Catch Me If You Can

Ch. 4 Some Where Only We Know

Getting up at five a.m. is never fun, having a photo-shoot at six a.m. and some strange number calling- even better. Zella chose to ignore the unknown number for the time being. If it were important, they’d leave a message. Walking through the apartment on her way out Zella noted how eerily quiet the house was without Chord. The young girl was on her own today, Chord and Nash both had work to do. Not knowing anyone, however, would not keep her from finding something fun to do.  Plus someone fun to do it with. Once outside she hopped into a cab, heading toward the beach.

Bikinis, bikinis, and more bikinis; all day that’s all she wore. Today’s photo-shoot wasn’t nearly as fun as the day before. No make-up or cool backdrops it was just four girls in bikinis on the beach. Plus side to all the boring: she got to swim, play in the sand, play volleyball, and make three new friends. Downside to the beach shoot: sharp rocks, cold water, no boys, sand in weird places. Sam was one of the other models at this shoot as well so once they finished; they decided to go for lunch. The unknown number continued to call never leaving a message, so she never answered. 

Sam decided to take Zella to a place called The Little Door in Downtown L.A. The restaurant was nice and fairly laid back. The best part was definitely the wine bar. The two girls dined on Mediterranean cuisine while sipping their way through several glasses of wine. Sammy was certainly fun and knew how to have a good time. She was a year older then Zella and several inches taller, standing at 6’1, she was all legs. Her hair was pixie short and dark brown. By the time the two-finished lunch, it was pushing three in the afternoon. Walking outside after paying they hailed two separate cabs but promised to get together before either left town and go shopping.

The calling of the unknown number filled the otherwise silent cab as Zella went back to Chords apartment. Getting tired of the consent ringing, she caved and answered the phone. She had gotten curious as to who was calling and why they wouldn’t leave a message.

“Hello, Zella speaking.”

Silence followed- creepy. The number had called all day and now that she answered, who ever it was, had nothing to say.

“Hello?” she tried again.

She sighed heavily, this was getting old plus she was almost to the apartment.

“I’m hanging up now,” she tired.

“Don’t!”

She waited for the person to continue, but they didn’t say anything else. The voice didn’t sound familiar but she still racked her brain trying to find something memorable about it. Nothing- sounded like every other middle-aged woman.

“I-I miss you.”

The words were hesitant and shaky. Zella set in confusion, who was this lady? She ran the voice through her head again and again. She couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breathe caused by shock when she realized just who this stranger was, Mel. How had she gotten her number?

“I heard you were in town.”

More hesitant and trembling words they were starting to cut through Zella and she wasn’t sure what to do. She wasn’t even sure how she felt. How did she know Zella was in town?

“I was hoping I could see you.”

No hesitation, only shame mixed with the shake of a sob. Zella felt a pain constricting around her heart, heavy and burning. It was making it hard for her to breathe let alone speak, not that she knew what to say. Missed her, wanted to see her, it was simply crazy and unexpected.

“Hey, are you okay.”

The voice was deep and laced with worry. Zella shifted her eyes and met the cab drivers gaze through the mirror. She had been unaware of her heavy uneven breaths and was now sure she must be pale from distress. A tight sickening feeling started to over take her stomach. Zella managed a weak nod as she handed the man his money and stumbled out of the cab that set in front of her destination. She leaned against the building to keep herself from falling.