Beyond the Cameras

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The girls decided to plan a sleepover for Friday night to talk about my weekend in LA and catch me up on all the drama.

Lou had a guest house, separate from the main house, so she volunteered it for us to stay in.

"So...," Jo started, laying down on her sleeping bag. "How was LA?"

I briefly explained everything that happened, stopping only so that way the girls could comment or sigh (every time I talked about Andrew).

"She really is a good actress. I always pictured Selene as a really nice person," Lou frowned, once I finished telling my story.

"Yes, well enough about me. What happened with you and Cal," I smiled, wagging my eyebrows at Lou.

She instantly turned a bright shade of red and ducked her head a bit.

"Nothing he just took me on a date."

"And...," I provoked.

"And he held my hand," she meekly smiled, earning secret glances between the other four girls.

"And...," I

"He may have kissed me," she blushed.

We all cheered despite the fact that I was the only one that hadn't heard the story, while Lou buried her face in her hands.

"Come on, y'all, it's not that big of a deal," Lou managed to squeak out, even though we were still buzzing.

"You have to tell the story. I haven't heard it yet," I whined, gripping her arms and giving her the best puppy dog eyes I could muster.

"Fine," she groaned, after a few moments of silence.

We all settled into our sleeping bags and blankets as it was time for a story.

"So he took me on a date to the arcade down the street, which I thought was kind of odd at first, but we actually had a lot of fun. We played games together and even did this thing where you're harnessed into these ropes and you have to walk around these obstacles and things, but it's suspended like twenty feet in the air. He was really cute about that, offering his hand for me to jump across the holes and things like that. Then he brought me to the park which was right around the corner from the arcade, where they already decorated the place in Christmas lights. It was amazing," she sighed dreamily.

"Then while we were walking we found this huge tree that had lights strung all in it and we stopped there. I guess we exchanged a few words then he kissed me."

I smiled and made a mental note to congratulate my brother on his romantic genius-ness.

"Are you happy now," Lou teased, sticking her tongue out at me.

"Very. Now I have to ask. Grace, what's happening between you and Beau?"

She sighed and put her elbows on her pillow so that way her hands could be under her chin.

"Not much. We've talked a lot, but it just doesn't seem to go anywhere. I don't know. Maybe we're not as compatible as I thought."

"Maybe you should try making a move and see how he reacts," Jo suggested. "If he reacts badly, then you know you were just wasting your time, but if his reaction is good, then at least you've brought your relationship somewhere."

"Yeah, I guess, but it's scary. Making the first move."

"How do you think it feels for the guys," Kallie smirked.

"I guess I can try that," Grace murmured.

"Back to you Miss Hotshot. How are you and Nol," Jo asked, squinting her eyes at me.

"Not good, but I have a plan."

****
The weeks flew by and I found myself staring at the dress that I would wear to Winter Formal tonight. The girls and I had made plans to go shopping for Winter Formal dresses, but then I had to go to LA. We were all suppose to go together, but when Mom called me last minute, I had to bail on the plans.

Luckily, I still had time to get Sam to ship over a dress from New York since I didn't feel like shopping by myself.

Nol and I had talked a few times, since the big argument and we were in a pretty decent place now. I had explained everything to him and he and apologized, but he was still holding back. It was like he wouldn't let himself get close to me like before and while it hurt, I couldn't let it get me down.

I was in a frenzy, trying to put my plan to get Nol back into motion (which included a favor from a very popular singer) and getting use to the whole twin ordeal. I still didn't really know how to handle the whole situation, even though we talked it out. My parents agreed to give me time to absorb everything as long as I wouldn't think too harshly of them.

I understood to a certain extent of why they would give Cal up, but still it baffled me. I guess I could never truly understand until I was put into the same situation (which I hoped never happened).

I finished curling the last tendril of hair as Cal lightly knocked on the door.

"Are you sure she's going to like it," he asked, holding up sparkily silver bracelet I helped him pick out for Lou.

"Of course she will. I'm sure she wouldn't even mind if you gave her a piece of tree bark, as long as it was coming from you," I reassured him, pinning one last piece of my hair up.

There. Done.

I turned around in my chair so that way I was facing Cal instead of the mirror.

I whistled and smiled at him.

"You do look dashing my good sir," I said with a fake accent.

"I suppose you don't think this is overkill either," he questioned, holding up the lapel of his suit.

"No," I sighed, pulling off my socks. "I'm telling you. She's already halfway in love. You have nothing to worry about."

"Love? But we just started dating," he freaked, gripping onto my doorframe with his free hand.

"It's just an expression, Cal. Stop freaking out. Everything is going to be fine, but you need to calm down. You're starting to freak me out," I told him, standing up to pull my dress off of its hanger.

"You're right. I'm starting to act like a girl," he took a deep breath then noticed me holding my dress. "Sorry. I'll let you change."

He ducked out of my room, shutting the door on his way out.

I sighed as I stared at the goreous dress Sam picked out for me.

The icy purple of the dress captured the theme of the dance perfectly, not to mention made my brown eyes stand out.

It was perfect to say the least.

I simmied out of my clothes and pulled on the shimmery dress, sighing as it fit like a glove.

I sent a quick picture of me in the dress to Sam, thanking him once again for getting it to me so last minute and for being so wonderful.

Finally, once I was sure everything was in place, I stepped out into the chilly night.

It was time to win me back a man.

****

Yeah! Girl power! Anyway, Winter Formal is next chapter and so is Noland Milton. Lou and Callan are oblivious cuties. Love them.

xx