A/N: Sorry about the wait for this chapter and spelling mistakes. Happy reading :)
Chapter 4: Burnin' Up
"Sorry, do I know you?" Scarlett asked. The girl facing her reminded Scarlett of a pot ready to boil over. Steam practically poured out ofher ears. She highly doubted this chick was a fan. At least, she didn't look the the typical fan with her dyed black hair and fiery red streaks. She seemed more like someone into metal.
"Scarlett Browning? You're the one moving in?"
"No, I just like carrying my suitcases everywhere." Scarlett's sarcasm was starting to piss off Lucy. She'd met Scarlett once a while ago and that one encounter had been enough to make Lucy hate her guts.
"Why the hell are you in my apartment anyway?" Lucy demanded in a low, ominous tone. The fact the she was still in her pajamas probably made her a little less intimidating, but she still got Scarlett to back up into the hallway. "Are you here to apologize to me?" Lucy's arms were crossed over her chest and she was glaring at the ex-pop star with disdain.
"I was told this was my apartment." Scarlett thrust her keycard into Lucy's field of vision. Her eyes darkened and she snatched the card, wanting to rip it apart. She blinked repeatedly, incredulous.
Scarlett smirked. "The number isn't gonna change, honey. And what's this about apologizing to someone I don't know? In fact, you should apologize for being so rude."
Lucy gaped at the blonde. "Me? Apologize to you." She pulled at her two-toned hair. "Do you remember me?"
Scarlett frowned, her forehead crinkling. She was completely, utterly confuzzled. "I've never met you and you haven't even mentioned your name. How could I remember you?" Unfortunately, this question just angered Lucy more. A vein throbbed in her forehead.
"Ugh! Just move!" Lucy roared. She brushed past Scarlett, nearly knocking her over. Scarlett watched her round the corner to board the elevator. She wasn't exactly sure if she should stay. So she left. She hurried down the stairs to catch up with the girl.
In the lobby, Lucy was complaining to Mr. Bitters, who was trying to block her out. He nodded at random points in her rant as he tried to suck all of the Cheese-Puff dust off of his fingers. His head turned when he heard someone stomping down the stairs. Scarlett emerged, glancing around for someone.
"I still don't know what your name is," Scarlett stated, spotting Lucy by the front desk. Lucy ignored her, her attention returning to Bitters. He was starting in on a package of Pop-Tarts.
"So what I'm trying to ask is why does that have a key to my room?" Lucy pointed to Scarlett accusingly. Scarlett waved, smiling smugly. Lucy rolled her eyes in response.
Mr. Bitters glanced at each girl. Then he looked down at his glowing computer screen. "It appears that there are no vacant rooms available," he finally said, grinning shyly. "Since you live alone, I guess the computer automatically paired you up with Scarlett. Now have a Palm Woods-"
"No! This isn't fair. Doesn't anybody else live alone?" Lucy whined, desperate. She banged her fist on the desktop and Mr. Bitters jumped away. Scarlett muttered something under her breath. She was beginning to get offended by this girl.
"What did I ever do to you?" Scarlett blurted. Both Bitters and Lucy barely acknowledged her even though she stood a mere two feet from both of them.
Mr. Bitters obnoxiously chewed on his Pop-Tart, oblivious to the tension between the girls. "It's my way or the highway, Lucy," he said, spraying crumbs everywhere.
Lucy, what a pretty name, Scarlett thought. Too bad it's wasted on such a witch.
"I could evict you on the spot if I wanted to," Mr. Bitters continued. "Your call." Lucy blanched, her mouth scrunching into a tight, small line. She set her jaw and her brown orbs narrowed to slits. Mr. Bitters didn't bat an eyelash.
"Fine," Lucy sighed, looking down at her feet. Bitters looked triumphant. Lucy looked spent.
"But we'll be splitting the rent of a single-person room," Scarlett added, trying not flinch when Lucy kicked her in the ankle, "If you want to avoid being sued for not informing a resident about a change in their contract beforehand." Mr. Bitters pulled at his collar nervously as Scarlett stared him down.
He reluctantly agreed, promising to write up a new lease. As Lucy and Scarlett left the desk and entered the elevator, Scarlett waited to hear 'thank you' from her new roomie. Instead, she received yet another complaint.
"Why did you do that? I could've been kicked out." Lucy jabbed the third floor button violently, possibly permanently forcing it into its socket.
Scarlett pressed up against the side of the elevator cart Lucy wasn't on in fear of being attacked."I was just trying to help," she insisted. Her thighs were beginning to go numb from the coldness of the elevator wall. "I didn't think what Bitters was doing was fair. We have rights, you know." Lucy groaned.
