Part Five
"Promise you won't laugh?" Gia asked as she stood behind the changing wall.
The voice of her friend called back. "Gia, you know I won't laugh at you."
She took a deep breath and then stepped out. She took in the look on Lucky's face and sighed. "Told you it wasn't me."
Lucky shook his head as he took in the long pale yellow ball gown. He guessed it would be what you called a Cinderella gown. He squinted a little. "I think it's the color. Maybe the red one would look better." He said, noting the relief on her face. He went back to setting up his camera as Gia disappeared to try the red dress.
The two were working on the newest ad campaign for Deception. Gia shrugged off the yellow monstrosity and slipped into a red one of a similar style. The creative heads at Deception had come up with the idea of having Gia become a Princess of each Season. They were starting with fall and Gia would wear a fancy ball gown in setting of the season.
Lucky was trying to decide where he could get the best light. He had chosen a meadow for the pictures. The leaves on the trees were turning into the bright colors. It would be perfect. He wondered what was taking Gia so long. Unfortunately, he had also chosen to put the photo shoot on one of the hottest days since summer had ended. "Almost done, Princess Autumn." He called.
The truth was Gia was lost in thought behind her dressing wall. The dress was on and she had decided it was more suited to her. Now she was thinking about all that had happened in the space of a month and a half. It had been that long since she had first walked in on Nikolas and Elizabeth. It was hard to believe that some much could change a small amount of time.
She was now living in the Brownstone. She thought she would initially find it annoying to have her brother so close but as the two repaired their relationship she was finding it convenient to have her brother a few doors down. They could have breakfast together and watch TV at night. She still had the independence of her own place but she was close to her big brother. She remembered telling him about Nikolas and Elizabeth. It had taken her awhile to convince him not to kill Nikolas.
She had managed to repair her relationship with her mother and she was glad for that. Maybe her mother and Marcus had been right. Maybe Nikolas had kept her away from her family. She knew her mother would love it if she went back to Columbia and finished becoming a lawyer but she had no intention of doing that.
Gia also had two good friends in Lucky and Sarah. Through Sarah, she was able to repair her relationship with Nikolas' brother and now she was sure that he was the one she was the closest to. He never made rude comments when she was upset about Nikolas. He listened to whatever she had to say. He held her if she was upset and he got her through the rough patches.
Of course, not everything in her life was perfect. It was still hard to see Nikolas and Elizabeth around town. She managed to avoid them and she was becoming convinced that they were trying to avoid everyone. Lying to Jason and Gia put them on the top of a lot of people's nasty list. They kept to themselves a lot, staying on Spoon Island. Gia thought it was a perfect place for them to live in isolation. She hoped they felt bad for what they had done.
Gia also saw Jason around town once and awhile. Mainly he was with Sonny or Carly. He had always given her a smile and a hello and she had always returned it. The impact of their night together was wearing off and Gia was glad. She could use another friend.
"Gia, are you alright in there?" Lucky called.
Gia snapped out her thoughts. "I'll be right out."
"You don't need any help buttoning that thing up, do you?" Lucky asked. "I got two free hands."
"I'm sure Sarah would love that." Gia laughed stepping out of the make shift dressing room. The faint breeze sent the red dress flowing around her. "Better?"
Lucky grinned. "Gia, you're a vision. Now let's shoot this Autumn Princess thing before I melt. Feels like summer all over again."
Gia nodded and for the next hour the crew worked to capture her amongst all the colorful autumn leaves. Lucky had been right about one thing. The sun was hot as it shone down on her. It didn't help that her dress was made of thick material and the color red absorbed heat. She smiled as best she could and hoped that they would soon be done.
Lucky was reloading the film when he looked up at his friend. He frowned. She looked so pale. He was about to ask her if she was all right when she crumpled to the ground. The make up and hair people immediately crowded her as he rushed forward. "Give her some room!" He commanded pushing through the small crowd. Gia was sitting up by now. "What's wrong?"
"I think it's the heat." Gia told him. "I'm really hot in this dress."
Lucky still thought she looked way to pale. "When is the last time you had something to eat?"
"Breakfast." Gia admitted. "I had toast and orange juice with my brother. I kinda skipped lunch."
"Gia!" Lucky cried. Dating someone who was a doctor had taught him a few things. Besides, he knew that what Gia had done was dangerous. "Why did you do that?"
"Because I would have never gotten into this dress if I hadn't." She cried, starting to get some of her fiery spirit back. She allowed Lucky to help her to her feet. She still felt a little dizzy. She began to brush some dead leaves off her dress and sighed. "Are we almost done?"
"We are done." Lucky informed everyone. "What we got is going to have to do…you're in no shape to continue."
"Lucky, I'm fine!" Gia protested.
"I'm your friend…it's my job to worry." He told her. "We're going to pack up and head back in town. We are going to Kelly's and I am going to buy you something to eat! That's it…I'm putting my foot down."
Gia couldn't help but dissolve into giggles. "You're putting your foot down, huh?" She disappeared to change into her clothes. "I'll be right out!"
****
Gia pushed the plate away. She leaned back in her chair and sighed in contentment. She glanced across the table at Lucky. Unlike her, he had eaten dinner so he settled for a pastry and a cup of coffee.
He looked at her empty plate. "I knew you were hungry."
