Hello everyone! I've had this idea in my head for a while now and it started to fall into place, and of course it's another Leddie story and yes it's different! In this story Eddie has a younger sibling a sister named Mia and he performs solo and sometimes with a band. Nora has a sister named Laura. Trent (Loren's father) was a good man. Nora is keeping a secret from Loren who lost her dad (Trent) in an accident when she was 8 years old. Loren writes music and teaches ballet and isn't fond of Eddie Duran! (For now) How will Nora's secret keep Eddie and Loren apart? Read and find out! Oh and please kindly review. I own nothing but the story!
Hollywood Heights
Baby you're Crazy Chapter 1
Cold Canyon was Loren's favorite place; there were so many memories here because everything about this place reminded Loren of her dad and the time they spent together. One of her favorite memories was climbing to the top of this hill. Looking at the beautiful night sky reminded Loren how peaceful and quiet this place was, she sighed and wiped the tears that seemed to flow so easily when she was here, who was she kidding, it happened every time. She remembered falling asleep and her dad would carry her all the way home.
She was 4 when her father started to bring her to this beautiful place, they would spend hours here. She smiled because her father would tell her he could count all of the stars in the sky and even though that wasn't possible, it was fun trying.
Loren looked over the ledge, the night breeze felt just right, so many lights below; Los Angeles was busy that night with people going about their lives as the day was coming to an end. She used to live in the area and coming into this old neighborhood reminds her of all the fun they use to have, the ice cream parlor on Main Street, the burger place that was so close to her elementary school and how much they loved their infamous greasy fries. The best part of this area was Camp TeePee where they would spend the last week of summer before school started, her mom made the best chocolate chip pancakes in the world, and now everything was too painful.
Today Loren graduated High School and was valedictorian of her senior class; she knew this accomplishment would have made her dad very proud. She sighed knowing she would try and be back next year; it was a place she couldn't visit very often. She took another look and after picking up her graduation gown from the ground she climbed down.
Two years later we find Loren in the same place, wishing her dad was with her, she loves writing poems and poetry and now she turns her work into lyrics that later become songs, Loren discovered that helped her cope with her loss. Nora made sure Loren started ballet classes when she was a toddler and she became very good at it so now she teaches Ballet. Let's just say dancing is in Loren's blood, so whenever she gets on any dance floor, watch out!
Loren enjoys sitting on the top of the hill writing in her journal while listening to the commotion coming from the city below, which inspires her songs. She looked at her phone and realized it was getting late and then heard her mom calling. "Are you ready to go home honey?"
Loren puts her things away. "I'm so sorry I lost track of time and didn't realize I was up here so long." She climbed down.
Nora walked to where Loren stood and wrapped her arms around her. "Its ok honey, I know this place brings you close to your dad."
Her smile was barely visible. "I miss him mom."
"We all do sweetie." Loren hugged her. Nora heard the car horn go off. She shook her head and pointed to her car.
"Mel wants to take us for ice cream then we have to head home, I have to be at Dr. Masters' office pretty early."
"I know we better get going."
They reached Nora's car and Mel walked towards Loren. "Sorry we couldn't stay longer, but you know how Lisa gets." Loren smiled and opened the rear door and climbed in and they drove away. After enjoying some ice cream they arrived home to find Aunt Laura making cookies.
"You girls are just on time."
"It smells amazing in here Aunt Laura."
"You know I love to spoil my girls."
"Does that include me?" Mel asked biting her lower lip.
"Of course Melissa, you know you're family."
"I love the Tate home!" Mel squealed happily.
Loren lived in the apartment on top of the garage behind her mom's house, when Loren graduated high school two years ago; Nora gave her the keys so she could have her own little place and privacy. A few months later Nora's sister moved into Loren's room after her fiancé broke off their engagement. After dinner Mel decided to spend the night at Loren's. "So it's officially summer, are you still teaching ballet over the summer?"
Loren was looking for her hair brush. "You know I can't take any breaks and I'm also helping with the flower shop."