"Quit pretending to be all sweet and nice. I met you two years ago and you were a total nightmare." Scarlett's large almond-shaped eyes widened to an impossible size.
"When was this?!" she exclaimed, sounding hysterical. "Was this, like, a dream you had when you were ill?" Scarlett started giggling, but the laughter died on her lips when Lucy didn't join. The death glare she constantly wore was getting old.
When the elevator doors parted, Lucy stomped out, several steps ahead. With one last look at Scarlett, she said, "Just stay out of my way, Browning."
BTRBTRBTRBTRBTRBTR
"Pew, pew, pew!" Carlos exclaimed, stabbing at a button on his controller. He, James, Kendall, and Logan were playing a video game in front of their flat-screen television. While they all sat cross-legged on the carpet, Katie was lounging on the arm of their orange couch.
Katie rolled her eyes at Carlos, who continued to make annoying sound effects. "That's really not necessary, Carlos," she said. She smiled politely, trying to appear innocent.
"Oh, I know," Carlos answered cheerfully. Katie sighed in relief when he stopped. A few minutes later, Carlos had begun pew-pew-pewing again. Katie clutched her head and groaned. The boys failed to notice. She sighed louder. The boys kept their eyes glued to the TV.
Katie hopped off of the couch, weaving between the longs limbs of her brother's friends scattered across the carpet. "I'm going to my room," Katie huffed, "Not that anyone cares." Just as she was about to step into the hallway, a knock sounded at their door. Katie perked up at the prospect of having someone to talk to and opened the door.
Camille stepped in, looking very summer-y in a tie-dyed blue sundress. She raised a severely tanned arm and waved. Logan immediately dropped his controller, walking over to his girlfriend. His avatar in the video paused in fighting stance and his weapon stopped firing bullets.
"Katie, jump in and take his place!" Kendall requested. He handed Katie the rejected controller. Katie rolled her eyes and accepted it. It was better than nothing.
Camille grabbed one of Logan's shoulders and kissed his lightly on the lips. The bundle of sheets she hand in her other hand brushed Logan's thigh. When they parted, Logan was grinning at Camille. She grinned back.
"Hey," he breathed, snaking an arm around her. He pulled her in for another kiss. Kendall cleared his throat, reminding Logan that Katie was in the room. He pulled away from Camille begrudgingly. "So, uh, what's up? Do you need help rehearsing for an audition?" He pointed to the rolled-up script in her fist.
"I do, but later." Camille dropped onto the couch cushions, slouching. "I just wanted to see what you guys were up to." Kendall paused the game they was playing. James tossed his controller angrily and it ricocheted off of the dome hockey table. Kendall stared at him with wide eyes, waiting for an explanation.
"I was just about to kill you!" James whined. Carlos patted him on the back comfortingly.
"So did you hear Scarlett moved in?" Kendall asked. He and his bandmates had spread the word about Scarlett getting signed Rocque Records the day before. They hadn't known she'd move into the Palm Woods, too. "I haven't even seen her yet." Camille nodded.
"Carlos sent out a mass text," Camille reported, flashing her cell phone. "I think even Buddha Bob knows by now."
"Yeah, he's on my contact list," Carlos said. Katie gave him an amused glance.
"Of course he is," she laughed.
"Better batten down the hatches," Kendall joked. "Hurricane Scarlett means trouble." He leaned back, resting his head on his little sister's legs. She pulled away quickly and Kendall's head thumped against the floor. He groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "What was that for?"
"She's not trouble," Katie pouted.
"No, no, Katie's right," Camille agreed. Then she cracked a small smile. "Scarlett's not trouble-" She paused for effect "-She's troubled." Kendall chuckled, earning a slap from Katie.
"Come on, we're just kidding around," Kendall murmured to his baby sis. She stuck her tongue out at him.
Logan was silent, feeling uncomfortable. He knew they were just joking, but it wasn't nice to hear. He knew Scarlett better than any of them did. He jumped, surprised when Camille placed her hand of his thigh.
"I wanna invite her to the pool," Camille said. "I just don't know what room she's in and Bitters won't spill."
"She's in 3B." Everyone turned their heads towards James. "I got her checked in this morning. We caught up." Logan raised an eyebrow at this new information.
Before he could speak, Camille asked, "Isn't that Lucy's room?" James snapped and pointed at her.
"That's it! That's been bugging me all day!" Camille smirked at him.
"Shouldn't you know her room number by now, silly?" She uncrossed her legs and nudged James' thigh with her toes.
