The Story of Us

Chapter 5 - Spring 2019

Bea shimmies in her chair and smiles brightly at me. "I know it's your birthday and all, but I really think we should toast to me today."

The waiter comes to set our mimosa's down on the table while I look at my best friend with furrowed brows. "What do you mean?"

She reaches for her glass and holds it up, waiting for me to do the same. "Well, if I hadn't asked you to come help out at Elliot's that one night, you probably wouldn't have met Joe. I'll take credit for that, thank you."

Bea can't see me roll my eyes through my sunglasses so I simply chuckle and raise my glass to touch it to hers.

She's right though, because if I hadn't gone to help her at the bar that night, I wouldn't be here right now. Dating Joe Jonas and trying to keep my identity a secret. It's been a little over two weeks now and so far I've not been figured out yet. No one has actually figured out it's me and there has not yet been a clear shot of me. Not even after he showed up at the office and made everyone stare.

Those non-disclosure agreements his publicist sent out right after he arrived sure did the trick.

I'm still the girl in the green dress because somehow people do see that I am the same girl from those blurry photos taken through a window.

Fangirls are crazy.

Joe and I have been out in public a few times, but he taught me well and always made sure I was wearing sunglasses and a cap to hide my face. We never held hands and always made it seem as if we were just friends by keeping a slight distance between us. Even when we were out for dinner we tried to not make it seem like we were in that brand new just started dating stage.

He also told me that whenever we were walking around the streets together, I should try to wear the same clothes. Apparently that was a trick he and other celebrities often used to make sure paparazzi were paid less for photos because that way they seemed to be taken on the same day.

It's such a strange feeling, having those camera's in your face when walking around. It's even stranger that they somehow, one way or another, always seem to find him. Even when we're in a completely deserted part of town.

They're always there.

"Technically though," I start as I take a sip of my drink, "credit should first go to Michelle because she called in sick and also to Lou because she couldn't come in on her night off. That is what made you call me for help." Shrugging, I set my glass down on the table and then smirk at Bea.

Now it's her time to roll her eyes as she slides her shades up into her hair. "Fine," she says just as the waiter comes back to take our lunch order. "But I called you. And on top of that, I lend you that green dress that gave you your mysterious nickname. So I still should get some of the credit for all that."

I shake my head and tell the waiter what I want for lunch; a chicken burger with sweet potato fries and a house salad on the side. Bea then orders the same, along with a bottle of white wine.

"I just can't believe that you finally have a boyfriend," she says on a shrug as she takes another sip of her mimosa. "A famous one at that."

"Boyfriend?" I nearly choke on my own saliva.

Joe is not my boyfriend.

Right?

"What?" she looks at me funny. "You've been seeing each other for a few weeks now-"

"Barely three-"

"-and he's always texting you or calling you, wanting to see you." Turning to the side, watching the people stroll by on the promenade, she sighs heavily. "I mean for real though, I'm surprised you guys haven't done it yet."