Picture Perfect

Chapter Fourteen: Trapped

Francis Payne
I pushed the headphones against my ears and sang the lyrics to my latest song. I experienced my heart beating continuously, the idea that Sabrina has sincere feelings toward me- technically Meg persuaded me to accept the truth that maybe Sab was jealous, since she had no impression of who I was about to ask out.

Terrence cheered outside the booth, satisfied with the energy I put in to one recording. I snatched the headphones off my head and went to the other room.

"That was great. You can have the day off now." He slapped my back and disappeared.

Grabbing my coat, I received a message from Oliver.

I'm having lunch with Avery. TTYL

I sighed and went off to lunch by myself at the sushi place.

**

I secured the shades to prevent them from dropping as I made my way to one of the tables. The place has barely enough room to accommodate so much people. As I finished the last hunk of sushi, I saw the familiar girl with blond locks pay and examine the restaurant for a free table. I positioned my coat on the table as I shadowed behind her. The minute I nudged the girl, she crooked her head and promptly noticed me. I gently tug her arm to my table and sat her across from me.

"Thanks Francis." Sabrina gratefully beamed as she ate her food.

"So how are you?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

She swallowed before answering, "I'm good, kind of lonely actually. Meg and Avery have been busy going around New York without me."

I breathed awkwardly. I was absolutely the reason why the girls ditched her, so she can spend time with me.

"Why don't we hang out instead? I'm done recording anyway."

"Sure."

**

Sabrina Daniels
The street lights were a sign that it started turning into dusk.
Francis and I were walking hand in hand-as I couldn't help the tingling sensation inside of me- toward New York towers. We were a few more blocks away when a camera man abruptly snapped pictures of us. Francis gazed at the man and watched the screen of his phone. He carefully towed me as we sprinted faster and faster per second.

"There he is!" I overheard a woman shout and soon two vans with different screen names- obviously belonging to a news station- hunted us down.

"Don't look back, no matter what." Francis warned as we finally moved into the lift.

I rubbed my hand against my neck, trying to breathe properly. I peeped at the boy who was slapping his head over and over. I touched his arm. "It's going to be okay."

He shook his head. "No Sab. The paparazzi are after us. This will end up being broadcasted which is worse."

I fall silent. He was embarrassed to be seen with me. I can't believe this. The elevator opened and I hurried down the corridor.

"Sab wait hold on." He outran me, thus forcing him to block my path. "What's the rush?"

I held back the tears that were threatening to fall. "You should go. I'm just an embarrassment anyway."

"No wait, is that what you understood from what I said?" Francis gripped both my shoulders.

I didn't answer and resumed to walk to my room.

"That's not what I meant. I meant to say, the paparazzi never leave until they get what they want. I don't want your life to be ruined. Please I'm sorry."

I exhale and nodded, quietly welcoming him. I stopped in my tracks a second. Atop the couch was Sebastian. This isn't going to end well. I shushed Francis before ordering him to proceed to my room. He tiptoed yet my brother spoke.

"You're back, finally." Sebastian said, not disrupting his position.

"Yup, umm not be rude Bastian but what are you doing here?"

He rubbed his hands, sitting up. I perched myself next to him. "Grandma sent me a box at my apartment, it contained mom's valuables. I thought you'd want something from it."

"Oh, I'll check it out before I leave New York." I reply.

I was speechless that I forgot about the boy listening in front of my bedroom door. Bastian however didn't notice him even before he left, he really requires glasses. I recline on top of the counter and see the figure loom on the way to the kitchen.

He was quiet and I could tell that he was waiting for me to clarify the exchange between me and my brother.

"My mom died here in New York. I was seven." I stared at the wooden floor boards.

"I'm sorry." He said, pressing his arms and sitting beside me.

"It's okay."

We stayed in silence up until the point where the news traveled fast. The picture taken exactly twenty minutes ago was shown on the screen with the headline: Francis and New girl: Identified as Sabrina Daniels officially hold hands. Are they confirmed? My mouth could almost reach the floor in shock. Francis meanwhile was infuriated. He advanced to the window but halted.

"No freaking way." He yelled.

I viewed the surroundings and the streets were packed with people coming to the building.

"H-how are you going to get home?" I stammered.

"Do you mind if I stay here again for the night?"

"No not at all."