8:12 pm
Are you happy now?
Bridgett and I link arms as we walk together towards the beach. Ethan and Stephan are walking behind us. Close to the water there is a huge bonfire, and over 100 kids are scattered up and down the beach. It's nothing like any party I've ever been to, but I think I actually like it better. It already feels more relaxed, and fun.
Most of the parties I went to in LA were at mansions. Different celebrities, or social elites would host, and I was always invited. Some of the parties were wilder than others. I went to a few of them, but they never held much interest for me. I would've rather spent my time playing music.
I became friends with Lily Vargo, a socialite. Her father was very rich. She wasn't a celebrity, but the paparazzi loved her. She was often in magazines, pictured alongside celebrities. She was all about power and status. Looking back, I wonder how we ever became friends. We had nothing in common. But she made parties fun for me, and she knew where all the great parties were. I've never considered myself easily influenced, but it was because of her that I got into drugs... Not that it was all her fault. I was the one who took the drugs. I gave into temptation. I would never forgive myself for it.
Thankfully, I realized what I was doing before I got addicted. After my scare in July, I stopped hanging out with Lily. Tonight is the first party I've been to since then, and I can't help but feel nervous... Not just about introducing Bridgett to the world, but about being around this scene. I can't imagine ever doing drugs again, but like they say, old habits die hard.
I hear my song come over the speakers, and I can't help but smile.
“Does that ever get old?” Bridgett asks me.
“Never,” I reply. It's absolutely the truth.
“Scarlett!” I hear somebody yell. I look over to see Ginny and Britney running over towards us. I suddenly wish that I had time to run and hide, because the more time I'm around the two of them, the more I find them annoying. I really don't want them to be the first of my girl friends that I introduce to Bridgett. Not that I have girl friends.
“I apologize in advance for them,” I whisper to Bridgett, and then turn to Ginny and Britney. “Hey!” I'm pretty good at faking enthusiasm. I have to be, considering I perform 200 or more shows a year, whether I feel like it or not.
“Whoa! I think I've had too much to drink,” Ginny slirs, looking between Bridgett and me.
I smile. “You're not seeing double, I swear. This is my twin sister, Bridgett.”
Stephan walks up behind me and puts his arms around my midsection. “I'm stealing my girlfriend,” he tells them. I follow him.
“Is it safe to leave Bridgett with them?” I ask.
“She will be fine,” he promises.
“Wait...” I stop, as realization of what he just said hit me. “Your girlfriend?”
He smiles, and even in the dark, it's breathtaking. “Um, well... If you want to be... I'd like for you to be...” Stephan is usually so confident, it's kind of fun to watch him sweat.
“What happened to taking it slow?” I ask, wanting to tease him for a little longer.
“Just because you're my girlfriend doesn't mean we can't take it slow.” He pulls me closer to him, obviously feeling more confident. “We can go as slow as you want.”
“I would like to be your girlfriend.” My heart speeds up as I say the word girlfriend.
I AM STEPHAN MONTGOMERY'S GIRLFRIEND!!!
He smiles.
“Can I see your phone?” I ask.
“Why?” He questions, but hands me his phone.
I save my phone number into his phone, and set one of my songs as the ring tone. “You have to have your girlfriend's phone number.”
He looks shocked. “Wow. Scarlett Ryan trusts me enough to give me her phone number? This is huge!”
“Don't let it go to your head.”
“Scarlett!” I hear somebody else yell at me. Stephan and I both turn to see Mona running up to us. She looks furious. “What the hell is he doing here?”
“HE is with ME.”
“He is not invited, and he needs to get out of here NOW!” She's screaming, and I can see her whole body shaking.
“Why?” I push. “What did he do to you?”
“His father killed my mom!” She begins sobbing, and a crowd is starting to form around us. “Are you happy? Now you know.”
For a moment, I'm stunned. “Wh... Wha... What?” Nobody says anything, so I turn to Stephan. “Explain, now!”
“Not here,” he says.
“If you don't leave now, I will call the cops,” Mona promises.
Stephan looks both furious, and crushed. He is shaking, and it scares me to see him like this. I grab his arm, and pull him towards my car. “Come on.”
