Keep Calm and Carrie On

Chapter 6 - Bye-Bye Los Angeles.

As they finally arrived, they climbed down the limo.

"You look beautiful in your gown. I'm really glad it fits you." Nathan told Carrie.

Carrie blushed and bit her lip.

Then, Carrie was blinded by the bright flash of the paparazzi's cameras. She managed a smile, knowing that those photos they've taken would surely go to the internet. 

Nathan wrapped his arm around hers and started walking down the red carpet. Suddenly, a camera crew stopped them.

"Nathan, could we take a photo? With your date." one of them asked. 

Nathan courteously nodded. He wrapped his arm around Carrie's waist. "Don't be nervous. It's all right." he assured her, and rubbed the small of her back. 

She exhaled and smiled warmly in front of the camera.

"Thank you, Mr. Sykes, Ma'am!"

"So much photos, Nath. Don't you get blinded by the flash of the cameras?" Carrie asked, laughing.

"At first, yeah. Back then, in some photos taken by the media, my eyes were closed." he replied, and laughed along. 

"Ouch! Watch where you're going!" Sadie exclaimed after she was bumped hard. She looked up and found a well-built blonde man looking right back at her.

He held her arm and steadied her. "Oooh, I'm sorry. That's some high shoes you got there. Careful."

"Thanks. I got this." Sadie told him and shook his hand away. 

"I'm Alexander. Alexander Ludwig. You?" he asked her.

"I'm Sadie. That's all you're getting from me, since I don't know you." 

"All right, Sadie."

Suddenly, a large mass of camera men swarmed Alexander. They were interviewing him. Sadie was stunned as she heard some of the questions being asked.

"Alexander! How are you doing playing the Hunger Games' Cato?"

"Is Cato a difficult character to play?"

"Did you have work-out sessions to get that fit?"

"A message to all Cato fans, please?"

Sadie can't believe she acted rudely to the character playing Cato in the upcoming Hunger Games movie. 

After Alexander has answered all the questions, he approached Sadie again. "So, are you just going to stand there? The movie's about to start."

"I- I'm Sadie Kreigston from District One. Nice to meet you, Cato." 

Alexander smirked. He took out a strip of paper and slid it into Sadie's hand. "I see you're a Hunger Games fan. Well. Here's my number. Call me. Seriously, call me. If you don't, I'll send some tracker jackers to sting your pretty face."

Sadie giggled and proceeded to the cinema, not planning to make any promises.

As Carrie and Nath entered the cinema, they chose a seat somewhere far back.

"Jeez. It's freezing in here." Carrie muttered and wrapped her arms around herself.

Nath, without hesitation, removed his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. 

She pulled the coat towards her and said, "Thanks, Nath."

"Sure. Having to sit through a movie feeling cold is really uncomfortable."

On their way home, they all talked nonstop about the movie.

"Scrat is like, so clumsy and cute!"

"I'm really happy Sid ended up with Peaches."

"Oh my gosh. Do you know that Jennifer Lopez voiced Shira? The tigress?"

The boys dropped the ladies one by one to their houses. The last stop was Carrie's.

"Here we are." she announced, and the car halted to a stop.

The boys greeted her "good byes" and she got out of the car. Nath followed her.

"Thank you again for tonight. I really enjoyed the movie." Carrie told him. 

"It's my pleasure. And I should be thanking you, Carrie, for agreeing to go with me. Oh, are you busy tomorrow? I want to take you somewhere."

"No, not really. What time?" 

"Is 8:30 in the morning okay?" 

"Sounds good."

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow."

Siva popped his head out the window and yelled, "Please tell Mauee to go online on FaceTime at 1a.m.! Thanks, Trixie!"

"I will!" I told him, and laughed.

The following day, Nathan took her to a park. Gentle breezes blew through Carrie's hair as they sat under a shaded tree. 

"I come here to relax and unwind. Such a great place." he told her.

"This place is wonderful!" she exclaimed.

Nath moved a strand of hair away from Carrie's face. "Listen. I'm leaving L.A. later at noon."

"Really?" Carrie said in a disappointed tone.

"As much as I don't want to, yes." 

"I'll miss you, Nath."

"I'll miss you more." 

He slid his hand on her cheek and leaned close to her. He slowly brushed his lips against hers. Carrie found the kiss special; not because it was from a famous popstar, but because it was her first kiss.

Nath pulled away, their foreheads together. They were both grinning.

"Nathan Sykes, you stole my first kiss." Carrie told him, leaving him confused.

He raised his eyebrow. "I thought you had a boyfriend?"

"He never kissed me once." she replied, telling him the truth.

"Well, I hope the kiss felt magical, because it really was for me. I hope it didn't disappoint you." he said, and grasped her hand.

"It sorta, kinda disappointed me, Nath." Carrie told him and looked away, trying her best not to utter a sound. She bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing.

Nath grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "Why?" he asked, looking really upset.

"I was disappointed because it didn't last long enough." she teased him.

He breathed out a sigh of relief.  "You had me worried for a minute, Carissa."

She couldn't help but burst out laughing at his hilarious expression.

Once again, their lips met. This time, Nath made sure it was long enough. He didn't pull away; he waited for her signal. 

"How's that?" he asked, right after she broke the kiss.

"Perfect. Just perfect." she said.