A great big shout out to Mel and Anna. You ladies rock! Smooches to ya'!
First and foremost, I don't own anything. Secondly, let it be known that this has been written for about two weeks now. I've just been sitting on it and I have no good reason. It was inspired first of all by the pictures from Oscar night, but- more importantly- also from a dream a friend of mine had back in like September. There were only 3 words that she told me when she replayed the dream to me. I know nothing about the dream itself, except for those 3 words. We pushed it aside for the time being... until Oscar night. Some pictures were released all over the net and we put them and those 3 words together and voila. Here's the result.
Again, this story is only SPECULATION, so don't throw tomatoes at me. We have no way of knowing... unless someone out there is their best friend and really knows the truth and has been holding out on us...
The two best friends and former co-stars were settling into the backseat of the car that would transport them to the center where the Oscar Viewing Party benefiting the AIDS Foundation was being held. They interrupted their excited conversation as they heard the driver's door slam shut and the privacy window slide down and watched as the driver turned over his shoulder to face the two young actresses.
"You two better behave tonight," the driver told them. He knew they hadn't seen each other since December and were always fairly reserved, but he couldn't resist the easy teasing, especially the brunette that he had gotten to know pretty well since he had become the favorite driver of her and her long time boyfriend. He was shocked when he first heard the news of their breakup but had also had the chance to speak to both of them separately and knew that it wasn't as big or as terrible as the media made it out to be. "Don't make me call up Mr. E and find out if he wants me to follow you around all night long," he playfully threatened.
"Oh!" Vanessa waved her hand in a circular motion, silently telling him to turn back around. "You just get us to the party and you can lecture us later, okay, Charles?" Her order was met by giggles from her friend sitting beside her. "Don't you dare laugh at him," she instructed with a point in her friend's direction. "It only eggs him on! He's just like Zac- he thrives on the attention."
Ashley watched as the driver grinned and gave a wink in their direction before turning to face forward once more after raising the privacy shield. She waited until she felt the car start to pull from the curb and then turned her attention to see Vanessa as she started fidgeting, dropping her house key into her silver clutch. The two girls knew each other well enough that Ashley was able to read Vanessa inside and out and knew that her mind was elsewhere. Ashley took a deep breath and cleared her throat, preparing herself for the onslaught that she knew would potentially result from her line of questioning.
"Have you talked to him in the past few days?" she asked softly.
"Who?" Vanessa asked, feigning ignorance. She fully knew who Ashley was talking about, but wasn't going to allow her mind to wander in that direction tonight. This was a night for her to relax and have a good time before focusing on all of her promotional duties that were glaring her in the face.
"Ness, you know who I'm talking about." Ashley's forceful tone caused Vanessa to bring her attention back in her direction.
"I talked to him yesterday," Vanessa told her.
"What did he say about tonight?"
"What about it?" Vanessa's attention was diverted momentarily as she pulled her compact mirror and lip gloss from her clutch. Ashley knew Vanessa's actions were a diversionary tactic and was mentally telling her to change the subject, but Ashley wasn't going to take the bait, so she forged ahead.
Ashley released the pent up sigh of frustration. "Vanessa-" Ashley paused and waited until she knew for certain Vanessa's attention was on her once again- "you're going to this party with another guy. A much younger guy, might I add-"
"I'm not going to the party with Josh. I'm going with you. And even if I were, so what?" Vanessa said as she carefully applied the lip gloss to her lips.
"Details…" Ashley said with a roll of her eyes. "And 'so what', you say? You should be asking yourself 'so what would Zac say'?"
"Zac would be saying 'have fun'," Vanessa snapped as she gave a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders as she closed her compact shut and put it and the lip gloss back in the clutch.
Ashley mulled this over in her mind before continuing. "Well, then, I'm going to say that I hope you have fun tonight. You deserve it. But just promise me something."
"What's that?"
"Be careful tonight."
"I'm sorry?" Vanessa raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Be careful of what?"
"Josh?" Ashley told her matter of fact. When it became clear that the light bulb still wasn't going off for her best friend, Ashley clarified. "Nessa, he's younger. Much younger. It's obvious he's so smitten with you! You have worked your magic on the poor boy and are completely clueless to it. I say be careful tonight because you may not realize it, but you are leading him on."
