% CHAPTER 19 %

"Hurry up you jerk!" I yell.

"Why can't you call me by my real name?" Bret asks me with a hint of annoyance in his tone

I look back at him as I hold the front door of the house open for him. His hair is freshly washed and he's sporting a new shirt that he wasn't wearing at school. What part of "Rachel is picking us up right after school," does he not understand?

"Because that makes you seem innocent. Now hurry up! Rachel is waiting..."

Bret grips my arm and looks me in the eyes. "We're the stars Taylor. We make the time."

I can't stop my eyes from forming into a glare and he quickly responds by giving me a glare of his own. "No, the director does, and Derek does not like to be kept waiting." We stand there staring venomously into each other's eyes when I say, "Let go of my arm, will you! And hurry up!"

He lets go of me and rolls his eyes. What a jerk.

"Fine. Let me just get on some shoes." He pulls on some Vans and walks out the door. "We're waiting for you!" He accuses and I fight the urge to puff out my cheeks and give him a piece of my mind.

After I lock the door, we both get in the car and Rachel begins driving.

"So how has school been?" she asks in the most monotone voice possible. It's obvious she's not interested in the least bit.

"Amazing," Bret answers briefly.

"How so?"

"Just the people there-"

"By people he means girls!" I shout.

Of course he means girls. He had that girl over at the house yesterday, and I know he skipped a few classes today at school. For Bret, everything is about girls and his social life. Didn't his parents teach him any better?

He nods his head slowly. "Yes, and I'm thinking about getting a girlfriend."

My head whips around in shock. Is he joking?! He didn't say that just to make me suffer from whiplash, right? He couldn't be that cruel, could he? He's actually thinking... "Who?" I blurt before I can stop myself.

"This girl named Amanda Shorack. She's in one of my classes. I doubt you know her though."

I put my head down to hide the slight blush that's unexpectedly being sported on my cheeks at the moment. "I sure don't."

So he actually is thinking about it. With this Amanda girl. I just wonder how she managed to get him to take so much interest in her that he'd want to date her. If he liked her so much, why had her name never come up before? We just started school. How could he want to date a girl so quick?

Is she pretty? my mind ponders. Who cares! Why the hell would I even ask myself that? Of course she is. Bret wouldn't go for her if he wasn't attracted to her physically. She must be really special though for him to want to date her.

Bret starts talking. "Maybe I could introduce you-"

"No that's fine!" I snap.

What's wrong with me?! Why am I acting this way? I mean its only a girlfriend. Bret's girlfriend. That sounds so silly. Maybe he really is joking around. She probably doesn't even exist, but would he really go through all that just to have her be fake? Bret really isn't good at improvisation. He has to have a script in order to function.

Then it's clear I'm acting this strange because I'm taking pity on this girl. She's going to think he's amazing, and then she'll learn about the real Bret. He hasn't even asked her to date him though, so she might also say no. Who knows, maybe she doesn't even like him?

What if Bret really does like her though?

"You okay?" Rachel asks.

"Yeah," I reply softly. "Whatever you do, don't tell her the secret." I look him straight in the eye as I'm telling him. "No matter how much you like her, she can't know we're stars."

He chuckles. "As if I'd ever tell her! I haven't even told Aaron and Co. -- who are closer to me by the way -- so why would I tell her?"

I shrug. "Just checking."

"Okay then. Here's the script for the scene."

I close my eyes and pray for two copies. When I open them I find two copies. So God is real! I won't have to inconveniently share with Bret this time! Gosh, I really hate how unconventional Derek is as a director. How does he even succeed at this career? After snatching mine, I open it and begin reading the sappy tale.

*ACT I

(Stacy and Hayden are at the barn door, speaking in hushed tones.)

Stacy: Oh, but Hayden! You have to come! My family is expecting you to be in attendance. They want you to be there. You don't want to upset them, do you? You see, they've set up this dance and-

Hayden: Save it Stacy. I'm with Emily and nothing makes me happier than being with her. My love for Emily is something special. Unlike what we had, I expect us to last for a really long time.