"You know I'm bad with numbers," James mumbled. "Logan made me do practice algebra yesterday until my brain turned to mush."
"So for, like, twenty minutes," Logan deadpanned. Carlos laughed and high-fived him. James just rolled his eyes.
"I wonder how Lucy feels about rooming with Scarlett," Kendall murmured, still on that subject. "She thinks she's a talentless idiot."
Camille's eyebrows spiked. "Why is that?"
Kendall shrugged. "Apparently, she met her a long time ago. She claims Scarlett was a total bitch to her." He glanced over at his sister. "Excuse my language."
"I'm twelve, not two," Katie retorted, flicking a piece of carpet at Kendall.
"Kendall, no cursing in my living room!" Mrs. Knight called from the kitchen. Kendall smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, Mom," he hollered back. He turned back to his friends to see Camille rising from her comfy spot on the couch.
"I'm gonna go to 3B," she announced, "Anyone coming with?"
A minute later, the living room was empty. Everyone followed Camille out, trailing behind the swaying skirt of her dress. They all squished into the elevator, shuffled awkwardly to the Muzak, and spilled out on the third floor. Katie raced to the end of the hall and knocked furiously on Lucy's door.
Lucy came to the door a minute later. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the crowd in the hall.
Camille stepped in front of Katie. "Hi, Lucy," she chirped, "Is Scarlett here? I kinda wanted to invite her to the pool."
Lucy's eyes hardened. "You guys know her?" she asked. She leaned up against the doorjamb.
"Yeah," Kendall piped up. He saw Lucy's eyes shift to him."I told you we went on tour with her and you told me she was a total bitch."
Lucy's smirk reappeared. "I vaguely remember this conversation. I wasn't lying about what I said, by the way." She paused, glancing back into her apartment. She sighed and opened the door a crack. "Come in."
The group piled into the cramped space, struggling to find places to stand. "Scarlett, get your ass in here!" Lucy poked her head into the hallway, shouting through the walls.
Scarlett wrapped her sopping wet hair in a terry-cloth towel turban and slipped out of the bathroom. "Lucy, I'm trying to take a..." Scarlett froze in her tracks, acknowledging all the people in the living room. Water droplets slid down her tattooed arms and soaked the carpet. "...shower."
The room went silent. All eyes were on Scarlett, who tightened her grip on the towel around her torso. She pulled at the hem of her towel and thought, Why couldn't this thing be longer? It barely covered her thighs.
"Nice to see you, Scarlett," Camille greeted cheerfully, breaking the pause. There was a collective sigh of relief from almost everybody in the room. Lucy's eyes were focused on the ceiling, her foot tapping the ground impatiently.
Scarlett squirmed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She noticed Camille's hand was firmly clasped in Logan's. She avoided both of their gazes. "Camille," she replied.
Awkward silence.
"They want to know if you'll go to the pool with them," Lucy blurted, exasperated. "Will you please just go? I need the apartment to myself right now." Scarlett didn't want to go, but the tired look on Lucy's face changed her mind.
"I'll meet you guys out front," Scarlett sighed. She scurried out of the living room and locked herself in Lucy's bedroom. She pressed her back to the door, staring at the opposite wall. That had been excruciating.
Seeing James, Kendall, and Carlos had been okay. It reminded her of the good times she'd had on tour. But when she saw Camille and Logan, she felt a pang of jealousy. Why did they have to be so happy together? Why couldn't they be miserable, too?
Scarlett unzipped one of her suitcases, rooting through it for her bathing suit. The bottle of Margaritaville Gold that Mercedes had snuck her during the plane ride peeked out from the bottom. Scarlett wanted to stay in and drink it on the couch.
She tucked it back underneath her things and pulled out a swimsuit. Only it wasn't hers. It was the one Mercedes had picked out when they went shopping together. The one that Scarlett had rejected.
"Typical," she muttered. Mercedes only liked clothing if it was skimpy or provocative. The bikini was both. Scarlett reluctantly put it on, staring at her reflection in the mirror on the wall. She immediately pulled a pair of shorts and tank top over it. "Crisis averted," she said to herself.
She tucked her glasses in her pocket and slid her prescription Ray-Bans up the bridge of her nose. Then she stepped out into the hallway, ready to have a horrible time. Lucy approached her and made a face.
"You sure you're not coming?" Scarlett asked. She ignored the disgusted look on Lucy's face.
"Not if you are," Lucy snapped, pushing past her. Scarlett sighed and bit her lip, watching Lucy make her way down the hall before leaving the apartment. Scarlett grabbed her bottle of spray-on sunscreen off of the counter before closing the door.
