Always Look At The Stars

Chapter 3

As the week went on, so did the festivities, one after the other, balls, interviews, visits, garden party. Despite all of the distractions, Vanessa coudn't help notice that he wasn't there, for none of them. She hated him, being able to skip anything that bored him and she hated herself even more for being selfish. Because she was being selfish, so many people around the world were dreaming to be in her place and all she can think about was a that cooky man that did wathever he wanted.

The only thing that confort her was the city of London, with it old buiding still standing, looking at the people walking by for more than centuries. The only moment she saw the londoniers was throught the tinted windows of the car, they were a blur but she couldn't help imaginating their life, their hobbies and other things. Everybody seems so free trhough windows, allowed to go where they wanted. And she hated herself for thinking that.

The day before their depatured, Isabelle invited everybody under 30 to spend a week in one of the royal propreties in Scotland. They all said yes naturaly, it was an honor as Gram said. But something in the back of her mind keep swimming, and after a long duel inside her mind, she finally got the strenght to ask Isabelle. During a stroll in the park, she pulled Isabelle appart

-i'm sorry to bother you, she muffled akwardly, but who is going to be there, I mean in Scotland ?

- Vanessa, you never bother me, but to answer your question, just us and Alex and a few of his closest friends, three to be exact. They are kind of weird but very likeable.

She smile showing her perfect theeth. She was a nice girl, clever too. She saw her debate with the adults about politics one night and she had made some strong points. Maybe they could be friend, she hoped, it will be nice for a change.

- By the way, Isabelle went on, we are going to a charity concert tonight, it is going to be great, I hope you will enjoy it. And, now that i think of it, they all going to be there.

- Who ?

- The people coming with us tomorrow, you can meet them tonight , she replied.

That evening, both family attended the charity concert, sitting in the royal balcony, away from the public but close enought to be seen. The musicians appeared one by one, arriving under screams from the audience and leaving to raw of applause. The musique was good, not to brutal, mostly accoustic, after a while, vanessa close her eyes, feling the music enter her body, playing in her stomach, doing what music do. Then a voice she knew made her open her eyes. He was there, on the stage, there, standing with a guitar, there, next to man holding a keyboard. There. Screams came from all the part of the public, specialy female. When they tune out, he spoke softly, he didn't use a mike but his voice filled the room. Or maybe it was just her imagination.

- Hello

More screams, he raised his hand to calm it down

- My name is Alex d'Orminie and this is my friend, Bruce. We are going to play a song we wrote. Hope you'll like it.

They both sat down on the hedge of the stage, grabbing their instuments and started playing a few notes. Then he started singing and she flew. The melody, his voice, the words made her visit unknow place, feel new thing, explore new universe. Then, as quickly as it started, it stopped, applause went on and they left the stage and it was over.

- We are going to bar, want to join us ? demanded Isabelle

- Hell yeah ! Screamed Chace.

Vanessa glared at her Gram, worrying that she might not allow her to go. But instead, the Queen of England spoke

- Go ahead but be careful with our guest and don't come back to late. And tell Alex I would wish to see him before your little trip.

- Sure.

And just like that, Gram let her go, she didn't dare contradict and risking to cause a scene in public.

The bar was close and quite empty, apparently, the royal security service went ahead and clear most of the to drunk custumer. Isabelle lead them toward a table with three people by it. Two girls and one boy, hodling what seems to be a handcraft cigarette that didn't smell like tabacco at all. Stephen glared at him, his role of keeper of the peace taking over. But he could say anything, one of the girls jumped into Chace arms

-Chaaaaaace, she screamed, spilling most of the drink in her hand.

And Vanessa guessed it wasn't her first one.

-So, time for presentation, this is Vanessa, Chace's sister, her boyfriend Stephen and their cousin Jesse.

As Isabelle spoke, she showed each one of them then turn to the other and did the same.

- And those are Alex's best friends, Chuck, she pointed at the boy smoking the not cigarette, and Ashley, her finger showed the girl who jumped into Chace arms. And this is Emma, Alex's girlfr....

She never finished that sentence, because at that exact moment somebody rush toward the girl and kiss her ferosly. And of course it was Alex. When they finish sucking each other mouth, everybody said hello and sat. Alex took his own hand made cigarette and light it, of course the smelled was different.

- Isn't it illegal to smoke cigarette in public aera ? Spat Stephen

- Relax dude, answered the man named Chuck, nobody is going to complain

- And moreover, there're not cigarette, added Alex with a wink.

He gave the fagg to Emma, whose was resting in his arms, then everydody took some except Septhen of course, Jesse who looked digusted and Vanessa because gram will not certainly approve. Drinks appared on the table and three steaded on the table. Vanessa never drunk alcool before and she was terrified especially when looking at Sophia that at cleary more than one. Her cousin was almost on Alex laps, the only thing keeping her aways was his girlfriend, saying thing that didn't make any sense. Vanessa listen carefuly to the conversation, you could clearly see the bond between Alex, Chuck and Ashley. Even if Isabelle had forgot to mention that they were best friends, everybody could have guess so. Inside joke, grinds at each other, they even seems to spoke mentally. Then out of nowhere, Ashley rose and declared

- I want to dance

- Me too replied Isabelle

- Following said Chuck

- And coming answered Chuck.

And just like that they left. Jesse, after glaring at Alex the whole evening, looked at his watch and spat

- I'm going to go home, I don't really like bars.

- Do you mind if i come with you ? ask Stephen

As they rose up, Stephen looked at his girlfriend

- Aren't you comming ?

- No, I want to stay, Vanessa heard herself said.

Did she want to stay ? she didn't know that. But she was sure of one thing, she didn't want to go. She liked the way it felt to be a normal teenage girl for once

- What ? nearly scream Stephen

- I'm staying reply Vanessa, putting all her strengh in her voice. Just go and send the car back for us

- You're sure ?

He was mad, mad to have been contradicted in public and by a girl. Mad that he didn't have his way like he normaly did with her.

- Yes, I am. Vanessa bearly unclunched her theeth.

As they left, Vanessa couldn't help smile and realised that he was stearing at her looking impress.

- Knew you were a thought girl !

Yep, she defenitly hated that guy.