(Stacy pulls an angry face and pulls down on Hayden's shirt collar with a balled up fist.)

Stacy: Then answer this lover boy. How would you feel if your relationship with Emily was a little...cut short? If you don't show up to my family's reunion ball, then all hell will break loose and your relationship with Emily will be (makes a signal with her hands) poof. Gone. Would you want that? I'm pretty sure she'd be in tears, wondering whatever happened to that sweet Hayden she knew after finding out he was...sleeping around.

Hayden: (confidently) I'm not cheating on her Stacy.

Stacy: Oh but does she know that?

(Hayden grimaces and begins rethinking his decision. After a short pause, he replies.)

Hayden: Fine I'll go. But don't pull any stunts while we're there.

Stacy: (pouts) Oh I would never!

(Scene changes and Stacy rings on Emily's doorbell. Emily answers with a Hello that is cut off when she sees who it is)

Emily: He- (gags) Oh its you.

Stacy: (has a very convincing apologetic look) Yes it is me darling. I've just come to apologize for all the hardships I've caused in your life with Hayden. I was just so jealous that I failed to realize he never really was the one for me. So I'm inviting you over to my family's reunion ball. There will be snacks, drinks, entertainment-

Emily: Have you really come to apologize? Or do you have another trick up your sleeve? (Sneers) I've seen too many sides of you to know which is the real one Stacy.

Stacy: (bows head) please accept my apology dear Emily. I have no intention of ruining your good terms with your lover.

(Emily hesitantly nods)

Emily: Okay then. I will see you there. Good day Stacy.

Stacy: (slight sly smile) Good day.

*ACT II

(Hayden and Stacy are now at the party. Emily has not arrived yet)

Stacy: Come on! Dance with me Hayden! Liven up! It's not like you were forced to come.

Hayden: I do not feel right about this.

Stacy: (holds up one finger) It's only one dance my dear. Don't act so sullen. We should be having fun!

Hayden: I don't feel right knowing she's not with me.

Stacy: I'm sorry to say that my parents hardly know her. Why would they let her come?

Hayden: You are implying she wasn't invited?

(Just then Emily walks in. She immediately spots Hayden and Stacy together)

Stacy: Shush my dear and enjoy the moment. (Muttering) Now is the time.

(Stacy brushes her lips against Hayden's and watches Emily's reaction out of the corners of her eyes. Sure enough, Emily has turned and fled. Hayden then breaks the kiss.

Hayden: You mad woman! Have you gone insane?!

Stacy: (chuckles) Maybe I have, but now I know we can tame our insanity together. (Tries stroking Hayden's hair affectionately)

Hayden: Do not dare touch me again! I knew I shouldn't have come to this event. I am going back to Emily, where I belong.

We make it just as that woman I love is turning the corner.

"Oh Jenna! What a coincidence! You three can walk inside together!" Rachel beams.

"Yes and then we could throw a huge party with a bonfire and light barbies on fire! Wonder who would go first," I say with a wide, fake smile. Bret gives me a surprised look.

"Back off, you little school girl," Jenna sneers.

"At least I'm not a skank," I retort. "Unlike you, I'm actually waiting for the right guy."

"Aww, our little virgin princess is trying to cover up her jealousy! Well don't worry. Your time will come, you know, when you're not a child anymore."

I roll my eyes at her. "I prefer to think of myself as a responsible, innocent, yet still mature teenager."

The glare she's giving me can't be ignored. "Get out of my way before I put these shoes to use and smash you like a pest."

"Those shoes won't do jack shit!"

"Wanna test that theory?" she asks, picking up her right foot and taking her skyscraper stiletto off.

"Test it on him." I point at Bret and make a run for it.

I make it to the trailer pretty fast. Little do I know Bret is right behind me... Someone grabs my waist from behind and picks me up from the ground. I scream and kick, trying to get out of their grasp.

