New Times Hollywood Heights S2
We're Graduating! Chapter 4
Eddie smiled and nodded as he looked towards Loren who assured him it was fine, Leah held his hand and smirked as she looked towards Mel and they began to dance.
"Thanks for dancing for me Eddie."
"Yeah sure no problem."
"You look amazing in that Tux."
He looked to see where Loren was and acknowledged the compliment. "Thanks as long as Loren loves all of this, I'm ok with anything."
Leah tone had a touch of envy in it. "Oh I'm sure, but all the girls are looking at you."
She tried snuggling closer to Eddie. He kept his distance, hoping the song would end soon.
Mel's couldn't hide how she felt. "Ugh I can't believe you're ok with this?"
Loren rolled her eyes and turned away, suddenly she noticed Cam walking into the room. His smile grew when he saw Loren; he noticed she was standing alone on the dance floor. He hurried and was by her side within seconds.
"May I have this dance?"
She smiled and hugged him. "Omg you're here, of course you can." He held her hand and they walked back to the dance floor.
"I flew in this morning."
"So NYU offered you that Lacrosse scholarship?"
"Yes I got the red carpet treatment; it's going to be a lot of fun."
"I know you'll be amazing Cam, you're going to be the best Lacrosse player."
He smiled. "Thanks, but what about you? I read the reviews."
"I'm so excited for this Cam, I love it!"
"I knew you have what it takes Loren, I remember choir." He chuckled. "You were the only one that could actually sing."
Loren blushed slightly down casting her look.
"Thanks I'm giving this everything I've got, so I'm putting brown on hold for now."
"Really? And here I thought you would never drop Brown."
The music stopped and Cam held her hand walking her back to her table. "Listen I want to wish you the best Loren, you deserve it."
Loren hugged him once more. "Thanks Cam, that means a lot."
Eddie approached them with Leah trailing behind. "Hey Cam! It's great to see you."
"Same here Eddie." His eyes went towards Leah. "Hi."
Loren noticed. "Cam this is Leah, she saved Eddie's life, I'm sure you read the whole story?"
Leah smiled. "Nice meeting you."
"Same here."
Mel walked in interrupting the conversation. "Loren it's time for the King and Queen pictures, Brenda wants to know if you're both ready?"
Eddie smiled, he walked to where Loren stood and held her hand. "Ready beautiful?"
"Of course." She looked towards Mel. "Where do we go?"
"Follow me."
Cam could tell Leah was upset. "You ok?"
"Yeah I guess."
He smiled. "You have a crush on Eddie that tends to happen when you nurse someone back to health."
She shrugged her shoulders looking intensely towards Eddie and Loren; the photographer positioned them for the pictures. Many poses were very romantic. Cam could tell Leah couldn't stop looking their way.
"I know how you feel."
"Really? Don't tell me you're crushing on Miss Loren Tate too?"
He smiled down casting his look. "I've always loved her, I've known Loren since kindergarten, and she's amazing, but I lost my chance, I took too long to realize how much she meant to me."
"I'm so tired of hearing how amazing Miss Tate is, is there no dark secrets hidden somewhere?"
"No, what you see is what you get." He looked at Leah once more. "Listen she has a lot of friends and fans, I'd be careful around Loren, and don't let Mel catch you bad mouthing her best friend."
"Yes I can tell Loren Tate has security surrounding her all the time." She looked towards Mel.
Cam could tell Leah wasn't a fan, he excused himself. "Nice meeting you."
She didn't respond. She stood there watching as the photographer took several more pictures of Loren and Eddie.
More couples stood in line to take their pictures, which included Mel and Adam. Loren and Eddie danced the night away and Jeremy did his best to keep Leah away from them. It was midnight when Loren and Eddie along with Mel and Adam were heading home.
"Anyone hungry?" asked Loren who scrolled through her phone.
Eddie smiled; he pulled Loren into a hug. "Now you see why I love this beautiful woman, she's not afraid to eat."
"Why should I?" She laughed.
Mel rolled her eyes. "I don't know how she does it, but take me for instance I look at food and gain weight, Loren can eat for the two of us and doesn't gain an ounce, this isn't fair at all."
"I know, let's get pizza!" Adam eyes widen as he looked for their reaction for his request.
Mel laughed. "Adam I swear you were born eating pizza."
Eddie held Loren's hand. "I'm in and it's my treat, we can have it delivered at my place."
