The Love Illusion

Chapter 1 - The School Run

It's now or never. This moment could make me or break me for the rest of my life. If I miss this chance, I may never be able to recover ever again. Ok, maybe that was a little too dramatic.

"Mollie! I found your shoes!"

"Ah, finally!" I exclaim. I race down the stairs to see mom holding up my fluorescent yellow converse. I practically rip them out her hand before pressing my toes in, not giving one care about the laces – I had to make this school bus.

"A thank you would be nice." asserted mom over all the shuffling around.

"Yep, thanks mom." I dash over and give her a peck on the cheek. She beams,

"Have a good day, honey."

"I will!" I shout as I pick up my bag and dart out the door, leaving it slightly ajar. I race down my road to the school bus and wave at the driver as the doors start to close.

"Wait!" I shout.

He sees and grudgingly opens them again, rolling his eyes in a mildly disgusted manor.

"I'm sorry." I say panting with exhaustion as I climb onto the bus.

"C'mon Mollie, late again?"

"Sorry Carl." I say, "It won't happen again."

"That's whatcha say everyday Mol."

I nod wearily and walk down the bus.

Joe, a boy in my class (correction: a dickhead in my class), attempts to trip me up again as I walk down the aisle.

I diligently tread over his foot and give him a dirty look.

When I get to the back row I slump down next to Sadie.

"Hey Mollie." she smiles at me with the same optimism as always.

"Hey." I say, brushing her hazel fringe out the way of her wet sticky forehead. She glances at me with her emerald green eyes as she says,

"Thanks."

"No problem." I give her a brief smile.

We sit in silence for a while before one of the girls begs Carl to put on the radio.

He reluctantly turns it on, and a familiar song comes on called "I want her to be mine."

"Oh my god!" cries Jessica, one of the bitchy popular girls sitting in the front row, "It's Nathaniel Seames, I love him – he's gorgeous!"

"He is so fit." Yells another girl.

I look at Sadie and roll my eyes with envy.

"Geez, Mol. Do you really hate him that much?" She asks.

"No, I don't hate him – he's just way too good for this industry."

Sadie gives me a look.

"He is."

"He's handsome, amazing at singing and top of the charts – he was undoubtably made for this industry." Argues Sadie.

"He's probably changed. I bet he doesn't even remember me."

"You were his best friend!"

"When we were 10, before he moved to LA to become a star."

"Wow, imagine being famous: sold out stadiums, die hard fans, interviews on Ellen and Jimmy Fallon - that would be so cool!" Says Sadie.

"Yeah I guess so." I say with a tone of doubt.