FEELINGS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Chapter Seven

At the premier, Jack arrived first, and Joe, his agent, with him. Regina could not go with him, so he went alone. He was amazed by the big posters of the movie. The movie poster was a picture of the night sky and Jason and Angie sitting next to each other, looking up at them. He remembered right away what he and Rose had been doing that day. They had been taking pictures all day and clowning around. It had been a fun day, something he always remembered about Rose, that he would have fun with her.

Jack got out of his fancy car, followed by his agent. He stepped onto the red carpet, and all he could hear was the screaming and voices of fans saying his name and shouting that they loved him. He smiled at them and they went even crazier. They took pictures of him, as did the photographers who were present. He waved at them and slowly walked down the red carpet. He saw Randy, hugged him, and took some pictures with him. He started to talk to a reporter, trying to see her right, as he would see lights in his eyes. As he was talking to her about the movie, the reporter asked him how it was working with Rose Bukater. Jack stayed silent for a while, then looked at the reporter and smiled.

"It was…a great experience. She is probably the best actress I have worked with. She is truly someone special and very talented. I loved working with her. If I was offered another chance to work with her, I wouldn’t think twice about it and I would say yes. She is great and…I…can’t wait to see our movie," he said, smiling, and in that moment Rose arrived. Jack was pointed to her by Joe and Jack stared at her car, until she got off. She was wearing a beautiful sky blue dress. She was back to her blonde hair; she had it curly and it shone like the stars. She was wearing earrings that almost shined more than her eyes. She was beautiful and Jack couldn’t believe his eyes. She looked so different, but he loved the way she looked.

"My God she is beautiful." He said and Joe looked at him and frowned. He tried to make Jack walk, but he just kept staring at Rose as she walked to the red carpet with a big smile. He took a few steps, but stopped when he realized that she had seen him. He smiled at her and she smiled at him. He also looked different. He had his hair cut and was wearing a tuxedo. He looked handsome no doubt of that.

"Rose…Jack! Pose together for the cameras, please!" The photographers yelled. Rose’s agent took her to Jack and she felt her heart beat faster. They wrapped an arm each other and posed for the cameras. While they were taking pictures, Jack looked at her.

"You look beautiful tonight." He said where she could barely hear him.

"Thank you and you look very handsome as well." She said and looked at the cameras.

"Here is the best movie couple ever!" Randy yelled while laughing and walked to them and posed with them for the cameras.

"You guys did an amazing job. It was a pleasure working with you two." Randy said and walked into the theater. Jack and Rose walked in as well after posing for the cameras a bit longer. The theater had them sitting together, so they sat next to each other. Something they would not do. Things had changed so much between them. They felt like they weren’t as close as they use to be. This made her sad and she didn’t know what had gone wrong. As the movie started Jack looked at her and smiled.

"I heard this movie is good. Some critics say it’s too cheesy and corny, but they love it," he said.

"Yeah I have heard the same things. They say you are a great performer and that you will be nominated for an Oscar," she said, smiling.

"No, well don’t jinks me. You know those old guys at the Oscars, they are picky! I really don’t think they will even nominate me for making a few girls…and some guys cry with this movie." He said smiling.

"Don’t say that Jack you are great in this movie. I was there, remember?"

"Yeah, but remember the Oscar rules, you have to be crazy, mentally handicapped, have a physical disability, or be homosexual in a movie to get one. I’m none of that in this movie." He said laughing and she laughed with him. The movie began and they got quiet.

As the movie went on, Jack would turn and look at Rose as she was watching it. He would stare at her and smile as the light of the screen would light her face.

When the movie ended the crowd started to clap and Jack and Rose stood up as the music for the credits started to play and the song Cry by James Blunt started to play. Randy and the cast got on top of the stage and waved to the crowd watching the movie. They bowed as they kept clapping.

After the movie was over the cast and some guests went to a party in a five star hotel in Beverly Hills. Jack was with his best friend Todd.

"Dude you look very important in that tuxedo. You never dress like that for me." Todd said laughing.

"Shut up Todd, I swear. Isn’t your mother looking for your twenty-three-year-old ass?" Jack said laughing.

"Very funny Jack, for your information I don’t live with her anymore." Todd said punching him on his shoulder. Todd was a struggling actor who didn’t get a break. Jack tried to help him, but Hollywood isn’t very nice. "By the way your friend Rose, she is hot! I don’t understand why you don’t have the balls to talk to her." Todd said.