"It's nothing, Ash. We're just friends. Now, change of subject. Let's talk about the show. How's it going?"
Ashley quickly realized that Vanessa was avoiding talking about the topic of her new friend and what he wanted to be in her life. She made it her night's mission to make sure she had answers before they left the party. Ashley had talked to Zac just that afternoon- unbeknownst to Vanessa- and he had asked and she had promised to look out for Vanessa for as long as she physically could. Once Vanessa got to New York Tuesday evening, he would very happily take over the job of looking out for her. No matter their status, he would always care about what happened to Vanessa.
Ashley was intent to do her part to make certain that their status would become solidified in the positive column of the gossip rags once more.
Ashley allowed her mind to wander as the car pulled up and stopped next to the curb of their destination. The two young women could see the flashbulbs from the other side of the window and mentally prepared themselves for the attention which was to come. As Charles came around and opened the door for them, reaching a hand in and helping both to emerge from the car, their red carpet smiles instantly shown brightly.
After posing for pictures and Vanessa even pausing to chat with Michael Yo where he was stationed for the E! Network interviews, the two actresses made their way inside. As they approached the bar and placed their orders for two glasses of wine and walked to the buffet to fix their plates, they soon found an empty table and sat down. Both knew that in order to have fun tonight, their energy needed to be up.
Within moments of their plates being cleared away, a commotion near the door caught their attention. They both looked in the direction of the noise and noticed a few people entering. They hit a pause in their conversation when one person in particular became visible as the small crowd dispersed and went their separate directions.
"There he is," Ashley said.
"Ashley, friends, okay?" Vanessa reminded her in a somewhat annoyed tone.
"Nothing more?"
"Nothing more."
"We'll see," Ashley said as she stood from her seat, grabbed her glass of Chardonnay, and carried it with her to greet another fellow actor.
"What does that mean?" Vanessa called after her. Ashley turned and cocked her eyebrow in a knowing fashion over her shoulder as she took a sip of her drink. She noticed when someone approach Vanessa from behind.
"You tell me…" Ashley told her as she turned back around and walked off. It was at that moment that Vanessa felt a presence behind her and turned in her seat.
"Josh, you made it!" Ashley heard her say. She turned and glanced back just in time to see Vanessa stand and give a brief hug to her co-star.
It's going to be a long night, Ashley thought to herself with a roll of her eyes.
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As the night went on, Ashley noticed something that concerned her somewhat. When Vanessa walked to the buffet table, Josh was right beside her. When she approached the bar to refresh her drink, Josh went, too. When Vanessa was sitting in her chair, Josh was practically in her lap. Ashley thought back to Vanessa's words from the ride over earlier in the evening:
"Zac would be saying 'have fun'… It's nothing, Ash. We're just friends…"
Ashley quickly realized two things: 1) that Vanessa was indeed having fun, just as she knew Zac would tell her to do if the two of them had spoken and 2) Vanessa did indeed only view Josh as a friend. In watching the two of them interact, Josh was the loyal puppy dog who never wanted to leave his owner's side. It was almost pathetic in Ashley's opinion.
She watched as Vanessa's eyes lit up when the next song came through the speakers and watched as her brown eyes scanned the room searching for Ashley. When their eyes met, Ashley grinned and Vanessa signaled for her to come back in her direction. Ashley picked up her glass and carried it with her as she approached Vanessa's side and the two friends began their carefree dancing. Vanessa's eyes briefly lost their twinkle and her smile faltered just the slightest bit- but she quickly recovered- when she spotted Josh from the corner of her eye standing just feet from her.
When the song ended, Vanessa sat down at the table to catch her breath and sipped from her water.
"Can I get you another drink?"
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Josh standing there, smiling down at her gesturing to her almost empty wine glass. She smiled back and nodded.
"That would be great, thank you. A Cabernet." She watched as Josh walked off in the direction of the bar and turned back around in her seat, taking a deep breath and picking up her glass, taking the last several sips of her current Cabernet in one gulp.
Okay, Zachary, if there ever was a night I needed you at least in the same room… she thought, as she began to think back to her conversation with Ashley during the limo ride to the event. One part of what her friend said kept playing itself over and over in her mind.
It's obvious he's so smitten with you! You have worked your magic on the poor boy and are completely clueless to it.
