Dream Big (Sequel to Dreamer)

Chapter Seventeen

Tia's POV

I took a deep breath, placing the wreath of flowers into the river. Chandler was holding on to my waist, making sure I didn't fall in. I tucked my hair behind my ear, placing the picture on top. I reached back towards Chandler, and he pulled me up. I wrapped my arms around his torso, and he wrapped his around my shoulders. "I've been a liar, been a thief, been a lover, been a cheat. Oh, my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me. Well, Little One, I don't want to admit to something if all it's going to cause is pain. The truth in my lies are falling like the rain, so let the River run." I sang softly, closing my eyes as tears began to fall. I saw flashes of light, expecting it to rain, I opened my eyes so we could rush back to the car, only to be shocked by a swarm of paparazzi. They began to question me, and I kept my mouth shut.

"Are you Chandler's girlfriend?"

"Are you the girl from the airport all those months ago?"

"Are you dating Shawn?"

"Why did you place a wreath of flowers and a picture into the river?"

"Why were you singing Eminem's song while crying?"

"Are you cheating on Shawn with Chandler?"

"Are you cheating on Chandler with Shawn?"

"What's your name?"

Chandler picked me up, and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly. My breaths became uneven, and the world was spinning. I tried counting sounds, but all I could hear were the questions from the paparazzi. I wrapped my arms around Chandler's neck, and he had to push his way out of the crowd. He struggled to open the door, and then placed me inside. He shut the door, and rushed around to his side. Once his door was shut he cranked the car, and soft music began to play. I counted the different instruments and noises I heard, then I counted the different things I could see, and finally I counted the different things I could feel. "You okay?" Chandler asked, and I nodded as I took a sip of water. I struggled not to spill it as my hands shook, but I succeeded in keeping myself and the car dry. "I'm going to straighten everything out, but I have to talk to Shawn first. I have to let him know that I'm not quite ready to make our relationship public, and I want to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible. This is something I need to ease into." I tell Chandler, and his grip tightens on the wheel. "Chandler, what's wrong?" I ask, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He shrugs me off, and I move my hand away. What did I say? I ask myself, and I feel my phone buzz. "Another one of your boy toys?" Chandler sneers, and I have to will myself not to punch him. "It's Nathan, Chandler. I'm not sure where this sudden attitude came from, but you need to chill out. I haven't done anything to you." I snap back, seeing what my best friend said.

(A/N: Nathan, Tia)

Hey, have you done anything for River yet today?

Yeah, Chandler took my to Los Angeles River today and we put out a wreath of flowers, along with that drawing I did

Okay. I did the same by myself, I hope you don't mind I put your drawing with it

Not at all

I did the song by myself. It just felt right

It's okay. Chandler and I did it together

I miss her, Tia

Aria or River?

Both

Me too

Do you really think you found her?

Yes. I really do

Bring her home to me

I'll do my best

I look up to see us pulling into the drive way, and I shove my phone in my pocket. I climb out of the car, and Chandler does too. Once he unlocks the front door I follow him in. I head straight to the guest room, grabbing my things. As I'm packing I snag a plane ticket from Los Angeles, California all the way to Toronto, Canada. I even call a cab to come pick me up in about an hour. I spent the next hour packing my bags and hauling them downstairs. Once all of my bags are packed and at the front door, Chandler finally decided to say something. "Call me when things don't work out." I whirl around, barely refraining myself from breaking that pretty nose of his. "Shouldn't I be telling that to you? I mean, honestly, if you talk to me this way I'd hate to see how you treat your girlfriend." I retort, throwing the front door open, "Speaking of your girlfriend." I say, and the poor thing looks so confused. "Hi, I'm Tia, and sorry, I was just leaving." I tell her, then I begin to gather my things again. "Um... hi." She squeaks, moving out of the way. "Haleigh, I'll be right back." Chandler tells her, trying to grab my bags from me. "Get your hands off of my stuff, right now. I don't have time for this, and quite frankly, I'm trying to keep the drama to a minimum." I seethe, and he let's go with an appalled expression. "You know what? Fine, leave, but don't come crawling back when he leaves you!" Chandler yells, and I flip him off. I grab the handle to my second suitcase, hoping my duffle bag was secured on both of them as I walked down the driveway to the curb. As I'm approaching, a yellow cab shows up, and the driver helps me put my bags in the trunk. I thank him, and I climb in the backseat. I take a deep breath, and pull out my phone.

(A/N: Shawn, Tia)

Hey, there's a bit of change in the plan

What do you mean?

I'm headed to the airport

What? Why?

Chandler and I got into an argument, and so now I'm leaving

What happened?

I told him about something personal, and so today we went and did something to help me feel more at ease about it. Well, paparazzi saw us, and they started asking a bunch of questions. I began to have an anxiety attack, and so he had to carry me back to the car. After I calmed down he asked me if I was okay. I told him I was fine, but I would have to talk to you and then we needed to clear up a bunch of rumors before things got out of hand. I told him that I didn't want you and I's relationship public yet. I needed to ease into things. He got all mad after I said that, and I didn't know why, I still don't. Nathan sent me a text, and he asked me if it was another of my "boy toys." I told him I didn't have any boy toys, and he needed to chill. I texted Nathan about that personal thing until we got back to his house. When we got back I ordered a plane ticket, packed my bags, called a cab, and left. I'm on my way to the bus station now.

Where does your plane stop at?

Toronto, Canada

When does your plane leave California?

In about 45 minutes

How long is the trip?

It's a straight shot, about five hours

That's not too long. Can you take a cab to a mall in Pickering? My parents can take you back to my place. I've got a meeting at the time your plane lands

Yeah, but don't forget that I'm using American money right now. I don't know if they have somewhere to exchange the currency in the airport

They do. Just ask someone to help you find it

Okay. I'm at the airport now, so my responses are going to be spotty

I turnoff my phone, then climb out of the cab. The driver gets out, rolling this thing over to the trunk. We unload the bags, and I pay the man. He drives off, and I go through the check points to get to my flight. I settle in my seat, sighing. I text Shawn that I'm on my flight, and shut down my phone. Then the plane begins take off...