Starr awoke to the scent of fresh cut flowers. She stretched her arms without opening her eyes, smiling as she could hear Howie chatting away on his cell.
“They aren’t those kinds of girls, Lou.” He stood in the mirror and adjusted his silky tie. Starr’s eyes opened, then widened as she stared at a huge bouquet of multi-colored flowers and leaves. She sat up, giggling. He turned around and smiled at her.
“Hey sleeping beauty. Glad to see you finally awoke after twenty years.” He picked up the glass vase and carried it to her bedside. “A little good luck from the Mr.”
Starr took it from him and brought it to her nose. She always thought it was corny to send your girl flowers, but she’d make an acception this time. She pulled the note attached to a clip and opened it eagerly.
Hey my little Shining Starr,
Today, your day of good luck let only the best happen to you and remember I love you and willl; always and forever. Even if you don’t make it, there is more to come. See you on the silver screen.
Yours’ Truly, Alex
She closed the card and clipped it back in the mess of flowers.
“Howie, I am so nervous. You have no idea-“ She caught herself, realizing that Howie spent eleven years of his life as a singer.
“It’s ok Starr. You’re going to be nervous, but the trick is not to show it. You have to get in there and make them jealous, give them the feeling that you’re the best out of everyone and you can get out there and sell that product without breaking a sweat.”
Starr stared straight ahead of her and shook her hands nervously. A thought came to her. She didn’t want to be a commercial star. She wanted to say more than, “For boyfriend advice, I talk to my friends, but for skin advice, I talk to my Dermatologist.” Sitting around in her pajamas and sporting nose strips. She wanted to audition for a movie. Even if she only said 2 lines, it was better than a commercial. Starr, at least you got an audition. Stop being so ungrateful and get in there and act your ass off!
“Starr Axen.” A model-material man called from the doorway of the small, European building in downtown San Jose.
Howie kissed her cheek and pushed her off. Her stomach churned as the door got closer and closer.
Once she was behind the closed door, she walked slowly to the desk and sat down. She handed the short man sitting behind it her portfolio. As he closely examined the photos and information, he looked up and smiled, "Gimme some of that star quality."
"Jamie! Real World's back on!" Jason kept his eyes glued to the TV as Melissa danced around in her underwear.
Jamie came rushing into the living room, jumped over the coach and landed sitting next to Jason. After awhile of gasps and laughs, Jamie turned to Jason. "Why didn't I ever notice this?"
Jason grunted and looked at her with "what the hell" scrolling in his eyes.
"You...me...we are so good together, yet I didn't realize it till now." She folded her legs under her chin and admired the man sitting next to her.
"I've noticed it since the day I saw you Jamie." He scooted towards her and wrapped his arms around her ankles, resting his head in front of hers.
"I'm sorry..." She pecked him on the cheek and giggled as he kissed her knee.
She managed to loosen his grip and back away playfully. She ran into her room and slammed the door, hopping onto her bed and waiting for him to burst through the door. When he didn't, she tip toed to the door, and silently creaked it open. Nothing was in front of her, not in the living room nor the kitchen. As she stepped out, Jason grabbed her from the side and enclosed her with a tight squeeze. She laughed and tried tickling him to let go, but he was too strong for her. So she leaned forward like she was going to whisper something in his ear, but instead nibbled the tip of his lobe. Suddenly, his hug was let go and he started laughing hysterically. He backed into the room, rubbing his pink ear. Jamie stood in the doorway seductively and hooked her thumbs on the back pocket of her shorts. Jason looked up and froze. At first, he didn't know what to think...then as she walked to him and laid him back on her bed, he went with the flow.
Jamie began kissing him softly on his face, moving to his lips. She gave him a little tongue, then pulled away. Jason laughed nervously as he could feel the tease coming on. He closed his eyes and felt the electricity run through his body from the soft pecks she planted all over his body. Suddenly he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. He couldn't believe the person he'd become. He's never cheated on someone before. Well, it wasn't necessarily cheating, he was just USING Jamie to get closer to Starr. Really, he was only hurting himself more. Now that they started double dating, he saw even more of the kissing and cuddling between AJ and Starr. He hated it...so much that he decided his main goal was to get Starr to stop loving AJ and start loving him. When Jamie would kiss him, he imagined Starr. He knew it was so wrong, but it felt so good...
Jamie stopped, staring at Jason with her mouth partly open. Jason was dazed; not even realizing she had stopped kissing him.
"Jason!"
A smile spread across his face and he folded his hands behind his head. Jamie smacked his leg and stood up.
"Oh!" He sat up quickly and tried to gain back his concentration.
"You weren't even paying attention to me!"
"I'm sorry Babe, I was just thinking about something." He got up and tried to kiss her again, but she kept her lips sealed tightly and glared at him. "I'm so sorry..." He started kissing her neck, then moved downwards. Jamie loosened her frown and closed her eyes.
"God, I miss her so much." AJ was killing himself inside as he sat, bored on the coach. He couldn't think of anything to do. Everything he did do reminded him of Starr. He couldn't believe how much he missed her. It was almost sickening.
As he reached for the remote sitting on the coffee table, the doorbell rang, startling him. He jumped up and fixed his messy shirt. He didn't even bother to peek out the peephole; he just swung the door open, swallowing a gasp.
"AJ!" Jodi stood, holding a suitcase and a backpack strapped to her back. She brushed the hair out of her face and smiled.
"Uh...uh....hi!" He grabbed her suitcase and led her into the living room. "Wh-What are you doing here?" Shock filled every nuke in his voice.