"Look I do talk to her, what are you talking about?" Jack asked. Todd just rolled his eyes knowing Jack knew what exactly he was talking about.

Later that night, after having some fun and talking to some people, Jack sat on a table. He was tired as he stared at the crowd. He saw Rose and he smiled and kept looking at her. Joe noticed this and walked to him and sat next to him.

"Alright Jack, I’m tired of warning you and trying to convince you. If you want to ruin your career go ahead and do it. Go tell her everything; go tell her in front of all these people." Joe said angrily. Jack looked at him and frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. What is it about Rose Bukater that has you like this?"

"I…you wouldn’t understand!"

"See I was right! You have two choices Jack, choice number one; you go over there and tell her what you are going through and what you are feeling and you see what her response is. You get everything out of your system. Then you will be in every magazine cover and in every celebrity TV show. The scandal of the month, it would overshadow this movie. Nobody would be talking about What Do the Stars Say? They would be talking about you and Rose. You can forget about your serious and respected actor reputation and be considered another famous face for the tabloids." Joe said.

"What is my second option?" Jack asked.

"Your second option is to give it up, to let her go, to go on with Regina and your career. Forget you ever felt something for her, act like you never loved her at all. To go on and have a bright career, scandal free." Joe said looking seriously at Jack.

"Honestly, what do you think would make me happy?" Jack asked.

"I can’t answer that, only you can. It’s up to you to decide what is better for you." Joe said and Jack stood up and looked down at him.

"Where are you going?"

"I’m going to do what is better for me." Jack said and walked to Rose. Joe nodded his head and covered his face with his hands.

Jack walked to Rose where she was talking to some girls.

"Hey Rose." he said.

"Hey Jack, what are you up to? Are you enjoying the party?" she asked smiling.

"Uh…yeah it’s fun. I was wondering…I was wondering if I could have a word with you."

"Uh…sure, is there something wrong?"

"No I just need to talk to you. In private if you don’t mind."

"Okay." Rose said and waved goodbye at the people she was talking to. Jack took her outside where it was quieter.

"So what is it Jack. Don’t scare me…you never have looked this serious." Rose said.

"Rose…I…have to tell you something. I…" he didn’t finish what he was saying as Joe’s words ran through his head. Would this really be the biggest mistake of his career? He looked into her eyes and couldn’t help but notice they were beautiful. She stared at him as his deep, sharp blue eyes were staring at her. "I…I…"

"You what Jack? Please tell me already, you making me anxious!" she said smiling. Jack looked at her and got some courage and was about to say something, but they were interrupted.

"Rose I lo…"

"Rose! Where are you?" it was Ben. He walked outside to where they were.

"Ben? What are you doing here?" Rose asked smiling and Jack immediately realized who he was.

"I just decided to drop by. After all you did send me an invitation. Am I interrupting something?" he asked. Jack looked at him and wanted to yell at him.

"No shit Sherlock! You are!" were the words he wanted to yell, but he didn’t.

"Jack was just about to tell me something. I’ll be with you in just a second." She said and looked at Jack. "What is that you want to tell me?"

"I…just wanted to say sorry for acting weird the last days of shooting and for being sort of an ass. I was going through a tough time. I’m sorry Rose, can we still be good friends?" he said.

"Uh…yeah Jack, we can. Is that all?" she asked and looked at him. He looked uncertain and sad. She only wished he would say what she imagined. That he couldn’t stop thinking of her like she couldn’t stop thinking of him. But she knew she was being very absurd.

"Yeah that is all." He said with some uncertainty.

"Are you sure?" she asked disappointed.

"Uh…yes I’m sure. That Ben guy is waiting for you." He said smiling and Rose smiled back at him and hugged him.

"Well I guess I’ll see you later. I really missed you Jack. I hope we can be like best friends like we were during the movie. Well I have to go." she said and let go of him. She stepped back and smiled at him and walked away. Jack looked at her leave and didn’t follow her. He stayed outside for a while. Joe walked outside and saw him looking up at the sky.

"What do the stars say Jason? Ha ha that is probably the cheesiest thing I have heard." He said laughing.

"It’s not cheesy when you are in love or think that a love like that could exist. A love like the one Jason felt for Angie. So enormous and pure, you know love like that doesn’t exist anymore." Jack said.

