Chapter 3

Wonderwall

P.E. is long forgotten. Chemistry was a haze. I spent lunch in the library. And oddly enough Melissa still has her suspicions that Eddie Duran is my Valentine. It was comical at first, I thought she was joking around, but she was a hundred percent serious. It can't seem right.

Why would I be his Valentine? Better question is if I am, why would he choose me? There's nothing right about an international rock star being interested in plain Loren Tate from the valley. I shook away my self-deprecating thoughts. I gently looked at the pendant and wondered why he gave me his mother's precious necklace. I know she had passed away not so long ago. I know her death has been rough on the Duran's. So, why did he give me this breathtaking jewel that meant so much to him?

My memory got the best of me and reminded me of what he said when I saw him again after three years. "I've been carrying this for the past two years, with the intention of giving it to you if I ever saw you again", he had said.

I sighed and vanished all these thoughts away. Instead of focusing on my non-existent love life, I concentrated on something more interesting and down-right fun. Calculus. Joy. I skimmed through the pages of the textbook and when I finally decided that I revised over all of last class's lecture, I closed the book and stuffed it in my black JanSport bookbag.

I stared around the school campus. I was sitting on one of the many tables located outside of the cafeteria. I had come out of the library ten minutes before the bell to eighth period rang. It was mostly freshman and sophomores hanging around when I took my seat at the lunch table. Most of the juniors and seniors, who were a bit more rebellious and knew their way around the school, bought lunch outside school grounds.

My eyes skimmed through the campus once more, and I found a couple. They were, in the most innocent way, having an intimate moment in public. That's if you call the boy pinning the girl on the wall and hands wondering off everywhere innocent nowadays. I averted my eyes and completely ignored them as I began to take in my surroundings. The school campus was deserted except for the couple and me. Where's everyone? I took my phone out of my side pocket and looked at the time.

I was ungraciously late for the last block. I let out a frustrated groan and picked up my bookbag hastily. Apparently, due to my internal turmoil, I had lost track of time. I rushed towards the school building, took the flight of stairs to the third floor and was soon welcomed by empty halls. I was fifteen minutes late. I deliberated whether to get a pass or just slip in without getting noticed. I tugged my black tee before quietly entering the classroom. As soon as the door closed, twenty sets of eyes were on me. Ms. Fitz, a young redhead in her second year of teaching, sighed and pointed to an empty seat. The tables held two people at a time, and just my luck, the seat she pointed at was in front of the room.

"Go sit down, Ms. Tate."

I nodded apologetically and walked towards the table. "Thank you."

"Don't let it happen again."

I sat on the chair and began taking out my binder and my textbook. I felt blue eyes look at me curiously. I spared a glance at the boy sitting next to me. He instantly flashed me with a smile, and I saw how his white teeth were aligned perfectly. He placed his pencil down and pushed his chair closer to mine. In response, I leaned away from him. He shook his head and his smile was unfazed.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

I cringed at his words.Of course not. I ignored his comment and focused on Ms. Fitz flipping through her lecture notes. His gaze shifted to the teacher and as soon as she turned around to write something on the board, he leaned closer and whispered, "I'm Cameron."

"Yeah, I know." Cameron and I went to the same primary school, but we never crossed paths. In middle school, we had several classes together as we were both placed in the "gifted program," but our interactions consisted of him asking for homework help or copying my notes because he was absent. It was until high school that we had a full conversation. We were assigned as partners for a Spanish class project in sophomore year. That year was when Trent went to jail, and my mother and I moved to the little house in Tarzana. It was within the same school district, so I didn't change schools. Although it would have been better for me as somehow everyone found out about my family's situation. I believe it was the work of Adriana Masters who hated me the moment she saw me in freshman year. Adriana was your stereotypical popular mean girl, I didn't know much about her except that her mom left her when she was little and her dad, a doctor with his own practice, was too busy to give her attention.

With word out about my father and what he did to my mother and I, people started treating me differently. There were mixed reactions. Some took pity on me; some decided to use it against me and make my situation worse. Adriana took it to another level, and her clique followed her like puppies.

