I Too Had A Love Story

The Way We Get By

2014 August

"And that's a wrap!" Adrian cheered with a giant grin which perfectly showcased his cute dimples. I danced and twirled around in glee as I exited the recording booth.

Upon spotting Flynn looking like a proud mom, sitting on one of the couches around the room, I decided to settle beside her.

"It's going to be such a bop. I bet on my dimples this is gonna hit number one on Billboard charts within a week of release!" said Adrian as he took off his headphones and walked across the room from his chair to flop his tan body between us.

A gigantic beam graced my lips at their remarks. I sighed in content. All those sleepless nights and chaotic times certainly seemed to pay off. I just completed recording the last song of my forthcoming album and I couldn't wait to present my new creation to the world.

"If anyone doesn't agree with us, I'll personally counsel them until all their brain cells are lost and then fill them with some of mine." Flynn folded her hands, and her hazel eyes narrowed into slits.

"But that's called abuse." I deadpanned.

"Then I'll gladly be the abuser."

"As if you already aren't." Adrian muttered under his breath but was ratted out when Flynn threw a 'what-the-f**k-did-you-just-say?' stare at him. Her grin slowly morphed into a sinister smile while Adrian's face screamed 'Tell my mom and Dad I loved them!'

shit.

The next second screams resonated the room as Adrian jumped on and off the tables and chairs as a monkey escaped from an asylum while Flynn tried to grab a hold of him like another monkey gone mad. I sat comfortably on the couch laughing my ass off at these crack heads whom I called my friends.

"LOOK! IT JUST SLIPPED OUT OF MY MOUTH. IT MEANS NOTHING! I SWEAR-"

"SOMETHING LIKE THAT JUST CANNOT SLIP OUT OF NOWHERE, YOU IMBECILE! SINCE YOU ACCUSE ME OF BEING AN ABUSER, WHY DON'T I JUST BREAK YOUR BONES AND MAKE IT TRUE, HUH?!"

"SEE?! THIS IS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. WHY YOU GOTTA BE SO VIOLENT?!" Adrian's eyes widened when he realized the words slipped out if his mouth. I facepalmed. Way to go Adrian. Why don't you add some more salt to the fire?

They both began going on a rampage. As entertaining as the scenario was, I was not going to let them destroy this studio, which was my second home.

I quickly stood up from the couch and ran towards Flynn who, by then got a hold of Adrian's shirt. She threw her hand back, about to punch him in the face but ended up kicking the air as I grabbed her waist and dragged her away.

"Flynn, calm down. Let’s deal with this like human beings!" I yelled but Flynn wasn't having any of it. We tripped over each other’s feet in her attempt at getting out of my grasp and crashed onto the floor with a loud thud.

Ouch. So much for being the mature one.

I slowly sat up and groaned at the slight pain in my back. On the corner of my eye, I saw Flynn dusting herself off, still glaring at Adrian, who was looking like a scared cat standing on a couch with his fists in front of him, ready to defend himself.

I rubbed my face in frustration. "Flynn! Stop it now or you'll find all your makeup in the trashcan tomorrow."

"You wouldn't!" Flynn held a look of disbelief as she whipped her head towards me.

Before I could throw my reply to her, another voice interrupted me.

"It's about you realized where you belong, Jade. It’s the floor. You got it right this time." A scowl drove its path onto my lips as soon as I heard the sickeningly sweet tone.

In front of me, walked a brunette, with a contour which looked like a visit to the tan salon gone wrong, hands folded across her chest and a spiteful glint in her eyes. But then, she looked at Adrian and a stupid plastic smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, Adrian. Look at how miserable you are with these irrelevant people. I told you earlier and I'm telling you now, you'd be better within my circles." Her overly sweet tone bled my ears.

"Did they, by any chance, mess up your eyes, during your nose job? Because even a Cyclops can see how f*****g happy I am." Adrian retorted and Flynn busted out laughing. The brunette let out a gasp as her face flushed in anger.

"b***h, move. I hate the smell of burning plastic." Flynn added which made Adrian and I burst into fits of giggles.

"I get it. You can't just digest the fact that I'm more successful than you will ever be. You are just jealous." Ella smirked.

