So there I was. My first real interview for E! News.
To be honest I was feeling pretty confidant as I walked through those doors. I worked hard to get to this point in my life. I had dropped being Hannah Montana my senior year of high school and concentrated solely on grades and getting into college. I got into UCLA and majored in broadcast journalism. After college, I was quickly hired at E! to be a researcher for rumors found on the internet, a pretty good start for someone right out of college. I slowly worked my way through the system and finally I was picked to be the new interviewer girl. I was 24 and I was no doubt lucky.
I had on a pair of expensive black skinny jeans with killer red heels and a high necked red silk tank top, compliments of wardrobe back at the studio.
Thanks to Katy, one of the stylists, my makeup was flawless with smokey eye shadow and long dramatic lashes. My hair was perfectly curled and pulled to the side in a low pony tail.
My camera crew was behind me as I walked to the concierge of the hotel where the interview was to take place.
"Miley Stewart here from E! News to interview Nick Jonas," I said with a confidant smile.
The woman behind the desk typed something into her computer and then frowned.
"I'm sorry, Miss Stewart, but Mr. Jonas has cancelled all interviews and press for today."
This cannot be happening, I was thinking. This was supposed to be my big break. I needed to do this interview. In case you didn't know, Nick Jonas has been a music star since he was about thirteen. He and his brothers were in a band called the Jonas Brothers (original, I know). They had released almost eight CDs over the past few years and were well on their way to becoming the most popular band ever. Then abruptly about a month ago, the brothers announced that they were giving up the band. For about two weeks the whole family seemed to disappear of the face of the planet. Then, about two weeks ago, Nick emerged and announced that he was going to be having a solo career.
To say that that was a media frenzy would be an understatement. Everyone was dying to have the first interview with Nick Jonas, to find out why he and his brothers had given up the band and what he planned on doing with his solo career. But only E! was able to score an interview with him. They decided to send their most fresh faced interviewer- yours truly.
"I don't mean to be rude," I said to the concierge with a fake smile, "But do you think you could call his manager so I could speak to him?"
"Miss, I don't think that-"
"Listen," I said desperately, "This is my first interview. Could you please just try?"
She looked at me sympathetically and nodded. She picked up the phone and I was fighting the urge to bite my nails, a nervous habit I picked up when I was younger.
A few minutes later a man in a black expensive looking suit comes up to me, looking impatient and angry.
"Are you Miley Stewart from E! News?" he demands.
"Yes," I reply smartly, "I was just trying to make sure that it is true that Mr. Jonas is not doing any interviews. We have been planning this for a long time."
"Nick Jonas is a very busy man," he replies rudely, "He has more important things to do than talk to people like you."
You can totally tell that he thinks less of me because I'm from entertainment. What an asshole. HE makes a living organizing things for people who are more famous than him. Now there's a real job.
"But sir-" I tried again trying to be polite.
"No buts" he interrupts before leaving me rudely. Jeez, that was rude. It's not like I was planning to to an expose or something.
"Sorry" I said turning to the camera crew, "I guess we lost this one…"
Inside I was freaking out. What is my boss going to say? I'm supposed to be getting the inside scoop on Nick Jonas's new solo career! I am so screwed. Six months of slaving away back stage and now I'm going to get fired after my first real interview… Shit. I need a drink.
"Listen, Rick," I say addressing the head camera man, "You guys head back to the studio in the van. I'm going to grab a quick drink. I'll grab a taxi back when I'm done."
He shruged. It's not like he gives a shit what I do. He probably doesn't even know my name. All he does is set up the camera.
I walk to the hotel bar. I need a drink fast. No, I'm not an alcoholic, but sometimes you just get that craving where you just need something to cushion the blow of what's just happened to you, you know?
I don't know what it is about them, but hotel bars so are classy looking. It's like everyone there has some sort of secret. Of course, since it's barely even four it is practically empty. Except for one guy wearing worn looking jeans and a frayed button down shirt. He also has a trucker hat pulled slightly over his face. Sketchy much? Probably a writer I assess expertely after having lived in LA for a few years.
"Vodka and tonic," I say as the bartender places a napkin in front of me.
