Chapter Six

DreamInColour © 2004

 

“Hold on.” Elijah plunked a goofy hat on Braedon’s head and jumped back to take a picture.

She stuck her tongue out at him when he did that, “Is it necessary to take pictures every two feet?” She asked taking the hat off her head and putting back on the vendor’s table.

“It is for him.” Dom yawned and tried on another hat posing for Elijah. “He just got yet another digital camera.”

“Yet another? I can’t even afford one.” Jessie said jumping on Dom’s back automatically posing having gotten used to the constant click at that point.

“You can have one of my old ones.” Elijah said with a shrug then put an arm around Braedon and led her into a store with old figurines. “Fuck that looks uncomfortable.” He pointed at one that looked like two people engaged in an impossible sexual position.

“Dude they’d have to break a limb to do that.” Braedon giggled she picked up the figurine and turned it upside down, “Maybe that’s more realistic.”

He burst out laughing, “All the blood rushing to their brains? Anti climactic if you ask me they’d pass out before…” He took it from her and tilted it sideways. “How about this?”

Braedon laughed, “That’s just defying gravity.” Just then Jessie came running into the store and grabbed Braedon’s arm, “TELL me that’s not who I think it is?” She hissed pointing across the street at yet another vendor.

“Who?” Elijah asked slowly following behind them.

“That guy.” Dom pointed, “The one who’s like 8 feet tall and laughing.”

“Oh that’s John Mayer.” Elijah said with a laugh, “What’s the fucker doing here? John!” He called.

“Damnit do you have a celebrity magnet in there?” Jessie lifted up the hoodie Braedon was wearing and tried to look.

Braedon swatted her friend away, “Honestly Jessie.” She hissed.

The tall singer jogged across the street followed by two other guys, “Lij, what the hell are you doing here fucker?”

Elijah laughed, “I was just going to ask you the same thing.” He gave him a one-arm hug and slapped his back a couple of times.

“Got a show tonight, Clean is opening for me.”

“From New Zealand are you fucking kidding me? I haven’t heard them in ages!” Elijah said excitedly, “Oh I’m sorry John these are my mates, Dom, Jessie and Braedon. Guys this is John and…”

“Scott and Dave.” John indicated the guys behind him, “Nice to meet you all.” Everyone shook everyone’s hand in greeting, while Jessie got into a discussion with Scott about John’s website.

“So Clean is here?” Dom brought the subject back to music.

“Yup doing a few shows with me, you guys wanna come out tonight?” He indicated everyone, “The more the merrier.”

Elijah looked at Braedon, “You want to?”

She smiled and nodded, “Sure if it’s not too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all. Elijah Wood and three guests?” He asked.

Elijah shook his head, “Five, we’ve got a couple other mates around here.”

“All right five, listen I have to get back for sound check. I’ll see you after the show?”

“Yeah, yeah you still owe me a beer buddy.”

“I do don’t I? Okay see you tonight, nice to meet you all.” He said with a wave.

Jessie watched him leave, “I’m going to go home and NO ONE is going to believe me.”

Hey I’m not even in this part!

Must everything always revolve around you? Baby this is a crucial part.

Why do we have to mention the concert?

First off because John’s a sweetie and the concert was fun, two because it fills them in on some of the emotions we were going through. Can’t we just tell the story now?

Fine, but I get some time too…

Orlando jumped over the sofa to get the phone, “Hullo?”

“Hey Orlando how’s things?”

“Johnny! Things are well mate how are you?”

“Doing good doing good. Listen a friend of mine just called told me the funniest fuckin’ thing.”

“What?”

“I was a category on Jeopardy!” He announced with a chuckle.

“No fucking way!” Orlando circled around the sofa and sat back down next to Kate, “Did Captain Jack make the cut?”

“$200 dollar question.” Johnny laughed.

Kate waved when Orlando mouthed ‘Johnny’, “Kate says hello.”

“Tell her I said hi. Don’t want to hold you up just thought I’d share.”

“No troubles that’s fucking hilarious.”

“I thought so. Listen give me a shout when you’re back in London.”

“Sure. Cheers mate.”

“See ya.”

