Reality as Fiction part 3

I woke up with a pounding headache.  Still in my super expensive dress, make up still on and false eyelashes hanging on by a thread.  My hair smelled of cigarettes and weed.  I looked around my hotel room wondering what the hell had happened the night before.  I stumbled out of the bed and walked into the bathroom.  My cell phone was on the counter and clearly the battery had died.  I splashed some water on my face, changed into some sweats and headed into the second room of my suite.  My sister was still passed out on the bed and Deann was sound asleep on the couch.  The room was dark and I had no idea what time of day it was.  I started a pot of coffee and jumped into the shower.  Fifteen minutes later I had washed of all the dirt and sweat of the night before and even though my brain felt as if it was trying to escape from my skull, I felt a little refreshed.  I walked out onto the balcony with my cup of coffee and sat down.  The last thing I had remembered about last night was the three of us dancing in VIP inside some random Scottsdale nightclub.  We had been club hopping all over that night and with all the bottle service we had I obviously took the drinking overboard.  I heard my phone going crazy in the other room.  I had put it on the charger and now I was receiving all the messages and voicemails that had been left when my phone was dead.  I walked into the bedroom and picked it up.  I had ten text messages all from the same person.  I didn’t recognize the number.  But they were all wondering where I was and why did I leave the club so soon.  I sent a text message in reply asking who it was.  There was a rustling coming from the living room.  I looked around the corner and saw my sister looking like death himself.  I laughed and threw a pillow at her.

“Come on Lauren. Don’t do that. I feel like crap.”

I laughed again. “Do you want some coffee or do you just wanna order some food?”  She ignored my question and walked into her bathroom.  I heard the shower turn on so I figured she was getting ready for the day.  My phone vibrated and I had received a text message.  

“What do you mean who is this? Damn u forgot bout your folks so quick?” it said.

I smiled and my heart fluttered a little.  I knew exactly who it was.  It was my long lost friend slash secret lover Wade.  I hadn’t heard from him in years.  He must’ve been at the same club as us last night.  I sent him a message back telling him what hotel I was staying at and to meet me for lunch around noon.  I sat back and tried to think of a plan for my lunch date.  I couldn’t let Deann know that I was going with Wade.  She didn’t really know all that had happened between him and I and seeing as how they have a child together, I didn’t want to make things between the three of us weird.  She did know that I used to see him and that we used to be together all the time.  But I never did tell her to the extent how him and I felt about each other.  I sat back on my bed and turned on the TV. I flipped to the weather channel just to see what the day was looking like.  I pulled my digital camera out of my purse and wondered if the pictures could give me any insight on what happened the night before.  The very first picture was the last one of the night. And as blurry as it was I could tell it was me, Deann, Maricela, my best friend Lynn and 4 familiar men’s faces.  I could not believe that the young boys that I used to know had turned into grown men.  There were the faces of Bogie, Lavell, Wade and Raymon.  In the past these four men were inseparable.  I had not seen them all together for many years so you could imagine my surprise when this picture showed up on my camera.  For the moment I put the camera aside and noticed that it was already 11 in the morning.  In one hour I was supposed to be meeting Wade.  

I frantically got ready for my lunch date.  It had been at least a year or so that I had this feeling.  My stomach was overcome with nervousness.  I’m not sure if I was anxious due to the fact that I hadn’t seen him in awhile or if it was because I knew in my heart I was still in love with him.  The elevator ride felt like the longest ride of my life.  As I grew closer to the restaurant the butterflies in my stomach became more and more frantic.  I turned the corner and there he was.  His back was to me but I knew right away it was him.  I tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, looked me up and down and just smiled.  We hugged for an unmeasurable amount of time.  Nothing needed to be said.

As we sat and ate lunch we laughed and talked like the old friends we were.  We had both tried to stay clear of anything that would lead to the topic of our broken relationship.  Towards the end of the meal he and I both knew that talking about our past was at this point inevitable.  

“So, I won’t beat around the bush.  Tell me the truth.  Why did you leave the way you did?” I started off the topic by getting straight to the point.  I know if I didn’t ask one of the hardest questions first then we would never get anywhere.   The smile disappeared from his face and he looked down at the table.  I could see the regret written all over his face.  Slowly he raised his head, looked me dead in the eyes and said,

“It just got so hard.  Seemed as though I wasn’t really what you wanted me to be.  I wasn’t ready to change.  But the real question is, why didn’t you stop me from leaving?”

I truly wasn’t ready for that question.  How am I capable of stopping someone from doing what they wanted to do?  I was quiet for a lot longer than I wanted to be but I really wasn’t sure how  I was going to answer his question.  

Finally I replied, “I didn’t know how to stop you or how to get you back.  Honestly I was more consumed with confusion than anything else.  Everything seemed perfect.  I really didn’t know that you felt the way you did.”

