CHAPTER
14
Celebrate
“What’s this?” I asked Troy after he
gave me a red heart shape box. Okay,
common sense much? It’s chocolate, duh. The voice muttered in my head.
“It’s Valentine’s day,” he said.
“Don’t tell me you forgot!” Jacque shrieked beside me.
“Of course not.” I said. And I didn’t. I reminded myself that it’s
Valentine’s Day today yesterday.
“Good. Oh yah, there’ll be a Valentine party in Mark’s house after
school. You two coming?” Mandy asked motioning to the guy I only had a glimpse
once. Actually, I think he’s in my history class.
“Of course,” Troy slid his hand on my arm down until he reached my
waist, which actually gave me Goosebumps.
“Great, we’ll see you later.” Mandy said as she dragged her new
boyfriend, Mark.
I elbowed Troy, to take his hand off me.
“C’mon,” Troy said taking my hand.
“Where are we going?”
“Just over there,”
“Wait, what about Jacque?” I looked to her as she grinned and went to
Gwen’s side. “But we’ll be late for class,”
“No we’re not,” he smirked that almost made my heart melt. Paulo, Paulo, Paulo! Don’t let your alter
ego brainwash you! I reminded myself.
“I just want to ask you something,” he murmured letting go of my hand.
“What’s that?”
“Well, I’m scared if you somehow reject me, so I’m gonna ask you here,
so no one will hear us,”
“Just say it...”
“Okay,” he sighed. “Would you go to the spring dance with me?”
I looked to him. Just say NO! The
voice screamed to my mind. “Troy,”
“You won’t come with me, are you?”
I shook my head and looked down.
“You already have a date?”
“No... I’m just... not allowed,” I looked at him. As much as I want to
go to the dance, I can’t make my life any more difficult. I’ll be performing on
the spring dance; okay, I’ll be going in a dress like everyone else, and maybe
dance with anyone else, but I can’t go as Lauren, then change into two dresses
every hour or so.
“What?”
“My dad is really, really strict.” I reminded him.
“Right... I guess I’ll just give away the couple’s ticket I bought,
before Mitch finds out that I don’t have a date.”
“Are you making me guilty?” I chuckled.
“Is it working?”
“No,” I chuckled again. “C’mon, we’ll be late for class.”
“But you’ll go tonight...” he said more like a statement than a
question.
“Yes.” I said as we walked back to the campus.
He was right; we didn’t receive a tardy slip. Well, that’s probably
because he got Mr. Borchetta’s time memorized.
***
I was about to leave lunchtime when Mitch approached me with her other
wicked friends. “Lauren,” she said. “Some of my people said that you’re not
going to the dance... good choice... good for you,”
I just smiled slyly and walked away. Okay, so Lauren may not go, but
Taylor will. So maybe I won’t dance with Troy, but I’ll do him a little favor
and make sure Mitch wouldn’t too.
I took the cab and got off to Paulo’s house. I stuffed my disguise back
to my bag and pressed the doorbell.
Paulo opened the door and flashed a smile. “I thought I’m the one who’s
going to pick you up?”
“Doesn’t matter,” I chuckled.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he pulled me closer and pressed his lips to
mine.
“Happy Valentine’s day,” I smiled and pushed him.
“C’mon, I’m hungry...”
We took his truck again and headed to the grocery store. There are only
a few strolling around, which is quite surprising. I took a cart; which was
really difficult, not to mention that the carts were stuck together, and I
needed to pull it with a lot of exerted efforts. It was really funny when Paulo
decided to pull another cart from another bundle, which resulted to him being
chased by the carts. The salesmen noticed him and helped him escape; such a
great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We only bought a box of chocolate
covered strawberries, four can of sodas, loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly,
a pack of almonds, and a box of pizza; yeah, it’s not that much.
We drove back to the field, and I gotta admit, he’s right. This was the
most beautiful field I had ever seen.
Paulo finished settling up the blanket and the plates as I sat across
him. I closed my eyes and breathed the refreshing air. We took a slice of pizza
and the sodas first, before opening the others.
“Almost forgot,” he threw the crust of his pizza and took his bag and
started digging for something.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said and gave me a white adorable stuffed
dog with huge eyes and a bracelet with emerald charms.
