Intoxication, Paranoia & A lot of Fame

Chapter 14

Kellin's POV:

My legs couldn't carry my body any faster as I got the hell out of that place. I didn't stop running through the dark streets until I was standing outside the doors of the apartment complex, clutching my chest as my heart sped at a million miles an hour. I knew I had seen something I wasn't supposed to. All the secrecy and all the lies- it all made sense now, but what I couldn't wrap my head around was one simple fact.

Vic was a porn star.

I repeated the phrase over and over again in my head and I still couldn't believe it. This was Vic Fuentes we're talking about, one of Justin's roommates. This was the asshole from the plane and the popular guy at the work party. This was the dickhead from the record shop and the hot guy from the bathroom, not a.. a porn star.

Everything began piecing itself together in my head; why Vic was never home at night and why he was so secretive about his job. Why Justin lied to me about their whereabouts and why everyone at their work party was so young. And why Stella and Vic had broken up over his job.

The worst part of it all was that despite how much I hated him, especially after what I just saw, there was still a part of me that was falling for him... hard.

___

It was Vic, Mike and Justin's arrival back at the apartment 30 minutes later when reality truly set in. I had been lying on the couch, trying to fall asleep to avoid confrontation, but it was impossible. No matter which way I tossed or turned I just couldn't get comfortable. I ended up sprawled on the couch with my pillow and blanket tossed onto the floor. Amidst my adjusting on the couch, I had decided that I would continue life as usual with them, as if I hadn't seen a thing. Well, as usual as it could be under this roof.

"You really need to be more creative dude," I heard Vic laugh as the apartment door shut behind them.

"Come on man, after a couple years what's left?" Justin exclaimed, laughing along with Vic.

I had no idea what they were talking about, but I guess that was just something I'd have to get used to around here.

"How about you two pipe it down," Mike hissed, walking toward the bedroom to set his things down.

"Someone's cranky," Vic and Justin said in unison, laughing at each other soon after.

"I'm not cranky, I'm just being careful," he retorted. Silence flowed. Then I heard Vic and Justin 'ohh' in understanding.

That was the last I heard out of the three of them before Justin headed to his room and Mike and Vic whispered to each other as they exited the apartment.

___

The next morning I skipped eating breakfast and went straight to the beach. I wasn't ready to face Justin alone, even if I was pretending I didn't know he lied to me about his roommates' business. I just needed to get away from the apartment and find somewhere to relax and gather my thoughts.

When I arrived at the beach, I searched for a spot to lay my towel, far away from the noisy people, but still immersed in the white sand and the sounds of the soothing waves. Once I found it, I slid off my t-shirt and made sure to lather myself in sunscreen since I was going to be laying out. I definitely did not want a repeat of last time.

Kicking off my sandals, I laid down on my back, breathing in the salty air, as the sun cloaked my body in warmth.

I took a deep breath.

It had only been a few minutes and I could already feel the beach's healing powers whisking away my worries.

No thoughts. Only peace and quiet.