A/N: Constructive feedback as this is my first story would be greatly appreciated. I'm also sorry if the characters do not stay completely true to the television series. But I feel as if we are only just beginning to get to know the characters and thus, it is hard to capture their essence. If you're still reading this then, just letting you know the next update will include some of the plot from the new episodes (so excited!).
Disclaimer: I do not own Hollywood Heights, the characters, storyline and name are trademarked and belong to its creators as well as nick nite. Besides, if I did own the series Eddie would spend the entirety shirtless.
P.P.S: The story is going to be one of those slow build stories as those are my favorite. I am endeavoring to water the seedling of friendship that has been mapped out between Eddie and Loren and develop it into a full blown romance. Also I need help with a tittle and never fear fellow views Chloe will be dealt with accordingly. Can you say ding dong the witch is death (figuratively speaking)?
***********Line Break Yo, Deal with it *********************************************
"Where are we going?" asked Eddie as he followed Loren to where they were supposedly going to get something to eat. Lauren had agreed to go to dinner but only if she picked the spot. Eddie being ever the gentlemen agreed but only if he paid. They had been walking for a short while but all the twist and turns had Eddie rethinking his earlier statement about Loren not being a teenage version of the lead character from fatal attraction.
"You'll see soon enough" Loren replied mysteriously, "Such impatience Mr. Durant, careful you're tarnishing your image as the perfect little pop star with this display of impatience. Next, you'll be full blown pouting" teased Loren all the while not giving anything a way. A mysterious acting Loren was something new to Eddie and he decided that he very much liked this new side of Loren. Addendum to the previous statement, thought Eddie, as I have yet to meet a side of Loren that I don't like.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity filled with an litany of questions from Eddie and a never ending stream of giggles from Loren, the two arrived at their location. It was a non-descript location that seemed unable to be able to fulfill the promise of amazing food, music, and décor that Loren promised the location would provide. The doors were locked and Eddie was unsure of how they were going to get in until Loren pushed a buzzer three times and the doors magically opened and the two were greeted by an older gentleman. He was 6'2" broad-shouldered, tanned, gentleman who looked to be a mix of Japanese and African American and something else with a short buzz cut and beautiful light green color eyes.
The gentleman greeted Loren enthusiastically with a hug which Loren gladly returen. "Loren, how have you been?" asked the gentleman. "I've been good Mr. Marks (sorry big fan of common law. Fellow fans of the show will get the name references). I'm sorry I haven't stopped by to say hi but I didn't want to impose on your generosity. "
"Loren, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Wes?" Loren was about to answer but Wes pressed on. "And I see you bought your boyfriend" said Wes not recognizing Eddie due to the fact that he was still in his disguise. Loren could feel her face heating up from the impending blush and quickly hurried to rectify Wes' mistake. Just because she had been in love with Eddie since the first time she heard him sing over the radio instantly connecting to his voice and lyrics didn't meant that Eddie had to know. Eddie, for his part simply, watched the exchange with amusement and fondness and the tell-tale signs of a blush began to work its way onto Loren's cheeks.
"He isn't my boyfriend Wes (not bothering to hide her irritation at Wes' love of making her blush). This is . . . Clint (did I mention that I was also a HUGE marvel fan? *giggles* I'm a nerd sue me.)" Loren added after a short pause that only Eddie seemed to be able to detect. "Eddie, this is Wes. I sort of helped tutor his son thirteen year old son, Max, in math. In return, he lets me come to his restaurant and eat amazing food at a price that even I, a lowly high school student and barista can afford.
"She didn't just tutor him. She worked wonders. Loren not only helped him understand Math and ace his class but she also helped him learn to love math. Though, I suspect the latter has to do with his crush on Loren and less to do with the ever exciting intricacies of mathematic formulas. Enough of this chit-chat, I'm sure your hungry Loren so I'll let you and your friend get back to the reason you came here in the first place to eat. Sit wherever you guys like" said Wes, and with that he wondered away to the kitchen to hopefully actually do something productive that doesn't include harassing me thought Loren.
***** Liinnee Breeaak (says in sing song voice. I made have had too much caffeine today.) *****
Loren decided that she would let Eddie pick the table since she had tortured him by not telling him where they were going. It had nothing to do with the fact that she needed to calm down her beating heart after looking over and catching the soft look in Eddie's eyes when he was watching Loren banter back and forth with Wes.
