Issues

Blondie

Emily's POV

After the pottery class, Ali and I decided on lunch at a little sandwich shop called Gammie's, just a few blocks away.

Stepping outside onto the street, I slip my hand into Ali's as she guides us toward Gammie's.

There's an extra pep in her step and it's beyond adorable. I'm continually amazed at how effervescent she is even after going through hell and basically cheating death.

We walk a few blocks and chat about the different stores and restaurants we pass along the way. We're just laughing and talking, completely happy to be together. That is until a deafening boom floods my ears.

In that moment, I'm brought right back to a smoldering, sandy desert. The images pour through my mind and I'm no longer on a city sidewalk with Alison. I'm back in that awful place with our vehicle on fire, and my fellow shoulders either dead or unconscious around me after a road side bomb nailed us. I can't help but scream and fall to the ground in a fetal position. I begin to rock myself back and forth and cover my ears as I tightly squeeze my eyes shut.

"No, no, no, no, no!" I scream to myself as complete panic rushes through my veins.

That's when I feel the soothing and familiar arms of my girlfriend envelop me on the sidewalk. She begins to rock with me as she whispers, "Shhh Em it's okay. It's just a car backfiring. You're safe. I've got you. Babe, open your eyes. Look at me" she says as she lifts my chin up.

I open my eyes and see her ocean blue eyes looking at me with love and concern. "That's better. See, you're here with me. You're safe" she says before she kisses my lips. It's like her kisses begin to suck out all of the panic, anxiety, and awful visions that launched their attack on my mind, body, and spirit.

Pulling away, I begin to apologize and say, "I'm sorry. That hasn't happened in a while. I'm so embarrassed".

Taking my hand and lifting me up, Alison replies, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about".

Chuckling, she winks at me and says, "I just seriously hope that's not the scream you make when you're in bed with someone".

Leave it to Ali to say just the right thing to make me feel better and make me laugh at the same time.

"Trust me, it's not" I reply playfully shoving her arm and laughing.

"Excuse me" a male's voice says behind us.

Alison and I turn around and see that it's a police officer standing behind us.

"Oh my gosh! No way!" he says in shock as he begins to pull out his phone.

"I'm sorry to bother you. I was just around the corner and I heard a car backfire and a woman screaming so I came running. I saw you all on the floor and just want to make sure you were okay. And now I see that it's you, the Emily Fields!" he says excitedly.

"Oh that's very kind of you to make sure we're okay. I'm good now. It just startled me" I say red with embarrassment.

"Glad to hear you're okay. So listen, I know you get this all the time, but can I get a picture with you? My girlfriend is an aspiring model and you're her inspiration and role model. I know she'll just die if she knew I met you" he says laughing.

"Oh absolutely! What's your name?" I ask extending my hand.

Shaking my hand excitedly, he replies, "Thank you so so much! I'm Jared. Jared Reign".

We pose and Alison takes the picture. "Well Jared, it was really nice to meet you. Tell your girlfriend to keep trying no matter what. Dreams are worth fighting for. Plus she has you to be there for her every step of the way so she can never really lose at the end of the day" I say smiling and rubbing his shoulder.

Once we part ways Alison says to me, "That was very nice of you. Do you try to be like that with all of your fans?"

"I try. I feel like I need the good karma. Plus I was just your average person not long ago so I don't ever want to lose that aspect of myself" I reply as I take her hand and continue on our way.

A few hours later, we're back at my apartment snuggling on my bed. We're just sitting there in silence, holding each other. A vibrating sound from my phone on my bedside table catches my attention. As soon as I open my phone, my heart drops. It's a text from Hanna saying, "I hope you have prepped her for this" with a link attached. In my heart, I already know what this is about. Even though I didn't spot any today, the paparazzi must have snapped something of us.

"Ali", I say nervously.

Lifting her head off my chest she says, "What's wrong Em"?

"Um... the word is out. They spotted us" I say trying to prepare myself for her response.

"Oh" she says as she puts her head back down.

"Talk to me. What's on your mind" I say encouragingly.

She takes a deep breath and says, "I don't know. I guess I was just enjoying this bubble we were in. Now people know. It's not that I don't want people to know that you're all mine and I'm all yours, but still. I.... I guess I'm just nervous about being hounded by the media. We're in a good place too and I don't want anything to ruin that".

"I completely understand what you're saying and you're feelings are absolutely valid. I just want you to know that I'll be here for you at any time if you're having a difficult time with anything. I want us to always feel like we can tell each other anything" I reply kissing the top of her head.

Squeezing my waist a little tighter she replies, "I know. And me too. Honesty and communication is the only way for a relationship to last long term. Is there an article or something that talks about us?"

"Yea, it's a TMZ article. They found the picture of me with the police officer. He posted it on Instagram saying, "Just met @EmilyFields. She was unbelievably sweet. It's nice to meet a nice, normal celebrity". Then they go on to post a picture of us holding hands walking into Gammie's. The rest of the article says, "The drought of interesting news about Emily Fields has ended folks! She was spotted hand in hand in Brooklyn with an unknown, attractive,mysterious blonde. The pair were seen dining at Gammie's for lunch where they were reportedly very cozy and appeared to be very into one another. Has the player finally settled down? Who is this unknown blonde companion? Stay tuned for more details".

"Well. That wasn't very nice. But I feel like it could have been worse. What do the comments say?" Alison asks curiously.

"Umm.... Awww don't they look so happy?!..... That slut is just playing that poor girl....Who the fuck is this chick? Is she even famous?....Both hot, I ship it" I reply reading through the comments.

"Oh. Well. That's a strong reaction from people who don't even know you. Or me for that matter" Ali responds as she trails small circles on my stomach.

"Tell me about it. It's so weird. But I just try and focus on the good hearted people that post positive and supportive things" I reply feeling slightly annoyed by the comments.

***Sorry this is a bit slow. I'm building the story. Don't worry, it will get better very soon. I have lots planned.