Vanessa looked back over her shoulder and noticed Josh conversing with the bartender. She turned back in her seat to reach for her water once more as Ashley moved to stand next to him at the bar. Josh noticed the oldest of the three out of the corner of his eye and turned back around so he could face Vanessa's direction again. He wasn't sure what was happening to him, but he found that he didn't like being where he couldn't see her.
Ashley watched as the younger actor eyed Vanessa from across the room as she set her water back down on the table. As the bartender informed Josh that his drinks were ready, he reached for his own Coke and started to take a sip as Ashley's voice reached his ears.
"Don't do it, Hutcherson."
"Don't do what? What are you talking about?"
"Don't pine for her," Ashley told him. Josh turned to look at her and raised his eyebrows.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Well, first of all, she's legal, you're not. That's her glass of red wine and there's not anything in that Coke you're holding. Do you not see anything off just a little bit here?" she asked, pointedly.
Josh nodded his head as Ashley made her argument. "Point one made. And point number two would be?"
"Point number two would be in New York City right now."
"New York City, huh?" Josh asked. "So that means that point number two isn't really a point right now, is he?"
"Like hell he's not," Ashley countered.
"What is it that he's been quoted as saying: '…what she doesn't know won't hurt her'? Well, guess what? That goes both ways." Josh smirked in a cocky manner, causing Ashley to move so she could stand in front of him, fully blocking his view of Vanessa. She wasted no time channeling her inner Sharpay, hoping the attitude would be conveyed the way she knew it needed to be for her point to be made.
"I'm just saying...don't go there. He's got this sixth or seventh or eighth or ninth sense that is solely focused on her. Your hands touch the wrong part of her and the next thing you know-" she paused to snap her fingers for effect- "BAM! he's on your doorstep flexing those sexy muscles of his and dragging his girl back to his place."
"Except that she's not his anymore." Josh smirked again as he brought his Coke to his lips and took another sip.
"Okay, first of all, are you trying to make a point by taking a sip of Coke? And not just good Coke, straight Coke! Seriously? Josh, c'mon. I can see right through that move. I mastered that move, except with White Zin. And second, they're just telling each other that they're not 'theirs'-" she used her fingers to make air quotes- "but everyone knows how false that is, even if the two of them don't. Now listen to me and listen to me good. I like you, Josh. You're a fun kid to be around. You've got a great sense of humor and make any situation fun. You'll make any girl lucky. But that's all you are to Vanessa: a kid friend. Just take my advice and remember that she's vulnerable right now- even if she won't admit it- and tread lightly."
"Thanks, Ashley. I'll take all that into consideration. But I want you to remember something, too. I just spent three months with her on the beach nearly every day. Has lover boy done that? I think I've got more of a chance with her right now than you want to believe. You go ahead and drink your wine, she'll drink hers, and I'll keep my Coke here. We'll all have fun the rest of the night dancing and partying and we'll see who takes her home."
Ashley narrowed her eyes at him and watched as he turned and picked up the glass of Cabernet and walked in the direction of the table where the object of his obsession currently was standing next to her chair chatting with another attendee of the party. She too picked up her fresh glass of White Zinfandel and walked back in the direction of the table where her best friend was. She had no idea how the rest of the night would end up, but she was determined to make sure that she was nearby to not let things get out of hand with a certain young actor.
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An hour later found the two young women where two or more females can be found at the same time… in the bathroom. Vanessa emerged from the stall and found Ashley already standing in front of the mirror, examining her lip gloss.
"Man, I am having so much fun tonight. I've needed this," Vanessa said, as she used her hand to fluff her curls.
"You look like you're having fun," Ashley responded. She looked at Vanessa's reflection in the mirror to see her reaction. "But if Zac were here, I think you'd be having even more fun."
"Well, yeah, possibly. I mean, Zac and I always have fun-" she stopped when she realized what she said. She looked down at her hands which rested on the edge of the counter and corrected herself. "-had fun whenever we would go out."
"You miss going to events with him, don't you?" Ashley quietly questioned.
"Yeah," Vanessa admitted softly. She gave a short frustrated laugh and shook her head before turning to face Ashley. "What am I doing, Ash?" Her voice took on a forlorn tone and Ashley's heart instantly went out to her. She reached out and took Vanessa's hands in both of her own.
