Distance

chapter eleven

*Two weeks later*

Selena's POV

Finally, a vacation.

The world of fashion doesn't slow down for anyone, especially during season changes. Of course, COUTURE had to be first to name fall's hottest trends, and that wasn't easy when it's basically the same thing every year. Since the magazine was known for its edginess mixed with trendiness, we had to find things that were just basic enough to be wearable, but edgy enough to be considered haute couture. I needed a break.

And since Carter was going back home for two weeks, I decided to do the same. An escape was exactly what I needed. Tomorrow, a driver would come to bring me to the airport to hop on Carter's fancy private jet.

But for today, I was packing my bags and checking the news for the latest juicy gossip. I was a tabloid-addicted freak when Carter and I lost touch years ago, and I'd slowed down a few years back--but sometimes I need a little drama in my life.

With my suitcase open, I raided my closet to pack as many cute outfits as I could that were appropriate for fall in Florida: cute dresses, shorts, blouses and of course, a few sexy bikinis. I also decided to throw in some lingerie, since Carter got a secret rental house in case we needed to escape our families.

As I listened to E! News, I heard a familiar name and my attention was immediately focused on the screen. 

"Singer and Hollywood heartthrob Carter Montez was seen today in Malibu with well-known model and social media influencer, Adrienne Balasi," said the female announcer on the show, and a picture of Carter and the model came across the screen. They were laughing in the water, messing around and Carter was holding her from behind. My heartbeat quickened and I turned it up, listening for more details.

"They've been seen together twice this week, and it's rumored that Adrienne will appear in his video for "Kids", the song he allegedly wrote and performed for his childhood friend, a fashion journalist for COUTURE magazine."

I felt tears begin to fill my eyes as I stared at the television screen, confusion and anger running through my mind. I wasn't hurt that he was seen with her, because I know gossip news can spin stories out of literally nothing. I was hurt that he was going to have her in the music video for a song that was for me. An intimate moment we shared. The story of us.

"Neither Carter or Adrienne have commented on the rumors that they're together, but a source tells us that they're very close, and have, quote, 'been spending a lot of time with one another'."

I paused the TV and just stared at the picture of the two of them together, the subtitles reading "spending a lot of time with one another" I couldn't decide if I was allowed to be upset or not. I didn't know what I was to Carter. Honestly, I barely knew Carter anymore. Maybe I'm stupid for even thinking he'd want more from me; maybe he was telling the truth when he was younger. We'd always just be friends. But as I stared at that picture, rage boiled inside of me.

I was pissed. And as even just his friend, I was allowed to be. Because playing with feelings is not okay, especially when its your best friend! So you know what? I was gonna tell him exactly how I was feeling. 

I checked my phone to find two texts from Carter from an hour ago, and 30 minutes ago. My eyes grew wide as I read the texts.

1h ago: My flight is coming in early, I'll be landing in 45. Can I stay at yours tonight?

30m ago: Well, I'm gonna take that as a yes. I'll be there in about half an hour. See you then.

"Oooooh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no!" I whisper yelled to myself, freaking out a little before shutting the TV off and putting a pair of shorts on. I pulled the lingerie off of my bed and stuffed it into my drawer. Then I went to the bathroom to wipe the mascara streaks off my face from my tears. I was about to wash my face when I heard the door open. I should've never given that man a key.

"Shit," I whispered to myself, sniffling before pulling myself together.

"Sel, I'm here!" 

I walked out of my bathroom and past my bedroom curtains, muttering, "Hey," under my breath.

"Whoa there, Grumpy. I haven't seen you in like, a month and a half, and I get just a hey?" Carter chuckled and I rolled my eyes and sat down on the couch.

"Oh my gosh, Carter, I've missed you so much! You know what I've been up to? Working, sleeping, getting caught up for this vacation I was so excited for! What have you been up to? Hanging out with freaking perfect women in Malibu to star in the video for the song you allegedly wrote for me? Sounds fun!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Carter asked with a nervous laugh, visibly trying not to get angry.

I reached for the remote, turning the TV on to reveal the paused image of Carter and Adrienne having the time of their lives at the beach. I felt tears begin to prick my eyes again, getting angry once more.

"Don't act like you don't know," I muttered, unable to pull my eyes away from the television screen.

"Selena, I don't know what you think was happening there, but I can guarantee that nothing is going on between us."

Carter went to sit down next to me but I stood up, looking at him with a scowl.

"Oh, so you hug every girl from behind like that? And you've been spending a lot of time with lots of girls? And lots of girls are the stars of your stupid music videos?!" 

I ran my hands through my hair, practically shaking because I was so upset.

"Sel, she means nothing to me. We're working together on the video, yes. But it's a fucking music video, it's not real life," Carter pleaded with me. "Please, Selena, you have to believe me."

"I don't have to do anything, except go to bed. We've got to leave in the morning."

Carter began walking toward the bedroom. Whether he was going to beg me to believe him or get in the bed with me, I didn't want either of those things.

"You can take the couch," I told him quietly, giving him a blanket before shutting the lights off and crawling into my bed.

This was going to be a long two weeks.