Celebrity Crush

Robert was right. He wasn't in my bed when I woke that morning. I groaned as I hit my alarm clock since it went off the music louder than last night. I threw the covers off my body and immediately regretted it. The cold air hit my bare legs and arms as I stood up stretching my arms over my head.

Suddenly there was a knock on my bedroom door.

“Laura?” The voice was Robert. My cheeks darkened as my hand went straight toward the mark he left on my neck.

“Yes?” I called.

“Are you decent?”

I couldn't help but chuckle.

“I am in my PJ's, Robert.”

I heard him sigh and then the knob turned. He opened the door and stepped inside the room with the door wide open. I saw a big bag in his hand and his other hand held a cup with a straw sticking out the top.

He was smiling widely but I could tell he was tired. He must have left here really late last night and got only a few hours’ sleep.

“Your mom is gone to the bank. We got some McDonald's breakfast, this is the big breakfast with hotcakes. Oh and a cup of chocolate milk.”

I smiled and grabbed the things from his hands. I placed the bag and the cup on my desk as he stood in my room looking around. I smiled and shook my head. I opened the bag and just as I was about to pull out the contents he grabbed my hand. He pulled my arm toward him wrapping his arms around my body.

His lips met mine in a kiss. It was sweet with no tongue and made me feel so special. I was the one to pull away. I heard a car pull into the drive. Robert sighed and pressed his forehead against mine. He hadn't heard mom pull up.

“Mom's home.”

He groaned as we heard the car door slam outside. He pulled away from me giving me a longing look. I shrugged my shoulders and turned around to my desk. I pulled out my chair and took a seat. Mom was opening the door downstairs now.

Robert sighed again and turned around walking out of the room. I looked down and sighed starting to eat my food. I could hear voices downstairs as I ate. Once I was finished I put my robe on and tied it around my waist. I grabbed all the garbage and stuffed my feet into my slippers walking downstairs.

I could hear voices coming from the kitchen. I rolled my eyes as I got closer to the kitchen doors after I walked through the living room. I pushed the door open with my back with my face turned away from the kitchen.

The voices stopped as I stepped into the kitchen. I cringed at the silence. I turned around and saw my mom at the counter. She was giving me a sad expression as she walked around the counter. The trash can was next to me and I tossed everything in my hands toward the trash.

I looked back toward her as she leaned against the counter just staring at me. I could tell she was trying to give me time to come to her. After everything that had happened yesterday I just wanted my mom back.

The mom that would tuck me in at night when I was seven years old. The mom that would come to my school on every student teacher day, the mom that would brag to everyone about how I was the perfect child, and the mom that wouldn't miss a day of my life.

My eyes scanned her outfit taking in each piece of her clothes. She was dressed in a black and white stripped long sleeve shirt with a pair of dark blue skinny jeans. She had on a light stripped jacket and her feet were covered in a pair of brown lace up boots.

As usual she had on jewelry from necklace, bracelet, earrings, watch, and this big black and silver ring on her finger. I had never seen that ring before. There was a Starbucks cup sitting on the table beside her.

“Where did you get that ring mom?”

The question broke the silence. I heard a chair scratching the floor from behind me. I peeked from the corner of my eye and saw Robert walking toward mom. He wasn't fast enough.

She looked down as this huge smile took over her face. She brought her hand out and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“Oh Robert bought me this yesterday. He had it for me when we went out to eat. Isn't it beautiful?”

My heart suddenly double beat. He bought her a ring? Well it wasn't an engagement ring but still I don't understand why he bought her something like that.

I nodded my head suddenly becoming quiet but I knew I had to give a real response.

“It's lovely mom.”

I saw Robert cringed at the malice and sarcasm in my voice. Mom didn't notice it of course because her attention was on her beautiful ring.

“Well mom I wanted to let you know something.”

She raised her head back up and looked at me.

“Do you remember Annie from the kidnapping thing? She was the one that lost her brother Blake.”

