Moonlight (Lil Xan)

Chapter Twelve

Why I really shoulda kept her
Really should of kept your mouth closed
I've been runnin' out of ammo

I felt like I left the hotel the next morning with a completely different life from when I arrived. Diego, Austin, and I said goodbye to Omar and his friends in the lobby. I could see the flash of the paparazzi's cameras outside the windows. We were at the hotel desk about to check out when Austin pulled me aside.

"Hey. Remember you have an interview tomorrow, and considering all that's gone on, you might want to be careful answering some questions."

"How bad could it be?" I questioned.

"Diego could possibly get in trouble right now considering you're...well underage. At least, that's what I've been hearing. You know, Calabasas gossip."

"Oh, god."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just try to avoid questions about anything related. Don't let them pry information out of you. That's all they want. Tell me if you need anything. Be safe with Diego."

"I'm going to miss this hotel...and you," I laughed.

He squeezed my arm.

"Good luck, Sofe. Love you."

Diego and I took his Range Rover back to his apartment.

"How are you feeling?" I asked in the car.

"A little better. I guess the withdrawals were really bad.

"My mom's been trying to call me all day. She keeps on leaving voicemails about the articles she's been seeing about us," I said.

"God damn. Are they really that bad?"
"Yeah...people are saying I'm turning into the new biggest slut in Hollywood."

"What the fuck. That's crazy. Do you know how many girls Purp has fucked? That's bullshit."

"I just didn't want it to be like this. I want to just do my music and have fun. Not worry about what the rest of the world thinks."

"Agreed. I really don't want the world knowing I'm going through another mental breakdown," he laughed.

But I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"We're going to get though this ok?" I said.

I rested my hand on his thigh.

When we got back to his apartment we laid down on his couch together and ate Chinese takeout while we made fun of his old music videos. We also watched some of his old interviews. He looked so young and innocent with less face tattoos.

"See. There's no way you can be as bad as me tomorrow at your interview."

He sighed as he wrapped his arms around me.

"This feels right."

"Yeah it does."

I used Diego's shower and told him I would sleep in his guest room. I thought it would be for the best. We didn't want to rush into things too quickly. He let me borrow a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt since I used up most of my clothes. I was going to head back to Palm Springs tomorrow night.

"Please don't stay there for too long," Diego whined.

I was curled up next to him on his bed and inhaling the scent of the shirt he gave me.

"I won't. I told you I'm just going to be there for two to three days at most and grab some more stuff to bring back here. I care about you, dude. I'm not just going to leave you."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I guess I have bad trust issues," he said, voice cracking.

"It's ok," I whispered, brushing the pieces of hair off his face.

"It someone's birthday in two days," he cooed.

I rolled my eyes.

"How did you even know?"

"Of course I know."

"Stalker,"I laughed.

"I'm going to head back to my room. Tell me if you need anything."

He pecked my lips softly.

"Goodnight, baby."

I could barely sleep. For some reason I was on edge about the interview. I've done multiple, but I knew they would bring up Diego. I would have no idea how to respond to that. None of the answers I went through over and over in my head seemed to work. I probably fell asleep around four. I like shit as my alarm went off at seven, but forced myself to get ready. Diego dropped me off at the interview. It was for E News, and I could feel all eyes on me when I walked into the room. A bunch of fake, over zealous people rushed up to me trying to make conversation.

The interview wasn't going too bad until the interviewer asked in a annoying tone "So I think everyone wants to know here what is going on with you and Lil Xan?" She did a tiny squeal after she said it like she was a high schooler spreading gossip. My mind was racing a mile a minute, and I tried to recall what Austin told me.

"Umm. I shrugged. He's my homie. We've been hanging out a lot lately, but nothing serious."

"Oh, come on! We saw the pictures! Are you sure there's not a new power couple about to emerge in Hollywood?"

"I shook my head. I'm done with this topic," laughing to ease the tension.

"Ok." she said smiling.

I was relieved nothing brought up after that, but this gut feeling in my stomach told me I might have fucked up.

I knew I had when I saw Diego's face when he picked me up.