“How cute, thank you! But I thought you’re saving for your sister?”
“No worries, it’s fine. Besides, I really intended to buy that... the
charms look perfect to you...”
“And the dog’s eyes reminds you of me,” I said sarcastically.
He laughed. “Not really... unless you mean ironically,” and he was
right; most people commented that I have small eyes.
“You want to taste the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the
history of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?”
“Of course,”
He prepared two sandwiches swiftly and gave one to me. “You know how to
catch almonds with your mouth?”
“No, you?”
“An expert,” he grinned.
“Really,” I took an almond. “Let’s test it, shall we?”
“I’ll be delighted,”
I tossed an almond and he caught it. I threw another three consecutive
almonds and he caught it all. “Beautiful!”
“Let’s test you,”
“Alright then,”
He threw four almonds all at the same time and sadly, I didn’t catch
any. “You’re the worst from the almond-catching,” he laughed.
“You’re unfair!” I laughed with him as I threw more almonds and he
rolled down the slope. I looked down to see him nowhere him in sight. “Paulo?
Where are you...”
“Miss me?” he whispered behind me, putting his arms around my waist.
“No,” I looked at him and pushed him slightly. “You’re really becoming
sneakier,” I chuckled.
“Right,” he drank on his can of soda. He opened the box of chocolate
covered strawberries and ate a piece. “You’ll be leaving in a few weeks,
right?” he asked lying on a prone position.
“In more than two months, yes...”
“But you won’t forget me... right?”
“Of course,” I smiled and ate a piece of the chocolate covered
strawberries.
He took the gold bracelet from the stuffed dog and put it on my wrist.
“There... Even if you leave, it’s as if I’m always with you,”
“Thanks” I murmured. “But I wouldn’t forget you.”
“I hope.”
“What if you just switch to my tour? I mean, Troy would agree on that,”
“I have a contract to them,”
“Oh,” I sighed. “We can still keep in touch. You know, text, call...” I
let my voice trail off. I hope this wouldn’t end up like what happen between me
and my ex-best friend. Besides, Mariel and Jared pulled the long distance
relationship thing, so why can’t we?
“C’mon, I still have two months here. Let’s make it memorable,”
“Right,” he sighed. “And what better way to make it memorable than
teaching you how to catch an almond?” he threw a handful of almonds to my face.
“Hey!” I took a handful of almonds too and threw it at him.
I got home later than I expected. Jasper welcomed me, and then groaned
when he saw Paulo. He was supposed to follow me when Jasper barked loudly that
made him change his mind. I headed to my room and change; Troy didn’t notice
that I’m wearing the same clothes Lauren had. Well, the truth is, he didn’t seem
to notice me go in, even after Jasper’s loud barking.
I tied my hair in a ponytail as I walked down the stairs then suddenly
remembered the party Mandy was talking about. Of course Troy wouldn’t notice
me; he’s upset to Lauren for ditching him. I sat on the front porch swing and
sent him a text message saying: I’m sorry I left so early... is it okay to have
another try? I mean, the streets maybe dimmed, but it’s still Valentine’s Day,
right?
I flickered to him who suddenly turned to me. I quickly looked away, and
pretended to looked on the stars. Even though there’s a wall that divides, us I
felt like in just any seconds, he would realize that I’m lying all along.
“Why did you leave anyway?” he replied. Thank God he didn’t call.
“Just had a major headache. But I’m fine now,”
Suddenly, he called. I took two deep breaths. Maybe I should just say
that my dad is in front of me right now and I couldn’t answer the phone. Right.
I texted him again, and he understood it quickly. I went in the house and
pretended to get a glass of water as he texted me again.
“So, um, are we going to the party or what?”
“It’s up to you,”
“I’ll pick you up right now,”
“Fine,” as soon as I pressed the send I stared on my phone. S**t, how can
I go there before him? Take a cab? There are two risky things that can happen
if I do that: first, I’ll be late since he’s a much faster driver. And next,
he’ll notice me.
I breathed twice and think. Okay, my other plan is weird, but it just
might work. I’ll take a ride with him, saying that I’ll go to a friend’s house,
then I’ll go down a block away, tell Stacey to tell Justin to let him in, then
I’ll sneak from the back door while Troy’s not looking. Risky, and yet safe. I
hurried upstairs and jammed my cardigan to my bag. Boys don’t notice if a girl
wears the same clothes that much but just to be safe. I put my disguises in my
bag and wore my favorite wedges. I ran down the stairs and out the house and
stood in front of his car, hand rose in front of me.
