Finally, here's the first chapter. I've never written a fan fiction before, so this is all a learning process for me. I really like the way I'm doing so far though. It's pretty original. This story will revolve around how Mark and Dianna are seeking to fulfill a forgotten list of things to do in Los Angeles. Each chapter update will review a new place or "thing to do". Let it be known that I've only been a total of 4 times. In October, I'll be going for my 5th time, and I'm really excited. I'm mostly writing this because the city itself is so inspirational, but I aslo feel like Mark/Dianna could really make a great story out of it as well. I'm not sure how readers will respond, but I'm hoping for positive reviews. To any of you who have been, please feel free to suggest any places (in California) that you'd like to see.
In addition to the fic, I'm giving my followers on tumblr treats to pictures and videos (from me) of the places that Mark and Di visit in the chapter. So, if you'd like to see that as well, here is a link to my tumblr: .com/
Enjoy! And if you can, please leave a review! :)
He strums the final notes of the song as his gaze runs from his fingers on the strings to her lightened face. He lets a slight smile escape his lips. She begins to clap quietly but genuinely. He can't help but think of how beautiful she looks at that moment.
"Mark, that was amazing!" she encourages as she continues to clap and smile. He nods to show his sincere gratitude and wraps one hand around the back of his shaved head. She knows he's very shy and doesn't really like compliments, but she finds it adorable every time he does this around her.
She finishes her clapping and sighs. "You know, I kinda missed our little place. Work was so intense back in Pittsburgh." He watches her small hand glide over the smooth surface of a table her arm is resting on.
He almost forgot how long she had been away. Her presence back into everyone's lives made it hard to remember she was ever gone. When she's here, it's like she always was. He raises an eyebrow and speaks, "How did that go?" He looks down.
She gives him a confused look "How did what go?" she asks.
"You know, your big movie star career. I don't see how you can miss this little place when you probably had a mansion on your other set."
She giggles quietly to herself. "No, I actually didn't," she says. "But, although it was very intense, I met a lot of really cool people..." her words trail off. He stops listening after hearing this. He's particularly jealous of people who get close to her and he knows he shouldn't because after all, they're just friends.
She finally becomes aware that he is staring at her a little too long. A knock is heard suddenly at the door of the trailer they share. They look at each other momentarily and after a few seconds Cory appears in the door way completely focused on his phone (figures...).
"Hey guys," he begins, shifting his eyes from his phone to his cast mates, "Ryan needs you in 10!" He shouts before shutting the door and leaving.
There's silence again. They get up at the same time and collect their things preparing to talk to Ryan. He loves that she always has a water bottle with her. He usually drinks most of it by the end of the day. This thought puts a smirk on his face and he continues to gather his things. They leave the trailer and walk together.
"So, did you see anything cool while you were out there filming?"
She thinks for a few seconds and immediately her face lights up and she begins, "There were many things, but I saw a gorgeous record store that I knew you would have loved!"
He cocks his brow at her.
"What?" she asks unknowingly.
"Gorgeous? Record stores aren't gorgeous, they're bad ass. Get your vocab right next time, Ookie."
She purses her lips and turns away showing her offense to his comment. A wide grin spreads across his face and he wraps an arm around her neck. She laughs loudly in his embrace and he quickly places a quick kiss on her head. She keeps laughing and they continue to walk to their boss.
It's very late at night and the air has become quite chilly. They stroll into the trailer smiling and laughing, recalling all the hilarious moments from just one day back to work. Mark's packing his belongings into a backpack and Dianna's stuffing her things into her large purse.
"Hey, Mark..." she starts out seriously.
"What up?" he asks continuing to pack his things.
"Do you remember that… list?" she says slowly fidgeting with her keys.
He stops moving for a second. Of course he remembers the list, how could he forget? He never would for as long as he lived, but he won't tell her that. He lets a chuckle escape. "That old thing? Really, Di, you should stop thinking about me during your free time."
She makes a sarcastic laugh at his comment and goes to him. "Me? Really?" she questions. She shoves the paper to his chest. "Cory gave this to me. He said you left it in his place a few months ago. I thought you told me you threw it out?"
Damn Cory he thinks. I guess he got that revenge he was talking about after that time I told everyone he slept with a teddy bear. He smiles at the memory, then frowns at the slightly crumpled paper in front of him.