Camille was waiting by a giant potted plant in the lobby. She witnessed Scarlett come out of the elevator and walk over to the front desk to get a folder from Bitters. Camille took a deep breath. It's go time, Camille thought. Camille mustered up her sweetest smile and wiggled her dainty fingers, waving Scarlett over.
Camille wanted to get on Scarlett's good side. She was to blame for Scarlett and Logan breaking up. Not that she regretted it. She just felt bad for Scarlett. Besides, it wasn't like Scarlett had been compatible with Logan. Camille had done her a favor.
"Everyone's outside," Camille oozed, her voice dripping with charm. Scarlett forced the corners of her lips to turn upward. Camille placed a hand on her shoulder.
Scarlett didn't know Camille well enough to hate her, but she certainly wasn't her biggest fan. Scarlett decided she wasn't going to be rude.
"Would you mind spraying this on me before we head out?" Scarlett handed Camille her bottle of sunscreen. Camille plucked the cap off of the nozzle, her eyes scanning the label attached to the face: SPF 30.
"You sure you don't want to borrow some tanning oil?" Camille suggested, taking in Scarlett's porcelain complexion. Scarlett crossed her arms self-consciously.
"I don't tan, I burn," Scarlett insisted, shaking her head. "Been there, done that."
Camille chuckled. "That sucks." She pointed the nozzle at Scarlett's arm. "Close your eyes." Scarlett obeyed, allowing Camille to spray a cloud of sunscreen around her slim frame. Camille's soft brown eyes widened as she counted all of the tattoos Scarlett had. "Hey, uh, what's that file you're holding?"
"It's my temporary schedule at Rocque Records," Scarlett explained, eyes closed. "It was in my mailbox."
"Why is it temporary?" Camille prodded, trying not to sound too curious.
Scarlett tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Well, honestly, I might not be staying in California. Rocque Records wants to sign me and I'm going to find out if I like it there or not." Her bluntly-cut bangs hid her raised eyebrows. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason," Camille answered casually. "Did I tell you how nice your hair looks, by the way? I like it way better straight and short." That way it looked nothing like hers.
"Uh, thanks," Scarlett said. It came out like a question. "Can I open my eyes now?"
"Oh! Yeah, go ahead." Scarlett's eyes popped open and Camille gave her back the bottle of sunscreen. She then pushed open the lobby doors, dragging Scarlett outside.
As usual, the poolside was packed. Teenagers were chatting with each other, sucking on freshly-prepared smoothies, and cannon-balling into the deep chlorine-blue pool water. The Jennifers were at a small table, gossiping. As usual.
"...so I got offered the modeling job for Theory's new fall campaign and I start next week," Curly-haired Jennifer gabbed, shrugging her bronzed shoulders. "I guess I just have the face for it, you know?" Dark-haired Jennifer nodded, unblinking. Their unofficial leader, Blonde Jennifer, was staring right over her head. "What are you looking...?"
She trailed off when she realized what (more like who) Blonde Jennifer had her gaze set on. Dark-haired Jennifer frowned. She turned around in her seat and gasped, her pretty mouth falling open.
"Is that...?" Curly-haired Jennifer began.
"It can't be," Dark-haired Jennifer insisted.
"It is!" Blonde Jennifer confirmed.
Scarlett tossed her hair over her shoulder, causing almost all male eyes to shift from the Jennifers to her. Blonde Jennifer's eyes narrowed into slits.
"I love her, yet I hate her," Curly-haired Jennifer sighed. "She's gorgeous and talented like us-"
"But she's so sleazy," Dark-haired Jennifer finished.
"Right?!"
"She was blessed with the beauty trifecta: perfect hair, face, and body."
"She won the genetics lottery!"
"Would you guys, puh-lease-uh!" Blonde Jennifer snapped. She glared at the platinum blonde of model proportions before turning back to her pampered posse. "She's a bit average-looking." But she couldn't even convince herself to believe that.
Scarlett settled into the lawn chair Camille had all but forced her into. James had nabbed the seat next to her. His best friends were laid out beside Camille.
Scarlett glanced at each boy behind her tinted shades, marveling at how much they'd changed in a year. They were all several inches taller. Their voices were deeper. They'd gotten even more attractive.
Carlos was wearing his helmet less, letting his inky black hair be seen. Scarlett nodded in approval; definitely worthy of having fingers run through it.
James' hair was shorter and darker. He looked a lot more mature when his bangs weren't in his eyes. He looked like a total stud.
Kendall had tidied up his scruffy, Minnesota look quite a bit. His hair was neater and his bushy eyebrows were less bushy. He looked like he'd been living in California all his life.