He clicked off the phone and relayed the call to Kate who laughed, “Didn’t Luther Vandros say that’s when you know you’re a celebrity?”

“I don’t know, but that’s…” He was cut off by phone ringing again, “Bloody hell.” He muttered before answering, “Hullo?”

“Hey Orli recovered yet mate?” Elijah’s bubbly voice spilled over the phone.

Orlando jumped up again he pointed at the TV him and Kate had been watching, she nodded. He left the room and went outside on the back porch, “What the fuck are you doing Lij?”

“Calling you on the phone Orli. You are familiar with this process are you not?”

“Fuck off Lij, what’s with the…” He lowered his voice to just barely a whisper, “my girlfriend Braedon shit.”

“What’s shit about it? She’s an amazing woman, beautiful, funny and single. I’m single too…except neither of us are now cause we’re dating.” He laughed.

Orlando could hear a female laughing and knew it was Braedon he couldn’t help it he was overcome with jealousy. “You weren’t dating last night and now all of a sudden you’re dating?”

“What’s it to you Orli?” Elijah challenged.

“N-nothing…j-just confused is all. Don’t fuck her over Lij.”

“Since when do I do that? Honestly Orli she’s not your little sister!” He was exasperated.

“She’s most definitely not.”

“She’s also not some commodity that you can tease when your girlfriend isn’t around.”

“I was not teasing!”

“Yes you were and you know it. Gawd I’m sounding like my sister.”

“Fine but I didn’t mean…”

Elijah inhaled and cut him off, “Listen I don’t want to get into an argument about this with you. The reason I’m calling is to invite you and Kate out to a concert tonight. Clean is opening up for John Mayer.”

Orlando pinched the bridge of his nose trying to compose himself. Elijah was right he had no claim over Braedon and no right to be jealous. He sighed, “Right I don’t want to argue either, sure we’ll go, what time are we to meet?”

“Let’s meet for dinner at 5, here at the hotel sound good?”

“Sure see you then. Cheers.”

“Cheers.”

Orlando hung up and groaned, what the hell was happening to him? He’d just met this bird; he should be glad she was a lot of fun and got on with his mates.

“Who was that?” Kate joined him outside.

“Elijah.”

“And what did he want?”

“Invited us to see a John Mayer show tonight, I said we’d meet them for supper at five.” He looked at her then pulled her onto his lap, “Will that give you enough time to get ready?”

She laughed and put an arm around his neck, “It’s 3 hun I’ll have plenty of time. Are the girls going to be there?”

He nodded almost glumly, “Yup.”

“Good, it sounds like fun.”

“Yeah…fun.”

            I’d forgotten that Johnny was a Jeopardy category that’s funny.

He seemed to think so; you know we really were quite melodramatic at this point weren’t we?

You’re always melodramatic baby.

Maybe so but you were quite bad before that show, don’t even try to deny it.

Possibly but I as worse after the show and that was all thanks to you, let’s not get ahead of ourselves though.

“I don’t wanna go Jessie.” Braedon groaned as she flopped onto the bed in their hotel room.

“Are you kidding me? Of course you want to go, this is John Mayer…author of Comfortable, man with the amazing lips and talented fingers!” Jessie pretended to swoon, “Mm and he shook my hand with those fingers.”

Braedon had to laugh, “You are hilarious. It’s not the show that’s bothering me.”

“Oh you’re worried about seeing Mr. Hotter than hell with his Barbie is that it? What do you care, they think you’re dating the blue-eyed phenom, which isn’t a bad thing let me tell you. That boy has grown up well since Flipper…dayum.” Jessie licked her lips.

“How am I supposed to act now?” She put her head in her hands, “Why the hell didn’t I just stay in my trailer? Why did I fall asleep with him?”

“Don’t start Braedon this isn’t your fault and falling asleep with him means nothing. I mean come on I fell asleep with your boyfriend and that’s no big deal.”

“He’s NOT my boyfriend!” Braedon insisted.

“This is something you should be discussing with Elijah not me.” Jessie pulled her friend up off the bed and pushed her towards the door. “I can’t tell you what’s expected of you or how you are supposed to act. You’re the one who keeps collecting these gorgeous celebs; I’m just along for the ride. Thanks for that by the way.”