After everyone found out, all my classes were uncomfortable because they all would stare at me, whispering to their friends. I hated being the center of attention. All the group projects I was a part of resulted in someone bringing up my past or trying to meddle in my life. But not Cameron. He was always so nice to me, and he was refreshing because he was the first person that didn't try to get me to talk about my father. After our Spanish project, we both parted ways.

I looked over at him for another moment and recognized him as the boy I had seen at the plaza yesterday. Sandy blond hair and eyes like the ocean blue. I gave my attention back to Ms. Fitz; her back was turned away from the class. I noticed that the other students weren't paying attention to her and were whispering to their seat partner.

"Are you okay?"

He startled me and I instantly felt his body move even closer to me.

"Why the sudden question?" I had the urge to lean farther away from him but stayed put as I noticed I was almost on the edge of my chair.

His pointedly looked at how I was sitting but made no comment about it. Instead, he shrugged, "Just trying to make conversation," a shy smile appeared, "I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time now." I felt something vibrate in my back pocket. I ignored it hoping it would go away. It didn't. "But you're pretty hard to get a hold off. I guess, what I am trying to say -"

I smiled out of politeness as my phone wouldn't stop. I was about to take it out to shut it off when I heard the teacher heave a sigh. She walked over to me and Cameron stopped talking. I looked nervously at her. She pointed at the door.

"Ms. Tate, if you have business to attend to, go outside and answer your damn phone."

I nodded and quickly got up. I was exiting when I noticed Melissa point to a heart shaped pink paper.LTEDwas written on it. I shot her a glare and shut the door quietly behind me. I took out my vibrating phone, glanced at the screen. A part of me was delighted to see his name pop up, but another was annoyed at his terrible timing. Does he not know these are school hours?

"I am at school, Eddie. What's wrong?" My voice came out harsher than I intended.

"Did I call you at a bad time?"

"Yes, actually."

"Oh, sorry," he said apologetically, "I just wanted to talk to you."

"Why? I am sure you have other people at your beck and call… Can't you call anybody else?"

"Nah, they're not as interesting as you."

I laughed mockingly and leaned on the wall.

"What do you want?" I tried to sound gentler; he doesn't deserve my attitude even though he doesn't help it.

"Hm, let's see, I miss you. I want to see you again"

I bit back a smile and shrugged away the blush on my face. "You saw me yesterday."

"Exactly, it's been twenty-four hours since I last saw your face."

"I'm at school right now."

"Right, how about I pick you up after school. We can go to my spot." He didn't let me respond. "I'm coming for you. I'll be there in a bit."

"First of all, it's my spot. And second, no. I have a couple of exams coming up and I have to study." I am truly a liar, and my heart was screeching at why I would reject an opportunity to spend time with Eddie.

"I can help you study. I was actually pretty good at school." Eddie was persistent and that made me smile "Look, it's a matter of life and death here, and only you and your gorgeous self can save me."

I giggled at the drama queen he is. "I didn't peg you to be so dramatic, Eddie Duran. The answer is still no."

"Only with you, Loren Tate." There was a prolonged silence on his end which made me double check to see if had hang up. "Can I see you again, Loren. Hell, I'll beg on my knees if I have to for you to say yes."

While I really liked his determination, I grew impatient. Why does he want to see me anyways? How interesting can a girl like me be? I began pacing back and forth as the seconds passed by. I heard Eddie sigh.

"No."

He sighed frustrated. "Well, too late. I'm already here."

"How do you even know where my school is? Are you stalking me? Well, I guess you'll have to wait because I still have an hour before the last bell rings, and I already have a ride home."

"I'm not stalking you. Loren, I'll wait for you - "

I hung up and placed the phone back in my pocket. I regretted it instantly. I almost dialed him back, but I restrained myself. This behavior of mine, rude and irrational, surprised me. And it was all Eddie's fault. He made me feel emotions that I have never felt, and I didn't know how to handle them. I didn't know what to do with them, so I ended up being dismissive and shutting myself out.

Irritated and flustered at his persistence, I walked back into the room. Cameron cheerfully smiled at me. Ms. Fitz completely ignored me as I sat down on the chair and began paying attention to her lecture. I sensed Cameron's gaze on me.

"You didn't miss anything important."

I nodded in gratitude and leaned back on the chair. Melissa caught my eye and saw a mischievous glint in her eyes. She scribbled something down on her paper. She's up to something. I turned around and stared at the window.

