Starstruck

by Yuriko Hime

  “You know as well as I do that this is not called cooking.” She chewed slowly. “It’s food preparation.”

  “Yes, I consider it cooking,” I countered. “Anyway, I thought celebrities have personal assistants at their beck and call? You don’t even have a bodyguard. Why is that?”

  She lowered her fork to take a sip of her juice. “I’m through with that bull. I’d rather live my life normally.” She shrugged and added, “And besides. What would I need an assistant for? When I get married to my first love, I know that she’d cook and take care of me.”

  “Wow. Someone’s confident,” I teased. “I thought your first love went away?”

  She resumed eating. “I’m working on getting her back.”

  “How’s that going for you?”

  “Pretty good considering the circumstances.”

  I took a bite from my pancake. “Tell me as soon you got together with her okay? I’m really curious as to what kind of girl would get you so hooked. I bet she looks like a model or an actress like you.” Totally unlike me. The syrup dribbled down my chin.

  Glace grabbed a tissue from the table and reached out to wipe my face. She was so sweet. “Yeah, she looks like a freaking Goddess. More beautiful than any other celebs I’ve seen. And trust me, you’d be the first person to know when she and I get together.” She crumpled the tissue, placing it on the table.

  “Why is that?” Glace replied with a shrug. “Describe her for me will you?” I was determined to keep the conversation going. It was interesting to know more about her. She did save me from Denise. The least I could do was be nice to her. I haven’t even thanked her yet.

  She touched her chin, her brows furrowing in concentration. “How do I describe her? Let’s see. When we first met, she was this cute and confident kid. Her eyes were brown. Her cheeks were kind of chubby because of baby fat. She had these cute little hands that would run through her reddish hair.” Her face relaxed. “Now that we’re older, she’s lean and beautiful. She has the most amazing eyes that see right through me. When she gazes at me, I feel naked and unbalanced but at the same time I’m grounded and secure.”

  She took a sharp intake of breath and slowly let the air loose. “I can only compare her to my favorite song. She left an impression on me. Whenever I feel down or troubled, I needed only to say her name or think of her, and all my worries would vanish. The memory of her runs through my mind like a song, and when sadness would overtake me, just a whisper from her melodic voice is enough to get me through.”

  “Wow,” I said breathlessly. “She sounds like an amazing person.”

  Glace nodded. “I’d never settle for anything less Dulce.” She smiled and continued her recollection. “I love many things about her. She thinks she’s weak but she’s actually stronger than me. She thinks she’s normal but she’s anything but. I love how her cheeks turn bright red when she’s feeling embarrassed. The way she bites her lip when she’s thinking of something drives me absolutely crazy. I also adore how she could wear the simplest clothes and still be the prettiest person inside the room.”

  “I wish I had someone like that,” I said. Tim and Patty’s voice rang in my head. You’re totally her type, they said. Well I wouldn’t count on that. Glace sounded like she was in love with a cool girl. Which meant she was gay like the rumors said. But that didn’t mean that I had a chance with her. In fact, I lost all my chances, seeing that she had someone she was interested in from the start. How did you compete with that? Besides, Glace was a Hollywood celebrity. Someone who had thousands of fans competing for her. And I was just. Well. Me. Clearly, she pitied me.

  “Believe me you will,” she said, pulling me out of my thoughts. “When the right time comes, a cute stranger will make you fall hopelessly in love. She’d give you the butterflies, the heart pounding, and even the sweaty palms. She’ll sing you songs at night so you’d fall asleep. Even though she’s not good at cooking, she’ll prepare all your favorite food for you. She’ll rescue you when you’re in trouble and she’ll never give up on you.” Glace reached for my hands across the table and gave me a meaningful look. “When you find her, you’ll be surprised at how crazy the world is.”

  My brows scrunched. “Why?”

  “Because it is.” Maybe that was what happened when she met her dream girl. “That person won’t be perfect Dulce but you’ll love her anyway. You’ll love her foolishness, her imperfections, her stubbornness. All of her. Just as she loves you. I’m sure of that. No, I promise you that.”

