Starstruck - Chapter Two - You and Me

*** I tapped my fingers against the hard, wooden desk as I stared intently at the clock. But it just ticked along. Four minutes. I glanced around, my gaze catching on another's. I sighed. It was Nate. He was always trying to drape his arm around me. I wanted nothing to do with him. He winked, giving a sly smile before my eyes flicked back to the clock. Three minutes. I was slightly startled when something hit my arm, bouncing off. I looked down, a wadded up piece of paper was on the ground.

I leaned down, picking it up. "Who is he?" It read. I rolled my eyes, stifling a laugh. I quickly wrote back, then threw it at Nate, hitting the side of his head. He jerked up, quickly grabbing it. I cleared my throat, trying so hard not to bust out laughing. "Not you." I had replied. He frowned at me, his gaze disapproving. I inhaled, closing my eyes as I mentally counted down. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. The bell suddenly rang. Everyone jumped up. I smiled to myself, standing calmly as I gathered my things. I turned, stopping just before bumping into a broad shouldered athlete.

I patted his chest, "May I get by?" I batted my eyes, giving a phony smile. He ignored it.
"Please?" He pleaded, snaking his arm around my waist.
"Nate-"
"Gypsy, please. I've tried so hard, but you just ignore me! Please!" His dark brown eyes were staring into mine. My heart began to crumble.
"Nate.. I.. Uhm.. Gr.. Fine!" I scowled, but he immediately lit up.
"Really?!"

"Don't make me change my mind."
"Sorry." He quickly wrapped me in bomay i pleasearms. I inhaled. His cologne was nice. I was happy for a moment. It was only the Halloween dance, nothing too big. Right? Besides, I might get used to him. I just didn't see why he was interested in me. He was football quarterback, I was just some dreamer with a guitar.
He quickly pecked my neck, pulling back, "Let me drive you home? I know you take the bus."

I sighed, his eyes were on me again. "Alright, let's go." He took my hand, pulling me after him. All eyes were on us, most jaws dropped. Especially Alexis'. He looked very proud, and I suddenly felt claimed. Tricked. Like a sucker. I frowned, pulling my hand out of his, setting it by my side instead. He frowned back at me, but did nothing about it.
We walked out to the parking lot, and he led me to a black hummer, jumping in the front seat. I climbed in the passenger side, folding my arms over my chest, "I-"
"Yeah, I know where you live." Creepy.
"Er.."
"What?"

"Nothing. Never mind." Suddenly, someone called my name, I looked over to Lexi.
"GYPSY! GYPSY! OH MY GOD!" She panted, practically pulling me out of the car, "Please, please, please, please!" She got down on her knees, shaking her hands at me.
I blinked, "What? Lexi! What are you doing? Get up, Silly." She frowned, jumping up. She took my hands in her own.
"Gypsy.. My dad said yes, but.."
"Yes? To? But what?"
"To me seeing Haven Anderson!" She squealed, taking a moment to swoon.
"But..?"
"But, you.. Uhm. Have to go, too. They only trust you! Please!"
"What?! Lexi!"

"Please! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I'll owe you my LIFE!"
I frowned, "Your life?"
"My life!"
I sighed, "...Fine. I'm so easy today. I hate you, Lexi." She went into a series of squeals and jumping, still holding my hands. She finally wrapped her arms around me, tightly. "When is it?"
"...Tonight." She smiled innocently.
"Tonight?!"

"Yes. Come with me! I need help!" Well, at least I'm not riding with Nate. I offered an apologetic smile. He sighed, slumping back as Lexi drug me away. We pretty much ran to her house. While she showered, I refreshed my makeup and brushed my hair out, then called my parents. About half an hour later, she came out in the outfit she had chosen for me that morning. She looked really good.
"So..?" I grinned.
"Wait." I ran over to her dresser, removing a pair of white sunglasses. I slipped them over her eyes. She laughed, but kept them on.
"I look sexy." She wiggled her hips, grabbing her purse, then my hand, prancing out of her room and down the steps. We hopped into her dad's black truck, then started off towards L.A. I was still debating whether to run away or not.

*** A large crowd had already gathered, and they chanted my name. It seemed the only thing that changed at these concerts was the scenery. I rolled my shoulders before walking out on the stage, grinning widely as I gripped the mic. The first song was very slow, one that had taken me forever to write. The only that I -had- actually written, that I sang to everyone. It was one of my favorites. Halfway through the song, I was just beginning the chorus again when my gaze locked on something beautiful in the third row, I had trouble singing.

