Hunter had his hands up and was trying to back away, but the three men stepped forward pace for pace. If she had the keys, she would have started the car and maybe done something. Not much but maybe a distraction. Her heart raced. It hadn’t raced like this since… well ever. She reached over and laid into the horn. Two of the men flinched, one turned towards the car and glared at her. She kept her hand on the horn. Perhaps someone would hear and come to help them.
Before the guy had time to turn back towards Hunter, a large shape came charging in to view. Before she could react, Charles, the bouncer had downed two of the shady characters and was in the midst of punching the third. The man’s head snapped sideways as Charles’ large fist caught him in the face. The man’s knees buckled, and he collapsed to the pavement.

Erika quickly got out of the car and ran barefoot to Hunter. “Are you alright? I was so scared.”

“I’m fine.” Hunter glanced at the three men and then to Charles. “Thank you, Charles.”

“I’m just glad I caught sight of them following you.” Charles was checking out the back of his hand. “There have been reports of some creeps mugging people in the area over the past few weeks. I think we have them.” He looked down at the men. One was clutching his leg which looked like it might have been broken. Charles turned to Erika. “Good job using the horn.”

“I was too scared.” She admitted. “I didn’t know what else to do.

“Are you alright?” Hunter asked Erika.

“Of course, I’m alright. I was in the car. You’re the one who was almost killed.” For some strange reason her fright had turned to anger. She didn’t know why she was directing it at Hunter. He didn’t choose to be in this situation.

“You two get out of here.” Charles directed. “I’ll call the cops.”

“Don’t we need to stay to give a statement or something?” Erika asked.

Charles looked at Hunter then to Erika. “We don’t want this splashed all over the tabloids now, do we?”

Erika glanced at Hunter then to Charles sheepishly. “Sorry, I didn’t think about that.”

“One of the downfalls to being a celeb.” Hunter explained. “Thanks again Charles. I’d…we’d probably be heading to the hospital if you hadn’t shown up.”

The two clasped hands then Hunter guided Erika back into the car. He quickly got in as Charles was dialing the police.

“You broke my leg.” One of the goons complained.

Hunter pulled out and quickly fled the scene.

Once they were a few blocks away, he pulled the car over and put it into park.

“Are you sure, you are alright?” he asked. “All I could think about was how I was going to explain this to your mother.”

Erika’s body flushed with pleasure. She’d never had a guy concerned about her safety like that. Tricia had defended her sure. But is was more of a friend defending a friend. “I’m just glad Charles was able to get there before those goons were able to lay a hand on you.”

Hunter looked down. His hands were shaking. Was it fear or adrenaline? “I’m so glad you are alright.” He clasped his hands together trying to keep them from shaking.

Erika took his hands in hers and held them. “You were so brave confronting them like that.” She told him. She raised his hands and kissed them. “Thank you for not running off and leaving me there.”

Hunter looked at her with a new, strange look. “I could never. I would never leave anyone in a situation like that.” Unexpectedly Erika found his lips pressing firmly against hers. His tongue flicked across her lips in askance and she parted them in answer. His hands left hers and cupped both cheeks as if directing all over face towards his.

It felt like the kiss lasted for hours, then again, it stopped too soon as he pulled away. “I’m so glad that you are alright.” He stated yet again. He checked his mirrors and pulled out into traffic. At the next light, she found his hand resting on her thigh. It sent delightful shivers up her spine.

Instead of pulling into the valet at the hotel, Hunter parked the silver Aston Martin in the lot. He turned off the engine and looked at Erika. “I don’t want this night to end.” He stated.

“Neither do I.” She admitted.

“You’re leaving tomorrow and I’m leaving in a few days.” He stated the obvious. “Do you know if you are coming back to Hollywood?”

Erika shook her head. “I was supposed to have left yesterday as it is.”

She leaned to meet his lips. They were so addicting. She could feel her own lips swell with blood. He smelled amazing and tasted even better. She didn’t know what was happening with her own gender preferences, but one thing was for sure. At the moment, she preferred him.
They were both gasping as they parted and then went in for round two, hungrily and passionately.
By the time Erika had noticed the time on the dash, the windows of Hunter’s car were steamed up.

Erika pulled away. “I need to go.” She whispered hating the words even as they exited her mouth. “I need to go before my mother initiates a search party.”

Hunter bit his lower lip. “I know.” He murmured. “You just feel so good.”

