Almost Lover

Day Six: The Eve

I was beyond dreading this party. After we came home from the surprise trip to the mall yesterday, I had my mind set. I would have to get my way out of this party. Not only was this a necessary thing but my life depended on it. There was no way I could face Shane without tearing him to pieces. And since that would break the hearts of all his devoted fans ,only then, would my life be at risk.

I stared at my dress from across my room. My mom shoved me to try it on, yesterday. I'll admit, I really liked the dress. It laid flat on my bed, looking lifeless but I still refuse putting it on and going. There's no way anybody could make me go.

NO WAY.

I walked over to my bed, biting my lip. Maybe, I should go, I mean just in case he won't show up…
No!

I flung myself onto the bed, frustrated. So you figured out that I haven't quiet made a stone set decision to go.

"Erica, You better hurry!" My mom called.

I looked at my clock that sat beside the bed.

8:25

It gave me enough time to curl my hair and put some make up on. I had to make a decision. If I take too long then I know I won't go. I sat up running my fingers through my hair. Even if I decided not to go there would have to be some explaining to do and I was not in the mood for that. I took a deep breath, contemplating my final decision.

In a flash I turned my curling iron on, poured all my make up on the bed and looked for a necklace that would go well with a black dress. I stripped my clothes off and slipped on my dress. I rummaged around for some t-strap heels I brought from home and once they were found I raced to the bathroom.

I was lucky enough to be bless with hair that listens to my demanding changing of hairstyles. Curling my hair would be a breeze. As I reached for the third strand of hair, my mom popped in, smiling.

"Hey any chance you know where your dad left his tie?"

I shook my head careful I won't burn myself, "No clue."

She disappeared and I continued to finish my hair. The last strand felt like the longest. I wrapped it around the hot tube, clamping it down. I impatiently waited, drumming my fingers with my free hand on the sink counter. After sometime, I let the hair loose, cascading down into a soft curl.

Hairspray.

Give the hair a little shake.

Some touches, here and there.

I was done, I turned the iron off and ran off to my room, where my make was waiting for me on the bed. I went for the basics.

Foundation

Mascara

Blush

After those were on my face, I grabbed the black pencil and lined my eyes. I might not wear eyeliner everyday, or much at all, but I sure know how to put it on in seconds flat. The eyeshadow was tricky. When I smudged on a dark shadow on my lid, it didn't come out half as bad as I thought it would. All I needed was lip balm. I hated lip gloss, it's sticky and looks like I have a salivating problem. I smeared on the balm, once I found it.

I threw in some items in a black purse before strapping my feet safe in my heels. I turned to a mirror. I smiled at my work I did in such a short time. I finally emerged from my room to see my family doing some final touches on their looks.

Miles looked up, astonished, "Woah, dad get the camera. Erica is actually ready on time."

I smacked him with my purse, "Shut it."

Sofie smoothed her straight hair, "Ok, if you were Jason, what would you think about-"

"Jason would have to wait a very long time before he gets to think anything about you, sweetie." Dad grumbled.

Sofie crossed her arms, "Ugh dad!"

She marched out of the suite, and soon after, Miles followed.

I waited for my parents who were now looking for the keys.

"Alright, then. Off we go!" Dad said pushing us out.

By now I sort of memorized how long it took to get from the third floor to the lobby. It was roughly 5 minutes, depending on the elevator. Unfortunately the trip down only took seconds to get to the lobby.

The lobby was alive with chatter and joy. The atmosphere was intensely happy. I couldn't help it, I was soon caught up in the lively spirit that hung in the air.

As we neared the Ball Room, Miles tapped my shoulder.

"Hey Erica?"

"Yeah Miles?"