"You mean we're eating at your penthouse?" Mel was shocked.
"Why not?" He teased.
Her smile widen. "I finally get to see your place!"
The limo stopped and they all went inside, Eddie took his phone out and ordered several pizzas. They spend the evening enjoying it once it arrived; and after they were done, all they did was talk about the events of the night.
After several finals and essays to write, and several local performances for Loren in the Los Angeles area, the big day finally arrived. Loren, Mel and Adam along with the rest of the senior class were graduating.
Loren ran around all morning trying to get everything she needed for her special day. Mel called to tell her she would meet her there, she was going with her parents Gus and Lisa. Phil along with Adrianna were coming as well.
Nora saw the time. "Loren hurry, we have to get there before two O'clock."
"I'm ready mom."
"Is Eddie meeting us there?"
"I guess, he had a meeting with Jake this morning."
Nora grabbed her bag and keys. "Let's go Loren, I'll drive, make sure you have everything, including the cap and gown."
"That's been in the car since last night."
They both rushed out the door and got into the car and drove away.
Meanwhile…
Eddie sat in Jake's office discussing Leah and Jeremy's career. "I mean she's really good." Jake responded after looking through some papers. "I think I'll tell the lawyer this is the contract we'll use when we talk to Leah and Jeremy.
Eddie smiled as Jake handed him the papers. "So it's a go with them?"
Jake got up and tapped his shoulder. "You my man were right about them!"
Eddie flipped through the papers and nodded. "I told you she was talented, and her brother is really good, and I know they can do this."
"Ok I figure I'd introduce them to the world by having them open for you in San Francisco."
"I have two shows in San Francisco, will they do both shows?"
"Loren can open for you on Sunday and then we can have Leah and Jeremy open on Saturday for you."
Jake took out his phone to confirm before he responded. "Leah has chosen a few of her own songs, Kelly had her record a few to see how she sounds, and I know this will work out, she will be pretty much set for a career in the music world, she's going country!"
Eddie smiled. "I'm happy for them, glad I could help, thanks to them I'm here safe and sound and I'm with my number 1 girl."
Jake smiled. "Yeah you're right and now I can safely say Eddie Duran can spot talent all on his own."
Eddie looked at his watch. "Listen Loren graduates today and I will barely make it on time if I leave now, so I'll stop by and we can make the final arrangements for those shows in San Francisco."
Jake placed the papers on his desk. "Sure, you better get going."
Eddie rushed out getting into one of the Escalades and was driven to Loren's graduation. He arrived as all graduates were walking down the aisle, he caught sight of Loren and smiled, both made eye contact and he quietly blew a kiss her way.
Leah caught sight of Eddie and walked to where he stood trying not to get noticed. "I thought you wouldn't make it, Kelly told me over the phone you were meeting with Jake."
He kept his eyes on Loren and responded to Leah without making eye contact at all. "I was and by now you should know I wouldn't miss my girl's special day."
Leah rolled her eyes. "She's very fortunate to have such an amazing boyfriend."
He finally looked at her. "I hope you find what Loren and I have."
"You actually see Loren in your future?"
"I thought you knew this already, I told you I'm in love with her, and she's my life, my reason for getting up every morning, my inspiration, my muse."
Leah whispered. "So corny."
"Seriously? Then if that's corny I'll take it, wait until you find the man of your dreams then I'm sure you'll agree with me."
"What about the kiss? Did you tell her?"
Eddie looked at her. "The kiss? Leah you kissed me and I immediately told you my heart belonged to Loren."
She laughed. "I see so she doesn't know we kissed?"
"I didn't think it was necessary to tell her, it meant nothing."
Leah rolled her eyes looking away and softly whispered. "Ha, we'll see about that."
The graduation ceremony continued with several teachers along with the school's principal giving a few speeches. The time to hand out the diplomas began with each student walking up to the podium to get their diploma. When it was Loren's turn, Eddie whistled loud enough to be heard along with Nora and Max.
The ceremony ended and all graduates were leaving the auditorium along with their families. Max had a surprise for Loren once they reached Rumor; he reserved a section for a private dinner with Loren and family and friends.
Once there they were served several of the house specialties. Loren hugged him for the amazing surprise; he had included Mel and her family along with Adam.
"We're so proud of you Loren." He brought her into a sweet hug.
"Thanks Max."
Nora stepped in to hug her daughter, wiping a few tears of Joy from her orbs. "I'm so proud of you sweetie."
