FanGirl (17 page)

“I have a secret,” he slurs, and I realize he’s drunker than I thought. I hope us making out will be part of his secret, and then he’ll want to marry me and make gorgeous babies. The way his fingers hover over my thigh makes me think this could possibly happen. “Can you keep a secret?”

When he asks this he is so close, like inches from my face since he’s kind of sliding down the seat. “Okay,” I say, kind of breathy and stuttery. “Yes.”

With a quick glance over his shoulder to the door, he moves closer. The stench of alcohol on his breath washes over me and I fight back nausea. “I’m in a relationship.”

A what? Wait. What?

“And it’s serious. I mean, I’m in pretty deep.”

I blurt the first name that comes to mind. “Sabrina Taylor?”

He laughs and shakes his head. Is he blushing? Maybe it’s the tequila. “No.”

I think back to the tabloid articles. “Vanessa?”

“God, no. It’s no one you know.”

“Oh.” This, tragically, implies it’s not me.

“Yeah. I mean no one knows, well, my family and my agent, but no one else.”

“What’s the big deal?” I say this as though my heart did not break bit by bit and shatter onto the patio floor. My fantasy relationship with Andrew just died a sudden and horrific death.

“I don’t want them to be exposed to my life and the drama that surrounds it. I mean, look at you, Ruby. A couple weeks and you’re already tied to me in the tabloids. It’s not fair to someone who didn’t choose this life.”

“Don’t you think she would like to be seen with you and wear the gorgeous dresses on the red carpet and be ‘the woman’ who tamed the serial womanizer the tabloids like to push?”

He turns and looks at me, and again, all I can see is how handsome Andrew is, with his striking blue eyes, perfect face and body. He’s all these things still, but he’s also sad. “Who do you think created that image?”

I’m shocked by the word created, even though I shouldn’t be. “You?”

He shrugs. “Me and Derek, my agent. To keep focus off my private life and on my career.”

“How is your life private? You’re on the cover of every tabloid at least once a month!”

“But that’s the thing, none of it’s real. It’s all make-believe to keep the fans interested, and it allows me to live my life in peace. Every time I’m seen out with Sabrina, or any other woman, it gets me a month away from the insanity to go live my life as I wish.”

“That’s kind of brilliant.”

Andrew shifts on the lounge chair, making it creak under his weight. I worry a little because he’s massive and I’m afraid neither of us is in any condition to get back up if we fall on the ground. “I didn’t come up with it or anything. Celebrities have been doing it forever.”

“Well, yeah, the showmance, but I always just thought that was for PR, I didn’t realize the other benefit of it.”

“Privacy.”

“Yeah.” I lean back in my seat and he throws an arm around my shoulder. I try to ignore him when he begins playing with the strands of hair that have fallen out of my ponytail. I guess he can be affectionate with me now that I know he’s unavailable. I must be okay with that, because he smells good and looks good and it’s just a sacrifice I will have to make. I realize his confession is a big one, and even in the short time I’ve known him, it’s clear his life is a circus. I wouldn’t be surprised if we walked to the gate surrounding the lofts right now and found a couple of fangirls waiting for a chance to see him. “So, Gabe and Nick don’t know?”

“No one knows, Ruby.” His eyes bug. He slaps a hand over his face and groans. “I can’t believe I just told you.” But then he starts to giggle, which again proves how drunk he is. “What a freaking moron.”

“I won’t tell. I promise. I can keep a secret.” I have no idea if this is a true statement. I always tell Iris everything, but this time, I have no choice. I’m struck with the realization that for once something is bigger than our friendship.

“I know you won’t,” he says and squeezes his arm around me in a tight hug. “You’re not like these crazy people. These Hollywood wannabes who will dig and scratch and do anything to get to the top. Never become like that, okay?”

“I won’t. I promise — I don’t think my career will last that long anyway.”

Andrew stands and I watch him open the door. He says, “Don’t count on that, Ruby Miller,” and disappears.

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AlexkicksZass

@Gabielsinferno #10 Mind Wiping

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g

Chapter 12

O
ur house has a family room in the basement that’s dark, cool and perfect for hiding. Following Andrew’s party, I camp out on the couch in near darkness because my head throbs from too much tequila and not enough sleep. James Brown and I are halfway through a bag of chips when my phone buzzes with a text. I figure it’s Iris, looking to debrief the night before, but I’m surprised to see Gabe’s name flash across the screen.

Hey

Hi

What are you doing?

Eating chips. Watching Unicorn vs. Goblins on HaloTV. Wishing I had a double cheeseburger with fries. You?

Working. But now I want a cheeseburger.

IKR? Like a huge one. With cheese and maybe bacon. OMG. Stop making me talk about it. Also stop working. Day off.

Me? You brought it up. No rest for me. Edits on Z IV.

ORLY?

Yep.

Well, I’ll think about you while I watch campy movies and eat stale chips.

Thanks

I’m here for you. Always.

Now I want something greasy to eat, but I’m trapped at home with no car since my parents are out for the day. Plus, I can’t seem to bring myself to get off the couch or anything. I should go back to bed, and I would, but this movie just started to get interesting, with the unicorns fighting the goblins by using their horns as weapons. The unicorns have cornered the goblins in a mystical cave when my phone vibrates, distracting me from a goblin massacre.

You there?

Yes

Open the door.

What door?

Your door. To your house.

This information gets me off the couch and up the stairs. I open the door to find Gabe standing on my front step with a bag of fast food and a bottle of Mountain Dew. James Brown sniffs his feet and I smile while doing a little dance in the doorway. “For me?”

“And me,” he laughs, handing over the goods.

“I think I love you.” He laughs again and I take him down to my lair, making room on the couch for him.

“I kind of forgot what you look like in your glasses.”

I shrug. “Those contacts suck.”

