His Darling (ON HOLD)

Chapter 9: Tours

"Everywhere's a scene and now we're in it; I don't wanna paint this town alone; When I see you smile I always feel at home" - Sterling Knight / Anna Margaret 

"So what am I going to need for this adventure again?"

"I'd say stuff for swimming, but other than that just stay casual Mikey."

"Works for me."

It's been a week since dad called me. And I'm glad he finally did. I may have to wait for God knows how long before the next call, and much longer than that before I ever get to see my family again. At the same time, though, the situation could be a lot worse.

I decided to stick with a blue and white flannel, leaving it unbuttoned and tied at the bottom with a white cami underneath and a pair of dark cut-offs. Deciding to leave my hair natural, I brushed it out and did nothing more than put it in a high ponytail to try and help with the Los Angeles heat. I couldn't decide on shoes and debated on whether to wear a pair of braided sandals or my maroon high-top converse.

"How much walking are we doing?" I shouted from my room.

"A lot of it." He shouted back from down the hall.

Converse it is. But I'm still packing a pair of flip flops for whatever reason I need my swimwear for.

After packing everything I need, I wait for Max downstairs. As I grab an apple from the kitchen, I hear Max's footsteps thudding down the stairs. He meets me in the living room wearing a white, Hawaiian button-up with blue palm trees, black skinny jeans, and black Nike's with white soles. His hair was swept in his messier but more subtle mohawk, with his curly bangs hanging off.

I can't take my eyes off of him, to be quite honest.

Wait, why am I even thinking that? I can't be selfish and think about things like having a relationship with Max. Especially when my biological mother or one of her workers could find me any day now. My location could be found about right this minute and I would have to pack my bags and head to Napa, leaving Max behind once again. I couldn't imagine bearing that pain now, much less if he and I were in a romantic relationship.

Now, if I didn't have as many problems as I do right now, then I would love the idea of being with him. But I just have too much to worry about right now, and I don't wanna put Max through that pain.

"Everything okay?" Max asks, snapping me out of my trance. Realizing I've been caught in a trance about him, I shake my head to try and rid myself of these thoughts.

"Everything's fine, Max."

"You sure? You looked pretty out of it. You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Of course I do, but I'm fine Max. So where are you taking me?"

"Well, I thought I'd start by doing some of the most cliché things you can do in Hollywood."

"Sounds exciting, as cliché as it sounds." At this, Max laughs.

Oh how I've missed that laugh.

"Great. Then if you would follow me."

...

HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

"Max, seriously, where are you taking me?"

"Well first I thought we'd grab a bite to eat." As we continue walking around Hollywood and Highland, I can't help but stare in awe at what's around me. I've never really seen a mall this big before. If I wasn't here with Max right now, I think I'd get lost in five seconds.

"Where in this mall are we getting a bite to eat?"

"An old classic, my friend." Suddenly we stop in front of Hard Rock Café, and I can't help but feel really bubbly.

"You still remember?"

"Of course I still remembered. I may not have remembered what you looked like at first glance, but I still remember everything about you from back then." After that he opens the door for me, and immediately I can hear the music blasting through the speakers.

"Hi, table for two?" the waitress asks.

"Yes, please." Max replies. With that we're taken to our booth, handed menus, and shortly after ordered our drinks, before we get settled in again.

"It's been so long since I've been to a Hard Rock." I giggle.

"How long is that?" he asks without realizing.

"Uh... since I moved from Hell's Kitchen..."

"Oh... I-I didn't mean-"

"It's fine, Max, seriously. Do they still have the twisted mac and cheese?"

"Of course they do."

As soon as we figure out what to order, our waitress comes around to write it down and take our orders. We spend most of the time after she leaves catching up some more without the dark, depressing stuff before our food finally comes. As always, I got the ribs with a side of twisted mac and cheese and a large chocolate shake.

"Going all out as always, huh Mikey?"

"When I haven't had food from Hard Rock in forever, yes." At this he laughs.

After another half hour, I decide to take the rest of my food to go, before Max begins to take me to our next location.

"So since we aren't that far away, I thought you might like to check out the Walk of Fame." All I could do was smile.

So we spent the rest of the day walking down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and I managed to find Jeff Dunham's new star and take a picture with it... along with some others. Too many to mention, really. We then continued down Hollywood Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, and other famous streets just to check them out. Max promised me a good picture with the Hollywood Sign at a later date, but we only had time for one more stop today.

"So what's our last stop?" I asked.

"So I remember your bucket list from a while back, you wanting to go to a beach on every coast of the country. I know we've been to the Atlantic together. Were you able to go to the Gulf?"

"Yeah, last year. Why?"

"Well, Mikey, welcome to Santa Monica Beach." It was then that I became speechless. He remembered my bucket list? After all this time?

Maybe he really hadn't forgotten about me. Maybe he missed me just as much as I missed him.

Maybe... he loved me as much as I still love him?

Sorry this is so late everyone! Too much going on in my life right now. I promise I still remember this story. I've been itching to write again, and was finally able to squeeze in some time and brain power to do so.

So for those who are still reading, thank you so much, and please stay tuned for the next chapter! :)

PS: California Gurls has nothing to do with this chapter, by the way, I just thought it was a good song for the vibe of this chapter. Exploring California and everything. If anyone disagrees I will change it if you have any better ideas. :)