Disclaimer: I do not own or have the chance to go-out-with/meet/or-even-see Alex Pettyfer. He is his own person. The same goes with Anthony Horowitz. I am not ashamed of being a dreamer although facing reality does give my world a taint of depression.
I do claim Lainey which is me in an Alternate Universe. Rach is a real person so no poking fun. This is based on what I daydream. I'm trying to get a sense of reality in my stories.
"Look Anthony," Lainey Piety said feeling appalled that she was sitting in a cafe in London with one of her favorite authors. She was a strong willed American who in her junior year of college 2nd year at a university had enough credits to study abroad. She had instinctively dropped her luggage as a toddler fell off the tube platform as an oncoming train came through and saved him. Of course if you knew Lainey really well you would never have expected her to react so quickly but none the less Anthony Horowitz, who had been as luck would have it present, found it impressive.
"I know you're just studying abroad at Cambridge," Anthony broke in as he looked at the still flustered young woman who was sitting on a stool next to his. "You've said it a hundred times already."
"Then hopefully you'll see too that I can't stay here for a whole year," Lainey protested trying to find a way out. There was no way this man was going to keep her from her studies. She pitied Alex Rider more than ever. "I have a family that can't even help me buy a plane ticket to London, Kentucky and back let alone England. I had to raise the money by myself and I could only afford a round trip to Cambridge and back for two semesters. I don't have time for a movie."
"You have talent Lainey," Anthony said. Lainey seriously doubted it.
"Forget it," Lainey said paying and grabbing her hot chocolate. "I don't have time for your post teenage spy movie." She headed for the door.
"I could have you to meet him," Anthony said calmly making Lainey stop. She knew exactly who he was talking about. She did a sharp about face.
"How?" she asked her eyes blazing daggers at him.
"He's right there," Anthony said gesturing at a man in a gray opaque slicker with its hood up.
Lainey scoffed in disbelief and then an eyebrow disappeared into her diagonal bangs as the man pulled the hood off and dripped water into his hair. His blond hair was just like it was in the pictures; messy. Lainey was afraid if she swallowed she would be eating her tonsils.
Lainey blinked at Alex Pettyfer in frigid bewilderment. It was half because her back was now drenched with the rain from outside as a cafe customer entered. She opened her mouth to make sure her tonsils were indeed attached still, and swallowed. It seemed her tonsils went to her stomach anyway. It made a small squelching noise.
"I'm sorry," Lainey said looking back at Anthony. "I have a life to plan." She turned and walked away from a life of luxury into the howling rain.
"Was she really that good?" Alex asked Anthony.
"Of course she was," Anthony said swirling his coffee with a stir stick. "She's like Alex in so many ways. She'll be back."
"What makes you so sure?" Alex asked.
The door opened again and Lainey walked over to the bar. "Forgot my hat," she said and stuffed it onto her head and left again.
"She has a brain and wits," Anthony said picking up a damp card off the counter. "Looks like you have a date," he said handing Alex the card.
"Have Alex meet me at five o'clock in the afternoon at Cambridge tomorrow," is what it read.
"I see what you mean by wit," Alex said reading it again before putting it in his pocket. "It sounds like a challenge. Do you think she knew a head of time?"
"It may be more challenging than you expect," Anthony said with a chuckle. "She has an American spirit and she already has developed an accent." Anthony mused again. "She says it's catching. I think even if you don't think she's good for the movie for one reason or another, you'll still like her."
Alex took Lainey's vacated seat which still had some warmth. "You aren't coming?" he asked.
"You're a big boy," Anthony said paying for his drink. "Have some hot chocolate and you'll be right as rain by tomorrow."
"Ha ha," Alex said observing the irony pelting down outside. "That's so funny," he said sardonically.
Anthony chuckled and put his hat on his head and saluted him before he too walked out the door.
Alex sighed and did as was advised.
The next day was a Saturday and even though Alex had his hot chocolate he had stayed up late at a party. He had almost forgotten about the meeting at all until he shook out his clothes before he put them in a hamper to wash. Even then it was simply lying on the floor unread. He had a late lunch and was going to lie down for a nap when he finally saw it.
"Well that'll shorten my nap," he said laying down on his bed and looking at the bedside clock. In a minute he was fast asleep.
Alex finally rolled over and opened his eyes. The bedside clock glared 4:07 at him. He rubbed his face and ran his hand through his hair. He got ready to meet her. Casual wear wouldn't be much of an impression but would Lainey really judge him by his clothes. He saw that she knew how to color coordinate at the cafe. She had been wearing black jeans and a silver studded belt that even matched her white rain jacket. Her hat had been black as well; a waterproof hat with a white band on it. She had been very casual but everything had balanced out and matched anyway.
Alex frowned at himself in the mirror as he looked at the two pants he had in either hand. Should he wear slacks or jeans? It was muddy; the faded jeans would do, along with a worn pair of trainers. No the faded jeans wouldn't work. It was too muddy. Alex put on a darker pair.