She nodded her head walking back around the counter. She picked up her Starbucks and took a sip.

“Well she and Kimi are going to spend the night tonight. We are indeed staying here. I don't think Ben will do anything with all of us here. He's already done so much to Annie that I don't think he will hurt her.”

Whether anyone wanted to admit it Ben lost someone as well. Blake was his nephew and he had killed him. I had this feeling that it was killing him inside very badly.

Mom didn't look very convinced.

“Mom we are staying here tonight whether you like it or not. You won't be here and I am eighteen years old now so don't start acting like a mom when I am old enough to take care of myself.”

I knew it was a low blow but she had to realize it. She was the one that left me home alone to fend for myself. I learned on my own how to cook things and everything while she went off pretending she didn't have kids.

***
Mom refused to leave the house while I was there alone. She and Robert's suitcases sat at the front door waiting on them to leave. I knew they had to be at the airport at a certain time so I had to be in a hurry.

I took another shower just so I was clean and fresh for the day. I probably wouldn't even shower tonight so this had to work out right. I stood in my room with a towel and my robe. My bedroom door was locked so I wasn't worried about someone coming in on me in this state.

I pulled out of a pair of blue jeans and a yellow tank with homework sayings on the front. My eyes came across this brown sweater and I pulled it from the hanger.

I put on my undergarments from the dresser and then the clothes. Once the clothes were on I decided to wear my black winter boot again. I wore them yesterday but they are really comfortable. I unlock the door since I was dressed. I walk into the bathroom and look for my brown and purple make up bag.

I apply some blush, eye shadow, eye liner, and lip gloss. I keep the lip gloss for later in the day. I know for a fact that I will need to apply more by the time we get to the mall.

I grabbed my black and white messenger bag from my desk and drop in the lip gloss. I find my watch bracelet and my blue and yellow peace bracelet. I walked over to my bedside table and get the money Sarah had given me. One thousand dollars was counted for. I grinned.

I was going to do my shopping for the new moon premiere. If Kimi can't get her money then I will be able to help.

I flipped out the bathroom light and looked around the room. Everything was in my bag now and counted for. I pulled my phone from my bag because I would need to call Kimi before I left. Knowing her she was still in the damn bed.

Annie had sent me a message letting me know she would be on time at the mall. She would just be in the food court.

I pulled the door closed behind me and walked toward the stairs.

“Laura honey could you wait a second?”

I turned my head to the side to see my mom walking toward me. She had this weird expression on her face that I couldn't place.

I stopped where I was and she stopped right in front of me.

“Laura I wanted to know something.”

I nodded my head and ushered her to continue.

“There's some money missing from my private room. I know you got some a few weeks ago and that was alright. Some of the rest is missing though. I am not sure about how much it was but I need to know if you got the rest later? I was saving that money for Robert and me this week but now it's missing.”

I bit my lip and thought about it. I had this scary thought that maybe the money Sarah had given me was the money she was missing but I wasn't sure.

I sighed, “Was it a thousand dollars or less?”

She seemed to think about it for a minute.

“Yeah I guess it was that much but I am not sure. I know it was more than five hundred.”

I sighed and opened my bag. This really sucked but I wasn't going to let Sarah ruin everything. I grabbed the stash of money and handed it over.

“Sarah had given me that. I thought it was from her. She seemed sincere.”

Mom grabbed the money and counted it. Suddenly she began to count out a few hundred dollar bills. She handed over the rest of the money from what she counted from it.

“Here I know you need spending money. I can just have this. I thank you for being honest with me about all of this.”

I smiled and nodded my head. She hugged me and then continued walking down the stairs. I sighed and placed the money back in my purse. So much for things getting better between Sarah and me. That girl is just the devil in a girl's body.

I walked down the stairs hearing voices from the living room. Mom's boots were clicking on the floor as they got closer. Robert was rubbing his chin as he listened to what mom was saying.

“Mom?”

She turned her head giving me a smile.

