DARLING ➶ JOHNNY C. DEPP II

XI

Johnny was to have his things packed and ready to go within the next 3 hours, hop on a plane, and come back within the next two days. Apparently, some talk show had offered to interview him about Cry-Baby, and his agents accepted.

As anyone would've guessed, Erela was not having it.

"John," She whined, "I thought you said you weren't leaving for another few months!"

"I already told you darling, I'll be back in like two days."

"That's two days too long. You haven't even gone back to your hotel to pack, just go away already." She ordered, taking a sip of her lemonade.

"Aw, is little Erela mad at me?" He pouted.

"I'm not little, and yes, she is." She crossed her arms in front of her chest, glaring at him.

He chuckled, placing his hand behind her neck to pull her close, kissing her forehead. "I promise I'll be back, you don't have to worry." He smiled, finally heading towards the front door.

"Be safe, text me when you land!" She cried before he shut the front door.

He smiled to himself, excited to see how happy she'd be when he'd return.

🌾

Erela set a bowl of popcorn in front of her mom, turning on the T.V. before dramatically hurling herself on the seat next to her.

"When will my husband return from war?" She cried, throwing her head back and hand over her eyes.

Her mom rolled her eyes, "Relax, niña. You're not going to die."

"Technically you can die from heartbreak." She sat up, taking a handful of popcorn and shoving it in her mouth.

"Just go to channel 13, the interview should start in a few minutes." She instructed, laughing at her theatrical suffering.

"Mom?" Erela asked.

"Hm?" She asked, closing her eyes.

"Where's dad? He hasn't been home in a while." She played with her fingers, hoping she wouldn't get mad.

She opened her eyes, staring blankly at the T.V. "Looking for a new job."

"That doesn't make any-"

"Just go to channel 13, Rose."

Erela clenched her jaw, her mom only called her by her middle name when she was really upset. She knew her mom's guess was as good as hers, neither had any idea where the coward was.

She changed the channel, and was greeted with Johnny's rosy cheeks and pearly smile saying hello to the host.

"Welcome back to the Noon Show. My name is Brent Watts and today we are accompanied by teenage heartthrob and star of 21 Jump Street, Johnny Depp."

Johnny smiled at the camera awkwardly, Erela could tell he was uncomfortable.

"So Johnny, tell us about your new movie Cry-Baby." Brent requested, turning to face him.

"Oh, its um, it's a parody - sort of - a love story about two high school teenagers." He finished with a nod, indicating that he was done.

Brent laughed - one of those stupid fake T.V. laughs that made everyone uncomfortable. "Is that it?" He mocked.

"Well, we can't really say much about it." He rubbed his ear and looked down.

"Well, let's talk about something else then. There's news going around that you're seeing a new special someone?"

"I, um--"

"Sources say her name's Erela Cota? A senior at Rafael High School, you'd better hope she's eighteen already." He chuckled again.

Erela's stomach twisted - partially because she was seventeen and it was literally illegal for them to be together, but also because they knew this information that should have been private.

"She's not really my girlfriend." He stated, glancing quickly at the camera.

"Oh! I would've thought she was. There's a picture of you two hugging in a sandwich shop going viral." The picture appeared on the left of the screen, and even Erela had to admit, it seemed as though they were more than friends.

Johnny nodded his head no, "Just a fan."

Her heart dropped, just a fan?

"Oh, Johnny. What if she's watching this? You wouldn't wanna break her little heart now would you? You're sure that's it? Nothing more?" A corny smile plastered on his face.

"Nothing more, just a fan." He stated confidently.

There he goes again.

"So she's just like every other girl you've met? Nothing special?" He egged. It was obvious he was now looking for drama - hoping to make money off of Johnny's responses.

"Nothing special." He seemed to break a sweat with that reply, shifting in his seat.

"Well, I'm sure all the ladies will be pleased to hear that, won't they?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I guess so."

"So, are you looking for a relationship now, then?"

Erela shut off the T.V., standing up abruptly before almost dropping the bowl of popcorn.

"Erela--" Her mom started, forgetting that she was angry.

"I'm gonna take a nap." She mustered, holding back tears.

It was hard for her to justify Johnny's responses, sure, she understood that they technically weren't together, but there were better ways to go at it. Repeating, "Just a fan," surely wasn't necessary, and the "Nothing special," statement didn't seem obligatory.

His words stung, mostly because he could've said things like, "She was a fan and we met up a few times," "We're close friends," or something that just made it seem like they weren't together - but he didn't. He chose to say, "Just a fan", "Nothing special", and truth was - it hurt.

It hurt like a bitch.

So she decided she'd sleep it off. Who cares? She figured they weren't together, so why would she give a fuck?

She reflected on the words he'd said to her before, how she was the first girl who's become more than just a fan.

She bitterly remembered her response, which she, at the moment, believed to be pretty accurate:

She was just upgraded to president of his petty fan club.

🌾

fuck school! lol xd! edge lord!
jokes im not that cringe but srry y'all fuck school fr i never have free time. spring break was fun tho! i went to new york! i hope u guys had a fun & safe break! srry i took 4ever to update! please forgive me! XD
oh & this chapter was short but the next one's gonna be guuuuuud!!
love love love u all thank you for the support!!!!