Loren's last week of her highschool career went by in a frenzy blur. It had been finals week, and every moment that Loren wasn't either working at the café or in class she had her face planted in a book studying or was in front of a computer screen frantically putting finishing touches on her valedictorian speech. Loren was going to be giving a speech to her graduating class in less than a week, and Loren hated giving speeches. Everything she had written so far pretty much sucked, and she was starting to hope that she would come down with a bad case of laryngitis before next week. Loren had never travelled out of the state of California, and in her mind she hadn't really done anything of importance, so the fact that she was supposed to impart words of wisdom on her graduating class seemed ridiculous to her. Her speech included a bunch of clichés about working hard and being true to yourself, but she doubted that her words would truly ever inspire anyone. She sighed with apprehension and began an internal debate as to whether or not being stuck with the valedictorian speech was really an honor or if it was a thankless job that that no one else was stupid enough to do.

Loren's thoughts about the subject were interrupted when Eddie called to finalize their plans for Saturday. Eddie suggestedthat instead of eating dinner at his place that maybe they should go out and eat at the Hollywood hotspot Rumor. Loren didn't really like the idea, but she had been distracted by an essay that was due the next day and mumbled that going out to dinner sounded fun. When Loren had gotten off the phone, she wished that she had spoken up about her true feelings on the subject.

Loren was a private person and she wasn't really sure that she was all that comfortable being seen in such a public place with Eddie when she barely knew him. Eddie was used to being noticed and having his picture taken everywhere that he went, but Loren was actually dreading that part. Thankfully, she would graduate soon and wouldn't have to face the curious and judgmental speculations of her classmates when Loren's association with Eddie became public knowledge. Reluctantly, Loren decided that she would just suck it up because she truly was looking forward to seeing Eddie again, and if this was the type of spot that he liked to visit regularly, she would have to step out of her comfort zone eventually.

Following her conversation with Eddie, Loren made a quick call to Mel and informed her that Eddie was taking Loren to Rumor on Saturday evening and that she needed reinforcements to help get ready for a very public night out on the town. Mel squealed with excitement and with an exuberance that Loren wished she could share. Mel and Loren finalized plans to go shopping Saturday afternoon after Loren's scheduled shift at the café so that Loren could find an appropriate outfit while out with one of the most sought after rockstars in the world. Not that Loren felt any pressure she thought cynically. Mel also agreed to help Loren get dressed and to style her hair before Loren's "big date."

Loren had learned a long time ago that best way to make God laugh was to try and make plans and such was the case Saturday afternoon. Loren had originally been scheduled to work the early morning breakfast shift at the café and be off by noon, which would have left her plenty of time to go shopping and to prepare for an evening out with Eddie Duran.

However, at 11:30 am, Loren's boss approached her pleadingly and informed her that Loren's replacement had called in sick and promised that if Loren agreed to stay another four hours that she would pay her time and a half plus all the tips for the full day. Loren was conflicted. Loren knew that the extra money would go a long ways toward paying for a new laptop that she would need to get before college started in the fall, but if she worked the extra shift at the café then there was no way that she would have time to go home and get ready for a night out on the town with Eddie. Loren hated the idea of disappointing Eddie after knowing that he had gone to the trouble of arranging reservations and everything, but she had to remind herself that her number one priority was paying for college and that sometimes she would have to make personal sacrifices to make that happen. Loren told her boss that she would pick up the extra shift and then excused herself so that she could go and make a phone call to Eddie.

It was Saturday afternoon, and Eddie would be seeing Loren in a few hours and he could barely contain his excitement and nervousness. There were several times this week when Eddie had to forcibly bring his mind back into focus when he would catch himself remembering something cute that Loren had said or done. He just couldn't stop thinking about her or remove the grin from his face whenever he thought of her. At first when he thought about making plans for Saturday evening, he contemplated just doing something casual at his place; but the more he thought about Loren the more he wanted to do something special for her. He loved to see her smile, and he loved it even more when he was the reason that she was smiling in the first place.

The day he had spent with her earlier this week had been one of the best days he had ever had and he had experienced some pretty outrageous days as a rockstar. Loren was incredible. He had to constantly remind himself that he had just broken up with Chloe a couple a weeks ago and that he was recovering from a broken heart so that he didn't completely fall head over heels for this girl that he barely knew. Truth be told though, the constant ache in his heart that he had felt over Chloe's betrayal had barely been noticeable since he met Loren. But, still, it wasn't wise to jump all in. Loren was right. He still needed to keep his head about him no matter how his heart may feel.

Rumor was actually one of Eddie's favorite restaurants, but he hated going on Saturday nights because of all the paparazzi. If Eddie decided to order appetizers before dinner, it would be public knowledge by the late night news. Eddie knew that Loren had never been there before though, and for once, he wanted to put his rockstar status to good use and to give this girl who never asked for anything absolutely everything he had in his power to give her for one night.