"Colton's over there." Miles faced my body towards the very entrance of the hotel. Sure enough, there he was, dress sharply, and joined with his family. He didn't see me at all, which is the reason Miles pushed me to look at him. Colton was accompanied by three giggling girls. All bleached blonde, tan skin, and sixteen. They twirl their hair and smiled his same Malibu smile, but Colton seemed unmoved. He would smile politely but ultimately never took the bait. I smiled to myself, Colton was a gentleman, what more could I ask for? I stood there watching him, when my Dad pulled on me.

"Let's go Erica!"

--

The inside was overwhelming. The high ceilings were adorn with golden strands of foil that plunged toward the ground. In the corner there was the tree, with tinsel that was delicately placed on the branches. The tables where decorated with a giant ornament that looked like it belong on the tree. And the Lights were dim, creating a cozy mood.

Anyways I was dragged to a table by my father. He directed me to a table located near the tree. I plopped down along with the rest of my family. My eyes landed on Shane who sat across me. His eyes burn through me, fully returning to his prior state. The pang of that feeling wasn't as strong as before. I was eternally grateful for that. I successfully sent him that same cold look he sent me as I settled down.

Shane turned to Nate. He listen closely, never breaking his concentration. I studied them carefully. Nate was never the one to let people in. As I was about to look away, he causally glanced up at me and then shifted his eyes across the table, trying not to be noticeable. Hint's like that never fool a girl.

I know they were talking about me.

I just had to find out for myself and I know Nate won't help me. It didn't work before.

Think..

Jason

He was too nice to not help me. I thank god I was sitting next to him, making this easier to work out.

Now a way to causally bring up the topic.

Think…

Think!

What's the use of trying to bring it up casually, when this was no casual talk I was about to bring up.

"Jason?"

He stopped buttering the complimentary bread and looked at me, "What's up?"

"You're an honest guy, right?"

"I guess."

"And you and your brothers tell each other everything, right?"

"Right." He looked mildly confused.

"Then if I ask you something you'll tell me, exactly the way it is?"

"Yeah, I guess."

I smiled at him, maybe this was going to be easier than I thought.

"Do you know why Shane's a jerk to me at times?"

"Like right now?"

"Exactly like right now"

He shrugged, "I don't think I'm the right person you should be asking."

I had to get it out of him, Jason was my only hope. I mean I could always steal Nate's phone to see if the text meant anything but that would require more planning. I gave Jason my "oh-so hopeless" look of desperation.

"I've already asked Shane. I got nothing out of him"

He looked unconvinced. I was thinking about dropping the subject when Jason leaned towards me.

"You didn't heard it from me. Promise?"

"Promise."

He glanced at Shane before he let me in.

"One thing you got to understand about Shane is that he isn't the most stable person in the world. He loves taking things to extreme, like a spark ready to burn."

I listened with every ounce of hearing capacity I had in me.

"So it makes sense that he won't ever do things he's forced to do. At least not willingly."

I knitted my eyebrows together, not exactly knowing where this is headed.

"Ever since Nate's girlfriend came along, the press has gone wild and our publicist is loving it. The concerts are jam packed, our fan club tripled in size, and our record was number one for two months just because this girl. Our publicist calls it positive interest"

Jason air-quoted the last two spoken words.

"So then she got a brilliant idea of pairing Shane up, to see if it will have an increase of this interest she talks about."

"Wait, pair him up with who?"

"Any beautiful girl that looks good standing next to him."

I wondered if I looked good standing next to Shane.

"It's just basically an image thing to improve our "interest"

"Why aren't you paired up?"

Jason made a face, "They can't tell a twenty year old what to do!"

I laughed at his response, "Uh-huh. So what's all this have to do with me?"

Jason jump back into his explanation, "Shane hates the idea of forced dating, but what can he do when he's under a contract? Anyways, that day we first met you and your family he had just finished his final date. So he automatically wasn't in the best of moods."

Date? My muscles tighten around my jaw, involuntary.

"Going back to my first point, Shane is unstable almost like a 8 year old on sugar and some depressant pills. One minute he's a kid running around bouncing off the wall and the next he's lying on his bed writing the next love song."

