Okay, either that is a really big blackhead or a freckle... Mandy Moore thought half-heartedly, as she examined her chin in the bathroom mirror. Sighing, she straightened up and stretched out her lean body, hearing her back crack. Wincing, she squinted her eyes and stared at the clock across the room, waiting for the numbers to focus. 11:03pm. Yawning, she began to make her way back to the TV room and flopped down on the nearest couch. Deciding against turning on the TV, she picked up the latest issue of YM and started flipping through it. The ringing of the phone pierced through the silence of her bigger-then-norm apartment. Sighing again, she reached over and picked up the cordless from the floor, where she had dropped it earlier after angrily hanging up on her manager. He kept insisting she work tomorrow, when this was the first week she'd had off in months. There was no way she was starting up again so soon. Pressing the talk button, she brought the phone to her ear.
"Mmm, `ello?" she mumbled tiredly.
"Mandy?" It took a minute for her to figure out who it was, but when she did, a smile grew on her weary face.
"Hey Shane, how are you?"
"Fine. Are you near a TV?" The anger and urgency in his voice startled her.
"Yes..." she glanced at the Big Screen in front of her.
"`Kay, turn it on and put it on Channel 28." She did so. MadTV came on, and she heard her name. They were making fun of A Walk to Remember, turning it into a crossover with Crossroads: "A Crosswalk to Remember". Chuckling, she looked at the tall actress impersonating her, with long brown hair and a crop-top. She watched for a little bit as they made fun of the two movies.
"It's on, Shane. What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? What's wrong? Look how they're impersonating you! What a complete lack of respect! Yeah, okay, they're making fun of the movie, whatever, but first of all, you look nothing like that girl, you NEVER show your tummy," She grinned at how cute that sounded, "and you, you're a lot--you look nothing like her!" he finished, flustered and annoyed. Mandy smiled.
"Shane, sweetie, that's show business. I'm made fun of a lot. That's what these people do for their jobs! Who am I to get angry at someone for doing their job?" She smiled again, a little at his innocence, but more so at the fact that he cared and was so protective about her.
Shane sighed. She was so understanding. As soon as he saw them portray her as a...slutty ditz, his blood boiled because nothing could be far from the truth. They had become such good friends since they filmed the movie together, and he felt the need to protect in a way. “I know…” he grumbled. “It still bugs me though.”
Mandy laughed. “Don’t worry Shane, you’ll understand when it happens to you.”
“Hey, hopefully soon, huh. You know you’re famous when you get made fun of,” he chuckled.
She laughed again. “True, true, very true.” She yawned.
“Tired?”
“Mmm, very.”
“Alright, I’ll let you go then.” She started to protest, but was interrupted by another yawn, causing him to laugh. “Bye Mandy”
“Okay, okay, bye Shane”
“`Night”
“Goodnight” She waited until she heard the click on the other end before she hung up as well. Settling back down, she did one of her favourite things—she reflected. It was something she had taken advantage of before she became famous, but afterwards she barely had time to breathe let alone have time to herself. So, she made it a point to reflect whenever she could. Right now, her reflection was on Shane. The movie had been a blast to make, and she got butterflies every time she thought about those kisses. They were strictly friends though, nothing more nothing less. Good friends. He helped her through a lot in the short time they’d known each other. Of course, she’d been through a lot in that short time. Against her will, she began to think about heartbreaking event she had had to go through recently: Her big break-up.
Two weeks ago
“What is your problem!?” Mandy cried, tears already welling up. Friggin hell, what is it with me crying all the time!?
“I don’t HAVE a problem, okay? I can’t help it if you’re the most immature 17-year-old I’ve ever come in contact with!” Wilmer shouted back, his soft accent tinged with anger.
“Why are you saying these things?” Mandy gasped, a mixture of anger and sadness on her face. Wilmer’s entire demeanour changed.
“This isn’t working out, Mands.” He used her pet name. Chances are, she was about to be single within the next two minutes, and he used the name he called her when they were in love. Were. Past tense. As in, “no longer”.
