So Much, Too Soon

Chapter 2 : Precious Oh Time

I'm currently at work. There's a fashion show coming up in three days and twenty of Cachelle models are walking on the runway, taking turns. Well, I'm one of them. I'm looking forward to this year's runway as the theme's 'Surfers Paradise'.

"Congratulations Eli! You're always chosen for runways. Ugh, how I envy you." Hana smiled and sighed at the same time.

"That doesn't mean that I'm better than you. You nailed photo shoots every time. I think I'm just lucky." I tried to make her smile again.

As far as I know, Hana's one of the best female model here in Cachelle and I don't think she have to worry so much.



Rehearsal. Rehearsal. Rehearsal. Rehearsal. Rehearsal.

We've been rehearsing for six hours for a week. Fifteen minutes break in between every hour. Walking on the runway, back and forth. My legs hurt and I'm exhausted. Cachelle wants everything to be perfect. She wants it to be like Victoria Secret's or maybe better. Famous photographers, designers and models are going to be here tomorrow. I heard Tyra Banks will be attending. Hence, Cody Simpson's going to perform a few songs from his album Surfers Paradise.

"Have a break, have a Kit Kat." Hana offered a green tea flavored Kit Kat.

"Seriously, a Kit Kat commercial you doing? Thanks." I joked. Hana's been helping a lot with the dressing up because she'd rather not sit and watch.

I checked my phone to see if there's any messages from Luke. I don't know why, I just do. It has became a habit. Then I scrolled up and down my twitter home and checked my mentions while I gulped down my bottle of mineral water. This was the last break for the day and an hour left of rehearsal.

"It's a wrap everybody! Good luck on tomorrow's walk. Make me proud." We had a group hug with Cachelle after the last rehearsal. A huge group hug.

Hana car pooled my beautiful Volkswagen Beetle today. Too beautiful I think. I sent her home safely. I made sure she reached her apartment and gave me a call before I left. That's the least I could do.

I drove home, feeling sick. I drove by a black car and it seems familiar. I was too tired and I didn't want to think too much. There's a flight of stairs waiting for me before I could reach home.

As I was walking up the stairs like a sick old lady who's diagnosed with cancer or some what, I was surprised. My heart beated faster than before and I wasn't exhausted anymore.

"Well hello, my beautiful lady."

"Hey. Um...what are you doing here?" Trying to hide how sick I was. Couldn't have done it any better without make ups.

"Isn't it obvious? The answer's right in front of me." I blushed a little.

I didn't eat dinner that night. I was too lazy and tired to cook myself dinner. Luke wanted to bring me out for dinner though. We had hot cocoa and some butter cookies while we watch How I Met Your Mother in my apartment instead. I told him about the fashion show tomorrow and how nervous I was.

"Relax. I know you'll do fine." I love the fact that he always calms me down. He's a good friend, really.

He said he loves music. He plays music too. He's a drummer and he started learning them since he was seven. He was in a band before he work in a pub as a DJ.

"What happened?" I was curious. I'm always curious about things. Hana calls me a parrot because I ask too much. But I don't agree at all, I ain't a parrot. Just curious.

His face expression dropped. "Nah nothing. Things didn't work out." He lowered his head, looking at the floor.

I felt so bad for asking. "I'm sorry."

Things were so quiet and awkward after I asked that question. We didn't talk. I shouldn't have asked too much. Maybe Hana's right, I'm a fucking parrot. I tried to break the silence but his handphone rang. "Excuse me."

He's back from the kitchen. "It's a call from the hospital. My mom she's...sick and it's urgent. Good night and the best of luck on tomorrow's walk."

Before I could even speak or stand up, he had already walked out of my apartment. Oh well, he said it was urgent. I went to the kitchen and fetch myself a cup of hot milk before I went to bed. Then Hana texted me.

Hana

Good luck tmrw! :) & do you mind if I ask you a question?

Me

Thanks. Go ahead.

Hana

Do you have feelings for Luke? Because...

Me

I'm not sure. I think I do, a little. I don't know ugh. Because what?

Hana

What do you mean you don't know? Nothing...

Me

I don't want to talk about this. Good night. Bye.

I think I have feelings for Luke. I think I don't. Yeah maybe I do. No I don't. What's wrong with me?! I don't know, this is hard. I've had a crush in elementary school before. His name was Ryan. Almost every girls had a crush on him. He was dating a popular bitch and I hated her. I used to get butterflies in my tummy eveytime I see him and I'm happy whenever I was around him. But Luke, it's different. I don't get butterflies when I see him but I'm happy around him. Does that count?

***

I parked my car and slammed the door. I don't remember if I'd locked it. I ran as if my lover's leaving for army and this would be my last goodbye until he's back, as if I'm Usain Bolt in heels. I took off my heels and ran barefoot after I realized I couldn't possibly run in heels. I reached the fashion show after five minutes of running, finally!