He pressed the horn twice.
I walked toward the passenger’s seat and knocked on the car window
lightly and said, “I need a ride,”
“So?” he said, lowering the car window.
“C’mon, it’s near your almost girlfriend’s house!”
“Almost? How’d you even know where she lives?”
I froze for a second. “Um, you told me before, duh,” I chuckled
nervously.
“When?”
“In your first date. Besides does it matter? I just need a ride!” I
shrieked. “And besides, as long as I remember, you’re grounded... and you
shouldn’t even be in there...” I crossed my arms and grinned.
He threw me a look of suspicion then opened the car door. “Just get off
quickly,”
“Fine,” I stepped in quickly and put the seatbelt as fast as I can.
He drove faster than before,
which almost scared me. Sure I’m used to fast driving, but this is beyond that.
“Don’t you get caught for driving like this?” I blurted, still holding
on the handgrip.
“Oh please... Troy Anderson never gets a ticket.”
“Not until now... or later,”
“Whatever...”
And he was right. As much as his driving skills scared me to death, he
didn’t get a ticket. I stepped out of his car then took another route toward
Stacey’s house. I hid behind a maple tree and slid in to my disguises. I almost
ran to Stacey house, in which I’m in luck that she’s in the garden and quickly
let me in. Justin is actually a pretty good actor; even though he’s younger
than Stacey, he acts like an overprotective brother. He pretended to examine
Troy, standing on the porch, not even letting him in.
“I can handle this,” I said to Justin as I went out of their house.
“Bye,” I waved and moved to Troy.
“What time will you be back?” Justin asked.
“Around ten I guess. Besides, I already asked permission from dad,”
“Right,”
Troy just smiled and led me to his car and opened the car door for me.
Okay, so is he really just annoying me or what? I mean, when he’s with
Taylor, he drives like a mad man. But when he’s with Lauren, he drives like a
normal person.
“Are we too late?” I asked.
“No. The party is until ten. But since you mentioned that you’re only
allowed by ten, let’s just say that we’ll leave a few hours earlier, since I
want to show you a surprise,”
Leave a few hours earlier? It’s
already five. I wanted to add. “A surprise?”
“Yeah,”
We reached Mark’s house by six. The house, or I could probably consider
it as a mansion, was fully crowded with junior and senior students. There are a
lot of unfamiliar faces, and some looks like they’re going off to college. We
entered the house seeing all of them partying hard. Champagne and vodka are
flowing almost everywhere, and some used it as a shower. I was shocked when I
saw Mitch standing on the table, dancing with her man, drinking, making out,
and she’s one of those who are showering the bottle of champagne. By the look
on her face, and her frizzy hair, it’s a hundred percent that she’s drunk.
Most people around her didn’t care especially her friends, who are
currently making out with their guys. I searched for Mark and Mandy, but they
were nowhere in sight. I wonder if they’re making love right now. But knowing
Mandy, she wouldn’t do that. She once told me that her family is really
conservative, and she’ll only have sex with her future husband. I wonder if she
changed her mind. The first thing I noticed to Mark was his aggressiveness.
I love parties; I’m being honest, but this doesn’t feel like it.
Actually, if I came a little earlier, I would have a showdown with Mitch,
though I wouldn’t drink; I swear, not a single drop of alcohol. I maybe a good
girl in both ways (okay, a little naughty as Taylor) but that doesn’t mean I’m
not a partygoer. I’m just really choosy on the kinds of parties that I go in.
I noticed some other girls are pole dancing; but at least not stripping
down. I turned around and went to the poolside. This part was a little calmer.
Most people in this part were just sitting, texting, or talking. Some are in
the pool, and a few are in the Jacuzzi. It’s then that I saw a girl sitting
alone in a wooden bench, far away from the others. Her hands are on her face,
and she seems to be crying; it’s Mandy. I approached her, trying not to trip
from the slippery floor, since the guys keep diving in the pool. I wonder where
Mark is, isn’t he suppose to be with her?
