"'How are you gonna find one guy out of this entire school?"' He asked tossing the football upwards and catching it.
"'I don't know Eric. The best idea I have now is a kissing booth for the carnival coming up.'"
"'Sammy, even I know that's a horrible idea."' He snorted.
"'Do you have any better ideas?'" I retorted.
"And cut!" The director yelled out. "Great take everybody. That's a wrap for tonight. Same time tomorrow. Amber, Dak, remember to brush your teeth thoroughly, and bring some gum. We'll be filming a lot of kissing scenes tomorrow."
"I felt myself blushing. No matter how sweet Tom could be, he was still really embarrassing.
Twelve hours shooting and reshooting scenes was exhausting. Even worse was that we've been here since six. I loved every second of it. Unfortunately, we were almost done filming.
I skipped to the snack table and grabbed a water bottle. I felt someone nudge me.
I turned around and smiled at my co-star Dak Zevon. He was really amazing. He's balancing this film along with a vampire one. "Hey, awesome job," I complimented him. I whipped out my car keys and phone from my purse on the chair where my name was engraved. (Eep! How cool was that?) I glanced at my phone. Missed calls, voice mail, and text messages. Does he not know when to take a hint?
"Thanks, you too." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Um, so Amber, I was thinking if maybe you'd like to go out to dinner with me or something?" He asked as we exited the building.
Oh boy, here we go. I sighed. "Dak, as much as I'd love to, I'm afraid I have to say no." His face fell a bit, so I rushed to explain as I hopped in my car and started it.
"It's not because I don't like, because I do, I really do."
He gave me a knowing smile. "Ahh, I get it. You're one of those 'I-don't-date-my-costar' actresses, right?"
"Something like that…but I'm not saying no. Consider it a rain check."
"It's okay, I understand. How 'bout ice cream with the cast?"
"Rain check for that too." I smiled. "See ya tomorrow," I called as he walked off.
Now for the messages and stuff. He might be my best friend but that doesn't mean I don't 'punish' him like I 'punish' Faith. I unlocked my phone.
Lordy! Thirty-seven missed calls, twenty-eight voice mails, and fifty-five text messages. Damn! I was just giving him the silent treatment, not exiling him.
It wasn't because he liked Jo if that's what you're thinking. The girl's a total sweetheart even though I've known her for about a month already. I was ignoring him because he completely ignored me while we were doing the 'formal' introductions. Not to mention he disregarded our kiss the day too.
[Flashback]
"Okay guys, Jo is coming in a few minutes," I stated to the four idiots who were casually lounging in my apartment after they got back from the studio and practically murdered tgemselves fighting over *another* new girl.
"Chill Mom. We'll be on our best behavior. We promise," James smirked.
"No," I warned, "not just on your best behavior. You better be perfect angels. I don't care if all of you were in love with her a few hours ago. Be good, or else. Am I clear?"
"Yes Mom," they chorused. I'll admit, it was funny when they called me 'Mom', but usually it was down right annoying.
"What if we don't behave?" Kendall threatened jokingly.
"I'll tell Layla to move me out of the Palm Woods." The smirk dissolved off his face and crept onto mine.
"Jo, lemme introduce you to these jokers, the right way," I said blatantly. "The one with the goofy sweater vest is Logan. He's, like, the only normal one, but extremely dorky." He looked slightly hurt but still smiled. "The one with the helmet is Carlos. He is neither a bad boy nor English, but he is very lovable." He patted his helmet. "James is the one who's staring at his reflection in the mirror. He does have an allergic reaction to the Beracuda spray, but he is naturally flirty." I shot him a glare. He smiled shamelessly, but put it away. "And the blond who's sitting next me is Kendall, the one who was actually being himself." I patted his lap. He flashed her a smile and wiggled his eyebrows.
We were now gathered in the living room and doing the introductions. It was awkward for a few minutes before we got to know about her. And by we, I meant the guys.
James was more or less flirting with her despite the fact that she had a "boyfriend." Carlos was being overly-friendly in the non-flirty way by trying to make her feel at home. Logan was just overall avoiding her, since he was paying more attention to Camille…Lucky!
And Kendall, well, he couldn't stop drooling over her. Grr! I couldn't wait for her to leave.
"What the hell was that?" I yelled at him an hour later. I knew being in my room wasn't soundproof, but it was better than anybody seeing our reactions. Neither of them were pretty.
It hurt how every time I tried to speak to him, he completely ignored me. Not to mention the dirty looks he shot me every time Jo pointed out to him I was talking to him.
One worse than that was that Jo didn't seem to remember his name.
"What was what?" he asked sounding confused.
"You flirting with Jo every two seconds. You know she has a boyfriend." I smacked his chest.
"I wasn't flirting with her…I was just being friendly."
"Kendall, I- never mind."
"You, you what?" he challenged.
"I just freakin' hate you sometimes."