"I know…you're right. I didn't want to say anything because you Spencers have such terrible egos." Gia teased. She was surprised at herself. She had finished off a bowl of the famous chili followed by a huge sundae. Toast with Marcus was further away then she had thought.
"Promise me you'll never do that again." Lucky commanded as he finished off his coffee.
Gia nodded. "I promise." She was about to say something else when she caught sight of someone coming in behind Lucky.
Lucky followed her gaze and saw Jason. The two didn't exactly get along after what happened the first time Liz and Jason tried to hook up. He really didn't have anything against him now that he was with Sarah but he still didn't really care for the guy. He looked back at Gia who was still looking at him.
Gia smiled a little as Jason walked into the diner further. He smiled back. For a moment her mind was on their night together and then the flash was gone.
"Gia…"
She snapped out of it and looked back at her friend. "What did you say?"
"Were you in la la land again?" Lucky asked. "I was asking you how you knew Jason."
Gia had never confided in anyone about what happened between her and Jason that night. She had only told Nikolas and he was too proud to tell anyone else. She wondered if Elizabeth even knew. "I was the one who told him about Nikolas and Elizabeth." She told him. She wasn't lying…she just wasn't telling him the whole truth. "I think we have an unspoken understanding. Both of us know what it is like to be lied to and cheated on." She looked back at Jason. He was ordering something from the counter. She felt an extra bit of courage go through her. She wasn't just going to say hi today. That was about all they had said to each other since the talk the morning after. "Jason!" She called as she turned to leave.
He looked over at her. She smiled and motioned him over. When he was standing next to their table, Gia spoke again. "I wanted to see how you were."
Jason didn't pay any attention to Lucky's dislike of him at being so near. "I'm doing okay. How about you?"
"I think I could say the same. Things get easier to accept with time." She said referring to the breakup and their night together. "Don't you think?"
Jason understood her meaning. "I think you're right. I meant what I said…if you ever need anything just let me know."
"She's got friends who take care of her." Lucky spoke up.
Gia sent her friend a glare. "Lucky." She muttered in warning. She looked back up at Jason who wasn't even fazed by Lucky's comment. "I'll remember that. Have a great day."
"You too." Jason said. He gave Lucky a look and then left the diner with his purchase.
"What the hell was that all about?" Gia demanded after Jason was out of sight.
"I could ask you the same thing." Lucky said.
"I told you…we talked the night of the breakup. I know what he is going through. I wanted to make sure he was okay." Gia said. She felt like she shouldn't have to explain herself to her friend. "He's a nice guy Lucky. It's about time you got over your anger at him for what happened with Elizabeth. You're happy with Sarah."
"Let's just drop it." Lucky said. He hated when he fought with Gia. He motioned for the bill. "I'm going to go develop these prints." He said indicating the camera bag by his feet. "I call you tomorrow so you can come see them."
"Sarah will be home, right?" Gia asked. Lucky and Sarah had gotten a cottage when they decided they were ready to move in together. Lucky had put a dark room in his basement so he could develop his pictures at home.
"She should be." Lucky said. "Why don't you come over after dinner? We can go over the prints and you and Sarah can catch up."
"Sounds great." Gia said looking at her watch. It was the middle of the afternoon and she was ready to head back to the Brownstone. She kissed Lucky's cheek and exited Kelly's.
It was still hot out as she walked back to her apartment. She wished she and Jason could have talked longer. She wondered how he really was…not just how he said he was. Did he still get upset every once and awhile like her? Or had he moved on? Maybe she would get her chance sometime.
She opened the door to her room and went through her mail. Most of it was junk but she was happy to see that she got the magazine she was subscribed to. Lying down on her couch she began to flip through it.
Her eyelids began to feel heavy. She gave in and closed them. Just a small nap….
****
Gia opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was her television. Confused, she sat up to see that she was on her couch. She stretched her arms into the air and groaned. She felt completely rested. She reached for the remote to see if she could catch the evening news.
The sight of the morning news greeted her. Confusion overwhelmed her as she looked at the clock on her end table. "Seven in the morning!" Gia stood up. She had slept through the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. She had slept all night. She had slept for about sixteen hours! She had remembered feeling a little tired but not enough to sleep that long.
She opened her door and headed down the hall. She knew Marcus had to work so he would be up by now. She knocked on the door.
Marcus opened it a few moments later and was shocked and surprised at the same time. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I had a good night's sleep." She said. That's an understatement…
"Why don't you come in?" Marcus asked opening the door wider so she could enter. "I made bacon and eggs and I'll split it with you."
Gia nodded and took a seat at the table. Marcus returned with a plate that he sat down in front of her. She smiled and then picked up her fork. She was glad she came over.
The smell of the food hit her. She didn't understand why but suddenly she felt nauseous. She pushed the plate away and shook her head to try and shake off the feeling.
"Gia?" Marcus asked.
She didn't answer, instead bolting from table into his bathroom. Marcus followed and found her throwing up in his toilet.
He didn't know what else to do. Dropping to his knees, he rubbed his sister's back as she continued to empty her stomach. He started to calm her down and then reached for a cloth for her to wipe face.
When she was done she let her brother wrap her arms around her as they sat on the bathroom floor. "I must be coming down with flu." She said. But she knew that she was lying. Between her fainting spell, her long sleep and her vomiting she knew that there was something really wrong with her.