Life update: I finally graduated and finished college. I'm working in the adult world now and actually have extra time on my hands that doesn't involve doing homework - keep an eye out for updates on my ongoing stories!

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Chapter 12

The Great Wall of China

"We're leaving," Tori said, grabbing my arm and making a beeline for the front door.

"What?" I stopped her in her tracks. "Why? We haven't even looked at the apartment yet."

After receiving my first paycheck – and nearly crying tears of joy when I saw the number – I knew it was time to find a new place to live. We needed something with more roots than a hotel. A hotel felt like this dream could end at any time, and I wasn't ready for that when it seemed like my life was only just now beginning.

Our search for an apartment seemed like it was going nowhere at first, but after a few days we managed to find a nice apartment that met all of our requirements. We wanted to check it out in person before signing a lease, but apparently, that was no longer on the agenda.

"I saw..." Tori paused, dragging me to a corner where we were hidden from view. "I just saw Ashton."

"Well, shit." What were the odds we'd run into the one ex who had also made a move to California?

"I think he lives here. I can't take that level of awkwardness, Soph. We've got to find something else."

I nodded. "We'll find another place. There's a million apartment complexes here, anyway."

It was just kind of an unspoken girl-code thing to help your friend escape an awkward guy situation, especially if it involved an ex who had broken up with her because he realized he was gay.

There was a bit of an awkward silence as we drove to the next apartment in Hollywood Hills. Thanks to my shiny new paycheck, we could actually afford the rent here. I had high hopes walking in, based on how nice it looked from the outside, and I wasn't disappointed. It was love at first walk through. The apartment just felt like home. The beige walls, dark furniture and white carpeting reminded me of the home I'd left behind to come here.

Plus, there were no rumors of a haunted bedroom, no deceased owners who "might still be around... but probably not," and best of all, no ex-boyfriends living in the building – that we knew of, at least.

The decision was unanimous: the place was perfect. After talking to the apartment manager, we submitted an application and headed home. If the application was approved, all that was left was signing the lease and moving in.

We went home with plans to celebrate with pizza, cheese sticks and a movie. Halfway through Titanic – Tori's pick – she blurted out, Can you introduce me to Christian?"

Tori had been quoting lines from the movie for the past hour, so at first, I didn't realize she was talking to me. When she repeated herself, I carefully told her that wasn't the best idea.

"What do you mean it's not the best idea? It's a great idea! You know Christian. I love Christian. I could meet Christian through you. It's the perfect equation."

"You of all people should know I'm not exactly friends with him. I can't just show up at his trailer and introduce you to him. 'Oh, hey, Chris, what's up? I know I'm usually a bitch to you, but do you want to meet my best friend?'"

"But you're on a first name basis with him," she said. "You even call him by his nickname! You may not be friends, but you still know him."

While I still didn't think introducing her crazy-ass to Christian was a good idea – far from it – I felt bad saying no to her. She had dreamed about meeting him for so long. It wasn't her fault I had a problem with him. It certainly wasn't her fault she didn't know why. That was on me. It couldn't hurt to let her have this.

"Okay. I'll introduce you. But you have to promise to try to control yourself, and no inappropriate comments, and –"

She cut me off with a shrill but presumably happy scream, throwing her arms around me and squeezing me tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best!"

I had a feeling I was going to regret this.

***

I was right.

Monday morning came faster than I would have liked. I was fed up with Tori before we'd even reached the set. If I heard the words "Christian Ryder" come from her mouth one more time, I was prepared to jump out off of the nearest cliff.

The moment we stepped foot on set, Tori transitioned into the celebrity stalker she'd been when she first got to California. She had her eyes peeled for anyone remotely famous, her autographic journal, camera, and several plastic bags for God knows what in hand.

After five minutes of dealing with this creepy side of Tori, I was ready to bolt. Let's be honest. I was ready to bolt from the start, but her paparazzi-mode wasn't helping. I reluctantly made my way over to Christian's trailer, feverishly knocking on his door to get this over with as quickly as possible.

It took him forever to come to the door and when he did, the door flew open, revealing a scowling Christian. Charming. "What the hell do you want?"

He probably knew it was me from the first successive round of knocks. No one else would knock on his door so obnoxiously, especially not this early in the morning.

Well, no, Blake would. I'd never really spoken to Blake one-on-one, but I had a feeling I'd get along with him. He seemed to enjoy bothering Christian almost as much as I did, even if the intentions were different. The last time the three of us were on set together, Blake pelted Christian with water balloons and ran away when Christian found an old paintball gun in a shed.

