Imagine That [Jessie J]

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Jessica came out the booth, grinning. Albert gazed at her dreamily. I was expressionless, even though I wanted to scowl so bad. She ignored Albert and made a beeline straight to me.

"Hello, Autumn," she said, smiling, suddenly, shyly.

"Don't think you're so smart just because you know my first name," I sneered. "It's in every magazine out there, you know."

"Don't you remember me?" She asked.

"How could I not? You're the girl who made everybody think I was insane! They said you didn't exist, just because you were quiet and nobody knew your name. Even the teachers claim they didn't know a 'Jessica'! How is that?"

"I never went by my actual first name in school. I've always went by my middle name."

The scowl appeared in my face, but I had nothing to say. Albert popped in between us, facing Jessica.

"H-hi, Jessica," he stammered, and I rolled my eyes behind his untidy curls. The boy seriously needed a comb.

"Er, hello. I was just--"

"Can I take you out on a date?" Albert asked. The kid was seriously desperate, you could tell by the tone in his voice. But I couldn't blame him. The girl was very pretty.

"That's so sweet, but I'm not looking for a relationship. So, sorry."

"Please? If I get a girlfriend as pretty as you, people won't think I'm a loser! Pretty please?"

"You look fifteen!" Jessica exclaimed, and I had to hold back a laugh.

"I'm actually seventeen," Albert corrected.

"My point. You're much too young. So, sorry. Again."

Before I could hear what else Albert was going to say, I walked out of the room. I really didn't have time to listen to the words being exchanged by two people I barely know and don't even care about. Even if I finally found the girl I've been searching for for years.

"Autumn! Wait up!"

I didn't stop, but I slightly slowed my pace for her. She fell in step with me, smiling a little.

"What, Jessica?" I questioned.

"Uh, you can call me Jessie."

"Alright. What, Jessie?" I repeated.

"Um, I was just wondering if you wanted to do something some time? Like go somewhere or eat?"

"And why would I do that?"

"Oh, uh, so we can probably become friends? Talk about high school, and I can answer anything you want to know. Like, why I go by my middle name or something, I don't know."

Honestly, I was surprised she asked for us to hang out. We've barely talked in high school, and look at us now. She's asking to become my friend. I wonder if it's because of my dad and who I am. People have been known to do that, especially the newest clients or people who want to be signed to the record label. Unlike Sarah, who didn't know who I was when we first met. And when she did find out, she didn't ask for anything special from me.

"Is it because I am who I am?" I asked her.

"What? No! Autumn...I've wanted to talk to you since we were in middle school. But, I never had the guts. You were just so popular and surrounded by cooler people than me, I didn't think you'd want to talk to me."

As much as I wanted to admit the same thing also, I couldn't. That'd make me look too soft.

"Sure you're not," I sarcastically said. "Anyways, I'll see you at Starbucks on Friday at around...one. Don't bring anybody, because I don't want them to be freaking out about me or anything. If you're late, you're not going to see me. Okay?"