Chapter 2: "Cloud Nine, Ground Zero"
1590 Words
Pepper’s heart pounded as she stared at the clock, then at her phone. Alex had texted her earlier and ther was a change of plans. The photo shoot won't be at his studio anymore but had been moved to the school publication office. That was closer to her next class, which should’ve been perfect… if only she hadn’t forgotten that Chemistry ran until 4 p.m.
It was 3:57. She was cutting it way too close.
The moment the dismissal bell rang, she leaped from her seat. Her classmates barely had time to react as she bolted out the door, ignoring the puzzled glances and questions trailing behind her. This wasn’t just any photo shoot. Lance would be there. Her chance—her shot at something with him—could vanish if she missed it.
She raced across campus, lungs burning, sweat sticking her shirt to her back. She felt like a mess. She probably looks and smells like one. When she finally reached the publication office, a wall of students blocked her path. Panic surged.
Her phone buzzed. It was Alex.
“What does 4 p.m. mean to you? We’re almost done here,” he teased.
“How am I supposed to get in? There’s a mob outside!” she hissed.
“Are you already here?”
“I’ve been here for ages!” she lied, breathless.
A second later, someone shoved through the crowd—and there was Alex, still on the phone, smirking at her.
“Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, lowering his phone.
“Because I’m annoyed!” she snapped, hanging up as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the crowd.
“Did you forget your best friend is a celebrity?” he said with mock drama, flashing a smile at a group of girls.
“I love you, Alex!” one of them squealed.
Pepper scowled. Of course, he made it look effortless.
“I thought you were already inside,” he said, eyeing her sweat-soaked state. “You smell like… commitment. Raw, natural effort.”
She groaned. “Your office is too far.”
Inside, the chatter died the moment she stepped in. Her eyes locked with Lance’s. It felt like time stopped. Her stomach flipped. Her legs wobbled.
Be cool, Pepper. You planned for this moment. Don’t melt.
Hannah, the editor-in-chief, was wrapppng up the interview with Lance. But his eyes were on Pepper. He asked to pause the interview just to greet her. A slow smile spread across his face and he started walking towards her. She tried hard not to panic. This is her plan. Why hasn't she calculated the odds that she could be stunned? For the life of her, she could not move!
“Are you okay?” Alex asked beside her when she stiffened.
She didn’t answer. She couldn't. Her eyes were fixated on Lance who is walking slowly, making his way to her heart.
“Hey, Erika,” Lance said, voice low and warm. “Nice to see you again.”
Her mind screamed: SAY SOMETHING.
“I—I ran,” she blurted. “To see you again.”
Alex coughed loudly behind her. She kicked him in the shin without looking. His whimper was so satisfying to hear.
Lance chuckled. “So that’s why you’re sweating.”
He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her. She stared at it like it was a diamond ring.
“Thanks,” she whispered, clutching it like a treasure.
“Are you free Saturday night?” he asked casually.
Her heart thudded. Hannah’s glare could’ve burned a hole through her, but Pepper only saw Lance. Everything else is a blur.
“Yes,” she said too quickly. “Are you taking me on a date?”
Hannah cleared her throat. “Should we continue with the photo shoot?”
Neither of them moved.
“I’ve been planning on it,” Lance replied, eyes still on Pepper.
“Same here,” she said, then smacked her forehead. “I mean… yes. I want to.”
“I like that you mean it,” he said with a soft smile.
Pepper felt her feet float off the floor. But then Alex’s voice cut in.
“Should we continue with the photo shoot?” he repeated Hannah’s words, louder this time.
Pepper shot him a look. Later, she’d deal with him. Right now, she is on a high.
Throughout the shoot, she drifted in a daze. Every time Lance looked at her, her heart skipped. She kept sneaking little sniffs of the handkerchief—it smelled like him. She pinched herself. She wasn’t dreaming.
“He’s the one,” she thought with a silly grin.