“Well I am leaving now. I have to pick up Kimi. Her car is broke at the moment so we are meeting Annie at the mall.”

She nodded her head. My eyes went to Robert. His eyes were roaming my choice in clothes.

I looked down at my phone and scrolled through my contacts. I was aware of mom grabbing her things and Robert still standing in his place.

I pressed Kimi on my contacts and then put the phone to my ear. I lifted my head with the phone to my ear. Robert opened the door for mom and she walked out. I walked out behind them feeling the sun hit my skin.

Ring, Ring!

“Hello?” said a groggy voice.

I chuckled; figures Kimi would still be half asleep.

“Well hi Kimi,” I said in high voice.

I know she's going to kill me with being extra loud.

“Not so loud Laura. I am not asleep right now but still that is way too loud.”

I got to my jeep now. I pulled open the door and hopped inside. Slamming the door closed behind me I waved to mom and Robert. I cranked the engine.

“Wow you're actually awake and everything?”

“Ha Ha very funny, Robin.”

I laughed as I backed out of the drive heading to her house.

“I am actually awake and eating breakfast at the moment. I have my clothes out on my bed waiting on me.”

I smiled. She really was something else.

“Well Kimi I am in the car right now heading for yours. Mom and Robert seemed, at least mom was, to be in a hurry so I went ahead and left.”

I heard Kimi curse.

“Damn it I didn't realize it was already noon. For crying out loud!”

I peaked at the clock in my jeep and saw it was actually eleven thirty.

“Kimi it's not lunch just yet.”

I suddenly heard her pull the phone away from her ear to call her mom.

“Oh don't yell at me woman. Have you changed that clock?”

I heard Kimi start laughing. Her mom hadn't changed the clock in the kitchen just yet. The clock was probably saying twelve thirty instead of the actual time.

“Hey Kimi I am about to turn down your street so I am just going to let you go alright?”

“Yeah sure girl see you in five.”

“See you.”

I snapped my phone shut welcoming the silence. This was the only time I was going to have to process everything. Alex died yesterday because his family gave up on him. I understood them though. Alex may never wake up and the least they could do was release him from the pain.

I know when I die I don't want to be hooked up to machines. If the machine is needed to help me breathe than I want to die. That's not living if something else is doing the work for you.

Sarah. That bitch. She had purposely stole mom's money and gave it to me. I didn't even want to think about the consequences of spending the money never knowing that it was mom's money.

I pulled the jeep in the drive and cut the engine. I took my key out and placed it in my bag getting out. The wind was cold but not nearly cold as it could have been. The front door came opened and Jennifer was hugging herself ushering me inside. She was such a nice woman, best mom in the world, in my opinion.

Jennifer was dressed in a black robe. On weekends she liked to stay at home and lounge around. I guessed that since Kimi wasn't going to be home than she wasn't getting dressed. Kimi would force her mom into clothes when she was here.

“Good Afternoon Jen.”

She smiled, “Good Afternoon, Laura.”

She closed the door behind me. I could hear noises from the kitchen.

“Kimi's in the kitchen. She's trying to set the clock in there.”

I laughed. Kimi was probably standing in a chair trying to get the clock down. Poor girl was incredibly too short for her own good.

I walked toward the kitchen as Jennifer walked down the hall toward her bedroom. I could hear a chair scraping against the floor as I walked inside the room.

Kimi was standing in a chair against the wall trying to reach for the clock on the wall.

“Kimi get down and let me do that for you.”

She jumped and then did her best to catch her balance. When she was fine she turned toward me giving me the world's deadliest glare.

I held up my hands in a cross effort, “Sorry.”

She sighed and put the clock back on the wall.

“That's alright Laura. I got it right now. Mom didn't want to do it just yet because of her movie on TV. Crazy woman should be the teenager and not me.”

I laughed. Kimi acted like such a child but she took good care of her mother. They were the best of friends.

