Sophie
Lexie and I grabbed a taxi and made our way to Logan's penthouse. It was fairly close to the library where we will be signing the books tomorrow. All that is left now is grabbing food for our stay this weekend and waiting for the time being.
"How about we go out to a club tonight, Soph? Johnny is playing in a club nearby. He'll be thrilled to see us there." she asked excitedly, but to be honest with you, I have never been the big party type.
Logan loves partying, and most of my friends do for that matter, but I have always felt like I'm out of place. I feel awkward and frankly... I rather stay indoors reading a good book or watching a good movie.
"Lex, it sounds awesome and all... But to be honest I,"
"Ok, ok. I won't push it. Besides, I already told Johnny we were going to be down here. He said he and Ethan will come by tomorrow to see us." she smiled and turned towards me.
I felt bad, I know she rarely sees Johnny since he's still in your, but I can't just go off somewhere when I know I won't be comfortable.
"Lex, you know if you want... You can go ahead and go see Johnny without me, I'm sure you'll have,"
"Are you kidding? Soph... I have rarely passed time with you as well. Johnny is important to me, but so are you. Soph, you're my best friend. I want to take advantage and spend some time with you as well." she takes my hands and smiles, tilting her head to the side.
Lexie has been my best friend since we were in preschool, and I don't think I can see myself ever being without her. We have gone through thick and thin, been through good times and bad times. Sure, we've had arguments here and there, we've stopped talking to each other a few times. But when I truly needed someone, she was always there.
Especially when mom died.
"Lex I mean it, it's ok."
"And I said it was ok as well. I'll tell you what, we'll order take-out, watch a steamy k-drama you love so much, and pig out on junk food and ice cream. How does that sound? It'll be just like when we had movie nights in high school. I miss those days so much, don't you?" I reminisced in those good days.
Though a lot of people talked to me in high school, I only hung out with Troy and Lexie. We were the tree-wonder trio. Everywhere one went, the other two went as well. Somewhere along the line when Logan and I started dating, and Troy began dating Dylan, Lexie was left out.
I felt so bad for leaving her out and yet... She never complained. She was quick to visit me when she had vacation days in college and was a wonderful adopted auntie to Nate.
"It sounds like the perfect plan." I smiled and hugged her. Because honestly, I'm a big hugger. I love to hug and snuggle.
We made our way, spent our afternoon shopping for necessary food for the next day, and ordered take-out.
We watched movies and a few episodes of k-dramas, eating loads of popcorn, Chinese food, and ice cream. It was like we were back in high school.
By nightfall, I couldn't contain it. I called Logan to see how they were doing. They had already checked in to a hotel room and were waiting for Dylan to show up so they could take Nate out to eat. I smiled as they sounded so content with each others company.
Nate was having a blast with his dad and the boys, and that was enough for me to feel happy. All I had to do now was wait for tomorrow morning and sh0w up.
*******
(Next Morning- third-person POV
As Sophie and Lexie made their way towards the library, a great multitude began forming a big line to meet with the authors who will be partaking in the book signing today; including Roxanne, unaware of what was about to happen once she made it to the front of the line to get her books signed.
****
Roxanne
I was so eager for this event to commence. I literally drove out here for hours and have been waiting in line for over an hour, waiting for my favorite author, Hailey Marie, to sign my books.
I was having a mixture of feelings, as I became nervous, happy, and emotional all at once. I mean, Hailey Marie is fairly new, but she is very talented, and one of the best romance authors there is out there. Luckily, my best friend Selia had come along with me, so I didn't feel so alone.
It was quite cold, so I made sure to wear a big comfy jacket and scarf, along with my gloves, but I was still a bit cold since it looked like it wanted to rain or snow.
"Alright, guys, welcome. We are still waiting on one author, Miss CJ. Soon as she gets here, we will open up and we can start. Should be in a few minutes, so please make sure to have your books and cameras ready if you're taking pictures. The ladies here will have books available for purchase if you are interested, and you will also ha e the opportunity to sign up for the author's fan club if you are not registered already." an older man said with a smile as he directed one of the guards inside.
It wasn't long until the author they were waiting for made her way inside using the back door and a message was sent to the girls guarding the door through a walk-talky. My heart leaped and I felt the surge of butterflies as the first group of girls made their way inside.
But I was really far back in line, and the closer I got, the more impatient I became. I tried to peak over, but it was so full of people inside. A lot of these girls stayed browsing inside after getting autographs, so it was hard for me to see the authors.
We finally made it to the door, and my eyes took a small glimpse towards the authors. I could see some of them, and Selia smiled, tugging at my arm as she sees them.
