complicated

008

elena*

the rain tapped away outside as i awoke to the sounds of thunder. i looked over to my left and saw kylie asleep on my couch. i felt relieved that i didn't have one of my nightmares when she was over because i would've felt embarrassed. we had stayed up late watching tv and talking about random stuff. i decided to wake her up because i had to get to work soon and i didn't know how long she would sleep for. after a few minutes she gathered her stuff and went out the door. i was thinking about my actions over the last few days and wondered how i had the confidence to speak up for myself so much, maybe it was the new city. maybe it was because i could fake who i wanted to be and no one knew of my past.

i rushed to work getting drenched in the rain and longed for the warmth of the store. when i arrived i immediately felt anxious. i spent a few hours organizing the store since no one would come during the storm. i noticed that i had been reorganizing the same bookshelf for two hours and stopped. i felt my phone buzz and fished it out of my pocket to see who it was.

blocked: i'll be heading to LA soon. maybe we can meet up -N

anxiety immediately rushed over me. how did he get my number? is he really coming to LA? my breathing became fast and my surroundings became fuzzy. i tried calling myself down but tears immediately started to fall from my eyes, i sat down and started taking deep breaths. after a while i calmed down and remembered i forgot to take my pills. that was probably why i had an attack.

work was finally over and kylie texted me to come over for dinner so i could meet her boyfriend. i told her i had to go home first to get changed then i would be over. i changed into some jeans and a shirt with a leather jacket. before i was out the door i took my pills and locked up.

i knocked on kylie's door and waited for her to answer it. she invited me in and told me that her boyfriend should be here shortly. i took in the apartment i was in, it was very modern and spacious. nothing like mine. mine was filled with vintage furniture and decor with not much room. hers was mainly white and has expensive looking furniture and art. the doorbell rang and she went to go answer it. on the other side of the door was cameron, the guy who hit me in the head with a door and took me to hollywood.

"well hello again." he directed towards me.

"you two know each other?" kylie asked.

"uh yah. he hit me in the head with a door." i told her.

"i hope you don't mind i invited christian over too. i thought maybe your friend could talk to him." cameron said turning towards kylie.

"yah it's cool." she smiled.

we all sat down at her table and started to eat. i kept my head down because i felt kinda guilty that i let her boyfriend take me out to hollywood, but i didn't know so she should be mad at me. i hope.

"so where are you from, elena?" christian asked me.

"oh, i'm from nevada. las vegas."

"why'd you move here?"

"i got a fashion internship that starts in a month." i said proudly.

"why are you working at a bookstore then?" cameron asked.

"to make some money till i start to pay my rent and stuff."

"how do you know she worked at a bookstore?" kylie asked.

i felt panic rush over me because i didn't want her to be mad at me. she was the only person that i've made friends with since i moved here.

"i accidentally walked into it and i apologized for hitting her with a door." cameron said smirking.

dinner went on with cameron talking about his tour and other things about himself. i kinda zoned out because i was tired of hearing him talk about himself. i was startled by a tap on my shoulder and looked to see christian smiling at me.

"he talks about himself a lot. you get used to it." he smiled.

"how long have you two been friends?" i asked.

"10 years."

"wow. that's a long time."

"yah he's really cool once you get to know him."

"hey i have a question." i told christian.

"what is it?"

"i saw a talk show with cameron on it but he was saying he wasn't the relationship type. then how is he with kylie?"

"well he's not the relationship type. whatever they have, they keep it on the down low and he's told her that it's not a relationship but she still wants to call him her boyfriend. but i mean i think he's serious about her because he hasn't been with any other girls lately. he just doesn't want to admit it."

"oh." i was surprised at the answer to my question.

dinner was finishing up and we all were getting ready to leave. i grabbed my jacket and walked out. the elevator ride with the two guys was very awkward. cameron kept staring at me and christian looked as if he was nervous. i was walking towards my car when christian called out to me. i turned around and saw him jog up to me.

"would you maybe wanna go out sometime?"