"And there you are,
There you stand,
Eyes on him,
But my eyes are on you,
Waiting for our gaze to meet,
Hoping that just maybe,
You'll think of me,
Because you,
You leave me breathless,"

She had light brown hair, falling just past her shoulders in perfect curls. Her eyes were a radiant shade of green, taking in their surroundings. Curious. Her expression wasn't very amused, which struck me as odd. Panic rose in me as she turned, pushing through the crowd. It was taking her a while, enough time for me to finish the song, mumble an excuse, then shoot off the stage.
I grabbed my black hoodie, darting out the back exit. I slammed into the door, hitting something solid. I gasped, quickly closing it as I rushed to the girl's side. I slid my arm under her back, helping her sit up. My words caught in my throat. It was the girl from the crowd.

"What..?" She murmured, looking up at me. She frowned, "Haven?" I quickly flashed her a smiled. She looked away, snorting. She held her forehead in her hand, groaning.
"Er.. Here." I slid my other arm under her legs, lifting her off the ground bridal style. She glared at me.
"What are you doing? I can walk. I'm fine." She snapped, shifting.
"Uh.. Oh.." I stumbled across my words, setting her down. She swayed some, but caught herself.
"Oh? That's all you have to say? Thanks for nothing. Don't you have a concert to perform or something?"
"Yeah.." I admitted.

"Can you form sentences? Or are you really that brain dead, not even having to think for yourself?" I was completely taken aback. Here I was, Haven Anderson, stuttering for this girl, and she labels me as stupid?
"What? What is wrong with me? You're the one who's walking alone on an empty street at dark! And then I try to help-"
"Help? You hit me with the door and then tried to carry me off! Without so much as an apology. And, you're running away from your own concert. I'm out here because, if it weren't for me, my best friend would be at home, sitting on her butt, crying in front of the T.V. as to why she couldn't go to see you, and it's all my fault." She was fuming, her hand still on her head.

I was dumbfounded. She was right. I was wrong. For once. I was wrong. I sighed, crossing my arms, "I'm sorry. Alright? I'm sorry. At least let me drive you home. To make up for it."
"Fine. But, there's one more thing you have to do." She was planning something. Definitely planning something.
"Fine. What is it?"
"..So quick to agree, maybe I should ask for ten grand."
"Very funny."
"Right. So, I want you to come to my school at twelve-thirty tomorrow, during my lunch period, and I want you to sing for Alexis Brewing. That's my birthday present to her. Give her a hug or something, too." She took her hand from her head, a bright red mark where I had supposedly hit.
"Deal. What's your name?"
"Doesn't matter."

"Fine. Right this way." I started off towards my car, opening the door for her. A flicker of impression covered her face, but only for a moment as she settled into the seat. I closed the door carefully, then went around to my side, hopping in the driver's seat.
"Ferrari? Could you show off a little more?" Her brows were raised as she looked at me. I grinned sheepishly, shrugging. She sighed, leaning back in the seat. I started the car, beginning to drive towards home, using the directions she gave me. Most conversation went something like this.

"So.. How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I'm eighteen."
"I know."
"Oh."
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"

"One-word phrases. If you want to make conversation, that's not the way to go about it. And talk about normal things, not your million dollar mansion, or you new hit single. I don't want to hear it."
"Fine. How about that weather, huh?"
"Pretty sunny."
"Yep."
"Uh-huh. So.. You're name is pretty normal."
"No, it isn't."
"Can I guess?"
"You can try."
"Uhm.. Jenny."
"..Never mind."
"I got it?"
"Not even close."
"Oh."
"Oi!"
"Sorry."

I even tried turning on the radio and singing to her, it didn't work.
"And maybe it's true,
That I can't live without you,
And maybe two,
Is better than one,
But th-"
"That might be every other girl's dream, to have you sing directly to them, but it isn't mine." I sighed, rejected.
"Fine. Back to the awkward silence, then."
"Fine."
"Fine!"
"You said that."
"So?"
"Ugh."

