It's been 4 months since Nationals.
4 months since the whole Dream Street thing
4 months since I talked with Trousdale.
I actually wanted to call him but somehow, I couldn't. It was either I was scared or I thought he'd forget about me.
Wait, that falls under scared.
That reasom plus I didn't want Bryan to think otherwise. He had found the piece of paper and had asked me once during breakfast.
"Who's Chris?" He demanded. I poured the cornflakes halfway and looked at him in shock.
"Bryan, you went to my room? Young man, we need to learn to respect each other's privacy." I scolded. His glared inflamed.
"Does it matter? Who is he?" He asked once more. "Rick said you can't date yet! And that I should prevent it from happening! Who is he?!?!"
"Nobody, honey. A loser. I'm not interested in him. And I'm not dating. I can promise you that."
"Is he cute?" Christy asked, eyes wide. "If it's Chris Trousdale, that'd be so cool."
I laughed, continuing to pour cornflakes. "I doubt so. Besides, I'm not interested in him anyway. The connection was a bit of a disaster. I'm not gonna see him again."
"You promise?" Bryan asked.
"Promise."
Anyway, it was just another typical day at LAPA (London Academy of the Performing Arts). As usual, I bolted out ofthe school and took a train to Baker Street where I worked part time as a helper in an old bookstore. It raked some money, but it just wasn't enough to pay for replacements like new shoes and stuff. Not to forget my mother's drinking habit. Not that I give her any but she always manages to find it no matter where I hide the money. If she can't find it, she just beats it out of me.
"Don't bother trying to fight me, you little bitch," she snarled on one of those ocassions as she counted the coins after she gave me a stinging slap and pushed me from wall to wall till I got a nosebleed and a strike in the head. "I always win!"
After she counts enough for a good amount of drinks to tide her over, she heads out
"Lizzie! Early as usual!" The shop owner, Mr Conners, smiled. He was an old man of seventy, with silvery white hair and beard, twinkling blue eyes and a ready smile. Being deserted by his sons and having no one to support him in his old age, he opened up a shop to sell off all the old books he collected over the years. Every year, he gives me 2 books; one on Christmas and one on my birthday and they were always filled with fascinating stories and poetry that takes you away to another place. Nowadays, since business was improving, he caters to the my generation of teenagers who usually like Nicholas Sparks and J.K Rowling
I grinned. "Hi Mr Conners." I said, putting my bag down on one side and taking out my working apron.
"Well since, you're already here so early, why not you get to work first and around perhaps 3 o' clock we can have tea and you can go pick up your sister early." Mr Conners said, rearranging old encyclopedias on a shelf.
"Got it!" I yelled, getting to work.
Chris's POV
"Chris, marry me!!" A girl screamed in the crowd. A dozen more screamed the same thing. I put on a smile anyway. Even though it felt like any moment I'd be deaf.
The moment we got to our hotel room, our manager, Kyle announced, "Okay, since your concert is only in 2 days, you guys can have the day off. Enjoy it."
"YES!" Jesse yelled before taking out his cell phone and punching in a few numbers. Matt smirked.
"Somebody's been missing Melanie." Matt said. Jesse looked up and nodded vigorously.
"Yeah. We've been sending letters to each other but now we're in the same country, we can meet! Hello? Yeah hey Mel. Okay, meet you there!"
Jesse grabbed his coat and raced to the door before turning back and flipping his hair dramatically. "Well, I got a hot date waiting. Don't expect me back early. See you boys on the flip side." He drawled before closing the door. I looked at the boys, raising an eyebrow.
"Wow. And you said I was cocky." I said before slouching on the couch, sulking.
Lucky Jesse
Frankie walked over and patted me on the shoulder.
"Come on, man. Maybe she just has difficulty calling you or something. I mean, she couldn't have forgotten you so quickly. It's only been 4 months." Frankie said. I grunted. It's been 4 months and I never as much heard a word from Lizzie. She never even called, even though I gave her my number. My guess, she probably tore it to shreds and dumped it in a wastepaper basket.
"Yeah maybe. Or she doesn't want anything to do with me." I whined, shoving my head in a pillow. Greg rolled his eyes.
"Seriously, get a grip. You're acting like a little girl."
Matt hit him and turned back to me.
"Well, we're here for you. Since it's your day off, wanna go to the arcade? There's one nearby this place." Matt asked. I shook my head.
"Nah. I think I'd better go off by myself. I'll be fine." I said, heading out of the door.
I walked and walked, with absolutely nothing in my mind, dazed, the fog looming over my face. I finally stopped at an ancient store. It looked newly furbished but you could still see some old crust like paint on the walls. The sign read "Conners Antique Books. Now selling new bestsellers such as Nicholas Sparks and J.K Rowling."
I went inside the store. It had that old book smell that I felt commfortable with. It reminded me of all those times I went to Nana's house. Sometimes, she'd take out some old ancient book from her library and read it out to me. Although I never really understood what some of the stories meant, it always make me fascinated and comfortable as she spoke out in her soothing voice, dragging me to Wonderland.
"Hello, young man. Can I help you?" A voice called. I spun around to see an old man well in his seventies will blue eyes and an apron on him. I cleared my throat.
"Yeah, uh, your sign said you sold Nicholas Sparks in here?" I said pointing to the door.
"Ah yes. At a bargain too. They're over there." The man said,pointing to a shelf in the corner. I walked over, letting my hands trace over the titles. The notebook, Message in a bottle, A walk to remember..
That was when I saw her. No doubt. Same face, same jet black hair only that it was in a ponytail. I smirked. She is so going to learn what happens when you don't call me.
Lizzie's POV
I rearranged the books, still feeling guilty about not calling Chris. I mean, even though he was a bit of a pain of an ass, he seemed okay.
Forget it Lizzie, a voice screamed. It's not like you're gonna see him again. For all you know, he's in some country screwing 5 girls at once. He probably forgotten about you.
"Hey-" A voice called, snapping me out of mt thoughts, totally shocking me. Before I could register who it was, I dropped the heavy encyclopedias and toppled from the stool. I expected myself to drop on the stupid ground with probably 2 or 3 encyclopedias hitting my head but I dropped into a pair of hands bridal style with an enclopedia hitting my face. Man that hurts.
"You all right?" The voice asked. So it was a guy. A teenage guy. Could tell 'cos the voice looked like it was breaking. But why did it sound familiar?
"Um, yeah. I'm so sorry. I just... you startled me and..oh." I stuttered removing the book out of my face to see who it was and once I removed it, I was beyond shock and speechless.
Now, I would've taken to landing on the floor and getting a concussion. Anywhere except in this guy's arms.
It was Chris.
