The StarKids Academy

3| Bounce Back or a New Journey

I woke up at Seven-thirty, much earlier than my body would have liked after the whole night's activity, but the senses were in a different mood altogether. The sun has already taken over the clear sky. It is bright and sunny outside. Morning hawkers and fitness lovers have already hit the roads and can be seen jogging around in tracks. Above them, birds chirped over everywhere, spreading an aromatic freshness in the air.

I wish I could be one of them! I think. As much as I'd hate to admit it, I love the idea of working out but hate doing it. The lack of nutritious meals is the only thing responsible for me being in shape or I'd be as good as an air balloon amply fit for the advertisement of Walmart or Target.

The wall-sized glass window helps with bright illumination. It is natural and welcoming. I lazily open my eyes and almost instantly a small smile graces my lips. Never in my life have I ever seen a morning as beautiful as this one.

A canopy of orange and mild yellow is scattered over the bluish sky. It is a picturesque beauty and perhaps one of the zillion reasons for people to go all jittery about Los Angeles.

My recollection of the night is a bit fuzzy, but the handsome face lying beside me doesn't need much speculation. It is sharp evidence of the passionate night I have spent in his arms, grinding against him―making sweet lubricious love. The arm which is still snaked around my naked waist makes me blush and I squirm in discomfort when the exertion of the night comes rewinding―for once, I cannot believe that it was I who had begged him like a hooker and not the other way round.

It could be either that Shawn knows the magic or I was too high on the alcohol. In my sanity, I would never ever do it. It has to be alcohol.

Yeah! I nod, trying to ease up the bruised ego. Anyways, I was offered the sinful pleasure to the edge and I cannot be more grateful than I am. Moreover, the moisture in between my legs is enough for me to know that the night was wild and exotic. Just the way I like it.

I can almost still feel him inside me. Not only is he huge, but he was so aggressive as if a s*x-deprived soul had possessed his body and was adamant upon clenching the thirst—and I was the only woman available.

For a moment, I had almost believed that I was his girlfriend, the love of his life and he was knee dip obsessed with me. He almost made me forget that what we were having was a one-night thing and would not last a second longer than that. His grey eyes that had turned a shade darker had terrified me with the intensity I couldn't stand. His groans had driven me to the edge of ecstasy.

As much as it would be a shame to admit, the man had control of me, keeping me on my toes.

Shouldn't you be taking it seriously then? Stay! The subconscious offers. I nibble on my lips to resist the temptation and deny the idea of having this gorgeous man all for myself.

I would never. This is the most I have had of men in my life. I will wait till I have realized my potential and achieved all of my dreams. I cannot keep pushing them.

I smile inwardly, feeling a bit shy and surprised at my own courage and recklessness. I have never tried the one-night stands or casual favors. Hell to that! I had never ever tried friends with benefits relationships too. No matter how long I had to wait for the perfect guy, I would never ever do that. s*x has always been important to me. No doubt! But I have always favored it with firm commitments and bonds rather than a mere need of my body. Even with Pixie, I had made him wait for a whole month before I gave in.

The bastard! Just the name of him is enough to spoil my mood and indulge me in deep fury.

I don't understand why it has to be so different with Shawn. I am at a loss of explanation as to why I give in so easily. On the deeper thought, it doesn't matter anymore. The night has already been wasted away in his strong arm. Regret, resentment, or rejuvenate; I can do nothing to change it. Better wear the hickeys as a badge of honor and move on with life.

'It has to be one of the best nights you have had so far. Pixie isn't half as good as Shawn. He is no match at all.' The girl in me whispers softly. I cannot agree more.

The Zeus junior was perfect in every angle and position. His pace, passion, rhythm; he didn't have to try to make me dance. My body was a puppet swaying at his command. I was amazed that he didn't even have to tell me what he wants. I was on my toes throughout the time.

Last night, I discovered a new shade of mine and as much as I would like to deny it, I love every inch of it.

The night is over! The realization is painful nonetheless true.

Silently, I roll out of the bed and pick up the clothes which are scattered all over the floor. As reserved as the guy might appear to be in public, Shawn is an animal in the bed.

Although I don't remember the digit, it must be more than three, given the time he had spent on my body, revealing the secrets that I didn't know existed.

Twice we came together and a couple more times, he made me squirm. His marks are all over the place and my body.

Shawn is very demanding and it is hard to cope with him, but he is also tender and considerate and he always made sure that I was getting as much pleasure as he was getting. I loved that about him, but I wouldn't be saying that to his face. In fact, I am never seeing his face again. It was meant to last for a single night and it has lasted. It can never be more than that.

