All in the life of a celeb.

Chapter 15: Back and Forth

"That's a wrap for this week!" Benedict announced. "I hope you all appreciate this week off. I expect all of you to be in perfect shape when we get back," he reminded everyone.

Misaki pulled the elastics out of her hair and went to get changed out of her costume. Benedict was adding a plot twist to the movie so the actors were given a week off. Apparently, he was adding a new character to the mix.

"Misaki!" Vivian called. "Are you coming to the cast party?"

"I don't know," Misaki said. "Sakura?"

"Can't," Sakura said. "I have to be in the recording studio. Kuuga and I are doing a collaboration album before he leaves on tour."

"Oh…"

"Come on," Vivian said. "Everyone's going. Don't you just want to relax?" she asked.

"I suppose," Misaki said. "Where is it?"

"It's in this really expensive bar," Vivian explained. "We got a huge party room upstairs though. There's going to be karaoke, food and just some socializing."

"Oh, okay," Misaki agreed. "I'll be there."

"Awesome,"

Misaki grabbed her bag and her extra street clothes.

"Hey," Takumi said, walking in step with her.

"Hi," Misaki said, busying herself with packing up her bag.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be?"

"I don't know," Takumi said, easily keeping up with her increased walking pace. "You barely spoke one word to me these few days."

"What do you want me to say?" Misaki asked.

"Did I offend you somehow?" Takumi asked. "Why are you acting this way?"

"I'm acting this way?!" Misaki snapped. "Just how am I supposed to act? You want me to fangirl over you like everyone else? You want me to buy that you're all charming and perfect?"

"What are you talking about?" Takumi demanded. "I never asked you to do that."

"Whatever," Misaki said. "I got to go."

"Wait, Misaki!" Takumi said as Misaki got into her car.

"What's wrong?" Alice asked, walking up beside Takumi. He watched her car drive away.

"I have no idea," Takumi said. "She's mad at me and I have no idea why."

Alice thought about it. "What did you do? You can be pretty annoying sometimes and say insensitive things."

"Alice…" Takumi growled.

"Sorry," Alice said, holding up her clipboard. "Don't hurt me! I'm your cousin by blood! You're a Rider. You don't kill kin!"

"Let's just get back to LA," Takumi said, tossing Alice his bag.

"Are you going to the cast party?" Alice asked, struggling to hold onto his duffle.

"No,"

"NO?!" Alice shrieked. "Do you even still want a chance with Misaki?!"

"What are you talking about?" Takumi said, getting into his car.

Alice shoved his bag into the back seat and got into the driver's seat. "She's mad and you're just going to let her walk away? That is not how you pursue a woman."

"I'm not trying to pursue her," Takumi said, sliding on his sunglasses. "I think relationships are a hassle. I'm not looking for a girlfriend."

"If you want to keep lying to yourself, that's fine," Alice said, pulling out her keys. "But will you regret it when she finds someone to comfort her?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You know people are rather reckless when they're upset. You're really just going to let her go off and stay mad? You don't like her? You even don't care about her? Huh? Huh?"

Takumi pushed his sunglasses up to his head. He narrowed his eyes at his cousin. "Fine," he said. "I'll go."

"YIPEE!" Alice said, starting the car. "I love parties!"

"You're not going."

"Aww…WHY?!"

Takumi smirked. "Because you're not cast."

"You suck, Takumi."

"Ugh," Misaki said, tossing down her makeup brush.

"What's wrong with you?" Vivian asked. "You've been really moody these few days. Is it because of Takumi?"

Misaki turned. "Can you keep a secret?" she asked.

Vivian sat down. "I'm all ears," she said.

"He just irritates me," Misaki said, picking at her silk robe. "Every time I see him, I just get so mad. I thought maybe…"

"He liked you? He led you on?"

Misaki slowly nodded.

She was at Vivian's suite getting ready for the party. During the entire plane ride back, Misaki couldn't stop thinking about Takumi and Alice. It pissed her off. It made her sad. It messed up her head. Sakura wasn't around to talk with her either so Misaki felt like she was in foreign territory.

"Are you jealous?" Vivian asked.

"I don't know…" Misaki said.

"I can help you," Vivian suggested.

"How?"

"You probably get even madder when you think about him right?" Vivian asked.

Misaki slowly nodded.