Mel sat on the bed. "Aren't you allergic to flowers?"
Loren rolled her eyes and smiled. "No I'm not, plus Tina and Sara let me use their empty studio in the back of the shop, and you know they don't charge me so I help them at the flower shop."
"You're always so busy Loren; I don't know how you do it, handling so much at the same time, and now you're working with music."
Loren continued to brush her hair. "Busy is good for me Mel, and writing songs gives me the peace and calm I need to handle whatever comes my way."
"Turning your poetry and poems into songs is amazing Loren and you're very good, too bad you never entered Eddie Duran's song writing contest when we were in high school."
"Don't get me started on him, Mr. in love with a new girl each week."
Mel shook her head and sat back down. "What is your problem? I can't understand why you don't like Eddie Duran! He's so talented and drop death gorgeous."
Loren rolled her eyes. "Of course being talented and gorgeous gives him the right to date a different girl each week; I don't think he knows what a true relationship means."
"I don't agree with you Lo, I think he hasn't found the right girl, when he does I can see him sticking to his true love forever." Mel took a paper out of her pocket. "Look he's back in town and he's having an intimate evening at MK, proceeds will go to a children's charity."
"Oh good for him, are you sure it's a children's charity? It could be for all the ex's in his life and how they can't cope without him."
Mel eyes widen. "Omg Loren! Can you get any meaner?"
"Hey it's not me, blame the celebrity news they're always reporting on Katie and Max Duran's prince Eddie and who he's dating every week."
"I can't believe you Loren, you sound just like Lisa."
"She's your mom Mel; please stop calling her by her first name."
Mel rolled her eyes and turned the radio on and of course Eddie Duran's latest hit was playing. "He gets better and better doesn't he?" Mel laid on the bed and sighed. "I think I'm going to see if there are any tickets available for his show at MK, once you see him perform you'll think differently."
Loren rolled her eyes. "First you threaten me with tickets to his show; and now I have to listen to him on the radio." Her tone was sarcastic.
"I can't believe my ears; you're terrible Loren."
"Are we going over this Eddie Duran topic again? What are we 15 again?"
"Nothing wrong with how old we are, plus it's not his fault he's gorgeous and attracts all the women."
"Of course it's never his fault!"
"I just read he was seen with the Sports for Men magazine hottest model Tricia Meyers?" Mel sighed. "Too bad that's not me."
"Oh it's Tricia this week? Wasn't it Sofia McCain last week? Maybe it's me Mel but he changes girlfriends like changing socks."
"I think deep down you're a huge fan, I know you Lo." Mel teased.
Loren shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever."
The following morning Nora left for work early. She arrived to find Don arguing with his secretary Ellie. He stopped when he heard Nora walk into his office.
"Here's your two weeks, I'm closing this office and keeping the one in San Diego open."
"Just like that? Why did you tell me weeks ago? I need my job."
"No worries I have everything covered, I spoke to my friend Max Duran, he's looking for a new accountant and I told him about you."
"Max Duran?"
"Yes, he was my patient a few years ago, we met for lunch today and I told him about you, he wants to see you at 9 a.m. for a quick interview, he needs someone to keep his accounts in order and you're perfect for that, I think Max will hire you."
Nora walked into her office and got her things together and left to meet with Max Duran. She arrived just before 9 a.m. She parked and after getting her tablet and purse she walked towards MK, she was nervous and anxious, she sighed in relief that she had kept her maiden name when she married Trent. She walked into MK and a smiling beautiful young lady greeted her.
"Hi how can I help you?"
"My name is Nora Tate and I have an appointment with Mr. Max Duran."
"Yes I'll get my boss; he's in his office." She walked a few steps and knocked on the door. "Max there's a Nora Tate to see you."
"Thanks Grace, I'll be right out." Grace walked back to the bar area and within a few minutes Max walked out of the office to meet Nora.
