3...2...1...ACTION!

chapter VIII: Addicted.

"I'm completely fine, just a little shaken up."

"I feel you. Hey, do you want to get out of here? Like actually get some fresh air?"

My brain completely shut down and I panicked. For the first time in my life I was nervous about hanging out with a new person. Was it because I was actually interested in her? Was it because I thought so highly of her as an actress, as someone who belongs in the spotlight? Without any hesitation the words just flew out of my mouth "I would love to!" I was thrilled to be near her and hang out with her. "Awesome! Follow me, I'll take the keys to my car so we can go for a small ride." I found myself following her like an eager puppy. I was excited and also nervous because I would be leaving Sebastian for the rest of the night. Elinor quickly picked up the signs of my hesitation and asked as we were sneaking into the garage, "Are you having second thoughts about this? We can go back if you want."

"It's just that I feel bad for ditching my date like that."

"I see, well maybe it was a bad idea for us to leave, let's just go back to the party before anyone notices we are gone." She looked disappointed and sad even, she needed an escape and god I could never say no to her. I grabbed her arm and I felt a jolt of electricity go through my body as soon as my hand touched her soft skin.

"No. I want to leave with you, besides, he left me to be with your husband because they needed to discuss business. Let's go and have some fun, a girls night out." her facial expressions softened and she just seemed happier now that I decided I wanted to go out with her. It made me happy seeing her filled up with such joy, I could tell she just needed some company that night. I knew I wasn't the best person to hang out with considering what I had done to her behind her back, but I simply couldn't stop myself from being attracted to her. She was so lovely, she made me feel things I would read about in books, she made me feel things I never thought I'd feel, especially not so soon.

She picked up the keys that were hanging on the wall beside the garage door and tossed them at me. I caught them and told me "I hope you can drive because I am not risking Pierre my driver, take me anywhere. He'll tell Earl about where I go and usually spies on me. He can be quite paranoid at times."

"Do not worry Madame, I am an excellent driver! And I love driving, it usually makes me feel alive and free."

"I see... I wish I could be free just like you." I understood immediately what she meant. She didn't need to give me an explanation. Although her life may seem perfect from the outside, I could tell that living with a scumbag like Earl wasn't easy. I felt the urge to save her. She didn't need saving though, she was completely capable of saving herself, but looking at the circumstances, she was trapped into this life just like how I am slowly being lured to it.

I opened the car door and hopped inside, she got in with me and at that moment I felt something new. This attraction only grew more intense and I wanted so desperately to drive out of here and never come back. I never felt this way before, I started to wonder what a real crush would feel like and I thought about that old conversation I once had with him.

"So you're telling me you choose the people to crush on or like"

"Isn't that what all people do?"

"No..? That's definitely not how it works, you see when you have a crush or let's say, fall for someone, you'll know because naturally just seeing them will make your heart beat faster. Being near them will make you nervous, and speaking to them will be easy and your worries would fade away at the sight of their smile. It's the little things that they do that catch you off guard the most, you start to pay attention to all the normal things that they would do. That's when you should ask yourself h]ow you truly feel about them and about the nature of your relationship."

Of course, he was right. It seems that I am rushing through things and I should probably enjoy this friendship while it lasts. I know for a fact, someday I'll ruin it. There was no way I could keep that guilt from her and take it to the grave with me. There's no way that this would ever last.

"You seem lost in space, penny for your thoughts?" she asked and I started the engine and started driving away. I didn't say anything, I didn't know what to say. "You seem so focused on that, daydream." I took a deep breath and finally replied "Just thinking."

"About..?"

"The past." she nodded, she understood exactly what I meant by that despite the fact that I refused to say another word to her about that. I was not ready to share anything about my past yet. "How about, we forget about the past for tonight. Let us have fun." She gently put her hand on my thigh and turned my head to face her. We locked eyes for a split second but it felt like an eternity. Her eyes were dark just like the dark sky that night, I saw sparks that lit up just like the stars in space. She was lovely, everything about her was lovely. "How do you feel about burgers right now?" I asked

"Sounds good to me, but I doubt that there would be any fast food places open at such an hour."

"Don't worry, I know a place." I pulled over at Don's diner and ordered my favourite for both Elinor and I.

"Don's diner! I can't say I ever heard of this place before." I laughed knowing that she would say something like that. "I used to work here."

"Used to?"

"Yeah, the schedules weren't compatible and now I am searching for a part time job."

"I see, well good luck with that, and now, it's my turn to choose our second location where we can share these goodies."

"Lead the way, Elinor Baldwin."

As soon as we received our orders we climbed back inside the car and she gave the instruction as to where our next location was. It took us about twenty minutes to get there, but it was all worth it. We went to the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign.

"You've got good taste Mrs Baldwin."

"Why thank you, Ms Rivers. I have to say these burgers are amazing."

"I'm glad you like them."

I parked the car in a way we would face the city and stare at that beautiful view. I finally pulled out my burger and took my first bite. I was so hungry I didn't care if I ate in a gross way. I caught Elinor staring and I covered my mouth quickly. "Sorry, I was just so hungry." She took a bite bigger than the one I had, she then said with her mouth full of food "see, there's nothing to apologise for, i'm very hungry too I was just holding myself back." I couldn't help but laugh and she laughed with me. That's how we spent the rest of the night. Talking, eating, laughing. For the first time in a long time I felt like I was being myself around a stranger. I didn't want this night to end just yet, I wanted to stay like this with her until the sun rises and we can stare at it together while still talking and laughing and acting like little children.