Chapter Twenty Three

“You ready for this?”

I took a deep breath. Jaden’s eyes were sympathetic, the smile on his lips kind. I couldn’t back out now, there was too much at stake. My pride, for one. Yeah, people said that pride was overrated, but it was an important part of me. I had too much at stake here.

“Definitely.”

He squeezed my hand and trailed after me as I entered backstage. We were supposed to be checking up on our equipment, and newsflash: tonight’s concert was a reunion of Jaded Solitude and Blurred Infatuation. Just like the old days.

I was nervous. So nervous. I hadn’t seen Scoz or the rest of the BI boys in months, possibly a whole year even. They’d been really busy with recordings and tours and stuff, so had we. Our schedules always seemed to clash, not allowing us time to meet and catch up. Then before we knew it, a year had passed and it was finally happening.

I’d pictured the reunion in my mind too many times to count since I’d found out about tonight’s show some months ago. How would Scoz react? How would I react, seeing him again? Would he be hurt that I was now with Jaden, and so much in love with Jay, so much more than I had been with him? I didn’t know how I’d feel if it turned out that he had a new girlfriend. I didn’t think I’d mind, and I shouldn’t mind because we weren’t involved anymore anyhow. The possibilities were endless, and frustrating.

“Here we go,” Jaden muttered under his breath.

I looked up, startled, and my eyes locked on them. Those familiar faces, the boys I’d hung out with so much in Castle Hill. Those days seemed like a lifetime ago now. All those times we’d snuck out for our Starbucks fix.

“Damn, it’s been a long time.” Ash was the first to come up to us, a grin splitting his face. He hugged Jaden, then looked me up and down before hauling me closer to him and squeezing me tightly for a moment before releasing me.

“You’ve changed Mischa. Lookin’ good.”

Right back atcha, I smiled back at him. He really did look better. Taller, leaner, broader at the shoulders, more chiseled around the face. Fame had treated him well.

By now the other boys had come forward too, smiling, laughing, joking with Jaden, just like the old times. We exchanged light banter, tight hugs and polite, but not uncomfortable, conversation. It was as if they’d never left, but they had, and I was once again reminded of that when he stood in front of me.

“Hey.” He smiled slightly.

“Hi.” I smiled back, shaking like a leaf inside, but not allowing it to show on my face.

“Ash was right. You do look better.” He reached out a hand and touched my hair. I’d let it grow long, but kept the extreme layered effect, the way I’d always styled my hair. A year had seen me grow an inch, and thinner, but my skin remained pale, my hair black, and my makeup thick and dark around the eyes. I’d taken up running, so I actually had muscles now.

Scoz looked … the same. Mostly. His hair was a little longer, peeking out from under his ever-present beanie. He’d added piercings to his ears. He still favoured wearing the colour black. His face was thinner, but his body looked toned, as if he actually did a little working out these days, instead of the careless thinness from before.

He hadn’t changed. Not much. Not as much as I had.

“I’ve missed you Mischa,” he said softly, pulling me into a hug.

I returned the hug, expecting to feel a rush of emotions. Longing. Want. Need. Instead, I felt none of those. I felt warmth, and nothing else. We’d been great friends, and great together as a couple, but it hadn’t worked out. I took this as a sign that I was truly, completely over him.

My heart belonged to Jaden. With Jay, it felt like I’d found a place where I belonged. With him, it felt like I was home.

“No hard feelings?”

“None at all,” I said without a thought, but honestly meaning every word. He’d hurt me, sure, but I’d grown from that hurt. That meant something to me.

“Missy, we have to get on with the prep. We’ll hang out with them later,” Jaden called, smiling as his conversation with Mug ended.

“I’ll see you later Scoz,” I patted his arm and shot him a smile before bounding towards Jay. I jumped onto his back, winding my arms around his neck, and almost toppled him over.

Jay bent forward, laughing as he hooked his arms around my knees and hoisted me up higher on his back.

“Piggy back ride! Go piggy!” I ordered, pointing a finger in the direction of the storage room, where all our equipment had been arranged neatly.

“Say it again and I’ll drop you,” Jaden threatened, still laughing but moving forward all the same.

“You wouldn’t dare,” I gasped, poking his shoulder.

“Oh, try me,” he smirked, loosening his grip on my legs.

I squealed. “Okay okay! I’ll be good! Promise! No more piggies from me, piggy.”

“Mischa …” he said warningly, turning to glare at me.

“Shutting up now, P,” I shot him my most innocent expression, hoping he’d missed me saying “P”. I should’ve known better. This was Jaden I was talking about. He never missed a thing.