But it was Logan who Scarlett couldn't take her eyes off of. He'd gotten tan from the California rays and his bare arms were impressively toned. His retro, almost Johnny Bravo-esque hairdo was a little too California for Scarlett. She wanted to run her fingers through his obnoxiously caressable hair and mess it up a bit. She wanted to stare into his warm chocolate eyes until they were all she could see.
Those eyes still made her melt. Those eyes wouldn't stop looking at Camille. Scarlett's cheeks burned when she realized James had been watching her. She buried her nose in her folder.
James cleared his throat. "So how are you liking it here so far?" he asked, getting Scarlett's attention.
She shrugged and lowered her folder. "My roommate hates me for reasons that are beyond me and half the people here think I'm a whore. You tell me." She promptly rolled over on her side, facing away from James.
Camille drew her knees to her chest. "That's not true." Even though she kind of thought it was.
"Yeah," Carlos chimed in, "It's gotta be less than half." Kendall buried his face in his palm. Carlos' was the master of unintended backhanded compliments.
"Wow, that's so comforting," Scarlett deadpanned, glowering at Carlos. His smile visibly wilted.
"He was just trying to be nice. It's not his fault it's true." Scarlett was surprised to hear Logan's voice. He'd barely looked at her all day. Not that she cared.
"So you think I'm a whore?" Scarlett narrowed her eyes, daring Logan to toss a clever comeback her way. She almost wanted him to.
But he didn't. Instead, he edged closer to Camille, grabbed a handful of her dark curls, and pulled her into him. The swampy sound of their kissing forced Scarlett to look away. She tugged at the solitary black streak in her hair, distracting herself with pain.
"This got uncomfortable fast," Kendall muttered. Scarlett tried to laugh, but it got caught in her throat. She tried a friendly smile and aimed it at Carlos and Kendall. Carlos smiled back. He'd already forgotten about her comment.
"Say, Kendall," Scarlett began, "Where's your girlfriend? I've been dying to talk to Jo." Kendall averted his eyes. His mouth opened and nothing came out. Carlos was silent.
"Jo's filming a movie with Sutton Greene," James said. His words were slow and strained. "Both of them have been in New Zealand for, like, six months now."
Scarlett's eyebrows raised, hiding themselves under her bangs. This was new info. "Oh-Gosh, I assumed the movie was being filmed here in Hollywood. Wait-If Jo's in New Zealand and Kendall's here..." She stopped herself when she figured out the rest. She felt like an ass for bringing it up. "I'm so sorry." She put her hand on Kendall's forearm.
He smiled weakly, dipping his head. "It's alright." He paused. "I think I'm gonna head in, though. See if Katie found her swimsuit." Scarlett's hand slid from his arm as he stood up to leave. She sighed when she heard the lobby doors slam. Why did she always have to say the wrong things?
Just then, a soccer ball rolled over. It came to a halt when it bumped Carlos' toe. Carlos' eyes lit up when Stephanie King appeared in front of him. He grabbed the ball and thrust it towards her. Their fingers brushed, lighting Carlos' insides on fire.
"Thanks, Carlos." Stephanie grinned, standing over Carlos. "Do you wanna come play soccer with me in the park?" She bounced the ball from one knee to the other. "I'll buy you a smoothie," she added in a teasing lilt.
Carlos sprang out of his seat. He reminded James of a baby bunny on a sugar rush. "I'm in." He and Stephanie strolled out of the pool area, never once taking their eyes off each other.
"Who was that?" Scarlett asked. Carlos could not have looked more lovestruck if he tried. He'd pull a muscle or something.
"That was Stephanie King, Carlos' lady friend," Camille replied, giggling.
"Really?"
"No," James admitted, "But he's totally head over heels for her."
"He just doesn't have the sack to tell her," Logan rejoined. "It's sad, really." Camille pinched his upper arm, earning a yelp from her boyfriend.
"Like you would've admitted to liking me without your friends," she reminded him.
"That pinch really hurt," Logan mumbled. He rubbed his arm to emphasize this.
"I can make it better." The two resumed kissing again, causing both James and Scarlett to look away.
Scarlett wasn't sure if it was the sun or her fury, but somehow, it got hotter. James wiped away the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. His bangs were pasted to his forehead.
"Did you know California means 'hot oven'?" James asked.
"Go figure," Scarlett laughed, shaking her head. "That's the perfect definition."
James stripped his perspiration-soaked shirt off and dumped it next to his feet. "I'm jumping into the pool?" He smiled, exposing his dazzling teeth. "Care to join me?"
Scarlett shook her head. "Don't feel like getting wet." James shrugged.
