Roller-coaster ride : c.h.

Just the Beginning

The next morning I woke up around the time I usually do. I rolled over to see Keaton gone which meant he was out writing with Wes and Drew. I cleared my eyes and checked my phone. I had ten missed calls from Crystal. She had left me numerous messages too. "What the fuck happened?" I said trying to dial Crystal. "Oh darling, that God you picked up. I have such good news."

I let out a deep breath that I had been holding in. Once she told me that it was good news. "What is it?"

"Darling ever since last night your sales on your new book have tripled."

"Tripled!" I said shocked. "Not that I'm not happy, but why? How?"

"Oh darling, turn on Entertainment News." I switched on the TV seeing the picture that the paparazzi had snapped of Calum and I at Killers last night. The headline read: Best Selling author and the hot 5 Seconds of Summer Musician are Hollywood's new it couple. "What the..." I said as I was short of breath.

"Darling how come you didn't tell me you were dating Calum?"

"I didn't know I was dating Calum." I mumbled.

"What was that hun?"

"Nothing."

"Well, since your sales have tripled, Adam, Calum's manager, and I scheduled the two of you to discuss future plans." I wanted to answer her but I was mute. I was numb. I wanted to say something but nothing was coming out.

-

I sat there in Crystal and Adam's office waiting for Calum to arrive. "Is he always this late?" Crystal asked in a sharp, cold tone.

"You used to be late all the time. Remember that?"

"Oh please Adam. Get over it."

"Here he is. Calum, have a seat."

"What's going on?" Calum asked taking a seat next to me. Adam slid the tabloid magazine over to Calum as he looked it over. "Alana and I aren't dating."

"Well you are now." Adam started. "Ticket sales and iTunes downloads have sky rocketed since this story hit the public eye."

"What do you mean, 'we are now?'" I asked getting annoyed.

"Since a picture of the two of you has brought in so much money and commission..."

"Please tell me you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting."

"Darling, it's only best for your careers." I shook my head in refusal.

"What if I refuse?" I asked extremely aggravated.

"Then the company drops you and your contract." I took in a deep breath trying to calm myself down. "So what's the plan?"

"Well, you two will have to move in with one another." Crystal said playing with her phone.

"Live together?"

"Yes, is that a problem?" She asked raising her eyebrow.

"What am I supposed to do if I already have a boyfriend?"

"You'll have to break it off with him. We can't risk you 'cheating' on Calum. It will cause sales to go down."

"I cannot believe this is happening."

"You guys move in together on Wednesday. So start packing up your things."

"This is all your fault." I said smacking Calum and walking out to my car.

-

I got back to my apartment trying not to show too much emotion. I was still trying to find the right was to explain this to Keaton. When I walked in I saw a girl on Keaton's lap. He was teaching her how to play the guitar. I was shocked and hurt. "I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" Keaton basically pushed the girl off of him. "Babe. I thought you we're gonna be out all day."

"Sorry to ruin your fun Keaton." I said walking into my bedroom beginning to pack my things.

"Can't we talk about this?"

"What's there to talk about Keaton?"

"If you just left me explain-"

I cut him off, "I think what I just walked in on was pretty self explanatory." He just stared at me not even saying a word. "Why?" I asked.

"Because.." He dragged putting his head down.

"Why?"

"These past six months have been awesome. But I need something that's more my speed."

"Oh, I get it. You need a girl who's going to give it to you whenever you want." He was quiet and I knew I was right. "Well, you don't have to worry about me. You on the other hand are going to have to move in with your brother."

"Please don't be mad."

"I'm not mad. I've just had the worst day of my life and I just really want to be left alone."

"Fine, I'll get my things."

"You have to be moved out by Wednesday."

"Can't we just talk about this."

"I'm not really in the mood to talk. I think it would be better if you slept at Wes' house tonight."

"Fine." He said clearing his throat and starting to pack his thing. He slammed the door behind him which made me shutter. I started to pack up my things when I came across a picture from when Keaton and I went on our first date and all I kept thinking was that this is all Calum's fault.

-

That Monday was my first day of work. I kept on thinking, how convenient. I walked into the office and signed in with the receptionist who was filling me in on everything that I was expected of me. "So, every morning, you will come in, log onto this computer. Then go out, fetch Ms. Allen her coffee and then there will be a list of things for you to do by the end of the day."

"Okay, I think I got it."

"Just let me know if you have any trouble."

"I will thank you." I said sitting at the desk and beginning my work. I went out and fetched Ms. Allen her coffee. Walking in I saw her just getting off the phone. I smiled and placed her drink on her desk.

"I'll talk to you later." She said hanging up the phone. "Hello Ms. South, how are you?"

"I'm good thank you. How are you?"

"I'm well thank you. I heard your book sales tripled this weekend."

"Yes. It was nice to see the sales rise."

"What did you do to make your book sales go through the roof?"

Here it was, my time to continue the rumor that Calum and I were dating. "Well, I was out with my friends this weekend and the paparazzi caught us outside of the club together."

"Oh, I see."

"While I have you, I normally never ask to take off, but Wednesday, I'm moving into another apartment and I completely understand if I can't, but I just figured I would ask."

"I'll let you take off this one time since I like you, but please, do not make this a habit."

"I won't, I promise." She gave me a look of approval and I exited her office.

-

After a stressful day at work I came home and began to do some serious packing. After all, tomorrow was my last night in my own place. I packed up a couple of things and passed out on the couch. The next morning I went to work and completed my numerous tasks. However as much as I wanted to unwind I had to pack up the rest of my clothes. In the middle of packing, Crystal gave me a call, "Hello darling, I just wanted to check in on you to make sure we're all set for tomorrow."

"As ready as I'll ever be." I huffed.

"Oh come on darling, it cannot be that horrid. You'll be fine. The truck will be at your apartment at 7:30, so you must be at your new place by 8:30. Okay?"

"Yeah, sounds good."

"Alright love, I'll let you finish packing. Cheers!" That was it. This was the end of my relationship with Keaton and the new chapter of a forced "relationship" with Calum, which I still was not happy about.