On and on this conversation went.  I got out everything I needed to say to him I never got to.  He said everything he always thought but never spoke about.  All and all it was the best meal I had eaten in months.  He walked me back to my room and I invited him in.  All the while I had forgotten about his baby mother sleeping on the couch.  We walked in and instantly things changed.  Deann looked at Wade then looked at me.  I couldn’t tell whether it was a look of surprise or a look anger.  She stood up.  Put on her shoes, grabbed her purse and left.  I followed her out the door and yelled to her.  She turned around and came walking back to me.

“What Lauren! What do you want?  I thought it was over with you two.  Why is he here and why on Earth would you bring him back to this room?  I told you that your break up really hurt our son.  He was attached to you!  Now here you are dragging this relationship on.  I wash my hands of you.”  Then she turned and walked away.

I stood stuck in the same spot, dumbfounded.  Wade walked up behind me and just put his hand on my shoulder.  He leaned down and kissed my cheek then whispered in my ear, 

“No matter what any one may say to you or I, then will never know the love we have for one another.  You will always be the love of life.”

Once again Wade saved the day.  He had always known what to say to make me feel special and happy.  

Fiction as Reality Part 2

I closed the door and stood there for a second with my back against it. I was so utterly confused. Lavell was standing on the balcony of the living room. I walked out there and stood against the wall. 

"Are you surprised to see me?" He asked.

"Well of course I am. I haven't talked to you in years. It's kind of strange that you just happened to show up at my hotel room. I haven't even told my parents I was here."

He laughed and walked over to me. He put his hands around my waist and pulled me close to him. He kiss was so sweet and still filled with so much passion. He opened his eyes and smiled. The chemistry that I felt for so many years when I looked into his eyes was no longer there. It was if I was looking into an empty soul. Thank god I thought to myself. I finally accomplished the task of getting over this man. I declined Lavell's offer to go to dinner. I knew that nothing good could come from hanging around him.

I reluctantly asked Lavell to leave and astonishingly he obliged. 


I glanced at the clock and realized it was starting to get late. My sister Maricela's flight would be landing soon. I hopped in the shower just to freshen up. Underneath the flowing water I felt all my worries and thoughts being washed away. It was crazy to think that as much as I have changed, this city has stayed exactly the same. The same people were still doing the same things and acting the same way. I wasn't sure if anyone knew of the work I had been doing or the work that I was about to be doing. Either way I was happy with my life and now I just needed to be happy with myself. The soft terry cloth of the hotel robe felt warm and comforting. I rushed to fix my hair, put on my makeup and get dressed. I knew I was running late and that was going to conflict with my plan to surprise Maricela. I headed to the front desk and asked the clerk if there was a limo available. She made a quick call and within seconds there was a driver outside waiting for me. I figured if I was going to surprise my big sister why not do it the grandest way possible? I waited patiently in the limo while Dennis, the driver, got out with that wonderful sign that had my sister's name printed beautifully on the front. My sister walked out of the airport baggage claim looking like a million bucks. And as well she should since she was working with a multimillion dollar company. Dennis opened the back door for Maricela and she just smiled when she saw me. I got out and gave her a huge hug. 

"What up sis!" I yelled.

"So that's what's up huh? We just show up in a limo now? Wow. Ok superstar." 

We got back into the limo and just couldn't stop talking. We spoke on the phone all the time but it had been a few months since we had actually seen each other. My sister and I had been doing business together for almost two years now. She basically handled all the negotiations of money and contracts for me. I was the creative part and she was the business side. Royal Boogie productions had been doing very well for a small company. My sister was happy. She had plenty of money for bills, shopping and taking care of her family. The thing she loved the most was the fact she traveled all the time. The only thing she hated was that she wasn't able to take her husband and daughter on all her trips. I love having the family with us when we travel but sometimes business needs to stay business. 

We got to the hotel and I just kept having more surprises for her. I had just received a royalty check for a song I had written so I decided to splurge. I handed Maricela a box and right away she got excited.

"Oh man. You know how I love little boxes. They hold the best presents." She said. She opened it slowly as if to keep the suspense as long as possible. When she saw the 3 karat princess cut diamond studs she hugged me and said thank you. 

"You know just what to get me all the time. How do they look?" She said as she put them on.

"Wait, don't even answer that. I know they look perfect." She joked.

I told her how I had made plans for dinner with Deann and that she was going too. She didn't try and argue. We both opened our suitcases and began to search for something stunning. I called Deann as my sister got ready for dinner.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey girl it's me. So what do you say I come and pick you up in about an hour and a half? I made reservations for you, me, and Maricela."

