"Sometimes I feel like I'm alone

Sometimes I feel like I'm not that strong

Sometimes I feel so frail, so small

Sometimes I feel vulnerable

Sometimes I feel a little fragile"

-Fragile by Delta Goodrem

After stepping into Eddie's apartment, I couldn't help my wandering eyes. His place was amazing. A large window overlooked the city of Los Angeles and was hidden behind, sheer, grey curtains. A brick staircase was to the right while a short hallway was to the left. However, what my eyes really focused on in both envy and admiration was a beautiful grand piano decorated with framed photographs, most of them containing Eddie and his parents.

Eddie quickly caught onto where my gaze had fixated. "It's the first thing I bought when I started making money" he said as he walked over to the bench and took a seat, patting the spot beside him.

"It's beautiful" I said awestruck as I took a seat and lightly ran my fingers tips over the ivory keys.

I could feel Eddie's eyes on me but my kept my focus on the piano, even as his voice rang out again "It's my second most prized possession."

Cracking a small, warm smile I asked "Second huh? What could possibly top it?"

He searched my eyes for a second before getting up and walking over the leather couch, picking up a picture frame from the table beside it. He then made his way back over to me, handing me the frame. It was a picture of Eddie and his mom Katy. She stood above him, her arms wrapped around his neck and both of them were smiling brightly into the camera.

"That's the last picture I ever took with her" He said, understanding washing over me. His most prized possession.

I gripped the edges of the frame a little tighter as I stared at the woman's face. She was truly beautiful. Her light, thick auburn hair framed her face and fell long past her shoulders in waves bringing out the gold specks in her warm, inviting eyes. And then there was her smile which was true and genuine, not holding back due to insecurity or self consciousness. She was happy and confident and her smile radiated that.

"Where was it taken?" I wondered aloud then quickly closed my eyes in embarrassment "I'm sorry, it's not my place to ask that."

Eddie smiled at me "It was taken at our beach bungalow, the weekend before the premiere for this teen movie that I did."

I nodded, recollection flooding through me "I know the one."

"I remember my mom walking right into Jake's office and telling him that I was taking the weekend off. She told him that she wasn't asking, and that he was to cancel any and all press junkets he had set up." Eddie's smile faltered dramatically "She knew my life was going to change after the premiere. That my career was going to take off."

My hand rested on his shoulder and I squeezed gently "She was a smart woman."

Eddie nodded slowly and then took a deep breath and waved the conversation away "Enough of the heavy" he exclaimed. "You just walked through the door." I dropped my hand, knowing the passing of the conversation was more for him than it was for me, but I had no intention of pressing him for information on his mother. "Do you want something to drink?" He stood before I could answer and walked away into the kitchen. About minutes later he came back out with two glasses of water.

"Thanks" I took the glass, took a small sip and then placed it on top of the piano after seeing Eddie do the same. "So, do you have ideas for a song?"

Eddie took his seat beside me once again "It's not ideas I'm lacking, I just can't seem to materialize any of them."

"Do you mind if I…" I gestured to the piano, silently asking if it was okay that I play it.

"Of course, go ahead" he replied readily.

I started to play a little, not really paying any attention to what I was playing but just letting the music ring out. "When I'm blocked creatively, I like to put away my laptop or notebook, which ever I'm writing with and just play and sing whatever pops into head. Sometimes it's silly, sometimes it doesn't make a shred of sense and sometimes I actually get something out of it."

Eddie nodded, taking in my words "You let it come organically."

I smiled at his sudden understanding "When I try to force the writing process it usually backfires on me." I played a few more notes before I started to hum and eventually I started to sing "Don't turn it all around on me you froze the fire you burned the sea. I didn't take a chance on you to have trust simply fall through." I stopped singing when words escaped me but continued to play and hum. Eventually words found me again. "Don't turn it all around on me, you took the time to tell the lie now you wait for it to turn around, but don't you turn it all around on me."

I played a few more notes before lifting my fingers from the piano and turning to Eddie who was smiling soundly "You make it look easy."

I let out a small laugh and shook my head "Try it."

After about an hour, Eddie and I had gotten nowhere in terms of writing an actual song but we had come up with a few fairly descent commercial jingles.

I was still laughing as Eddie, laughing as well, took my empty glass from me "Well, this has been productive."