“You’re telling me?” Play it cool, play it cool, play it cool…
“I think maybe we should—”
“You know what? Save it. I’m sorry. I’m sorry it had to end this way, I’m sorry we’re probably not going to be friends. I’m just—I’m sorry.” She grabbed her jacket and choked back a sob. Struggling, she yanked off the promise ring he gave her once upon a time, and placed it almost gently against his coffee table. Almost.
Deciding against the melodramatic “Goodbye…forever.”, she flashed him a sad smile and closed the door behind her. It was when the door was closed that she let the tears fall. Shaking her head, she quietly sobbed, as she made her way home.
Shane whistled as he walked, happier than usual, although he didn’t know why. He was on his way to visit Mandy, since their schedules—well, her schedule—hadn’t exactly given them that much time to spend together since filming. Of course, most of the things that she had been doing were promotions for their movie, so he was involved too. But what was funny about those events is that you can sit next to a person for 8 hours, answering questions and signing autographs, and say barely two words to each other. It’s so hectic…Without realizing, he had reached Mandy’s building. He was about to buzz in, when he heard sniffles and sobs from behind him. Turning, he saw a girl with her head down, long brown hair covering her face. She was holding a jacket in her hands, but had goosebumps on her arms, due to the chilly weather and her short-sleeved shirt, Shane assumed. Concerned, he began to approach her, when she looked up.
Mandy sniffled. “Shane?” He was evidently surprised, but concern soon swept through his features.
“Mandy? Baby, what’s wrong?” He closed the space between them in two strides. Her foggy mind registered that he called her baby, and she smiled a bit inside. He took the jacket out of her hands and draped it over her shoulders, not letting go of her arms. “What happened?”
“He, he, he…” she sobbed, unable to get the word out.
“He? He who? I’ll kill him,” Shane informed her, only half-joking.
Mandy shook her head and took a deep breath. “He—Wilmer, we, we…” She let out a shuddering sigh. “He broke up with me.” She broke down again.
“Oh Mandy, Mandy, Mandy…Baby, I’m sorry.” He wrapped her heaving shoulders in a hug and she cried in his shoulder. A drop fell from the sky and landed on his head. He looked up as two more fell. And then more. It was raining. Mandy was completely unaware and he wasn’t planning on letting her go, so he just put up with it. When the downpour started, that’s when she started to let up and curiously turned her head skyward, only to be splattered on the face by a torrent of rain.
“Ah!” she gasped in shock. He chuckled at the expression on her face. She looked at him curiously, before she began laughing too. Her laughing caused his chuckles to turn into laughter as well and soon they were both standing in the rain, laughing like maniacs. They just laughed. In the pouring rain, soaking wet. Any passer-by would have written them off as insane.
Mandy was the first to calm down when she started to gasp for air. She held onto his shoulder for support, and he started to settle down as well. The rain was still coming down, and they were both soaked to the bone. “Oh!” Mandy grabbed Shane’s hand and led him underneath the cover of the doorway. “I’d let you in and offer you warm clothes, but, uh, all my boy clothes are in wash, you see,” she joked. He chuckled.
“That’s okay. I’ll just head back home.”
“No! No, I can’t let you go back out there…” she trailed off as she realized that the rain had let up.
“The worst that can happen now is that I step in a puddle. I’ll be fine,” he assured.
“Yeah, but…”
“But nothing. Call me tomorrow. We’ll do lunch.” He winked at her comically, causing her to giggle, then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “`Bye.” She smiled.
“Thank you,” she stated simply.
He looked at her quizzically. “For what?”
She shrugged. “For being here when I needed you.” He smiled widely.
“I try,” he joked, attempting to play it off. She just smiled at him.
“Goodnight Shane.”
“`Night Mands.” She winced. That godforsaken nickname… He looked at her curiously, but dropped it. “Don’t worry about him, okay? ‘No guy is worth your tears, and the one who is won’t make you cry’, doll,” he quoted with a mocking lisp. She laughed causing her already aching abdomen to hurt even more. Shaking her head, she put her card in the doorway and let herself in. With one last backwards glance, she closed the door behind her. He watched as she disappeared into the elevator and then turned around and began to head home, his sneakers making a squishing sound as he walked.
BRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIING! Mandy broke out of her reverie, jumping two feet out of her skin causing the magazine to drop on the floor. “Oh!” she gasped. “Jesus…” she put her hand over her fast-beating heart. It was the stupid phone again. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she picked it up. “Hello?”
