Chapter 8: How to Lose Your Best Friend in Five Minutes

"You never realize the importance of what you've got until it is gone forever."

"First premieres are always like this," Aunt Kendra explained to her niece, Kristen. "Paparazzi always want to know who the new actress is, interviewers will want to get the first word from you –this gives them points at their jobs, especially if the actress becomes famous. And according to critics…you will."

Kristen gulped as she caught a glimpse of the flashing lights. "I can't go out there."

"Why not?" her aunt asked, bewildered. "Actresses should like getting the attention. Their money comes from the publicity, after all."

Kristen didn't dare to look out the small office's window. Her aunt had requested that they parked the limousine in front of the cinema's office so Kristen could get a few pointers on how to act in a premiere. She didn't know who was going to give them to her, but as long as he or she told Kristen what to do, she would be satisfied. She didn't work too well when she had no idea what to do.

"Because…" Kristen let her voice trail out. The way she was looking out the window should've been enough to tell her aunt what Kristen feared. That people wouldn't like her –and therefore, wouldn't accept her.

Her aunt caught the message. "Kris, don't worry. You'll be fine. People say your acting is great and you look gorgeous tonight. Besides, I'm sure you'd really appreciate the person who's going to share some tips with you."

Kristen looked up, feeling more nervous than ever as she heard some paparazzi call out her name. "W-who's the person?"

Her aunt smiled playfully. "You'll see. But I can assure you, you'll be really glad. And you have to be thankful, too. We were surprised when he volunteered to help you out. His manager says he usually isn't so…welcoming with new people. According to the manager, though, he says he saw potential in you."

Kristen blinked. Judging by the way her aunt spoke about this person, he was probably important in the film industry. And that didn't calm her even for a bit.

"He's here!"

Her aunt grinned, as she gently pushed Kristen toward another room. There sat a dark-haired boy, his back facing her, wearing a suit. His legs were propped up on top of the table and it seemed as if he was giving orders to someone. Once Kristen stepped in, though, he stopped talking. As he swiveled his chair around, Kristen couldn't stop her jaw from dropping.

"We really appreciate what you're doing, Mr.-"

"Please," Josh cut in, taking off his sunglasses. "Call me Josh."

His gaze shifted toward Kristen, who was now smiling from ear to ear. He smirked. "I've heard a lot of good things about you. Primarily, that you're a big fan of mine."

For a while, Kristen was at loss of words. The Josh Hotz was standing in front of her, looking hotter than ever. Never in her life did she imagine that he would be speaking to her. Much less advising her on what to do on the red carpet.

"Kristen," her aunt murmured, snapping Kristen out of her daze.

Kristen blushed, nodding. "Y-yeah. My sister and I-"

Kristen abruptly stopped, wondering if it would be unprofessional to profess your admiration to another actor.

Josh chuckled. "People think it's adorable when an actor tells another what a huge fan he or she is."

Kristen smiled. "Good…'cause I'm sure my sister would kill me if I didn't mention her to you."

Josh's smirk grew. "Well, let's go straight to the point. We don't have much time. So, the first thing you should know about red carpets: you can never stop smiling. You can grin, you can smirk or you can flash a shy smile. But if even the smallest hint of a smile isn't seen, paparazzi will instantly think that something has displeased you. The next thing you know, you're on the cover of People behind a headline full of lies."

Kristen nodded, trying to imagine the kind of lies that someone could make up of a new artist.

As if reading her mind, Josh added, "Trust me, they won't pity you because you're new."

Kristen took the advice in and paid close attention to the rest. She was used to explaining everything to people around her. Now she knew how it felt to need the help of others.

Once Josh finished, he glanced out the window. "Well, I think that's all. We should keep in contact, though."

Josh's team's eyes widened as they heard him say that. Josh wasn't so friendly with people, either.

"Come on, guys," Josh told them, motioning to the door. "Nice meeting you, Kristen...Kendra."

Aunt Kendra smiled and gave Josh a court nod. He began to walk toward the door. But before he was out completely, he turned around. He smiled at her –an honest one.

"You look really nice, by the way."

And before she could thank him, Josh was already out of the door.

"Miss Gregory, are you ready?" one of her representatives asked.

Kristen nodded, feeling more secure now with Josh's tips.

Her representative smiled as he opened the door. "Good luck and have fun."

Kristen smiled. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out, immediately greeted by a large amount of flashing lights. Even though he probably said that to everybody, she remembered Josh's compliment. Smiling, she felt slightly less insecure.

But she was wrong, which was rare for Kristen. But wasn't her mistake obvious? Josh didn't like admitting that someone else looked good, after all.

"Josh," I said, feeling the dread bubble up inside me.

Josh began to shake his head. "What's wrong with you?"

