Living with the Millers

Chapter 30 - FML

Chapter 30 - FML

I did my best to smile as I walked up the steps, tucking my hair behind my ears. Being in this kind of spotlight was new to me, and I didn't know if I would ever get used to it. Of course, they really wanted to take pictures of the movie stars. To them, I was just in the way. My picture would be published anyway, so I was trying my hardest not to make an ugly face.

Once inside, it was like a totally different world. People, dressed in clothes I could only hope to afford one day, mingled, a soft murmur of voices filling my ears. There were tables scattered around, some people sitting, some standing, but practically everyone had a drink in their hand. Servers with glasses of champagne on platters wondered around, offering every guest a drink. I took a deep breath before I stepped forward. This is for Ari, I told myself.

Before I could even blink, Savanna and Arielle were gone. I knew there were interviews to do and pictures to take, but I hadn't planned on spending the whole night alone. More than anything I wished Ben was there to hide in the corner with. Hanging my head, I tried to sneak away to the restroom, but the universe had other plans. I hadn't taken more than three steps before I crashed into a firm body, knocking me straight on my ass.

"Damn," a deep voice exclaimed, a hand suddenly appearing in my face. "I'm sorry, dude. I didn't see you." Mason James. Movie star and country singer all wrapped into one. He had played the male lead in Ari's movie. This wasn't the first time I had met him. He had said a few words to me every time I visited Ari on set. Mostly just 'hey' and the occasional 'can you get me a water?' He was buff with piercing blue eyes and bleached blonde hair that swooped into his eyes. Basically the epitome of every girls first love in 2012.

"My fault," I muttered, taking his hand and letting him pull me too my feet. "I wasn't watching."

"Me either," he said, flashing me his award winning smile. I'm guessing he expected me to swoon, but I just rolled my eyes. This seemed to catch his attention. As I tried to walk away he reached out and grabbed my wrist, forcing me to face him. "Hey, do I know you?"

"We've only met like ten times," I smirked, crossing my arms. "You're not going to ask me to get you a water this time, are you?" Realization flashed in his eyes as he looked me up and down.

"You're Arielle's sister." It was a statement, not a question. "She's pretty good, you know? She's going places." I hadn't spent much time thinking about Ari's acting career. I knew she loved it, and the Millers were able to offer her endless opportunities that I never would've been able to give her in Alaska. However, I didn't like the idea of her being gone to film all the time.

"Guilty as charged, Arielle's sister.  That's me." As a waiter walked by, I swiped a glass off of a tray and chugged the entire contents. I didn't like the taste of champagne, but I needed to de-stress. And I still needed to go to CVS.  It's like my mind was consumed, and I wouldn't be able to focus on anything else until I had taken that pill.

"Whoa, don't you think you should slow down there?" For some reason, the slight country twang in his voice irked me. I wanted to smack the smug look right off his face. Deep breaths, Shiloh. Flashing him a smile, I turned on my heels to walk away. "Shiloh!"

"Oh, so you do know my name," I laughed, unable to control myself.

"I do," he nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "But you don't seem to know who I am."