“Hey, Mandy, it’s me Jon.” Mandy uncharacteristically rolled her eyes at her Manager through the phone. “Listen, I know you got angry with me before, but just, just hear me out. Okay. I know this is your vacation and you wanna spend it as best you can,” Sleeping, Mandy thought wearily, “but just think about this—A Walk to Remember is premiering in Australia. You and Shane, in AUSTRALIA.” Mandy sighed, because, against her better judgement, it was starting to sound appealing.
“When?” she questioned.
“What day is it today, Saturday? Okay, then you’d leave this Tuesday, arrive Australian time, Wednesday, and the premier is that Friday.”
“You know my parents aren’t going to let me go to Australia by myself with Shane. As much as they like him…”
“I know, that’s why I’ve arranged Stephanie to join you. You need to be tutored anyway. Remember, we gotta keep up those 15 hours,” he reminded her as if she could ever forget. As much as she loved Stephanie, and knew that she had to learn just like any normal 17-year-old, it was still a nuisance. Shane liked to make fun of her especially, because of that.
“And if my parents still don’t agree…?”
“They already have. I took the liberty of talking to them first.” Mandy had to admit he covered all the bases. She sighed.
“Have you talked to Shane?”
“Not yet,” Jon replied. “You can talk to him about that.” Sighing again, Mandy went over her options: sleeping at home or going to Australia with Shane.
“What time do I have to wake up on Tuesday?” She could practically hear Jon’s smile grow.
The Next Day
“So what’s up?” Shane asked when they had taken their seats. They were in a cute little café in downtown L.A. Mandy had asked him to meet her there so she could tell him about Australia.
“Well, I have something to tell you.” Immediately his face went all business, and Mandy couldn’t help but giggle a bit. “Shane, breathe. It’s nothing serious!” He grinned at her, calming down a bit. “It’s actually pretty cool though…See, Jon called me yesterday, asking me to give up my free time. And of course I wasn’t too pleased with that suggestion. So, whatever, we argued and I hung up on him, then you called, then he called again and this time he wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise—”
“Hmm, I wonder what that’s like,” Shane joked, since he had been trying to say something, but she just bulldozed on. She gave him a withering look and a little smirk.
“Ha ha, do you wanna hear this or not?”
“I do. Please continue…”
“Okay, well, he just kept talking and then finally he told me: He wants us to go to Australia!” Shane’s jaw dropped.
“Australia?” he repeated. “Wow. That’s…wow. Well, of course I’ll go if you’re going. Are you going?”
“Yup, I’m going. Steph’s coming with us too, `cause I still have to learn. Pff. He even talked to my parents can you believe that?”
He chuckled. “Alright then, I’m in. When do we leave?”
“Well, we’re leaving Tuesday morning at—get this—6:30 in the morning.” Shane groaned. “Yeah. And you’re the one that gets to wake me up.”
“What? That’s not fair, that means I have to wake up earlier!”
“No, crazy, just call me. You’ll be my wake up call.” He shook his head.
“Nah, I’ll pick you up. It’s useless taking two cars if you’re just gonna leave `em there, for—how long?” Mandy shrugged.
“We’re leaving here Tuesday morning, and getting there sometime on Wednesday or, like, late Tuesday. The actual premiere’s that Friday, so after we get over the jet lag, we can go site-seeing until the actual premiere day, where you know I’ll be wardrobe for, like, 10 hours.” Shane laughed, because it was true. “And then we’re leaving on, what, Sunday, I think he said? Yeah, something like that. Anyway, it should be fun!”
“Yeah, totally. Okay, so we’re leaving at 6:30 Tuesday morning…what time should I wake you up?” Mandy groaned.
“Never.” Shane chuckled sympathetically. “Seriously…I’m going to hate myself for saying this…but, 4:30ish?” He winced. “Because we have to be at the airport an hour earlier, and it takes half-an-hour to get to the airport and another half-hour to make me suitable for public eyes, so…” Shane sighed.
“So, 4:30 it is. Just make sure you pack Monday night, so it’s not a mad rush to throw five hundred outfits and eight hundred pairs of shoes into ten suitcases.” She mock-glared at him.