"How do you think I feel, huh? You're so damn clingy, I swear."
"Me? Clingy?" I huffed. "Boy, I hope you're joking about that."
"I'm not joking. Did you see the way you were acting?"
"No, did you see how you were acting? You were all up on her. You know she has a boyfriend."
"What's your point?' he asked cockily. Je crossed his arms.
"Would you like a guy to be flirting with me if I had a boyfriend?"
He snorted. "That's different."
"Explain it to me."
"Simple. If a guy was dating you in the first place, he wouldn't be alive."
I stamped my foot. "Why the hell not?"
"Did you come to LA to make it to the big time, or become a whore by dating every guy you see?"
I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped to the floor. That hurt, but I try not to let it show. "So, I'm a whore now? If I was a whore, would I take better care of your friends than you?"
"No, but a whore would look eager to bang every guy she sees. Do you not remember the guy at the restaurant?"
"I still must've looked good enough for you to have kissed me when you left."
He was at a loss for words. It was easy to see. He would open his mouth, then close it again.
"That's what I thought," I smirked smugly.
"The kiss meant nothing to me, if that's what you're implying. It was just an experiment, like when we were 10. And just like when we were 10, you didn't protest."
"Get out," I whispered. I was livid right now, and the last thing I needed was to hurt him. "Don't even talk to me ever again."
"Good," he scoffed, "I don't need you. The guys always have my back. I've got them. You could just fly yo New York tomorrow morning and stay for a month and I…wouldn't…miss…you." He tapped my nose. "Not even an eensy-weensy little bit."
Okay, that was it. I slapped him with all my force. "Get out now! And for your information, I will be leaving for New York tomorrow. And don't worry about me not being in contact with you. You're dead to me. Out."
In truth, I did miss him. A lot. But he said those words, not me. I'm just proving to him that- That what?
That he was lost without me? Please. He was the unofficial leader of his friends.
That the should watch what he says to me? More probable. If we weren't fighting, he would've said something differently.
That he needed me more than I needed him? I went six years without him. He was the one who chose not to stay in contact with me.
Now, let's just see how far he'll go.
"Amber!" Faith squealed at the airport three days later.
"Faith!" I squealed back. I threw my luggages on the floor and threw my arms around her. Being the best friends we were, we hugged the life out of each other.
"How was filming?" She asked grabbing one of my bags and leading me out of the airport.
"It was amazing!" I gushed. "The cast and crew were really sweet. It felt like I've known them forever! The only downer was the fact that we woke up early every single day. How was your vacation away from me?" I joked.
"Same old, same old. Only more liberating and less food. I had dinner with Mama Knight and the boys every ñight. It was awesome! Didja hear about Logan and Camille?"
"No," I answered slowly.
"'Let's just say that they're almost dating."
I cocked an eyebrow. "And how close is 'almost' exactly."
Her face fell a tiny bit. "We need a few misfortunes."
"Ahh, and how's it going with you and James?"
She moaned in response. "Not good. He's still hung up on that one chick. I don't like it Amber. Not one bit."
"Instead of playing him, just be honest with him. You'll get further in your 'relationship' that way."
"Now where's the fun in that? But onto more important matters…Wass goin' on between you and Kendall?"
Crap! "Y'know, I'm still not talking to him."
"I can see that. Why? Is it because of your last fight?"
"Faith, even you know why I had to do it."
"No duh!" She rolled her eyes like it was the most obvious thing ever. "The whole Palm Woods heard every word. Jeez girl, I'd be mad if you forgave him so easily."
"I know. That's why I still haven't forgiven him."
"You're lying. I know you already did. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if you forgave him the second you woke up before you left for NY…and you did, didn't you?" She glanced at me knowingly. We stopped short, waiting for her ride to come, since she didn't know how to drive yet.
I grinned sheepishly. "Yes," I admitted. She was one hundred thousand percent correct.
The limo driver pulled up just then.
"WELCOME HOME AMBER!" The voices of my friends from the Palm Woods greeted me. I was showered with hugs and kisses as I put my bags down on the floor.
Camille and Jo hugged me like I was a relative they hadn't seen in years. Camille was no surprise since I've known her for awile. Jo did, however. I didn't know she liked me, but I guess it was because Kendall liked her.
The Jennifers gave me a smile and a slight wave. Tyler seemed happy being away from his mom for awhile at least. Guitar Dude was content playing the guitar.
Katie and Mama Knight were kind enough to bake me a cake. The boys, which I assumed was them, went all out and turned my cozy apartnent into a dance floor. How did I know? The party was hockey themed. (Did I mention that there were presents too?)
No surprise, the only one missing was Kendall. Good. It was better for me anyways. That way, we didn't end up killing each other and ruining the welcome back party.
"You guys! You shouldn't have! Is it my birthday already?" I joked once James finished hugging the life outta me.
"Maybe," they teased. "C'mon!" Carlos added, "Let's eat! I'm starving!"