"Look, Sweetie, I want nothing more than for you to be happy. As much as it hurts my heart to say this, if Zac isn't it for you but someone else out there is, then I hope you find that someone and I'll do anything I can to help you find him. I do have to say this, however." Vanessa lifted her eyes to look at Ashley. "That boy out there is even more into you than we originally thought he was. Now you say that you're just friends. If that's the case, then you'd better let him know because he is so far gone, I don't think he will ever find his way home."
"What are you saying, Ash?"
"I'm saying that if you want to start something with Josh, then I'll be happy for you and will be in your corner cheering for you the whole time. But I don't think you want this as bad as he does. I was talking to him a little bit ago and girl, that boy is intense! He's got it bad!"
"Ashley, I love you and thank you for being so concerned. I hear everything you're saying. But you don't have anything to worry about. Josh is just a friend and if he were to try anything, I've got just a little bit more experience than he does. I think I can handle him."
"Just be careful. I don't want to see you hurt again."
"Ashley, friends. Okay?"
Ashley threw her hands up in surrender. "Okay," she said. "Don't say I didn't try."
The girls walked out together and- not to Ashley's surprise- spotted Josh standing right outside the door. He approached Vanessa and placed his hand on the small of her back.
"I was wondering where you disappeared to," he told her.
"Well, look, you found us!" Ashley said with forced cheerfulness. She gave Vanessa a knowing look before walking off. "I'm going to see what desserts are still out there. My trainer is going to love me tomorrow and I'm going to hate him sooooo much!" Vanessa heard Ashley say as she walked down the hallway and back to the open banquet room. She turned her focus back to Josh.
"What do you say we go check out the dessert table, too?" she suggested and allowed Josh to guide her back into the banquet room in the direction Ashley had just disappeared.
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It wasn't much longer before the three decided they were ready to call it a night. The plans had been made a few days prior that while Josh had to be at the awards show itself in support of his movie The Kids Are Alright- which was up for several awards-, Ashley and Vanessa would ride to the party on their own but Josh would share their limo that evening on the way home. He lived in the next neighborhood over from Vanessa and in everyone's mind, it only made sense.
As the three of them prepared to gather their belongings, Vanessa sent a quick text to Charles to let him know that they were ready and to find out where he was. When she received her response, the trio made their way to the meeting place. Charles opened the back door and held his hand out to help Ashley climb in the spacious back seat and reached out to help Vanessa, only to feel a hand on his arm. He turned to look at the person who owned said hand.
"You go ahead, I've got it. Thanks."
Charles stood there with an almost-pout on his face before dropping his hand back by his side. He tried to hide his eye roll as he turned away, but was quickly stopped by Vanessa when she noticed the look on his face.
"Charles, is everything okay?" she asked, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. Her voice was laced with concern.
"Everything's fine, Miss Hudgens," he said, as he looked Josh up and down. "Nothing for you to worry about at all." He sulked like a five year old child as he watched Vanessa place her hand in Josh's offered one and allowed him to help her in the car. Knowing he was about to be entirely inappropriate, he bit his tongue to keep his sarcastic remark to himself and shut the door behind Josh as he climbed in. He walked back to the driver's side and climbed in behind the steering wheel. When Vanessa heard his door close, she took the lead and addressed him.
"Okay, Charles. We're all good back here." She kept looking over the barrier into the front seat, expecting the routine line of questioning to begin about how the evening went and did they all have fun, but the questions never came. Instead, she was shocked and somewhat dismayed to see him reach up and push the button to raise the privacy shield. Vanessa shook the confusion from her mind and turned back to face her friends as Charles proceeded to pull the car out into the traffic and began the drive to Ashley's house first.
They arrived too quickly for Ashley's liking, too quickly for Vanessa's as well- or was it too quick? The jury was still out on that as far as she was concerned-, and not quick enough in Josh's opinion. He couldn't wait to be alone in the back seat of a limo with his co-star.
After Ashley and Vanessa shared hugs and she bid good-bye to Josh, Ashley climbed out through the car door that was being held open by Charles. Ashley paused to give their favorite chauffeur a brief 'thank you' hug and was slightly surprised when he barely smiled at her in return. She couldn't help but notice when he didn't even look in the back seat as he usually would. Charles closed the door and Ashley slowly approached him and put a hand on his shoulder forcing him to turn his focus in her direction.
