How I imagined Hannibal's album cover would look like on the side! :>

✫✫✫

Saving my reputation came in sooner than I expected.

A few days after my whole 'saving the baby' fiasco in the supermarket, a video of me doing the former became a viral hit. Just like my embarrassing fall, the video was edited and parodied multiple times on YouTube. Everybody on the net started calling me a lifesaver, a saint or anything along those lines.

I know I'm supposed to be happy that my reputation is saved but I just can't bring myself to be glad about it!

You know why?

Well, thanks to some haters saying that I staged and acted my good deed, out of curiosity I found out it was an act! I didn't even know I was acting at the time! How was I supposed to know when it all seemed so real?

I found out about it when I sneaked into Paul's room looking for my deodorant and I found a really heavy baby doll, the grandma spectacles, the yellow blanket, and a video camera containing the footage of my supposed 'rescue'. I even checked Paul's phone and it had messages sent to Melissa and a few more people telling that if they acted for him he'd pay them a lot of money!

Isn't it just lovely?

"C'mon Gigi! You know I only did what I did to help you!" Paul pleaded with me as I fixed up my bag in my room. "I didn't want to see you miserable anymore!"

As soon as I was done packing, I turned around and looked at him, eyes slit. "Well guess what? Thanks to you, my misery is replaced with a much worse feeling!"

"What feeling?" He asked.

I strode past him and went to the living room. "Guilt! Guilt for acting! And you know what the worst part is? I didn't even sign up for it!"

"Really now? That's what you're feeling? Haven't you already accepted that you're famous? Famous people act all the time!"

"No! Not all of them do that!" I wore my backpack around my shoulders. "Only liars do that! I'm not doing that again!"

I walked to the front door and made a move to go out but Paul put his hand on the knob. He sighed. "Where are you going now?"

"I'm going to get some fresh air. Like, a whole tank of it." I slapped his hand away from the knob. "Don't even try to follow me or I'll quit being your money maker!" I went out and slammed the door for good measure.

To be honest, I didn't know where I was supposed to go. All I knew is that I needed to stay away from Paul and everything else at the moment. I felt like if I stayed for even just a second, I'd explode and turn into colorful fireworks in the sky.

In the end, I rode my bike to all of RedWood City. In disguise. I went from coffee shops to restaurants, libraries and even the beach just to cool my head. It felt nice, just being alone with my thoughts. Nobody bothered me, or at least to me no one did. I turned off my cellphone because I knew it would vibrate every second because of Paul, Jeff, Hailie and hundreds of other people.

By the time it was noon, I ran out of places to explore.

"Where to go, where to go." I muttered again and again as I walked the streets of RedWood. I got tired of biking so I alternately walked with my bike by my side. I looked around for any interesting places but most were either just boring or I've been there before.

I stopped walking when I saw a sign entitled . The name was pretty lame but since I was bored and music is what I'm working for right now, I decided to give it a shot. I might as well learn from the popular artists today.

When I got inside, a flowery scent nearly clogged my nose and faint pop music filled my ears.

The place looked like a library, that's what I immediately thought. It was like a library without the dusty books. On shelves were CDs, tapes, and even vinyl records. A fair amount of people were listening to songs on headsets in a corner while others just skimmed through the racks. I didn't miss the chipper-looking clerk behind the counter smiling at me from ear to ear. "Good afternoon! This is Music Jamz, your music library! Have fun and be sure to check our latest copies in the front rack! Thank you!"

Something tells me that she's the reason why it smells flowery in here.

I nodded at her, making sure not to give away my identity. My only disguises were my beanie and my shades, so I don't think it's best to talk.

I walked towards the front rack like she said and scanned the CD cases. Choosing a random CD, I went to the array of people with headsets and inserted the CD in the player.

While I was listening, I remembered Paul wanting me to choose a record company fast so I could be able to make my music. Since I refused to do so, he chose one for himself and told me he set an appointment next week.

Ugh. I'm sure it'll be a restless week for me.

After listening to the CD, I went back to the front rack and checked the others. What caught my eye was a CD cover with the face of a guy in the front. It was clear that he was wearing way too much eyeliner around his eyes and his face was too serious. Like, if you saw his album next to you, you'd freak out immediately. I held the album and surveyed it. "Hannibal? What kind of a name is that?"

I looked at the songs at the back of the album and proceeded to go back to where the headsets were but not before bumping into someone rigorously and dropping it.

"Watch where you're going! Sheesh!" I said and kneeled down to pick it up.

The person in front of me did the same. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you."

I huffed and looked up to give him a scolding but I froze as soon as I saw his face. I looked at the album, then at him, then at the album again, and then at him again. I dropped it and lowered my shades. "Are you Hannibal?"

His eyes widened when he looked at me. "You-you're Gigi Vloski."

✫✫✫

I don't know what's more awkward. That an artist recognized me just by looking at my face or that I had to compare an artist's face to his album to recognize him.

