Man Like Me

Robert opened his eyes lazily and his heartache immediately settled in making him groan. He rolled to his side and found the bed empty but messy, with sheets tangled up and the pillow with the clear mark of having someone laying on it previously. He couldn’t remember a thing from last night but at least he didn’t feel sick, only his head was killing him. As he moved again, he heard someone clear his throat which made him push himself up.

“Jude?” He asked confused as Jude was sitting at the end of the bed.

“Morning Rob.” Jude greeted with heaviness in his voice as he scratched his eyes lazily “How are you feeling?”

“My head is killing me.” Robert said groaning again.

“Do you remember anything from last night?” Jude asked yawning quietly.

“Honestly, the last thing I remember is that we went out for a few drinks. I had a couple more than I should and that’s about it.” Robert said honestly. “What happened last night?” He asked.

“Last night, you almost confessed everything about Stark to Penelope while drunk.” Jude started as he sighed and looked at his own hands “Zack was also here, I met him last night by the way, and seeing that you were going to blow everything I did something mad.” Jude said frustrated.

“What?” Robert asked getting alarmed as his nerves kicked in.

“To stop you from saying the truth while all drunk and acting like a child… I lied and told Penelope that I was Stark.” Jude said burying his face in his hands.

All Jude wanted was to help his friend. He knew that Robert was happy with Penelope and that when he decided to ‘hide’ Stark from her, he had made the wrong decision. He was still on time to fix his mistake but not while drunk. Now Jude was starting to regret having lied to Penelope. The look in her eyes last night was so genuine and innocent, she believed him without a doubt and actually hugged him. She said that she was surprised but that he was an inspiration, an idol and one of her favorite authors. Jude knew what to respond to her questions because he had seen the letters Robert wrote to his fan once in a while but he felt so bad for her. Robert should be the one listening to all her questions and compliments, not him.

“Shit.” Robert snarled as he kicked the sheets and stood up, feeling slightly dizzy at first.

“After I said it, you past out and banged your head on the floor, which is why it hurts.” Jude explained as Robert walked around the bed and to his front.

“Where’s Penelope? And why are you here?” Robert asked with worry as he started to look extremely alarmed and insecure.

“She went for college already.” Jude explained as Robert breathed with a bit of relief. “I slept here last night on the guest tomorrow. This morning she refused to leave your side, so I promised to stay with you until you woke up.” Jude explained patiently.

Robert nodded his head and tried to keep his breathing steady “What can we do now? Stark is supposed to show up at her college today, right?”

“Yes, in about three hours. You need to do what you should have done a long time ago: you need to be honest with her.” Jude said as he stood up and placed one of his hands on Robert’s shoulder
“She’s going to react wonderfully, believe me.” Jude said with a calm smile, his exhaustion clearly showing.

“I can’t do it. I can’t go there… I can't.” Robert said breathing faster as he began panicking “I’m not ready.” He blurted as Jude widened his eyes.

“What do you mean? You’ve known about this for a month.” Jude said slightly petrified at the course of events.

He didn’t like when Robert panicked because it always ended in disaster.

“I just can’t!” Robert yelled, his hands began shaking and he began sweating.

“Calm down.” Jude said firmly, pressing his hands on Robert’s shoulders before his friend had a heart attack.

“Jude… you have to pretend to be Stark over at her class.” Robert blurted as he gripped Jude’s arms tightly with a pleading look.

“What?!” Jude yelled widening his eyes.

“I need time to find the right way to tell her. I don’t have the courage to just say it a minute before her class.” Robert said as sweat covered his face “Please, Jude, just this once.” He pleaded. “I can’t afford to lose her over something like this.”

Jude sighed deeply and looked into Robert’s eyes “I will only do it if you talk to her straight after class.” He said obviously annoyed by Robert’s lack of courage.

“I will. You have my word.” Robert said his heart pounding fast in his chest.



“If anything goes wrong, it’s your fault.” Jude snarled as Robert nodded his head and kept his eyes on the floor.

They had just arrived at Penelope’s college and they were going to meet her professor before the class. Jude sighed exhaustedly as he stepped into the office of Penelope’s professor.

“Good morning.” Jude greeted politely as the man in front of him almost jumped from his seat.

“Mr. Stark?” He inquired, barely hiding his excitement.

“In person.” Jude replied sarcastically, glancing over at Robert who had a nervous smile on his face.

“Oh it’s an honor, sir!” The professor said shaking Jude’s hand enthusiastically.

As the man kept rambling about writing, about his classes and about Stark’s books, Jude tried to seem interested while Robert was purely amazed and shocked. It always surprised him when he found someone talking about his books in such a heartfelt way, the same way with Penelope.

Then it hit him. The reason why he couldn’t admit to her that he was Stark was because she was so in love with the books and with the idea that she had created of Stark, that he was afraid that she might be disappointed to find that he was Stark and not some 20 year-old, handsome guy.

“Robert.” Jude called as Robert blinked and glanced at his friend. “The professor has started the class, Penelope is already inside. I’m getting in now.” Jude announced as Robert nodded his head in understanding.

10 minutes after Jude got in, Robert slipped into the classroom quietly and unnoticed because the room was large and rather crowded. Robert observed the students and easily found Penelope sitting next to Zack, both chatting enthusiastically while Zack hold in his hands a copy of Sherlock Holmes, probably to get an autograph.