Jealous? Bless her delusional ass.

"I agree." Another squeaky tone came from behind her. "Ella's music is much better. But then again, she's the best at everything."

If there was anything I picked up about life so far, 'there will always be someone who detests you. There will always be someone who desperately wants to bring you down'.

Olivia and Ella were that someone in my life. It was like Regina George and Mandi Weatherly put together. Except it was much worse.

They were both sound backgrounds, their rich dads backing up their every wrong doing. Looking down on other people was their favourite hobby.

Their presence couldn't help but aggravate me to the core. Ugh, what the heck are they even doing here?

Ever since I stepped my foot in the music industry, Ella made it her responsibility to make me wretched. Flynn said it was because she saw me as a threat to her career. She started with verbal abuse and when Olivia, her 'best friend', joined her, they both stooped as low as to shut me in a storeroom at the backstage just before my first performance in the AMA's.

My fourteen-year-old naïve self, let their words get to my head which only led to anxiety attacks and depression. I built a China wall around my brain, then. I was determined not to let any of such words get past it. It still infuriated me how they had the power to inspire people around them but instead used it to make people cripple for their own sick pleasure. It disgusted me.

I rose from the floor not wanting to see the painful sight of Ella's super high heels. She might as well wear sticks. Oh, wait. She already had one up her ass.

"Are you sure about that, Olivia? You mean the same Ella Knightly who couldn't even sell a quarter million copies of her last album, who can't sing without loads of auto-tune. I swear her backup singers are much better than her."

Ella's pale skin turned red in fury as Olivia's face held shock. I amazed myself too but kept my face straight. I walked closer to look Ella in the eye just for a striking effect.

"You are right about one thing though. She's the best at everything-everything that includes ruining people's careers, sleeping behind her boyfriend's back, faking. But, you out of all people should know that. You are her best sidekick, after all." With that, I shot them a final glare and smirked in satisfaction.

Adrian and Flynn tried to hold in their laughter but when Ella stepped forward and raised her hand to slap me, everything went silent. I shut my eyes tight on impulse, waiting for a tinge against my cheek, but it never came. That was when a familiar scent filled my senses and warmth spread against my back. I peeked a little and turned to my side to see a familiar tall figure glaring at Ella.

"What's going on here?" Why is everyone barging into my studio as if it's their own room?!

"Oh! Just giving your girlfriend a reality check." I replied. Justin's forehead crinkled in confusion as he looked back and forth between me and Ella.

"Justy! She-"

"Stop speaking, already. I told you to wait outside, didn't I? Why can't you listen to me for once, huh?" He hissed at Ella, clearing up my suspicions about their relationship being a PR. Well, it was obvious from the beginning.

Ella stomped her feet again and rushed out of the room, Olivia following her, hastily. Justin shifted to look at me, his face softened as he ran his hands through his smooth golden-brown hair.

"Did she say anything to you? Are you hurt?" I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Since when did this boy start caring about anything other than himself?

I shrugged, "It doesn't matter."

"I'm sorry." He breathed out.

"You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault." I responded with a small smile silently wondered how he put up with her every day. Or how she put up with him every day.

His lips curved into his signature grin and he drew me into a hug. I went rigid. What the heck!

"Alright then. I'm looking forward to seeing you at my party tonight." And the next second he was out of the room leaving me in a daze.

After a moment of eerie silence, I went back to sit on the couch. Flynn followed me and Adrian spoke.

"Who left the door unlocked?"

"I went to the washroom earlier and must have forgotten to lock it." Flynn spoke with a rare apologetic smile.

"We could have avoided this drama." I reasoned.

"But then we wouldn't have gotten the chance to roast her. I regret nothing." Flynn shrugged. I sighed knowing what she said was true. God, we are all so mean.

"Sis finally snapped! That was so effing good!" Adrian cheered.

"Have you seen her face? It was speechless." Flynn added, giggling.

"That's because she knew I was speaking the truth." I shrugged but then guilt landed in.

"That was so unlike your goody-two-shoes self. I'm definitely rubbing off on you." Flynn declared proudly.

"Oh god, no! The world can't deal with another Flynn!" Adrian yelled and threw his hands in the air dramatically.