He growled.

I laughed. “I love you,” I professed, planting a kiss on his cheek for good measure.

“Good thing I love you too, then.”

“Ooh yes. Definitely.”

-----

We were bloody fantastic. At the show, I mean. Blurred Infatuation was up first, amidst the screams and shouts of approval. They did an awesome job too, better than I’d ever seen them play.

Each of them had improved. I hadn’t thought it was possible, but apparently, it was. There had been little room for improvement, but whatever little room there’d been, they’d done it. It made for a fantabulous show, and I saw firsthand how they’d come to be where they were. Fan clubs all over the world, album sales in the close to a million range. It was still early stages yet for them.

I won’t say we did better than them, because there was no way we could top that. Judging by the roar of support, we just may have managed to pull that off though. No one knew. It was the best show we’d ever done, and we all knew it. We’d come a long way since I joined last year.

This journey with my boys was one of the most important parts of my life. I knew wherever I ended up, I’d tell this story to my children, and their children in turn. Without all this, I’d be half the person I was today, and I’d never have met Jaden.

Once just a friend, then my best friend, then my boyfriend, and now he was all of the above, and the one I was in love with. I’d come full circle. Funny how it’d all started with a little bump in the hallway.

“What are you thinking about? You’re looking pensive,” his voice said softly, arms enveloping me from behind.

“You.”

“Oh. That’s good, right?” I felt his smile against my neck.

“Very.” I laced my fingers through his, leaning my head back, against his chest. I could still feel the euphoria from the show, and I knew he felt it too, from his rapid heartbeat.

“You were awesome tonight little M,” he nuzzled my neck affectionately.

“We did good tonight Jay, it was electric in there,” I let my breath out noisily, lifting my hand to rub the back of his neck.

“Hey, you two.”

He released me instantly, and we faced the newcomer. Only that the newcomer wasn’t anyone new, but Scoz. I stiffened a little, hoping that this wouldn’t be a difficult scene.

He didn’t look affected though, I didn’t know if he truly didn’t mind, or if he was just keeping his poker face on. In all the time he was at CH, he was the master at keeping his emotions to himself. With me, he’d left his feelings open, but I knew that other people had often wondered about him. He’d just seemed …blank… most of the time.

“So, the after party. You two’ll be there right?” he grinned, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Definitely, see ya there!” Jay grinned easily. “Wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“Okay, well, we’re moving off now. Join us whenever you’re ready yeah? You’d have to round up your boys though, I couldn’t find them,” Scoz winked, then waved and left.

“That was so … not awkward. How is that?” I stared up at Jay.

“I dunno. He was letting you off the hook Missy, couldn’t you see that?” Jay gathered me closer.

“No. He had his poker face on.”

“Yeah well, just let it be. He’ll be fine.” He rubbed my arms absently.

“We’re talking about Scoz. He’s always fine, some way or another.”

“True that,” he conceded. “So don’t worry about him okay?”

I smiled up at him before slipping my arms around his waist and resting my cheek against his chest. “You’re comfy. And warm.”

He chuckled and circled his arms around me too. “Aren’t I always?”

-----

four years later…

the Tash Parker show

TP: That was December’s Winter for you. They’re lovely lads, and we’ll be looking forward to the next time we have them on the show. Next in tonight lineup of celebrities, we have Jaden Moreau and Mischa Rivera from Jaded Solitude.

(mass applause)

JM: Thanks for having us. We don’t do television appearances much so pardon Missy if she’s a little shy tonight.

(Mischa nudges Jaden playfully. He grabs her hand, holding it between his.)

MR: Don’t listen to his crap. Sometimes he’s just full of it. I’m glad to be here. How are you?

TP: (laughs) I believe I’m the talk show host here, but you’ve managed to turn the show around like I’m the celebrity guest eh?

JM: (grins at MR) She manages to do that all the time.

TP: I’m doing great, in answer to your question. How are things going with the recordings and tour plans for the summer?

MR: (leans forward eagerly) It’s fantastic! Working in the studio’s so much fun, and touring’s like a high for each of us so we’re definitely looking forward to this summer. I think Skye’s already dreaming of packing up his stuff and sleeping on the tourbus. It’s kinda funny, really.

JM: Sometimes it’s hard to believe that we finally made it big, you know? It’s like this big dream come true and there are times when we forget that and then someone goes like “hey you all set for the next show?” and we’re like “AWWWESOMEEE”. We sound like surfer dudes on crack, but it’s straight.