“Mandy?” I said, trying to make sure it’s her.
She looked up for a second and then buried her face to her hands again.
“What’s wrong?” I sat beside her.
“Mark was cheating on me.” she whispered. “No, not cheating... he only
used me. I never had an idea that I’m just a rebound girl until I saw his ex
going out from his room, wearing an oversized shirt; Mark’s shirt.” She wiped
her eyes with the back of her hand, though tears still flowed through them.
“I’m so sorry,” I hugged her. “We should probably go now,”
“I’m just waiting for Stephen. I already called him, but he’s still
nowhere,”
“Hey, I was looking for you everywhere,” Troy said approaching us.
“Could you call Stephen for us?” I asked.
“What?” he sighed. “Okay,” he sighed again, wiped the sweat on his
forehead then walked off again.
“Am I not attractive?” Mandy blubbered as soon as Troy was gone.
“Of course you are... and he’s just a stupid guy who lost you. There
would be a lot of guys that would be in your life and that are lucky enough to
meet you. And there’s someone out there that is more deserving for your love
than him.”
Troy got back faster this time, as Stephen ran behind him. At least
Mandy’s brother isn’t drunk yet.
We went out the same time they did. I watched as Stephen’s car vanished
around the corner. I wonder how Mark can do it to her. I mean, Mandy is one of
the nicest girls I ever know, and even though the first thing I noticed to Mark
was his aggressiveness, he seemed like a complete gentleman�" well, in history
class, that is.
We headed to the surprise Troy was saying, since there’s no point of
staying in the house of the guy who broke one of my closest friend’s heart. I
found out that Jacque didn’t go to the party after all, so there’s really no
point on staying.
I have no idea what Troy’s surprise was until he stopped the car. I
wanted to cry, to scream so loud. Why? Why would he bring me here? Why would he
bring Lauren here?
I stepped out from his car and closed my eyes to keep myself from
crying. My paradise; it’s perfect in the dimming light. The trees look like
it’s full of fireflies, the crystal fountain shining under the silver
moonlight. The cold breeze is still in the air, a billion stars filled the dark
sky. The path seems to be shimmering and the wild flowers are like
multicoloured diamonds.
“What do you think?” he murmured, suddenly beside me.
“It’s... wonderful,” I pressed my lips together.
“You’re the second girl I brought here, to be honest.” He chuckled.
“Who’s the first?” I asked, hoping he would say me. I wanted him to say
my name, even just once.
“My best friend...” he sighed. “Ex-best friend,”
I closed my eyes again, hoping I can still keep my tears, but it felt
like thorns surrounded my heart. “And why is that?” I said and thank God my
voice didn’t fail me.
“Do you care for a little story?”
“Sure. Please tell me.” I faced him and smiled convincingly as possible.
I walked toward the bench and sat down. He sat beside me then took a second
before he spoke.
“Are you easily caught up by sad stories?”
“Kinda,” I chuckled.
“Don’t worry, this isn’t that sad... though I wouldn’t say that there’s
a happy ending,” he breathed.
“Fine,”
“You see, five years ago, I promised my best friend that I’ll make this
a perfect paradise. I actually broke my other promise that I wouldn’t bring any
other girl here except for her.”
“Why did you say that she’s your ex-best friend?” I said eager to know.
“Well, when I was first starting off as a singer, I have this manager
who controlled my life. He told me that I shouldn’t have any connections with anyone
who could actually damage my career. I first thought that he’s not pointing to
her, but when I first got a few mails from her, I wanted to send her my reply
or call her, see her, or just hear her voice. But my manager had forbidden me.
He reminded me that I shouldn’t have any connection if I wanted to stay in
track,”
But you’re better than that. You
know the difference between right and wrong. I wanted to say.
“The day I had the chance to see her again, I wanted to hug her, tell
her everything that happened to my life. But my manager was beside me, striking
me a look of a ‘no’... I just pretended to not know her, even when she showed
me the necklace I gave her before.”
You should’ve told me. You’re the
one who told me before that I should never let anyone control my life... ever.
And now you’re the one who had let someone else push you around? That’s not the
Troy I knew. That’s not the kind of Troy that would let fame overcome what he
believes in. I wanted to shout to him.
