view of the ocean. Keith and Taylor sat across from each other, as did Kady and Julie. Jordan took the seat at the end of the table, in between the girls. As they settled in, the questions started pouring in about Daphne and the fashion show. Julie just sat back as Kady did most of the talking. She still couldn't believe her aunt had sent one of her designers all the way to Mexico.

Jordan looked down at his menu. "Her name was Natalia?"

"Yea," Kady replied.

He grinned. "Fits her perfectly."

Julie looked at the grin on his face. "She was a bitch."

"She was feisty. I like that in a girl." His eyes were still locked on the menu.

"Since when is feisty your type?!"

Keith and Taylor suddenly looked up from their menus. That came out louder than Julie had wanted it to.

"I didn't say she was my type," Jordan replied.

Julie lowered her voice. "But you like that in a girl? Since when?"

Kady whispered Jen's name from under her menu.

"Jen doesn't count," Jordan said softly. He dropped the menu and looked at Julie with his brown eyes. "She's not my type, Julie. You know my type."

Julie shrugged as she slumped in her chair, wondering what had gotten into her. She had sounded like a jealous ex, forcing him to defend himself in order to make her feel better. Why did she even care if Jordan had thought the designer was hot? He could date or screw whoever he wanted.

Taylor jumped into the conversation. "Jordan, I thought you were dating someone right now. No?"

Kady looked across the table at Julie with a surprised look on her face.

"Sort of, yea," he replied.

Kady leaned in towards him. "You are?"

"Why didn't you say something?" Julie asked softly.

"Because it's only been about two weeks."

"Yea, but..." Julie stopped herself from saying more.

Kady didn't. "So what's her name?"

"Lucia."

"Lucia? Sounds like a model to me."

Jordan nodded.

Julie just side glanced at him with her arms crossed against her chest. "Sounds like a name fit for a feisty model."

He shot her a cute look. "Far from it."

Great, now this Lucia intrigued her.

"Isn't she from Italy?" Taylor asked.

Julie wondered where she was getting all this information from. Maybe it was already all over the websites she avoided.

Jordan nodded as a waiter made his way to the table. Taylor and Keith began to order.

Kady turned to Jordan. "Then how good is her English?"

"Not very good."

"So what do you two talk about?"

"Anatomy," he grinned.

Kady laughed.

Julie bit down on her lip. Something was stirring up inside her again that she was desperately trying to fight.

She straightened herself up in her seat as the waiter came around to them. Jordan ordered something that sounded odd in Spanish. It wasn't until the food came that she realized he had ordered octopus. Apparently, Keith had tried it before and he and Jordan must've talked for five minutes about the taste and texture and the different ways of cooking it.

When they got to dessert, Kady reluctantly brought up the whale sharks.

"Unfortunately, I found out they're only here from June to September," Jordan replied with a defeated tone in his voice.

Kady's jaw dropped. "I must be lucky."

He smiled. "I know deep down you're disappointed."

Julie looked down at the hot chocolate sauce that topped the vanilla ice cream she had ordered. She dipped her spoon in, then brought it to her mouth.

Jordan leaned towards her on his elbow. "You alright?"

"What?" she asked, after swallowing. Her mind had been far off.

"No whale sharks. We're swimming with dolphins instead, which we did when we were 10." He looked over at a beaming Kady as he said it.

"And do you remember how fun it was?" Kady asked excitedly.

"I remember," Julie said softly.

Jordan stared at her for a second before speaking again. "Are you sure you're alright? You've been quiet."

She knew they would recognize a fake smile but brought one out anyway. "I'm fine. I can't wait."

What she really felt was confusion. She had no clue how she could allow herself to feel jealous. That's definitely what it was, as much as she tried to deny it.