Maybe it was wrong to just hang up on him like that. Maybe I should call him back, apologize, and go with him. He's waiting for me… Aggravated to all this confusion and foreign feelings Eddie has brought, I sighed and cleared my head from anything that had to do with him. Still feeling guilty, I took my phone out and sent him a quick apology to clear up my guilty conscience.

Loren: I'm sorry I hung up on you like that. You just know how to push my buttons. Please don't wait for me.

Eddie was quick with his reply.

Eddie: You're forgiven. I am being too pushy, so I'll apologize for that. I do mean it though. Call me if you change your mind.

I almost texted back telling him to wait for me. Again, my heart and mind were at odds, this time, my mind was winning.

I was doing well with the whole forgetting Eddie thing until Cameron nudged me and handed me a horribly folded piece of paper. I looked at him weirdly and he shrugged, motioning towards Melissa. I looked over at her and she pointed to the paper and gave me two thumbs up. Reluctantly, I unfolded the paper, and I wanted to get up and shove the piece of paper down her throat.

It was two stick figures - one being me and the other Eddie as the arrows indicated - sitting on the branch of a poorly drawn tree, and we were kissing. I wanted to be angry at her, but I couldn't, at least not for long. The drawing was so bad I actually had to hold my laughter. Cameron looked at me strangely as I must've looked demented smiling at a paper.

I tried to get rid of the wrinkles by stretching the paper and neatly folded it back into fours. I placed it in my pocket and ignored Melissa's triumphant smile throughout the rest of class.

Next Day (Tuesday)

I felt all my blood drain out of me as I instantly sat up from my bed. I grabbed anything that was within reach and clutched it close to my body. I panted for air and sweat slowly dripped down my forehead. I swallowed hard and tried to catch my breath. I looked everywhere and all I saw was darkness. Quickly, I turned on the lights and the entire room was illuminated. Although temporarily, I felt at ease.

It's just a nightmare.I tell myself over and over. It's just a nightmare. It's not real. I closed my eyes and attempted to extinguish the burning flames this dream had left. But instead of dispersing, they do the complete opposite. The horrifying scenes come rushing back too quickly, too fast, hitting me like a lightning bolt. I began to panic and before I knew it, I was up and walking frantically around my room. Agitated, I ran a hand through my hair. I dropped the tiny teddy bear that I was holding.

Without thinking, I snatched my phone from the nightstand and began dialing the first person who came to mind. Before realization struck me what I had done, he answered.

"Loren?"

I stood frozen, not knowing what to do. Simultaneously, I racked up my brain and thought of what to say. Silence followed and all I heard was my beating heart. Why did I call him out of all people?

"Loren, are you okay?"

Eddie's groggy tone changed instantly to concern. For the first time in forever, I wanted to tell this beautiful person about my nightmares and let him in. I swallowed the words I really wanted to say and lied to myself before I could lie to him.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said hoarsely; I doubted he missed the tremble in my voice.

"It's five in the morning, Loren. Are you sure everything is okay?"

I sat on my bed and smiled dejectedly. Him. Out of all people, why him? He's the only one who understands you, foolish girl.

"Yeah, I just had one of those freaky dreams, you know… And I couldn't get it out of my head, so I called you." That wasn't a lie, but I ignored the knot in my stomach at the half-truth I told him. "I'm sorry. I did it without thinking. I wasn't conscious of the fact that it's really early and I -"

"It's okay," his gentle voice completely grounded me. I hadn't noticed that my breathing had resumed to normal rate, and my heart stopped pounding incessantly from the aftereffects of my dream. Eddie just had that type of effect on me. I pushed away that fact to somewhere I could never find. "I'm glad that I'm the first person who came to mind."

I sighed in relief. Eddie was quiet for a moment.

"You want to talk about it?"

I down casted my eyes and bit my lip. "It's nothing really." He sighed knowing that it was not nothing, but I knew that he was not going to push me to talk about it if I didn't want to. I stood up. "Sorry for waking you up. You probably hate me right now, so I'll get going…"

"Don't hang up on me again. I'm still in a fragile state after you cut me off yesterday."