A good drink and I'll be brand new. And maybe I'll have the guts to go back to work and tell my boss about how I totally fucked up this interview.
The bartender places the small glass in front of me and goes back to drying the freshly washed glasses on the counter completely ignoring me. Ugh. I hate my life.
I down half the small glass in one gulp tipping my head back and enjoying the burn of the alcohol in the back of my throat.
"Fucking Nick Jonas," I mutter. That's what Hollywood-type people do. They think they are just so fucking important that they can walk all over anyone and it will just be okay. I had met Nick before as Hannah and he seemed okay, but whatever.
"Excuse me" the other man at the bar says, "What did you just say?"
"I'm sorry," I apologize. Jeez, who knew I was being so loud? "I just got stood up by someone," that was a much easier way to explain what had happened.
"You got stood up by Nick Jonas?" the guy asks skeptically. Okay, what the hell? Why is this guy so nosy?
"Not exactly," I admit. I don't know why I'm telling my story to a random guy at a bar, but I just have to get it out some how, "I was supposed to interview him. I work for E! News. This was my first interview, but apparently he's too good for me."
"Who told you that?" he demands. Wow, this guy totally should get on some meds to calm him down.
"His manager," I answer truthfully.
Suddenly he looks up and pushes his baseball cap off of his face.
"That's ridiculous," he says and I nearly faint. This random stranger at the bar is the Nick Jonas. Shit. And I just cursed him off.
"I'm sorry," I say flustered and trying to back track, "I didn't mean to offend you, it's just I had a really bad day, it's not your fault really-"
"Hey, if anyone should be apologizing it should be me. My new manager can be a real ass-" he stopped mid sentence as if he had said too much. I guess he figured since I'm a reporter he shouldn't say things like that to me. I know how it is though; I used to be an international pop star. I wouldn't sell him out if he was just venting his feelings. Of course he had no way of knowing that…
"Well," he continues smiling, "The least I can do is take you out to dinner."
Did he seriously just ask me to dinner? And the way he says it… its like it's a command, not a question. Okay, okay, so I might have had a little crush on him as a teenager… Okay stop wait, he's just trying to be polite. Calm down Miley.
"That's okay," I say blushing even though I'm dying for him to contradict me. He doesn't disappoint.
"No seriously," he says, "I know this really great Italian place…"
I'm dying to say yes but I'm not sure. Is this even okay? Is it professional? Does he like me or is this like a pity date? Sorry you're going to get fired because of my manager, but have a meal on me.
Then I realize he's staring at me and waiting for an answer.
"Okay," I blurt out before I can over think it anymore. What could it hurt anyway?
He smiles and I feel my mouth stretching into a grin too.
It's not a date, it's not a date, it's not a date I repeat to myself as he opens the door for me and lets me in to the passenger seat of the black sports car.
We pass down the familiar LA streets and I'm waiting for him to pull into one of the hot restaurants in LA. I'm so nervous. What if there are paparazzi? What do I do? Smile? Look down? Just act calm. What did I get myself into?
But then we drive past the usual streets. Almost a full half hour later he pulls up to a small family owned Italian restaurant that I've never been to.
White Christmas lights are twinkling in the window and it looks cozy and welcoming. It's like a small town restaurant in the middle of a big city. The lights are dimmed inside and there are red candles flickering softly at each table. There are only two other guests, a family of four and another couple. No, just a couple because Nick and I are not a couple.
Once we get in Nick picks out a booth a little farther away from everyone else. Neither of us has really spoken since we left the hotel and to say it's awkward would be an understatement.
"So, Miley," he said while rolling up his sleeves, "What brings you to LA?"
"Well, I grew up in Malibu, then went to UCLA and got a degree in broadcast journalism. Now I'm a reporter for E!"
"A college girl- Nice" Nick said nodding to show his approval. Not that I need his approval, but...
"So what's your story?" I ask him jokingly. He seems like such a normal guy. I heard through the entertainment business that he was too serious and sometimes hard to be around, but I'm not getting that vibe at all.
"Well, I was in this band with my brothers, The Jonas Brothers, I don't know if you've heard of it." He deadpans.
Oh God, I love a boy who can joke like that. This is so wrong. I cannot like Nick Jonas.