  “I hope so Glace.”

  Chapter 9. Discord

  “Want a tour around the house?” Glace said after eating. She washed the dishes without asking for my help. How cute was that?

  I nodded, hooking my right thumb inside my jeans pocket. “Sure.”

  “Let’s go then.” She walked briskly out of the kitchen. I followed several steps behind to observe her retreating back. Glace’s posture was straight, her sexy butt swaying slightly with every movement. Her raven black hair was completely dried off and now styled in a ponytail exposing her nape. She was feminine and graceful- a deadly combination.

  I bet she was a good kisser too. My cheeks flushed at the thought. I shook my head. Thoughts like that shouldn’t cross my mind since she was already in love with someone. If I made the mistake of falling for her, I’d be in for a big heartbreak. No heart of mine. Just think of her as a friend. Her childhood sweetheart must have been a lucky son of a gun to capture her like that. If this was a sea and we were all fishing for mates, Glace was the biggest catch anyone could find. I couldn’t help but envy the girl. My mom would probably agree that it was best not to get myself involve. Oh snap. Mom!

  “Glace.” My voice shook. She twisted and faced me, arching her eyebrows in question. Blood rushed to my face. “What should I do?” I said, panicking. “I forgot to tell my mom that I was going to a party last night. She’s probably worried sick that I didn’t go home.”

  “I took care of that. Don’t worry,” she said calmly.

  “You did?”

  “Yup. I called Andrea right after I brought you here. I told her that we’d be having a sleepover.” She smirked. “And what a sleepover it was. Anyway, your mom loved the idea of us hanging together so maybe let’s do another one of those sleepovers again.” She winked.

  The image of Glace and I hugging this morning flashed in my mind. I gasped low. I have almost forgotten about it. My eyes narrowed. “Why were we in our underwear?” My tone was accusing. “I understand that you had to drag me from Denise’s death grip, but did you have to strip my clothes off?” Glace smiled coyly as she stared at me from head to foot. I did the same and noticed for the first time that both of us were barefoot. It was kind of sexy. I snapped my fingers to get her attention. “Answer the question.”

  “After I took you out of the guest room last night, you puked all over yourself. You did it again when we were walking out the party. And a third time inside my car. But no worries,” she said, touching her chin. “I’m not really crazy for cars.” She smirked. “But that’s the reason why I had to remove all your clothes. Unless you wanted to sleep with barf, which wasn’t very hygienic in my opinion.”

  So that was what happened. I cringed. It must have been embarrassing for her. Another thought crossed my mind. “Why were you in your underwear then? Did I puke on you too?”

  A smile flitted on her face before she turned around, her ponytail swinging slightly from the action. “I always sleep in the nude.” She chuckled. “I should have removed everything but I doubt that you’d like that.” I blushed at her confession.

  She continued walking as if nothing happened. All I could do was follow behind. When we reached the first door in the hallway, she opened it, revealing a music room. I studied the area as we entered. A black grand piano stood marvelously in the middle. It was polished to perfection.

  Sunlight from the big bay windows lighted the keys. I skipped to the piano and sat on the black chair in front of it.
“It’s beautiful,” I said earnestly. Glace sat beside me. The chair was built for one person. We had to scoot close together to fit. It bothered me that our arms and shoulders touched.

  Her long, slim fingers moved expertly to the keys, playing a song I recognized as Beyonce’s Halo. I learned how to play it years ago and was thrilled that she knew it too. The only rational thing was to join her. My hands took a mind of its own as soon as I placed it on the keys. Our hands did all the talking and singing. We made beautiful music together. With every touch of the keys, my heart pounded a little more. When she turned her head to me and gave me a heartbreakingly gorgeous smile, I melted like chocolate. All I could give her in return was a crooked smile.

  My breathing was harsh when the song ended. It was like the two of us kissed without even touching. What was happening to me? I gasped as she touched my right arm. “I knew that you played, but that was great," she said.