"Rox, omg... I think I'm going to get a few books and get them signed. Damn it... You're right, I should have brought my books, oh well... i'll just get new copies. Oh, look! Hailey's new book. I thought it wasn't going to be published until January of next year?" she says pointing towards the display near us.
My eyes went wide as I see the books beautifully displayed. I quickly grabbed one and glanced through the pages.
"0h, you are definitely coming home with me sweet thing," I said smiling making Seli chuckle.
"Next." the girl called, allowing the next set of girls to move forward towards the tables. I was finally able to see the authors in front of me.
I saw the red hair girl that is amazing writing horror stories, a few other romance writers, but then...
My eyes went wide and I felt the vile rise in my stomach and towards my esophagus as I see the one person I hate the most in this whole fucked up world... Sophie Patterson.
The stupid nerd that stole my happiness, the one person that stole all my possibilities of being with Logan and finally having a fair chance at my happily ever after. To make matters worse, a big poster with her picture displayed next to her with the words, 'MEET HAILEY MARIE, Author of your favorite romance novels.
My favorite author... My favorite saga... Written by my worst enemy. Are you fucking kidding me?
I'm sure my eyes were fuming red with anger. I pushed past everyone else and slammed my book right in front of her. "You? No... It can't be you. Why? Do you and God hate me this much? Seriously?"
I went off. My mind is completely blank with anger. She looked at me in shock as she held a pen and signed a book for the girl in front of her.
The girl looked at me confused, unknowingly to what was happening.
"Roxie? What are... What are you doing here?" she asked making my anger increase. Just the sound of her voice made me feel resentment towards her. I don't know how my dislike for her grew so much, but it did.
She stole everything from me, the guy especially. She had the perfect career I wanted, the beautiful house, good friends, the perfect son while I got stuck with a spoiled brat. She even had a better car than me, I hate her, I hate her so damn much.
And now... I find she's also the writer of my favorite books! Fuck this! Fuck everyone, I hate my damn life.
"Why did it have to be you? Out of the millions of people in this whole fucking world, why did it have to be you? You know how much I despise you? It wasn't enough for you to come back to town and steal Logan, and my friends, my lifestyle, now you have to steal my joy for reading? I hate you, Sophie Patterson. I fucking hate you!" I yelled my lungs out, unaware cameras were rolling, filming, and snapping pictures of me and Sophie.
Before I knew it, the elder man came beside me, "Ma'am I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to lower your voice and vacate this premises." he says as he points towards the door.
"Fuck you, who the hell do you think you're talking to?" I snapped at him, making his eyes wide in disbelief.
"Roxie? Enough." Seli says as she slightly pulls me back, but I pull away and glare at her.
"Shut it. Don't you dare side with her."
"No one is siding with anyone, Rox. You're making a scene, enough, let's just go. Sophie, I'm really sorry. You are an amazing writer, honestly, you are. We'll leave now." she says making me give her a deadly stare.
"Why do you hate me so much, Roxanne? What did I ever do to you?" she asks making me chuckle in disbelief.
I stood there, as I was held by a security guard. Sophie stood up, a fake tear rolling down her eye. But I doubted she was feeling as bad as I did.
"You stole everything from me. I was meant to stay with Logan, not you. Why did you have to come back? You ruined my plans, I had finally had a chance at a good life before you came back. The friends, the career, the lifestyle I wanted, everything was going just fine for me... Even Logan was talking to me. Why did you have to ruin everything, and take it all away from me? I hate you, Sophie. I hate you."
"Enough, get her out before I get her out myself," Lexie says as she stands in front of me.
I chuckle at her words, making her face redden. "Try it, bitch. I'm not afraid of you or your stupid little friend." I provoke her, hoping to get a piece of her.
She took a step, but Sophie quickly pulled her back. "No, Lexie, stop," she says, pulling her back and stepping in front of her.
"Let me make something very clear to you, Roxanne. The only one responsible for your life and your actions is you. You don't see your blessings because you're selfish. You have become so obsessed with the things other people have, and want people in your life that you can't have because you're bitter and unhappy. You have a beautiful daughter and lost the chance to have a good family because you blindly pushed them away. If you lost the lifestyle you had it was because you chose to do so. Your own selfishness did this to you. No one else. I'm sorry you hate me, because I have done n0thing to you, but I will not apologize for giving another chance to Logan and allowing him to be part of our lives. I love him, and he loves me, deal with it, sweetheart, because we're not going anywhere, on the contrary, we're getting closer and closer each day." she says showing off a ring on her finger.
My heart shattered as I see an engagement ring on her finger. I didn't know what else to say. I was so angry.
Nothing ever goes as planned for me. Everything is wrong, so wrong. Am I that bad, that I don't deserve to be happy? To have what I want? Why does everything always go right for everyone else but me?
I hate this world, I hate this life.
********