"Okay you are really freaking me out Jack. What happened to the old Jack? The party boy, the teen star, the one that dates every model possible." Joe asked.

"He’s still here, I just can’t believe you think that about me. That is not all I do, you are an ass." Jack said and turned his back to him.

"So what did you tell Rose?"

"I told her what I had to, I told her sorry for being an ass to her and that I hoped we can friends like we used to."

"But I thought you said you were going to…"

"I said that I was going to do what was best for me, and I…did." Jack said. Joe smiled and walked to the party. Jack stayed outside for the rest of the party drinking.

*****

A few days later Jack and Rose had to go to Europe and Asia to present the movie. They spent days at premiers at Japan, China, and Spain. Their last premiere was going to be in England. They were already tired of answering the same questions over and over again, but both wished that the last premiere would be a long one. It was probably the last time they were going to see each other. For the whole week they talked and joked like the use to. The posed for the cameras and after each premiere they went to their apartments alone and mad for not having any courage.

When they got to England, Rose shopped with her friend that lived there and got ready for the last premiere. Jack spent the day answering phone calls from Regina, who would call him all the time. He also went to talk shows and answered questions for some English magazines, promoting the movie.

The night came and with it the last premiere. At the premiere, photographers were lined up and waiting for Jack and Rose to arrive. Jack arrived first and the girls in the crowd went crazy. Photographers were taking pictures like crazy and Jack just gave them his shy smile and waved at them. Joe and Steve, his representative, followed him, but stayed away far enough so people could take pictures of just Jack. Rose arrived and the photographers immediately went to her direction. After about thirty minutes of posing for the cameras and answering questions, Jack and Rose were taken to the theater. After the movie Jack and Rose were invited to dinner by some actors that were there. They gladly accepted as this meant more time with each other.

At the fancy restaurant they sat in front of each at the table. There friends laughed and talked, but they just stared at each other. They didn’t like any part of the dinner. Rose excused herself, and went to the bathroom. Jack quickly got up and followed her.

"Hey Rose." he said and stopped her. "How are you doing?"

"Uh…I’m fine… I guess. You?"

"Fine, a bit homesick, but I’m okay…I guess."

"That’s great, I’m a bit homesick to, but I like coming to England. My dad is from here and I have been here a lot. So where is Regina?" she asked. He quickly realized he had not thought of her in a while.

"Oh Regina had to stay in the U.S. she is promoting this new bra." He said and smiled.

"A bra huh? Well I guess her dream finally did come true, I’m happy for her I mean that is what she wanted to do all her life." She said. There was a long pause and silence.

"Rose do you like this restaurant?" he suddenly asked.

"Uh…they aren’t too bad, but I wish they could serve more for what they are charging. Cheap bastards! I’m still starving." She said laughing and he laughed with her.

"Would you like to run away with me and grab a hamburger?" he asked smiling.

"Sure, I would love some fries right now." She said and they walked out the restaurant. They didn’t take a taxi, so they could walk.

"I haven’t eaten anything I like in months. I’m on this stupid diet that starves me every day." She said while they were walking.

"Why? There is nothing wrong with you. You are already pretty." He said.

"Well thanks Jack you are sweet, but don’t lie to me. I have never really cared how I look, but since I’m getting all these leading roles, my agent says it wouldn’t be good if I gained any weight." She said.

"Uh…agents don’t you just hate them. They think they can control your life."

"Is yours an asshole?"

"Well yeah, kind of. Why are we even talking about him, let’s change the subject. How is your mom?"

"She is well; she and my dad want me to get married already."

"So how is Ben?" Jack asked and she looked at him weird.

"He is…okay. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering."

"Okay creep." She said and pinched him. He smiled and poked her shoulder.

"Okay weirdo!" he said smiling. They got to the hamburger place and ate. They signed some autographs and took some pictures for some fans. They looked out of place since they were in a public place wearing fancy clothes. He was wearing a tuxedo, but didn’t have his tie on. She was wearing a beautiful red dress and was wearing beautiful earrings. After joking and talking for a while Jack walked Rose to her hotel room. They always doubled check to see if any paparazzi were following them. They got to her room and he stopped at her door. She turned around and looked at him and smiled. He smiled back and blew a bubble with his chewing gum. They had stopped at a small store to by some gum. They just wanted to feel normal again. They always seemed to feel like this when they were around each other. She laughed as he did this and poked him. She walked into her room and looked back at him.