Braedon rolled her eyes, “Yeah you’re welcome.” She opened the door, “And I say what when I get to his room?”

“I hear hello is pretty popular.” Jessie smirked, “Then go from there.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Aren’t I though?”

The door shut practically in Braedon’s face, she sighed and trudged the few feet down the hall to Elijah’s room. She gingerly knocked on the door and waited.

He answered the door with a toothbrush in his mouth, no shirt and a pair of faded jeans, open. “Hey you. Come on in.” He mumbled through the toothbrush then sauntered back into the bathroom.

She heard him spit and rinse before coming back out thankfully doing up his jeans. She couldn’t help stare at him, how oh HOW did she get into this mess. Honestly she needed a good hard pinch, because she felt like she was in a dream. Or was it a nightmare she couldn’t figure that out yet. “I’m sorry to bug you.”

“You aren’t bugging me,” He sounded quite relaxed, “Actually you can help me out, which shirt…this one or this one.” He held one in each hand.

Braedon pointed at a t-shirt with a Harley Davidson print on it, she reached behind him and grabbed a long sleeve white t-shirt, “Wear this underneath.” She said.

“Good idea.” He smiled, “Okay so what can I do for you?” He asked as he pulled the shirts over his head.

She slumped back onto one of the chairs in his room and sighed, “Pinch me and tell me I’m not dreaming to start.”

He walked over and leaned on the table in front of her he took her arm and pinched it, “You’re not dreaming.” He said with a laugh.

She managed a small smile then instinctively reached forward and adjusted the two shirts he’d just put on; “Okay fine I’m not dreaming then what the hell is going on?”

He looked down at her hands then shrugged his shoulders, “I couldn’t tell you I’m just going with the flow.”

“Can you teach a class on how to do that?” She asked letting her hands drop to her sides.

“Well first off you can’t be this fucking morbid Braedon. You’re reading WAY too much into everything here and that’s going to drive you to a fucking mental house.” He pulled her up so she was standing in front of him, “Now come on tell Dr. Wood what’s really bugging you.”

“My life is a surreal fucked up mess.” She pouted at him he didn’t say anything just raised an eyebrow waiting for her to continue. “Kay so I take this job with my uncle so I can meet Orlando. I meet him; he’s wonderful and actually appears to want to be my friend. Fine, then there’s all these mixed fucking signals and when I think I’m just about to figure them out, Barbie shows up.”

Elijah threw his head back and burst out laughing, “Barbie…that’s rich.”

Braedon managed a genuine smile this time, “Anyway Kate turns out to be really nice which makes the feelings I thought I understood now make less sense. THEN to top it all off there’s YOU and now I’m not just confused I’m fucked up.”

Chuckling Elijah took both of her hands and squeezed them, “And I’m supposed to be the actor. You really need to stop being so melodramatic about this. It’s really quite simple…”

“Simple? Really? Please enlighten me.”

“Orlando doesn’t know what he wants if you think you’re fucked up then I guarantee you he’s worse. Don’t think about him and whatever those signals could be because I’m sure you agree with me it doesn’t matter now.” Braedon nodded her assent so he continued, “And as for me, fuck Braedon like I said I’m going with the flow. Don’t over analyze shit; let’s just have fun. Kay?” He rested his hands on her hips, “Kay?”

Finally she nodded, “Oh all right fine.” She put her hands on his arms.

“Good! Now you need to go back to your room and change.”

“Change? Why?”

“Cause you’re still wearing Orli’s hoodie and I can’t have my girlfriend wearing my friend’s clothes. Too many questions and all that.” He grinned at her.

She looked down and blushed; sure enough there was the hoodie she’d grabbed off of his chair that morning, “Would you look at that.” She mumbled.

“Go change into something that’s comfortable yet sexy. Me and Dom will be at your room in half an hour.”

She nodded, “Okay.”

“Oh Braedon another thing…” He kissed her cheek and winked at her, “Smile for fucks sakes, we aren’t going to a funeral.”

“Right.” She agreed and grinned at him. “I feel like I’ve been thanking you all day.”

“Then stop cause it’s no big deal.” He walked with her to the door and opened it, “Now go…don’t forget half an hour.”