Kimi hopped down from the chair and then grabbed a bowl from the table. I guessed she must have had cereal for breakfast. She turned around from the sink and then her eyes roamed my clothes. A huge grin then came to her face.

“Well Robert seems to be a good thing for you. I love your choice in clothes today especially the make-up.”

I chuckled at her, she was something else.

“Well let's go to my room. I need to shower and then get dressed.”

I nodded and followed her out of the room.

***
It was one thirty by the time we headed out the door. Jennifer hugged us both and made us promise to be careful. Kimi just rolled her eyes as we got in the truck.

“I love your outfit Kimi.”

She was dressed in a gray shirt that said “LIVE YOUNG LOVE FOREVER,” a pair of red skinny jeans, and her black winter boots. Her head was covered in a light red hat and she was wearing her black sweater since the shirt she wore was long sleeve. It wasn't as cold today as it was yesterday. She of course had on a purple avenge sevenfold death bat necklace with a red wristwatch.

“Oh I know I look good.”

I just chuckled. She kept her bag in her lap, which was a snow white bag. The girl loved snow white with a passion. She couldn't stand Cinderella when she was little according to her mom and her.

We listened to the radio on the way to the mall. Kimi had made sure to text Annie that we were on our way. She told us that she was already at the mall and was heading toward the food court.

It took a couple minutes to find a good parking spot. I cut the engine and Kimi popped open her door. She was very impatient.

“Come on Laura stop poking around.”

I gave her my best glare as I dropped my key in my bag. Kimi hopped out of the jeep and I saw her mess with her phone as she walked around the car. I rolled my eyes and got out beside her. I locked all the locks by the button and turned toward her.

“Annie's in the food court.”

I smiled and we walked beside one another.

“Laura?”

I turned my head toward her.

“Do you really think it's a good idea to stay alone at your house with Ben still on the loose?”

I sighed but shrugged, “Well I can't keep putting my life on hold for that asshole. Home is the only place that has room for all of us. I don't think your mom would be too keen on someone she nor you know staying at your house. Annie only helped Ben to save her brother. That's the only reason.”

Kimi sighed but didn't push any further. We pushed the doors opened and stepped inside the mall. We were at the side entrance so we would have to walk to another side of the store for the food court. We past many different stores like, American Eagle, Hollister, and Zale’s.

We started getting closer to those carts where people try to sell you something. I wasn't really interested in any of the over priced items on their carts.

Kimi's eyes brightened at some of the items but I knew she wouldn't get anything. She loved to save her money most of the time except for when something collectable of Twilight was at the store.

“Oooh. I have got to get some of that.”

I turned my head toward where she was looking at and saw a Dunkin's Donuts place. Kimi walked right over to the counter. I just shook my head, the girl loved coffee and hot chocolate so who knows what she's getting.

She paid the boy behind the counter and came back to my side sipping on a foam cup. I looked expectantly at her and she rolled her eyes.

“It's after noon already Laura so no it's not coffee. I had my fair share this morning of that thanks. It is hot chocolate since you must know everything.”

I chuckled as we continued toward the food court. I could tell when we got close since the food court always played music. There were about six flat screens hanging from the ceiling.

Four of them were placed in the center back to back and the other two were on the far corners. There was a Chinese food place, American food place, McAllister’s, and a tea place all lined up against the right wall from where I was.

There were small tables and booths across the floor. Kimi's eyes were searching over the tables until she came to one small table.

“There's Annie.”

She brought her hand up and pointed toward a table in the back. I spotted Annie's black hair and sighed. She had on a light blue bright jacket with the hood over her head. Her head was leaning down showing her depressed mood.

I grabbed Kimi's hand and dragged her toward the table. Annie's head popped up once we approached the table. She smiled a sad smile at us and replied, “Hey guys. How are you?”

Kimi was chipper since she had her hot chocolate, “I'M GREAT!”

Annie winced at her loud tone. Kimi realized she had been too loud and her cheeks darkened. I just chuckled and took a seat. Kimi took the seat next to me which meant Annie was on the other side alone. I could understand why since Kimi didn't know Annie very well.