9:35 pm
Too late.
Stephan gets in the passenger side of my car, and I am about to get in the driver's side when I see Bridgett and Ethan coming.
“Can you take Bridgett home?” I ask Ethan. “He needs me right now.”
“Of course,” Ethan says.
“Take your time, Scar,” Bridgett tells me.
I get in the car and drive. I don't go in any particular direction, I just drive. Stephan and I sit in silence for about 30 minutes, before either of us say anything.
“Let's get coffee,” he finally says.
“Ok,” I say. I drive to the 24 hour coffee shop, and we go inside. Once we order, and sit down at a booth, I push him for answers. “Please, explain.”
He sighs, and looks a little sad. He's looking out the window as he talks. “Just... When I tell you this story, please don't think any less of my father. He was a good guy. He just made mistakes.” He then looks at me. “My father was in love with two women, my mother, and Mona's mother. He didn't want to choose between the two, so he didn't.
“My father married my mom, but he saw Mona's mom on the side their entire marriage. Mona's mom married somebody else too, but that didn't stop the affair. One night while they were... together... my father had a car accident. They had both been drinking a little too much, and he drove off Hope Creek Bridge, killing them both instantly.
“Mona blames my father, therefore, she blames and hates me. And trust me, I hated my dad for a little bit after I found out what he did. My mom was devastated. Not only did she have to deal with the pain of his death, but also the fact that he cheated on her for nearly 19 years. But my father was a good man.”
I am trying to process everything he said. “So, Mona is your half sister?”
He shakes his head quickly, and almost looks annoyed. “No. Mona's mom had a husband. He is her father.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, though I'm not sure why.
“Yes, Scarlett, I would know if Mona was my half sister.”
Stephan is angry, and I know I shouldn't push it, but I can't seem to help myself. “Was there a DNA test done? If her mom was sleeping with her husband and your dad at the same time, there is a possibility you two could be related.”
He slaps his hand down on the table. “Dammit, can't you just drop it! It's too late now anyway!”
I jump from the noise. The coffee house is empty, but the people behind the counter are staring at us now.
“I'm sorry,” I say so softly that I am almost whispering. “I just thought you would want to know if she was your half sister.”
He narrows his eyes. “Just because you found your long lost twin sister doesn't mean I want the same thing. Especially not Mona.” He gets up from the booth. “Can we just go home? I am done talking about this tonight.”
Friday, September 18
3:05 pm
I love you... I mean... your music...
Stephan ignored me all week long. Actually, he ignored everybody. I knew that I shouldn't have pushed him so hard about Mona, and I was feeling bad about it. Maybe he was right, maybe I was trying to overcompensate for the lost time with Bridgett. Stephan and Mona look nothing and act nothing alike. They've known each other their whole life. Certainly if they were brother and sister, they would know. Besides, even if they were, it wouldn't be any of my business.
During Stephan's absence, Bridgett and I got some much needed sister time. We spent lots of time swimming, watching chick flicks, and just talking about the last 19 years. We also had plans for shopping the following weekend.
Ethan came over and helped me study on Tuesday, and Thursday. Thanks to him, algebra was making a little bit more sense. He told me how moody Stephan had been since Monday night, which I apologized for. It was my fault he was in a pissy mood. But, on the plus side, Bridgett and Ethan seemed to enjoy the party after we left. Nobody even noticed that Bridgett wasn't me.
Mona, and the the other “populars” haven't talked to me anymore, which is almost a relief. I'm glad they haven't invited me to their table anymore. But they do seem nicer to Ethan... Nicer, as in they don't turn their heads in the hallway when he walks by. I even saw one girl smile at him.
Unfortunately, they are being really mean to Stephan. Somebody even spray painted “SCUM” across his locker. If I would have just stayed out of it, he would just be ignored, as usual. Now, people are bullying him. He puts on a strong front, but I can tell it's getting to him. It hurts to know that I am the cause of that.
I really need to learn how to mind my own business.
Andrew hasn't contacted me anymore. I know he is looking for Stacy, as well as my birth parents, and it makes me anxious.