TP: (laughs out loud) Surfer dudes on crack, I like that description. I may just quote you on that some day. Our phonelines have been ringing off the hook all day today, with your fans wanting to pass on questions to the both of you. You’ve garnered quite a fan base for yourselves, not just in the country, but worldwide. Has that affected any of you? Your perceptions, attitudes, etc?

JM: (shrugs) Nah. Not really. The fans are great. It’s nice to feel so appreciated wherever we go, you know? Sometimes it’s like a zoo out there. We take one step out of the tourbus and five steps back in in a jiffy because they just start screaming and mobbing around the bus. Like there was this one time we were an hour late for a show in Florida or something because everyone was just pressed up against the bus on all sides that we couldn’t move for fear of running someone over. We had to get the cops to clear the road for us.

MR: (giggles) Oh yeah I remember that one! It was mad. Our fans are just so awesome. They leave me chocolates and stuffed toys and marriage proposals and “have my kids” propositions. It’s silly, but those make me laugh, so it’s all good. Jaden gets into a blue fit when I get those though. (kisses Jaden’s cheek affectionately) Then he goes and gets all this fan mail from all these girls and they send him their g-strings and pictures of them in their underwear and flowers with “break up with Mischa, she’s not good enough for you” cards. It’s a hard life being famous. (sighs and pauses thoughtfully) And gorgeous that half the world’s female population is in love with you.

(Jaden shakes his head, grinning, hugging her closer to himself.)

JM: Ah, but I’m in love with you, so that makes all the difference.

(Mischa wrinkles her nose at him playfully and mutters, “Flatterer.”)

TP: Young love. Always a sight for sore eyes, but not for the eyes of the heartbroken, I must say. (sighs) A lot of the calls that came through earlier today concerned your relationship. Our viewers want to know how you met Mischa, Jaden. I believe it was something to do with Castle Hill?

JM: It’s just really coincidental, really. I was late for basketball training and I was just rushing down the hallway, so basically I wasn’t looking where I was going. The next thing I knew, I almost fell over because I’d crashed into her.

MR: (smirks) You great big klutz. I was the new girl then too. I hadn’t even been there for a week and I was just wandering around school, wondering for the life of me when would I ever catch sight of the school heartthrob my sisters had always gushed about, when this giant almost bowls me over. Of course, then I hadn’t realized that he (tilts her head towards Jaden) was the one they’d been referring to.

JM: School heartthrob huh? (chuckles when Mischa pokes him) I apologized. Then asked for her name when I found out she was the new girl. She didn’t have a chance to get mine because it was then that my coach decided to butt in and demand for my immediate presence at the court.

TP: (eyes widen) You mean you got her name and she didn’t get yours? So she’d already met you in the flesh but she didn’t know? Oh, how silly!

MR: Exactly. I’m glad someone agrees with me. They joke around saying I’m just oblivious to everything around me.

JM: Sweetheart, you are oblivious to everything around you. It’s my job to point the more obvious things out to you.

MR: Don’t listen to him. He’s in one of his funny moods today.

(She holds her serious look for a few more seconds before giving into a grin and leaning against Jaden.)

TP: How did you finally find out who he actually was?

MR: I sat in his usual seat in one of our mutual classes, and Kane got all “you’re in my friend’s seat” with me, but Jay, being the lovely person he is(so don’t say I never compliment you), said it was fine and sat next to me instead. We got to the real introductions this time, and he actually remembered my name! I’d actually thought that he was some ladies’ man who just charmed his way through the girls but never bothered to remember anything about them. He proved me so wrong, though, and I’m really glad for that.

JM: That’s where it all started. She became my best girl friend, and I don’t even know how or when I fell for her really, it’s hard to tell. It could’ve been before Scoz, during Scoz or after Scoz. I think it was before though, but by the time I was aware of it, they’d gotten together so I just denied having feelings for her and stuff.

MR: He actually waited for me. That’s just about the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me. After Scoz and I broke up, I went through a hard time trusting guys, all except my four boys. Jay knew that. He held off long enough until one day he just couldn’t bear it any longer, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

(Mischa grins like a Cheshire cat at Jaden.)

TP: (interested) What did you do?

JM: (blushing) I sent her secret admirer notes. I had them typed up because she would’ve recognized my handwriting, and I couldn’t have that happening. I kept it going on for months, until I knew for sure that she was completely over Scoz. Actually, I think I just couldn’t stand waiting any longer. Looking back at it now, it’s a miracle I held off for that long. I can’t even believe it myself.