I walked politely pass the judges and audiences as if nothing happened though I was sweating relentlessly to the back of the stage. I saw the stage, it was a knock out. The lighting and the runway looked perfect. I was panicking. I was chaos.

"Where've you been? You're late! I've been searching for you all over the place! Why didn't you answer my call or reply my text?" Hana was screaming at my face.

"Sorry I'm late! Can you get me dressed already?"

"Ugh damn you."

I looked around. Most of the models had already got their hair and make up done, even the male models. All the female models were in bikinis and sexy swimsuits while the male models wore casual, aloha designed tops and bottoms, some half naked. Hotties everywhere.

Hana gave me a fluffy, feathered, turquoise bikini. I put it on and got to hair and make up. I wore a silver, three inch high heels. They gave me a pair of sunglasses as my accessory. My theme was turquoise and it was love. Sadly, I didn't have time for a selfie.

"You're up next. Get in line." A male staff said to me.

I was screaming my lungs out. "Ahhhh!" I ran towards the line. "Okay this is it Eli. This is it. This is it. Don't let Cachelle down. Make her proud. Make everyone proud. You don't want to make a fool out of yourself do you Eli?" I kept telling myself.

Now I'm walking the walk that I've been practicing so hard. I'm keeping my head straight and high to show sophistication, hoping not to trip. I'm reaching the end of the aisle. I take off my sunglasses and tuck it up in my hair. Flashlights and spotlight's on me. I look sharply into the cameras and walk back the aisle. As soon as I reached backstage, I quickly ran to Hana and change. Then repeat the walk.

This is the last, seventh change and I'm earlier than before. I peek out to take a look at the audiences. Keeping an eye out for celebrities. "Eli! Eli! Eli!" Hana's patting on my shoulder.

"What?!" I was feeling annoyed.

"Guess who's here?" She gave me a broad smile.

"People, celebrities, photographers, fashion journalists, blah blah blah...?" I showed my tongue out at her.

"I'm serious! No kidding! Luke! He's here."

"So? He's not Justin Bieber or Niall Horan." I gave her a long face and shrugged. But deep down inside, I was really happy though. I never thought he'd be here. Especially not Luke. Maybe I could walk up to him afterwards. Say "hi" or something.

She walked off while she flipped her hair at me. "Fine! I was just giving information."

Okay, now she's mad at me. To be true, Hana's a bitch sometimes. She gets all crazily excited dramatically even for small issues. She'd be mad for me for just a couple of days and she'd call me out for breakfast or lunch as if nothing had happened. Maybe this is why she's my best friend.

I'm walking down the runway for the last time and my confidence's so high. I know Luke's eyes are on me at this moment now that I know he's here. I hope he's impressed. I walked back the aisle for the last time and bowed at the audiences before I enter backstage.

Cachelle was screaming her lungs out after the fashion show's over. She teared a little too. I've never seen her so happy. "I'm so proud of everyone! We shall meet at De Santego's Pub tomorrow night. My treat, we party!" We group hugged again. Everyone was celebrating and jumping with joy.

Our hard work paid off.

I searched for Luke at where the audiences sat but he's no where in sight so I just left that place. Hana wouldn't lie to me. I trust her. I'm too late I guess, he'd left but why didn't he tell me if he'd be coming? I'd be so grateful.

***

I'm getting ready for the party at De Santego's Pub. I'm not quite sure where it is so I'm tagging along my GPS. I'm wearing a strapless, floral top by Versace and a black skater skirt above my knee length. I decided to wear my blue Converse to keep it casual. I put on some mascara and make sure it's not too thick. I wear my hot red lip stick. Before I leave, I stand in front of the mirror and take a picture of myself. I post it on Instagram and write a caption "#ootn." I love taking selfies.

I don't want to be late again. Once is more than enough. I type 'De Santego's Pub' on my GPS and I'm set to go. I trust it. I drive along following my GPS's direction. It says we're heading North. I've been driving for fifteen minutes now. The GPS says I've five minutes more to reach my destination. I'm sure Hana's apartment is somewhere around here because this place seems so familiar. Like I've been here an hour ago.

I stared at the colorful sign with 'De Santego's Pub' name on it, the neon lights were flashing on my face on and off. I've reached my destination. I pushed the door and I stepped inside. At first, I didn't see any of my colleagues there until Hana saw me. We didn't talk, she just lead me to a table where Cachelle and the rest was. I wasn't too early or late.

"Go order yourself drinks or dance or do whatever you want. My treat tonight, remember?" Cachelle smiled.

I saw some of my colleagues dancing on the dance floor. They must be enjoying the loud music. I didn't want to sit with Cachelle and the rest, not because I don't like them, I just like being alone sometimes.

"One dry Martinez please." I ordered the bartender at the bar.

