Chapter 2 - Mesmerized
[Justin]
Aww come on Claire, please pick up. I'm calling Claire right now. I hope she'd pick up. It's almost a week since we last talk, and I missed her terribly. Oh gosh, come on Claire..
Finally she picked up at the third ring.
"Hello?" a voice from the other line said.
"Claire! Oh my gosh I'm so glad you picked up! I've missed you so much Claire. And I still felt pretty terrible that I didn't tell you about the YouTube thing, and about my career picking up. I'm so so sorry," I said, apologizing for like a hundredth time that month.
"Justin! It's okay really. It doesn't really matter. I know what it likes, being a star and all,"
"Whoa what?! You do?" I asked, surprised. I never knew she's a celebrity too.
"No no Justin! I mean I understand how you feel about it. And if I were you, I would likely to forgot sometimes. Let's just forget about it okay, move on. I've forgiven you and I've missed you too.. Lots!" She said. Exclaiming what I wanted to hear this whole week. Yeah I've missed her so much. It's been a long time since I saw here, hug her, hold her in my arms. Oh gosh, I wish she was here with me.
"So what's up? Indonesia's great right? I mean it sure does, you sound pretty amazing from the phone, shawty," I recalled, using my favorite slang word.
"Yeah it's cool and really nice here. This country got some amazing stuff, and many types of culture. I mean it's not as big as Canada or America, but you'd probably be amazed if you came here. Especially if you go to the javanese villages. Oh yeah and also Bali and Lombok!" she said. The tone of excitement on her voice. I wish I'm there with her, so I could see what she meant. I mean, I would really love to go to Indonesia someday.
"Gosh, you made me wanted to go there so badly. Its sounded so heavenly there. Maybe someday," I said.
"Yeah of course you will, I believe that. Maybe when you're having your world tour someday," she said. I can feel her smirking, even though I couldn't see her.
"Oh, I hope I would have a world tour someday.."
"You will! I believe you'd have one someday. And you would have girls screaming over you, sold out concerts everywhere, in Madison Square Garden even, and celebrities wanting to hang out with you so badly. I belieb you will do all those stuff, Biebs! Oh gosh, suddenly I remember you busking in front of Stratford Avon Theatre, and all those people watching!" she giggled, sounding quiet and pleasant. I laughed at the belieb.
It seems like she's happy for me. And she also sounded like she's proud of me.
Yeah, I absolutely remembered when she's always urging me to busk in front of Avon. All this people watching me, and taking videos. I would never forget that time.
"Hahaha! Belieb! And yeah, Claire. I hope it does came true, okay? And I'm really glad that you're here for me through everything. I still missed you though, and I really hope that I could meet you again someday. I miss the old days, and I know I'm taking a really big step on being a singer and everything. But I guess this is my dream. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I know I can't come back to who I used to be. This is such a big step for me. And I hope you'll come with me, standing by me along the way," I said. I know this is what I'm feeling. I know this is right. And I hope she would understand what I meant by this. I really really want her to. I want to make her happy. On the other hand though, I felt insecure without her here. I really missed the way we talk a lot back then. And I feel like this is the right thing to do.
"Oh right. But wait, what do you really mean, Justin?" she asked, confused. Gosh, I wish we would meet in person, cause I really don't feel like it to talk to her about this on the phone.
"What I mean is, that-"
"JUSTIN. GET OFF THE PHONE! THIS IS IMPORTANT!" why does Scooter has to interrupt things like this? I'm in the middle of something alright?!
"IMMIDEATELY!" Scooter yelled. Really loudly. I can't stand it alright. I yelled back.
"Aww come on!! This is Claire I'm talking to y'know?!"
"I don't care! HANG UP THE PHONE RIGHT NOW!" Dammit, can't he see this is important. It's about my relationship with Claire! Ugh
"My gosh, I'm really sorry Claire. I'll talk to you later okay? Maybe on Skype? I really have to go. Scooter, my manager, is yelling at me and I really really have to go. I'm sorry for the interruption. Oh God.." I muttered really quickly.