"Would you like to come in for just a few minutes? Maybe get a drink or something?" she asked.

"Uh…sure why not?" he said and walked in. She laid his coat on her couch. He walked around the room threw his gum away and smiled at her when he noticed some of her CD’s.

"What a romantic Rose. You have nothing, but romantic music here." He said putting one on the player.

"Well unlike you I do like good music. Not the crap you listen to." She said smiling. The music started and he smiled.

"I can go romantic too. You know my boys back in the US think I’m just a jerk. They don’t think I could ever have a relationship with a girl that is serious relationship. They say women like the romantic type not an asshole. They don’t believe I can be romantic." He said.

"I wonder why they think that?" she said smiling. He got closer to her and grabbed her hand.

"May I have this dance? Maybe I can prove to you ma’am that I’m not an ass and that I can be a romantic." He said smiling.

"Sure thing sir. You may have this dance, if only you promise to dance well. Don’t step on me." She said laughing and they started to dance to the slow music. The song was called I love you by Sarah McLachlan. It was the very slow version of the song.

"See I can be a romantic ma’am." He said.

"I’m glad you are not stepping on my feet sir. I’m also glad we are talking and laughing like we use to. I really missed this Jack. I love having your company, you make my day better." She said.

"Yeah I’m glad to. I really missed talking to you Rose. I wish we could spend more time like this."

"You would? So Mr. Dawson, where did you learn to dance so well?"

"I have no idea. I guess I’m only good when I want to."

"Why do you want to right now?" she asked. He looked into her eyes. He wasn’t smiling anymore.

"I…I don’t know. I just…I really don’t know." He said slowly.

"I love this song. I think it’s beautiful. Don’t you think it’s beautiful? I mean I know it’s not like your rap or rock, but don’t you think it’s beautiful?" she asked and he looked at her. He stared at her eyes and admired her looks.

"Yes, beautiful. Just beautiful, very beautiful." He said looking at her. They were dancing very slowly. Rose stared at him and he slowly neared his lips to hers. She slowly closed the remaining space between them. They kissed tenderly and slowly. They seemed to go with the rhythm of the song. A slow pace song, but at the same time it had so much emotion and love. As his lips smoothed hers, he had forgotten about Joe and Regina. All he knew is that this is what he wanted. Just for once to kiss Rose with no cameras. At least just one time, one time to feel her lips and know it was real, not acting.

He slowly let her lips go, against his will he let her go. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her and noticed she still had her eyes closed. She slowly opened her eyes and looked into his eyes.

"Do you have anything to tell me, now?" she asked. He wanted to tell her she was the only one who had ever stolen his dreams. That his thoughts were always about her and that her image wouldn’t leave his mind and it wouldn’t leave him alone. But Joe’s words ran through his mind. If he did tell Rose and if she felt the same way, which he knew she did, he would be in the tabloids, in the front covers of every magazine dedicated to celebrity gossip and in the spotlight he didn’t want. He had to choose in this moment. He had to choose between her, the only woman he would never dare to play with, the only one that had stolen his heart, the only woman he would be more than willing to change his party and wild ways for. The only person he felt that understood him, the only one he had felt that feeling that he once thought did not exist. It was her or his dream of acting. A dream he had since he was a little boy, a dream that had gotten him out of being a poor guy and the dream that got his mom out of working difficult jobs. He had to choose, and if he chose wrong, there would be no looking back. He could never choose again. He wouldn’t get a second chance. His eyes started to fill with tears. No one had ever made him cry. He wasn’t as strong as he had once thought. The feelings that he felt for her were stronger than him, stronger than anything he had ever thought of.

"Jack…do you have anything to tell me? Please tell me now." She said.

"I…no…I have nothing to tell you. Good-bye Rose. I have to leave now." He said and quickly walked out of her apartment. She started to cry and fell to her knees on the side of her couch. She laid her head on the couch and cried her pain. She wished she could cry all her pain out. She knew if she could she would cry all night and all of the following day, and maybe all of the days after that. As the song finished, the last lyrics were killing her softly.

And I forgot
To tell you
I love you
And the night’s
Too long
And cold here
Without you
I grieve in my condition
For I cannot find the strength to say I need you so.

Oh and every time I’m close to you
There’s too much I can’t say
And you just walk away.

And I forgot
To tell you
I love you
And the night’s
Too long
And cold here
Without you.

Chapter Eight
Stories