He smiled and extended his hand to greet her. "It's nice to meet you; I've heard you're the best in your field."
Nora blushed. "Dr. Masters is too kind, how can I help you today? I heard you need an accountant?"
"Yes and Ms. Tate you're hired, I don't need any of the formalities."
"Thank you so much and please call me Nora."
He smiled. "Then call me Max."
They both smiled, there was noise coming from Max's office. Eddie along with another young lady appeared.
"Pops I'm on my way to see Jake, I'll see you and Mia later for dinner."
"Yes definitely." He stopped his son. "Let me introduce you to my new accountant, this is Nora Tate."
Eddie smiled. "Nice to meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Eddie and please call me Nora." He smiled and walked out of the club. Max turned his attention to his daughter who was still standing next to him.
Mia smiled. "Hi I'm Mia Duran."
"Nice meeting you and I hope you don't mind me saying this but you look exactly like your beautiful mom."
"Thank you I love hearing that."
Nora turned her attention towards Max. "When can I start?"
"This week is almost over, can you start on Monday? I'll be busy tomorrow night with Eddie's show and then the weekend with back to back shows."
"That's perfect; too bad I couldn't get any tickets."
"I think we can fix that." Max walked over to the bar area and a smiling Grace handed him an envelope.
Max turned towards Nora and handed the envelope to her. "Here are some free tickets, I gave you 4 so bring anyone you'd like."
"Are you serious? Thank you so much Max, this just made my day."
"Enjoy and we'll see you tomorrow?"
"Thanks again Max." Nora hugged him and left.
Mia turned towards her father. "That was so sweet Papa."
"I love to make the fans smile."
Nora arrived home and she couldn't wait to show off her tickets to Friday's show at MK.
"I went to Loren's place and she isn't there, did she say where she was going?"
Laura looked at her watch. "She took her guitar so I assume she's at her spot at Griffith Park, I know that's the only place where she can go over her songs, and Mel stepped out for a bit."
"That's my Loren; I have a huge surprise for them."
"What is it?"
"Well I'm no longer working for Dr. Masters, he referred me to Max Duran and I was just there, as of Monday I will be his new accountant."
Laura got up from where she was sitting. "Wait you're working for Max Duran?"
"I just said that."
"What if Max finds out?"
"I can't worry about that right now."
Laura sat next to her sister. "When will you tell Loren?"
"There's no reason for her to know, this wasn't Trent's fault, and it would only devastate Loren if she knew what happened that terrible night."
"I think she's old enough to handle the truth, she isn't a 10 year old Nora, she's not that little girl anymore, and she's a beautiful 20 year old young lady."
"I know sis, she misses Trent so much, and she would blame herself."
"How could you say that? That idiot was sick, and Trent did what any loving father would have done."
"I know Laura but that day two family's lives were changed forever."
Nora started to cry and Laura hugged her trying to comfort her. "It was a terrible accident sis, remember that."
Meanwhile….
Loren sat at her other favorite spot that gave her the perfect view of the city, she found this place during her freshman year, her dad taught her to play the guitar and this place seemed perfect at the time and today she was playing her latest inspiration. After strumming her guitar to get the perfect tone she began to sing.
"I thought that I've been hurt before
But no one's ever left me quite this sore
Your words cut deeper than a knife
Now I need someone to breathe me back to life
Got a feeling that I'm going under
But I know that I'll make it out alive
If I quit calling you my lover
Move on
You watch me bleed until I can't breathe
I'm shaking, falling onto my knees…." Loren stopped when a sudden noise startled her and she turned to see the shadow of a guy wearing a baseball cap clapping. "That was beautiful; please don't stop on my account." He stated.
Loren didn't know how to react. "Who are you?" She stood up and took a few steps forward. "I know karate dude!"
First chapter ends here, I know you're wondering what's going on? What terrible accident? What happened to Trent? You'll find out soon enough, and please be kind and review and let me know if I should go on.
Song Credit: Shaun Mendes – Stitches