“You too.” She put her hand on the door handle. She leaned in and kissed him again. She definitely did not want to leave his car.

She groaned as she opened the door. “Thank you, Hunter.” She said. “I had, well… the time of my life the past few days. Meeting you, hanging out with you. Kissing you.” The last two words were a whisper.

“Let me drive you to the front door.” Hunter pleaded.

Erika nodded and closed the door. Hunter started the car and pulled around to the valet.

Erika leaned in yet again. Could she ever get enough of him? She feathered her lips across his. “Thank you.”

She opened the door and the valet gave her a hand as she stood up. She grabbed her sparkly shoes and walked barefoot towards the front door. Just about to reach it, she turned around and caught Hunter’s winning smile. The warmth from that smile warmed her soul. She blew him a kiss and turned to go to her hotel room.

--o0o—

Erika stirred at her soup with her spoon not even realizing what she was doing. How could she miss someone so much having only spent a day and a few hours together?

“You need to eat, young lady.” Her mother scolded.

“I know.” Erika sighed. “It just doesn’t taste all that great.”

“You need to get him out of your head and start concentrating on getting caught up on your schoolwork when you get home.”

Erika sighed as she watched as another jet took off with a roar. They had an hour before they were to board their flight home.

Hunter may have dropped her off in time for her curfew, but the two kept up a steady stream of texts late into the night. Mostly conversations that went nowhere, and they weren’t speaking, but it was comforting getting those texts.

“You were up too late last night.” Her mother commented.

Erika yawned again and nodded in answer. She was about to ask how she knew, but one look at her ponytail, rumpled clothes and missing makeup could tell anyone that even without her constant yawning.

Erika took a bite of the soup and wished it was a Pinks hotdog. It was bland airport fare. She took a few more large bites then pushed it away. “I love this weather.” She told her mother. “Do you think we’ll be coming back anytime soon?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’ll depend upon your photoshoot and who else will want you to model for them.”

“I know it’s dumb, but I’m going to miss In-n-Out.”

Her mother smiled.

Erika kept checking her phone hoping for another text from Hunter. She already text her friends that she was arriving late tonight and that she’d probably be at school tomorrow.

“Mom? Could you see if I can get in to see Dr. Barts in the next few days?”

Her mother raised an eyebrow at her. “Seriously?”

Erika nodded.

“Is there something you want to talk to me about?”

Erika shook her head. “I just have some questions for her.”

“Okay,” Her mother sat silent for a moment then excused herself. “I’ll be right back.”

Erika checked her phone again with a sigh and then swiped through her photos of her and Hunter. Who would have predicted this even a few days ago? Before the Tommy Kincaid charity, she was a star-struck young woman.

She half cringed, half laughed remembering how she reacted when she first met Hunter. Now? Well, now she was starting to think that she was in love with him. ‘Erika Allyson’ she thought to herself. She shook that thought out of her head. As soon as he finds out that she isn’t a genetic girl, he’ll not want anything to do with her. Maybe she should cut off their relationship now. It’ll save them both heartache if and when that time would come. She wanted to cry. She knew she should tell him, but she didn’t want to experience the hurt and rejection once he knew.

Her mother returned to the table and sat silently for a moment. “I scheduled you an appointment with Dr. Barts day after tomorrow.”

“Thank you, mom.”

Her mother just nodded. Erika felt a little guilty not talking with her mother about all that was going on in her head, but her reactions in the not so distant past kind of kept her distant from her mother with some regards. Dr. Barts as much as Erika hated seeing a shrink, would have a non-biased opinion of what she wanted to talk about. Dr. Barts gained at least a little trust in her.

Soon they were on their plane and Erika was ready for a much-needed nap. She plugged in her headphones and put the seat back, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep among the clouds.

--o0o—

It was late by the time her dad pulled the car back up to their rented condo. The cold air definitely had a sharp bite in it as she carried her bags from the car to the house.

The familiar smell of their house hit her almost physically. She had only been gone a few days and the aroma of being homemade her want to cry with gladness. She took some deep breaths as she pulled off her shoes and shucked her coat.

“Are you planning to go to school tomorrow?” her father asked.

Erika sighed heavily. “Yes.”

“Set your alarm. It’s good to have you home, love.” Her father gave her a big squeeze. “Sleep tight.”

“Erika trudged into her room with her overly stuffed suitcase. Before she did anything else, she needed to hang her new dresses to work some of the wrinkles out. She piled all of her dirty clothes in the dirty hamper and made a half-hearted attempt at putting the rest of them away before climbing into bed.

