"I'm really sorry, Aubrey. I'm not letting you postpone filming because of me. I really don't mind if you write me out of the script for a few episodes," Aubrey Lee was the director of Blondes. I was taking a week off work to rest. I had been working really, really hard for the past month, despite my stress, and it had left me feeling weak. I needed a week to regain my strength—and my confidence.
"Addison, you're the only reason people watch Blondes. Without you, our ratings would plummet!"
"Aubrey, just because I'm funny, that doesn't make me the star of the show."
"I know you're not the star. That's why you won an Emmy for best supporting actress. You're what makes the show work. That's the only Emmy that the show's ever even been nominated for!"
"But if you postpone filming, you'll have to push back the season premiere, won't you?"
"Listen, Addison, I'm not going to discuss it anymore. The last thing I need is for you to have to take another week off. You rest up, and we'll be waiting for you when you come back," Aubrey hung up. I sighed.
"Ummm . . . Addie? I know this isn't the best time," Maura said hesitantly, "but do you realize that you haven't updated you're Facebook status or been seen in public for three day?"
I sighed, "Another death hoax?"
"Yep. That makes it the second one this year," she handed me a copy of Us Weekly, and I began to skim.
"Should I correct anybody?"
"No. it's funny when people think you're dead. Just play along for a few days," I rolled my eyes.
I tried to get some rest. Of course, my phone was ringing off the hook, so it was near impossible. Eventually, I just gave my phone to Maura, telling her not to wake me unless it was someone important. A few hours later, she shook me awake, "Adds, it's your mom," she said, handing me my ringing cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi honey, how are you?"
"Fine."
"I read an interesting article in Us Weekly yesterday."
"Oh, the death hoax? You didn't believe it, did you?"
Mom laughed, "Of course not sweetie! If you had really committed suicide, I would know. That's something that Jacqueline would probably tell me about," Jacqueline was the nanny. She called mom every day to let her know how I was doing, "But she did tell me that you're taking a week off work."
"Oh yeah. Are you mad?"
"Of course not. I know you, and I know that you would never skip work without a good reason. Just don't let it become a habit, okay?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. I love you."
"I love you too," I felt hollow. Every time I heard those words in the past week, I felt completely empty. Even hearing them from my mom reminded me of what had happened the night I lost my virginity.
"Bye sweetheart."
"Bye Mom."
I hung up and felt tears running down my face, "Maura why doesn't he love me?" I asked as she entered the room.
"I don't know honey, I don't know," she was now sitting on my bed hugging me and letting me cry on her shoulder.
"He took my virginity away, Maura. And he didn't love me. Why would he do that if he didn't love me?"
"Because he's a jerk."
"Saying that makes it hurt worse," I sobbed, "It makes me feel like he was trying to take advantage of me!"
"I'm sorry. I won't say anything else. You can just cry all you want. I don't care. If you want to complain about him, I'll listen. If not, I'll just be here. What are friends for, right?"
The Next Day
Justin's P.O.V.
"Dude, have you seen this?" Ryan shoved a copy of Us Weekly in my face.
"Um, ever heard of knocking?"
"Just read it!" he flipped to a certain page and handed it to me.
My eyes skimmed over the article, "Oh my God! Ryan, do you know if this is true? I mean, there was a rumor like this about me befor—"
"That was because you didn't tweet for fourteen hours! Look at the facts for her: she hasn't been seen in public for four days. You broke her heart. There's a rumor that she committed suicide. It sort of makes sense. You have to admit it's possible."
I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, "I'm going to call her!"
She wasn't picking up her phone. I had to check if this was for real. If it was, I would never be able to live with myself. I suddenly realized that I did love her. So much. If she had killed herself because of me . . . I shuddered at the thought of that.
I knocked hard on the door. The maid, Marisol, answered. I rushed past her without greeting her. I threw open her bedroom door.
"Justin? What are you doing here?"
"I read in Us Weekly that you were . . ."
"Well it's not true," she said rolling her eyes, "obviously."
"You just . . . when you didn't answer your phone, I thought . . ."
She looked at Maura, raising her eyebrows, "You never told me Justin called."
"I didn't think you wanted to talk to him."
"Could you give us a sec?" I snapped at Maura.
"Touchy!" Maura remarked. She looked at Addie, who nodded, "Sure."
"Why would you care if I'm dead anyway?" she asked angrily after Maura left.
"Because," cheesy as it was, I got down on one knee, "I love you Addison Jayma Miller! I've loved you for a long time, and I'm just now realizing it. I love you more than anything."
Tears came to her eyes, "I love you too."
And then the rest of the world melted away, and it was just the two of us, together.