Times like these, I love some me-time. I love to sit and think about life. I think about the past a lot. The memories in my head, they're forever. I also wonder what would the future be like. Will I be married? Will I have kids? Will I die tomorrow? Who would my husband be? Is he fat? Is he tall? Is he rich? I usually spend hours like this listening to music while I look around as people pass by. Luke came across my mind and I wonder if his mom's okay. I think he's cute like really cute. His curly, black hair is so rare and flawless. Sometimes I think he should be a model. He's got the height, the face and the body. What's more than enough?

"Oh!" I gasped. My phone vibrated and my notification tone rang. I took out my phone from my bag.

Luke

Hey, Eli. I see you. Turn around, 12 o'clock from where you are.

I turned around, 12 o'clock as ordered. I see people dancing on the dance floor, most of them are drunk. The music's so loud and then it stopped. I see a huge table at the front of the dance floor and a few DJs with large headphones on their head. Still no sign of Luke.

Me

Where are you? Stop playing a fool with me if you are.



Suddenly, a voice from a mike interrupt the whole situation. "Hey hey hey people. DJ Stark here! Having a greaaat time everyone? I hope you don't mind if I make a confession to a special someone of mine? I mean not exactly mine. But soon."

I checked my phone and still no messages from Luke. I expect someone to reply even if it's an 'okay' from me because I think it's discorteous to not to. But the message was seen. It was on last seen. Did I mention how much I hate last seen? Okay, this is freaking me out. Is he going to dress up in a vampire mascot and appear from no where and scare me like that or stab me from the back as Chucky? It's okay, I'm watching you. I'm looking around to make sure there's no Chucky or vampire behind or anywhere near me.

"Wooohooo wowwwww! Stark! Stark! Stark! Stark! Stark!" The crowds of dancing people are now applauding, screaming and shouting 'Stark'. Whoever it is, I think he's confessing to someone and I support him like how everyone else is. It's like watching a real life drama. This is getting pretty interesting and this 'Stark' guy is so sweet confessing to a girl like that. Not all guys have guts to do that. No offence if you're a guy but I think guys, they act manly with their biceps and abs and stuffs like that but on the inside most of them are whinnies and pussies.

"Testing testing mike 1,2,3." 'Stark' guy clears his throat. "Okay, whew. Here goes. I just met this girl a couple of weeks ago. When I first saw her, I didn't know such beautiful girl exists. We've been friends for a while now. She's so beautiful I bet she's every guys dream girl in high school. She'd be my dream girl if we were in the same high school. She has a good sense of humor and when she smiles, she melts me like how the sun melts popsicles. I was dazzled by her wit. When I look into her beautiful blue eyes, I know she's the one. Right now, I just want to stop dreaming, and make my dream a reality. She's somewhere in this place and I know she's listening." The crowd of people starts to turn their heads as looking for the girl this 'Stark' guy's most probably confessing to. I'm curious too, as usual. She's one lucky girl.

I checked my phone again but Luke's still not replying. He's rude. Ugh. Well, I should just play a round of Subway Surfers while waiting for Luke to reply and listening to the 'Stark' guy confessing to that lucky girl he loves.



"I'd buy you diamond rings or anything and everything you want because I know you're worth it. You said you'd never had a boyfriend, so would you let me be your first love, Elizabeth?"

I paused the game and looked up. I thought I heard someone mention my name and why the hell is everyone staring at me like I'm food to zombies?

"What's going on?" I asked the bartender at the bar.

The waiter chuckled and pointed his thumb at the direction of the 'Stark' guy, politely. He's so far away I could barely see his face but I have no doubt that his hair's black and he's got one of those large headphones on his head. He's staring at me too.

"Hmm...so?" I narrowed my eyebrows at the bartender while all the zombies are waiting for their food. It's scary. "Oh wait, black hair...DJ...and how'd Luke know if.."

The 'Stark' guy coughs sarcastically through his mike. " Stark, Lucas Stark."

I'm sorry, what? Did I just hear Lucas?

"Would you say yes already?!" Hana yelled at me from the table where Cachelle and all my colleagues sat.

What the hell? Okay don't freak out don't freak out. So 'Stark' guy is Lucas Stark and Lucas is Luke so...OHMYGOD.

'Stark' guy I mean Lucas I mean Luke! Yes Luke. He's walking towards me right now and I'm so tensed. My mind is blank and I could think of nothing. The fact that people are staring at me's making everything more tense. "Baby Stark's finally growing up." I heard a man shouted.

Luke is standing before me as he held my hands. "So what do you say?"

My sweaty palms are in his hand and I look at him shyly. "I...uh...I need...some time. To think, yes to think! You know things are happening so quickly and..." Before I could finish my sentence, he place his pointer on my lips.

"Shhh. I understand, time is all you need and I'm patiently waiting. I also want you to understand how much I love you." He smiled.


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