Realizing Love

Realizing Love

“Ness, do you want to come over? I’m shooting a music video, and they said I could invite anyone.”

The brunette lying on the bed tried not to cringe at the last word. Anyone. That was who she was. She could be anyone, nobody, and not take part in a world premiere video, but the fact that she was acquaintances with a famous Hollywood starlet was just plain luck.

“Ness? Vanessa? You still there?” Finally a hint of worry in the bubbly voice.

“Yeah, I’m still here. I don’t think I will, though, Audrey. I mean, you must have enough friends who want to go. Invite them instead.”

“Don’t you want the latest Hollywood gossip? You’re going to miss out.” There was pleading in the voice. Vanessa sighed. That was all Audrey cared about. Gossip, popularity, money, and more gossip.

“Fine. But you better be there to at least greet me.”

“Yes!” The squealing was evident, but it didn’t make Vanessa feel welcome. Obviously Audrey pulled this stunt on every single “friend” she had.

Vanessa put away her cell phone and reflected on her new friend. Audrey was like any stuck-up blond actress. But her tiny waist and cleavage made up for her few brain cells. It was just painful to see someone like her make stupid mistakes, but then again, Vanessa wasn’t much better.

One hour later, Vanessa was stepping out of the limo that picked her up. Already crowds were swarming around the recording studio, and security blocked up the doors. They recognized her from the many times Audrey Weldon had pulled her around the mall and studio, and let her in.

“Hey, Nessa!” A skinny blonde immediately ran toward her and threw her arms around her neck. Valerie smelled the overwhelming, fake perfume and pulled away, trying to ignore the hurt look on the girl’s face.

“Hey, Audrey.” Vanessa twirled one of her dark brown ringlets, a habit she did when nervous. “Nice to see you again.”

“Yeah! Wait a sec, will you?” Then Audrey disappeared into the crowd, and Vanessa waited, idly toying with the flute of champagne she’d been given. She was only eighteen, and despite what others might think, she still followed the law.

“Vanessa!” Audrey appeared again, but this time she wasn’t alone. Vanessa’s breath caught in her throat.

“Hello.” The boy reached out a hand, a lock of sandy brown hair falling over his eye. His eyes seemed pleasant, warm. But the color reminded Vanessa of something she didn’t want to remember.

Remembering her manners, she reached shook his hand, getting a faint whiff of soap. He had a firm grip, and his hand was warm as he smiled at her, flashing straight, white teeth. She desperately tried to look away from his intense, burning eyes, afraid of the memories they might conjure.

“I’m Zach Anderson. I’m co-starring with Audrey in the video.”

“Oh, I’m Vanessa Johnson. Nice to meet you.” When she realized she’d been holding his hand for too long, she blushed and pulled away. He looked disappointed. “Isn’t he a sweetheart? I just called him and asked, and he agreed right on the spot!” cooed Audrey. Vanessa couldn’t help but see how she rubbed against him, trailing a finger across his back, though he sidled a bit farther away.

“Oh, gotta go,” Audrey trilled when someone yelled her name. “I’ll be back later, sweetie,” she breathed to Zach.

The minute she was out of earshot, Zach gave a huge sigh. “Thank God.” He grinned at Vanessa. “Her flirting was starting to drive me insane. I only decided to do this video so I had something to do. Not to be Audrey’s number one eligible bachelor.”

“So you don’t like her?” Vanessa cursed herself for being so blunt. Stupid big mouth.

“Nah, only as a friend. I like people who have their own ideas. In other words, I like my women smart.”

“That’s kind of rude, you know. Calling people dumb.”

Zach smiled. “I didn’t call her dumb.”

“But you implied it.”

“So you’re one of the smart ones, huh?”

“You’re one of the stuck-up ones, huh?” she countered.

“I guess that answers my question.”

Vanessa was still looking at the ground, tracing her sneaker around the granite.

“Why won’t you look at me?” Zach inquired.

She could feel herself about to tear up. “Nothing. I think I should leave. There’s nothing to do here anyway.” She smiled weakly and turned around to go. But a soft hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

“Come on, Nessa. Tell me.”

“Why do you want to listen? You can find some other girl to talk to. I’m sure she’d be more than willing.”

“Because I care.” His voice was soft, respectful. “And no girl is as interesting and mysterious as you are.”

“Interesting?” she scoffed. “All my life, I’ve been uninteresting. Invisible. Why would you possibly think I’m interesting?”

“Those people were blind. Only real people can tell how special you really are.” At this point, they had dawdled into the garden. Moonlight hit the glossy leaves, shining like silver water.

She finally looked up, and then hurriedly turned her gaze away. Those blue eyes. The exact blue of the ocean.

The ocean where that accident occurred.

“Why do you care?” But this retort wasn’t as powerful as the rest. There was begging in it, begging that he would say the right thing, and say he cared.

“I just do.”

“My dad died in a ship sinking. His eyes were the same color as yours. I got my green eyes from my mom. And your eyes look just like the ocean that swallowed my dad. A tear trickled down her cheek as she remembered the yelling of: “Women and children first!” And the kiss her dad planted on her cheek, promising to see her again as water flooded the deck…

It wasn’t until she felt the fingers brushing her face that she realized tears were freely flowing down her face.

“I guess usually when girls say my eyes are like the ocean, it’s a compliment. But in your case, I guess it’s a curse,” he joked.

“Sorry if I offended you.”

“No problem. I get it all the time.”

“You’re really sweet, Zach.”

His joking expression was replaced with seriousness. “Because I like you,” he whispered, taking her hand. Just that motion sent electricity zinging through her veins. Then she felt his lips against hers, and the entire world was silent, as the shock rang through her ears, and she kissed him back. And the kiss revealed everything that was hidden to him, and she knew he really, truly liked her. She never believed in love at first sight. Not until now.

Before, she was just the famous singer’s friend. A shadow, invisible and unimportant. Until she met him. And he made her realize what was missing from her world all along.

Love.