Paparazzi Girl

17. Lost

"So close, yet so far," Tyler whispered into Xavier's ear distantly as they exited the building, Kat following right behind.

Xavier stared at Tyler in disbelief. Was his life some joke to him or what was seriously his problem? In a normal day, he would be able to put up with Tyler's nonsense, but right now, the day wasn't the brightest. Before he could come up with a comeback, Kat had unwarningly intertwined their elbows. He looked down at their arms, finding himself shake his head.

"So, do you want to meet up this week? With the cast, I mean. Maybe to the mall or something? I haven't met them either. The director said it would help us be more comfortable with each other."

"Well, I'm gonna be kind of busy this week, but I think maybe I could squeeze you in for Friday. Is that alright with you?"

A broad grin made its way to her lips, "That would be great. You could always just text me to let me know what's up."

The more time he spent with her, the more he grew comfortable with her. Maybe she wouldn't be so bad. A squeal gurgled up Kat's throat as she threw her arms around him. As soon as she held on tight, he unwillingly compared her frame to Stella's. Kat was way thinner. Stella had firmer hips.

He felt himself settle into a dark mood. He was missing the feel of Stella against him. And the almost kiss - dear Jesus, that almost killed him. He needed to stop thinking about her, and fast. She was a pleasant cancer - a pleasant disease that he didn't want to expel from his body. It didn't feel healthy to always have the image of a person burned into his mind.

He couldn't get the thought of her in his bed out of his mind.

But maybe Kat could help him. Kat and him understood each other, lifestyle-wise. She would fit right in. Stella was already so out of place and they weren't official in any type of way.

"I'll see you on Friday?"

She blew him a kiss, "I'll see you soon, handsome."

She walked away, and Xavier walked along with his group, his parents flirting in front of him, and in public. Were they rekindling their romance? Xavier gave a sigh of extreme relief when he saw Kat was finally gone. She was growing on him, but every time she was around, he still felt suffocated. She had a suffocating presence.

As he made his way to his limo, Xavier's eyes rested on Stella, who was barely making her way out of the theater. She was frowning, as if she had trouble understanding something. Xavier couldn't help but laugh at her facial expressions. She was cute.

When she merged out of the parking lot, a low feeling flashed through Xavier. He felt almost desperate to see her again, even if her car was still in sight.

He had definitely developed a crush on her. He wasn't going to deny it anymore. He liked Stella, and something told him she liked him too. But there was too much against them already. He couldn't drag her into the media, even if she knew way more than he did. Just one public move and she'd be the name on everyone's lips. He didn't want to ruin her life by having people trash her name. She deserved better.

Much better.

*  *  *

The door creaked audibly as Stella cautiously stepped into her house barefoot after she had removed her bronze sandals. An eerie silence welcomed her before she decided to make a dash upstairs, but she didn't even make it half way before someone nearby called out her name. She sucked in a breath as she looked back, finding her mom sitting uncomfortably besides the kitchen table. Stella awkwardly stood there, stubbornly choosing that she wouldn't be the first to speak.