• tab I glanced over at Nicholas, and he was staring coldly at me. I shifted in my seat as I could feel his stare almost pierce my soul. I quickly looked over into Aidan's eyes, and soon, it seemed like we were the only ones in the room. I wanted to lean in and capture my lips with his, but I had more self control then that. I didn't want to kiss in front of Nicholas. Then he could really have something against us.
    tab I swallowed heavily as I saw a bright, neon-like light swoop low over the windshield and slowly crawl its way to land to the right window next to Aidan. I clutched Aidan's hand like an eagle's talon on a fish after having been starving for weeks. The window was tinted so the lights weren't as bright as they were outside. I stared into the lights, hoping everything would just disappear so I wouldn't have to step into the limelight.
    tab I hated getting attention; I didn't want to become a superstar's girlfriend just yet. I just wanted to go back to meeting him on my balcony, watching the moon slowly move, talking till the sun rose. Then we would part ways. He would go to be a superstar, and I would go to be a normal girl going to school. I didn't want this to happen now.
    tab My stomach clenched, and I felt like I was going to throw up. I had just enough sanity not to spill my lunch all over the newly washed red carpet.
    tab I still looked into Aidan's eyes, if anything to get my mind off of my nausea, and his eyes almost spoke to me. They were saying that everything was going to go okay, and that I would be fine. I didn't know how much I trusted those eyes' advice, but it was the only thing I had, so I took it.
    tab My stomach still hurt, but I didn't feel nauseous. I felt content looking into Aidan's eyes, and it made my stomach pain go away. I looked down for a few seconds, making sure my red halter-top cocktail dress didn't have any wrinkles in it. Of course, it was flawless since Aidan had bought it for me, and it was so well pressed, it would never get wrinkled.
    tab I looked down to make sure my ruby necklace was in place before I felt Aidan squeeze my hand.
    tab “Are you ready?” he said quietly as Nicholas quietly slipped out of the car, put his hands up, and screamed, “My people!” as he disappeared in a crowd of white lights and booming voices.
    tab “I don't know,” I said as I gripped his hand. “I am a little nervous.”
    tab “Will you feel better if I hold your hand the whole way through?” he said, trying to comfort me. It wasn't working so well, but it was enough to get me to go.
    tab “I guess,” I murmured silently as Aidan glanced over his shoulder as he quietly pulled out of the car. I felt my heart begin to beat as fast as a hummingbirds when I saw the light gently caress Aidan's skin, and very rapidly hit my own.
    tab My skin seemed to glow a pale brown when I stepped into the light, but it was gone when the flash began to go off on multiple cameras all pointed to Aidan. All I saw was white and cameras around me once I got out of the car. I couldn't see anything around me, and I barely saw Aidan as I heard some girls screaming at my boyfriend as heedfully pushed me away from all of the white light around me.
    tab Once he pushed me out of the way of the cameras, all of the white seemed to go away and it made me feel better. Till it was replaced with many voices that seemed to blast out my ears. Yet, Aidan was unscathed. He walked right by, holding my hand and walking so he was right next to me. He wrapped his other hand over my back and around my left arm. I shivered at his touch. It always sent lightning through me. It made me forget where I was, if only for a moment.
    tab The voices came back in a rush to me. I heard many people yelling questions at me as they were holding out pencils and pads of paper right into my face. I cowered into Aidan as he kept walking, trying to hide my face.
    tab I noticed he hadn't spoken since we had been in the car, so I was worried he was mad at me for being very shy and making him protect me from all of the people. Was I just a nuisance?
    tab He walked unhurriedly as I wondered how long this carpet was underneath me. I tried to shut out the other people, but I couldn't. There was too much talking, and it was all so loud.
    tab I began to panic, when I looked up and saw the door. I wanted to sprint to it. It was big and solid. It was something that would take out the loud, pounding noise and the white lights.
    tab I didn't run for the door. Instead, I stood next to Aidan, trying not to make a fool of myself in front of hundreds of cameras and people. I plastered a smile on my face and waved politely, screaming to run for the door on the inside.
    tab 'Just a few more feet. You can make it. It will all be over. Come on, don't lose your head so late in the game. You can do it, and I did.' I told myself over and over again. It seemed to help my spirits, if only a bit.
    tab One I finally made it to the door, and once it was closed, I abruptly pulled off my smile, and pivoted into Aidan's arms. It took a minute for him to register that I was in his arms, his face still in shock, but he recognized it, and circled his arms around my back as his face began to soften.
    tab I buried my head into his chest as my shoulders began to shake, and he knew I was crying. He quietly rocked and I just let all of my tears spill onto his shirt. I felt so stupid for crying, but I was so scared. I had just gone into a crowd of paparazzi and screaming fan girls. I had never been so mortified in my life. It would drive anyone to tears.
    tab “Sshhhhh. It is okay,” he said, murmuring little nonsenses as he passively traced circles on my back. I leaned on him, placing my head on his shoulder, breathing slowly on his neck once I was done crying. I felt him stiffen up, but then he relaxed and began to trace circles again.
    tab I finally pulled out of his embrace to look at him in his green eyes and say something I have wanted to say for a long time.