Chapter 1

Lorna returns to Sky Heights and is reminded of forgotten memories, one in particular she wishes would stay forgotten.

Lorna Davies

  I really hated planes. I hated the feeling that I could crash and burn at any minute. A metaphor towards my own life? I think so. What I did like was being able to step off the safely landed plane and look into the semi-large crowd in front of me. I hardly noticed the shrieking fans, I was really looking for my two best friends.

  A specific shout stood out to me.

Lorna!

The voice was high and bubbly, and I instantly recognized it.

  I scanned the crowd, searching for the firey source of the shout. Finally, my eyes caught sight of a short girl with pin-straight, flowing, maple colored hair and tinted peek cheeks. Standing right next to her was a tall and bulky boy with messy black hair and forest-green eyes. It was Pete and Kerie, the two people I would die for.

  Kerie and Pete shoved the crowd to make a pathway for themselves.

  Out of the way, jerks! Kerie hissed at the innocent fangirls. She slammed her hands violently against their necks, pushing them backwards with her lanky arms. There was no doubt that Kerie had a fire in her, a full-fledged (sometimes dangerous) forest fire to be perfectly honest.

  Pete reached me first. I jumped into his open arms and tangled my legs around his torso. After four months of being away, it felt so good to be against his warm body.

  I've missed you so much, he whispered ito my hear, so close that I could hear the articulation of every syllable. I silently agreed.

  Kerie came up to us, panting. Your fans are psycho! she said bent over, with her hands on her knees.

  Aww Kerie Berry, I love you! Kerie and I embraced, then she and Pete squeezed me all at once. Even though I could hardly breathe, it was the best I've felt in a long time.

  Let's go home, I said. Kerie gleefully seconded me. We walked through the crowd together until we got to Pete's car. I climbed into the passenger seat. Pete's usually stiff leather felt more comfortable than ever. I was finally home.

 

Peter Kingston

  So where's your dad, Lorna? Like, when's he coming back? I heard Kerie question.

  He said he has some more sight-seeing to do and then he's flying back from Spain. He should be back in a few days. Lorna explained with her velvet voice. I wasn't really paying attention to the conversation. Instead I was recapping the moment when I got to touch her again, when I could smell the familiar scent of honey on her hair.Lorna's been away before, but usually she's just an hour away in Hollywood. I've never went so long without looking into those icy blue eyes. If you were standing close to her, you could see that her eyes were lined with a pretty gray. I was in love with her, and I couldn't do anything about it.

  Pete. Peeete.-PETER! Kerie screamed an octave lower than she usually talked.

  Huh. What? I said when I realized she was trying to talk to me.

  Aren't you suprised Shane wasn't there? You'd think the slimball would have at least come to say 'hi.'

  Kerie... stop. Lorna added and gave a slight smile. Lorna and Shane were together for over a year, and right before Lorna left for Spain he ended it. He said that since she'd become famous, things had changed. He said it was too hard to maintain their relationship. I felt horrible for Lorna and I was there to comfort her on the phone whenever she needed it. But some sick part of me was excited when she became single. Some part of me thought that maybe it was a sign from above, that I had a chance.

  Tell me about Spain. Tell me about working with Patrick Dent! Kerrie squeeled. Ugh, Patrick Dent, the no-talent Hollywood phenomenon every girl was in love with.

  He's cute, and sort of sweet. But he's an airhead. He was always asking me to hang out once we were both back in California. Lorna answered calmly. Her cool tone relaxed me.

  Ohmahgod. You should. No one can be a bigger airhead than Shane!

  I'll pass Ker. God, Pete, you're so quiet. Even for you.

  The sound of my name startled me. Oh... sorry. I don't really know what input to give when you're talking about that Dent guy. I said honestly.

  Well then, change of subject. What's been going on here?

  Janelle's been pretty happy that you've been gone. I said and laughed. Janelle Ladd had hated Lorna for a long, long time. That hate escalated when Lorna became famous.

  Of course. Tell me something I don't know, Lorna said.

  That old lady that lived next to you moved out. This cute skinny guy moved in about a week ago. He's not that gross, girly kind of skinny. He's like... that weird, attractive skinny, Kerie said in one breath.

  Mmm... I like that. Does he have any cute sisters for Pete?

  Not unless Pete wants to date a toddler, Kerie laughed.

  No, I don't want to date a toddler... I don't want anyone but her.

 

Lorna Davies

  The hour long drive home from Hollywood to Sky Heights was filled with chatter between Kerie and I. Pete was so quiet, it almost scared me.

  We were just about home, and the sun was beginning to set over our town. The sky was filled with pink and orange, and dark clouds were scattered throughout it.

  So Kerie, you're going to stay with me until my dad gets back, right? I asked sweetly and pouted.

  Kerie gave me a shocked expression. Um, of course I'll stay with you. I'm appalled you even had to ask! What kind of friend do I look like? she asked with sarcasm.

  I smiled at her. This reassured me. Even though I loved my mini-mansion that we had moved into soon after I became an actress, the thought of being alone all night with only my boston terrier, Pooky, for company was not very comforting.

  I'm not invited to this sleepover? Pete said jokingly, reminding me that he was still in the car.

  You can be, I said half-heartidly.

  Relax, I was just joking. I have something to do tomorrow anyway. He looked slightly dissapointed. Well, we've reached our destination. Pete drove his car up my stone driveway. I fumbled for the door handle and blushed when I realized that my seat belt was still across my chest.

  When I had successfully gotten out of the car, I powerwalked my way to the center of my front yard. The grass was overgrown and turning yellow, but I didn't care. I stood there and looked at my home. The two story pillars were a blazing white, and my beautiful wood door was shinier than I remembered it.

  Is she okay... I heard Kerie say. They probably thought I was crazy, standing there with my feet planted in the grass, blankly staring ahead.

  Slowly, but steadily I walked to the front door. I reached into the pocket of my dark-wash skinny jeans and felt the hard edges of my key.

  The spring smells of wet grass and newly blossomed daffodils were traded in for the cinnomon aromas that lay just beyond my dorr. As if he had supersonic hearing, Pooky immidiately appeared and dashed into my arms, almost knocking me over.

  I visited all the rooms that I'd been away from for so long. Kerie and Pete were right by my side, telling me stories of what had been happening in Sky Heights.

  We were in my room, just hanging out when I became hungry.

  I'll be right back, I said.  Did Maria go grocery shopping this week? Maria was a woman my father hired to stop by the house twice a week to clean and do errands.

  Yeah, I think so, Pete answered.

  The marble tiles in the kitchen felt cold on my bare feet. I was about to open the fridge when a picture caught my eye. It was a photo of me, Lori, and my mom. Lori and I were about nine in the picture. It was from a time that did not exist anymore, a time that seemed ages ago, a time when my family was whole.

  I remember the day when I came home from Hollywood to an empty house. I was excited to tell my mom that we had finnished taping for my second movie. I went to her room, expecting to find her lounging in her bed, but instead I only saw a note. It was written in her curly handwriting.

  Dearest Lorna,

  I have to leave you. Lori is coming with me. I cannot explain my reasons to you, and for that I am extremely sorry. I have to ask you to trust me on this. I don't know how long we will be away, but I do know that we will see each other again someday. I love you, and I wouldn't be leaving if there were any other way. Don't let anything or anyone stop you from being a star.

  Love,

  Mom.

  Bringing back the memory, the feel of the crinkled paper in my hands, made my stomach ache. Hot tears were rolling down my cheeks, and I was unable to stop them.

 

 

 

Author's Note

Kerie- pronounced "Carrie"