  “You were better at it. I just followed along.” She stood up and headed to the other side of the room where three guitars were situated- a blue electric one, a bass guitar, and a classic Fender. She picked up the classic guitar and sat with her legs crossed in front of me on the floor.

  Glace tuned the guitar deftly with her hands, plucking one or two strings. Her eyes travelled up to mine. “I also play the guitar.”

  “Let’s hear it.” She strummed the instrument, going to the intro. It was a song by The Script. I have loved it ever since I heard it on the radio. Glace stared at me directly as she proceeded to sing the lyrics. My breath hitched. Her voice was angelic. Her guitar skills were perfect too. But more than that, she sang the song with such feelings that it felt like she was singing directly to my heart. What a performance. I could see why she was popular. Glace had many talents.

  After the song, she smiled sadly as she placed the guitar on the floor. “What do you think my first love would do if she heard me sing that for her?”

  “She’d totally fall for you.” My laugh was shaky. “Look at you. You’re beautiful and even great at singing. I’m surprised that you didn’t release your own album. She’d be stupid not to love you back.”

  Glace closed her eyes briefly. “She’s not stupid Dulce. Just innocent.” She pushed herself up and placed the guitar to its original position. “Let’s go. I haven’t showed you my favorite part of the house yet.”

  I followed her out of the room. We were silent as we walked on the hallway. Reaching the end, she pushed a blue door open. “No freaking way.” I turned to her. “You have a library?” Glace merely smiled in response. I stepped inside, breathing deeply. It smelled exactly like a library. There was the faint scent of paper. You know that musky smell a new or old book had as you check the pages? That was what I was picking up.

  Glancing around in delight, I saw rows of bookshelves lining the walls. A big mahogany desk stood in one corner of the room, complete with matching chair. Plush sofas were located in the middle. Perhaps my favorite part about it was the reading nook next to the big windows. It looked comfortable and had purple pillows. My eyes went to Glace. I could imagine her curled up in that nook while pouring over her favorite novels. Come to think of it, I didn’t know that she liked to read. Beauty and brains huh? She was definitely something.

  I headed to the shelves to study the titles there. The classics were present- Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Homer, and so much more. The next shelf contained different encyclopedias. People still read that? I thought they preferred Wiki now. Another shelf contained new book releases ranging from Cassandra Clare’s books to Veronica Roth’s novels. With all the different genres of books here, she had to be a voracious reader. If I were to have a type, she was definitely it. Too bad her heart was taken.

  I went to the reading nook and sat on the cushy mattress. She slid next to me, leaning her back on the window. “Okay Glace, you totally debunked my conception about Hollywood stars.”

  “And what misconception was that?” she asked with her eyes closed.

  “I thought people like you love to party, drink, pick up people from clubs, and forgive me for saying this, but a total douche who doesn’t like to read.”

  “Give me a little credit will you?” she murmured. “But they definitely got one part right. I am THE Ice princess.” She chuckled.

  “Not to me,” I whispered. I didn’t know what possessed me to lean near her. Glace’s lashes were so thick that I couldn’t help but glance at them. Her skin looked soft too. I examined her face some more. She had her eyes closed anyway so she wouldn’t see me.

  “Not to you,” she whispered back. I felt her honey scented breath on my cheek. She opened her eyes and didn’t look surprised when she saw me face to face with her. We held each other’s gaze. All the while my heart fluttered helplessly against my chest, the beat increasing with each tick of the clock. Glace brought her face nearer. “You’re even more beautiful up close Dulce.”

  I added proximity by moving several inches more. “What about your first love?” I was starting to get taken by her.

  “What about her?” she said under her breath, leaning to me. My eyes closed automatically. I had no doubt that hers were too. Her hand trailed on the small of my back, making me shiver.

  “Am I interrupting something?” My eyes opened in shock. I turned to see a beautiful woman standing by the door. I studied her features as she walked to the center of the room and plopped down gracefully on one of the sofas, her posture looking like she owned the place. The woman had red straight hair that ended just below her shoulders. Her caramel brown eyes stared directly at me and Glace. She crossed her long legs and leaned back on the sofa. Her thin lips were currently positioned in a smirk. I’d know that signature smile anywhere. To prove my point, Glace called her by name. A name that the whole modeling world knew considering that she was one of the top supermodels in our generation.