"Why are you so cranky?"
"Oh, geese, I don't know. Maybe it's the headache you gave me with the door, and your self-centered way of being." At this point, we had pulled up into her driveway. I had to admit, she was rude, but there was just something about her that drove me crazy. A different type of crazy. She got out, slamming the door behind her, and made her way up the house, and in. I watched three windows at the corner of the house light up, and I could roughly see her form. I smiled to myself, forming a plan in my head as I drove off.

*** I quickly slid the last spoonful of cereal into my mouth, lazily standing. A car horn sounded outside my house, but I quickly dismissed it. It sounded again, then again. It was becoming obvious that it was for my house. I sighed, annoyed as I swung the door open. There were two cars parked in front of my yard, both in some kind of horn-war. I blinked, there was both a familiar black hummer, and a familiar cherry red ferrari. I rolled my eyes, turning towards the sidewalk.
I began to walk, both cars trailing after me. At least they had stopped honking.
"Come on, don't be that way!" Haven shouted after me.
"Please!" Nate begged.

"Go away!" I piped back. Nate opened his door, obviously oblivious to who was driving the Ferrari. It was a bit too flashy for this neighborhood. People were staring. He jumped out, shoving his hands in his pockets as he sauntered over.
"Oh, no! Don't think so!" Haven challenged, more to himself than anything, quickly leaping out of his car. He charged over, sweeping me, and my backpack, up into his arms. He was stronger than I thought. I let out a small, surprised scream. But it wasn't very high pitched. Nate ran over, moving to yank me from his arms.
Haven carefully turned me away, Nate pulled roughly at my arms. I suddenly burst into laughter, going limp in his arms. Haven joined in, his deep voice rumbling from his chest. Nate just looked confused and frustrated. "Who -are- you?" He questioned.
We just continued to laugh. It must have been such an odd sight. Especially for two guys like Nate and Haven to be fighting over me. I hadn't even been kissed yet, and they were fighting. just to give me a ride! He kept one arm around me, holding out the other, "Haven." He was still grinning, his bright, blue eyes lit up.

Nate shook it, "Nathan Halls, quarterback of the football team. But you can just call me Nate." Haven pressed his lips together, draping his arm around my shoulder.
"Quarterback, eh? Don't take too many steroids, 'kay, dude? Good." He gave Nate a quick pat on the back, pulling me over to his car. He opened the door for me like before, and I slid in. We were on our way to the school before too long.
"I don't like him." He frowned over at me. "I'm disappointed in you. You can do better. The quarterback! What a boyfriend. Probably sucking off all the other girl's faces behind your back." I was enraged. He was telling me who was right for me. I glared at him.
"Oh? And how many girls have you gone through, hot shot? Who are you to tell me what he does, and what I should do with my life?!" He frowned, setting a cold glare on me.
"That's just it, isn't it? You take everything too seriously! You complain about -everything-. Nothing is ever fit to your standards. Let me guess, you're Miss Prissy of the whole damn school? You might even be as bad for all I know!"

I formed my hands into fists, my knuckles going white, "Miss Prissy?! Try again. I'm the freak in the corner, the one who gets the most bull from Miss Prissy. I'm the exact opposite. And if I'm so bad, then maybe you should just leave after today. You're right. You don't know me. You don't know my name, what type of person I am, what I dream of, none of it!
"But who am I to speak? I'm riding with a complete stranger. All I know is everything that you've presented to the world, how you pretend to be such a great person, how you hold puppies just to look cute on the front page of a magazine just to melt hearts so you can break them! Who am I? Sure. Miss Prissy. I'm the royal princess who has everything she wants. Sure!" I was fuming, enraged.

"Who are you? You just tried to tell me who I am! I'm sorry I got involved with a freak! My mistake, I'm sorry I hit you with the door, not because you have a big red lump on your head, but because it made me meet you! I'm sorry!" He shouted back as he parked roughly. People were swarming around us. I opened the door, jumping out.
"I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry that I ruined your perfect day! Your perfect life! And, by the way, he's not my boyfriend. I don't have a boyfriend, because you're right. You're just like everyone else. You back off because I'm just a freak to you!" I slammed the door shut, just as a tear rolled down my cheek.
I ran off towards the school, locking myself in a bathroom stall. I began to sob, uncontrollably. I didn't like the feeling I felt. I felt sick to my stomach. My heart throbbed against my ribcage, yet it felt as if it had been split in two. My voice ached from screaming, and my head pounded at the sudden change of happiness to anger.