"Hmm doesn't ring any bells. And how about now?" I joke back.
"I'm going solo."
"Why?" I ask. I'm honestly interested. It's not about the interview, but his face hardens for a second like he's not sure if he wants to tell me. I just met the guy though, so what am I expecting? Wow, what a smooth move. He knows I'm a reporter.
"Just want to try something different" he says smoothly running a hand through his hair.
"That's cool" I reply trying to sound as chill as he does. Although I can feel my face going slightly red. Thank God the lighting is dimmed in here so he can't see.
The waiter comes to the table. She's an older woman and she doesn't even recognize Nick which is kind of cool.
"What can I get for you?" she asks not even pulling out a pen to write our orders. I bet she's like the owner of this small place and has been working here forever, it's completely charming. I've never seen a place like this in LA before until now.
Nick looks at me to order first. He is like the biggest gentleman ever. It's so strange. Jake was so conceited; it surprises me when people aren't.
"Um spaghetti and meatballs please" I say. I don't think much about what I'm ordering. I'm in the mood so I get it. Food and weight are not something that ever bothered me. I know how to live a healthy lifestyle without denying myself the things that I want.
"I'll have the same" Nick says looking at me instead of the waitress. When she leaves he's still staring at me in amazement as if I've said something completely amusing.
"What?" I ask feeling myself blush.
"I've never seen a girl in Hollywood order carbs" he says.
I laugh, "I'm not like every other girl"
"I noticed" he says and gives me that smile again that makes my legs feel a little weak and my head a little fuzzy. Me and every other girl in the country and probably even the world.
We spend the rest of the night talking about random things. I tell him about Lilly, my best friend since forever and roommate, and he talks about his brothers and his family. It feels like I've known him forever and we slip into an easy playful banter while we get to know each other better. This is feeling more and more like a date…
At the end of the night, he drives me back to my apartment. I have no idea what to do. I'm completely panicking. Is he going to walk me to the door? Ask for my number? Does he even like me as much as I like him? In a friendly way of course, right?
He's a musician I remind myself, they're not exactly the most reliable when it comes to dating. Not that I want to date him! Ugh. This is so awkward. I don't even know what I'm thinking anymore.
"Make a left and it's the second one on the right" I tell him as we near my street.
"Well," Nick says after pulling up in front of my building, "I had a good time. You're a pretty interesting girl, Miley Stewart"
"Thanks" I say blushing again and grateful once again for the lighting and that it's dark in the car. I open the car door.
"Thanks for dinner," I add before closing the car door. I walk up to my building fully aware that he is still there and probably watching me. Please don't fall I tell myself. These heels are no joke.
But thankfully I make it to the building in one piece and only once I'm safely inside do I hear his car pull away. I can't wait to tell Lilly she is not going to believe this. In fact, I can barely believe it myself.
"Lilly" I call as I unlock the door to our apartment, "You will never guess who I just had dinner with"
She's sitting on the couch watching something on T.V. with her glasses on. Lilly is a writer for a well known celebrity blog. But the good kind, that only talks about stars in a positive way and only reports the facts. She barely ever has to leave our apartment and she doesn't have to dress up for work considering half the time she writes in her bed. Lucky bitch.
"Who?" she asks sitting up and looking interested. She loves my work stories. They usually involve the awkward things I read online about celebrities and then have to find out if they are true or not. But not today.
"Nick Jonas."
"Shut up! No way! Miley! Remember when you had a huge crush on him?"
Oh god, she remembers. This is embarrassing.
"That was just a teenage thing, Lilly," I say trying to pass it off as nothing.
"Okay, okay, tell me everything!"
I tell her the story and I can't stop smiling the whole time that I'm talking. He was so polite and nice, it was ridiculous.
"That is the most amazing story ever" Lilly says when I'm finished staring at me in awe.
"He didn't ask for my number though" I say frowning.
"Whatever" Lilly says, "You'll run into him again Miss hot shot reporter. And if not, you still have a fantastic story"
"Yeah" I say trying not to over think it, "I'm off to bed."
But as I fall asleep all I can hear is his voice saying 'you're a pretty interesting girl, Miley Stewart'…
And that was how I first started falling for Nick Jonas.