"So you are Hannibal." I said. He didn't look much like himself in person. I guess it's because he's not wearing any eyeliner now and he's wearing a Yankees cap to disguise himself.

"Yes, and you're Gigi Vloski. The girl who got famous for washing the dishes." He stirred his coffee slowly. Shortly after our exchange, I was dragged to Lottie's immediately. I don't know why but I'm presuming it's because two singers in a music library isn't in any way safe. And besides, Little Miss Sunshine clerk kind of wanted to kick us out for sitting too long on her carpet.

I raised an eyebrow. "That's very descriptive of you, freaky looking guy who wears too much eyeliner."

"Hey, I wasn't insulting you. I'm stating facts. And I'm not wearing eyeliner right now." He placed his chin on the palm of his hand. "Anyway, are you one of my fans?"

I nearly choked on my sandwich. "Excuse me?"

"Well you knew who I was when we bumped into each other and you were holding my album. Isn't that enough proof that you're one of my fans? I even dragged you here because I thought maybe you wanted an autograph or a picture." He flashed a smile at me.

"This is the reason why you changed our location?" I asked. Wow, this guy is full of himself.

He nodded, still smiling.

I groaned. "Okay first of all, I am not your fan. I was just checking the latest CDs in the store that's why I had your album. And second, I didn't even know your name until I read it in the front cover!"

"Oh really?" He asked, his smile unwavering.

I want to rip his smile off and burn it. "Yes! I didn't even know who you were until now!"

"Okay, whatever makes you feel at ease." He said. "It would be rude of me to anger one of my in denial fans. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

His flirty wink at the end really brought me on edge. I was an inch close to giving him a permanent black eyeshadow. "Why would you even think of that?! Who in their right mind would even want to like a guy named after a loser who failed to take Rome?"

"It's a stage name. You should try it sometime. Might make people like you more." He said.

I rolled my eyes. "And people like you for that name? Boy if that's your way of trying to conquer Rome and finish what the original Hannibal started, then you are sadly failing with your goth getup."

He looked at me for a moment before asking. "Have the English landed?"

"The English? What? I was talking about Rome!" I was confused.

"No I mean," he leaned close to me and whispered. "Are you on your period?"

"What the-"

"Hey don't blame me! You're the one acting all riled up." He sipped his coffee. His eyes were glinting. "Although, if you are like that on a daily basis, it's fine with me. I like a challenge."

What is he even talking about? "Look, it's none of your business if I'm having one of my days okay? If that's all we're gonna talk about, I'll be leaving. This chat doesn't make any sense."

As I stood up to leave, he put his hand on mine and spoke. "What a shame. I was hoping to get to know more of the beautiful and talented singer they said you were. I'm disappointed to find out you're just a rude, steaming teapot. Your fans will be crushed when they realize who you really are."

I felt pegged to where I was standing. "For your information, you were invading my personal space!"

"Oh, I don't think that's what everyone will hear once I tell the press. A little rumor will spread like fire you know? It's kinda cool how people easily believe gossip."

"You just asked me if I was having my period! What do you expect me to do? Blush and giggle?" I crossed my arms and glared at him.

He just laughed at me. "You're so cute. But sadly, your cute face won't stop me from spreading rumors about you, babe. Unless.."

"Unless what? Just tell me!" I was not going to get another crack in my reputation. I'll do whatever it takes not to lose my dignity.

Hannibal was smiling his stupid smile again. "I want your number. Phone number, to be precise."

I inwardly sighed. "Ugh. All that blackmail for my number? You could've just asked."

"I doubt you'd give it to me in your angry state." He said and gave me his phone. "A good blackmail always works to get the girl."

"Right. As if you got me." After typing in my number for him as fast as I could, I stood up again. "Now, are we done?"

"Not quite." He said. A second passed before my phone started ringing.

I looked at it and then at him. "This is you, isn't it?"

"Just making sure you aren't giving me the wrong number." He smiled. "Alright, you're free to leave. Thanks for the time, Miss Vloski."

"Whatever." I puffed out a breath before grabbing my backpack and walking away. "Loser."

I was so glad when I got home.

Paul was reading the newspaper in the living room. When I passed by, he took his chance to talk to me. "So how was your day like?"

I was still a bit mad at him at the moment but most of my anger transferred to a certain guy wearing too much eyeliner. I heaved a sigh and muttered. "Like a failed relationship. Started good and ended bad."

✫✫✫

Yep, I don't know what I'm doing to this story. I'm sorry if it turned out this way.

Anyway thanks for all your votes and comments and everything you awesome readers do! It really brings a smile to my face whenever you people react to this story! :)

I won't promise that I'll update very fast but I'll do my best. Especially now that I sorta know what I wanna happen next.

I'm still thinking who I should cast as Hannibal though. Who do you think I should make him be? He's just near Gigi's age, just so you know. Hehehe

If you have any suggestions please comment below!

Thank you again to all you lovely people! I'm very grateful for you guys!

xoxo

~Naf ♡