“Half an hour.” Braedon repeated.

 

“Yeah I like that.” Elijah approved when Braedon opened her room door precisely half and hour later.

She spun for him, “Do you? Good.”

“If my opinion counts I like it too.” Dom said before leaning in to kiss her cheek.

“You are only allowed to like it if you like mine too.” Jessie came around the corner with a smile.

Dom grinned, “Oh I like I like.” He put an arm around her and kissed her cheek too, “So I’m assuming you’re my date tonight.”

“By process of elimination it looks like it.” She nodded, “I don’t put out though so don’t think you’re getting any.”

He pretended to pout, “Damn there goes my evening.”

She smacked his butt, “We could always go find Megan if you’d prefer.”

“No no that’s fine, you’ll do.” He held up his hands, “At least you won’t be chatting up every lad in the room.”

“Only John if the opportunity presents itself.” She laughed, “Okay I’m hungry are we going?”

Elijah wrapped an arm around Braedon’s waist and nodded at Jessie, “Yup, Orli and Kate should be down there already.”

“Perfect let’s get this show on the road.” Jessie grabbed Dom’s hand and dragged him out of the room.

Braedon inhaled, “I can do this.”

“Of course you can babe.” He squeezed her side. “Come on let’s show him up.”

“Yes, let’s.”

Show me up??

I was distraught and he was trying to make me feel better, quit acting like a girl.

I’m NOT acting like a girl you are.

Oh that’s mature…listen Einstein I AM a girl…so I can act like one, you on the other hand need to stop this tantrum 2-year-old attitude.

Fine.

Oh good now he’s pouting, so I’m dating a toddler that’s just perfect.

We’re going to get on with the story now love, stop whining.

You’re incorrigible.

Braedon was humming ‘Comfortable’ as she followed Elijah backstage after the show. She’d successfully managed to avoid having a one on one conversation with Orlando. Kate was proving to be sweeter the more Braedon talked to her and she thought she just might have to claw this perfect woman’s eyes out, so Braedon stuck to Elijah like glue. Jessie and Dom were having a blast pointing at all the fans and making fun of them. They’d create scenarios about what they were thinking and cracked each other up by getting more an more extravagant as they went on. Orlando was in the process of deciding whether he wanted to remain friends with Elijah. He knew he was being ridiculous but did he have to be so fucking comfortable with her? As the night wore on he was becoming more and more annoyed, Braedon was his friend first why did she get along with his other friends so well? He almost wished he’d kept her as the girl in the trailer and hadn’t taken her along after that scene on Friday.

Once the six of them got backstage they all lounged around waiting for John to come back. Jessie was eyeing the door every couple of minutes wanting to be one of the first to talk to him. When he arrived she almost squealed in excitement and grabbed the closest person to her to come and talk with him. This turned out to be a very surprised and amused Kate who allowed herself to be pulled toward the singer.

That left Braedon with Elijah, Dom and Orlando, “Rather lucky thing you ‘bumping’ into me on set wasn’t it?” Orlando emphasized the word bumping his annoyance showing as he eyed Braedon’s fingers, which were hooked through one of Elijah’s belt loops.

“Excuse me?” Braedon tried to keep her voice low, “Implying what may I ask.”

“Oh come on you took this job so you could meet me and now look you get to go backstage at a John Mayer concert with your new…ehm…” He eyed Elijah, “…boyfriend.”

She was so shocked she almost couldn’t speak, “Where the hell do you get off…” She seethed then stopped herself from continuing. She knew she as getting mad enough to embarrass herself as well as the people she was with, and while she wanted to embarrass him she certainly didn’t want that for everyone else. “Thanks for being a stereotypical arrogant prick Orli, really living up to your status. I’m impressed.” She said instead and walked away before she slapped him.

“What the fuck Orli?” Elijah glared, “She didn’t deserve that, how juvenile can you be?”

“Why don’t you just follow her and make her feel better. It’s the boyfriend thing to do…” Orlando had started digging this hole and seemed intent on continuing.

“You’re fucking selfish you know that.” Elijah shook his head, “Not only do you want the perfect girlfriend you expect some amazing girl to be crushing on you from a distance. How low can you get?” He looked disgusted at his friend then went to find Braedon.

