A/N: Ok! So here's chapter 2! Please...enjoy. I'm sorry for updating so late, real life got in the way. Thank you for all the support! You're all so kind. Damnit, I need my own personal laptop because I can't stand waiting to type up a chapter. Just a few months...
Don't worry, soon we can get off all this boring character introduction crap and get to the good stuff :) Thanks to jaspersmistress3456 for helping me. My old beta is working on a story with me and I didn't want to overwelm her with work. Thanks again!
Disclaimer: All rights go to Steph. I am forever envious of this, but I'm not about to go and claim her characters.
Playlist suggestion is..."Make it Mine" By Jason Mraz
http : / / www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=pmJoRguH8Oo
Chapter 2: Daily Annoyance
Jesus, this has to be the worst Tuesday ever.
I don't think I can take it anymore. The relentless questionnaires of the lifeless interviewers, the stalking fans that happen to know about me so quickly, the rude, "emo" kids who think I'm robbing music from their generation and constantly sabotage my things. I'm seriously doubting my self-control, and if another one of these teenage, pimple-faced arrogant fuckers insult me about how I don't know shit about real music, I swear I'll-
"Jasper, please, for God's sake, stop tapping on that damn table." Maria said, pushing my hand away from her. I forgot I was doing that again. This literally has to be the third time in ten minutes that she's asked me to stop.
Leaning way back in the chair I was relaxing in just moments before, I threw a nice, wide grin at Maria. "God, relax babe, it's just a pen." I give another tap tap, and she scowled and snatched it away.
"You better stop it, Jasper. This is your career on the line. You keep pissing me off, I'll wing it, and you can perform in crappy Texan hotels for the rest of your little life like before." Maria said, examining her nails and flipping through a few papers. "And stop calling me 'babe.' I'm not in any way, your babe."
I smiled again. "When I'm out of a job, you are too, sweetheart."
Mar snorted and slammed her folder onto the table coming close it a menacing stare. "I can find another one of you any day. I got you this far, Jasper, I can make someone else a star, too." She replied, stacking the very papers she was just examining and scooting up in her chair.
Maria, my manager, has been traveling with me for nearly four months non-stop. I started my little "tour" with Maria, after she picked me up at this little bar I was playing at, and said that I had talent."Real talent." Just ten minutes and a few drinks later, she convinced me to sign with her and her little business, with promise that I'll be a "successful musician and a world recognizable face". I didn't give it much thought, said "What the hell?" and signed with her. So far, since the early summer, I've been to seven states and getting more famous each time. Somehow, Maria has managed to sell CDs, T-shirts and posters all with my face on it, on two morning shows and screaming fans that follow me everywhere. All in four little months. I should be grateful, right?
Wrong. Fame has a price, and I don't mean money. I would gladly pay as much money as possible to get away from Maria for a few days. Just a few relaxing, quiet days where I could meet some chicks and have a life.
She has to be one of the most annoying, irritating possessive managers I've ever met, and I've met plenty who would take me under their wing. Apparently, I'm lucky. Maria constantly tells me that she could be some shit manager that only makes sure I have the right drink and correct performance outfits instead of making consistent gigs nationally. I'm "fortunate" to have Maria as a manager, even though she slaps me when I sneeze three feet of her, screams when I take a nap before a show, or even when I tend to bring some woman into my room after a particularly successful performance. Yeah, I'm real grateful.
Ha.
"...Aazzper!" I heard her say shaking me. "Jas-per."
"Yes?"
"I asked you did you tune it?" When I give her an oblivious look, she face palms. "Were you even listening to me?" Before I could reply and face her wrath, Mr. Black, the owner of the club I'm trying to play at, smoothly strode in with a stone look on his face and a tee-shirt with dark blue jeans and a sports-jacket. Maria gave me her "I do all the talking" face and stood up. He relaxed in a chair, and gestured Maria to sit back down.
Damn, I feel like two year old kid. I am in no way able to participate in a conversation about my career.
Maria started with her persuasive smirk. "Mr. Black-"
"Call me Jacob, Mr. Black is my dad."
"Alright," She gave me the 'shut up' look again, and continued. "Jacob, I'd like to start out by saying Jasper here, is quite an attractive man. Not because of his looks or charisma, but his talent and guaranteed entertainment." She pats me on the shoulder like we're the best of friends, and I sort of shrug it off without thinking.
When Jacob didn't say anything, Maria saw that as the go-ahead and continued.
"He's a known man! Anybody who knows good music knows Jasper Whitlock. Give him two weeks, every other night performances in your club Jacob, and I swear to you you'll be having more people left and right." She paused. "And more profit, of course."