“But I guess fate always have a plan. Fate made her famous like me, but
it was not enough. It hurt me badly when she once approached me and I know that
she was ready to give me a chance, but I blew it. I pretended not to care and
just commented that she had changed a lot. I knew that I had hurt her feelings,
but I didn’t know what to do,” he paused for a second.
“Why? Why didn’t you tell her the truth when you had a chance?” I let
the thought slip pass my mouth.
“I didn’t know what to say. I was scared that time,”
Scared? You’re scared of what?
You’re the one who said that you knew I can give you another chance if you just
didn’t blow it!
“I know that it’s not right to be happy when someone died,” he
continued. “But I was the happiest person when my former manager did. He died
on a car accident, and from that day, I was free. But I didn’t have a chance to
bring my best friend back.”
“Why? Why didn’t you do anything?” I blurted. I wanted to cry again,
like I had been doing because of him, but I don’t want to look pathetic because
of my emotions.
“I have no chance. She hates me already,” his voice turned into a
murmur.
“She wouldn’t hate you if you just tell her the truth! She could’ve
understood you in the first place if you told her the truth from the very first
chance you had! And you know what? If I were in her position, I would hate you
too, because you didn’t have the courage to tell the truth. You’ve stayed in
your shell when everything’s fine. When the path is cleared out for you...”
“But what if she doesn’t understand it?”
“Why do you always think of the ‘what if’ things? You always jump to
conclusions... you should’ve thought of the brighter side. And you should’ve
thought that she would have understood because she’s your best friend for
years, and she’s not pathetic enough to let go of your friendship that easily
unlike what you did.” My tears failed me now. It rolled down my eyes as I spoke
every word.
He was quiet for a moment, letting my words sink in to him.
I closed my eyes then looked at
him. “I’m sorry... I got carried away,” I murmured after a while. And that was
true. I shouldn’t have said that while I’m Lauren. Lauren is not in the
position to blurt all of it. But maybe she is; I mean, since when will Troy
tell me about this anyway?
“That’s fine,” he smiled. “You know why you’re the only girl I brought
here other than her?”
“Why?”
“Because you remind me of her... And I think that if I tell her the
story right now, she would probably say the same thing... and that’s probably
one of the reasons why I think you’re very special,”
That’s because I am her.
“But I swear, you should really tell her. You may not know, maybe it’s
not too late.”
“I need to find the right cue.”
“Until when will you find the right cue? Until she’s gone?” I stopped
myself. He hasn’t told Lauren on who
he’s talking about. “Wait, who is your best friend anyway? You said that she’s
famous, right?”
“Taylor, Taylor McKenzie...”
“And she’s staying with you for how long?”
“Three months,”
“Are you gonna wait until that short three months come to end? Or are
you gonna tell her now?” I breathed. “Wait a sec, she’s staying with you...
staying with you...” I repeated. “How the heck didn’t you have a cue?”
“I just don’t know what to say,”
“Troy Anderson? Troy Anderson doesn’t know what to say?” I suddenly
laughed. I’m doing too much of me, than Lauren’s.
“It’s not that easy you know,”
“You knew her better than anyone. And you should know how easy you can
approach her and how to please her. Even if you haven’t been together for
years,”
He just looked at me.
“I know you can do it,” I swept his bangs to the side.
“I hope so,” he took my hand and whispered to my ear. “Who will kill me
if I kiss you? You or your brother?” he chuckled low.
“I guess me, since I’m the one here right now.”
“Then I’ll take my chances,” he leaned to kiss me but I stopped him just
a few inches from my face.
“Don’t kiss me unless you’ll talk to your best friend,”
“I swear,” he said and pressed his lips to mine before I could stop him.
I kissed him back then stopped to catch my breath.
“Am I that breathtaking?” he chuckled under my ear that gave me another
round of Goosebumps.
“Not really,” I pushed him slightly.
“Maybe if I try again, I’ll be breathtaking this time,” he chuckled.
“Shut up,”
He looked down to his watch then said, “Your brother may not kill me for
doing that, but he might kill me for not getting you home in time,”
He drove me faster than before, though still not as fast as on the way
to Stacey’s house when I’m Taylor. This had been the weirdest Valentine’s Day I
ever had. I had two dates at one, though not at the same time. I guess my stay
can really be unforgettable.
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