“Don’t even start on me mate.” Dom held his hands up, “I’m staying out of this. You want to act like an arrogant fuck I’m not going to stop you, but I sure as hell am not going help you either.” He walked over to where Jessie and Kate were talking to John.

“They don’t know what they’re talking about.” Orlando muttered to himself then got distracted as a fan of John’s recognized him and asked for an autograph.

Now everyone is going to hate me.

I thought we’d discussed the whole pathetic pouting thing.

Well they are.

Listen baby it’s all in the past and I’m sure they are aware of that because I obviously forgave you. It’s just part of the story, you made it all better.

I did didn’t I?

Yes darling you did, now can we get on with it?

Braedon was outside the building before she realized that she had no idea how to get back to the hotel, “Great, that’s just perfect.” She mumbled to herself trying desperately not to let tears fall. “I refuse to act like a girl about this.”

Weren’t you just announcing that you were a girl?

Not a good time to ask a stupid question baby, cork it.

Right.

“I hear talking to yourself can lead to insanity.” Keys jingled behind her.

“Who’s leading? I’m already there.” She sighed and turned to offer Elijah a sad smile, “Why do you keep showing up whenever I need you?”

He shrugged, “Someone else usually has the knight in shinning armour role and I’ve always wanted to know what it felt like.”

“So what to you think about the role then?” She asked as they walked toward the vehicle that he had driven there.

“I’ve never wanted to slug a friend so badly in my life.” He admitted.

She stopped, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean for you…”

He cut her off by grabbing her hand and chuckling, “Leave it to you to apologise when he’s being a prick.” He squeezed her hand and said firmly, “You have nothing to be sorry for so don’t even start, now come on.”

Reluctantly she let him pull her toward the car, “What about Jessie?”

“Dom will make sure she arrives back safe and sound. Besides do YOU want to be the one to pull her away from a conversation with John?”

“You make a good point.”

“I have loads of good points gathered up in here somewhere.” He tapped his head, “Along with good ideas, like why don’t we go back to the hotel get some drinks and watch TV?”

“A very good idea.” She agreed, “Lead the way Mr. Knight.”

“It would be a pleasure my lady.”

I think I’m feeling lurgy.

We are not starting this conversation again are we?

Well excuse me for not liking reliving the moments when you hated me.

Baby I never actually hated you, I was just pissed at you. The sooner we continue the sooner we get to the good part.

Braedon somewhat stumbled into her and Jessie’s room at about four in the morning. She tried to be quiet but didn’t succeed when she stubbed her toe on the bed before landing on it.

The light switched on and Jessie regarded her friend with a cross look, “And where exactly have YOU been missy?”

Trying to regain her focus in the now drastically brighter room Braedon pointed in the direction of her friend’s voice, “Hanging out with Lij, he really is a lovely boy.”

“And why is it that you are arriving home so late?”

“You sound like my mother.”

“Well I was worried Braedon! I turn around for two seconds and all of a sudden you’re gone.”

Still waving her finger in the air Braedon slurred, “S’not my fault. Orlando’s a prick!” She rolled over and stared at the ceiling, “Prick, prick, prick.”

“How did he go from ‘Mr. Hotter than hell’ to a prick?” Jessie wanted to know.

“By insinuating that I was using him to meet people.” Braedon fumed, “He’s the one who caught me and insisted on riding with me to town. HE’S the one who found my fucking trailer and insisted on visiting me every day and HE’S the one who had me over to his home and invited me to sleep in his bed.” She huffed, “Where the fuck does he get off?”

Jessie regarded her friend as she rolled off the bed and went to her suitcase, “I think he likes you more than he’s willing to admit.”

“I think you…” Braedon pointed a shaky finger again, “…are crazy. He’s nothing but an egotistical shit head that wants everyone to worship his every fucking movement. Well not this sister…” She tapped herself hard on the chest, “…my days of being infatuated with Orlando Bloom are done. Finished. Over. This Braedon is turning over a new leaf.”

After Braedon had stumbled her way into the bathroom Jessie chuckled, “I also think you my dear like him a HELL of a lot more than you’re willing to admit.”

 

 

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