Jacob stared at me for a minute. Hell, why can't I too? I looked at him, noticed his slightly tanned skin and dark eyes. He seemed young, maybe younger than my twenty-six years, and very successful. His face lacked worry lines and his hair wasn't grayed and not pulled out. He looked pretty happy if you ask me.
But, not for long. Maria's in the room.
"What makes you think I'm here for profit?" Jacob said, squinting his eyes. "Why don't you think I only allow someone to play good music? I wanna know what he sounds like, not the amount of money I'll make from him."
Maria seemed un-affected. "Regardless of what you may think, Jasper has complete talent. He can sing, play piano, guitar and saxophone. Hell, give him anything you want and he'll play it! He also writes his own music, and doesn't do any of that song covering crap. Unless, that's what you prefer." She smiled.
Damn, this is boring. I know I'm supposed to be interested and all, but this is ridiculous! I can't even talk, I'll "jeopardize the sell". I've been a product for some time now. This started in Louisiana, when she pushed me off the stage and onto a crowd of girls, forcing me to sign autographs. I was bruised at the end with a couple of scratched, and some one cut a lock of my hair off, and Maria said fame comes with physical abuse. And its never stop.
Looking out the window, I tuned out their conversation, knowing I won't be a part of it any time soon. Damn, this hotel is cold. Why do they have to have the AC on high? Some people like a bit of warmth now and then! Being on the high floor of the Azac, a large hotel, our meeting place and my current living space, I had a clear view of Philadelphia. Being near Penn's Landing, I'm seeing tons of awesome monuments and buildings I notice from my history books. It's actually rather pretty out here, and I'm surprised some say otherwise.
I wouldn't mind going out for a peek, but Maria has me on this damn leesh. Let's see how long it'll take me to cut it.
"...in fact, I don't think a Jasper would mind playing something for you now." Maria tuned in. Mar ran her hand through my hair and patted it with the fakest of smiles as if we were the . She glared at me, and sighing, I lifted my guitar and placed it on my knee.
"What do you want to hear?" I asked in the most charming voice I could muster, and started to play when Jacob shrugged.
"Some sort of cover crap, because I happen to prefer those." He shot a look at my manager.
Quickly tuning, I cleared my throat and thought of the first song that came to my mind.
"Wake up everyone,
How can you sleep at a time like this?
unless the dreamer is the real you.
Listen to your voice,
the one that tells you to taste past tip of your tongue,
leap and the net will appear.
I don't want to wait, before,
the dream, is over,
I'm gonna' make, it mine,
Yes, I-I know it,
I'm gonna make it mine,
Yes I'll make it all mine..."
I finished the chorus, clearing my throat a bit when I put the guitar down. It wasn't too hard, but it's bit difficult to play under Jacob's scrutiny. Maria raised her eyebrow, gesturing to me as if I made her point, framing my face in her thin hands.
"Y'see? He's fabulous! Now if you just sign here..." She pushed a contract at him, and sighed.
Jacob didn't move. He just continued to look at me. I swallowed and darted a glance at Maria. She was looking at Jacob, slightly pushing the pen in his direction.
Time to talk.
"How do you think I sound, man?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "If I suck really fuckin' bad, you can just tell me." It sounded a bit more harsh than I intended. But then again, I could always go somewhere else...no big deal. Maria started to studder, making an excuse for my behavior. I shrugged her off, and waited for his answer.
It took forever to come.
And finally, finally he smiled a real smile, and signed the paper. He held his hand out and I shook it.
Yes!
"Jasper, I think you're pretty good. Two weeks. I give you two weeks to play here, and longer, if you want to." He glanced at his watch. "I have to go. Lots of stuff I have to get done. But please, when you get a moment free, call me. We can set something up." Jacob nodded toward Maria, and walked out of the room.
I looked over at Maria, waiting for her to tell me I did a good job, and thanks for making the sell. Oh, I forgot. This is Maria I'm talking about.
"You fucking idiot!" She shoved me hard, dropping papers all over the floor. She looked down at it, sighed. "We could have lost it! I told you not to open your negative trap! Some people don't like to be cussed at." She hit me again, and started to pick up the papers.
I grown used to Maria hitting me. But I'm not going to just sit here and listen to her jealous rant. Hell no! " Well, excuse me, Mar, but it looked like I just saved it."
"Whatever." She flipped her dark hair out of her red face and sighed at me. "Why do I deal with you again?"
"Because I'm awesome." I grinned at her, the smug grin I know she hates. Maria just shoved me again, and threw all the paperwork into her case. And again, she was frustrated and blew her hair out of her eyes, and marched out of the room. I followed.
