Goodbyes and Fresh Starts

Chapter Three

LA life was beginning to take its toll on Lily. She had been in the studio constantly recording her debut CD, "Songs from the Underground." It was a nod to being on RFR throughout her high school days. As weeks went by, Lily found it easier to live without Ray. She never called him like she had promised when she reached LA. because she didn't want to have to hear his voice. She was afraid that if she did, everything she had been working for would go down the drain; she didn't want to stir things up. She occasionally talked to Robbie, just to find out what everyone was up to. She had found out that Ray and Robbie were now co-hosting a radio talk show together and that Travis had left to study in London. She was happy for all of them and Robbie had promised they were all happy for her. She wanted more than anything to talk to Ray but it was to soon. Her thoughts were suddenly broken by the voice of her manager, Eduardo.

"Yes..." Eduardo began speaking into his phone "We don't have a release date set yet, she just started recording, but I can guarantee you that it's going to be a hit! She writes her own music and plays the guitar; she's quite the talented bugger! Yes...I understand...great, I'll call you then, bye!"

"Who was that?" Lily asked over hearing the conversation.

"Some promoter guy, he's heard the buzz on you and wants to get you to play for his club." Eduardo replied.

"Wow, I've been here less than two months and people want to book me already?" Lily asked surprised.

"Like I said, Lily, you're talented and this club thing could be good publicity for you, so think about it." He replied.

"Yea...I mean of course, I don't have to think, I'll do it, where is it and when?" She asked.

"I don't know, someplace in Canada, Rusca, Roosco..." He said

"Roscoe?" She asked. "I'm from Roscoe."

"That's it Roscoe, never heard of it." He said. "It's later on this summer, hopefully we can get you a break from the studio long enough to get you there. This is good, Lily, I have a good feeling about this…about you."

"Thanks Eduardo!" She replied. "But I know I said I'd do it, but I don't know if I'm ready to go back to Roscoe."

"It's not for a few months, dear, I'll call and book us." He insisted.

Well there was really no use in arguing with Eduardo; she learned that whatever he says goes. Besides that's why he was the manager. He knew what was right and what was wrong for her. She hadn't planned on going back to Roscoe so soon but if it would help further her career she had to do it, even if it meant facing Ray, her one true love. Weeks had passed, and she was beginning to get the hang of this whole LA thing. She met someone, his name was Charlie and he was the one hired to play drums for Lily. He was cute and charming, a few years older than Lily but she enjoyed his company. Besides Eduardo, Charlie was the only person Lily ever really talked to and it was nice. LA was so big and she hadn't had much of a chance to get out and meet new people. Charlie was from the area, so he took her to all the hot spots; they had fun.

"It's so hot out," Lily said while sitting on a blanket staring out into the ocean. "I've been here for months and this is the first time I've been to the ocean, it's actually the first time I've seen it."

Charlie laughed. "You need to get out more, Randall."

"I know, tell me about it." Lily began. "I've been in the studio constantly since day one."

"So tell me more about you, Randall, where are you from?"

"Roscoe, a small town in Canada, I was born and raised there. I love it there but I had to leave."

"So why did you leave this Roscoe place?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"It's kinda a long story; I don't want to get into it, not now." She told him.

"I'm not going anywhere, Randall, I have all day." He said wanting to know more.

Fine, I'll tell you, but I'm not happy about it." she said,

He gave her the I-knew-you-would-give-in-to-me look.

Lily sighed, "I left because of a boy. A boy…how silly is that?"

"It's not silly at all, people do that all the time. I personally would never leave someplace because of a girl, but it's not silly, so who was this boy?"

"Ray Brennan," Lily said a smile forming on her face.

"By that smile, I'll bet he was really special."

"He was," Lily said. "He was my best friend, but he was more than that, he was my soul-mate."

"Soul-mates is such a made-up word; soul-mates don't exist, only in our minds. We want to find that one special person but I don't think we ever do. You can settle down with someone you really love and care about, but are they really that one person?"

"He was my soul-mate, whether they exist or not. He was the one and I let him go." Lily said, a bit aggravated by what Charlie had said.

"Well maybe it's time to move on Randall." Charlie said scooting closer to Lily. "Maybe this will help you move on."

He leaned in and kissed her; it was new for Lily, different and exciting. She wanted to stop, but she didn't. Charlie was right, she needed to move on; she couldn't dwell on the past anymore, the what-ifs. It was time to start living in the now. She kissed him back and they sat in the sand for hours watching the sunset and the night sky play before them. It was late when Charlie got Lily back to her apartment. It still didn't feel like home to her but she was working on it. Although it was late, she decided to call Robbie; she hadn't talked to him in weeks.

"Hello?" Robbie's voice said.

"Hey Rob, I didn't wake you did I?"

"Hey Lil, no, I'm still up."

"So how are you? And things?"

"If by things you mean Ray, he's good and so am I. We are getting a really great response to the new show and he's working on writing a TV series based on the RFR experience."

"That's great Robbie, I'm so happy for you, for the both of you. Anyways, I met someone."

"Really Lil? That's awesome! I'm still single but I'm working on that. So who is he? What's he like?"

"His name is Charlie and he's my drummer. He's a few years older than we are but he's cute and really nice, and he knows so much, he's full of life and energy. He's great."

"I'm happy for you. Lily, really I am. So when do you think you'll be back for a visit?"

"Soon..." she began, "Next month actually, I'm playing a club in Roscoe, my first show, and it's in Roscoe."

"Really? That's great, can't wait to see you in action! So call me when you know the exact date and I'll be sure to get a front row seat."

"I will. Tell everyone Hi for me, I'll talk to you soon." She said hanging up the phone.

He didn't seem all that happy that she was coming back. Was he hiding something? Was Ray seeing someone, did he not want to tell me that?

A/N: Drop me a note and tell me what you think!