Behind The Scenes

[Chapter Nine]

Chapter 9

In the days that followed the release of the magazine there was a constant anxiety circling the back of my mind. Whenever I'd step foot in public, whether it be for class, for work, or for groceries, it was as if I was waiting for somebody to recognize me. It was irrational, I knew, since both my name and face were concealed, but I still couldn't help thinking that somebody would recognize me.

Once a few days had passed without incident, and with constant reassurance from both Ryan and Emily, it seemed as though the truth had finally stuck. Ryan had been right; nobody knew who I was and nobody knew that I was the one with him in the picture – I had nothing to worry about.

With worries no longer plaguing my thoughts, it felt as though the rest of October passed by in a flash. I went to class, I did my assignments, I spent time with my daughter, and, in what felt like no time at all, it was Halloween.

"So, have anything fun planned for tonight?" Colette asked as she came back from her break to see me washing down the back counters of the café.

It was a Wednesday afternoon and, for the most part, Corner Café hadn't seen much business after the daily lunch rush. I'd finished classes early for the day, a few of my lectures having been cancelled or postponed, and with the free time I'd been given, I'd picked up a last minute shift after agreeing with Emily that she'd pick up Abbie from daycare.

"I have a three year old at home Colette," I replied, reminding her as I finished up my cleaning, "By the time I get home she'll be dressed up in her costume, waiting at the door to go trick or treating."

"Well I guess that rules out you coming to a party with me tonight then?"

Having not heard the bell ring to signify a new customer, I jumped, releasing a small yelp as I turned to see Ryan standing on the other side of the counter. A smirk started to appear on his lips at my reaction, but an eyebrow was also raised, awaiting my reply.

While his picture with me on the front of the magazine had caused quite a frenzy with his fans, he had taken his own advice, staying in the shadows as he let it blow over. That being said, with him laying low over the past couple of weeks, his visits to the café had been few and far between.

Dropping the rag I'd been using, I brought a hand up to my chest, waiting for my heart to stop its rapid beating. "God, you scared me," I stated, calming my breathing before fully registering his question. "And oh, umm, yea sorry," I replied sheepishly, "I don't really have time for parties much these days."

"It's fine," he shook his head, a smile still gracing his face, "I figured you'd be going out with Abbie tonight, I just thought I'd give it a shot," he shrugged.

"She's just too cool to attend your big Hollywood parties," Colette teased as Ryan stepped up to the cash, shaking his head in amusement as he recited his usual order.

"Yeah, maybe she is," he replied softly, loud enough for me to catch it and send a small smile his way as I set to work on his usual drink.

Colette turned to me once his order had been punched through. "Actually, I was wondering if you were doing anything to celebrate your birthday," she restating her previous question. "After all, you only turn twenty two once."

"I have the day off, which is lucky I guess," I replied, but more or less shrugged off her question as I finished up Ryan's drink, "I never really celebrate my birthday that much anyways."

Ryan, having caught on to what the two of us were talking about, looked at me with a puzzled expression as I handed him his drink. "It's your birthday?" he asked, his eyebrows scrunched together curiously.