"Suit yourself." He backed up a couple of steps before diving into the pool. Camille and Logan sprang apart, startled by the splash. Scarlett stifled a smirk.
"Actually, I changed my mind," Scarlett announced. She shimmied out of her shorts and shirt, forgetting all about the itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini she was in. She hopped into the pool and landed with a huge splash. When she surfaced, she saw Logan and Camille were even more soaked.
"Really?" Logan snapped. "You couldn't have just stepped into the pool?"
Scarlett didn't bother hiding her smirk this time. "I could have, but this way is funnier." James shook out his hair, sending water droplets everywhere. Scarlett squealed and batted the pool water at him.
She hoisted herself up on the pool ledge and swung her lank legs over the edge. She could feel many sets of eyes on her and regretted making such a commotion. Or maybe it was the swimsuit. Whatever it was, Scarlett didn't exactly like the attention. She noticed a small group of girls at a table sneering at her and whispering. She remembered them dissing her last time she'd visited. They reminded her of typical Upper East Siders.
Scarlett quickly looked away and her eyes landing on Logan. He was staring right back at her, but not into her eyes. His brown eyes were roaming her body voraciously. Scarlett fought the blush coming on.
"It's rude to stare," Scarlett said coolly. Logan realized she was speaking to him and turned away. His face was red as hell. He's lucky his little girlfriend didn't see, Scarlett thought.
Camille popped out of her seat. Her facial expression was unreadable, but it certainly wasn't one of content. Her jaw was clenched and her hands folded into fists. "I think I should go study my script," she declared. She looked down at Logan , her eyes piercing into his. "Don't bother following me." She stormed away.
So Camille had noticed. Victory is sweet, Scarlett thought, smiling.
Logan didn't follow his girlfriend. He knew better. He had to wait for her to cool off. Then he'd swoop in with a tray of hot-out-of-the-oven pizza bagels and an apology. He watched as Scarlett pulled herself out of the pool and returned to her seat.
James put his elbows up on the pool ledge and grinned stupidly at Scarlett. "You look hot." Logan rolled his eyes.
A smile played on the ends of Scarlett's lips and she fiddled with a string on her bikini top. "Don't I know it," she laughed. She glanced over at Logan, who was fighting to look away, before turning over on her stomach, exposing her back to the sun. Yup, she definitely still had it.
BTRBTRBTRBTRBTRBTR
Around nine o' clock, Lucy Stone trudged into the dark, empty pool area. She scanned the space for her roommate. She really didn't care that she wasn't at the apartment, but she was curious what she was doing. She spotted her lying face down in a lawn chair and burst into laughter.
Scarlett was rudely awoken from her slumber. She squinted into the dimly lit pool area and locked eyes with a doubled over Lucy Stone. She was laughing like a hyena. Scarlett stretched and yawned. Lucy's guffaws were starting to irritate her. She switched her sunglasses for her trusty square-frames.
"What's so funny?" she asked dumbly, gathering her clothes and sunscreen bottle in her arms. Lucy tried to answer her. Unfortunately, she could barely breathe, let alone speak.
"Your whole backside..." Lucy wheezed, wiping her eyes, "...looks like an effing stop sign!" She guffawed, clutching her side. Her whole body shook.
"What are you talking..." Scarlett slapped her palm against her bare back and a string of obscenities left her lips. Lucy just laughed louder. "Shizz...my back is completely fried!" It was fairly dark out, but Scarlett could now see the backs of her legs and arms were indeed stop-sign red.
Scarlett would've laughed about it any other day. The whole situation was quite ridiculous. She had a farmer's sunburn, for Pete's sake. But she couldn't just laugh this off today. She was angry. Like slam-someone's-tongue-in-a-car-door angry.
"WOULD YOU JUST SHOVE IT?" Scarlett hollered. She tucked her clothes into one arm and shoved Lucy backwards with the other. Lucy bumped into a table, her chuckles fading.
"Calm down," Lucy muttered, crossing her arms. Scarlett's left eye twitched and her hands balled into fists.
"Don't effing tell me to calm down!" Scarlett screeched. She wanted to hit Lucy, but she restrained herself. "You're such a jerk!"
Lucy's mouth dropped open. "How dare you call me that after what you did to me! You totaled my favorite guitar and never even bothered to apologize. Do you even remember?"
Scarlett anger dissipated. Now she was just confused. "Guitar?" she whispered, her forehead wrinkling.
A flashback from about two years before started playing in Scarlett's head. She remembered a girl a few years older than she was shredding on the guitar. The girl had been auditioning to play in the live band for concerts. Scarlett remembered wanting to play as well as her.