She said ok and we hung up. I decided I'd get all dressed up just because. I had just bought a brand new Dolce and Gabana dress and these amazing Christian Loboutins. Maricela looked just as stunning in a floral Gucci dress with blue Lanvins. I thought that taking the limo for the night would not only be a good idea but at the same time would be fun.  I popped open a bottle of Dom on the way to pick up Deann. As me and my sister sipped on our champagne I told her how happy I was to have reached the level of success that we had achieved. 

Reality as Fiction part 1

I have been writing a story on and off for about a year. My fiction short story is only about 6 pages long right now but I'm trying to add on to it as much as possible. The story has some real people in my life but all the stories are fiction and slightly exaggerated. The characters are all people that I truly know in my life but of course I changed their names just to protect them. So here is the first part that I am sharing with you all.... Feel free to let me know what you like and don't like. There will be more coming soon.......ENJOY.






I looked out the window of my first class seat and smiled a little. The light brown of the desert hills and the bright blue of the sky above me shed a sense of calm over my mind. A year ago I couldn't wait to leave this state but now, well now things were different. As I put my seat back up and turned off my iPod, I realized this was it. I was really back. I wondered how much things have changed with all my old friends. I wondered if they would realize the drastic change in me. I knew cutting off everyone when I left was a bit dramatic. But at the same time it was more than necessary. Growing up in Arizona, I was always around the same people who knew the same people that knew more of the same people. It was a never ending cycle of he knows she knows. I had made some terrible mistakes in my younger days but got my act together and my courage up then moved thousands of miles away all alone. Now here I am, a shining new image of what I used to be. Before, I was so intent on coming back here just to rub it in everyone's face how successful I am. Now, I could care less. Well actually, I still want them to envy me. But no longer do I crave the desire to show off. I grabbed my carry on bag from the compartment above me, picked up my purse and headed off the plane. I didn't tell anyone I was dropping in. I wanted it to be a surprise. I made my way down to baggage claim. There was my driver. A tall lean older man dressed all in black holding a sign that said Ms. Marshall. I just couldn't help but smile and giggle a little. It was funny to think of all those times I've been in an airport and been a little bit jealous of the people who had men waiting with signs. And now here I was one of those people that I had been jealous of.
Watching the scenery pass me as we drove down I-10 I began to become a little nervous. I actually had butterflies in my stomach. Maybe it was because I was excited to see so many old faces but in my heart I knew it was because I had finally become the person I had always wanted to be. The driver dropped me off at my hotel and carried my bags inside. The woman standing behind the check in desk watched me walk in and immediately I saw a look in her eyes that seemed as though she was searching my face for familiarity.

"Welcome to the Phoenician. Are you checking in?"

I smiled took off my Gucci sunglasses and replied, "Yes. My name is Elle."

She typed a few things in on the computer.

Looked at me, smiled and said, "Ah yes here it is. Elle Levesque. Checking in today for 4 nights. The penthouse suite right?"

I nodded. Got my key for the room and headed for the elevator.
The room smelled of sweet daisies and lavender. I dropped my bags to the floor and flopped down on the bed. I stared at the ceiling trying to decide what was going to be my next move. It was a Wednesday morning in March. The cool springtime breeze was welcoming and carried the scent of the Palo Verde trees. I grabbed my laptop out of my bag and decided I'd look online to see what the nightlife was looking like for the weekend. As soon as I logged onto the internet I saw I had email. There it was. The email I was never expecting to get but at the same time I wasn't surprised to see it.

Wednesday March 11, 2011 8:45am
What's good? So you in AZ huh? You should give me a call.
- Lavell
 
I was shocked. How in the world did he know I was here? Even my own parents didn't know I was coming into town. Honestly though, I couldn't be that surprised. It's not like this was the first time it happened. Lavell and I had this relationship that was love hate. I hated how much I loved him. Although we hadn't spoke in over a 3 years and I hadn't seen him in even longer, there was still a longing in my soul for his company. Maybe it was just from all the years we spent together or maybe I was just a glutton for punishment. Nonetheless I decided to ignore the message. The purpose of this trip was not to get back into my old ways. Nor was it to light any old flames. No, this trip was about finding that piece of myself that I felt I had been missing. I called the front desk and arranged for a car. Maybe if I drove around for a little while I could clear my mind. The cute silver convertible was waiting outside for me when I walked out the front door. It would be a lovely day to drive around with the top down. Already I was feeling better.
The wind blowing through my hair and my music blasting from the speakers was pure bliss. I drove to Scottsdale and decided that I would treat myself to a pedicure. I found myself a nice little shop in the Biltmore area. The warm water on my feet and the massage chair couldn't be more relaxing. I was drifting off into a sweet little daydream when I heard one of my phones ringing from inside my purse. I was startled because although I still carried that phone with me, I hadn't used it in months. It was Anna. We used to be the best of friends but, for certain reasons I had separated myself from her. I was kind of taken aback to see her calling but at the same time I was very curious to see why.