He said playfully and I giggled. I felt the after-effects of the nightmares vanish. I laid back on my bed. The nightmare's presence slowly diminished as I became indulged in listening to the sound of his breathing. "I know, I am so sorry about that. I meant it though; you know how to push my buttons."

"Is it bad I kinda like it when you're mean to me?" Eddie's question stupefied me for a second. He likes it?! He let out a nervous chuckle. I inferred that it was not meant for my ears. "Anyways," he began again, changing topic, "so, do you have the power of invisibility or something?"

"What?"

"Well," he laughed nervously again, "let's just say that I waited for you after school."

"You actually waited for me?"

"Of course, I told you I needed to see you again. But I didn't because you somehow disappeared and to my disappointment, I waited an hour for you to never come out."

"I left through the back."

"Ah, you know what? I forgot to check there."

I giggled again and curled up, bringing my knees to my chest. Without even trying to, he made me a hundred times better.

"Loren?"

"Hm?"

"It's nice hearing you laugh."

I smiled and I felt a blush quickly creep onto my face. I placed locks of hair behind my ear and pressed my lips together to get rid of the smile. Damn him. For a second, I let my heart win, and I allowed myself a moment of honesty with him. "You're very sweet, Eddie. I know I'm not easy but thank you for trying with me." I held my breath waiting for his response.

"Hearing your laugh and seeing you smile is worth every rejection, Loren."

I let out soft sigh. "I have to go." I didn't want to hang up. I wanted to keep hearing his soft breathing. But I did wake him up at an ungodly hour. Five A.M is the best sleep, hands down. I didn't want to be the reason he would be tired tomorrow.

"School, right?"

"Well, that and the fact that I interrupted your sleep."

"I don't mind it." He said quickly and then there was a long pause before he said, "anything that has to do with you I don't mind."

The blush that I managed to get rid of rushed back to my cheeks. I cleared my throat; I was a nervous wreck. "Um, but I don't want to cause you any problems. I really am sorry I called you so early in the morning."

I heard him exhale. "I'm willing to lose a week's worth of sleep if it's for you. I'm just a phone call away, okay?"

My blush did not want to go away. "Thank you, Eddie. I do have to go; my alarm is about to go off any second now."

"Okay," he hesitated, "it was nice talking to you. I hope to see you soon."

"Bye, Eddie."

"See you later," he was quiet for a moment, and I felt him smile, "beautiful."

I clicked end call. I bit back my lip to stop a stupid smile from forming. My face temperature increased dramatically, and my heart was beating so fast. All these new feelings-they're so foreign.

Oh, this is not good.

6:45 a.m.

"You don't have to go to school if you don't feel like it."

My gaze landed on my mother as she set a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of me. She placed her hands on her hips and looked at me suggestively. I grabbed the fork and took a bite out of the eggs. She smiled with approval and sat down on the chair diagonal to mine.

"Shouldn't you be forcing me to actually go to school?"

"You look like crap."

"Gee, thank you."

"You know I don't mean it like that. You just look like you need some rest, so take the day off."

"I just haven't been able to sleep properly these past few days." I admitted and my mother sighed as if her worst nightmares came true. "I know, honey, just stay home today. Okay?"

I took a small sip of juice and shook my head. "I can't. I'll get bored doing nothing here. At least school distracts me..." From my nightmares and Trent.

"Alright," she knew what I meant. "I still think you need to rest. If you feel sick or tired, call me. Okay? I'll be there the minute you do. Now eat. I don't want you to pass out." She pushed the plate forward and I complied.

"I think you should go back to therapy."

I was quiet for a moment. "I'll think about it."

7:15 a.m.

"So, are you still up for Friday?"

"Chick-flicks and chocolate, hm, doesn't sound tempting to me."

"Please come, I already have all of Ryan Gosling's movies ordered and I made Adam buy me five boxes of chocolate. All I need is you. At your house. On Valentine's Day."

"Who's Adam? And why can't you grieve over how you have no love life by yourself and stop dragging me into things I don't feel like doing?"

"He is a friend," Melissa said with a blush. I didn't believe her. "And because you need to lighten up. You're like a stiff pole with no emotions. And it's my goal for a lifetime to change that. That's what best friends are for."

"Best friends?"

"Yes, best friends."