  “Eris,” Glace said casually.

  “Frio,” said the other woman. “You didn’t tell me that you have a guest.” I moved as far away from Glace as possible on the reading nook. Who was that girl? I knew that she was a model, but was she Glace’s first love? My eyes flitted to her again. Her features confirmed my suspicions; red hair, brown eyes, to-die for smile. Yup. She was the Goddess Glace was talking about. My stomach felt hollow at the realization.

  Glace shrugged. “I don’t have to tell you anything. This is my house. I’ll invite whoever I want to.”

  Eris looked pissed off for some reason but quickly arranged her features and smiled sweetly at me. “Who are you dear?” she asked.

  I swallowed before replying. “I’m Dulce Gavin. Nice to meet you.”

  “Really now?” she mused. “I don’t need to introduce myself to you. Everyone knows me.”

  “Don’t be a stuck-up jerk Eris,” Glace said. “Dulce doesn’t know you. She didn’t even know me,” she said sourly.

  “But I know her,” I chimed in.

  Glace stared at me in surprise. “B-but you didn’t even know me, and I’m an actress.”

  I blushed at the mention. “She was a guest in one of my favorite cooking shows, so I was able to recognize her.”

  Eris snapped her finger making me focus back on her. “You’re such a cute sweetheart.” She smiled arrogantly. “Let me reintroduce myself properly. I’m Eris.”

  “Eris what?”

  “Just Eris. It’s my supermodel persona, meaning the Goddess of discord and rivalry.” She stood up from the sofa and catwalked to the bookshelves. When she turned to us, she poised her arms on her hips like she was on a runway. “They named me Eris because I looooove competition.” My jaw dropped. Wow. She was over the top. Eris continued speaking. “When I said competition, I meant not only in the modeling world but at everything. Including love,” she added. “I’m also Frio’s old friend and shoulder to cry on. A bedroom fuc—”

  Glace interrupted. “Don’t spit out rubbish Eris. Dulce might believe you.” Glace turned to me. “She’s not my friend. She used to be my manager.�
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  I focused on Eris. “Manager? But she looks young.”

  “Yes darling I’m only 25. Frio came under my wing when I was 20 and she was 12. Honestly, she looked like a small bird.” She scrutinized Glace. “Now look at her. She’s absolutely fuc—”

  Glace interrupted again. Her brows were furrowed. She looked really irritated. “I said don’t say such things in front of Dulce. One more and I’ll throw you out.”

  Eris pursed her lips. “No fair! Your cute friend is not a child Frio.” She tapped her red stilettos impatiently on the wooden floor. “I bet she uses the words fuck, bitch, and slut once in a while too.”

  “You’re an animal,” Glace said sharply.

  “An animal you’d like to take to the bedroom,” Eris retorted.

  “You know that’s not true. For your other girls at least but never for me.”

  Eris rolled her eyes as she walked steadily to the reading nook where Glace and I were sitting. She cupped my chin with her left hand while glancing at Glace. I stood there paralyzed, completely shocked of her bizarre behavior. “That may not be true for you Frio but how about this friend of yours?” Eris turned to me. “Dulce right? You look beautiful darling. But you also look like a gullible virgin. When you want to take care of that, I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll be soft on you for Frio.”

  With a growl, Glace pushed Eris’ hands away from my face and scooted closer so she was sitting in front of me. She was now blocking me from Eris. “Get out!” she hissed, her body turning rigid.

  The other girl frowned. “But you’re the one who invited me over,” she whined.

  “I invited you over because I wanted you to take care of the paparazzi for me, not so you can harass my guest.”

  Eris crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine,” she snapped. “What do you want me to do?”

  Glace relaxed in front of me. “We’re going to have a school play in December. I want the media out of it. I don’t want anyone to take pictures of me. And I definitely don’t want them to discover about Dulce. If they see her, she’d never have a moment of peace again.”