He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. 'No way, Timberlake. You can't be anything to her� she's just a normal girl, nothing special.' But that was the problem. She WAS special, and he knew it. He just wasn't ready to admit it.
Quietly, she shut the door behind her, hoping to avoid her mother's lecture and her sister's superior smile. "Well, well, look what the cat dragged in. Nice of you to come home, Leila." Leila closed her eyes, before turning to face her mother. "Mom, I�" Lise shook her head. "I don't want to hear it. Now get to bed." Leila sighed and walked up to her room and shut the door behind her. After changing into her pj's she switched off the light and curled up into a ball, thinking about the night. She hadn't expected to seek comfort in Justin, of all people, but she had, and she liked it. He was actually a pretty decent guy� aww, hell, who was she kidding? He was a great guy, and she was falling hopelessly in love with him. She hit her pillow in frustration. But he didn't even like her. He took pity on her, that's all. It was evident he liked Leslie. Everyone always liked Leslie. It was nothing new. But if it was nothing new, then why did it hurt so much?
~Next day~
She awoke to her mother shaking her. "Leila Morgan, you wake up this instant! I don't have all day!" Leila groaned as her eyes fluttered open to look at her mother. Lise sighed in aggravation. "Great. You're not even up yet, and it's time to go. I expect you to be at that set in one hour, young lady, and if you're not, you will be ever so sorry." Leila watched in silence as her mother, stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Slowly, she watched the car pull hurriedly out of the driveway, and she sighed and went and showered. She emerged a while later, changing into a pastel pink tank top and a pair of white shorts. Slipping on a pair of black sandals, she dried her brown hair and pulled it back into a braid. She grabbed her purse and headed into the kitchen to grab an apple before heading down to the set, a few blocks away.
She cringed as she felt the hot California sun hit her, knowing that today would most likely be another scorcher. Smiling, she made her way down to the set, where she was greeted by David. "Hey David." He looked at her, a worried expression on his face. "Leila. Your mother� she's not in a good mood� And she told me to tell you she's waiting for you in Leslie's trailer." Leila nodded and headed down to the trailer, where she saw her mother, sitting in a chair discussing something with Leslie. Lise looked up to see Leila walk in and she cleared her throat. "Go ahead, Leslie." Leslie looked at her sister, and snickered before walking out. Leila looked at her mom, amazed. "Mom, I overslept� it's not a big�" Lise glared at her daughter. "Do you think I'm mad at you oversleeping? I don't think so. I'm MAD at the reason WHY you overslept. Don't think I didn't see that what's his name last night, because I did. And I don't like what I saw, one bit."
Leila rolled her eyes. "He walked me home, last I knew that wasn't a�" Lise looked at her daughter, shooting her an icy glare, before making her way to the door. "You're to stay in here today." And with that she walked out, locking the door. Leila's eyes went wide as she ran to the door, pounding on it. "MOM! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! MOM!" Lise looked at her older daughter and nodded. "Are you ready?" Leslie smiled. "Don't worry mom. It shouldn't be TOO hard to seduce him. Considering, he already has a thing for me, anyway."
Isabelle looked at David, curiously. "Where's Leila?" He looked at her, trying to suppress his worry. "She overslept this morning. Lise wasn't happy at all, in fact I was afraid the woman was going to destroy the place. She told me to tell Leila when she got here to head for Leslie's trailer, and I haven't seen her since." Justin looked at him curiously. "What do you mean, you haven't seen her since?" David opened his mouth to answer, but was silenced by Lise. "Well, hello, everyone! David, Leslie's ready to start filming whenever you are." He nodded. "Um, Mrs. Morgan, can I ask where Leila is?" Lise narrowed her eyes, before glancing at Justin. She shook her head and turned back to David. "Don't worry about her, David, she's where she won't get in the way."
She smiled and glanced at Leslie, who was making her way towards them. "Are you ready, darling?" Leslie nodded, before flashing a smile at Justin. "Sure thing mom." She winked and walked away, followed by her mother. Isabelle shook her head. "I don't like this. Where is Leila?" Justin shook his head, confused. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out." David sighed. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that. You guys need to be in make-up, now. I'm sure Leila's fine, and we can find her later."
Leila sighed, looking around the trailer. This can't be happening. What am I? Cinderella? She has no right to lock me in here. Someone'll find me. They'll notice I'm gone, won't they? 'Don't count on it.' A voice inside her told her.
"And that's a wrap! Good job, people! Let's take a break for lunch!" Isabelle looked at the guys, waiting faces and she shook her head. "I can't find her. The door to Leslie's trailer is locked. Something is seriously wrong here." Justin ran a hand over his face. "Belle� where would she take her? She didn't do anything!" He slammed his fist down on the table, causing several nearby people to jump. Isabelle looked at him. "What does it matter to you, anyways Justin?" He sighed. "Look, it just does, ok?" She nodded, trying to suppress a knowing smile. "Well, then you try to find her." He nodded, jogging off toward Leslie's trailer.
JC watched after him. "Is anyone here lost besides me?" Isabelle smiled and wrapped her arm around his waist. "I think Justin realized that love can show up in the most unexpected of places." He looked down at her. "Is that so?" She nodded, leaning her head, against his chest. "Mmm-hmm. And I just hope he gets that happily ever after."
Seven