“Ha ha, I’ll have you know I’m a light packer. Four suitcases are all I need.” She laughed at his facial expression.
Monday Night
Mandy folded the last shirt and then closed the suitcase. She looked around. “Okay, let’s see: shirts, pants, skirts, pyjamas…” The list went on and she checked off all the necessities……and then some, she thought with a little grin.
*
Sighing, Shane threw the last of his sweaters in his suitcase and then took a leaping dive onto the case, clipping it as soon as his entire body weight was on it. It looked positively ready to explode. Shane shrugged to himself. It’ll have to do.
Leaning over, he set his alarm—grudgingly—to 4:15 am. He figured it would take him ten minutes to get ready, since he wouldn’t bother with his hair, and then another five to get to Mandy’s house and wake her up. Seeing that it was almost 10:30, and considering he was going to have to wake up in less than six hours, he went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
Tuesday Morning, 4:14 AM
The air was peaceful. Everyone sane was tucked away in their warm beds, off in a dreamland they wouldn’t awake from in at least another two hours. Shane, himself, was happily dreaming of puppies and rainbows…Okay, not really. But, whatever he was dreaming of, it was deep and peaceful and—
“—Back on the things I’ve done, I was tryin’ to be some-one… Play my part, kept you in the dark…Now let me show you the shape of my heaaaart…”
If Shane had groaned any louder, it would have made the Richter Scale. Of all things to be woken up by at four o’clock in the friggin morning… he thought resentfully. Sitting up and trudging to the bathroom, eyes closed, he attempted to wake himself up by splashing about five handfuls of cold water on his face. It didn’t really work. He used the bathroom, and then made his way back into his room, picked up a pair of jeans he had discarded last night and put both his legs into one pant leg. Groaning again, it took him five minutes to get dressed. Afterwards, he grabbed a NutriGrain bar from the pantry, made sure nothing in the fridge was capable of going bad, checked to see if all lights and appliances were off, then grabbed his suitcase and handbag before shutting off the main light, grabbing his spare key to Mandy’s condo, and closing the door behind him.
*
Like her friend earlier, Mandy was in a dead, peaceful sleep. Shane let himself in quietly, throwing his empty NutriGrain bar wrapper in the garbage before making his way into her room. She was breathing soundly and evenly, indicating she was in a deep sleep, and Shane was reluctant to wake her. Her hair was strewn about her pillow and she had her arm draped over her eyes. Shane watched her breathe in and out quietly for a little bit, before glancing over at the time. It was 4:37, and he knew that he had to wake her up now or never. Gently, he touched her shoulder and moved it slightly. She didn’t budge. He tried again. She mumbled something in her sleep and turned her back to him. Sighing, he walked over to the other side of the bed and kneeled down. Brushing a lock of her out of her face, he shook her again. This time, her eyes fluttered open and she stared at him.
“`Morning, sunshine,” he greeted, grinning at her. She gave him a half-smile back.
“Hey,” she croaked. Clearing her voice, she tried again. “`Morning.”
“Ready to go?”
She nodded. “What time is it?”
“Uhh…” He checked. “Twenty to five.” Her eyes widened.
“Ohhhh man…Okay, I really gotta hurry and get dressed. Wait in the family room, I’ll be out in a bit.” She hurried into the bathroom before he had a chance to respond.
17 minutes later, Mandy came bursting out of her bedroom, wearing a pair of baby blue sweatpants and a zip up sweater over her pyjama tank top. Her brown hair was up in a haphazard ponytail, and the only makeup apparent on her face being a smearing of clear lip-gloss and some mascara.
“Okay!” she said, out of breath. “Let’s go.” She started to leave.
“Uh, Mand?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’tcha, uh, need your, ya know, LUGGAGE?”
“Oops.”
Five minutes, two trips back to her room, and one luggage exploding later they were on their way to the airport. Since Shane insisted on driving, (considering it was his “baby”—the `67 Camaro he adopted from the movie set) Mandy was able to doze off for a bit. Next thing she knew, she was being shaken awake again. Drowsily, she got out of the car and went around to meet Shane at the trunk where he was retrieving suitcases. His exploded open once more. Mandy stifled a laugh: And so it begins…