I got up and followed him into the kitchen where he placed both glasses in the dishwasher "I think we got some Grammy material there."

Eddie simply shook his head at me, grinning brightly "Is your mom expecting you home at a certain time?"

I narrowed my eyes slightly in curiosity "No, she knows I'm here."

"Then do you want to stay for dinner? I was just going to order some takeout if that's okay."

I fought the grin that was trying to spread across my face "Sure."

We walked back into the living room, Eddie heading towards the couch and me following his direction. "So how was school?"

I rolled my eyes playfully "And here I thought not going home right after school meant avoiding that question for a day."

Eddie shrugged teasingly "It wouldn't be a school day without it."

"True." I let out a deep sigh "It was weird to be honest." He looked at me with intrigue "I got asked about you a lot. I guess some pictures of us hanging out yesterday got uploaded online so that was weird. And Cameron asked me out. That was weirder."

"What did you say?"

I allowed my elbow to rest on the back of the couch, with my arm bent and my head resting against the palm of my hand "About you or to Cameron?"

"Both?" Eddie flashed a small smile with just the corners of his lips turning upwards as he quickly shrugged his nonchalance but a small wash of validity ran across his chocolate orbs that were staring into mine.

I allowed the hand currently holding my head to push my hair back and away from my face. "Well, I told everyone that you and I were just friends and I told Cameron that I would think about it." My hand returned to its previous position, supporting my head as I shifted my gaze downward "I don't know if that was the right thing to do though" I added, my voice dropping to a hushed tone as if the words were a kept secret.

Eddie reached his hand towards the one of mine that was currently resting on my lap. With my hand in his I felt the expectancy to look up and meet his eyes but when I did I saw that his gaze was instead focused on our hands, his thumb moving back and forth in a windshield wiper motion across the back of it. "You don't let this side of you show very often" his gaze remained fixated on our hands as I stared into his face, his lips set in a line, his jaw secure.

Slowly, with his head still lowered he lifted his eyes to meet mine through a thick curtain of dark lashes "What do you mean?" That same hushed tone rang out, just audible in the silence coveting the apartment.

"Your vulnerability" his head lifted as he spoke. "Usually, even if you're opening up about something you stay strong. You don't really let your emotions show."

"Is that a bad thing?" My eyes searched him for an answer before he spoke.

Eddie shook his head "No, it's just who are. You let it show yesterday too, when you were talking about your dad."

I allowed the hand currently supporting my head to drop back to the back of the couch, my fingers lightly drumming the soft leather "I've never had a guy show interest in me like Cameron does and a part of me wants to give him a chance but another part of me is screaming for me to walk away."

A smile flashed onto Eddie's face but soon dropped "Who knew we were so much alike."

"What do you mean?"

Eddie squeezed my hand gently "We're both afraid of getting hurt, of letting someone close enough to hurt us."

"I think that's a fairly new development for you" I countered.

"It is" he agreed "it's especially strong around you though." I didn't know what to say to that so opted out of replying at all. "I know that sometimes, your head can seem louder than your heart but I guarantee your heart gives better advice. I for example, would never normally have sat down next to a fan on a dark hill but for some reason I did. I think that turned out pretty well."

"Is that advice from the same guy who only a week ago advised me to never fall in love?" I couldn't help the teasing edge in my voice.

Eddie cracked a smile "I was in a dark place then but a friend helped me through it."

I smiled knowingly. "So it's not so dark anymore?" I asked softly, staring back down at our hands.

I saw him shake his head slowly in my peripheral vision. "It's just dim."

I lifted my eyes, meeting his in a stare, neither of us frowning but not exactly smiling. "I am afraid of getting hurt" I admitted "but that's not why I'm skeptical of Cam. I just don't think I see him as more than a friend but at the same time, I'm afraid of hurting him."

"You said yourself that you two don't really know each other" he reminded me, attempting to ease my reeling mind.

"That's what I told him and he said that we should rectify that." I took a deep breath, allowing the gentle caress of Eddie's hand on mine to relax me. "Does it make me horrible person if I don't give him a chance?"

Eddie chuckled lightly "The fact that you even think that, proves that you're a good person Loren, you're concerned with other people's feelings which is good but that doesn't mean that you should discount your own. Is there any part of you that feels like you could feel more for him?"