"That's okay. Just don't forget to call or Skype me okay. I want to know what you meant by that. And anyways I know you really have to go. I heard the yelling. So later, gator!" I know that she's slightly disappointed. But I'm glad she forgive me. I just have to make time to Skype her later.
"Okay thanks a lot Claire! Bye!" I quickly hung up then.
I don't think I'll tell her what I wanted to tell her anyways. Cause I really think I should talk to her in person about it. But later, I still have time to think about it soon. 'Cause right now, I have to go to Scooter. IMMIDEATELY like he said..
----
[Claire]
"That's okay. Just don't forget to call or Skype me okay. I want to know what you meant by that. And anyways I know you really have to go. I heard the yelling. So later, gator!"
"Okay thanks a lot Claire! Bye!" and then, he hung up.
I'm so curious about what's he gonna tell me. Well he promised to talk to me later. I'll just have to wait.
I fiddled with my phone for awhile, playing with it.
Suddenly, it rings. I saw the caller ID. Its Trina!
"Hello?" I say to the phone.
"Claire! You gotta come quick to my house, like Ay-sap!" Trina said. I could sense she was excited, and she also have that urgent tone in her voice.
"What is it, Trina?" I asked, curiously. First Justin, and now Trina?
"Just come here quick please!"
"Alright, alright. I'll be there in 10 minutes max!" I quickly said. Running across the room as I said so.
"Kay, see you then." Trina said.
I walk to my closet as quickly as I can. I picked up a paint-splashed cropped shirt, a baby blue tank, and a pair of maroon shorts. I put the clothes on. And then I walk to my side-table, pick up my wallet, and put it in my black purse. I applied some lip-gloss and then I slipped into my ballerina flats. I quickly walk to the bed to pick up my purse, throw my phone into it, and walk to the door of my room.
I grabbed my car keys from a table, and walked into the front door.
---
I finally arrived at Trina's house. It didn't take that long. In exactly 10 minutes I'm already there. Yeah we're not practically neighbors, but we didn't live miles away from each other, right? And yes, I also have a thing for time and tardiness. I guess I'm the kind of people that's always on time.
Trina's house is amazingly big. If not for the minimalism of the architecture, people would think that her house is a castle maybe. The house has glass pillars, and wood walls. They have this camera security outside, and a gate with a pass code lock.
In short, the house is big, minimalist, and high-tech.
I drove my car to the house's gate. I saw the code lock on the right. The intercom bulged.
"Claire you don't have to enter the code alright, just come on in!" Its Trina speaking from the intercom.
Suddenly, the gates opened by itself. Probably another high-tech mechanism. I drove my car slowly into the house, seeing a long path narrowing down to the main house. I parked my car, near the front garden of her house. Trina's mom, loves gardens. They have 3 gardens, which is filled mostly with flowers, one up front, one on the backyard, and one more inside the house. Oh and they also have a small green house on the backyard.
I got out of my car and walk to the front porch. Then, I climb up the stairs to her front door. I knock at it lightly.
Suddenly the door open with a small creak.
I saw a boy, probably the same age as Trina and I. He has blue eyes, as blue as the Pacific Ocean, blond hair, that almost reach his shoulder. He's wearing one of those bermuda shorts, and a graphic black tee.
He's pretty good looking I guess.
I walk into the 2 stories house. An aroma therapy candle, send its smells down the long hallway.
"Um, hello.. Sorry, but who are you, exactly?" I asked. I never saw him before..
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry for not introducing myself first. My name's Chris, Trina's cousin. You must be Claire, right?" he explained. He speaks in a thick australian accent.
What the hell? Trina never told me about his cousin coming to visit.
Suddenly I hear footsteps, running down the stairs. Its Trina, right on time.
"Hi, Claire. Finally you're here! Right on time as usual!" she grinned widely while looking at me.
She's as fashionable as always, even though she's at home. She's wearing this soft pink sundress and havaianas.
"Oh, right. You've met Chris right. He's my cousin and he moved from Melbourne to Jakarta, just like me," she said. "Chris-Claire, Claire-Chris!" she said, while pointing at both of us.
And then the three of us walk quietly to the living room. An awkward tension falls between us. I finally spoke.
