SS: NOT-Just another Love story - Page 8

I found that Jake was the hottest guy in our school and basketball team captain. The fact that I knew him, and in fact, hung out with him regularly, put me up with the elites of high school. I was a bit surprised to know that Jake didn't really hang out with the Jocks. He enjoyed good company and was really nice to those others mistreated. This increased my respect of him and I was becoming alarmingly obsessed with him.

Adrian seemed to approve of Jake. I had expected him to be all big- brother-ish, as Jake was a senior and I, a lowly sophomore but he just told me to be back by ten.

We weren't officially dating though; we still went out to the places he thought I would like to see and if we ran into someone we knew, he just told them that he was showing me around. But I really didn't want that. I honestly wanted us to be something more. Sadly, I wasn't sure exactly how to say that without sounding hopelessly desperate. And this was one point on which even Lily couldn't help me.

About a month later, I was desperately short on clothes; I also wanted impress Jake into asking me out. So I bugged Adrian about it, asking for his opinion on dresses. In the end, he brought me a bunch of fashion magazines, told me to read them for advice and I talked him into taking me to the Mall for shopping. I needed new dress, new shoes, new everything. And thankfully, my Aunt agreed with me.

That was how I was to be found inside the Mall, on that fateful Friday evening. Adrian watched me pick dresses, about half a dozen or more and decided he could bear no longer. Telling me he would be waiting by the car, he left me to try my dresses. For some reason, the saleswoman looked reluctant to let me use the dressing room but I promised I wouldn't take long and I must have looked really desperate for she sighed and told me to hurry.

I looked at all the dresses in front of me and couldn't decide which to try first. To tell the truth, I am more of a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of girl but if I wanted to compete with those other girls for Jake's attention, I definitely needed to girl up.

Remembering my promise to the saleswoman, I just randomly picked a dress and put it on. It was horrible. Hurriedly taking it off, I systematically went through my dresses and settled on a chic sundress; perfectly complimenting my skin tone, bringing out my eye color and emphasising my legs. I twirled in front of the mirror and decided to buy it. So, picking up the rest of the dresses, I went outside and bumped into someone stupid enough to be standing in the doorway. Overloaded with the stuff as I was, I couldn't really break my fall and landed hard on my knees, before hitting my elbows.

I am sorry to say that I am never the best person to talk to while I'm in pain. So the anxious enquiry about my state was woefully lost in the extreme cursing I put forth. I told the guy (for it was guy) exactly what I thought of jerks who blocked doorways.

Thankfully, my tirade was put to halt as the saleswoman came back inside. She helped me get up and dusted my clothes for me. Calmed down (for I wasn't really angry), I asked her how I looked.

'Oh, that dress is definitely the one for you.' She said automatically. Knowing this was a standard response, I turned to the guy who was hanging back a little warily.

'What do you think?' I hadn't paid any attention to the fact that the Mall was exceptionally quiet or to the guy who'd knocked me down. But my blood turned cold as I looked up and saw Shockface aka Justin Tyler.

'It looks great'' He blinked a little rapidly. Boy, I was right to call him Shockface. He picked up the shirt he'd discarded and held it up to his face. I snorted, forgetting my momentary paralysis.

'You aren't planning to buy that, are you?'

He looked at me surprised (again) and I shook my head. 'Your choice is worse than Adrian's and that's saying something.' I went over the rack containing t shirts and handed him one.

'Try this one; it'll go with your eyes.'

He took it from me, looking at me closely. 'Thanks.' Then, 'You're that girl from the airport, aren't you?'

'How'?' I wasn't sure what to ask but he saved me the trouble.

'No one curses that badly in a single breath.' I had the grace to look ashamed of myself. Grinning, he went inside to try it on; I looked through the rest of the pile he'd gathered. It was hopeless. When he came out, I handed him a couple more t shirts.

'You know,' I said, 'after all the time you spend in front of cameras, you should have better taste. I honestly can't believe your choice.'

He smiled sheepishly. 'Well, Chloe's my stylist''

I was suddenly hit by a wave of guilt. He was alone here; had they broken up after the incident at the airport? I really didn't want that.

'Hey, I hope everything's okay between you two' I mean, 'I hastily added, seeing his confused look, 'I didn't realize it was you until I saw you on TV and well, the way they twist events''

To my surprise, he laughed. 'She understands.'

'Well, that's a relief.' I sat on a stool and watched him as he examined himself in the mirror.

'What, you don't want me to break up with Chloe?' He asked curiously.

'Why would I want that? I support Joey'' He snorted and I added defensively. 'Besides, my friend would kill me' she's already told me in graphic detail exactly what she'd do to someone who tried to come between you guys' and I'd hate that to be me.'

'Wow, I never knew Chloe had such supporters.' Then, he turned to me. 'So, what do you think?'

'I think you'd better consult your stylist' though she'll agree that this works for you.'

He smiled the smile that had won him so many crazy fans over the years and I felt a strange warmth in my stomach. I shook myself mentally.

Here I was, preparing, moments earlier for my hoped for first date with the guy I was convinced was Mr. Right and now, I'm getting all giddy just because a guitar-strumming, hot-looking, sexy-voiced singer was smiling at me. I mean, what the hell was wrong with me?

Justin took up his shirts. 'Well, I guess I'll take all of these. Thanks for your help''

'Ivory Knight.' I told him.

'Oh, that's a nice name. Well, thanks for your help Ivory.' He pushed aside the mobile racks that had been placed to provide him some sort of privacy and went outside. I picked up the discarded t shirts that he hadn't bothered to place back, the celebrity that he was, and was just replacing them when he skidded back inside.

'What's the matter? Wrong size?' I turned around casually enough but he looked completely distressed. 'Hey, what's wrong?'

