The Rock Star Trilogy 01 - Jaded

the table is true southern comfort food – fried chicken, mashed potatoes (or taters at Stephan's mom calls them), cornbread, and gravy. I'm also pretty sure there is nothing on this table that my nutritionist would approve of. I decide that this weekend, I'm getting a gym membership.
    “ Wow, Mrs. James, this looks amazing,” I compliment her, as she hands me a huge plate of food.
    “ Call me Sarah.” She winks.
    Stephan's mom is cute. She looks like somebody you would see on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but she has real southern charm. It was a weird combination. I could even hear a little bit of a southern accent, if I wasn't mistaken.
    “ Where are you from, Sarah?” I ask.
    “ I'm from Atlanta. I moved here when I married Stephan's father,” she answers proudly. “What about you darling? You always live in Los Angeles?”
    I shake my head. “I'm actually from Seattle. I moved to California when I was 10. I think I like it here the best though. It's nice to get away from the big city.”
    “ What made you choose Hope?” she asks.
    I feel my face grow warm. I chose it simply because of the name – Hope. I haven't had hope in a long time. But I'm certainly not going to say that to her .
    “ I threw a dart at a map,” I joke.
    Everybody laughs and thankfully that is the end of that conversation.
    I enjoy every moment of my dinner with Stephan's family. His step dad isn't there, but I figured he was working late. I couldn't remember the last time I ate dinner with my parents, and we never ate at home. My dad likes me to be seen in public as often as possible. He isn't happy unless I grace the cover of all the gossip magazines, and tabloids. Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to have normal parents . But, that isn't going to happen.
    After dinner, Stephan walks me home. He kisses me on my cheek. It is the best kiss I have ever received. And I actually go to bed at a decent time. I am very much looking forward to the next day.

Friday, September 11
    7:00 am
    Good Distractions.

    I wake up with Friday by Rebecca Black stuck in my head. Seriously, it is the most annoying, yet oddly catchy song in the history of music.
    I quickly get up, and get ready for the day. I'm excited because, today IS FRIDAY, which means the races are tonight. I'm more than excited about it. I have no idea what I'm going to wear, but I decide I will stress about that after school.
    I ride with Stephan again, which is quickly becoming part of my normal routine.
    “ You look good,” he says, looking at my legs. Today, I'm wearing a short jean skirt.
    “ I'm up here.” I try to sound offended, but I'm mostly turned on. I like it when Stephan looks at me like that. I will wear short skirts everyday as long as he continues.
    “ I'm pretty sure you're down there too.”
    I try not to laugh, but I can't help it. “Oh my god, Stephan, you are my favorite person. Seriously.”
    He smiles, and I swear I feel my stomach drop all the way down to my feet. “The feeling is mutual.”
    Deep breath, Scarlett.
    WOW.
    Yeah, I'm pretty sure I like Stephan a 100 times more now.
    “ You ready for the races tonight?” he asks.
    I nod, still trying to catch my breath.
    “ Wear something sexy. It'll distract the other drivers,” he winks.
    “ Will it not distract you?” I flutter my eyelashes at him.
    He thinks for a second. “On second thought, you should probably wear baggy sweat pants and a t-shirt.” He pauses. “Actually, you'd still be distracting. You're just too damn hot.”
    “ Ok, well I'll do my best to look hideous.”
    “ Hey, I don't mind being distracted. You're a good distraction . If I crash and die, I will die happy.”
    I put on my best serious face. “Don't crash your car before I get a chance to drive it.”
    “ It's a good thing you're pretty, cause if you weren't, I'd make you walk home from school today,” he says, as he pulls his car into an empty spot.
    “ So what if I didn't have my looks anymore? Like maybe my face gets burnt in a fiery explosion...”
    He shakes his head sadly, “I'd have to dump you.”
    I laugh, because I know he's joking. “You know, Stephan, we actually have to be dating for you to dump me. And I'm pretty sure you've never asked me to be your girlfriend.”
    “ That hurts, babe.”
    I roll my eyes and get out of his car, laughing the whole time.

    12:03 pm
    I just want you for your body

    At lunch, I get a call from Alec, so I decide to skip lunchroom drama and just