Chapter 13 - Do You Come Here Alot?!
I was driving to get to where I would meet Aurora so we could discuss the important details then we could head together to where the studio was when my phone rang. It was an unknown number which was weird, because who would have my number. I didn't answer but the person was so persistent on calling. My conscious told me that maybe it was something important so I decided against my better judgment and answered.
"Hey Shana, missed me?" Was it just me or it was actually creepy that he had my number. I didn't even give it to him. I groaned, now was not the time for distractions. I had to stay focused. "Take a chill pill, sweetie. Anyways you can always blame Skyler whenever I annoy you; she gave me your number." So that is how he got my number. Some best friend I had! Would she ever stop trying to play Cupid? For my sanity, I hoped yes.
"Ron, I'm busy, okay? You can hang up now." I said calmly, my voice betraying no emotion.
"Busy doing what?"
"Why did you even call?" I asked him. The best strategy to dodge answering a question is to ask one of your own!
"I'm bored. Like super duper bored." He sighed heavily and dramatically. Like it was the end of the world. I suppressed my chuckle.
"Then go do something. I really have to go." Which was true, I almost reached my destination. "Maybe you should try calling a friend!" I suggested. A guy like him surely had lots of friends. It was a mystery why he seemed interested in talking to plain Elena.
"But that's what I just did." He grumbled. "Ugh! Okay. But this conversation is not over." I hung up and went straight to Aurora. She would be so proud of me. For the first time in my life, I was only one minute late. That was a damn record!
We discussed what needed to be said and what definitely wasn't a good topic. I agreed to almost everything. Keyword here: almost Aurora didn't want me to downright say Louis was a damn liar who was only pretending. To my utter dismay, I knew she was the professional in this. She knew what was right even if it went against all the logic I knew!
We went on our way and since Aurora was in charge of everything, we arrived on time. We were greeted enthusiastically by many. When everything was set, I kept replaying Aurora's words in my head. I couldn't make even the slightest mistakes. Especially when Bryan tries to dig some secrets or any kind of news that could be scandals, which he would surely try to find. If he thought he was clever then he hadn't met me yet. Well, he did meet me before but that was beyond the point! I wasn't like most celebrities he met! And let me tell you, he met a lot! Most dirty secrets were out thanks to him. When he finally showed up, he tried pulling me into a hug. However, I kept it professional. He finally then started the interview by greeting the people watching, then introducing me as the mysterious singer. Sometimes I thought they were more interested in me being mysterious than my music itself. But that was just non-reasonable doubt; my music was kickass!
My whole plan now was to charm everyone. So I waved at the camera, giving them the most winning smile anyone on earth had ever seen. I Perfected my performance by telling the gigantic lie of how happy I was to be there. I then tell a real solid truth of how much my fans meant to me and how much I loved them. Bryan looked too satisfied with my words. As if he just caught the biggest fish in the sea!
"You can't love them too much; your boyfriend could get jealous, right guys?" He raised a brow. "Or is your relationship with him isn't that good?" He completed, if we weren't live, he would have smirked the biggest smirk ever. I knew we would get to the topic of Louis eventually, but that guy was just too eager.
"I'm sure he would..." I said. Pausing; to keep everyone focused on my next words. "If I had one, so I guess you're all safe." I winked. His face told me my message was finally received. All I had to do now was to survive the rest of those thirty minutes. God help me! The best policy is being half honest. Lie only when you need to!
I hadn't had a boyfriend since I became Cinnamon and before that, I dated only once. His name was Freddie and let me tell you, he was nothing like that idiot pretending to be my friend. He was too nice to even compare to Louis. But then I had to break up with him...
"Then is that just a crush?" He asked slyly. The screen in front of us displaying the picture of me and Louis.
"No, that's just a friend." I smiled. One thing Bryan was famous for, he made his guests lose their temper so they could spell everything.
"A friend you love?"
"Do you hate your friends then, Bryan?" I could practically see the fumes out of his ears whenever I spoke in that cool cheerful voice, which was bringing me lots of joy.
"Okay! Now I'm gonna ask you something we are all dying to know." He smirked.
"I guess I know what that is..." If this was what I thought, then let me tell you, it was getting boring!
"And you're probably right! Why are you covering your face?" I sighed internally. "We actually imagined two versions of this answer! You are either hiding your face because you are ugly behind the mask! No offence." Dude, I'm gorgeous!
"None taken." Just because you said no offence, doesn't make it any less offensive.
"Or you are so old and don't want people to know this! So which one is it!" He continued, thinking he was slowly picking at my nerves.
"Neither actually!" I burst out laughing at what he said as if it's a joke. "Being behind my mask gives me a chance to be anyone and that's part of the reason why my albums each has a very different personality or theme," I explained keeping my voice the perfect tone.
"Can't you give us a hint?" Now he was reminding me of Loca. When she needed something from any of our parents, she kept nagging.
"I think I'll keep you guessing." I winked.
"I'll tell you what I'm guessing, you're near the age of being in high school or college." He said too eagerly. I only shrugged in response, not showing a hint of surprise.
The next minutes were pure torture. Bryan kept using every single rumour made in the universe. Even the ones I never heard of, and I heard a lot. But then maybe he was the one who made up some of them, wouldn't put it beyond him!
My days then went from school work to training. We submitted our project and made a kickass presentation. Well, it was mostly me but at least I got Louis to do it my way! He went again to be his normal self AKA asshole. He kept making fun of me every now and then when we were running. That might seem crazy but, it was better than him treating me nicely. It was giving me the creeps!
Ron texted every now and then asking random questions which I answered and shot back another question. It was fun to text him. He seriously had a split of personality; he was one person with Cinnamon then totally another person with Elena!
It was Thursday when I decided I needed my dose of my favourite pizza place. It was also time I started working on my album. So I sat at the table in the corner and started scribbling in my notebook. It was useless! Every single idea wasn't good enough!
"Do you come here a lot?" I heard Ron saying. Ron? I closed my notebook as fast as I could. "That should have been a good line, but it sounded creepy." He laughed and sat down on the opposite chair. "I think normal people say hi." I smiled.
"And I think normal people don't study while eating pizza, but I guess we were both wrong." Well, he was wrong since I wasn't studying but he didn't need to know that. We both ate and chatted, there was a feeling of familiarity just sitting there and talking nonsense with him.
"Do you want to drive around?" I asked him when we got out. Then I cursed myself, I shouldn't be doing that!
"Who's driving?"
"Me," I answered, unsure of the idea anymore.
"I don't want to die." He pursed his lips. I narrowed my eyes at him. "But I don't want to be killed so I'll sacrifice my safety and let you drive around." I clapped my hands in excitement, my driving skills were awesome. I technically learnt from lan whose driving is crazy. Literally.
I drove slowly at first, but then it was time for some fast driving. Ron kept pointing out that I would get us killed but seriously, he should trust me more than this. After about an hour, I had to drive him back to his car so I could go home and get some sleep before school.
There was only one thought in my mind, I had to think of a plan to figure out these notes I tugged in my drawer!☐☐☐