“I like the glasses — it’s more Ruby.”

The dog tries three times to get on the couch with us before I block him with my leg. “No way, James, this is my food. Not yours.”

“Here,” I say, handing him a wrapped up burger and a box of fries before I shove a fistful of salty potatoes in my mouth. “Oh my gah, these are so good.” I twist off the soda cap and swallow a gulp. Gabe sits next to me, food untouched, jaw dropped.

“What?” I ask, unwrapping my burger and picking off the pickles.

“I’ve never seen a girl eat like you.”

“Do girls have special eating skills?” I spot a smear of mustard on my wrist and lick it off.

“Seriously? You eat like an animal.”

“I told you I was hungry.”

“Is this the movie?” he asks, pointing at the frozen screen.

“Yes! You have to see this, let me rewind.”

Ten minutes later, through a mouth full of cheeseburger, Gabe shouts, “Impaled! Through the gut with the unicorn horn! What is that oozing black gunk?”

“Goblins have black guts, duh. Plus, I think the horn has some kind of poison on it.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“And awesome.”

“Definitely.”

When the credits start, Gabe crumples up his trash and shoves it in the bag. I do the same and say, “Cheeseburgers are amazing. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I needed to get out of the house and away from revisions.”

“Tell me about editing.”

“It’s tedious and I have to stay focused, which hasn’t been an issue in the past, but now, with the filming and everything, I’m feeling a little brain-dead.”

This explains the dark shadows under his eyes. “Is that why you didn’t come over to Andrew’s last night?”

“Yeah, I’ll be M.I.A. for a while — it’s due in a couple weeks.”

“I would say I’m sad you won’t be around, but I’m dying to see the new issue! Tell me about it.” I poke him in the arm like a 3 year old. “Tell me!”

He shakes his head. “You know I can’t.”

“Of course you can! You just won’t,” I pout.

“No, I won’t. But, okay, ask me a question and I’ll answer it for you if I can.”

I lean forward. “Really?! Okay, I know. I already know. Do you resolve the Wyatt-Alexandra storyline?”

He stares at me for a second and then nods. “Yes.”

“Finally! Ugh, I know I’m being all girly, but sometimes love has to prevail.” Again, he’s just looking at me and not commenting any further. “Thank you for telling me.”

“Thank you for playing Alexandra,” he says. “Also, do you think you could do me a favor?”

“Sure.”

He hesitates. “I don’t want to tell you about the issue because when I finish the draft, I wondered if you could read it?”

“No way.”

“I’d love to have your opinion.”

Me? “My opinion?”

“Yeah.” He runs his hand through his hair. “I’m nervous though. Like puking nervous.”

“Why? What wouldn’t I love? I love all your work.”

“Thanks, but, you’ll see. I don’t want to spoil it though. I just want your gut reaction.”

“Stop being silly. Of course, I’ll be honest and everything. Just give it to me when you’re ready.”

“Great.” He smiles, but his eyes are still tense and it’s obvious he really is nervous, which makes me nervous.

“Look!” I point to the TV. A new movie started. “Goblins’ Revenge! Stay and watch?”

Gabe nods and settles back in the couch next to me. I can’t stop thinking about the issue, and getting to read it first. My stomach is tense, and then it tenses further when he shifts toward me and his shoulder brushes against mine.

“Do you think a unicorn horn would kill a zombie?” I ask.

“Only if it stabs him in the brain.”

“You should write unicorns into Issue 5. For real. Dare you.”

Gabe smiles and presses his warm shoulder into mine. “Hmmm… interesting. I’ll think about it.”

“Seriously?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

g

Gabe and I are
midway through a third, even more awesome Goblin movie (Goblins Vs. Aliens) when Iris comes pounding down the stairs.

“Oh.” She comes to a sudden halt on the bottom step and looks between the two of us.

“Goblins,” I say through a mouthful of cookie. I dig in the box and hold it out to her. “Want one?”

“I’m not eating sugar this week,” she says and sits in the cushy purple chair next to the couch. She frowns at the goblin and alien on screen kissing. “Why are you watching this horribleness?”

“Because it’s awesome in that horrifically, terrible, cheesy kind of way.” Gabe nods his approval and shoves another cookie in his mouth.

“Gotcha,” she says. “Look, I need to tell you something. Both of you, I guess. Can you get your laptop?”

“Yeah, it’s down here.” I lean over the couch and pull it out from under the end table. I hand it over to her.

She sets the computer up on the coffee table, facing us. She Googles something and a website pops up. The name ZWankHard is at the top.

“Oh no,” I say.

“Yep. Someone has set up a movie wank
[1]
page.”

Gabe begins scrolling down the page and reading out loud.

ZWankHard

Zocopalypse has begun its third week of filming in hot, humid Atlanta. Maybe this explains why the zombies in this film look like their faces melted off instead of decomposing like the standard Z mythology. ZWankHard is lucky to have a source on set who realizes the
epic farce
complete masterpiece this film has become. Our “Zource” has been kind enough to share some behind-the-scenes information as the cast and crew
destroys
transforms one of the biggest graphic novels in history into film.

On Andrew Xavier: “Sure, he’s pretty to look at, but this guy has the acting range of, well, a reanimated zombie. He may look exciting on the outside, but on the inside he’s an empty shell.”

WELL THAT’S JUST NOT FAIR! We keep telling you all, attractive people don’t need talent, or like, basic acting abilities, okay? Give the guy a break (and also all your money).

At least our Zources have glowing praise for n00b Ruby Miller, right? She’s like, practically a starlet in the making, with all that grace and class
…

“Ruby Miller looks like a little girl stomping around in combat boots. Awkward and uncoordinated, she can barely muster the strength to pick up her hatchet, much less cut the head off an LD. And her acting? Go back to art school, darling.”