"So, you have to distract yourself. Get him completely out of your head. Even if you see him, pretend you don't. He makes you mad? Irk him back!" Vivian said. "Trust me, you'll feel a hundred times better."

"Really?" Misaki asked. "But he doesn't ever get annoyed or angry. He doesn't show many emotions…" she added.

Vivian smiled and stood up. She opened her walked in closet and came back with something in her hands.

"You play it by ear," Vivian said, tossing Misaki a dress. "Give him a taste of his own medicine. Besides, you're twenty. Way too young to be weighed down by relationship drama," Vivian added. "He's Takumi Usui. He's desperate for a female's attention. YOU have fun without him. He'll come crawling back," she promised.

Misaki looked at the tiny black dress. "Are you sure?"

"My dear Misaki," Vivian said. "You don't have to believe me," she said with a shrug. "But so what if I'm wrong?" she asked. "You have fun either way."

Misaki slowly nodded. "You're right," she said, standing up. "I'm going to need some shoes too," she said, smiling.

"That's my bestie," Vivian said, smiling.

Misaki had never felt more self-conscious before. The bouncer led them upstairs to a large room. As they walked up the stairs, Misaki kept tugging on the back of her dress. It was form fitting all the way with tiny diamond details up the side of the dress. Their stilettoes clicked against the floor as they walked into the party.

"Breath in the freedom," Vivian whispered, grabbing a diet coke.

Misaki got a sprite and they sat down with some other cast members. She found that if she completely let go, life did seem a lot easier. They laughed and ate snacks. Misaki actually enjoyed swapping funny stories with the other actors.

"Whoa, Misaki?" Kyle asked, giving her a hug. "I've never seen you in the night life," he said, checking her out.

Misaki blushed. "Yeah…" she said, pouring herself some punch. "I don't go out much."

"I will never understand why," Kyle said, grinning. "You are gorgeous."

"Thanks," Misaki said, laughing. "You're not so bad yourself."

Kyle laughed. "And all this time I thought you were no fun…Look who else showed up!" he cheered.

Misaki looked over by the door to see Takumi.

"Takumi!" Kyle said, patting him on the shoulder. "Looks like everyone hitting the party tonight."

"Hello Takumi," Misaki said, politely.

"Hey," Takumi said. His eyes looked her up and down. "This is new."

Misaki swallowed, trying to keep her confidence. "Well, you better get used to it," she said, turning to leave.

"What happened to being different from every other celebrity?" Takumi asked, grabbing her arm.

Misaki glared at him. "I am different," she said, loud enough over the music.

"You're acting just like everyone else!" Takumi replied. "This isn't you," he said, gesturing to her.

Misaki felt her cheeks heat up. "This is me!" she yelled. "Sorry, if it's not good enough for you. Now, let go!" she said, yanking her arm away. She went back to her seat.

"Is he bugging you again?" Vivian asked.

"Yeah," Misaki said, nibbling on a pistachio.

"Breath," Vivian said, gripping her shoulder. "You're here to have fun tonight."

"You're right," Misaki said, tearing her eyes away from him. She knew he was watching her.

"Karaoke?" Vivian suggested.

"I don't know…"

"Misaki," Vivian warned.

"I'll give it a try," Misaki corrected herself.

"Perfect."

Karaoke wasn't bad. Misaki did a few songs and talked with some other people but the party was starting to die down. Some people already left.

"I'm bored," Vivian said. "Misaki, let's go downstairs. I want to dance."

"D-dance?" Misaki stammered. "I can't dance."

"You can try," Vivian said. "I also want some drinks."

"I can't drink," Misaki pointed out.

"No," Vivian said, smiling. "You don't have an ID," she said, pressing something into her hand.

Misaki looked at it. "Are you serious?" she hissed. "This is illegal!" she said, trying to return the fake ID to Vivian.

"Please," Vivian said. "You're a few months off. It's not like you're sixteen. I'm a regular. They won't looked too hard."

"I can't," Misaki said, holding out the card. "I'm just going to go home now."

"Misaki…" Vivian whined, taking the card. "How about we just dance then?"

"I-"

"Misaki," a voice said, behind her.

Misaki whirled around. "Takumi?" she asked in surprise.

"I can take you home," he offered. "If Vivian wants to stay."

"She doesn't need you," Vivian said. "You just can't accept it, can you?"