The top was simple; too simple. First a Billabong shirt, then he changed his mind. A navy t-shirt and a blazer would work. What color? The navy colored one too? No, too much blue. Black…maybe… Gray? It matched the weather presently.
He went with the gray blazer and looked at the clock again. 4:39 were the blazing red letters. He scooted out the door and finally left. He could never remember trying that hard to put an outfit together for someone he was going to meet. He wasn't really even sure why. Maybe it was because she seemed so smart. He tried not to think about it much as the fact that she had already had a note ready before she had even known that he was there entered his mind gain. He pushed it out of his mind as he started to drive.
Oddly enough when he arrived at Westminster the sun was shining and he was greeted by a woman who looked a bit embarrassed that she was the one meeting him instead of Lainey and led him into the library.
"Rach, did you find that book of 15th century poetry?" called a familiar voice.
"No, I found better," said the woman who seemed more relaxed now that they weren't alone. She pushed Alex down a row of bookcases.
Lainey was standing on top of a step ladder looking amongst the top rows of books. She was wearing a very flattering shade of dark blue flap pocket jeans, and an off white baby top with a plunging neckline. This was another thing. Lainey was into modesty. She was wearing a camisole that came up to her collar bone underneath the top.
"I'm surprised you came," she said stepping down off the top of the ladder and jumping the rest of the way to the floor. Alex noticed that besides the fact that Lainey's hair was neatly out of her face and her top was somewhat dressy she had a sporty side that allowed her to wear trainers with it. It was a pleasant touch. He missed the color that had rushed into her cheeks. He was painfully aware that she was looking over him at the moment.
"You look nice," Lainey said. "But there's no need to try and impress me. I just wanted to meet you on my own terms."
The last time Alex had seen her she had been undoubtedly stressed. Now she seemed cool and reserved if not a little nervous herself.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked her blue eyes full of concern. "You have circles under your eyes as if you've just woken up."
"I had a nap before I came," Alex said sighing.
"Ah," she said smiling though closed lips, "I see. You must be a very busy person."
"I had a busy week and a party last night," Alex said scratching the side of his face and sticking his hands in his pocket where he found a ring. He didn't say anything as Lainey cornered him with a new question.
"You don't drink heavily do you?" she asked. It was hard to tell weather she was concerned for his well being or criticizing him.
It suddenly hit him why Anthony now said she had talent. She could play either face she chose. In this situation she could choose to be the kind person he was pretty sure he had just met or he could confront her acting stuck up and have her want nothing to do with him at all. It was very intimidating to see her stand there and wave over to the stuck up side as her eyebrows rose.
She suddenly smiled throwing him off guard. "What was the question?" Alex asked.
"Do you drink heavily or just socially?" she asked with the stuck up air that she was presenting.
"Just socially," Alex said calmly. He could almost taste the other choice of words she had. "Just socially eh," but that wasn't what she said.
"Well that's good," Lainey said looking relived. "I didn't want to get started on uneven footing already. Drinking socially I can understand but other than that makes me nervous." The small accent that she had been developing completely disappeared. She had started to lead him off to more suitable surroundings when Alex decided that if Lainey proved her worth he would give her the ring in his pocket. It was a real ring.
Alex had meant to give it to a friend of his but it was too small for her. She dumped him before he could give it to her. He couldn't really remember her that much. He'd done his best to try and forget her.
Remembering that Lainey was now pulling him to a dorm hall Alex tried to examine how small her hands actually were. It was a bit awkward as he found that even though she had small hands her fingers were long and thin. It would work well enough. He hoped.
Her dorm was small and tidy even though most of her things were still unpacked. Alex didn't see how she could live in so small a place. There was a PC on a desk that she turned on first. "Rach," Lainey called, "Do you know if Rob's going to be on today?" she asked as Rach inched around Alex.
"I haven't had the chance to talk to him. He usually isn't on for another hour," Rach said shrugging. "Where's the book?" she asked looking at her expectantly.
"Book," Lainey said confused. Jet lag had claim over her still. Rach raised her eyebrows. "Oh yes book," she said shaking her head and remembering. "I have it in here some where," she said looking around in a bag and pulling out a Star Wars book.
"Cheers," Rach said lunging for it, tearing it open and sinking down on the bed to read it. Lainey turned to Alex and he seemed to come out of deep thought.
"Please," she said gesturing around, "Make your self comfortable. I'll be right back."
Alex took a box off of a chair and sat down. Lainey had grabbed a shirt out of her bag before disappearing into the bathroom. He noticed that Rach was surveying him over her book.
"What's your name again?" Alex asked.
"Rachel Hayler," she said simply and went back to her book. Alex knew she wasn't reading it any more though.
"Are you from England?" he asked.
"Portsmouth, South Hants," she said and looked up as Lainey came out of the bathroom wearing a black t-shirt with white letters that said, "Lost in thought, please send a searching party." Alex thought it was a bit strange that she would suddenly go so casual on him.
Lainey surprised him again by pulling a soccer ball out of her bag. "Up for some football," She asked. "The muddier the better," she said smirking as she balanced the ball on her palm.