"Then the world needs to suck it up because this Flynn ain't going nowhere." Flynn flipped her hair.

"Do you think I was a bit harsh?"

Flynn's jaw dropped as she stared at me like I had told her I flushed all her makeup down the toilet.

"b***h, what?! That was nothing compared to what she says to you on a daily basis."

I sighed, "I don't know. I feel guilty, now."

"Here I was, thinking you were actually following my footsteps." Flynn folded her hands and scoffed as she glared at the floor.

"You are just too nice for this cruel world, kid." Adrian ruffled my hair.

"So, the Hollywood heartthrob likes our baby girl." Flynn stated, and I rolled my eyes at her foolish conclusion.

"Stop making things up. You said that about every guy I have met so far." And then I remembered something. "What party was he talking about?"

"You don't know? It's Justin's birthday today. Rumors are he's hosting a grand celebration, inviting all the A-listers." Flynn spoke. I grumbled at the image of being surrounded by obnoxious people.

"Let's go, now. It's already way past 1 'O' clock and we have tons of things to buy. You will be my doll today." She grabbed both of our bags and grabbed me on the way out of the studio.

"Bye, Adrian!" I hollered.

"Same, Adrian!" Flynn yelled, forgetting all about their fight.

I heard his chuckle and then the restless streets of the city.

__________________

I perched on Flynn's bed and gawked at the kit full of red lipsticks in front of me while Flynn finished her make-up.

"Ly?" She hummed in response.

"Why do you have so many red lipsticks?"

"They are not all red, dumb-ass." She replied while looking at herself in the mirror. She looked pretty as ever. Her wavy blonde hair stood out in the black dress she wore. Her curves were more defined while mine were nonexistent. I wasn't the one to get insecure but there were moments where I felt so low about myself and those were my most vulnerable times. Flynn caught me staring and swung around, a smirk on her lips.

"Are you sure you are straight? You are gawking at me like a pervert. You know you can come out to me. I won't judge." I rolled my eyes.

She put on her black heels and made her way to sit beside me. Before she began talking, I felt her arm wrap around my shoulder.

"Did you know? I have always been jealous of your skin. How the f**k is it so glassy with no flaws at all? Don't get me started on your hair. I swear you are Rapunzel's long-lost sister."

"I know what you are doing. You don't have to lift my self-esteem every time it hits the ground." I mumbled.

"It’s true, though. However, your self-esteem shouldn't be about how you look. Now let's go before the party is over. Justin's waiting for you." She wiggled her eyebrows, and I rolled my eyes at her.

"How the heck did you draw that absurd conclusion?" I mused as we both exited her apartment.

"Honey, you are just too oblivious."

As her car halted in front of a hugely lit mansion, my eyes bulged as wide as saucers. The rumors were true. He made his birthday party into a freaking red carpet event. I was not even exaggerating. Sure enough, all the A-listers were there. His estate was glittering with lights. It looked like a palace. This boy was so extra.

Flynn fled as soon as we reached. Well, what was I expecting?

I was left with myself to awkwardly look around while leaning on the nearest table as everyone associated with each other. Blabbering, the clinking of glasses surrounded the atmosphere mixed with classical music. Me on the other hand, I wasn't in any of the famous social circles. Simply because I didn't fit in. Adrian, however, was an exclusion. When I first met him, he was already a successful rapper. Four years older than me and he was already making his mark in the industry. Our age didn't stop us from getting close, we shared the same passion.

Despite living this life for almost three years now, I still wasn't used to all the attention or cameras flashing in my face every time I breathe.

"Well, don't you look pathetic?"

"Why, thank you. You don't look any better yourself." I looked at the tall blonde standing beside me who mirrored my smirk.

"Touchè." He smiled. "I heard your album is done. Congrats, girl."

"Thank you. It wouldn't have been possible without Adrian and Flynn." His face fell at my words and I mentally laughed.

"What about me?!"

"What about you? All you did was sit on that old tattered couch and shoved food down your throat. You even snatched my fries that one time." I replied, hiding the smile that was about to form on my lips.

"Unbelievable! What about all those times I took you out for Ice cream in the middle of the night? You ungrateful brat!" He silently exclaimed, holding an expression of disbelief. That was when I broke into fits of giggles. He looked at me baffled.