"Yeah, I've met him Trina. Why didn't you tell me about him before?" I smiled awkwardly. I'm not sure that I'm gonna like him very much. But, well...
"Uh, I want it to be a surprise y'know. That's why I told you to come over. Chris just finished unpacking." Trina explained.
"Umm, yeah.. " Chris mumbled, probably feeling awkward about it. He plopped into a nearby sofa.
I shrugged slightly.
Trina walk to a white cabinet. Its in the snack area. Ever since I first got here, I'm always excited when I opened that cabinet. Its so full of snacks. Any snacks you could imagine. There's even a small black fridge in it that holds lots and lots of chocolate. They have Reese's peanut butter cups, easter egg-like chocolates, Hershey's bars and kisses, Cadburries, and more.
I looked at a table near the cabinet. Its also full of snacks. Trina grab a few gumies from a tupperware on the table and munch on it.
I lick my lips slightly, suddenly feeling the urge to eat chocolates. Well I know I can't, since I'm in a healthy eating program. Not that I'm fat and all, even my friends and families said that I'm stick-thin already. Well I just like eating healthy food.
"I'll wait upstairs alright!" Trina said while grabbing 2 bags of cheetos.
I can't believe this, she left me in the living room with her cousin that I barely knew.
"Where's the remote.." I heard Chris muttered silently. I saw the remote on a side table, I grab it and walk to the couch.
"Here, you're probably looking for this." I said. I give the tv remote to him, feeling a sudden spark of electricity through my hand as I did so.
No, there's absolutely no way that I like him.
"Uh yeah, thanks a lot Claire." He smiled slightly.
I returned his smile. And then, I plopped onto the couch beside him, putting my purse on the carpeted floor.
"So how do you like Jakarta so far?" I asked, smiling slightly at my dumb question.
Umm, not dumb I think, but I guess the question's not that important.
"Well, its nice and probably hotter than Australia's climate. But well, its tropic, so I guess I'm gonna miss the presence of snow.." he answered me. He pressed the channels on the remote, and finally find AXN. CSI New York is on.
"Well, yeah its much different than America too. But you'll get used to it eventually." I said, looking at him shyly. He's pretty nice I guess, even though I've asked him an unimportant question like that.
He looks back at me, his blue eyes twinkling slightly.
"Yes, I know. So how's school here? I sure hope its gonna be pretty tight." Chris said, excitedly.
"Yeah, the school's nice. You're gonna attend Obsone High too?" I asked.
He moved in closer to me, still fixing his eyes intently into mine. Our hands touching slightly. Electricity sparks through within my hand to my whole body, sending in a shock of mixed feelings.
"Yes, I'm gonna go to Obsone too, just like you and Trina. She told me, that the school system's not really that different from Aussie schools, since its an international school after all." Chris said, ruffling his hair with his left hand. Trina told him a lot already I guess.
"Well, yeah its not really that different. You're gonna love it there." I looked away awkwardly. He suddenly move in really close to me and play with the ends of my hair.
"Yeah, I'm sure of that." he said. I could sense that he's grinning now, still playing with my hair. The butterflies in my stomach growing and growing. He smoothed my hair slightly with his right hand. Just then, I looked up, finding his eyes fixed intently into mine. We locked eyes for a few mere moments. A pleasant silence taking place between us.
"Claire! What took you so long down there? Come on up!" Trina yelled from her bedroom upstairs. I shrugged uncomfortably.
"Guess I'll have to go now. She'll go nuts if I stay any longer down here. See you later, I guess.." I said, grinning slightly.
"Yeah, I'm sure you will." Chris smirks at me. "But, wait!"
I turned back to face him. Oh Gosh, those locks of blond hair. That perfect smile..
Snap out of it already, Claire!
"Yeah?" I muttered, fiddling with my cropped shirt.
"Uh, I'm sorry.. You know, about all of this.. I guess you wouldn't expect me acting like this and all. I'm so sorry, especially since I just met you like a few minutes ago. I'm really sorry Claire.." Chris said, looking down to the floor. I could see his cheeks reddened a little.