I looked at Annie and saw for the first time what she was wearing. She was wearing a long sleeve white shirt with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows. Her legs were dressed in a pair of light blue skinny jeans. I couldn't see her shoes from sitting in the chair.

She had some feather earrings hanging from her ears and some silver bracelets on one wrist and the other held a white wristwatch. Overall I liked her choice in clothing today.

“So Annie, are you still up for the sleepover?”

Kimi was sipping on her drink while I talked to Annie. Annie sighed and looked down.

“I suppose to should get out of the house. My mom has been a pain for a while. Blake was her favorite since he was the oldest. She gives me these death glares all the time. Ben is her brother and she hates him and she tried keeping us away from him but Blake always gave him the benefit of the doubt. I guess I should have just listened to her a long time ago.”

I smiled a sad smile. It was obvious that she needed to let this out at some point. I don't know if I was the right person for her to unleash this type of information on but I was going to listen and help as best I could.

“Well we are of course staying at my house for the night. I was thinking we should all sleep in the living room tonight. I don't want someone to break in and surprise us in the bedroom.”

Annie nodded. She had a cup of some Deli Tea and was drinking from it. Suddenly I felt pain in my side and I looked at Kimi. She was leaning toward my ear.

“Ask her about the Twilight movies. See if she wants to go with us to see the newest one when it comes out?”

I looked at her shocked. I didn't think Kimi would want to invite someone else to our friend’s day at the theater. I smiled and nodded.

“Annie?”

She looked up at me giving me a smile.

“Do you like the Twilight saga?”

I grinned and nodded.

“Yeah I haven't gotten to read the books but I saw the first movie with some friends. I love vampires so the whole concept of human and vampire was cool. I read The Vampire Diaries books and am currently watching the television show.”

I got this huge grin on my face. Kimi and I had found our other bestie.

“Well Kimi and I are going to see the newest film when it comes out which is next week. We wanted to know if you would like to come as well?”

Annie generally looked shocked.

“Wow you really are something else Laura. I would love to come if that's really alright.”

This time Kimi spoke up, “Of course Annie. Believe it or not you have officially been adopted into our group of friends. We are huge vampire freaks and have our own Thursdays for Vampire Diaries and we watch everything about the twilight saga. Trust me when I say this Annie you are our new bestie.”

Annie smiled but I could she was sad suddenly. I could tell though that they were happy tears. I had this feeling that some of her friends had abandoned her during her time of need. Things weren't so great for her right and friends were to come by. I was thankful we had taken her under our wing. She really would love being with us. We would cheer her up fast enough.

“Annie do you have money to buy and outfit for the movie?”

She looked confused and I chuckled.

“Kimi and I are super fans. We read the books before the movies came out. So we dress up in merchandise for the premiere of the movie in theaters.”

Annie chuckled, “Alex had said to Blake and me before that you loved the twilight saga. He didn't like to get into much detail but I could just tell it was more than the average person.”

Kimi stood to her feet while she chuckled, “Well let’s get to Hot Topic and shop.”

Annie suddenly looked uneasy. I sighed and stood to my feet. I gave Kimi a glare. She shouldn't have done that right now. We needed to make sure Annie had the money. Kimi looked uneasy then and looked at Annie. Annie was searching through her purse. It looked like she was hoping some money would magically appear.

I walked over to Annie and squatted down on my feet.

“Annie, don't worry about the money. I have plenty for you. Hell Kimi will no doubt go over the money her mom gave her so I will have to give her some as well. Don't worry about it too much. We can put whatever money you have with it combining all out money so we can get everything.”

Annie looked like she didn't want to accept my offer. She was the type that didn't like charity from people. She reluctantly nodded her head and stood to her feet. I grinned and all of us linked hands. Kimi was holding Annie's other free hand and I was holding the other one.

We got Annie to her feet and walked toward Hot topic.