This is the story behind the list. Dianna and he always had so much in common. They liked some of the same bands, the same restaurants, and places, etc. Once the show started getting attention, they were immediately issued more hours of work, which resulted in more time away from each other. They agreed to hang a piece of 8x11 piece of notebook paper on their small refrigerator. Whenever they would stop by for lunch or a drink, they would write in something they wanted to do together. It sounds cheesy, but it kept their friendship alive and they promised, when they got free time they would fulfill the list.
She got her film career going, and he automatically thought that meant the end of their "list" dreams. He kept the paper in his wallet, just to remind him that he had something special with that angelic being. Then, when he thought he lost it, Cory probably found it and kept it until Dianna came back, knowing how he could seek his revenge with that paper.
He finally answers her question, trying quickly to think of a lie. "I did throw it out..." He can't lie to her, it's impossible. He looks away and ignores the mocking faces she is making.
"Sure thing, Cookie." While pushing things in her bag, she finally spots a bright package and her eyes spark open."Hey! I got you something, I completely forgot." She takes out the wrapped gift and places it in his hands.
He looks at her with confusion and begins to open the package with caution. He gently tears off the decorated paper and once half way done opening, he automatically realizes what it is.
He smiles and looks at her. "Gummy bears. Thanks Di." he hugs her and opens the bag spilling a few in his hand and devouring them.
"I saw them at the airport. I thought of you. I was thinking, without me here, who was getting my Cookie gummy bears every day? So I picked them up for you. I need to get back in the routine of buying you them every single morning of work."
They both laugh and he nods to demonstrate his appreciation for her daily task. She always had gummy bears for him. It one of the long catalog of things they did for each other that each of them adored.
They turn off the lights in the trailer and he walks her to her car. She's not completely sure why he does this, but he always has. Ever since day one. She assumes it's because he's being a gentleman, but she does take notice to the fact that no one but her brother or father have actually done this. In addition, his car is another 2 parking lots down. She pushes the thought to the back of her mind and suddenly feels a sense of disappointment about them never getting to complete that list.
She turns around and sees him looking very interested in the document. "Cookie!" she says loudly. He doesn't look at her and instead keeps his focus transfixed on the paper. "Mark?" she repeats.
"Huh? What's up, Di?"
"Let's do it!" she yells, a wide smile growing on her delicate face.
"What?" he exclaims, looking at her like she's crazy.
"Let's do it, let's do the list! What did you thi- Mark!" she laughs.
He laughs with her and finally says, "We can never do it, Ookie. I mean, look how long this thing is? Plus how are we going to read my chicken scratch?" he asks, indicating his handwriting.
She lets out a hushed chuckled and looks into his eyes. "Please Mark."
He can't resist those eyes. "Fine," he responds.
She squeals and practically jumps on him. She plants a wet kiss on his cheek and squeezes him tightly. "Yes! Thank you, Cookie."
He puts her down tenderly. "We have no free time, how do you plan on doing this?"
"We both have this weekend off, and Ryan doesn't usually make us work on Sundays, so we'll go with that for now. If our schedules change, we'll figure it out, I promise." She gives him an affectionate grin and sways her body back and forth looking for a response from him.
"Alright, I'm picking you up 8 tomorrow morning. I don't like slackers, so you better be on time, got it?"
She bobs her head and agrees. She gets in her car, but before closing the door she whispers a thank you. He shuts her door and watches her buckle herself in safely. He waits till she's looking at him and leans down to her window. He plants an obnoxious kiss on her window and listens to little noises and giggles she's making inside. He waves to her and starts walking for his car.
They think about one another as she starts up her engine and he walks towards his same old car. They force themselves to believe they're only friends, nothing more. It kills them that they both know there is something there, but both of them are too fearful to admit it. Their friendship has a huge foundation, yes, but it is held on a very fine line. Both know all too well that trying to work out a relationship would snip that line and that established friendship would fall consequently. They wouldn't sacrifice that.
However, through the fulfillment of this list, they will realize their true feelings and inner thoughts. The City of Angels, Los Angeles, brings out a lot in people. It brings out some people's inspiration. Others, it will bring out longings they never knew they had. But for these two, the city will bring fear, adventure, and love. Neither of them knows this when they start this journey, but it will become blatantly evident in time.