OMG, thank you for the reviews of chapter 5; some made me laugh; some made me shed a tear. You guys are the reason I put so much into my stories. So thank you again. I don't own any rights to Hollywood Heights storyline or characters; this is the fantasy world I created.

Keeping Secrets Chapter 7

Where In The World Is Loren Duran?

I wake up gasping for air, "EDDIE," I call out then I remember why I shouldn't be calling him, I hate him, how can he do this to me? To us? What did I do wrong? I don't deserve this! He don't deserve me, "I have to get away from here, I can't be here anymore." The walls feel like they're closing in on me, I can't breathe. "I have to leave now!" I say climbing out the bed running to my closet grabbing the first things my hands touch then rushing into the bathroom turning on the light still gasping for air. "Why do my hands hurt," I ask as I look down my knuckles are red and swollen, I replay my outburst in my mind, I wished I had kicked him in the crotch a couple of times. "Oh my gosh; who was that person, certainly not me. Did I really attack him? I have to get away from here." I say desperately trying to get dressed while still replaying my attack in my mind, "That person isn't me. I don't toss back shots of whiskey. I don't throw things at anyone trying to harm them and I certainly don't hit the man I love. Hell do I even love him anymore? I have to go." I slip on a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, and tennis shoes; I brush my hair into a low ponytail and put on his baseball cap. I walk out the bathroom and grab my purse and keys, running downstairs to the wall safe in the music room. I punch in the code, open the safe and take the emergency cash we keep in there. I use the house phone to call for a taxi to pick me up on the corner. "If I stay here any longer, I might kill him. Maybe they'll offer me a better book deal than they gave that bitch Chloe." Wait, stop Loren, you don't talk like that. You don't plot murder and call women bitches. It's best I leave now.

I take one more look around before running out the front door.

It's been a week since I left. I decided to stay in the only place I know no one will look for me; our family's cabin in Big Bear. Mom knows I don't like coming here because I could never get good reception on my cellphone. It's quiet up here, no distractions. I need time to clear my head and make some decisions about my marriage, my career, my life.

The taxi driver thought I was crazy when I asked him to drop me off up here until I handed him three-hundred dollars. The first day I curled up in a ball and cried all day and all night. The next morning I walked to the general store down the road and bought food, supplies, and clothes. Now every morning I get up and take a walk and think about my life. In the afternoons I write music. In the evenings I sit by the fireplace thinking about Eddie.

I haven't been in contact with anyone since I left. I know I should at least call my mom to let her know I'm okay; I can't call her from the phone in the cabin. I decide to walk down to the general store and buy a pre-paid phone. I pull on my jacket, his baseball cap, and walk the half mile to the general store. "Good morning Melissa, what can I get for you?" Tom, the store clerk asks when I walk through the door. I wanted to make sure that no one could disturb me here so I told Tom my name is Melissa Sanders.

"Good morning Tom, I'm here to buy a pre-paid cellphone," I smile at him. While Tom goes to the back to get the phone, I look around the store; a gossip paper's headline catches my attention, International Rock Star Eddie Duran Announces Break From Music, I walk over and pick up the paper and read the article, yesterday at a scheduled press conference, international music artist Eddie Duran announces that he is taking a break from music. When asked why, the artist offered, "I need some time away and I hope my fans will understand that," as a reply. We believe this sudden break is due to the disappearance of his wife Loren Duran a week ago. A reliable source close to the Durans report that Max and Loren are not speaking to Eddie and it's because of Chloe Carter. Could this be the reason Chloe Carter moved back to Fresno? A friend close to Chloe stated that Chloe wrote a tell all book about Eddie Duran that is due in book stores next month. Could this be the reason behind Loren's disappearance and Eddie's break from music? Before leaving the press conference, Eddie played a new single he calls his love letter to the love of his life, "Falling Into You."

"Here's the phone, I activated it for you and wrote the number on the inside of the box, do you need anything else?" Tom asks handing me the box.

"Yes I'll take this paper too," I say handing him some money and wait for my change. "Hey Tom, do you have a bus schedule?"

"Yes they're on the wall by the door."

"Thanks, I'll see you later," I say taking a bus schedule before walking out the general store and rushing back to the cabin. I toss the pre-paid phone box next to me as I sit on the couch and re- read the article. "I hope I get can get on the internet on this phone," I taking the phone out the box and turning it on. "Great 3G," I say when the phone connects to the internet. I search YouTube for the song. It's the lyrics version; I hit play, and listen to Eddie's love letter to me. Silent tears are rolling down my cheeks as the lyrics appear on the page over pictures of him sitting at the piano my heart melts a little. I replay the song four times before I decide it's time to call my mom. I take a deep breath before dialing her number.

"Hello?" mom answers after three rings.

"Hi mom."

"Loren? Sweetie where are you? Are you okay?" she asks crying.

Tears continue to roll down my cheeks, "yes, it's me. I'm fine. I'm not telling you where I am I need to be alone right now." I hear the phone rustling mom must be putting me on speaker. I hold my breath hoping it's not Eddie there with her. I'm not ready to talk to him.

"Loren sweetheart, this is pop. Where are you so we can come pick you up?" Max says into the phone.

"I'm not ready to come back pop," I cry. "I just need to be along so I can figure things out. When I'm ready I'll come home." I hear Max take a deep breath.

"We love you Lo, let us help you through this," Max cries. "We just want to make sure that you're safe. You can stay in my old apartment above the club if you don't want to be in the house with him" Pop said him like it's a four letter word. "Don't let his stupidity keep you away from the ones who truly love you."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, my parents are hurting but I'm not ready to come home. "I'm safe, I promise. I need to figure this out on my own," I whisper trying to suppress the sob from escaping.

"Lo we're worried about you; please tell us where you are. I promise we will respect your privacy," mom says crying harder which makes me sob. I can hear Max sniffing too. I have to hang up before I give into them, it's killing me knowing how much this is hurting them too, but I have to do what's best for me.

"I love you guys. I'll call again in a few days," I whisper before ending the call, "damn you Eddie Duran, this is all your fault," I say laying on the couch. I look on the floor and see the bus schedule; I pick it up and search through the schedule until I find the city I'm looking for. I check the time on the phone, then pack up my clothes and supplies; lock up the cabin and put the key back in its hiding place and walk back to the general store to purchase my one way ticket to Fresno, California.

Mmhmm, what do you think is going to happen when Loren gets to Fresno?