I'm a little bit stunned. I can't believe he's saying this. Its not that I mind or anything. Haha, whew.. That's saying a lot.
"Chris.." I touched his hand again, feeling a little bit afraid. Chris looks up at me. I smiled slightly at him. "Its okay, really. I don't mind at all, y'know with you doing all those stuff. Its okay.." I snuggled closer to him, still fixing my eyes on his.
"Are you sure? I'm sorry if I offended you or anything, Claire. I really do." Chris said slowly and carefully. He squeezed my hand a little, giving me more butterflies in my stomach.
"What? I'm not even offended one bit, Chris. Its okay, really. I'm sure of that." I gave him a reassuring smile, squeezing his hand back. I slowly moved my head closer to him, still holding his hand, tightly. And without further words and any thinking, I kissed his cheek lightly.
I pulled away slightly. Gasping a little in shock. I can't believe I just did that, to a guy a barely even knew. Oh Gosh, what do I do now?
I looked at Chris. His mouth opened, probably shocked of what just happened too. Oh no, I shouldn't have done that.
I get up from the couch. Our hands lost its contact. The electric feeling, now gone.
"I'm so sorry, Chris.." I muttered awkwardly, and then I ran upstairs to Trina's room, with my hand shaking slightly from gripping my purse so hard.
"Wait! Claire.."
----
"So what do you think about my cousin?" Trina said.
We're lounging on her practically-red bed, facing the television. Ever so slightly grabbing the cheetos and stuff them into our mouths.
"Well he's really nice." I said, blushing a little.
"Ooo! You like him right? I'm not surprised, since he's pretty good looking and all, perfect beach boy type kinda thing.." Trina muttered, playing with her locks of brown hair.
"Umm, no. I'm not so sure about liking him. We'll see about that alright." I said, blushing a little more.
Yeah right. How did Trina manage to know this so quickly. I'm not even certain about my feelings yet, ugh.
"Don't worry, Claire. We'll spent a lot of time together with Chris, since break's not even close to over," Trina said. I looked down at my cheetos-flavored hands and lick them slowly, trying best to hide my blush. "And when school starts, we'll spend even more time together with him. Well mostly just the two of you maybe, since you'll probably be dating him already.." Trina smirked at me.
"What the... Shut up Trina!" I couldn't find anything better to say. Almost had a lost for words.
I shrugged slightly as careful as I can, so that Trina wouldn't notice that my cheeks are almost as red as her bed sheets.
Trina laughed a little. She looked at me, and moved in closer to see my face.
"Ha! I can see that you're blushing right now! You just can't hide this stuff from me, Claire. I'll know eventually." Trina said. She gave me a look that practically say: I'm-your-best-friend-and-I'll-know-when-something's-up-or-if-you-like-someone-new.
I look down right then, a little bit embarassed. I know she is right. And if she knew about my encounter downstairs with Chris...
"Well, maybe I like him.." I said, careful not to mumble on my words.
"Its clear that you're totally into him!" Trina exclaimed, smirking slightly.
Suddenly, the intercom buzzed.
"Trina! Did you order pizza?" It sounded like Chris. Trina get up from the bed and walk over to the intercom. The intercom in Trina's room is more high-tech than the one on the front gate. It has a touch screen, and a few colored buttons. Trina pressed the red one.
"Yeah, I did! Just bring it in alright. Use the money on the table near the piano," Trina said, casually. "And don't forget to check if its the right pizza!"
The intercom gurgled
"Right.. But I didn't know what pizza you ordered.." Chris said, sounding slightly confused.
"Yeah, well its Quatro Formaggi with extra mozarella. And the other one is meat-pepperoni special." Trina replied, still pressing the button on the intercom.
Whew that does sounds delicious alright. Its been months that I haven't eaten pizzas. Of course, that's because of my healthy eating program. Well, I guess its okay to break the rules and eat some junk food.. Just this once maybe.
"Come on, Claire! We have to go down there. The pizza's here y'know!" Trina said excitedly. I shrugged a little, slightly uncomfortable. I'm still not really into eating junk foods. But... Well..