In Eddie's experience, women loved to be pampered and paraded around on his arm at celebrity hangouts such as Rumor. Chloe most definitely had loved this. Chloe had loved the limelight and thrived in being seen with him at the most expensive and exclusive venues in town. Eddie had always hated it, but he had done it because his mom had always told him that when you loved someone that you made compromises. So he had sucked it up because he had been in love. Looking back, a disgruntled Eddie wondered if Chloe had ever compromised on anything in their relationship.

Eddie actually enjoyed spending time at home. His life had become so public and busy that when life actually slowed down for a moment or two, Eddie actually preferred to relax and spend evenings in and do nothing of real importance. However, Eddie wanted to make sure that now that Loren had voluntarily agreed to spend time with him that he gave her a night so spectacular that when he asked for a second date that she would have no choice but to agree.

So, Eddie made reservations at Rumor and planned for a limousine to pick him up at his place at exactly 7:00 pm and then he would have the chauffer drive him to Loren's house where he had planned to present her with a bouquet of flowers that he had personally picked out himself. Eddie had arranged for Loren and him to arrive at the restaurant in complete rockstar style accompanied with all the overtop extravagances he could think of. Eddie had pulled out all the stops and no matter how much he personally hated voluntarily giving all the gossip rags material that they would be headlining in the morning news, it was going to be worth it to see that smile Loren gave him when he had pleased her.

Eddie's phone suddenly rang. When he looked at the caller id, he noticed it was Loren. Eddie wasn't a religious man in the least but at that moment he was praying to God that Loren wasn't calling him to cancel their date.

Loren was surprised when Eddie picked up after the first ring. Eddie sounded a little wary to Loren's ears when he said, "Hello?"

Loren hoped Eddie would understand the change in plans, but Loren didn't feel as if she had a choice. "Hey Eddie, it's Loren. I know you went to a lot of trouble to plan a night out at Rumor, but I don't think that's going to work for me. I picked up an extra shift at the café at the last minute. And even if I had the time to go back home and change my clothes, I have no desire to. I am really beat from a crazy week."

Eddie's heart dropped, but he tried to keep the keep the disappointment out of his voice when he said, "I understand. Maybe we can do it another time."

Loren was silent for a minute and had an idea, "If you want, going to Rumor won't work, but we could still stick to the original plan of me coming over and us ordering takeout and watching some scary movies. We could make a batch of my famous brownies. I know that might not exactly be the type of evening you had planned for a Saturday night Rockstar, so if you would rather make more exciting plans, I promise my feelings won't be hurt. "

And just like that, Eddie's world was filled with joy again and he said, "That actually sounds perfect. Are you sure you're not disappointed about not going to Rumor though? We could still do that on a different night if you want?"

Loren she really hated the thought of hurting Eddie's feelings and she hoped that her confession wouldn't make him think less of her but she had to be honest, "Eddie, I should have been honest before, but I really hated the idea of going to Rumor. I like you, but I barely know you. And, the idea of having my picture taken and being the center of attention freaks me out. And, I have no desire to try and answer questions about us when I am still trying to wrap my mind around whatever is going on. I'm really sorry. If this changes things for you, I understand."

Eddie thought to himself that Loren Tate was unlike any other girl that he had ever met before. Eddie already knew that he liked her a lot and that he felt good whenever he was around her, but he realized that he also respected and admired her. Loren didn't pull any punches, and she was honest even when she thought that honesty might personally cost her.

Eddie relaxed when he truthfully admitted, "I hated the idea of going to Rumor tonight too, but I wanted to make sure you had fun tonight."

Loren let out the breath that she had been holding, grateful that Eddie wasn't upset with her, "Eddie, I enjoy spending time with you or I wouldn't be coming over. You don't have to do anything special for me. I am more afraid that you're not going to have fun tonight. I'm coming over to your apartment immediately after I get done from work this evening, so I won't have time to change. I might even smell a little like grilled hamburgers."

Eddie chuckled, "I think I'll take my chances, and I like hamburgers. It's all good." Eddie asked curiously, "Loren, if you hated the idea of going to Rumor, why didn't you just tell me? " Loren replied earnestly, "Because I thought it was important to you, and my mom always told me that compromise is necessary in every relationship."

Eddie grinned knowingly to himself as he commented easily, "You don't say. So, I will see you tonight then around 7:00?" Loren responded, "Yup. Sounds great. Oh, and, Eddie?" Eddie questioned curiously, "Yes, Ms. Tate?" Loren said softly, "I'm looking forward to seeing you. Goodbye."

When Eddie hung up the phone, he knew instinctively that he was a goner. He was in over his head and falling fast. His brain was complete mush. He had once heard in an interview given by Taylor Swift when she had said that someday she was going to fall in love again and not even remember the guy's name who had broken up with her in a 27 second phone call. Initially, he had thought that Taylor Swift was being completely naïve or that she had never truly experienced true heartbreak. Eddie knew now knew exactly what she had been saying. Eddie had known Loren for less than a week and a half and he was already having a difficult time trying to remember why he missed Chloe.

Eddie knew that it was to earlier to call what he felt for Loren love, but he also knew with certainty that what he had felt for Chloe had never been this strong, and he had almost married her. How had he gotten it so wrong with Chloe? Again, Loren was right. He had been an idiot.