"Charles? I know what you're thinking and I think I know what you're feeling. I'm gonna call Zac. I know Vanessa will tell him, but I'm gonna call him so that whatever twist she's bound to put on the story will be cleared up. Just don't give up on them, okay?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Charles said softly.
"Uh-uh... My name's Ashley. Miss Tisdale at the most," she told him, flashing him a dazzling smile. She waited until she saw Charles nod and start to head back around to the driver's side of the black car.
"Oh, and Charles?" she said, pausing on the sidewalk and turning back to face him.
"Yes Ma...I mean Miss Tisdale?" he asked. She gave him a Cheshire cat grin and he nervously returned her smile.
"You know more about Zac and Vanessa than you're letting on don't you? You've got dirt on them...limo rides and such. I need to take a long ride around L.A. with you sometime!"
Their grins widened as they watched each other .
"Call me anytime, Miss Tisdale. I'll gladly make time for you!"
"Do you make runs to Vancouver?" she asked jokingly. The two laughed at their private joke and Ashley bid Charles a final good bye before turning and walking the rest of the way to her front door… with the sounds of Vanessa's giggles making their way to her ears.
"Josh, stop! Don't you dare tickle me!"
As she closed the door to her home behind her, she pulled her cell phone from its hiding place in her clutch and found the familiar number in her contact list and hit send, sending up silent prayers that the person on the other end would answer. She released a sigh of relief when he finally answered.
"Thank God you answered. Zac, we need to talk and you'd better be awake to hear what I have to say."
"This sounds important, Tisdale. You've got my attention. What's up?"
Back in the sophisticated car, when Josh felt movement once more, he glanced out the window to confirm that they were in fact moving again.
"I'll let our driver know to head to your place next," he told her as he turned to face the privacy shield and brought his hand up to knock. Vanessa's voice caused him to pause mid-knock.
"Our driver's name is Charles and he knows where he's going," she snapped. "Believe me he knows," she continued under her breath as she allowed her mind to wander back to a time when she actually enjoyed the company she rode with in the back of a limo and didn't have to feel like she was analyzing every move he made or word he spoke.
Her stern response brought Josh's focus back on her and he lowered his hand as he leaned back in the seat. "Oh, sorry. I didn't realize..."
Vanessa finally found the courage to bring up one of the many questions that had been running through her mind all night.
"Josh, what happened to the co-star I had in Hawaii?"
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.
"Well, he was laid back and easy going. You seem like… I don't know. You're just not the same person you were in Hawaii."
It finally dawned on Josh just what Vanessa was getting at.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just… I like you, Vanessa, and I guess I'm just trying to impress you."
The two shared a look that spoke volumes. Vanessa broke the stare first and turned her attention to look out the window. A few minutes of silence later, Josh slid across the leather seat so he was sitting closer to her. Vanessa didn't notice how close he was sitting until she felt his hand on her knee and she jumped slightly at the unexpected contact. She just looked down at his hand resting on her bare knee and realized how great it made her feel to be on the receiving end of a male's attention again and allowed herself to relax.
The rest of the ride was spent with Josh's flirting- trying to win Vanessa over- and her silently trying to play "What are you thinking?" with her brain and- more importantly- her heart. By the time they reached her house, she found herself trying to put distance between herself and Josh.
I need to be alone. Maybe that'll help me with all of this.
Charles was holding the back door open for her and was waiting patiently, pretending to not listen to the conversation that reached his ears.
"Josh, you don't have to walk me to the door. Surely you're tired; I have way too many steps even for me sometimes! Stay here and just watch. I'll be fine. I'll even flash the porch light when I get in."
Josh, however, would have none of this as he insisted on walking Vanessa to her door.
"No, Vanessa. A lady shouldn't have to walk herself to the front door. I don't mind, really." He started to climb out of the car and as his feet hit the sidewalk, he stood and faced Charles. "You wouldn't mind waiting, would you? I won't be but just a moment."
Charles allowed a slight scowl to cross his features as he watched Josh place his hand on the small of Vanessa's back and started to lead her toward the massive stone steps. Vanessa paused slightly to look over her shoulder and noticed the forlorn look on Charles' face.