MR: This boy’s such a treasure. I walked in on him delivering one of those notes and he just didn’t bother hiding anymore. By then I’d realized that the only boy I’d ever really wanted was him, but how was I going to tell him that when he still thought I was in love with his childhood friend? So he told me instead.

JM: (still blushing) We’ve been together ever since. She’s the most amazing girl in the world. I’m lucky to have her.

(Mischa blushes furiously.)

TP: (lets out peals of laughter) This is priceless. Since we’re on the topic, I have to refer to that newspaper article two days ago. I’ll bet it’s infamous by now. You know the one I’m talking about?

(Jaden and Mischa nod simultaneously and exchange droll looks.)

JM: Nothing ever escapes the paparazzi I’d say. I could take my relatively unknown female cousin out for lunch one day and the next thing you know, it’s all over the papers that I’m cheating on my long-time girlfriend, which is something I’d never do. As long as Missy knows that, I’m cool with it.

TP: (looks intrigued) So what you’re saying is that the report was false? I know it got a lot of interest from your fans because the vast majority of them made known to us their opinions.

MR: (beams happily) I don’t know. I wouldn’t say it’s untrue, but plenty of it was fabricated. (wiggles her fingers at TP) It’s not gold, it’s platinum. It’s not a big diamond, but just a small perfect one. Oh, and he proposed over our mutual passion, coffee, not over an Italian lunch. I don’t know how they could’ve gotten so much of it wrong.

TP: Is that the … ?

JM: I decided it was time. Five years of dating was long enough for me. Too long in fact, but we’d been keeping busy with promotions, tours and recordings, stuff like that, that going ahead with my plans would’ve been too much stress and hassle for the both of us, and the band too.

MR: He waited two whole years to propose! By the time he actually popped the question, he’d actually had this ring for like two years. It was his grandmother’s, like a family heirloom, and he had his mother send it down to him. I never knew a thing though. None of them ever said a word whenever we went down to visit. How secretive of them.

TP: I think I can safely say that you have the envy of every single, and probably some attached, females for being Jaden’s girlfriend, and now, fiancée.

MR: Rightfully so too. I think he’s just perfect. I’m just really lucky to have found him. He’s made me so happy. Sure we fight and all, but one of us always caves before it gets out of hand. Even if things go bad, we suck it up and apologize. So, remember girls, never let a guy treat you in a way that’s less than what you deserve. You’re all beautiful, and if the boys can’t see that, then they’re not for you.

JM: This is where we go into the couples advice huh? Boys, a piece of wisdom. Never be too proud to say you’re sorry. Even if you didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve found that it works wonders. (winks)

(Mischa gasps theatrically and pokes him.)

TP: (chuckles) I think that’s all the time we have left for today. Congratulations to the both of you on your engagement. You’re the stuff fairytales are made of. I think your relationship has become an inspiration to many of your fans. We’re all looking forward to the upcoming tour and the new album.

(Jaden and Mischa stand, shaking hands with TP in turn.)

MR: Thanks so much for having us. I had fun.

JM: She likes her camera time. Ouch!

(Mischa elbows him lightly.)

TP: (smiles slightly) The pleasure’s all mine. Hopefully you’ll be back on the show sometime in the future.

MR: That’d be awesome, yeah. (grins)

(Jaden and Mischa walk off the stage, his arm snugly, familiarly around her wait.)

(Mass applause.)

TP: Such a gorgeous couple. So much in love too. We’ll be keeping you updated on news about Jaded Solitude and their counterparts, Blurred Infatuation. It’s goodbye to them for the day, but after the break, we have …

anamika: hahahah. xD yesss I’m a hilarious hilarious girl. I didn’t see the point of prolonging this story into “how Scoz would have taken taken the news”. after all, the story IS about Jaden and Mischa.

P: hahahhah nah. Zach was just a helpful shopkeeper with a pretty talented cousin. yeah. you know, the balloon twisting skills. this is the END. LAST CHAPTER. yeah