Surprisingly, the media hasn't found out about Bridgett. Since I left the party early, everybody thought she was me, and we haven't been seen together in public since then. I think we both decided it may be best to wait, and give her time to adjust to the lifestyle.
I haven't heard from my adoptive mom and dad either. Not that I expected to hear from my mom, she rarely ever contacts me. But I did expect my dad to continue to beg me to come to my senses and come home. His emails have stopped. I am not sure if that makes me happy or sad.
When I pull into my house Friday after school, there is a shiny, red, convertible mustang sitting in my driveway. Alec is leaning up against the car with sunglasses on. I shut off my car and jump out.
“Alec!” I throw myself into his arms and hug him. “I can't believe you came!”
“I had to come see my favorite girl.” Alec's smile makes all the girls swoon, so when he smiles at me, I can't help but feel a little light headed. He is gorgeous, and he knows how to work it. It's hard not to love Alec.
I remember Bridgett is inside the house, and I get excited. “Oh my gosh, Alec, you have to come inside! There is somebody I want you to meet!”
“Your boyfriend?” he asks, as he follows me.
“My boyfriend is mad at me.” I sigh. “I'm actually not sure if he's my boyfriend anymore...”
“Oh, no. What happened? Am I going to have to kill him?”
We get to the front door. “Let's talk about it later.” I open the front door, and lead Alec through the house. I know that Bridgett will be by the pool, where she always is.
He sees the pool. “Are we going to swim? Can I at least change first?”
When I open the door, Bridgett is sitting in a lawn chair with her eyes closed. When she hears the door open, she looks up at me, and smiles... Then she sees Alec. Her mouth drops open, and she quickly gets out of her chair, almost falling.
“Oh my god,” Alec and Bridgett both say at the same time.
“Alec, I'd like you to meet my twin sister, Bridgett Evans. Bridgett, this is Alec Torch, one of my very best friends.”
Alec looks back and forth between Bridgett and me. “You're identical.”
“Did you not hear the twins part?” I ask.
“I am a huge fan!” Bridgett finally speaks. “Like, seriously, I love you... I mean... your music music. I love your music...”
I can't help but laugh at the two of them, both staring at each other.
The doorbell rings. “I'm going to get that. Maybe you two can talk... get to know each other,” I say, leaving the two of them to stare at each other.
3:25 pm
Starstruck.
When I open the door, I am more than surprised to see Stephan standing on the other side. I'm so stunned that I actually don't know what to say.
“Can I come in?” he asks.
I nod, stepping out of the way. Once he's inside, I close the door behind him.
He quickly turns towards me, and says, “I'm sorry.”
What? He's apologizing to me? “I should be the one apologizing, Stephan. I was inconsiderate, and I pushed you. And you were right. I shouldn't have asked you to go to the party. It was a terrible, and selfish idea.”
“No, I just... What you were saying... I've been wondering if it were true for a while. I mean, what if Mona is my sister? Will I ever know? It kills me not to.” He runs his hands through his hair in frustration. “And how could my dad do that to my mom? She stayed in bed and cried for three months straight after he died. I didn't think she would ever recover. And then she met Keith. Things turned around. She was happy again. I wasn't ready for her to be married to somebody else, but I couldn't stand seeing her sad anymore. Keith is so good to her. Not that my dad wasn't... I... I don't want to hate my dad. He's dead! But I can't help it! I hate him so much for what he did to us, and for what he did to Mona's family. I don't blame her for hating me. I would hate me too. But even if Mona was my sister, I don't think I would want to know. I don't want to bring up any of those old emotions for my mom. It would hurt her too much.”
“It's not your fault,” I tell him. “None of it. Your dad and Mona's mom are the ones who messed up. Not you, and not Mona. You can't blame yourself.”
“You're right. And my brain knows it, but I can't help but feel bad. Maybe if I was a better son, it wouldn't have happened...”
I stop him. “Do you remember what I told you about my sister Stacy? And how she ran away from home?”
He nods.
“I know that it's not my fault she ran away, but still, I've been carrying this guilt around for nine years, Stephan. You have to let it go. I have to let it go.” My heart feels lighter as I say the words. “I hate her for leaving me. She was selfish for what she did.”