Eddie chose a table in the corner of the restaurant next to a window that would afford the two some privacy and dramatically decrease the chances of Eddie being recognized. Once the pair was seated, he finally had a chance to take in his surroundings without being distracted by Loren. He found that the outside of this place did little to reveal how amazing the inside looked. The inside of the restaurant was modeled after classic lounges of the early twentieth century. There was a stage off to the side of where they were in the center of the room. The l-shaped wall where their booth was situated had four other booths on the wall. Each of the booths had tall dark brown leather backs that were tufted whose height helped to effectively hide them from the people in other booths. There was also a beautiful dark burgundy colored drape that hung from the sixteen foot tall ceiling and could be closed for privacy allowing one to better create an intimate atmosphere if one so desired. There were also ten or so small round tables in front of the stage so that one could see the band performed. The walls for their part were filled with pictures of the Rat Pack, Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kit, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplain, Carey Grant, and many other great performers of the past.
Eddie felt himself relaxing as he listened to the soft sounds band play luck be a lady by Sinatra of the band play in the background. Eddie felt eyes on him and suddenly remembered that he wasn't alone and turned back to his seat mate.
"So how did I do?" Loren asked, feeling both amused and privileged at being one of the rare few able to see the awestruck luck. "It's amazing Loren, It was definitely worth the wait" Eddie replied, a little breathless. "Well I figured since we already share one special place that I would introduce another of mine. I'm glad you like it. You're the first person that I've ever shared this place with", Loren explained. Eddie was about to reply and tell Loren how refreshing her willingness to open up and share parts of herself with Eddie when a waiter came and interrupted the pair by asking if they were ready to order. Not having a chance to look over the menu, Eddie was more than happy to take Loren up on her suggestion to order for the both of them.
While the pair were waiting for their food (Loren refused to tell Eddie what she ordered him. Choosing instead to reply simply with a coy, it'll be well worth the wait. While Eddie decided that mysterious Loren may be his favorite side of Loren yet), Eddie decided something he had been wondering since he happened upon Loren in his – their place, his mind corrected, They had decided to share it after all.
"You never told me what you dilemma was about when I came across you earlier" Eddie supplied after the waiter had left in hopes of getting a chance to learn more about Loren.
"Well . . . I was thinking about whether I should go to Brown in the fall to study law or defer for a year on the miniscule chance that this music thing may take me" replied Loren.
"So what did you decide?" Eddie asked – one part of him dreading what Loren would say. Eddie liked spending time with Loren and really hoped that his chance to spend more time with her wouldn't be cut short. The other part of him eager to find out what his new friend had decided, so he could support her.
"I didn't, I'm feeling confused and slightly conflicted about what to do" said Loren.
"I hope I'm not speaking out of turn here, but can I ask what's holding you back from pursuing a career in music? You're incredibly talented Loren and I think that you could have an amazing career" said Eddie. He would support Loren in whatever she decided so long as she did it because it was in her heart not out of fear. Eddie failed to notice how quickly he was becoming attached to Loren and how much of a permanent fixture she was quickly becoming in his life.
Loren looked up at Eddie and mistook the sadness in his eyes about the thought of Loren going away to college for disappointment. The thought of Eddie being disappointed made Loren's insides churn causing her to become nervous which in turn made her begin to ramble. "I just . . . I know that we talked about this earlier but I'm scared Eddie. What happens when this contest is over? This thing is great but let's face Eddie, the public will forget about me soon and my music will fade. You'll move on to work with way more talented song writers with more experience and–"
"Whoa, slow down sweetheart. Loren, calm down and breathe honey" Eddie said, hoping to stop what he recognized as the beginning of a panicked attack.
Hearing Eddie call her sweetheart and honey caused her heart to pick speed for an entirely different reason but hearing the calmness of Eddie's smooth deep voice and the look of concern on Eddie's face helped Loren to calm done.
Once Eddie saw Loren began to relax, he began to speak in hopes of putting Loren's fears to rest. "I'm not just going to abandon you once the song is recorded Loren. I already told you. You and I have a connection one that started after we connected over twitter. The whole reason that the contest was amended to include more songs is so that I could have a chance to hear you're amazing lyrics. I consider you a friend Loren. And I promise, if you decide to make the leap, I'll be there for you the whole way. You're too important to me for me to walk away from"
A/N: I decided to split chapter two into two parts as it was becoming too long. The next part will be much shorter and we'll get to see Loren's reaction to what Eddie said at the end. Thanks to A Reader of this, Nice, and Caroline Elizabeth Salvatore (whose fic, I am ridiculously excited to read). I am humbled that you took the time to read and responded to my writing. I am also humbled and grateful to each and every person who takes the time to read this fan-fiction. Also thanks to Caroline Elizabeth Salvatore and ktroxursox13 who followed the story, I'm so grateful and I hope that I lived up to your expectations. That goes for everyone if I failed to do so please pm me or send a review with some constructive criticism. I'll update by the end of the week.
P.S: This fic is un-beta'd so all mistakes grammar and otherwise are mine and mine alone.