leighala: hahahhaha omg you native American. xD uh huh “repeat after me, I’m NOT A DOG!” lolls. omg I KNOW RIGHT. I was like “OMG I FINISHED CASTLE HILL! NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN”(if it hadn’t happened you guys would’ve stalked me and hunted me down to my house and killed me in my sleep possibly. xD) heyyyy I have other stories up okay!! it’s not like I’m going to stop writing just because CH is done. go read From Pauper to Princess. I swear it’s more of a story than CH. like. CH’s a feel-good, everything-goes-no-matter-how-crazy-it-is story, but FPTP’s more REAL I guess. to me anyway. no no…no sequels. I’m not up to the sequel thing. because I’ve finally gotten them together. and if I were to do a sequel I can’t have them gooey and happily in love throughout right? I’d rather leave them here, happy, and you guys happy too believing that they’ll live happily ever after rather that have them get married, have kids, fight, divorce, then fall back in love again(or with other people, for which I’d definitely be dead then). a story’s not a story without complications, whether small or big ones, you know? xD

sarang hae yo: hahahah yess you can read it OVER and OVER xD but go check out the other fic I’m working on. From Pauper to Princess. it should be good, maybe even better, because the characters are more in the real world, whereas CH was like…just CRAAAZY. xD I’m working on this other story at the mo too, not sure when I’ll get the first chapter up. but yeah.

Misundastood: hahaahha yeah. EVERYONE wants a Jaden. me included. rawr.

a different kind of yellow: AHAH. who says it was a fairytale? not all stories have to be angsty and have complications flying all around, it wouldn’t be realistic. CH’s basically your crazy, feel-good story, but throwing in one too many complications would just make Mischa fly through the roof. xD hahaha. Nikki, Scoz, the sisters, etc. I didn’t want to go too much into the complications because she IS a strong character and most definitely would come out of everything intact, and wiser even. plus this was more for making my readers smile, and not get all angst-ed up themselves.

rocky19: hahah. it’s just ONE MORE CHAPTER! no where to head, just fast forward to the future.

storywritergirl: hahahahhah omg. I’m glad it was Jaden then. so I wouldn’t have to read about you whining and bitching at me in this review! hahaha I’m going Down Under next Sunday. Melbourne university. booyah babeh. xD omg. I know right. I’m With Him was something I started when I was like TWELVE, and I just can’t seem to get back into the flow for it. iunno why. it sucks. I tried continuing the other day but nothing came up. stuuuupid. rawr new ideas. yeah. I’m working on this crazy family story. with like a gazillion siblings and two sets of twins, and separated parents. and there’s a Formula One driver in it, a hairdresser, and mom remarries an actor, who has a son who’s an actor too, whose best friend is an actor too, and…yeah. HAHAHA but I’m not sure when I’ll be done with planning it. I’m trying to be unconventional in this one. like trying not to make the pairings obvious, unlike how it went along with Missy and Jay. and I’m working on another one too. but I’ve started writing this one. it’s got an Asian theme. Korean. yeah.

blue umbrella: AAHHAH. yay. smile more. I love making people smile.

Kaurin: ahahah nah I’m SO Malaysian. not American. xD but I think most of the books I read are American or English(UK) so my writing style’s pretty much adapted. lol omg. you can’t stand suspense can you? you had to skip like 20 chapters just to check out that they’d get together in the end. lol yeah. I’ll keep updating indeed. but this is the last chapter for CH. check out From Pauper to Princess! that’s the one I’ll be working on after CH.

secretshadow: hahahaha. okay. done! last chapter’s up!

A.H. Fenald: xD hahaha it’s what…the twenty-third chapter. that’s not “so soon”!!! omg.

..die: HAAHHA skye’s like…ME. yeah. anyway..have fun reading this one too!

hi-tanner85: xD thanks love!

IceBreakersKiss: yuppp one. this is it! the last one. go read From Pauper to Princess after you’re done with CH. that’s the one I’m working on too.

Cherise: I do not jest, my fair lady! hahahah. go read my other fic From Pauper to Princess after you’re done with CH! pwetty pwease pwease?

Kim: hahahahah. yess I love cake. chocolate cheese. cappuccino cheese. rawr. xD

kamma7292: hahahah yup she has the best parents in the WORLD.

goblinishelves: hahahahah uh huh. but I’m not expanding on the “together in one house” part. xD

bonni: AHAHAHAHA everyone wants Jay huh. duhhh I already HAVE another story up. it’s called From Pauper to Princess. you should go read it. xD

lilxseeker: uh huh. your wish is my command. done!

morikoT: OMG you’re going to china!! actually. I’ve never really wanted to go to china so. HAHA xD but have fun!!!

Tainted Petal: LOL. well. yeah. but I’m not centralizing on the whole boarding school part. just the hot-boys-and-girl-and-rock-bands stuff

atreyu love: HAAHAHH higgo. yeah.

darcy101: hahaahaahh omg. okay! I updated! for the last time. xD no more CH after this. yay. come visit me in Australia!!!