"Umm.. I don't feel like eating right now actually." I said, slowly. Muttering out my insecurities are the worst ever. I shrugged again.
"What?! Why? Is it because your healthy eating habit or something? Come on! Just this once!" Trina said to me. Yeah she always knew when something's up, and she always figured it out eventually. A little creepy there, Trina.
"Kind of.." I muttered. She gave me a look. I smiled awkwardly at her.
"Well, you have to eat pizza once in a while, Claire. I mean it, really. You're thin already, and I don't get why you'd eat healthy like that.. Come on let loose a little!" Trina said. I shrugged.
"Okay, maybe just this once.." I said, giving in.
"So come on then! Let's go downstairs!" She ran across the room and opened the door. I followed her. She ran downstairs like lightning bolt. So fast. I can smell the pizzas from here. I descended the stairs slowly. The pizzas smells nice and yummy.
I can see Trina running to the kitchen. I followed her, but not as fast as her though. I'm not in the mood to rush. The smell of pizza's getting stronger, filling in my nose trills. Yes I am longing for pizza, I think.
I can see Chris sitting behind the island of the kitchen. I flushed a little seeing him as he eyed me from where he's sitting, giving me a slight smile. I smiled back.
Trina's kitchen is so big, they have 3 refrigerators, countless white wooden cabinets, a long wall shelf full of seasoning, oils, and stuff like that, 1 long sink, a few kitchen drawers, 1 medium oven, and a small microwave in the inside of the island on the middle. I look at the all-white kitchen in awe. Yes, I'm always into white. Another thing you should know about me. And yeah, this is not my first time, being in Trina's kitchen, but now and then, I'm always stunned with it.
I stood by the door awkwardly. I can see Trina opening the middle fridge.
I walked over the island on the middle, you know, the kind of table, usually made of marble/granite, that's put in the middle of the kitchen, with sink, drawers, and stools for people to sit. I pull out a tall stool from below the table part of the island, beside Chris. I sat on it, and look at the 2 boxed of pizzas in front of me.
"Hey.." Chris said appallingly. I look at him, a little flushed.
"Hey." I muttered back, grinning a little. He fixed his eyes on mine, and grin too. He grab my hand from below, so Trina wouldn't see it. He gave my hand a little squeeze. I smiled because of it and blush a little more.
"Here you go guys!" Trina said, while handing both of us a can of coke. "Let's dig in, all right!" Trina exclaimed. She pulled the stool beside me, and grab the pizza boxes. I loosen my grip on Chris's hand a little, and then moving my hand completely to the pizza boxes. I opened them. I could inhale the strong smell of mozarella. I grab a slice of Quattro Formaggi, and take the first bite. I handed the box to Chris, who take a big slice of it.
"Oh my Gosh, I haven't eaten a pizza in months!" I said, excitedly. I munch on the pizza some more.
"See, I told you, you're gonna enjoy eating it, Claire." Trina said. I could feel Chris's hand slightly grabbed my exposed right knee and giving it a little squeeze.
Yeah, I absolutely enjoy spending time eating pizzas with you and your cousin, who's currently squeezing my knee.
----
[Justin]
"Seriously, you don't have to yell at me like that, Scooter. I was just talking to Claire! you know, my old friend back in Stratford?" I said, probably sounding more annoyed than ever. I just can't believe that Scooter would yell at me like that when I'm on the phone with Claire. That's just unforgivable.
"I'm sorry, man. I got big news for you! I mean, it really is the best news ever. You just have to hear it out, like... IMMIDEATELY." Scooter said, I can see he's excited about something. I could see that from his twinkling eyes and a huge grin plastered on his face. He looks like a little kid, that just got some candies and baloons. Haha, yeah, that happy.
"So what is it?" I asked him.
"YOU.. JUSTIN DREW BIEBER," he paused for dramatic effect. "YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A TOUR!" Scooter exclaimed. What? Oh my God, I can't believe this. Just seconds ago, Claire and I was just talking about me having a tour, a world tour even. So she must be a paranormal or something. Oh Gosh.. Haha I'm totally kidding alright..
"What do you mean? Is this some kind of joke or something?" I asked, definitely surprised. Has he heard my conversation with Trina or something?