'Ahh' I got spotted again, I was so sure no one had seen me sneaking in.' He slumped on the chair, dropping his pile.

I took a peek. The street was filled with screaming fans. The body guards were doing their best to keep the doors closed but it was obviously a losing battle.

'Oh wow' what're you gonna do now?' I asked.

'Give them what they want I guess' this is so not fair!' He looked miserably at me, and I had to hide my grin. It was kind of fun to watch Justin Tyler telling me what wasn't fair. He stood up again, squaring his shoulders in a way that suggested he was planning to raid on a fortress rather than sing for his fans.

'I wouldn't go out right now, if I were you.' He told me, 'Don't try any such thing until the whole place is cleared out.'

'Okay.'

'Guess you're stuck here, as well.' This seemed to cheer him up and he went outside.

'Good luck.' I called after him. Then, because I didn't want to miss his surprise concert, I hurried to change back into my clothes. When I came back out, the manager was shouting instructions for the emergency setup of the stage and also replacing the fallen shirts.

'Um, hey, don't put those back inside, Justin wanted to buy them.' He looked at me in surprise, politely confused.

'You're sure?' He asked.

'Yeah, he was going to take them when the fans showed up.'

'Oh, I see. And you are?'

'Ivory Knight.' I told him. 'And could you please pack this one as well?' I handed my dress over to him.

'Sure.' He smiled widely and he waved for someone to come over. 'Take Miss Knight somewhere comfortable.'

The young man who'd come over smiled conspirationally and escorted me to a sort of backstage area; I could hear Justin singing and the crowd bellowing along with him, but I couldn't see him. They gave me a high seat and provided me with tasty mimosa. Just then, my phone rang. It was Adrian.

'What the hell is going on in here?' I could barely hear him over the screaming of the girls outside.

'Justin Tyler is doing a concert.'

'Where are you?'

'Still inside.' I told him, putting my feet on the stool they had placed for me. 'I can't leave until the crowd clears out.'

'Don't try it either.' He sounded distraught. 'Any idea how long this is going to last?'

'It'll be a while'why are you upset? You're surrounded by girls.' I could hear him curse as someone bumped into him.

'Yeah but they aren't looking at me' God, I'll have to back out of here. You sure you're okay in there?'

'I'm more than just okay'' I looked around me. Everyone was busy yet they were worried about my comfort. Weird. 'You should probably go home, though. I'm not missing this concert, okay. So, I'll call you when I'm free' or maybe, I'll take a cab.'

'Do that' I'm going.' With that, he hung up. I shrugged. They'd turned on a big screen to show Justin Tyler and I had a clear view of him. I sang along with him.

About two hours later, I was feeling distinctly bored. Outside, excitement was running high but in here, hustle and bustle had died down a long time ago. All I could do was watch Justin on the big screen and it wasn't all that different from watching it on the TV, except that maybe I could hear him better. And the seat was kind of hurting my butt. When he finished the last song with a flourish, I could have screamed with joy to hear it end. I saw him shaking hands with screaming girls, snapping pictures; it was another half hour before he could make his way back inside. The girl beside me got up and waved.

'Your friend's over here, Mr. Tyler.'

He looked momentarily confused then his eyes landed on me; I waved, grinning sheepishly. He smiled and made his way over to us, thanking various people for their help. They had placed a seat for him beside me; he sat into it with a sigh of relief and took the proffered water thankfully. Then he leaned back into the chair, closing his eyes.

A few minutes later, he spoke, without opening his eyes. 'Hello, friend.'

'Hi.'

'Didn't think you were the kind to take advantage of me.'

I'd been lounging in my chair as well, but I sat up suddenly. 'I'm not; it was a misunderstanding''

I stopped when I heard his laugh. 'I know.' He sat up, chuckling. 'Oh boy, this is quite some day, isn't it?'

I nodded. 'Quite' I told the manager to pack your t shirts. You wanted to buy them, didn't you?'

'Of course. Thanks, friend.'

'Ivory.' I told him. The manager bustled over, two identical shopping bags in his hands. 'Your things, Mr. Tyler, Ms. Knight.'

'Thanks.' Justin told him to put the bags beside him. Then, 'Would you please call a couple of cabs?'

'Sure.' He hurried away. Justin looked at me. 'Need a ride?'

'Uh' yeah, sure.' No way could I say no that. 'Why the cabs though?' As far as I remembered, Justin Tyler owned a very pretty sports car and a couple of jeeps.

'Yeah, well, I had kinda hoped to sneak out without drawing attention to myself.' He smiled ruefully. 'But my fans are very' observant, I guess.'

'Hmm' I guess I had better pay for this.' I got down; he joined me.

A few minutes later, I was riding in a cab with Justin Tyler; behind us, another one carrying his bodyguards was following. I tried to be nonchalant about it but it was just so cool. When we reached my place, Justin handed over a bag to me. I stood for a moment, thoughtfully.

I had spent literally a whole day with Justin Tyler; I had advised him on his clothes; I had heard him sing; I had rode back home with him. Yet I didn't have a shred of evidence to prove it. Maybe, if I could call him inside, I could snap a photo or two and even get autographs for Lily and me. So, I leaned back inside.

'Wanna come inside? Have a drink or something?'

He smiled that lovely smile again, shaking his head. 'Some other time, I guess. Bye, Ivory.'

'Bye.' I watched as the cabs drove away. Of course I knew there wasn't ever going to be 'some other time'; Justin Tyler had too much to do. I went back inside, wanting to show Adrian my dress. As I opened the bag, the prospect of 'some other time' suddenly became much more real.

Justin had given me his shopping bag.

Chapter 5: PAGE 16

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