Loren's smile was huge; she knew her mom was very happy. "Thanks mom, I owe all of this to you."
Many hugs filled with congratulatory wishes were exchanged among Loren, Melissa and Adam, along with Phil and Adrianna. Max pulled out a beautifully wrapped box and handed it to Loren. Her eyes widen and she looked at him with appreciation. "What did you do? This surprise dinner was enough."
"No honey you deserve this and so much more."
"Having you and Eddie in my life is all I need."
Max's smile was huge. "Open it."
She did as told and in the box the most beautiful bracelet along with a few charms to show many of Loren's accomplishments. She hugged Max. "I love it."
"That's not fair Pops." He handed Loren a box. "Eddie I told you I didn't want anything, you're all I need."
"I know babe, but I wanted to do this, you've worked so hard, and you had to be rewarded. She opened the box. Her eyes lit up. "Omg Eddie this is beautiful." She pulled out a ring. She glanced his way with a questionable look. He was fast to respond. "It's a promise ring; I want you to remember that I will always love you." He pulled her towards him placing a soft kiss on her lips. Loren was sure those butterflies would flee as they did somersaults in her tummy, he had a way of looking at her that made her feel special, safe and secure.
Eddie took a box that sat on the edge of the tables and walked towards Mel. "Here this is for you."
Mel was speechless. Loren smiled. "Eddie what is it?"
"It's both a thank you and graduation gift."
Mel couldn't open it fast enough. "Omg this is beautiful."
"I know Loren and Nora gave you one a few months back, but this video camera is small enough to take anywhere, now you can record anything you want."
"Eddie this means so much, thank you." She hugged him, as he pulled back. "No thank you, I'm grateful you entered Loren's song in that contest, which brought her into my life."
She hugged the box that contained the camera she hoped to be able to afford one day. "You're very welcome Eddie."
Kelly and Jake walked in as well. "Loren it's time to get serious, now that you have your diploma, we need to get you to finish recording more of your songs, the label is asking about your album and that means they want it out soon."
Loren sighed. "This is the real world."
He smiled. "Yes it is, so I want you in the recording booth this week. Eddie is going to be in San Francisco next week, Leah is opening for him on Saturday and you will get to do it Sunday."
Loren genuinely smiled. "So you're managing them as well?"
"Yes Leah has an amazing voice; she has the talent to do country music and with Jeremy alongside her it will work out perfectly."
Of course Mel interrupted. "So that twit can sing?"
Kelly furrowed her eye brows. "Mel that's not very nice."
"Ha! It's obvious no one sees what I see."
Jake asked. "Exactly what do you see?"
Mel grabbed his arm pulling him to the side. "I don't doubt you can spot talent Jake but that girl is here to cause trouble for Loren and Eddie."
"She's going to have her own career."
"Ugh no one gets it, she's got the Hots for Eddie, just watch her and you'll see."
Jake laughed out loud. "Melissa I've heard you love to exaggerate and now you've proven it."
He walked away joining the others, Mel shook her head in disbelief. "No one cares!"
Later that week…..
Loren sat in one of the recording booths in Jake's office. She recorded another one of the songs she had written, the label was pushing for Loren's album, they wanted to release it soon and she was a few songs away from getting the set of 10 songs ready.
Jake reminded Kelly. "As soon as Loren is done, remind her that Eddie is at MK, he wants to rehearse for the San Francisco concert.
Leah was walking in. "I forgot my bag here."
"Hey Leah you're supposed to be at MK like now."
Her smile was weak. "I heard."
Kelly was in the back and noticed Loren had removed her head phones and was putting her things away. She peaked inside. "Loren go straight to MK, Eddie is there for rehearsals."
She smiled. "I will Kel…thanks."
Kelly left through the back door. Leah quietly walked by and noticed Loren was still in the booth, she smiled when she noticed her bag sat in the chair outside the booth, carefully and quietly she locked the door, she looked to make sure she wasn't seen and left through the back door as well.
Jake locked the drawers on his desk; he got up and checked to see if Kelly was still inside. His phone buzzed, it was Kelly telling him she was outside waiting for him. He grabbed his keys and left locking the front door.
Loren finished putting the equipment away and turned to see the whole office was dark; she walked towards the door and realized she was locked in. She noticed her bag outside the booth. "Oh no!"
Chapter ends here guys! So now what? Loren won't make it to MK! Or will she? Kindly review…