Robert’s heart started to sink. He had put Jude in trouble because of his lack of courage and he knew everything was going to go miserably. He had a bad feeling but he knew that there was nothing he could do to stop it.

As the class started, various students went up to present Jude with their stories. Penelope was amongst them and she behaved very professionally, she addressed Jude as Mr. Stark and nobody noticed that she knew him. Little did anyone know that Penelope had asked Jude to ignore her story, to not make a big fuss about it because it was rewarding enough for her to know him personally. After Robert fainting and Jude staying for the night, Penelope couldn’t help but to feel slightly nervous and intimidated around him. She was his fan and Robert had never told her, maybe so she could have a normal relationship with him. No matter what, Penelope was beyond happy.

After Penelope, another girl stood up. The vibe about her intrigued Robert immediately, she seemed to be very intelligent but she also seemed like trouble. Instead of presenting her story, she started bombarding Jude with questions about plots, sub-plots and hidden plots of his work. If Jude could, he would have stood up and left because the girl was uncovering him rapidly. The more questions she asked, the less he knew how to respond. Robert closed his hands into fists, his tension building up. Once he heard the girl’s annoying voice once again, he stood up making sure everyone noticed him.

“Enough!” He said harshly as Penelope stared at him with wide eyes. “Miss, the answers you seek are not for the author to respond to. Every reader is free to view the plots as they are and eventually make plots of their own.” Robert said as he approached the professor’s desk, the whole class in dead silence.

Robert took a deep breath as Jude’s breathing got stuck in his throat, he couldn’t believe what was happening before his eyes.

“I must apologize to you all but did you really expect for Tony Stark to just show himself? He’s never done it before.” Robert said with a small smile. “This here is my best friend and publicist, Jude.” He said as he heard a massive gasp. “I am the real Tony Stark.” He said as he glanced at Penelope and saw her expression turn into utter confusion as Zack turned to speak to her while she kept staring at Robert.

“For what I’ve observed, every story has been introduced. I’ll accept questions, if that’s alright.” Robert said towards the professor, whose jaw seemed to have dropped.

“Certainly, Mr. Stark.” The man replied nervously as Robert smiled nicely at him.

After the class was over, Robert apologized to the professor for the
mess but the man was beyond thrilled. He had actually expected for something of the sort to happen and laughed it off, completely forgiving Robert.

In the mean time, Penelope’s heart was still pounding on her chest.

“So you lied, to cover for him?” She asked towards Jude as he nodded with shame.

Zack had left to get some food while Penelope was talking to Jude. She was beyond overwhelmed. She was shocked, surprised and a bit hurt.

“I’m so sorry Penelope.” Jude said locking his eyes with hers as she frowned.

“I’m not mad, Jude.” She explained “I’m just overwhelmed and a bit sad… why didn’t he tell me before? The fact that he’s Stark is… is amazing!” She said as Jude couldn’t help but to smile at her.

Suddenly Robert got out of the classroom. He shook the professor’s hand and waited for the man to leave before he turned to face Penelope.

“ROBBIE!” Zack yelled as he approached them almost in a running pace and gave Robert a bear-hug “You bloody bastard! Why didn’t you tell us that you are Tony Stark? I bloody love your books!” He said excitedly, laughing as Robert’s eyes still focused on Penelope.

“That’s good to know.” He said with a slightly smile as Jude stepped into the way.

“Come on Zack, I could use a coffee.” Jude said as he pushed Zack softly along him towards the bar at the entrance.

“Penelope…” Robert started as their eyes locked and she placed her index finger over his lips, so she could speak first.

“Robert, I’m not angry.” She said calmly as his eyes widened “Why did you hide this from me?” She asked grabbing one of his hands in hers, squeezing it.

“I didn’t mean to hide it… It’s just that Stark came up when I was at a difficult stage of my life. It meant, at firsts, bad things but ever since I met you, Stark has turned into something good.” Robert began explaining, melting into the softness of her grip “Besides, I heard talk about Stark so many times that I was afraid that you’d be disappointed that it was me.” Robert confessed, frowning.

Penelope raised her eyebrows in shock and pulled him in softly for a gentle kiss “Do I look disappointed?” She chuckled.

“No…” Robert replied, caressing her cheek lovingly. “Does this make you happy?” He asked.

“Of course it does! I loved Tony Stark’s work before I met and fell in love with you, but now that I know who Stark is, I love you even more. You are my idol and my boyfriend. I’m so lucky.” She grinned as he smiled.

“You are too good for me.” He admitted.

“That’s so not true.” She said embracing him “And you know it.” She whispered in his ear as his arms locked around her torso, pushing her tightly against him.

“Thank you, Penelope. Thank you.” Robert said, feeling his eyes watering up.

He had imagined her to be furious and probably not speaking to him but seeing her being so comprehensive and loving, was astonishing. Now he was sure that her love for him was real and there to stay.

“Just… no more secrets, alright?” Penelope said as she moved her head, so she could look into his eyes. “I want you to be able to trust me.”

“Agreed! There’s so much I still need to tell you…” Robert said with a bit of apprehension, knowing that he’d have to tell her about Holly and his divorce.

“And I’m here, waiting patiently to hear you.” Penelope said running her fingers through his hair gently, as he smiled nodding his head “Oh! Please promise to judge the stories fairly.” Penelope said seriously as Robert nodded his head again “Will you ever show me any drafts?” She asked biting her lower lip.

“That’s a great idea.” He said smiled widely as he pressed his lips to hers passionately.