"I was just playing you, stupid."

"You better be. Or I'm never gonna buy you ice cream again." He pouted like an adorable kid making it hard for me to hold myself from pinching his cheeks. So that was what I did resulting in him glaring at me.

"Don't you have a boyfriend to impress?" He let out a huge sigh and gripped the sides of the table as he leaned onto it.

"Not my boyfriend, yet. But he seems more interested in dating food than me." Dylan said tilting his head towards a guy, must I say a handsome one, who was stuffing his face with all the edible things from the food table.

"At least he's relatable, unlike your boring ass." I laughed.

"You are so mean."

"That's what you signed up for when you became my friend."

"Hey listen to this." He straightened his body and pulled his lips into-what he thought was-a flirty smile. "They say tongue is the strongest muscle in our body. Wanna fight?" He ended with a wink and I burst out laughing. Dylan looked at me, offended.

"Where did you get that from? No wonder he is more interested in food."

His smile dropped and he slouched in defeat at my words. I decided to be kind and help him. I examined the guy for a moment. He was still stuffing his face with food. Damn, he's making me hungry. His cheeks turned into a light shade of pink whenever he made eye contact with someone.

"Pretty boy looks like he would love coffee dates and cuddle nights, not your kinky shit." I explained to him. Dylan just stared me blankly and then gasped suddenly.

"Why didn't I think of that before? Thanks, Jade. You are a genius." He hugged me and got up to leave.

"Hey. Wait! Have you seen Flynn?"

"Knowing my sister, she probably has her tongue down someone's throat already."

Well, this party couldn't get any more uncomfortable. I wasn't a party person, to begin with. Cruel and CruElla didn't spot me yet. For that, I was glad. I wasn't fond of a foul mood.

Deciding to do a little exploring, I slowly made my way down the hall running my hands through the ends of my long straightened black hair. Some people greeted me. Some came to talk to me. Some even complimented my music.

The house was familiar, considering I visited a few times before. Perks of Scott managing us both. Justin Filch was undeniably handsome. But he was also arrogant. He was extremely rude to me when we first met but then a miracle happened and he turned super nice to me. He thought wrong if he expected me to be buddy-buddy with him all of a sudden. I wasn't one to hold grudges but I didn't easily forgive either.

"Jade." Speak of the devil. I turned around and saw him sprinting towards me in a white button-up shirt.

"Justin! Happy Birthday." I greeted him as he stood with a huge grin. His eyes were twinkling. Must be the lights.

"Thank you."

"I bought you a little gift."

"You didn't have to. You being here is enough gift for me." I looked at him baffled. What the hell was wrong with this guy? Did he hit his head against or what?

Flynn's words reverberated in my head, "So the Hollywood heartthrob likes you." NO!

"Ah, well. It's from Scott. Since he couldn't come, he told me to give it to you." I handed him a small rectangular box which didn't weigh much.

"You look gorgeous, tonight." He complimented.

That was unexpected.

And strange.

I'm losing my brain cells.

"Thank you. Uh-I will see you later. I have to go find Flynn." I blurted out an excuse and walked away in haste. That was uncomfortable as hell.

"Wait! Jade, why don't you have a dri-" A ding cut him off. I almost cried in relief when I realized it was my phone.

Scott: Meet me at home, ASAP. Flynn's already here.

"Sorry, Justin. I gotta go now. Happy Birthday once again." I gave a smile before dashing out. It was dark outside. I checked my phone to see it was only 9:22 pm.

Why did Flynn leave without informing me? Luckily, Justin lived in the same neighborhood as Scott's. I walked there and opened the wooden front door to find Flynn and my 32-year-old manager sitting on the couch with elbows on their knees. They both held a look of nervousness with a hint of fear.

"Are you pregnant?" I blurted out as I neared them. Flynn full on glared at me.

"Yeah. Scott knocked me up. I was thinking maybe you should be the godmother." I would have believed her if I didn't recognize the sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"Flynn, Shut up! This is not the time for jokes." Scott scolded her.

"Then what's going on?"

"The child services called."

My heart stopped before it beat rapidly.

"They found who your father is."