"You play football?" Alex asked.
"Ever since I was six years old," Lainey replied her smile growing wider.
"You're on," Alex said grinning and taking his blazer off. Rachel groaned.
"Do I have to watch?" she asked.
"Of course not," Lainey said skidding the ball back and forth between her hands. "You can stay here and read if you want."
"Lain, you're the best," she said as Lainey shrugged. "Thanks for the book."
"Stick around;" Lainey said pointing at her, "I want to rp later." Alex had no idea what rp meant but he followed Lainey outside anyway.
At first they didn't say anything at all as Lainey dribbled the ball down the field and Alex guarded her. In the simplest terms Alex's feet jabbed at the ball constantly while she maneuvered around his body. They were getting close to the posts before Alex finally realized that Lainey probably had been playing for as long as she said. He finally got control of the ball and kicked it in the opposite direction. Lainey charged and kicked the ball between his legs and tripped him up as mud matted her jeans. She ran with the ball as he got up and before he could catch up she had scored.
"I so just let you take that ball so I could kick it closer," Lainey said breathing heavily with her hand on her knees.
"Tired already?" Alex asked.
"Of course not," Lainey said smiling. She had a beautiful smile that Alex was sure she took very good care of. After Lainey had scored they agreed to not score but play keep away.
This resulted in a few wrestling matches. First Lainey had pulled on Alex's shirt, usually a foul. This later caused Alex to push Lainey to the ground.
"That's not cool," Lainey said looking up at him severely from the ground. They were both covered in mud. They had a small argument and Lainey won with the statement, "It's a one-on-one game. What do you expect? At least I didn't shove you."
Alex helped her off the ground and apologized.
"It's okay," Lainey said her mouth twitching up at a corner. "Are we going to get along now?" she asked.
"Yes," Alex said throwing his head back and laughing. Lainey smiled at him as he looked down at her.
She had a very pretty face. If she was a few inches taller she would make a very good model. Her eyes were something you could fall into. Her lips were naturally full and her nose was straight. The colors in her cheeks were blended perfectly against the chilly wind. Her teeth were straight and even. If he had known her for longer he would have probably told her. Since he had just met her he was at a loss for words.
"Lainey Piety, right?" Alex said trying to break the tension in his mind.
"That's my name," she said smiling even more, "Don't wear it out."
Should he give it to her now? Maybe he should wait until he knew her better. "I have a photo shoot Wednesday," he said. "You can come if you want."
"What time?" she asked folding her arms looking mildly interested. "I don't have a car."
"I'll come and get you at five o'clock," he said rubbing some mud off his watch. "Is that okay?"
"Yeah sure," Lainey said nodding. "My last class ends at four. That should give me ample time to read in the library which is most likely where you'll find me." She moved towards him and he could feel something inside him tug on his insides as she lifted her hand up to his shoulder. She hesitated and he noticed that she wasn't looking at him.
"We're both filthy," she said picking a dirt clot off of his shirt. "I hope you enjoyed meeting me as much as I enjoyed meeting you," she said and stuck out her arm for him to shake. He fumbled in his pocket and she dropped her hand as he took a small step closer.
The surprise on her face was readable as she looked up at him as Alex showed her the ring. "It's a reminder," he said, "So you don't forget."
"Do you often hand out diamond rings after you meet someone the first time?" Lainey asked astonished.
"No," Alex said.
It proved difficult for her to find words as he slipped the ring on her finger. "Thank you," she said looking at it on her finger and then back up at him, confusion still clear on her face.
"You can keep it," he said seeing that it fit perfectly. "I don't need it. It just happened to be in my pocket."
"You weren't intending on giving this to someone were you?" Lainey asked.
"I was when I bought it," Alex said carefully incase somehow she was offended. "It was too small for her and she punched me the next time I saw her," he explained rubbing his jaw in remembrance.
"Ooh, harsh," Lainey said sympathetically as she absentmindedly popped her knuckles.
"She was unfortunately hard to please," he said following Lainey's movements to head back inside.
"I'd probably be very easy to please in your standards," Lainey said always keeping eye contact. "I've never had many nice things. My family's never had much money."
Lainey fell silent. Alex's heart went out to her. "Of course there are millions of other people in this world that are much worse off than I was," she said attempting to be optimistic. "I don't think they have food stamps in the Middle East and Africa."
Alex smiled at her as she tossed him the soccer ball. "That's probably the most I could give you," she said.
"I could think of some thing else but..." he trailed off with the soccer ball balanced on one of his palms as he shrugged.
"Alex!" Lainey cried with a wide-eyed expression. They dissolved into laughter as they entered the building again for a minute before departing.
Lainey went back to her room to tell Rachel everything that had happened. This was just another one of her great adventures about ready to start. Their giggles emanated into Lainey memories for a long time.
Alex went back to his car with one maybe two things on his mind. Anthony and he had been wrong in saying that Lainey was a challenge. Lainey was one of the easiest persons to talk to. He had been right in saying that Alex would like her. The second was what surprises he was going to give Lainey when he came back in four days' time.