Chapter 5: You Were Famous

"Are you sure you're okay, Lavanya?" Mr. Smiley asked as Lavanya was sitting in a chair behind the counter.

"I'm certain, sir."

"It's just Steven and Connie told me about your… 'Problem'…" Mr. Smiley whispered the word problem referring to Lavanya's disorder,
"And I just don't want you to push yourself and end up getting sick again."

"Thank you for your concern Mr. Smiley. But I really am fine. Yesterday was just a small shock that's all. It's nothing like what I had back at home."

"I can't imagine how you'd stand on your own two feet living in a place like Empire City."

"It was a bit difficult for me, but with a peaceful place like Beach City I think my mind can feel at ease."

"Well, you let me know when you're not feeling well sweetie." Mr. Smiley said as he pat Lavanya's head then she smiled.
"Thank you, sir." She said then Mr. Smiley left. As minutes to hours went by business was a bit slow, Lavanya sighed as she stared at the front entrance in a daze.

Just a couple more hours and I can go home… Maybe I should call Steven and Connie to see if they wanna play with Momo. I'm sure they'd like that. Wonder if they liked the homemade cookies my mom made. Lavanya thought then she saw someone at the front entrance.

"Oh? Oh! Hey! It's Lala Heart!"

Lavanya's heart sank and her entire body felt cold with fear. It was none other than the mailman, Jamie whom she saw yesterday and even remembered him saying that she looked familiar. She slowly grabbed something she could find, and when she grabbed a magazine she immediately threw it at Jamie knocking him down. Jumping over the counter she ran towards him and started shaking him.
"WHO TOLD YOU?! WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT ME?! SPIT IT OUT!" She shouted still shaking the mailman before he could even speak.

"Lavanya?! What are you doing to that man?!"

"Mr. Smiley, sir! This man is out cold when he accidentally hit his head on the wall! I'll take him in the back and make sure he's okay!" Lavanya lied as she dragged Jamie to the back room.

Jamie slowly opened his eyes and when he turned his head he saw Lavanya with the first aid kit on her lap. He immediately sat up with a gasp.
"It's really you, Lala- -!"

"Please do not use that name." Lavanya interrupted Jamie giving the mailman a cold glare.
"I know longer go by that name since I quit being a singer."

"I-I heard… I was in total shock when I figured out that you quit and left the theater… What's even more shocking… You cut your hair and changed your wardrobe… You were so beautiful with long hair and how you dressed so elegantly, like a princess out of a fairytale."

"Sorry, but looks like the Fairy Godmother's spell wore off and I'm now an ugly duckling."

"Oh! N-n-n-no! I'm not saying you're ugly or anything like that! It's just- -!"

"I get it. You were enchanted by how gorgeous I was performing songs on stage. I get that a lot from everyone." Lavanya said as she put the first aid kit away and was about to leave.

"W-Wait! Miss Hart!"

"Lavanya is fine, sir." Lavanya corrected Jamie as she still kept walking with Jamie still following her.
"Lavanya… Please wait!"

"What? What do you want? Money? An autograph?"

"N-n-n-no! I just… I want to be your friend." Jamie answered then Lavanya turned around to face him.
"Excuse me?"

"I-I wanna know about you; what you like, what you don't like, what kind of life did you have? Were you happy? What made you want to perform singing? All those kinds of things!" Jamie said then Lavanya blinked feeling confused.
"Y'know… You're an odd and persistent mailman…"

"I-Is that a bad thing…?" Jamie asked then Lavanya giggled a bit.
"No. That's just who you are. I don't find that bad or anything. Tell you what, Jamie… I'm almost done with work and I'm going to invite Steven and Connie over to my place for a playdate with my pet Momo. If you want, you can join us." Lavanya said then Jamie smiled and nodded.

Back at home, Lavanya was preparing the dry fruit and cutting some vegetables for Momo. Momo was hopping around happily.

"Oh you're doing the popcorn! You're a happy boy cuz you know you're getting some yummy treats." Lavanya said as she gave Momo a kiss on the head then the doorbell rang.
"Go get the door boy. I'm gonna clean up." She said then Momo ran towards the door and opened it.

"Momo!" Steven and Connie said excitedly then Lavanya smiled.
"Hello, Steven and Connie. Come in. I got Momo's snacks ready."

"He's pretty happy. He's hopping around like crazy."

"Oh, he's doing the popcorn dance. It's a dance that chinchillas do to express how happy they are." Lavanya explained then the doorbell rang again.

"Did you invite someone over Lavanya?" Connie asked as Steven held the bowl of Momo's snacks.

"I did invite someone over actually. He and I are gonna have tea while you guys can have fun with Momo." Lavanya answered then when she opened the door she saw Jamie.

"Evening, Lavanya."

"Good evening, Jamie. I almost didn't recognized you without the mailman uniform."

"JAMIE~!" Steven called as he came and gave Jamie a high-five.

"Come on in, Jamie. I got the tea and cookies ready." Lavanya said then Jamie came into the house. As Steven and Connie were teaching Momo some tricks and giving him snacks, Jamie and Lavanya were enjoying some tea and cookies.