"What the fuck is your problem Bradwick?!" Bret asks as I wriggle in his grasp.

My legs stop kicking and I look at Bret in stunned silence. He's never called me by my last name before. I kind of don't like it. Actually, I don't like it at all.

"You're not the most innocent person either," he says with a smirk. "So maybe from now on I should get to calling you names."

I would answer. I really would, but I'm too busy feeling Bret's abs up against my back and it's sort of making my brain go rogue. I mean I understand completely what he's telling me, but everything is in and out right now. I can't seem to concentrate. Why is this starting now? Why hadn't I noticed how amazing his abs felt before? Well I never had actually touched them, now had I? Great.

"Choking," is all I can get out.

He immediately drops me and I end up sprawled on the floor. Out of the trance, I turn around so fast you can hear the wind.

I'm panicking. What the hell did I just experience? I've never been through something like that before. Had I actually just felt up on his abs? This is not okay. He must have done something. First, I panic because he's possibly getting a girlfriend, and now this. I can't even tell what I want anymore.

"What the hell Bret?!" I sneer. I know it's his fault somehow. He did something to me. He always does!

I start walking to the trailer again, leaving him in the dust.

"Gosh could you two ever be a bit faster?" I hear Jenna mutter.

I stop and turn back around. "If the bitch in you could shut up, that would be appreciated!" I then keep walking. As soon as I spot Luca, I sigh in relief. "Finally someone normal!" I yell.

Okay saying that is a bit rude, but I could care less right now. Both Bret and Jenna are getting on my very last nerves.

Luca chuckles. "Hey Taylor. I see you've gone crazy. And Bret! Haven't seen you in ages!" He jokes. "When are you going to invite me over to the house?"

My eyes widen. "That is a great idea! Bret wouldn't mind if you slept over tonight. Or every night!"

Luca then smirks. "I see. So I've been informed you guys are doing the Jealous scene."

I roll my eyes. Of course. A jealous scene. I'm sort of already in the mood, even if I'm not jealous. Anger can be seen as envy, right? I hope so, because it's going to take a tornado and a hurricane caused by a tsunami that was created by an earthquake to calm me down. No joke.

I stomp through the doorway and go to my clothing rack, searching for the Jealous Scene outfit. Right now would be a good time to think of nicknames for Bret. Bastard. Moron. Jerk. Butthead. Oh haven't used butthead yet! Or moron! Maybe I'll try those next!

It all seems so stupid to be angry at Bret like this, but once you've been fed up with his attitude, you'll understand why I act this erratically. I also can't get over the fact that I found a part of Bret's body attractive, even if it was just his abs. Real me would never have thought that way.

I barrel towards the changing room with my two dresses. One is an orange sundress with white flowers which I'm supposed to wear first and the second is a nude colored cocktail dress.

I slip on the sundress and come back out with the cocktail dress. I have no idea why I even brought that outfit in with me.

Jenna runs in the changing room second as I stomp over to the hair and make-up station. My hair stylist does one fish tail braid to the left side while the make-up artist just covers up my blemishes.

Jenna comes out wearing a long pink flowing dress with very wide ruffles where the bodice and bottom portion meet. I envy the dress. It's gorgeous. But then again, it's a costume. And it's owned by Jenna. This makes me hate the dress so I stick my tongue out in disgust just for extra effect. Thank god Jenna doesn't see... She'd comment on how childish I acted.

While they do her make-up, Bret gets changed. He comes out wearing a loose white blouse that has the top bottom undone and very tan farm boy pants.

If only Bret wasn't such a moron. I'd date him. I almost choke on my thoughts, causing people to glance my way worriedly.

"Nothing's wrong with me," I confirm, more to myself than them. Okay so maybe I'm not confirming anything! I'm trying to confirm to myself that I am perfectly fine and I did not just think about dating Bret if he wasn't such an ass. Or did I use the word jerk? I honestly don't remember.

***