While walking down the long, cold corridor, we hopped on into the elevator and waited to get on our floor.
"If you think you're going anywhere you've got another thing coming." Mar said in a low voice, not even looking at me. "You have to stay in the hotel. You've got a lot of practicing to do."
Fuck that! "I can't explore the city?" I say, like I'm speaking to my mother.
She snorted as if I said a joke, and walked out of the elevator. And, again, I followed.
"Did you not just hear me in there? I sounded amazing."
"You sounded like shit." She laughed. "I could sing better than that, you ass. And if you do that in a meeting again, I drop you off on some corner, and then let's see you make it."
I didn't say anything else, but leaned in her doorway as she opened hers to her room. Maria constantly makes threats and I've learned to just ignore them.
"Mar, All I'm asking is a day out of the cage. A couple of hours! No one'll know who I am."
Maria sighed, and gave me a frustrated sigh. "You don't want to go out there. Tons of fans, reporters, paparazzi. You're a known guy! A rising star! You walk out and it's like a fat man in the middle of the ocean. Tu va a ahoga.You'll drown." Maria snorted again and pushed me out of her door's way. "If you were smart, which you aren't, you wouldn't go anywhere. But that's why you have me, right?" Then she slammed the door in my face.
Chuckling to myself, I slipped my hands into my pockets. I'm pretty sure that paparazzi would avoid me. I mean, I've played at a couple places where people freaked out, but I doubt that it to extent where people would follow me around. I'm just a simple guy. I'm not super famous.
Right?
Shrugging, I stepped over to the other side of the hall, to my room. When inside, I took in everything. Not only did we make it, but I'm sitting in an awesome hotel in the middle of Philadelphia, a place I've never been. Dream come true. I flopped down on the small stiff sofa, and turned on the large flat screen television.
Boring. I don't want to watch television when I can find all of it outside.
Instead, I turned on the radio that blasted loudly, with some angry kid yelling about how he hates some girl and he's glad they broke up.
Even more boring.
Maria has to be the dumb one if she believe I'm staying in here!
I put on my favourite fedora, and a simple jacket for the chilly weather, and strode out like breaking out of jail.
Gosh, it's like I haven't breathed in fresh air in forever. I inhaled, and came out with a whoosh. It must have gotten colder, I decided. It wasn't thic chilly when we got here. Being cooped up in that damn hotel is torture. Looking over my shoulder where Maria thinks I'm resting, I shrugged and started my own personal city tour.
Cool houses, I think to myself. They're all made of the same red brick material, and the doors were painted the same vanilla white color. Some of the houses, were houses of awesome people like those old president dudes. Or whatever.
When I got on the bus they call SEPTA, I just rode until I thought to get of the bus a few blocks later. The bus driver didn't look too happy, I noted when I gave him thanks. Jeez. I thought people in Philly were supposed to be friendly.
I got off at some random stop, and took a stroll, taking in the scentery and the several people riding bikes than cars. Very...green. I smiled to myself. Green is a very awesome color. I waved at some historian impersonators and grinned. I could get used to it here. Then again, I could have gotten used to several places like this.
When I relaxed on a bench somewhere near some old white church and cemetery, I felt oddly at peace. I take what I said earlier back. Tuesday has been quite an awesome day. Crossing my legs and relaxing my arms I sighed and sat back again, my blonde hair flopping in my face. I perfer it curly and long, but Maria has tried to persuade me to cut it short. I'm no Jesse McCartney.
I smirked when a quite attractive blonde woman settled next to me and grinned.
Today just got even better.
"Hi." She said, looking me up and down. I noticed her perky, high pitched Philadelphian accent immediately, as well as her V-neck top and short skirt.
"Hey." I answered.
"You look familiar..." She told me, getting a bit closer. I took my time to survey her. Blue eyes, blonde hair, tall and thin. Just how I like 'em. I can't stand dark hair. I don't understand how a woman would be comfortable with black flops of gulky black hair covering their face. Just not my style.
"I don't think we've met." I grin, "Or I would have remembered every day of my life." She laughs, something that's just as lively as her voice.
"Oh, you're a smooth one. Still. It's like I seen you before. Well, I'm Lucy." She held out her hand to shake, and instead, I grabbed it softly and kissed it. She gasp, her face suddenly in awe and her eyes glazed over and a blush crept over her cheeks. She smiled again, and I rubbed her hand in circles.
"Nice to meet you, Lucy. I'm-" Before I could answer, my cell vibrates in my pocket, cutting me off.
