THE RULES OF FAME

Vanessa Louvier My brother got married, and after that, everything was a rollercoaster. I met him. Peyton Bell, Amanda´s brother, and the guy who, at a young age, was a music genius. Peyton has been my support and my anchor in my times of trouble, even when he was in Switzerland recording and producing an album with Leon Vedder; he never made me feel less important. He was my strength in the moments that mattered, especially when I had to face the people who hurt me in court. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Peyton sat behind me, and beside me was my brother. What they had done to me, the type of bullying, ridicule, and stress they had caused me, could have broken anyone, but not me. I was determined to show them that you don´t mess with a Louvier, you don´t try to put one of us down, because we will all jump to defend one another, we will rain hell over you, if you wish to harm us. My father was a prominent lawyer, and my brother Tom-Tom has followed in his footsteps, being a ruthless man in court. Today I have witnessed him in all his glory. He didn´t leave any stone unturned. He worked hard to build an iron claw case, one that would put my ex-best friend and all the people who decided to make a porn movie, altering the face with technology so it would appear to be a s*x tape of me, regretting their actions. I was not a prude, I was not scandalized by the content of the video, but I was labeled a b***h, a common w***e, and those labels were the furthest from he truth. I was a girl, becoming a woman. A woman who treasured her body, and who was not willing to bargain with it as if it were something common or cheap. I had a good amount of self-love and self-respect, and my mother and father taught me that s*x was something to be treasured, something to be done with the right person, at the right moment. I firmly believe Peyton is the right person, and we are just waiting for the right moment. But between his studies, the case, and the new company he is starting with his older cousin Eddie Muse, not to mention the theater production I star in over the weekends. our schedules have been hectic, almost impossible to match, but we are trying... I was brought back to the courtroom when the judge announced their punishments. Tom-Tom had already given me a wide array of options. We were hoping for the highest sentence, and yet the judge announced one year of detention, followed by a second year of mandatory community service. They all were underage, like me, and their sentences felt light to say the least. We were granted, also granted monetary compensation, not that we needed it, but it could be saved to do something in the future, start a foundation, or something along those lines. Thomas huffed, "I thought the judge would be more severe," he said, and I nodded. "But at least they got some jailtime..." I shrugged my shoulders. I turned around, and Peyton was there, "How are you feeling?" he said, and I smiled. "Good, I had no expectation, and yet I feel even with a lower sentence, I got heard and got some justice. Closure, my name restituted in a court of law," I sighed, and he leaned over the wooden divider and pecked my temple. "How about we go out tonight... maybe have some dinner..." he said, and I nodded. "I would love to," I smiled, and he nodded. "Alright, I need to deal with some paperwork, and I will meet you at home," Tom-Tom said, and I shook my head. "I am going out with Pey," I said, and he nodded. "Well, I will brief Mom and Dad..." he said, and I nodded. I stepped on my tippy toes and kissed my brother´s cheek, "I know you are not happy about their sentence, but don´t be too harsh on yourself. You got me justice, cleared my name... and I love you above all of it." I said, and he smiled. "I love you too... I guess that is a way of seeing things," he smirked, and I shook my head. He was a perfectionist, just like my dad. "Are you ready?" Peyton said, and I nodded. He laced his fingers with mine, and we walked outside the courthouse. He led me to the parking lot and opened the door to his car. He was building a name and reputation in the industry, and from a guy whom his father bullied and didn´t give a s**t about, he became popular, sought out talent that the industry can´t get enough of. He and Eddie are two music geniuses, and by joining forces, their production company is thriving in record time. I nodded. Peyton is the guy I want to spend my entire life with. He has said the same about me, so I don´t feel like waiting to be intimate with him will affect the outcome, yet with our schedules not pairing up frequently, I also feel that our relationship is turning a bit cold. Maybe with the trial behind us, we can rekindle the flame and spend some quality time together. We arrived at a cute restaurant, not elegant, but cozy and homey. It was something we always loved to experience. Little restaurants, hidden culinary gems that will give us the vibe and experience of well well-cooked, warm meal, with a friendly atmosphere. "I like this place," I smiled, and Peyton nodded. "Eddie took me here a week ago, and I instantly thought about bringing you here," he smirked, and I smiled. I was still a bit taken aback because he was gorgeous, and was just a regular girl, or at least I had always seen myself that way. We took a table in a secluded corner. I wanted to tell him that I was ready, that after our meal we should go to his place, but as soon as he sat down, his phone rang. "Yo!" he answered. Certainly, it was someone he knew. "Eddie! Why did you book that gig?" he sounded annoyed, and then he lifted a finger as if asking me to wait, and walked away from the table. The waitress walked towards our table and gave me a sympathetic smile. I smiled at her and ordered two lemonades. She nodded and left me alone. Around five minutes later, Pyeton arrived. He was upset about something. "Is everything alright?" I asked, and he gave me a slow nod. "Yeah, I guess... Eddie keeps booking projects, and he is keeping me busy beyond human capabilities," he sighed, and I held his hand. "At least we have tonight, right?" I said, hopeful, and he took a deep breath. "I am sorry, Nessa." He said, "We only have about an hour and a half... I have to be back at the studio." he gave me a tight smile, "But whatever you wanted to do, I can take a raincheck for another occasion," he said, and I nodded. I understood the demands of his career; mine also demanded time to rehearse and be in top performance mode when the weekend came. "Let´s order anyway," I said, and he nodded. We ate, having small chit-chat about everything and nothing. It felt almost normal to be around him again, and yet I felt an abyss breaking between us. He dropped me off at my place, and I was greeted by my mother and father. Tom-Tom and Mandy were there, "Sweeite, where is Peyton?" Mom asked, and I sighed. "He had to go back to the studio," I said, and Mom nodded. "Well, Tommy told us everything about your day at court. Even when both Daddy and Tommy don´t agree with the sentence, I think it was a good closure..." Mom cupped my cheek, and I smiled. "I think so too..." "Now, something came in the mail..." Mom said, and I looked at her. "Remember about a year and a half ago you applied to the Royal Academy of Arts in London?" she asked, and then she materialized and handed me an envelope with their crest engraved in shiny gold ink. With trembling hands, I opened the envelope. "Dear Vannessa Louvier, We are glad to inform you that the Royal Arts Academy in London has considered your application, and after reviewing your audition, the board has decided to accept your application for the upcoming school cycle. Your auditions and performances left a memorable mark on our board, and after reviewing your impeccable trajectory and grades, we proudly offer you the Acting and Theater Scholarship. This scholarship is granted to outstanding foreign talent. It is a grant that will ensure you have sufficient means to focus on your studies..." The letter kept going until I read the "Sincerely, Admissions Board The Royal Arts Academy, London, UK," "I got in!" I said, and Mom beamed. "Wonderful, Darling... A new school, a fresh start..." she smiled, and I nodded. This day has been a rollercoaster, and yet, after all of it, I ended it on a high note. Now the decision is: Should I leave for London with a relationship that is getting colder by the minute? Or should I end things and hope in the future cross paths with the man that holds my heart?