"Hello?"

"LB! What up? How the hell you been?" she exclaimed.

"Well I have been alright. What's up with you?" I said suspiciously.

"I'm pregnant! Again. I know I know it's not really that shocking," She laughed. "But yeah I'm super excited. It's a girl. My fourth one can you believe it?"

I laughed to myself. Yeah I could believe it. It wasn't surprising to hear that she was pregnant once again. But I tried to sound enthusiastic about the situation.

"Wow congratulations." I muttered. "So is Erick excited too?"

"Oh well…" She sounded different. The happiness in her voice was lost and an awkward silence followed.

"Hello? Anna are you still there?"

"Yeah I'm sorry. This was the part that I was nervous to talk about. I am happy that I'm having a baby. And I do love the father of my child. But…."

"But what?" I said. I was worried now. Why was she being so strange and how come she's acting so mysterious?

"Well, Erick isn't the father. Actually, we broke up a few years ago after we had Victoria."

"Oh… well I'm sorry to hear that hun. What happened? Things just didn't work out?"

"Actually L, I hate to have to tell you this but Louis is the father. Ever since you left he and I have gotten closer and closer. And well, we fell in love. We're getting married after the baby is born."

I felt my heart fall out of my chest. The seat beneath me suddenly began to feel as if it was melting away. The room began to spin and the phone fell out of my hand. The Korean woman at my feet looked up and asked if I was alright. I pulled my feet out of the water and grabbed my phone from the floor. I could hear Anna trying to get my attention but all I could do is hang up the phone. I paid the woman for my half pedicure and ran out to the car. I jumped in, sat down and broke into tears. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. The only man that I have ever truly loved has impregnated the woman that for years upon years I had considered my best friend. I don't know why I thought that he would wait for me to return but at the same time I don't know why he wouldn't. I sat in the car just staring out the window. I ignored call after call on my cell phone. I probably had a million voicemails from Anna but right now I couldn't bear to talk to her. I turned off my phone and put the car into drive. Maybe a drink will ease the pain. I headed over to my friend Deann's house hoping that she would be home. I rang the doorbell like a mad woman. She opened the door and her mouth dropped open.

"Oh my god! Elle! What…what are you doing here?" She exclaimed.

"Hi. I just, I needed a friend." She looked me up and down and I know that she could see my swollen eyes and the residue of mascara on my cheeks.

"What happened sweetie? Are you ok?" She asked.

"Yes. I'll be fine. Are you busy, can you leave right now?"

"Yes of course. If you need someone I'm here for you." She smiled and hugged me.

We climbed into my car and headed towards the nearest watering hole. As we sat on the patio of Salty Senoritas I told her the whole story of Anna and Louis.

"I knew it, "She said. I knew that something was going on."

I tried to stay focused and strong. I wasn't going to let this bump in the road ruin my trip. Or the purpose of my trip. Over my fourth premium margarita, I explained to Deann that I was in town to work out some things. I asked her to keep it a secret that I was here but that later that night we would get together and go out to dinner or something. She said that I was too drunk to drive so she drove me back to my hotel room and would have her boyfriend pick her up from there. We were sitting in my room talking when there was a knock on the door. We both looked at each other and got silent. No one knew I was here. So who would be knocking on my door? I had Deann look out the peephole. She turned around quick and had a blank look on her face.

"Who is it?" I whispered.

She just walked over to me and started laughing.

"Come on girl tell me who it is?"

I got up and walked to the door. The person on the other side began knocking louder. I looked out the little peephole and couldn't believe my eyes. There he was. All six feet of him. I didn't know whether to open the door or ignore the knocks.

But then,"Elle. I can hear you. Are you gonna open the door or not?" Said the all too familiar voice.

I slowly opened the door. Deann was still laughing like a hyena when the man walked into the room. He smiled as he stepped inside, grabbed me and hugged me as tight as he could.

"How have you been? When did you get into town?" He said.

"Um I got here this morning. How did you know I was here and how on Earth did you know where I was staying?"

I asked him looking confused and sort of frightened. He looked me dead in my eyes and the smile faded from his face.

"How could I not know you were in town?"

I didn't know how to answer that question. The email I purposely avoided this morning had now taken form into reality and was standing in front of me. My stomach was turning and my mind was racing. Was I happy to see him or was I upset that he found me? Either way here he was. I just couldn't bring myself to kick him out. So I invited him to stay and hang out with me for awhile. Deann's boyfriend came and picked her up.

As she was leaving she whispered to me,"Please… Please don't fall back into that trap."