| Early the next morning, we all awoke to prepare for the filming today. We were heading out to the island Mark and I had looked out to a few days ago. I felt a pain in my heart and wondered if we'd ever be like that again. "Mei, hold up!" a voice called from behind me. I knew it was Mark. I picked up my pace and pretended I didn't hear him. "Melia, what's wrong?" he asked taking hold of my shoulders. I felt like snapping back at him, 'What's wrong, Mark? What's wrong??? What do you mean what's wrong with me? Why don't you ask yourself the same question! Go back to that Nisa girl of your's!' I looked instead out to the ocean watching the waves crash on the cliff's of a distant island. I wished I was there, away from all this bitter confusion and trouble that had descended onto my world in the last few days. "Mmm... Mark, go away." I stuttered and ran up the beach to be greeted by my friends. I took one glance back to see Mark standing there, hurt and confused. I just hoped I did the right thing... ----------------------------------------------------- "You ok, Mei?" Esther asked as I reached them. Her face was full of concern. "No, um, yes. I don't know." I replied not able to decide on an answer. I started fumbling with my shirt. "What do you mean?" she asked, removing Nicky's arm from her waist, "I know something is wrong. Look at your hands entwined in your shirt." She gestured to my hands, I always did that when I was nervous, or upset, "Spill!" she demanded. "Well," I started and told her all the past happenings, holding back my tears. She seemed to be the only one who didn't know about Mark and I. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry." She gathered me in her arms, "Why does everything bad always happen to you?" she asked. I wasn't sure myself. 'Did I look that easy?' I thought, 'Do these guys not like me for me, or something?' My head swam and my thoughts blocked out Esther's continuous talking. Finally, I asked Nicky if he could quiet her, and he gladly did, silencing her with a kiss. I once shook away my feelings of jealousy and walked onto the small boat that would take me to the island. As upset as i was, I didn't want them to feel sorry for me. I painted a smile on my face and used all my acting skills to put on a mask to fool everyone, maybe even myself... ------------------------------------------------------- "Oh, I'm so glad you're feeling better." a female voice squeaked. I turned around to face Nisa. Her skimpy bikini barely covered anything and her high-pitched voice was driving me up the wall. Skimpy bikini's and high-pitched voices, two things I extremely hated. "Thanks." I replied quietly and finished applying my sunscreen using the mirror. I hoped and prayed, but her reflection still lingered behind me. "I'm so glad you understand," she said(or should I say whined?), "It was only a matter of time before he came running back to me." She chirped, adjusting her top. The way she spoke, the way she acted, it was driving me crazy! How could this girl be so great? Ok, ok. Let's see, pretty, and thin, well, perfect. I felt like gagging, this super-model quality person was able to make someone turn in their grave with her voice. "He loves me so much," she dragged on, "I wonder when he'll ask me to marry him." She smiled to her self. I turned so she wouldn't see the expression on my face. She continued," You're just their to be his, um, entertainment when I'm away. Oops! What time is it?" she asked looking down at her watch, "Got to go and finished applying the boys make-up. See you later, Mel, or whatever it is. Bye!" she squeaked and strutted out the door. "I hope not." I said under my breath and returned to my thoughts. 'How dare she call me his entertainment!' my mind screamed. I felt so stupid for ever getting involved with Mark. After all, he had his super-model make-up artist to "entertain" him. I exited the tent, leaving the air that was choked with Nisa's strong perfume. Chapter 10 "Oh Marky!" she squealed bounding towards him. I felt like leaving so i wouldn't see anymore but I only walked a bit away. I ducked behind a bush so I could continue to view their conversation. I saw them talking and Nisa mouthing sweet nothings to Mark. I cringed when I saw her kiss him. I waited for his reaction. There was none, he was looking at me. ------------------------------------------------- 'Damn! Cover blown!' I thought. "Oh sorry." I said, "Didn't mean to bother you." I yelled, walking away. I could have sworn I heard a voice calling me. 'Just my imagination' I told myself. "Oh there you are!" Clara ran over, "Come on, the director's calling places." "Coming!" I yelled back. "Good. By the way have you seen Nisa or Mark? They're missing." She inquired. I didn't have the heart to answer. -------------------------------------------------- "Ok! Ok! Places everyone!" the director yelled over our chattering. I took my spot and watched them start the filming. We were told to dance and not look at the camera. I had no problem my eyes were fixed on someone else... Nisa. I watched her a while, her provacative dance was just disturbing! She wanted Mark too bad. My only question was, 'Is she succeding?' The boys were up on some deck thing looking down on all of us. Shane was holding some little video camera "filming" Vikki. Come on, who else would you expect him to film? I mean, he is his Fianc�e! I could feel all eyes on me as the boys came down to dance with us, we were all wondering the same thing, 'Would Mark choose Nisa or myself?' I saw him coming my way, so I prepared myself to face him. Just as he was a few feet away I felt a atp on my shoulder. I spun around to see my old friend, Brett. I didn't have the heart to turn him down. By the time I turned around, Mark had dissapeared into the crowd with Nisa. I held Brett close in attempt to hide my feelings of dissapoinment. "Are you ok?" he whispered into my ear. I lied and nodded, "Yeah." "Good." He replied silently. I knew he saw that something was wrong, we've known eachother forever. We knew each other's secrets and habits, there was nothing I could hide from him. Just as I was feeling better, we were all told to stop and clear the set for the next scenes. I watched Shane and Vikki "act out" their, um, love scene when they finally got together in the song. It wasn't hard for them to pretend to be in love. I looked among the array of people, my friends, the personnel, the boys, ... Mark and Nisa. I could see them heavily flirting. 'What was that all about?' asked myself, 'Was he trying to make me jealous or just be with the one he loves?' ----------------------------------------- "So, Mei, what have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you for, gosh, what seems like forever." He asked while shoving his sandwich down his throat, "You know, I really hope you've been happy because that's all you deserve." He said in-between bites. "Thanks, I'm glad you care." I smiled poking at the food in front of me, i wasn't really in the mood to eat. "You know what, no problem." He said looking at me with his big brown eyes. "I'll always be there for you too Brett. You know that right? You'll always be the brother I never had." I smiled."A brother, huh?" he said quietly, "Oh. Listen I gotta go, bye." He said suddenly, collecting his trash and walking hastily away. "Brett!" I called after him, "What's wrong?" I questioned, confused by his quick departure. 'What is up?' I asked myself. "Nothing, Melia." He said using my FULL name, something he rarely does. He was lying and I knew it since he was avoiding my eyes. "You're lying Brett and I know it. What's wrong?" I asked a bit louder this time. I followed his face in attempt to meet his eyes. "It's just that," he sighed, "mei, you wouldn't understand." He slowed down and looked at me. "Understand... what?" I pleaded determined to get his answer. "Mei, do you really like what's his name? That Mark guy?' he added, his brown hair blowing in the warm wind."Yes. No. I'm not really sure, Brett. What has this got to do with this?" I asked. "Everything." He said pulling me closer towards him. I knew what would happen next and it did. He kissed me. By the time I could take it all in, all I saw were his footprints, slowly getting washed away by the waves. I looked towards the direction where he had gone, confused. 'Who did I love?' |