Taking a long look into Eddie's eyes gave me an answer instantaneously. It wasn't fair to Cameron or anyone for me to compare them to Eddie, and up until a week ago that comparison would have been based upon fantasy but now it was so deep into reality that fantasy and dream state could no longer compare. I could stay in this moment forever and remain blissfully happy. Until I shook this crush, I couldn't give anyone a chance. My heart wasn't going to let me.

"I want to" I confessed and it was the truth. Falling for Cameron would be easy, simple even. We would date until September and then more than likely part ways for college or maybe we'd keep in touch, try the long distance thing for a month or so and then give up and remain friends. The kind of friends who like each other's Facebook statuses from time to time and send each other a Christmas card. But of course, I had to make things complicated. "But I just don't."

Eddie scooted closer to me our knees now touching and he brought our hands onto his lap. "Then why are you so conflicted? If you don't like him as more than a friend tell him that. Don't feel guilty for feeling how you feel. You can't control that."

I let out a short breath that sounded a little like a laugh "A guy finally takes interest in me and I feel nothing."

Eddie wrapped both of his hands around my one "It was just the wrong guy." He held my hand in one of his while the other traced patterns on my palm "Or you're just too picky." I could hear the teasing nature in his voice and when I looked up I could see it on his face. I playfully hit his shoulder just as there was a knock on the apartment door. Eddie was laughing as he rubbed his shoulder and walked over to the door. "Hey" I heard him say, but I couldn't see who was there from the couch.

"Hey man" the voice I recognized and my assumptions were assured when Jake Madsen pushed past Eddie and made his way into the apartment. "Something just came up and I need to go over it with you as soon as poss-" he stopped as soon as he saw me.

Immediately I stood and walked over to Jake, who was standing in front of the piano "Hello."

"Hi." Jake was short with me and possibly a little annoyed by my presence "Loren, right?"

At least he remembered that much. "Yeah, it's nice to see you again Jake."

Eddie walked back over to me, taking his stance beside me as he crossed his arms over his chest, his attention on Jake "So what's up?"

Jake looked between the two of us, making it blatantly clear that my presence was not appreciated. I walked over to the piano, grabbing my purse from on top of it "I'll go, obviously you two need to talk." I tried my best to sound bright but I feared that the disappointment due to my time with Eddie being cut short was tragically transparent.

Eddie walked over to me and slid my purse off of my shoulder "Don't let Jake scare you off" he said playfully as he shot Jake a look. "His bark is worse than his bite." I smiled and watched as Eddie placed my purse back on the piano before he turned back to Jake completely "So...?"

Jake gestured towards the couch where we all moved to take a seat. Eddie sat up on the arm of the couch beside me to the right while Jake sat on the couch to my left. I turned my body to face Jake, Eddie doing the same. "Two things; one, how do you feel about attending a movie premiere mid next week and two, how do you feel about performing at a televised celebrity charity concert in June?"

Jake was so business like with it all, like it was no big deal, just a Hollywood premiere, just a televised celebrity charity concert, like it happens all of the time. Talk about different worlds.

I could feel Eddie shift a little in his seat "It's kind of short notice for the premiere isn't it?"

Very nonchalantly, Jake shrugged, "They got in touch with me a while ago but we were still on tour and I didn't want you to commit to anything right away and then the thing with Chloe happened and I just kept putting it off."

Eddie looked genuinely surprised "That does not sound like you."

Jake simply laughed. Who knew he had it in him? "Yeah, well I'm coming to you now. They need an answer today to secure the VIP guest list. What's it going to be?"

Eddie smiled "Sure."

Jake clapped his hands together once, obviously pleased with Eddie's answer "Great and what about the charity concert?"

"Always" Eddie replied, with a short nod.

Quickly, Jake pulled out his phone and began to dial a number as he stood from the couch and walked towards the window for a little privacy.

I moved over so that Eddie could slide onto couch beside me "Sounds like you've got some fun stuff coming up."

With a simple shrug and sweet smile Eddie turned to face me more directly "Just more work."

I shook my head, "Oh sure, just more work. That's not work that's the glitz and glam life of a rock star." I teasingly pointed my finger at him "Don't even try to tell me you don't love it."

Eddie grabbed my finger, pulling it away from his face with a laugh "It's not the worst part of the job."