"Hang on a second," she told Josh before taking the few steps back in the direction of the older gentleman. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. "Don't worry. We'll be fine," she told him softly. She pulled back and the two shared a look.
"I know you will be," he responded. They broke the hug and Charles gave her a knowing wink. "It's just a matter of time before he realizes it, too."
"Hahaha!" Vanessa allowed a sarcastic chuckle escape her lips. "Yeah! Don't hold your breath on that one!"
"Miss Hudgens, he'll come around."
"Charles, you sound like you've been talking to Zac. Is there something you're not telling me?"
Charles gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Have a good night, Mrs. E," he said as he wiggled his eyebrows, using his old nickname for her which brought a smile to her face and caused his heart to soar at the familiar sight. "We'll be in touch."
"Good night, Charles," she told him as she turned and walked back to where Josh was waiting patiently. He laid his hand on the small of her back and began to lead her up the sidewalk again.
They climbed the steps that led up to Vanessa's front door and Vanessa began to fish around in her clutch for her door key and went to unlock the door. When she had it open, she turned to face Josh once more.
"Josh, thank you for tonight. I had a really great time. I'm glad you were able to come."
"I had a great time, too. Maybe we can do it again?" he asked hopefully.
"Um, perhaps. I uh, I leave for New York tomorrow, so I'll be gone for a few days, but we'll see. Maybe when I get back?"
"Definitely. I look forward to it."
Josh finally decided he was tired of being chivalrous and let his eighteen year old hormones overtake him as he took matters into his own hands. He gently placed a hand on Vanessa's waist as he leaned in and placed his lips against hers, taking her- and Charles- by surprise.
This kiss lasted only a few seconds, but that was just long enough for Vanessa's heart to pound wildly in her chest. She pulled back and gave a small smile.
"Good night, Josh. We'll be in touch."
"Good night, Vanessa."
As she crossed the threshold to her house, she closed the door and on either side, different emotions were playing out.
Josh let a satisfied smile spread across his face as he silently congratulated himself for taking a step and descended the front steps of Vanessa's house, making his way back to the car.
"Thanks for waiting. I'm all set," he told Charles, not noticing the daggers that were being sent in his direction.
"I'm sure you are," Charles mumbled under his breath. He slammed the car door and made his way back to the other side and climbed in- after giving another glance to the large door several yards away from him that one of his favorite passengers just disappeared through.
Here's hoping that Miss Tisdale can talk some sense into him, he thought with a shake of his head, knowing that he should expect a call from the man in New York City at any time.
What should I say to him? Do I tell him about the kiss? How did things get so complex for the two of them? All these thoughts ran through his mind as he focused on the road and getting the young man in the backseat home.
On the other side, inside the warmth of her house with Shadow licking at her toes, Vanessa leaned against the door and brought her fingers up to her lips.
What just happened? she thought to herself. Am I really ready for this? And am I ready for it with Josh?
She allowed a tired sigh to escape her lips and looked down at the black puppy who had tired of the toes on her right foot and moved to her left. She gave a small smile at the familiarity of the action. It was one that Shadow did every night when she got home from an event. When she completed her task on the left foot, she sat back on her hind feet and looked expectantly up at Vanessa. Vanessa knew the question that would be asked if Shadow were human and could indeed speak.
"I always lick his toes when I'm done with yours. Where is he?"
Vanessa read her puppy's mind and leaned down to pick her up, holding her close to her body.
"You know he's not here, Shadow. I know you miss him. I do, too, girl."
Shadow showed her understanding by licking Vanessa's chin, causing her to smile sadly.
"What do you say we go to bed, huh? I'm pretty beat. How 'bout you?" Another chin lick. "Yeah? Alright then, let's go. Mommy has to get up pretty early tomorrow to pack."
Owner and pup made their way upstairs, while said pup got comfortable in her own bed in the corner of the room and said owner got comfortable in cotton yoga pants and a tee shirt and washed her face and brushed her teeth. Once Vanessa set her alarm, she climbed under the sheets and reached for Zac's old pillow and wrapped it tight in her arms- an old habit that she still couldn't break- and tried to fight it as her mind traveled to New York City and the whereabouts of a certain blue eyed man who still haunted her dreams every night, no matter how hard she tried to fight it.