“She was selfish, Scar. You were 10 years old, and she just left you. What kind of sister does that?”
“Just like your dad was selfish.”
He nods. “I know. I just.. need time.”
I know exactly what he means. “I'm here for you, when you need to talk. Just don't carry it around for nine years like I have.”
“I won't,” he promises. “Thanks for the heart to heart.”
I know what I need to do now. I have to stop looking for Stacy. She knows where I am. And if she wants to see me, she will.
“Do you want to meet my best friend forever?” I ask him, wanting to talk about something lighter. I'm not going to let anything ruin my weekend with Alec.
He smiles. “I saw a glimpse of the car outside. Can we go check it out?”
“Car later. Right now, you need to meet Alec. Plus I left Bridgett alone with him, and she was a little starstruck.”
When we get back outside, Alec and Bridgett are chatting like old friends. Well, Bridgett may be drooling a little, but who could blame her. If Alec wasn't like my big brother, I'd probably have a crush on him too.
“So are they coming with us to Miami?” Stephan asks me.
“Miami?” I question, but then remember. “Oh! The races! I completely forgot!”
“Races?” Alec's interest is piqued.
“Stephan races,” I tell him. “And by race, I mean he is into street racing.”
“Isn't that illegal?” Bridgett asks.
“Yes!” Alec almost sounds angry, but then he smiles. “I love to watch street racing. I got into it a little bit before my music took off. It's a lot of fun. I haven't seen a race in... forever.”
“So, who is up for a road trip?” I ask.
5:12 pm
Too damn distracting.
An hour later, we are on the road. Alec and Bridgett ride behind us in my Mercedes, and I ride with Stephan. I almost felt bad about leaving them to ride alone, but I have to admit, they both looked pretty excited about the prospect of being together.
“How long is the drive?” I ask Stephan.
“It's about four hours,” he says. “So, we should be down there around 9:30. We can all just hang out, maybe grab a bite to eat before. The races start around 1am. I usually get a text about 20 minutes before letting me know the location.”
“So, it is in a different location every week?”
He nods. “Miami is a lot bigger than Hope. They let us know where so we have just enough time to get there. They don't want the word to get out.”
“So what about after the race? Do we just... go home?”
“Normally, I drive home. I usually get back around six in the morning.”
“Is it safe to drive so late? Maybe we should just stay in Miami tonight. Then we can hang out here tomorrow, do something fun, and then go home.”
“Is this your excuse to get me alone in a hotel room?”
I knew that was coming. “Ha, ha. No. You can stay with Alec, and I will stay with Bridgett.”
He fake pouts. “That doesn't sound as fun.”
I just laugh, and change the subject. “Did Ethan not want to come with us?”
“He never comes to my races.”
“Did you ask him to come?”
“No,” he snorts. “Definitely not.”
“Stephan! How could you leave him out?”
He shrugs. “I think he had a date tonight, so chill. He wouldn't have came if I asked him anyway. We are stepbrothers, and we're definitely not friends.”
“You should be friends, because Ethan is awesome. But seriously, he has a date? With Mona?” Now I'm excited.
“Yeah... Well, sort of. It's like this big group thing. They are having a party or something. I think she invited him to be nice, but I think he thinks it's a date.”
“That's great. Why didn't he tell me?”
“No offense, but maybe he didn't want you to ruin it for him.” Stephan shakes his head at me. “I mean, you almost ruined the last party.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Do I need to remind you that you are the one who ruined it? If you wouldn't have been there, things would have been fine.”
He laughs. “Maybe. But you invited me, and practically forced me to go. Therefore, you are the guilty party.”
“Now we are definitely not staying in the same room,” I joke.
“Yeah, because if we did, I might see you naked. And I can't ever see you naked. Remember?”
“How could I forget? But I don't have to be naked for us to have sex.” I pull up my already short skirt, showing him more leg. “My skirt makes it easy for us...”
He's watching me, and not the road. When I look up, we are driving on the shoulder of the road.
“Maybe I should drive.”
He swerves the car back into the correct lane, and grips the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles are turning white. “Next time we go on a road trip, you're wearing jeans. Your legs are too damn distracting.”
