SPARKS

Chapter 2

       Veronica looked around the park apprehensively, she had her laptop on her lap, she had her headphone on. Calm music playing softly from it in her ear.
      "I should be able to think this way",she muttered to herself.
          After an hour of sitting on a low bench in the park, the wind blowing her hair around her face and children constantly running towards her with their toys, startling her. She gave up.
     Taking off her headphone and looking straight ahead, she felt another wave of tears coming.
           "Give me strength",she said to no one in particular.
           Deciding that the park probably wasn't the best place to get inspiration, she stood up and headed to a nearby eatery. She ordered her meal of french fries and sandwich with a bottle of juice, that was all she felt she could stomach.
       She loved that people hardly recognized her just anywhere, she would have died of embarrassment if anyone had recognized her and asked for an autograph.
         She opened her laptop and turned it on. She opened her chrome and clicked the search bar then typed in HOW TO GET OVER WRITER'S BLOCK?. A lot of answers popped up and she eagerly read through them with a smile on her face but her face fell when she realized that most of the answers required her socializing.
She groaned and gave the screen of her laptop a half-hearted glare, she read a little more until her food arrived.
          She ate her meal slowly, staring into space until a lady appeared in front of her. Startled her fry dropped on her lap and she nearly spilled the glass of water in front of her.
      "OMG! I am so sorry to have startled you",the lady in front of her said in a loud voice.
    "Urm, it's okay", Veronica answered in a small voice.
        "Please, do not mind my silly manners. I tend to startle people a lot with my presence, see.... ", She said with a sweep of her hand around the room
    Veronica followed the movement of her hand and her breath left her.
People were staring at her, they recognized her!
    Her body shook as she quickly avoided their stares.
      " I make a public appearance and they are on me like white on rice, HELLO" the lady said to the small crowd that had gathered around the room with a bright smile plastered on her face.
        " Pub... Public appearance? ", Veronica asked.
    " Well yes! I'm a public figure after all, this people all recognize me. I'm wondering why they do not recognize you too"
      Veronica stared at the lady stupidly, squinting her eyes as if it would give her a better view.
    The lady was easily the same height as she, where Veronica was a size eight the lady was easily a size ten and a pretty and curvy size ten at that. Veronica was instantly feeling more uneasy and her skin felt hot. Suddenly the lady's words clicked in her head and her eyes widened.
      " D... Do you know me? ",She asked holding her breath.
   The lady tilted her head and stared at her for a few seconds.
   Veronica blushed furiously and gripped her glass cup, then brought it up to her lips and sipped.
       "Veronica ettah, pen name Veronica E. That's you isn't it?, She asked her voice lower this time.
       Veronica's eyes widened.
       " That's right, how do you know? "
     The lady laughed, her laugh was surprisingly low and throaty but beautiful. Veronica was mesmerized.
    " I wish i could be offended but i can't even find the heart to do it. My name is Helen suki, i played the character of Rose in the movie the Hara-kiri that you wrote. That's how i got to know you, it's sad you don't even recognize me but i don't blame you. People say i have many faces", she said these words with a soft smile on her face.
      Veronica's face was red, embarrassment and shame made her sit up.
  "Oh, that's..... Oh"
    She was speechless.
      In that moment a waitress came with a bright smile on her face.
      "Miss, i am a total fan of yours. Please allow me to serve you", she gushed.
      "Of course, i will have what my friend here is having", helen answered pleasantly.
      The waitress gave her a big smile and hurried away.
    Veronica could hear people talking about them and taking pictures but she dared not look around her.
        Helen turned towards her fully and adjusted herself in her seat
      "So, let's get to know each other better Madame Vero",she said with a bright smile.