Chapter 6

The Twisted World of Pixie's fan fiction | home

“Is she going to be okay?” I heard a voice ask, panicked. It was a slightly familiar voice, but I couldn't place it.

“Yes. She's very lucky. The car hit her back tire, and when she flew from the bike she landed in a potted plant.” I could hear a tint of laughter in that voice. “She flew fairly far. She succeeded in getting a concussion, dislocating her knee, and getting some scrapes and cuts and bruises.”

“Nothing else? I mean, that's all?” The first voice asked.

“Yes, that's all. She's a very lucky lady.” The second voice, who I had determined a doctor, stated. I heard someone leave, and the door click shut. I heard the other person pacing, and then the door opened again.

“Holly! Is she okay? What happened?” Another familiar voice asked.

“What are YOU doing here?” I recognized Amber's voice as she growled at someone else.

“What do you think I'm doing here? I was worried about her.” The deep voice said. “Holly, would you excuse us.” Obviously Holly had left.

“You have no right to be worried about her. You're probably the reason she got into this damned wreck in the first place. As if this isn't bad enough, the movie company thingy people called the house. They left a long message on the office line.”

“And why do you care?”

“Because! I just care alright? What did they say?”

“They said they're cutting the current project. They don't think it will be a hit, and don't have room for it in the budget. They're also cutting Jackie from the studio. How am I going to tell her?” I stirred, and tried to open my eyes. “You should NOT be here. When she wakes up she's going to be pissed. Go home to your wife.”

“That's what I was trying to explain!” I finally opened my eyes a little. I moaned, and the light hurt my eyes. I clenched them shut again.

“Someone dim those damn lights.” I said, my voice incredibly weak and scratchy. I opened my eyes again to a small lamp in the corner lit. My eyes adjusted and the big lights came on. I rubbed my eyes, and looked around. My vision was a little blurry still, but I saw Amber, worry creased in his expression. “Hey.”

“Are you okay Jackie?” She asked, standing right beside me. I nodded and looked around. My eyes fell upon Isaac's frazzled form and I frowned and looked away. I did not want to see him right now. I didn't really want to see him ever. He came over and knelt on the other side of the bed. He looked up at Amber, and she left the room. I turned to look at him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in a cold voice.

“I watched as you got on your bike from my office. I saw the whole thing, and followed the ambulance here. I was so scared that you were killed.” He said, his voice shaky.

“Oh please.” I murmured. He sighed heavily and stood up.

“I can't make you believe me Jackie. I can only ask you to. I never told that magazine I was going to marry Kelly. I never had any intent to marry her. We had talked about marriage, just so she would settle down, and took it to mean that I was going to marry her. She ran and told the press last month, and that article got published. I'm surprised it wasn't worse. We got into a fight when I read that, and I told her that I didn't want to marry her, and she needed to call and straighten it out. She promised me she did when she left. You get that? She LEFT Jackie. Left as in packed her things and moved out of my house. Gone, adios.” He said, stating the last part rather harshly. “The sad thing was, I did love her. A lot. I just didn't want to marry her. Christ, I'm 25, just getting my label off the ground, and she wants to get married. She couldn't understand the need for me to wait. So, she up and left. She said I didn't love her, didn't respect her. But I did. I loved her, quite a bit. She's gone now though, she flew back to Orlando 3 weeks ago.” What was I supposed to say to that? I couldn't be angry with him anymore, but how was I supposed to tell him that when I acted like such an ass.

I laid against the pillows behind me and stared at the ceiling, searching for something to say, to make myself feel better, like less of a bitch, but I could find nothing. “I'm such a loser.” I moaned and closed my eyes. “I am such a stupid loser bitch.” I moaned. I heard Isaac chuckle. “It's not funny. I'm so stupid, that I didn't even think to finish reading the stupid article, or ask you. I assumed it was true because I read it. ME, of all people, assumed just because it was in print, it was true. I'm so fucking retarded. I'm a stupid, retarded, loser bitch.” I moaned, covering my eyes with one hand. Isaac sat down beside me on the bed.

“You're not stupid, you're not a loser, and you're certainly not a bitch. I would have thought the same thing if I had found that article about you. Not to say I would have stormed onto your set… but you get the idea.” He said, running his fingers up and down my arm.

“I'm stupid.” I said, shaking my head. “Remind me, when I get better, to kick my own ass, okay?”

“Okay. I'll let Amber back in. No doubt she's freaking out in the hallway.” He said, and left. Amber came in, and drilled me with thousands of questions about what was going on. I tried to calmly explain it to her, but only succeeded in wearing myself out, and needing more painkillers for my knee. I was lucky enough to be released from the hospital the next day, and I hobbled into the house. I sifted through the mail on the counter, and moved into my office. I hit the play button, hoping what I had heard was a dream. Sure enough, there was the message on my machine. The movie had been cancelled. I was out of work for the time being. They didn't want me anymore. My 15 minutes of fame were over. I sat down in the plush chair behind my desk and stared at the answering machine with disgust. What was I supposed to do now? I couldn't afford my life with a normal job. Well, I suppose I could. It was time to go out and get a regular, everyday, normal job. I couldn't do much with just a high school diploma though. It was pretty much official, my life was over. I leaned back in the chair and looked around the office. Amber came in and looked at me.