My phone vibrates, and I laugh at the text from Bridgett.
Stop distracting the driver! - B
I quickly reply.
What can I say? We have good genes ;) - S
“So, the races tonight, what do you have to pay to get in?” I ask, curiously.
“The race that I am in, you have to pay five thousand to race. There are five cars competing. If I win, I can get up to 30 thousand dollars,” he smirks.
“Can I bet on the race?” I ask. I'm not much of a gambler, but it sounds fun.
“Yeah,” he nods. “Thinking of betting against me?”
“No way!” I say quickly. “I will always bet for you.”
“And that is why I like you so much.”
“Awe, Stephan Montgomery likes me. I must be special.”
He winks at me. “More special than you know.”
9:45 pm
Good times.
The drive flies by, and before I know it, we are in Miami. We all decide to eat Chinese food, and pull into the first place we see. It's small, but in my experience, the hole in the wall restaurants are usually the best kind.
“Table for four, please,” Stephan tells the hostess. She still has yet to move. She's standing there, staring at Alec, Bridgett, and me.
“Oh my god...”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, I'm Scarlett Ryan. This is my sister Bridgett, and this is Alec Torch. I get you're probably not used to seeing celebrities, but please, can we have a table?”
“Ri... Right away, Miss Ryan,” she finally says.
We follow her to a table. I sit beside Stephan, and Bridgett and Alec sits across from us.
Stephan leans over, and whispers in my ear. “That was so hot.”
“What?”
“You, taking charge. I kind of wonder if you'd be like that...”
Bridgett cuts him off. “Ewe. I do NOT want to hear about my sister's sex life.”
I laugh. “Trust me, there is no sex life to hear about.”
The waitress is an older Chinese lady, and thankfully she doesn't recognize us. She takes our drinks order, and quickly leaves to fill them.
“Do people often mistake you for me?” I asked Bridgett.
She shrugs. “It actually hasn't been that bad. People in my community and school knew me growing up, so they didn't really question. I've had a few incidents like at the mall... And when I first went to college it was pretty bad... But once people learn I'm not you, they usually leave me alone.”
“Life would be boring without mobs of fans, and paparazzi,” Alec adds. “Seriously, I couldn't imagine ever living normal.”
“That's because your dad is a rock legend. You grew up with this. I lived a semi-normal life until I was 15, and even then, it was a year before it got completely crazy.”
“After you won that MTV Award. I remember. I taught you how to ditch the paparazzi,” Alec smiles. “Good times.”
“That was not good times!” I can't help but laugh. I turn to Bridgett and Stephan. “I had just turned 16 years old. I was not a good driver, I was in LA, and I was trying to get rid of the paparazzi. It was a nightmare. I nearly ran over somebody trying to ditch them.”
“Oh, right!” Alec remembers. “They came up with some outrageous story about you being drunk! You got so much publicity! The next day, your song hit number one. It was crazy.”
“I totally forgot about that.” I shake my head. “That was pretty awesome.”
The waitress finally brings us our drinks, and takes our orders. Once she leaves, Alec turns to me. “What are your plans now, Scar? You're so young. Certainly you aren't quitting the music industry.”
“I'm not completely sure,” I answer truthfully. “I haven't been happy with my music for a while now. I'd like to finish my senior year, get a new manager, a new producer, and do what I want to do. I'd like to get away from the pop scene, and maybe do a more alternative, punk sound.”
“Like your older stuff.”
“Exactly.”
“What about you, Bridgett? What are your plans for the future?” Alec asks her.
“I am still undecided about my future,” she answers with a shrug. “I recently dropped out of college, and right now, I'm just trying to figure it out.”
“You have plenty of time to figure it out.” Alec turns his head towards Stephan. “What about you? You have college plans?”
“Definitely no plans for college...” he clears his throat. “I have no idea what I want. I really enjoy racing, but that's not really a profession.”
“Of course it is! Nascar,” Alec counters.
“Nascar really isn't my scene. Plus, I'm not sure if this is what I want forever. It's good for the right now. I guess when the time comes, I'll figure it out. I just want to be happy.”
“Cheers to that,” I agree, holding up my cup.