I was rooting for Blake, but the guy was a sissy.

"There's, uh, someone who wants to meet you."

"Really? And who would that be?"

I stepped out of the way to reveal a shaking Tori. Pointing at her and trying to ignore the wide, scary smile she had on her face, in a monotonous voice, I said, "My best friend Tori wanted to meet you. She's a... a... " I choked on the word. "A Ry-turd."

His face transformed the minute he heard Tori was a fan. I certainly never received this treatment. "Well, it's nice to meet you Tori," he said, shooting her a smile so fake you would've thought there were cameras around to impress.

I took a few steps back to let him step outside, dragging Tori back with me. She wasn't going to move on her own.

"You're... you're.... you're R-Ry-Ryder Ch-Christian! I mean, no! You're C-Christian Ryder! You're... you're.... you're.... meep!"

He chuckled. "I never would have guessed Hastings's best friend would be a fan."

"I'M A HUGE FAN!" She jumped up and down excitedly, ignoring the looks I was giving her. "I can't believe this is happening. This is the best day of my life!"

By that point, I was glancing around, planning a sly retreat.

"Can I hug you?"

"Be my guest," he said, still flashing her that phony smile.

She squealed and flung her arms around him. I thought she was going to pass out when he put his arms around her waist. "Meep!"

"Tori, get a hold of yourself, for God's sakes," I said. I knew this was going to happen. It was my fault for bringing her.

She ignored me, holding onto Chris as if her life depended on it. "I love you so much. I've loved you since the moment I saw you on CSI three years ago."

I was about to tell Tori to let the guy breathe, but after rethinking it, I kept quiet. If there was even the slightest of chances she might accidentally suffocate him, I was all for it.

She actually pulled away soon after, much to my surprise, but it was only so she could get a better look at him. "You're way hotter up close," she said dreamily.

"You're not too bad yourself."

"I don't know how Sophia doesn't think you're hot. You so obviously are."

Christian glanced at me, clearly unhappy with the turn in conversation. He much preferred when conversations remained partial to him and confirmed how hot he already thought he was. "She doesn't, huh?"

Tori shook her head, still in a daze. "No. She once said that if ugliness were bricks, you'd be the Great Wall of China."

He looked torn between resentment and amusement. I preferred the former. "You know, Sophia, you could learn a thing or two from your friend here."

"A thing or two about what?"

"Manners, for one."

"I have plenty of manners!"

"Hey Chris," a voice called out. I didn't bother turning around. I already knew who it was. This was about to get more interesting. I didn't think Tori's heart could take two meet-and-greets at once. "You'll never believe – oh, hello, ladies."

Blake walked over to us, stopping when he was standing next to Christian.

"What do you want?"

"Is that any way to talk to me in front of these two beautiful ladies?" He winked at us. I almost laughed out loud at how full of shit they both were. Get me the hell out of here.

"I only see one lady here, and she's right in front of me," Christian said, ignoring me to make a point or prove he was funny. He wasn't.

"Practice safe sex. Go screw yourself."

That made Blake whoop and even got a snigger out of Tori.

"Oh, aren't you –"

The ringing of my phone cut him off just in the nick of time. It sounded like the bells heaven were sweetly serenading me, calling me home. I loved my friends and family for calling at the most random times, and I especially loved my dad for calling at that moment.

"I've never been happier to hear my phone ring," I said as soon as I answered my phone. "You're a lifesaver."

"I have that effect on people," my dad said.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't let it get to your head."

"Who you talking to? A boyfriend?" Blake asked, being the nosy shit he was. "That would explain your disinterest in my buddy Chris over here."

Why was it that anytime a woman so much as looked at her phone, someone had to assume you were talking to a boyfriend?

"I'm an independent woman who don't need no man. Leave me alone." I walked away, resuming my more important conversation with my dad. "Anyway, I'm glad you called. I was meaning to call and ask you something."

"I was talking to you!" Christian called out.

I ignored him, continuing to walk away. While Christian was clearly irritated because the limelight was no longer just on him, Blake didn't give any of this a second thought, turning his attention to Tori, who was more than willing to receive it. "And what might your name be, sweetheart?"

The last thing I heard was Tori's giggle, a clear indication of her readiness to adapt to being left alone with two of Hollywood's hottest stars.