"Howie didn't tell you? I came to stay with him-and you-for a couple days...I can't believe he didn't tell you!" She scrunched her eyebrows and placed her manicured hands softly on her silk covered hip.
"No he didn't...but it doesn't matter. So, why are you out here?" He sat the army green bag by the coach and took a seat on the arm.
"We have a couple days off, and I don't like my family very much, so he said I could come visit you guys. This place is really nice. I haven't bought one myself just yet." She gazed at the walls and ceilings. The look on her face was so curious and amazed, like she'd never been in a house before.
"You look pretty excited. I figure you being famous would have brought many places like this, probably even better."
"I don't know." She stopped and laughed. "I'm just weird like that. So where am I gonna sleep?" She tilted her head, knowing where she wanted to sleep, but settled with a guest bed.
"You can stay in the room next to Howie's." He picked up the case and led her to a smaller, but content room across the hall. She plopped down on the bed and inhaled the sweet sent. "Your whole house smells so good!"
"Thank you?" He laughed at her awkward comment. "Well I'll let you get settled in, I'm just gonna go out here." He pointed out the door and followed his thumb.
Right when he was out of her site, he leapt for the phone and quickly dialed Howie's cell phone.
Names were called ten maybe fifteen times a minute over the intercom, but he got used to it. He had been sitting there for more than a half-hour and was getting restless. Just then, he heard his cell phone ring. For once, he had never been so excited to get a phone call.
"Hello!?" He asked almost too eager.
"Howie! Why didn't you tell me Jodi was staying with us?" He kept his voice low and hushed.
"Oh! Shit man, I'm so sorry." He stood up and stepped into the garden area.
"Just don't tell Starr. I don't want her to be upset about this."
"Don't give her a reason." Howie added.
"I won't-but you know women, they get suspicious over weird things like this! Plus, I don't feel comfortable being alone with her." AJ smiled at Jodi, who had peeked around the corner, then disappeared again.
"Starr loves these girls to death...and you, she won't be mad about it at all. If anything, she'd ask you to get their autographs!" Howie laughed at AJ's uneasiness.
"You're probably right..." He laughed nervously. "Just don't tell her, ok? Wait till you are on your way back or something."
"Alright. Well I have to get going. Bye." They hung up. AJ stared at the phone for a moment then drew in a deep breath. When he looked up, he almost stumbled as Jodi stood in a spegetti strap and PJ pants, her navel showing.
"I'm like not tired at all...do you have any plans tonight?" She sat down next him and had a huge grin on her face.
"Nope...I was just going to hang out and watch some TV, order a pizza-"
"Oh yum! Surprisingly enough, I haven't had pizza in awhile. Let's order it now!" She reached for the phone. "Don't worry I'll pay half." She joked.
AJ just laughed and instructed her in ordering. They sat for awhile and listened to the air conditioner blowing cool air around the room.
"This is so weird..."
"What is?"
"Ok," She lifted her head and inhaled. AJ could tell she was about to say a really long sentence, so he adjusted and pre-paired to listen. "When we (the group) were younger, we never thought we'd get here; to this level. Yeah, we had high hopes, but we never actually thought it, you know? All the while, I had THE huggest crush on you. So, we make it to the top. We're a huge success.... We’re known all over the world, blah blah blah. But I NEVER thought I'd meet you. Let alone, be hanging out with you. It's almost a dream come true." She looked down, shyness showing full scale.
"Yeah. I know that feeling. It was so great being a group, doing what you love. All the attention was awesome too. It's really amazing. And I'm flattered to hear I'm helping to make someone's dream come true-" He was cut off as the door bell rang.
As Jodi was handing the guy their money, the boy started stuttering like he'd seen a ghost. "Y-you're Jodi! From galaxE!" He started shaking. "Can I have a picture with you? Please?"
Jodi smiled and complained playfully that she looked like crap, but posed willingly and kissed the boy on his cheek.
"High school boys." She smiled as she sat down with the pizza box at hand. She handed him a piece on a napkin and began talking again. "You're just as gorgeous as you were 6 years ago. I hope I stay the same too."
"Thanks." He began to worry. She's flirting with me...oh no, what if she likes me? How can I let her down easily? Oh God...
After a little too much flirting, AJ couldn't handle it anymore. He interrupted her in mid sentence "Listen Jodi. You're a sweet girl and all, but I really love my girlfriend-"
"Excuse me?" She paused and looked at him with a confused look.
"Well you were-"
"Oh no. Oh God. I wasn't flirting. AJ..." She put her hand on his arm. "I know you have a girlfriend, and I respect that. But I wasn't trying anything on you."
"Oh, I-I." He couldn't come to spit it out. "I'm sorry." He laughed nervously.
"It's alright. It happens to me a lot. I really enjoy your company! You're a cool guy. But you don't have to worry about me. I wouldn't do that to my girl, any girl. Even if I don't know her, it's just wrong. But I do have a suggestion..." She got up to throw the box and napkins in the trash. "You are a very attractive guy, and not all girls think like me. Some...most...will do anything in their power to get what they want. I just want you to be aware of that. There are a lot, A LOT, of girls at that college probably fantazing about you this very minute; you have to be careful. If you love Starr as much as you say you do.... Be careful." She took her seat and asked him to promise.
Fear started rising in the back of his head. The way she said it made it sound like someone would hurt Starr...he did not want that, of coarse. He didn't want to be the one hurting her either. He had to start thinking of a plan. So he knew when the truth was told or lies were spoken.