Our paths are different and never meant to coincide.

A defeated sigh escapes through my lips as I stare at his perfect face. I could just wish...no! No! Never! Where did that come from? It won't ever happen. We belong to different worlds. He is the son of a f*****g superstar and is already a celebrity without even doing anything. And I am a god damn broke who doesn't even have enough money to afford tomorrow's meal.

I longingly and enviously stare at Shawn who is still sleeping like a baby, unaware of the harshness of life and oblivion to the sins.

For a second, his sleeping face puts me in a dilemma. I cannot believe that this man, who sleeps with one hand under his chin, has dominated me like never before. My scream of pleasure is still vibrating the walls.

Looking around the room is only making me more uncomfortable and shy. I cannot stand it any longer. So, I tiptoed my way out of the room and hurried inside an adjacent one. I quietly hope in the shower, wishing for the hammering in the head to subside down as I mentally list out all the activities lined up for the day.

I am a little hungover and feel sick down the stomach, but I still have a whole mountain of tasks to complete.

I will have to check on the job applications I have signed up for. If there is a response from even a single one, I will have to make sure I am grabbing it. Designation and place don't matter. As long as it is ensuring my survival here. It is fine! Yeah, that's how desperate I am.

There is another voluntary work in the central library which can pay for my supper and tomorrow's breakfast. I remember signing up for it before I had come to the party.

Then, I will have to go visit my previous boss for the final paycheck. The paycheck will pay the rent for another week and some groceries, till then I will figure something out.

During the night, a screenwriter had told me about a couple of websites that pay for freelancing, writing, and editing. I think I should check that out too.

'I want to be a writer!' I remember the proud smile on my face whenever someone asks me about my life plans.

'Why would you want to become one?' They'd ask, patting my cheeks.

'I love creating worlds.' I'd think it is enough of the reason and they'd get it. Of course, they wouldn't, but that would shut them up and I would go twirling in pride. My parents would be happy that their daughter has already figured out her life and go on boasting about my achievements.

The unrequited dream is still lingering around destiny. It does, however, in the chaos of survival, the passion is fading away. Till high school, I have always wanted to be a writer who would write page-turning novels with many twists, turns, cliffhangers with a pinch of e*****a. Readers would love her and chase after her for getting the signed copy. I would be famous, admired, and envied. I was all set on pursuing literature. My parents were ready to back my education till I figure something out on my own. But I so was smitten in love with Pixie that I decided to postpone the dream and come to L. A to help him pursue.

I gave up my family and friends in Nevada when we moved here along with the idea of ever becoming a writer—all of it for nothing.

I shake my head and sigh. I am responsible for whatever is happening. The universe is upset because I haven't respected and cherished its blessings. It's the Karma working.

All in all, I have a long day ahead full of chaos and I have to manage all of it with this constant throbbing down the temples.

Damn!

An involuntary groan slips through my lips as I put my head on the wall. With one hand, I rinse the body wash while with another I massage my temples. My n*****s are still sensitive to touch and hurt a little. The neck is full of love bites. The color only seems to get worse.

I groan, eyeing myself in the mirror. I don't have enough make-up to cover it all up. It may take three to four days for the hickeys to fade away, till then I will have to find a way to cover it up.

Another wave of pain throbbed through the side. I grimace.

'I need a lemonade and some breakfast.' I mumble as I turn off the shower and step out. The bath was soothing and has helped me channel my thoughts, but the dehydration is as real as everything else. It is a clear sign of the worse sickness coming that I can only hope to avoid.

'I just need to hydrate myself and I am good to go.' I try to tell myself as I put on the cloth and brush my dripping wet hairs—and before I can give myself some more self-talk, the sound of sheet rufflings reaches my ears followed by loud crashes. Panicked, I hurry out of the bathroom and lock the bedroom door.

The last thing I need would be to face the guy I have f****d like nuts. I cannot stand being judged by him and ruining the perfect fantasy. It will only raise bitterness and I do not want to mess up with the perfect memories we have created.

'This is the most of Shawn Taylor we will be getting.' I tell myself with a defeated sigh. The headache seems to only get worse with each passing minute.

Discreetly, I press my ear on the door for any sound of movements. Luckily, I hear the sound of flush and tap turning. It is the final 'Go' single I have needed as I happily tiptoe out of the penthouse and the hotel.

Beverly Wilshire will never be the same again.