I smiled and she laughed as we continued walking towards the school gates from the parking lot packed with hormonal teenagers. A few feet away from the gate, a crowd formed around a black Porsche. There were ecstatic girls rushing from the school gates and into the crowd. Melissa forcedly made way for both of us, and we were suddenly in the heart of the crowd. I looked around and suddenly felt a pinch on my right arm. It was Melissa and she was smiling. Curiosity made me look in the direction she was smiling at.

"Eddie Duran sure can't keep himself away from you."

I met his sparkling chocolate eyes. He smiled at me warmly and before walking up to me, he signed a girl's notepad. I kept forgetting how popular Eddie was. I froze when everybody's questioning gaze landed on me. Melissa contained her squirms.

Eddie walked over to me and not a time wasted, I was suddenly in his arms. I hesitantly wrapped my arms around his torso as his were tightly around my small back. I contemplated the fact that today I decided to wear one of the dresses Melissa made me buy.

For a moment, I forgot about the crowd surrounding us, screaming his name and asking for a picture or a photograph. For a second, it was just us. He was so warm. He had the warmth I've craved for so long. We slowly pulled apart and a smile was still etched on his face. I smiled as he gently caressed my cheek before putting his hand back to his side. He looked around for a split second before his eyes fell back to me. I did the same.

Students, mostly girls, surrounded us; they had no shame to pride in our privacy. I noticed some of the girls shot daggers at me, but their faces lit up when their gaze shifted to Eddie. All a sudden I felt small. The attention made me uncomfortable. Eddie noticed and he stepped closer to me, only I could hear him.

"Hi, beautiful."

"When are you going to stop calling me that?" My gaze flickered from him to the crowd that didn't seem to diminish. I heard Melissa in the back telling everyone to go away.

He chuckled. I noticed that he seemed relaxed. It was so easy for him to ignore the fact that we were bombarded by a bunch of his rabid fans. Perhaps years of fame made him immune.

"I'm just stating a fact, so get used to it."

I looked at him, and his smile stayed put. Adoration exuded from his eyes. He offered his hand. I stared at it for a moment and then tentatively placed my hand in his. I noticed his smile widened in triumph. His thumb gently caressed the back of my hand, then held it in a tight grip.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm getting you out of here."

"Why?"

"Because you owe me for yesterday. Do you know how agonizing it was? Every time the door opened; I thought it was you."

"No one told you to wait for me."

"Yeah, but I don't regret it. You're worth it."

He winked at me, and I blushed.Ah, I'm screwed.

"You're coming."

"Don't I have a say in this?"

"No. So, let's go because I'm already wasting precious time on spending the entire day with you."

"The entire day?"

"Yeah. C'mon."

He dragged me to his car, and I felt all kinds of stares. From astonished, to jealous, to incredulous, to glares. I looked back to see if Melissa was still there. She was walking into the school when she noticed me. She waved at me with a suggestive smirk on her face. One of these days I'll introduce her to Eddie. I am grateful and surprised she didn't screech and jump on him the second she saw him.

Eddie opened the passenger door, and I slowly got in. He closed the door and walked around towards the driver's side of the car. Some of the girls began walking away, seeing as Eddie was leaving. Others stayed to get a final opportunity for a picture with him. I watched him wave and give them his signature smile, and that was enough for the girls to swoon.

As soon as he had settled in his seat, he drove off but stopped after he was a couple blocks away from the school. I was concentrating on staring at anything but Eddie. At the sudden stop, I looked at him. He surprised me when I felt him grab my hand.

"I was worried about you," he broke the silence. His eyes were resting on our hands as he tenderly stroked my hand.

"I told you I was fine."

"I needed to make sure you were," he looked at me and his eyes burned with worry. I held my breath as he pressed his lips on my hand, his kiss lingered a couple seconds. A smile slowly made way to his face as he looked at me, our eyes locked on each other, "and I wanted to see you again."

He let my hand go; I could still feel his kiss on my hand like he branded it. My cheeks were burning. Heck, my entire face was a hot mess. Eddie cocked his head to the side in confusion as he observed my feverish face. He softly caressed my cheek with his fingertips as an attempt to ease my burning face. His eyebrows furrowed together.

"God Loren, you're really hot." He winked at me.

What am I getting myself into?