Then, as if reading her mind, Lance said, “Can we take a picture together?”
Hannah’s expression soured when she realized he wasn’t talking to her.
“Please, Erika?” Lance’s voice was soft.
“Sure,” she said, stepping beside him.
She resisted the urge to throw her arms around him, especially with Alex standing stiffly nearby. He didn’t look happy. Why wasn’t he happy?
When the shoot ended, Lance turned to her. “See you Saturday?”
She nodded, glowing. Not even Hannah’s dagger-eyes could ruin it.
“I’m not sleeping. I’ll wait for you,” she whispered to herself as Lance walked away.
“Aw,” Alex groaned beside her, rubbing his temple. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“What? It’s romantic!”
He rolled his eyes. “Do your parents even know about this date?”
Pepper’s smile faltered. Uh-oh.
“Will you help me?”
“No.”
“What?! You’re ruining my moment, Alex!”
“I’m being realistic.”
As they walked, she tried linking arms with him. She was thinking of ways to convince him to sneak her out on her date. She is not ready to tell her parents yet. “Want me to treat you to dinner?”
“I’m not hungry.” He pulled away, not even looking at her.
She stared at him. “What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s so special about Saturday, Pepper?”
She blinked. Why does it feel like she is suddenly in a hot seat? “The date with Lance?”
Alex looked like he wanted to scream. He walked faster, and she hurried after him.
She checked her phone. October 23.
Her heart dropped.
Uncle Jordan’s birthday.
Their silent tradition. Their yearly attendance at family events he dreaded. She was always there—for him.
Her stomach turned.
In the car with her dad, she tried to shake the tension.
“Hi, Dad!” she said brightly.
“Hello, baby,” he replied, ruffling her hair.
“Dad,” she whined, but her dad only smiled. “Stay in the back. Someone’s joining us,” he said.
She didn’t expect to see Lance when she stepped out of the car. Her heart skipped a beat, and her knees almost gave out.
“Hi,” she stammered.
“Hello, Erika. I’m joining you on the way home,” Lance said with a warm smile.
Her eyes widened. She looked to Alex for an explanation, but he just raised an eyebrow. Pepper’s mind spun. Was Alex trying to sabotage everything? Did he already tell her dad about the date? But Alex just shut her off completely by wearing his headset.
The ride was quiet but heavy. Later, her dad asked, “Did you two fight?”
“No, Dad,” she answered. "Not yet," she whispered, sending a daggered look at Alex.
Erika was relieved when they arrived home. Lance's mother was there to visit her mom as they were childhood best friends. She showed Lance around the house that she had forgotten about Alex. Alex didn't even stay for dinner. He just left without saying goodbye to her. She had to come down from cloud nine—and leave Lance—to find Alex. She hurried her steps and followed him.
“Alex, wait!”
He didn’t stop. She had to run to catch him up and block his path. He stopped walking and sighed, looking at her with weary eyes.
“I’m sorry, okay? I forgot. You didn’t remind me. You just got mad.”
“I’m not mad,” he said flatly.
“Then why are you acting like this?”
“Let me be, Pepper.”
“I’ll cancel the date with Lance,” she said quietly.
He stopped walking.
“Really?” he asked.
She paused and painfully answered, “Yes.”
“Forget it.” He turned away again.
She chased him, desperate. “Why are you so hard to talk to? Can't you see I'm trying so hard so we won't argue?"
“There’s no argument.” His voice was cold as ice. “Go have your date. I’m an adult now. I don’t need you anymore.”
The words knocked the air from her lungs. It stung.
“Go home, Pepper.”
She wanted to chase after him, but her knees were shaking.
She couldn’t understand why Alex's words hurt so much.
It didn’t make sense. Not when Lance had smiled at her. Not when he asked her out. Not when everything she wanted was finally happening. So why did it feel like her heart was breaking over someone else?
For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why her chest felt so heavy.
And she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
- Writer