Damn phone. I hate phones. Officially.
"Excuse me for a moment?" I asked, and Lucy nods, still smiling at me with an eyebrow raised. I looked down at the number. Not one the I recognize. Who could it be? Maria makes me change my number, because I happen to have a habit of giving them away to girl. Odd. "Hello?"
"Where the hell are you?" Maria's voice cracked through the phone. Damn! She probably used some land line she knew I wouldn't be familiar with. Sneaky.
"Why? I'm fine!"
I could feel her anger radiate through the phone. I turned and smiled at Lucy, making sure I still had her attention. I did, and Lucy waited patiently until I finished.
"Don't you realize I have full responsibility over you?"
"Mar..I'm twenty six! I don't need you're responsibility."
She huffed. "Yeah, right. Like the time we were at Virginia Beach, you told me you went out for just a drink, and I found you three days later under the boardwalk with two chicks and countless empty bottles? That set our squedule back a week! Then is when I learned I could no longer trust , where are you and what are you doing?"
Damn. Forgot about that. Then again, I couldn't remember anything from that night. But according to a few people, it was really crazy.
"Mar, that won't happen again. It was an accident! I doubt anyone in Philly acts that way."
"You know damn well that was no 'accident'. But fine...you know it all. You'll be back soon. That's an order, mister." Maria hung up before I could say anything else, leaving me a bit perplexed.
Lucy sighed and looked away, preparing to leave. "Angry girlfriend?"
I sat back down and shook my head vigorously. "Hell no. She's my manager. And my pain in my ass." I laughed a bit. "If I had a girlfriend like her, I don't know how long I would live. I'd rather have a girlfriend like you."
Lucy squinted her eyes. Her face lit up with sudden comprehension, and she started poking my chest really hard. I laughed, and put my hands up. After a minute of non-stop poking, I give her a face to get to the point. Damn, that hurts.
"I know you!" She practically screamed. "You...you have to be...you're J-j-j-j-asper Whitlock!" In shock she covered her mouth. "Oh my god!"
"Yeah..." I rubbed the back of my neck, kind of surprised she recognized me. Well damn, it's not like I'm Nick Jonas, or something. "Yeah, that's me."
"Oh my God!" She pulled out her phone and immediately started texting. "I always told myself if I met a celebrity I'd be cool, but I'm freaking out! This has to be the best day of my life! God, I love Tuesdays." Lucy smiled and finished texting. At this point, she was looking me in the eye and getting a bit closer as if I'm a ghost and about to run away. She grinned that cute grin I'm already starting to like.
"Is that so?"
"Yes! First Kate Rowan, and now you? Philly's just filled with celebs!"
Kate Rowan? She means the obnoxious, snobby actress that just came out with this summer's "hottest" movie. She means the actress who storms into cities and causes hundreds of jerks with cameras to invade all and follow you around and pressure you until you give in and answer personal questions like the size of my underwear.
Great.
"Would I make your Tuesday even better if I asked you to go out with me some time?" I asked in the most charming voice I could muster. Lucy squealed and poked me again, her face glowing.
"You're kidding." She gasped, still poking me, I gently removed her hand. She was cute and all, but that's starting to hurt.
"Should I be?" I smiled and kissed her manicured hand.
"No!" Lucy wailed, and pulled her hands back. "Don't be kidding. I was kidding. Sorry."
This is when I stand up. Lucy give me a nervous, apprehensive look, and hands me her number.
"Call me?" She asks, and kisses my cheek. Lucy gave me another smirk and a tiny wave when I nod, and other than the clicking of her heeled boots and a sexy stride, silently walked away. Quickly, I realized this whole thing just happen in the matter of a few minutes.
Well, that was fast. I like Philly alot.
I still sat on the bench, and a moment later I realized that I rather keep walking.
Before Maria could summon me back to the hotel, I decided that the smartest thing to do would be to go get some real food. Apparently, Philly has some famous selections I've been dying to try. If I don't eat now, Maria would probably make me swallow down some hotl slop.
Walking casually, I examined the several shops that passed by. And all of them seem to have the same menu. How's a guy supposed to pick?
"Um, could you help me out?" I asked a guy leaning and smoking nearby. He looked up, blew some smoke and pointed to himself, making sure it was he who I was talking to. I nodded and stopped to stand next to him. He took another drap and motioned me over to where he was standing.
"What do you need, man?" He asked.
"I'm new around here -sort of a tourist- and need a bit of help when it comes to choosing reliable restaurants."