"Eduardo," Jake called out, causing Eddie to turn around instantly. "They need the name of a plus one for the premiere? Maybe your dad or Ian," Jake offered quickly.

"Or…" Eddie whipped his head back around so that his eyes met mine "Loren, have you ever been to a movie premiere?"

Instantly, my eyes widened and all emotion was wiped from my features "Are…are you serious?"

Eddie laughed at my obvious state of shock "Yeah. And besides my dad's been to hundreds of premieres, he's probably over them by now and my friend Ian's in South America and I'd honestly love it if you came with me."

I couldn't help it. My smile broke through the shock and I nodded a little too enthusiastically.

Jake eyed us both "You sure that's a good idea man? I mean with the amount of media attention you two have been getting lately?"

Eddie waved Jake off "It'll be great, and besides it'll give us a chance to squash the dating rumors. Plus, I get the privilege of having a beautiful woman on my arm for the evening." My smile simply grew at his words.

Nodding, Jake turned back around to stare out the window and return to his phone conversation. Soon, he hung up and returned to the couch, this time sitting up on the arm of the couch like Eddie had done before. "It's done, I'll make sure to let Helen know that you need a new suit for the premiere and-" Jake leaned forward a little so that he could see me and meet my eyes "you need to make sure you have something descent to wear. This is a high profile movie, which means everyone will be decked out in their best. No Wal-Mart sale rack dresses, you got it?"

To say I was taken back and insulted would be putting it lightly but before I could speak up and defend myself Eddie's voice was already filling the silence "Really Jake?" Eddie did not sound impressed.

Holding up his hands in defense Jake continued and verbally defended himself as well "I'm just saying she needs to look the part."

With a bit of sass, of which I knew Mel would have approved of, I snapped my fingers "Darn it, you mean that brown potato sack I've been saving for special occasion isn't going to cut it?"

With a prideful smile Eddie turned to Jake "Don't dish it if you can't take it Jake."

Smiling with approval, Jake extended a hand towards me "Touché." I shook his hand.

Half an hour later, Jake had left and Eddie and I were sitting on his floor in front of the couch eating Chinese out of the cartons. "So out of curiosity," I began, growing a little self-conscious "what should I wear to the premiere?"

Placing his food on the table, Eddie sighed "Don't let Jake get to you, he's an idiot sometimes when it comes to any social skills, non-business related."

I too placed my food on the table and shifted my body so that I was facing Eddie more directly "I won't argue that" I admitted, receiving a smile from Eddie. "But, seriously, what should I wear? I've never been to a premiere. Short dress, long dress, heels, flats, boots? What?"

Eddie looked at me like I was speaking another language and used his thumb to point back to the apartment door "You heard Jake right? He's getting my stylist Helen to pick up a suit for me. I know nothing about fashion. I'm a jeans a t-shirt kind of guy."

Unpleased with his answer, I resorted to the sass once again "So the potato sack will work after all?"

Sensing my sarcasm Eddie shifted his body to face me more "Wear whatever you feel comfortable with. I'm sure your Mom and Mel can help you pick something out and don't worry about it too much, okay? It's just for one night."

I picked the food up from the table and lowered my head shyly "Is it totally lame that I'm this excited?"

Eddie laughed but shook his head "No, I grew up with it all, you know? For me it's completely normal but it's still exciting, so I get it."

I took a sip of my soda and then leaned against the couch "Have you ever thought about doing more films?" I asked with genuine curiosity.

Eddie seemed a little surprised by the question and took time to consider it. "Maybe, if I get a hold of a script I really love and it didn't take time away from my music. But I'm not actively looking for film work."

"The music's where your heart's at" I concluded.

He seemed pleased with my understanding "Exactly."

Taking another sip of my soda I slipped into silence for a minute "What if there was no music?" The words I spoke I said more to myself then to Eddie.

"What?"

I quickly scrambled to my feet and made my way to his piano "I think I got an idea for a song." Eddie followed me and took a seat beside me on the piano bench. Then, music filled the room.

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are preparing yourselves for yet another epic week off Hollywood Heights this week! I'm so excited! We better get an "I love you" from Eddie. That's all I have to say about that, lol.

Anyway, if you guys know of any good songs that remind you of Leddie or of Hollywood Heights in general please let me know! I'm making a playlist for when I write the story and need some good songs!

Until Thursday (possibly sooner), stay classy!

-Tia