I still didn't get where this was going and what that had to do anything with me. He continued on a bit faster.

"I'll get in a load of trouble saying this since, I'm sure Shane rather you hear it from him than me…"

He paused holding his breathe, preparing himself for this 'big' announcement.

"Shane saw you the moment you entered the restaurant and he liked you. He really really liked you, which I thought was stupid since he didn't even know you. But what did I know? You turned out be a cool girl."

If that wasn't the shock of the century than I don't know what is.

"You're lying!" I accused, there was no way Shane could… like me.

Jason shook his head, "I don't have the imagination to make up a lie."

"But then why is it that… he was a jerk and…was sooo…" I tried keeping my thoughts together but that wasn't happening.

"He was moody remember? And seeing you knowing that he's under contract was like waving meat in front of a starving dog."

I couldn't believe it, I blanked out, only focusing on yesterday. His breathe on my cheek and his miniscule smile. Those brown eyes that were soft and welcoming. He was trying to kiss me. I couldn't say that sentence in my mind without some sort of disbelief.

"And then when we found out about this Colton guy…"

I should really tell Sofie a thing or two about gossiping.

"It just made him grumpier. He explained it like finding someone whose right, knowing it might not happen and then confirming it won't ever work."

I was punched, no strike that, I was slapped around and thrown into a pit full of thorns. I was still trying to accept Shane liked me but now that he was thinking about the two of us.

Together?

This is pretty heavy .

I glanced over at Shane who was scribbling on a napkin, oblivious to the fact that I know.

I know his little piece of information

A great disappoint filled an empty space I didn't know I had. I bit my lip. Shane reminded me of a child. That kid that picked on you in second grade and had no idea why but then, out of the blue, he likes you. After all his name calling and tears, his feelings are different.

Shane whipped out his cell phone, staring at it momentarily. He shoved it back into his pocket, angrily. He continued writing, stopping every once in a while to show Nate his napkin.

Jason nudged me, "It's Taylor. She's been texting him all day."

I guess that was one of the girls their publicist had set Shane with.

"I know I'm jumping to conclusions," Jason said, "but it's not a good idea to get involved with Shane, Erica."

My glance shifted between Shane and Jason, "You think that I like Shane? That's crazy, I'm seeing Colton!"

I mean, after what he told me and what Shane has almost done; it was Shane trying to get involved with me. Not the other way around.

"I don't know Shane has a way of luring girls in and it's a horrible time to do that to you…"

I grinned, "It's Chirstmas! It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Jason clearly didn't see my joke.

"Erica, it's not that I don't think you're a nice girl but-"

"Jason, it's fine. I was kidding." I rubbed his back, assuring him.

"Excuse me? May I have your undivided attention?"

A voice boomed through the hall that cause the faces of many people face a small stage located in front of the giant Christmas Tree. The man I previously saw was standing alone, looking around. Jason didn't get to finish his thought.

"Hi, My name is Steven and I would like to welcome you to our 10th annual Eve's Feast!"

The crowd politely clapped.

"I'm please to introduce tonight's entertainment. The Hawaiian Youth Choir, singing your favorite selections and variations of the classic songs of Christmas."

About 50 people in matching Santa hats and vest came bursting through the doors, singing a pleasant tune, pleasing to the ear.

--

It was past 11, nearing the midnight hour. The party was going well so far. I hadn't spoken a word to Shane yet, but the more I think about, the more I realize I should. Things are getting to out of hand to go on like nothings wrong. It's sort like when you know you have so many things inside your purse. Things that don't belong, things that are important and things that you have no idea how they got in there. That's exactly how this was. A big messy purse.

The minute the was dessert table was open, half the table left to grab a piece of pastries and delights. I looked over to see if Shane had join the eager clan of sweet-toothers. He was hidden behind a mountain of crumpled up napkins, still furiously writing. I took the chance and grabbed the seat next to him, he quickly snapped up from his trance.

"Hey, Erica."