The guy laughed and flicked his cigarette away. He was really big. I mean super husky. We were the same height, but he looked like two of me. "You wanna know where to find good food? Tourist?" He asked, and laughed at me, and held out his hand. "Emmett."
"Jasper." I said, and shook his hand. He shook it really hard, and suddenly, I was intimidated.
"You're gonna want to go to a small place called Stanley's. Really good. You'll love it. It's just a few blocks straight from here." He offers me a ciggerette and I decline, and explain how Maria made me quit. Or so she thinks.
"I've been trying to quit myself. Hope you like Stanley's, has hot waitresses and all."
"Thanks."
"So, how are you liking it here, Mr. Whitlock?" He asked, grinning widely when I faltered. At first, I just thought I may have said my last name. But no...I didn't.
"You recognize me?" I ask. He shrugged and took another drag. "Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you freak out?"
Emmett snorted and patted my back. "I'd be an idiot if I didn't recognize you. You're like the old Justin Beiber, except you're not from Canada. But I'm not a physco. I see plenty of you guys walking around, and I barely say 'hi'. You better wear that hat lower. You've got crazy fans around here. Philadelphians stalk like mad, man."
"Thanks, again." I give him a nod, start to walk away.
"Hey! I'll be here every day, just so you know." He says, and starts into the building he was just leaning on. "Until I quit."
"Good to know." I answer, and make my way to the Stanley's. Whether he was talking about smoking or his job, I'll never know. Getting to know the strange dude better should be on my list.
Walking absent-mindly to Stanley's, I can't help but to admire the shops. Cafes were everywhere, with the old fashion feel you want.
Emmett was right, the restaurant was only a couple blocks away, sitting right in the middle of two other shops, sticking out because of its red paint and glowing signs. It also had two tables out side, really Victorian look to it, that just had a come in and sit down allure. I shrugged and walked in.
Damn, does it smell good in here, was all I could think. I sat down in one of the comfortable brown wooden chairs, noticing this looked more like a legendary cafe than a sandwich shop, and looked at the tiny, laminated menu and decided that you could never go wrong with coffee. I guess it's safe to say that I was already impressed. Not only that, but there was a really cute waitress walking over and handing me a cup of water.
I pulled my hat down a bit, hoping that she wouldn't notice me.
"Can I get you anything, sir?" She asked, and bought out her small pad. I read her little name tag that said "Jessica."
"Coffee would be fine." I answer handing her the menu and thanking her for the water. As relax in my chair, my phone vibrates in my pocket, notifying me that I have a text message.
Of course, it's from Maria. I considered just ignoring it, not letting it ruin my day. But it could be urgent or important.
' Where are you?' It said.
For some reason I see this as an opportunity to get on her nerves. 'I don't know!' I answer, and I press send.
My phone chimed again. 'How do you not know? What have you done?'
I answer. 'I think I've been kidnapped by some sort of stalker! You were right!'
Immediately, she text me back. 'Are you serious?I swear Jasper...'
I snort and text 'No,Maria. Stop worrying, I'm fine. Barely anyone has noticed me. I'll be back soon, ' and turn off my phone.
"Here's your coffee, sir." Jessica comes by and sits it in front of me. "You sure I can't get you anything else? Mister..."
"Call me Jay." I hear myself say, and start my coffee.
"You look a bit like-"
"Jackson Rathbone? I get that alot, you know."
"No, no-"
"I mean, I know that's what you're thinking. I agree. We look alot alike."
"It's not. You have to be-"
"Can I get my coffee to go? I got to meet some one some where and I totally forgot."
"Okay, but-"
"Thanks, darlin'." She goes to get the coffee, and returns with it in covered paper cup, and enters the resturaunt again. I leave quite a large tip on the table and walk out, promising myself that I'll be back tomorrow.
I walk out of the shop, remembering the location. With a sudden feeling, I smiled and mentally fist pump. This has been great. First I was accepted to play in the club, I have an awesome date soon with a sexy blonde I just met, already have a random friend I met off the street and a cool restaurant with a hot waitress and awesome coffee.
I strolled down the street with my hands in my pocket and a smile stuck on my face as cool are flew by.
I don't think any one could be having a better Tuesday than me.
Okay! So you have met Jazz! Don't worry, the couple will meet soon. Thanks! You should totally go and review. :) :) :)
Alright! Rec's! This one is called The Diary of Alice Brandon! Soooo good. Okay, here's the summary.
Alice Brandon returns home from college to find her high school crush is back in the area. One problem. He's living in the house where she hid her diary that's filled with intimate things about him. Can Alice retrieve it back, before Jasper finds it? AH.
You must go and read. You won't regret the awesomeness.
Patastic