S A R A

Ch 12

12

I grabbed the car keys and drove to Santa Monica. I parked at the farmers market. Getting out, I first headed to Starbucks. I ordered a tall skinny vanilla latte, and walking back to the car I passed a magazine and newspaper stand that I must have missed getting to Starbucks.

I had to literally walk back and stop. To my horror, I saw the front page of People magazine.

I was on the front page of PEOPLE MAGZNE right beside another starlet's face in the margin with speculations about who she was dating next.

Okay, I wasn't exactly on the magazine cover because it was just the back of me, with a helmet on. But you could see my hair! It was however, very clearly Rand on his bike, and there I was very dandily looking probably like an idiot underneath my helmet sitting behind hmi with my arms wrapped around. the headline "WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS BLONDE",

What? They must have taken the picture when we were stopped by the cops, because we were just on the side road, they must have lost us before we got out the conservatory. How was I going to explain this?

This was completely freaky. My life changed literally overnight.

I noticed my breathing was getting shallow, so I went back into Starbucks and ordered another iced tea. I needed a moment to recollect my thoughts as this was too much.

If I was rational about this, there was now way to know it was me. My face was covered, you could only see my head and part of my outfit; which I will never wear again thank you very much.

I debated buying the magazine.

On one hand I was too terrified to open it. On the other, I needed to know what happened. One night, a matter of hours with him, and look how much more complicated things have gotten.

Okay, I tried to recollect myself and walked slowly to the magazine stand.

I was on guard, sure that the vendor would recognize me, but I relaxed when he passively took my money and handed me the magazine.

I got into the car and threw the magazine on the passenger seat then I just sat there. Me and these stupid pieces of paper. Not sure what to do.

Maybe it was a good thing I didn't have than any close friends, they wouldn't have to know about this.

Then I remembered to call Dixie!

No one could know about this, my life would be mortifying if people in school found out.

I speed dialed Dixie.

"Dixie.."

She broke me off "DO YOU REALIZE YOU R ON THE COVER OF PEOPLE?"

"About that, you can't tell anyone, do you understand?"

"But," Dixie logic started, and I knew I had to break her off.

"No one! Please, try to understand."

"But honey, you went on the most romantic night of your life with the most wanted man right no. How was that by the way?"

"No don't change the subject promise me you'll keep quiet"

"...Fine. I just really wanted to have those connections, I mean this is practically why I work at the bar. But okay, okay you're the boss whatever you say I mean in my book, you're basically Venus the goddess"

Little did she know.

"Llisten, I have to go but we'll talk later, kay?"

I clicked off my hone as a cop was pulling up. I realized my parking ticket expired literally 4 minutes ago.

Shit, this really was too much. I threw the magazine beneath the dashboard and under the seat.

The cop car pulled in next to me, and who was it if not the same woman that stopped me an Rand yesterday.

"You, again." She looked at me from the top of her black aviators, recognizing me.

I tried to emulate Haden with my best smile.

"I'm so sorry officer, I was just pulling out," I said in a hurry.

"Your ticket is expired," she stared at me expectantly.

"Yes, but four minutes, I mean, really? Come on?" I tried helplessly.

"Guess you can't always rely on your little friend if he's not there, huh?" Obviously, she was referring to Rand. Why was this happening to me? I thought I was going to burst into tears right there and then

I guess she must have saw that though, because she let me off, telling me next time to be more careful.

Not totally sure as to which scenario she was referring to.

I was beginning to feel lightheaded, so I knew where I had to go. My place, the ocean.

Though the Santa Monica boardwalk was minutes away, I knew other places. I drove on the PCH for 15 minutes into Malibu to a semi remote area around houses, a little piece of sand that didn't really belogn to anyone. Which was rare, considering most of the coastline was bought out by celebrities and millionaires.

I drove along the path and parked nearly on the sand. I got out, and went out sit on the sand, looking out towards the ocean. The same ocean that last night I dreamt about experiencing with him. Under the same sky, he was out there doing something

And above all, in my head I was writing lines about him in my head.

the boys beautiful

what can you do

seems there's nothing that can stop me from wanting you

I've got no one else to sing about for now

so let me take my sweet time

I was getting lost in a daydream when my phone went off, I jumped a bit and picked it up with my glossy fingernails to see that I set myself a reminder to pick up my brother from his friends and I was...late. Again.

I get a text from Haden that night which said only two words:

'Come out.'

I looked at my clock. Midnight.

Out my window I heard a sound and saw him pulling up with no headlights.

I ran downstairs; I could feel my heart beating in my chest. I opened the car door. I got in.

"Hi," he said, looking at directly at me.

"Hi," I responded quietly.

Then no words exchanged, only feeling.

We sat for three seconds in the dark. Desire took over. We hurled at each other. His hands in my hair, my hands on his neck, his face. We kissed and it was the sweetest kiss I know I would have ever known in my life. He put his hand on the clutch, and aggressively pulled out of the driveway. I sat, out of breath, looking at him.

"I want you so bad right now." He murmured.

I have a million kisses saved for you, I thought.

He found my pleading eyes and kissed me as we stopped at a red light. The obscure road we were on was empty and it was just us. This is what I lived for, I thought. Moments like these.

The lights went from red to green to orange to red as my tongue found his, and his hands found me.

As he pulled away again to drive, I closed my eyes and-breathed "Where can we go?"

I whispered while his voice was strong and raspy and masculine.

You could cut through the air with a butter knife.

Instead of answering me, he just took my hand and kissed it. I leaned back against my seat and took it all in.