“So?” She asked.

“I don't know. I don't know what I'm going to do about this situation. My movie career is over. What I loved to do has been yanked away from me. I don't know about work, I don't know about Isaac, I don't know ANYTHING. My life has fallen to pieces within 24 hours. Figures this would happen to me.” I said, shaking my head.

“Jackie, it's okay. Work at a normal job. You'll write another great movie, and another company will take you on. As for Isaac, my suggestion is to leave it alone. Stick with regular people. Stick with what you know. Famous people are a hassle.” She said. It made sense. She was right about sticking to regular people. I wasn't necessarily a “regular” person, but everyone we hung with was. “I'm serious about giving Nick a chance. He's not that bad.”

“You used to hate him!” I said, looking at her pointedly.

“So? He's grown up. Seriously J, give him a chance.” She said smiling. I shrugged. What the hell. It was Nick. No harm, no foul. I stood up and followed Amber out of the office.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“So, I heard you were going on a date with Shackleiter.” Phil asked, smiling one of those smiles that would make you want to smack someone. I rolled my eyes.

“Yes Phil, I'm going on a date with Nick.” I said, adjusting my belt.

“Where are you going?” He asked, being nosy as always.

“We're his friend's band down at Miriam's, then going to get some food.” I said, picking up my car keys. “I'll be home late. Adios guys.” I said, going out to my car. I was driving to Nick's apartment. I got there and went to the door. Nick opened it quickly and ushered me inside.

“Hey, long time no see.” He said, kissing my cheek quickly. He picked up a few things and threw them into a closet. “Shane said the show would start at 8:15, so we should get there around 7:45 to ensure a spot before it gets crowded.” He said, smiling at me. “You look nice Jackie.” He stopped and looked at me. I smiled and looked down at my outfit. I was wearing my multi-colored patchy corduroy pants, a flimsy white top that tied around my neck, and once around my back, and my leather sandals, along with my hemp necklaces.

“It's nothing special Nick.” I said, smiling in return.

“Yeah, but you still look really nice. Ready to head out? It's across town, and we should get going.” I nodded and followed him out to his car. We drove across the city, a good hour's drive, talking and laughing the whole way. I was so much more comfortable around Nick. We got to Miriam's and went inside. We sat at a table up front, and watched as his friend's set up their equipment. I watched them all carefully, examining each person, taking everything in. It felt so nice to be pressure free. No movie in the morning, no thoughts of Isaac lurking in the corner. I hadn't spoken to him in 3 weeks, since the day in the hospital. There were a few messages on my machine now and then from him, but nothing more. I worked in a stress free job, at a CD store called Skunk-A-Rific, and enjoyed the simplicity of my life. I noticed the keyboardist was really hot.

“Nick, who is the keyboardist?” I asked, curious as to this exquisite man's name.

“Matt. Matt Bensen.” He said, looking at me, a hint of jealousy in his eyes. Matt Bensen, where did I know that name from. I churned it over and over in my head.

“He was in Bill's band a couple years ago. Remember now?” Nick stated.

“How did you-never mind. I don't want to know how you read my thoughts. How old is he?” I asked, curious still.

“He's 28. Before I even have to hear you ask, yes, he's single.” I knew Nick was upset I was checking out this guy on our date. I smiled and rested my hand on Nick's knee. He smiled a small smile and wound his fingers with mine. A lot of people had shown up by 8:20, and the band was getting ready to perform. I sat and listened. Nick and me even danced a little, which turned out to be loads of fun. Around 11:00, the band had finished, packed up, and we were all sitting in Waffle House drinking coffee and laughing. I was smashed between Nick and that luscious Matt. Nick wasn't too happy with me at the moment, and was flirting with Shane's sister Shannon. A classic swing song came on the jukebox, and Matt stood up.

“C'mon Jackie. Let's swing.” He said. I loved swing-dancing, so I jumped right up to join him. We laughed and spun and danced as Derek kept pumping money into the jukebox and playing swing songs. It wasn't until 2am when Matt offered me a ride home. I hopped out of his truck, waved goodbye, and dashed inside.

“Where's Nick?” Amber asked, as soon as I walked in the door. Her and Phil were in the living room watching T.V.

“He went home with Shane's sister. Matt brought me home.” I said nonchalantly.

“Nick went home with Shannon? She's a slut! Matt Rhode brought you home?” Phil asked, his interest obviously peaked. I nodded. He glanced over at Amber.

“What?” I asked, confused about the look they shared. Amber just shook her head. “Seriously guys, what? What's wrong with Matt?”

“Well, you do know he works with Isaac, right?” I knew that it could be a possibility. “That means Isaac is going to find out, and who knows where that could lead to.” Amber said, glancing at me to judge my reaction. My face twisted into a scowl.

“And? What's your point? Isaac isn't in my life. We shared one date, that was all. You were the one who told me to date a normal person Amber. Matt is normal. He's a sweet guy.” I said, stomping my foot, so close to throwing a tantrum like a 6year old. Amber shrugged and went back to watching the movie.