"No I'm totally not joking, alright. You'll have a tour! We'll be prepared for it! Its gonna be called the My World Tour! And you're gonna perform at the MSG, man!!" Scooter said, excitedly. As excited as he can be, yeah I'm sure he is. MSG, is short for Madison Square Garden. Yeah, I'll be a legend if I performed in there. Like seriously, all the great artists have solded out all the seats in the MSG. From U2, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson. Oh my gosh, I'm so excited.
"Oh my Gosh... You're kidding me? Oh my Gosh, Oh my Gosh, Oh my Gosh.." I muttered under my breath. I can't believe that I would have my first concert in THE Madison Square Garden..
"Yeah! Isn't this great? It'll be even greater if you could sold it out!" Scooter said excitedly. He's practically jumping up and down now, well... Literally anyway.
"My Gosh, I can't believe this! I have to tell Claire! And Chaz and Ryan afterwards!" I said quickly. Oh my Gosh I'm so excited. I'm sure Claire would be happy for me. Chaz and Ryan too, but especially Claire, since we just talked about it like a few minutes ago. Gosh, I can't believe she could look into the future. Is she a sidekick or something? Haha okay, I'm totally losing my mind here.
"Nuh-uh-uh! You got dance rehearsals in 20 minutes. Get ready now! We have to prepare for this tour. We gotta work as great as we can! No interruption! We'll have 2 days off from the week, later. Understand?" He demanded me. How could I call/skype Claire then? What do I do now? I promised her that I will..
"Uhh, Scooter, I can call my friends once in a while right?" I asked, curiousity and ucertainity filling through. I can't go a day without calling one of my friends. Let alone tweeting or playing with my macbook. Yeah I'm certain, I couldn't let those habits go that easily, you know..
"Well, duh.. Of course you can. Who told you that you can't? Its your own free will anyways. I don't control stuff like that. All I want is for you to be serious and act responsible with your work. And my job is to check that you've done all that. Okay?" Scooter explained. Oh yeah! I'm so relieved. Yeah for a second, I panicked there. Oh well.
"Yeah, man. I understand now. Oh my Gosh, I still can't believe this. Thanks a lot Scoot," I hugged him like a child that haven't met his/her father. "But wait, is this gonna me an america-canada tour, or kind of a WORLD tour?" I continued, letting go of the hug.
"Don't you get it? It's gonna be called the " My World Tour". Isn't it clear enough for you? Well its gonna be a world tour for sure!" Scooter teased me, grinning widely. His eyes sparkle from the sunlight filtering through the glass window.
"Oh my Gosh!! Thank you thank you thank you! I could never thank you enough, Scoot! You're the best manager ever!" I shouted, hugging him again. This time, more tightly. Scooter hug me back.
"Yeah, I'm so excited too, Bieber. Yes I do.."
----
"One, Two, Three, Four. Ah-five, Ah-six, Ah-seh-vun, Eight,"
I'm currently practicing my choreography for "Somebody To Love" with some of the selected back-up dancers. Ash, one of the dancers, is counting the beat for rehearsing. I keep messing up, here and there.
"Come on, Biebs! You can do it, just one more time, alright?" Scooter said, encouraging me to do my best. I just nodded. I'm definitely too tired to talk. Sweat practically covered my whole body, and my face. I flicked my now-damp hair and tried to regain my breath.
Scooter started the song. I inhale the air-conditioned air. Coldness of the air, filling through my nose, and then my lungs. The intro of the song started, and then Ash started counting.."
"Five, six. Five, six, seh-vun, eight!"
And then we restarted the whole routine. Everything was done so perfectly, I'm so sure that I did everything right. Putting my hand back, flipping my hair once in a while, throwing the yankees hat, standing on the tip of my Supras, et cetera.
The sounding of numerous claps filled the studio. I'm so full of sweat, I could barely think. All I could do was grin at Scooter happily. Yeah! I nailed the whole routine. The guys, the backup dancers, tapped me in the back and give me high fives.
----
ps: Hope you guys love it, and please appreciate my work by not copying my ideas, k? #muchlove