Backstage, her manager had told Scarlett that the girl was really an actress for a publicity stunt. Scarlett had been instructed to pretend to hate the performance and smash the guitar to smithereens. So she did. The actress had lunged at her and Scarlett would've been mauled to death if it hadn't been for security.
The flashback ended and Scarlett's eyes popped open. "Oh my gosh," she breathed, "That was you. You were the girl who auditioned-"
"For the tour," Lucy growled. She stepped closer to Scarlett, who stepped back. "That was my first and only guitar then. I'm not a rich, spoiled brat from the Upper East Side like you. I couldn't just go out and buy another one!"
Scarlett faltered. Tears filled her eyes. She blinked and they rolled down her cheeks. "Lucy, please believe me when I say this: It was all staged."
"What?"
"My manager told me you were acting and it was all just a publicity stunt. That the guitar was just a prop," Scarlett babbled nervously. She was about to get punched, she just knew it. Her lips were moving quickly and she wasn't really sure what she was saying.
Lucy frowned and brought her hand up to her lips. "So...you were duped by the record company you were signed to? You didn't know the guitar was worth anything?"
Scarlett shook her head vigorously, nearly giving herself whiplash. "Yeah. That's why I left. I couldn't take it any longer." Lucy looked shaken. Scarlett moved closer to her and winced. Damn sunburns, she thought.
"You shouldn't have stayed with that record company for so long," Lucy said sourly, regaining her composure. "They made you look like-"
"A bitch? Slut? Whore?" Scarlett replied. "I've been called all those names and many more. I know what people see me as. But I was only thirteen when I signed. I didn't know if I'd ever get another offer like that one." Scarlett sighed and stared at the tiles. "I conformed to what the company wanted me to be and became a sellout."
"At least you quit," Lucy pointed out, trying to be sympathetic. "I still don't know exactly how I feel about you, but you made the right decision," She gave a weak smile, "Even if it was a little late. I've had Hollywood try to screw me over, too."
Scarlett fidgeted with a loose thread on the pair of shorts she had crumpled in her hands. "I can replace your guitar if you want. It wouldn't be any trouble."
"No thanks. It was...irreplaceable." Lucy jammed her fists into her pockets.
She started slowly walking towards the entrance. Scarlett hesitated before following her. Her steps were strained and laborious. Lucy glanced back at her and grinned.
"Don't laugh," Scarlett warned her. She almost started laughing herself. "I'm so stiff it's sad." Lucy tried to hide her smile. She was unsuccessful.
"Didn't you wear sunscreen?" Lucy asked.
"I did and it failed me," Scarlett groaned, "Would you happen to have any sunburn cream?"
Lucy shook her head from side to side. "Sorry. I think the guys in 2J might, though. Mrs. Knight goes a little crazy with her sun protection."
Scarlett groaned again, much louder this time. Lucy's amused expression wasn't helping. "I cannot go over there looking like this." Lucy snickered.
"Oh yeah, they're gonna have a hoot," Lucy added. Scarlett scowled at her, her grip tightening on the sunscreen bottle in her hand. "What? It's true!"
Scarlett's eyes did an exaggerated loop. "I'm going up to 2J. G' night." Lucy watched Scarlett disappear up the stairs.
Scarlett found herself on the second floor a few seconds later. She was frustrated that she remembered exactly where 2J was. I'm so pathetic, she thought.
As she knocked on the door, she prayed that it wouldn't be Logan that answered the door. She missed him, and it pissed her off. What he had done to her was unforgivable.
Ironically, it was Logan who answered the door. When he saw Scarlett, his mouth parted slightly and his eyes blinked. It still amazed him how different she looked now. He couldn't speak.
Scarlett swallowed hard. Her mouth had gone dry and she knew she was sweating like crazy. She took in Logan's appearance, slowly scanning him up and down. He was wearing a worn, faded blue t-shirt with a hole in the hem and athletic shorts. His eyes were bloodshot and red. Up close, he looked like he hadn't slept in weeks.
"Do you plan on just standing there?" Scarlett asked, her attempt at sounding irritated failing.
"Sorry—You just look...different. What are you doing here?" Logan finally asked. There was a tremor in his voice. It was barely noticeable, but Scarlett caught it.
Scarlett turned around so her back faced Logan. "This might answer your question." She heard Logan gasp when he registered the sunburn. It practically glowed in the dark. "Lucy told me you guys might have sunburn cream."
"Dear God, your back looks like a stop sign!"
"It's been established." Scarlett whirled around, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Didn't you wear sunscreen?" Scarlett held up the bottle in her hands. Logan squinted at it and shook his head.