I weakly smiled, "Hey…"

We sat in silence, making the situation tense. Shane just stared at his napkin while I wouldn't take my eyes off my fiddling hands.

"Whacha writing there?" I choked out. I reached for a crumpled napkin but before I even got to touch one, it was snatched away. Shane managed to get all the napkins out of my range.

"Sorry it's kinda personal." He apologized. I retracted my arms back to its safety zone. I began having second thoughts about coming over here. Maybe talking isn't always the best idea to sort this purse out.

"Sorry about scaring you."

I looked up at Shane, who for the first time in a while, put his pen down.

"Huh?"

"That thing yesterday? Um, forget it. I kinda do things at the spur of the moment that I don't mean…"

I had to fight the urge to keep my eyes from tearing up. I don't know where the moisture came from, I just know is that I'll look stupid if I started crying.

Ugh, I don't even know why I feel like crying. What is wrong with me today?

"…and well, I hope I didn't mislead you, in anyway."

My eye's dried and I curiously eyed him. It meant nothing to him. So why is it that I believed him? Well, at least I pretended to believe him? I took all of my strength to not question him, right now.

"Mislead? Don't worry about that." I said.

"Because I was misled the first time we met!"

Shane went back to writing, and I was left with nothing to do but stare. Anger boiled up in me. Is that all I get?

The stupid guy tries to kiss me and he apologizes for it! Ugh! I was contemplting shoving his stupid napkins in his face. Maybe he could kiss those!

Out of nowhere, Colton breezed by. He eyed Shane before finally sat in the empty Chair next to me.

"Hey Erica! You look really..." He pause to take another look at me. "Great"

I forced a smile, after wanting to choak the stupid guy next to me it was hard to act happy.

"I should apologize for not calling you. I've been busy." He earnestly said, "But I have been busy trying to look for another place we can go."

I uncomfortably shifted in my seat, I could almost feel the heat coming from Shane's eyes, There was no doubt in my mind he was glaring.

Stupid glare.

"Found anything?" I asked. Colton grinned.

"I have, but you will have to wait and see."

This lifted my mood a bit, I loved surprises. Behind me Shane cleared his throat loudly, distracting me. I discreetly nudged him as hard as I could, and in the process some crumpled napkins spilled to the floor. Shane scrambled to get all the lifeless papers. This was my golden opportunity.

I quickly reached down, pretending to scratch my leg. I scooped one up and kept it tightly hidden in my fist. Shane got up to throw the napkins away. Colton's face scrunched up.

"What was that all about?"

I shrugged casually," It's just Shane being Shane. I told you we don't get along."

He smiled, approvingly, "Well, I just came to tell you that I'll be on the 27th. Mark your calendar."

I nodded, "Will do."

He kissed my cheek before he got up and left. One he was out of clear view my hand slowly opened, exposing the napkin.

I quickly opened it up and read it. After a few examinations, Jason's report and my suspicion was confirmed. Unless he was writing a song that closely resemble what was going on right now. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Shane stalking back along with the rest of the clan. I quickly stuffed the napkin away in my messy purse, I tried to visualize his legible handwriting that clearly said:

Do you know what its like

When you walk through those doors

To have your heart ripped right out

And have it thrown on the floor

Oh do you know?

Do you know that it's painful to see

your smile shining for him,

and knowing

That smile will never be for me.

When will I face the truth

There won't ever be a "me and you"

I don't dare and you won't care

One isn't us, we were meant to be two.I opened my eyes, sighing. Jason raised his eyebrows at me. I passed him the napkin underneath the table. He only smiled.

"I told you."

I sheepishly looked down,a knot growing in my throat.

Oh, boy.

REVIEW!!

OMG! I'm so sorry I could have sworn I double even tripled check my work! I'm sorry for those who read that mess. I hope it make more sence. I have no idea how half of it be came itilized. Anyways EVEN MORE thanks for those who still like the story despite the flaws.