You end up at your apartment around one in the morning, Elvis walking you to your door and making sure you got in safely.

"I'll you see again soon, right?" You had asked, holding him close to you as he kissed the top of your head.

"You got my number, and I got your address." Elvis said. "Trust me doll, you won't be able to get rid of me now."

You had smiled at that, nuzzling into his chest.

"I wouldn't want to."

After a few, long kisses, you had finally said goodbye to each other.

Now, you sit at your little kitchen table with Candice, recapping the whole night.

"Candy, he's so much more than a star." You sigh into your coffee.

Candice takes a sip of her own, nodding along.

"He seems real nice, baby. I'm glad you had such a nice time."

You swirl your coffee cup around in both hands.

"It's like I can't stand to be away from him." You look up at her with tired eyes. "Is that creepy? Am I being obsessive?"

Candy scoffs.

"No, you've just got a crush the size of Texas on the guy. It's normal to feel this way, and from what you told me it seems like he feels the same way."

Her words reassure you. She checks the clock, sighing.

"We got about an hour before work, want anything for breakfast?"

You shake your head.

"Too in love to eat." You state dramatically, draping your arms and torso over the table.

Candice laughs, getting up to pour herself another cup of coffee.

"You know, I'm sure we could find some jobs down in Memphis."

This takes you off guard. You crinkle your nose.

"Don't kid me Candy, c'mon."

She swings around to face you, coffee pot in one hand.

"Whose kidding? C'mon Y/N, there's all kinds of clubs and things down there. I'm sure somebody's looking for two sexy, young girls to advertise their clubs."

You sit up straight, seeing that she really means it.

"Candice, that's real nice of you but I'm not gonna drag you away from your dream just because of a guy."

Candice moves to sit down, taking both of your hands in hers.

"Y/N, this isn't just some guy. This is Elvis-motherfucking-Presely. My dream is to dance, and it doesn't matter where I do it. As long as we're together and happy, I don't care where we go."

The sentiment makes your chest swell with love for your best friend. You squeeze her hands.

"Thank you, Candy. I feel the exact same way. But there's no guarantee he even wants me in Memphis."

"Honey, with the way that boy looks at you he wants you in Memphis, trust me."

You want to believe Candice, but everything just felt so sudden, so fast.

Elvis had taken you on one date, and already you were planning your future around him like a schoolgirl with a crush.

You feel pathetic.

"I just don't wanna get my hopes up, you know?"

Candice looks at you sympathetically. She's the only person that knows about your past, the only person that knows about the heartbreak you've encountered in your life.

You're only twenty-two but you feel like you've been alive forever.

Nobody warned you heartbreak would be so exhausting.

"I know you're scared Y/N, and it's okay to be scared." Candice rubs your hand with her thumb.

"But sometimes you have to look fear in the face and just," she throws up her hands. "Go for it."

A newfound confidence sizzles under your skin, slight but just there enough for you to feel it. Maybe Candice is right, you think.

Maybe things could get serious with Elvis.

Maybe this is your chance to finally be happy, to live the life you'd dreamed of since childhood.

There's a knock at your door that brings you out of your daydream.

"I'll get it," you tell Candice.

When you open the door you find your neighbor, Ruth, standing before you. She's holding a newspaper up near her face.

"Looks like you've made the front page, dear."

The old woman hands you the paper, your eyebrows crinkling in confusion.

Your mouth falls open when you read the headline, taking in the image it's paired with.

"

The image is of you and Elvis caught in a passionate embrace, your bare thigh on full display as Elvis grips you tightly.

"Oh God!" You exclaim, gripping the newspaper so hard it nearly tears.

Candice quickly comes up beside you, her mouth dropping open.

"So I'm guessing it's true then," Ruth says from the doorway. "You've got yourself a fling with the King."

The old woman walks in casually, having shared a cup of coffee with you and Candice many times before.

"Do you think he's seen it?" Candice asks.

As if on queue, the phone rings. Ruth answers it before you get a chance to rush over.

"Hello? Oh, Mr. Presley! What an honor it is to speak with you, yes yes she's home."

You stand behind Ruth, practically begging for the phone.

"One moment," Ruth covers the receiver with her hand. "Are ya busy?"

"Ruth!" You exclaim, reaching out for the phone.

You get it out of her hands, the old woman ducking under the cord.

"Elvis!" You sigh down the phone, frantic.

"Y/N, babydoll, it's all over the papers." Elvis sounds exhausted.

" I know, I just saw."

He curses, muffled a little.

"I'm so sorry, Y/N. I never wanted you to get tangled up in all a my bullshit."

You shake your head even though he can't see you.

"Elvis that doesn't matter to me, what about you? Are you okay?"

Elvis huffs.

"I've been through a helluva lot worse, angel. I can take almost anything they throw at me by now."

That reassures you a bit.

"What I won't stand for is them writin' and lyin' about you, Y/N. You're a lady and you should be respected like one."

You raise your eyebrows cupping the phone closer to your face.

"What are they saying about me?"

"Listen, baby, I'm gonna have a car waiting for you out front. I want you to come to my place here and meet with some people."

There's a pause on the other line, Elvis letting out a shaky sigh.

"I'm gonna fix this, Y/N. I promise you."

You're eyes dart to Candice, whose already rushing to get her shoes and purse.

"We'll call work, tell them we're not coming in today."

Ruth is standing by the door, sipping her coffee.

"You can use my phone, dear."

"I'm bringing Candice with me, Elvis. She's my best friend and I need her."

Elvis doesn't argue, just urges you to hurry downstairs.

"If any reporter or cameraman comes up to you just keep walking, angel. Don't let them get to you."

You put a hand to your forehead, stress mounting behind your eyes.

"I'll be there soon, Elvis."

"I know you will, baby. Just remember I love-" you both pause, your eyes widening.

Elvis takes a deep breath on the other line.

"I really care for you, Y/N. I want you to be safe. This industry is a lot darker than it seems."

This statement startles you a little. A lot of things come to your mind at once- the cameramen stalking Elvis, supposedly sent by somebody, the scandalous headlines, the crowd of people following Elvis on set.

What could it all mean? What kind of trouble is Elvis mixed up in?

"Y/N?"

You realize you haven't responded.

"I think I'm getting a headache." You say, dazed.

Elvis let's out a chuckle, and that comforts you.

"Don't worry doll, when you get here I'll make the pain go away."

Candice returns a moment later, Ruth not far behind.

"There's a car waiting downstairs," you tell her. "Elvis, I have to go. We'll be there soon, I promise I'll be careful."

"You better be. See you soon, honey."

The line goes dead, so you hang up.

"Jesus," Candice is hurriedly shoving clothes into a duffle bag. "You go on a date with a rockstar once and the whole world falls apart."