I looked down, not able to look into his brown eyes anymore.

"Your sister is about to get married with that jerk and you're kissing him around?"

I bit my lower lip. "I…I'm-"

"I never thought you would be that kind of girl."

I felt the tears roll down my cheek. That hurt more than I thought it would.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, still not looking up.

"Yeah, yeah, stop it with your little dramatic act," Josh spat out, walking closer to me. "How could you do this? Massie really counted on you…your whole family did!"

I didn't know what to say. I was at loss of words. What could I say anyways? I knew dating Derrick was wrong even before I began to do it. There were no words left. I screwed up –that's it.

"I know that what I did is wrong. But…but I can-"

"You can't help your feelings? I thought you were smarter to come up with a better excuse for what you're doing."

To my surprise, Josh's eyes were bright with tears of frustration. "You know, I really thought a lot of good things about you. From the moment when I first heard of you, I knew I wanted to be with you. You seemed honest, loyal and respectful…you were the kind of girl I'd always wanted to meet. And for a while you were, until today. Is this the real Kristen? A backstabbing girl who only cares about her feelings and her well-being?"

I remained silent. I knew some people thought that I'd do anything just to reach my goals and my well being, but I never believed them. Were they right?

Josh exhaled, running a hand through his brown hair. "I can't believe you, Kris."

The way he said my name just made me want to crawl in a hole and die alone. I'm sure he thinks the same.

"I'm sorry," was all I could say.

"Just, stop it," Josh muttered. "I'm glad I'm going to Florida."

"What?"

"I'm going to take that role, and it requires me to leave to Miami. I was going to go after the wedding but if staying involves having to see you…then I'm leaving as soon as I can."

"Josh," I began, fighting the tears in my eyes. "Massie would really-"

"Since when do you care about your sister?" Josh cut in, his face full of disgust. Little bits of snow began to fall, making him look up. Once again, he began shaking his head. "Don't even dare to call me once I'm gone. I'm done with you."

And with that, Josh turned around and quickly walked inside the house. I was left, dumbstruck, staring at the door where he had entered. The tears came out freely, now. And then it struck me. Josh wasn't kidding. He wasn't acting. He had seen the kiss and was disgusted with me. He had meant it when he'd said he didn't want to ever see me again.

I wiped away my tears. Just like I couldn't imagine myself leaving Derrick earlier, I couldn't imagine my life without Josh. It was funny. I'd always thought of Josh as my best friend in the whole world, but I had never appreciated him enough. There was always something or someone more important than him. He was always awarded second place from my part. And now, when I finally realize this, he's gone.

I began to walk away. There was no way I was entering that house after what Josh had told me. I'd just look for somewhere else to sleep.

As it began to snow harder, I began to cry harder. Everything that Josh had said was true. But that wasn't the worst of it. The worst was that Josh realized it. The guy who had always been there for me. And now, he was gone. And not with a good memory of me.

I looked down, wrapping my arms around me. You never realize what you've got until it's gone. Massie had said that to me in fifth grade after Ripple Baxter, a girl who always hung out with me, had left. I had never realized what a good friend she could've been (and wanted to be) until she told me she was moving to California. Of course, I was too busy trying to befriend the popular clique at that time to realize that there were better people out there to hang out with.

All of a sudden, I bumped into someone.

"Oh, gosh. I'm so –Kristen?"

I looked up, finding the voice familiar. A pair of sweet blue eyes and a worried frown greeted me. "Claire?"

"Are you okay?"

I remained silent for a while. I was dating my sister's fiancée, my best friend in the whole world had just abandoned me, and I had just realized that I was a selfish female dog.

"No," I answered, my voice husky thanks to the previous crying. "I think I'm going to move to Macronesia and change my name to Mallory."

"Mallory?"

"It means unfortunate."

Claire grimaced, wrapping an arm around me. "Alright, you really need some Starbucks."

Author's Note: Probably one of the shortest chapters that I've ever written, but I read somewhere that it isn't good to pile many events or ideas in one chapter. Oops, should've gotten the memo earlier...haha.

Anyways, I know that 0.01% of my readers might feel that Josh's words could've been a bit too harsh on Kristen. Might I remind you, that he's in love with her and just witnessed her kissing another man...who happens to be her sister's future husband. Besides, she deserves it.

Also, if you find Kristen a bit too Mary Sue-ish, PLEASE. I'm begging you, tell. Me. There is nothing that I hate more than a Mary Sue. But then again, a Mary Sue wouldn't be dating her sister's boyfriend. She would probably be the sister. But still, just tell me.

Thanks for reading! By the way, no offense to anyone named Mallory. I just needed a name with an unpleasant meaning, and that popped up on Yahoo! Answers.