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Chapter 1

Nicole's Dorm Room at University

'Hey Nicole, come on already. We're all waiting for you," Rosita yelled from the sitting area of their cramped dorm apartment.

Nicole heard them calling but she needed a minute to compose herself. She had to put her game face on so no one could really see what was going on inside her. When she finally felt like she pulled herself together enough to walk in the room, she crept in hoping to melt into the giant bean bag chair in the corner without anyone noticing.

It was hard enough not being able to tell anyone the truth about her 'friendship' with THE Waverly Earp...A-list actress, Hollywood's new it girl, and better half of heartthrob Chanp Hardy, but now she had to watch the movie awards show and pretend she was happy to do it. 'Why does my life suck so hard," she whispered under her breath.

Jeremy spun around at the sound and jumped on the beam bag with her quicker than she could react.

"Nicole, my bestie bestest, when did you sneak in?" Jeremy slurred in her ear.

Nicole forgot he had freaky super spider sense hearing. Shit. "I just got here...let's get this party started, huh? And by the looks of you it seems like I've got some catching up to do." Nicole smiled as she stretched her hand out towards Kate, who happily tossed her a beer.

"Hells yeah you do, you saucy ginger bitch" Jeremy exclaimed before covering his mouth with both hands at the realization of what he said. "Oh...ummm...sorry Nic . I didn't mean that. Please don't kill me!"

Nicole threw her arm over over Jeremy's shoulder and pulled him in close to her as she chuckled. "God I love drunk Jeremy." She looked around the room to the rest of her roommates, "are we doing this or what? Let the red carpet drinking games begin."

"Me first," Rosita yelled. "Rule 1: any time they say the word dress you drink."

"Good one," Kate chimed in. "And rule 2: any time they ask about dating or love you drink."

"Ooh, me next! How about any time they ask about who they want to work with next you drink," Jeremy added. "Nic...you're up"

"Oh geez, I don't know. You guys took all the good ones." She tapped her chin with her finger before smiling impishly. "How about any time Jeremy drools over one of the hot actors you drink."

"Hey, not funny Nicole," Jeremy said as he jabbed his elbow into her side. "Besides, if that's a rule I'll be passed out within five minutes!"

Everyone laughed and ribbed Jeremy about crushing on all the famous actors when Nicole caught a glimpse of Waverly on the TV screen. She hated how the mere sight of Waverly made her catch her breath and caused a terribly wonderful ache in her stomach, even after all these years. If Jeremy noticed her body tense up he didn't mention it, which she was thankful for. She was fooling herself if she thought she could get through this. She quickly accepted she couldn't bear to watch Waverly speak to the reporters, so she excused herself to go get some snacks as Waverly approached the sea of microphones and flash bulbs.

Clearly she timed her escape poorly because she walked back in the room just in time to see Champ place his arm around Waverly's waist and tell the reporter how lucky he was to have worked with such an amazing actress. The reporter asked about their rumored relationship and Champ just kissed Waverly on the cheek. Nicole gagged instinctively, causing everyone to turn to her. She covered it with a few fake coughs but she was definitely busted.

"Okay," Jeremy yelled, "rule amendment. Whoever, drools, or gags, over a hot celeb has to drink." He turned to look at Nicole, "you earned a big chug on that one, sweetie."

Nicole flicked him off as she took a big swig of beer. Everyone stared at her, dying to ask what that was all about, anyway, when Nicole's phone started ringing on the table.

"Holy shit," Rosita exclaimed. "Why am I looking at Waverly Earp's face on your phone right now???!!! You know her. Like really know her," Rosita said as she shook her head in disbelief.

"We'll, duh," Nicole retorted, clearly annoyed. "I told you I knew her."

"Yeah, I know you told us that. But I thought you knew her in the way that everyone who went to school within 10 years of someone famous 'knows them'," Rosita said while adding air quotes to emphasize her point. "But you really know her. Like there's a picture of her on your phone attached to her contact info know her."

Nicole just stared at Rosita, not quite sure what to say next, when Kate yelled as she shoved a Nicole's phone in her hand, "are you going to answer the phone or what? I'm dying to know why some big star would step aside from the red carpet to take a moment to call you."

Nicole held the phone for a second, paralyzed with indecision, before shaking herself free and tossing the phone one the coffee table. A few seconds after the ringing stopped the phone chimed, alerting everyone to the fact Waverly left a voicemail. Everyone stared at Nicole, silently pleading with her to play the voicemail.