"I was talking to Misaki," Takumi said in a low voice. "Misaki. I'll take you home."

"Misaki," Vivian said, giving her a look.

Misaki felt torn. "I-"

"Is that a fake ID?!" Takumi demanded, looking at Vivian's hand.

"So, what if it is?" Vivian asked. "It's not your business."

"Misaki, you're joking right?" Takumi asked.

Misaki felt her blood boil. "Why?!" she snapped. "Are you going to judge me now? Guess what, Takumi Usui," Misaki said. "You can judge all you want. You'll just be one in a million people who judge me!" She grabbed the card out of Vivian's hand. "I'm sick and tired of worrying about what people think of me!" she yelled. "If you don't like what you see, go away!"

With that, she stormed out of the party room.

"That was perfect," Vivian said, catching up to her. "Feel better?"

"Surprisingly…" Misaki said.

They walked up to the bar except Misaki started getting nervous. Vivian saw and took the ID. "Hit us up," she said, sliding the cards over.

The man barely glanced at the cards and made them drinks. Misaki gingerly took the glass and stepped away.

"Not bad, huh?" Vivian said, downing her drink.

"Yeah..." Misaki said, taking a sip. She coughed and got a little choked up. "It's just…really strong," she coughed.

"You'll get used to it," Vivian said. "Get a few shots and let's dance."

"But I can't dance," Misaki said, taking another sip of her drink.

"Tell me again once you've finished these," Vivian said, grabbing a tray of shots. "They're like jello," she said, dumping one in her mouth. "Goes down nice and easy. Try one."

Misaki swallowed one.

"Not bad?"

"I supposed not…"

"Let's dance," Vivian said, handing Misaki another shot glass.

Misaki downed it and stepped onto the dance floor. The lights flashed around and the music was really loud but it didn't seem that bad. Misaki had watched from the side lines plenty of times but this was her first time actually dancing at a bar and it was kind of fun. No one was actually watching her.

"Whoa, there pretty girl," a man said, steading her when she almost fell. "Easy there."

Misaki laughed. "Sorry," she said, shrugging.

"You're cute," he said, putting his hands on her hips. "Where did you learn how to dance?"

"TV?" Misaki slurred. The room was starting to tip a little.

The man laughed. "That's sweet," he said. "Here, you want some?" he asked, pressing a glass to Misaki's lips.

Misaki choked on the drink a little but drank it all.

"Good girl," he said. "Let's dance. I'll buy you as many drinks as you want," he said, smirking.

Takumi leaned against the wall of the bar. Several girls tried to talk to him but he didn't respond or even look their way. He kept watching Misaki. She clumsily stumbled around the mass of people. Who was that guy? He tried to force feed her a drink. It was obvious Misaki didn't want it. She struggled against his hold but she couldn't even stand upright anymore.

Takumi found himself pushing through the crowd to her. He grabbed Misaki's arm and pulled her over.

"Hey, who are you?!" the man demanded.

"Let go of her," Takumi said, darkly. His patience was thin tonight. He was going to snap any moment now.

"Hey man, I had the girl first…" the man trailed off as Takumi glared at him. He let go of Misaki and backed away.

"What are you doing here…?" Misaki asked, almost falling to the ground. She laughed. "You're here to party…?"

Takumi wrapped her arm around his shoulder. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "You're drunk. I'm taking you home."

"No!" Misaki yelled. "I'm…here…to have fun…"

"You've had way too much fun," Takumi muttered, picking her up.

"I'm not done yet…" Misaki slurred, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Oh, yes, you are, Takumi said, carrying her out of the bar.

"You're a jerk," Misaki mumbled as he set her on his feet to dig out his car keys.

"I am not. You don't see anyone else helping you right now."

"You like messing with people's feelings," Misaki said, smacking her heart with her palm. "That's not very nice- Oh no…"

Takumi steadied her as she threw up on the ground. Misaki was a hot mess right now. Takumi was upset with her but when he saw her in such a state, his heart wrenched.

"You're such an idiot," he whispered, helping her stand upright. "If you don't know how to drink, why did you drink?" he asked.

"Takumi…" she moaned. "I don't feel good."

"No kidding," Takumi said, opening the car door. "Please don't throw up in my car," he said, helping her inside.

Misaki somehow found the coordination to open the car door and threw up out the side of the car.

Takumi just smiled and leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. "Thanks…"