"Scarlett, you were out there all day and you didn't think to reapply it?" Logan asked like he was talking to a child. "You're super pale and this is only SPF 30. It's basically ineffective!"
"I've got it, Logan," Scarlet said firmly. Logan closed his mouth. "Now can you help me out?"
After a pause, Logan opened the door a crack wider. Scarlett stepped in and realized everyone had already retired to their beds. The only thing that illuminated the darkness was the television screen. A rerun of Three's Company was on.
"You couldn't change before coming over here?" Logan asked, sounding agitated. "Seriously, all you've taken off are your sunglasses."
"Funny," Scarlett spat, "You seemed excited my outfit this afternoon." Scarlett saw Logan's face pale and his body stiffen. Almost immediately, he regained his composure.
"You've been a bitch all day, Scarlett," Logan said in a low tone. "You're usually not like this." He seemed almost concerned.
Scarlett stared into the carpet. "Just go get your damn cream."
Logan's unwavering gaze lingered on her. When she kept her eyes on the ground, he finally gave up and scuttled down the hall.
Scarlett let out a silent sigh. She had happened catch Logan's facial expression in her peripheral vision. He'd looked disappointed.
Scarlett was beginning to doubt herself. Was it possible that she was a bitch? She tried to put this out of her head, focusing her attention on Three's Company.
"Hey, it's that episode where the characters get into a misunderstanding," Scarlett joked to herself, chuckling.
"Here." Scarlett nearly fell off of the couch she'd sat down on a minute before. Logan had somehow managed to sit down beside her without her noticing. He had a small, white tub in his hands.
Logan watched Scarlett read over the words on the front of the tub, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. She was fiddling with the strap tied into a bow on her hip. "Would you mind putting it on my back for me?"
Logan's hand automatically went to the back of his neck and his Adam's apple bobbed. He coughed, suddenly out of breath. "Scarlett, I don't think-"
"God, Logan, I'm not gonna try anything." Then a flirtatious smile slid across her face. "That is, unless you want me to."
Logan's face was now more red than his bloodshot eyes. "I can't believe you would even suggest about that," He sputtered. Scarlett couldn't tell if he was miffed or embarrassed.
"Can't you take a joke?" Logan didn't respond. He was too busy staring her down, his eyes burning into her. His mouth was a grim straight line. The grin on Scarlett's face was long gone. "I'm sorry, okay? I can be a bit crass sometimes." Every fiber of Scarlett's being wanted to scream at Logan, but she didn't. "Now would you just put the stuff on my back? I'm crazy sore."
Logan nodded, twisting the cap off of the tub. He deliberately moved slowly and it was getting on Scarlett's nerves. She turned away from him so she couldn't see him. She liked it better that way. Her back arched when she felt Logan's fingers on her shoulders.
"Christ, that's cold!" Scarlett exclaimed, feeling goose bumps pop up on her exposed skin. She didn't mention to Logan that the heat of his hands in contrast felt so good.
"Sorry," Logan muttered. He rubbed circles into the tattoos on Scarlett's shoulders with his callused thumbs. He was blushing hard and his hands wouldn't quit shaking. He didn't get why he got so disconcerted around Scarlett.
Scarlett was suddenly very aware Logan was touching her. It made her nervous and jittery. The hairs on the back of her neck spiked up as his fingers traveled down between her jutting shoulder blades. A sharp, startled frisson passed through her and she swallowed back a shudder.
When Scarlett's eyes closed, all she could see was herself and Logan back when they were dating. Kissing. Touching. Part of her wanted to hurt him and the other parts wanted to jump his bones right then and there. It was maddening.
Logan gulped when his hands neared the small of Scarlett's back. He held his breath, a little afraid he'd mess something up. Should he say something? The silence was deafening. He could hear himself thinking way too clearly. He bit down on his tongue, sliding his fingers down just a bit further-
"Logan, Mom says you should get to bed—Whoa, Scarlett!" Both teenagers jumped at the sound of Kendall's little sister's voice. Scarlett suddenly felt herself being pushed away, a tub of cream being stuffed into her hands.
"Talktoyoutomorrowbye!" Logan yelped, forcing Scarlett out the door and locking it behind her. He faced Katie and smiled sheepishly. She looked confused.
"Just go to bed, Katie," Logan sighed, messing with his already tousled hair. "I'll explain in the morning." Katie just shrugged and sleepily trudged back to her room. She was too tired to be nosy.
Scarlett stood outside of the door, breathing hard with wide eyes. "I need to get some sleep," she sighed, rubbing her left temple.
If only she knew how.