Erika’s alarm went off way too early. She turned it off and fell back to sleep. A second alarm went off ten minutes later. She groaned and felt like she was moving underwater as she got ready for school.

“Are you almost ready?” Her mother called. “I’ll take you in?”

Erika realized that she hadn’t let Samantha know that she was planning on attending school today. “Just a few minutes.” She brushed on her mascara.

Erika finally emerged from her room wearing skinny jeans and a sweater. She was already missing the warmth of Los Angeles. “Ready.” She moaned. “Are you cold too?”

Her mother nodded. “It was nice getting some sun wasn’t it?”

Erika nodded as she poured her coffee and grabbed a bagel that her mother had already prepared for her. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Erika text both Tricia and Samantha that she was on her way. She was tired, but that she was coming. She arrived to find them waiting outside school for her. Tricia wearing a pink wig and Samantha in a knit hat. The rest of them cocooned in winter wear.
Just yesterday I was in a light skirt and tank top. Erika thought wistfully.
She wasn’t prepared for the squeals or bombardment of both of them hugging her at the same time.

“I wasn’t gone that long.” Erika squeezed them back. It was nice to be missed.

“You looked so amazing on T.V.” Samantha gushed. “You were so natural.”

“Anything but.” Erika protested. “I wasn’t prepared for them to ask me questions let alone know my name.”

“You were fantastic!” Tricia agreed. “Who all did you meet? Other than Hunter Allyson that is.”

“Can we get out of this cold?” Erika asked. “I’ve been basking in sun and weather in the upper seventies for the past few days.”

“Lucky.” Samantha joined her in entering the school building.

The pumped in heat felt good compared to the bite outside. She was still a bit cold, but she figured that it would take a few days to adjust.

“Well?” Tricia prompted. “Tell us about your trip.”

“Bitch.” Taylor sneered as she passed them in the hall.

“Crap.” Erika looked to Samantha. “She still pissed.”

Samantha nodded. “She isn’t the only one. Several others from the Rally and a couple from the Cheer squad are upset. They don’t know the details only that something went down between you, Taylor and Melinda.”

“I was trying to do something right.” Erika complained.

“I know.” Samantha agreed. She gave Erika’s arm a squeeze showing physical support.

The school bell rang drowning out all noise for a few seconds. “I’ll have to tell you all about it later.” Erika promised. She could leave some of the more intimate details out. They didn’t need to know about those.

The three friends walked in to home room to stares and whispers.

“Hey Hollywood.” Jake greeted Erika.

“What do you want, Jake?” Erika nearly groaned. Really? Hollywood?

“Saw you on T.V.” he stated. “You were looking hot.”

“Thanks Jake.” She took her seat. “So, did you fall in love with any Hollywood stars?”

Erika’s heart stopped. She could feel her face heat up. She hoped she wasn’t blushing as much as she felt she was. Could he know about Hunter? No. She hadn’t told anyone.

“OMG.” Tricia hissed. “You did.”

“No.” Erika’s heart felt like it was fluttering like a hummingbird.

“You’re blushing.” Samantha pointed out.

“She got to hang out with Hunter Allyson.” Tricia told Jake.

Jake whistled. “Hunter Allyson. Isn’t he that nerdy guy from that one show?”

“You know who he is, Jack ass.” Tricia returned.

“Tricia, Language.” Mrs. Anderson called out.

It was only then that Erika realized that the whole class was not only watching her but listening as well.

Mrs. Anderson finished taking role. “Most of us saw you attend the Tommy Kincaid Charity.” She began. “Who did you meet? What did you do?”

“Well.” Erika’s voice squeaked. “Now?”

“I’m not going to be able to teach anyone in this class today as long as you are in the spotlight. So, you may as well spill it.”

Erika really didn’t like this kind of undivided attention. It made her flashback to the duct tape and flag pole. She swallowed, then cleared her throat. “My mother and I took a limo to the gala.” She began. “I had no idea that I was going to be on T.V. My agent didn’t inform me.”

“Oooh, you have an agent?” Jake was being snarky.

Erika ignored him. “You all saw me make a fool of myself in the interview. Once inside, I was introduced to Hunter Allyson by my Agent. Hunter was kind enough to introduce me to many celebs at the gala.”

“Are you really going to be in Teen Magazine?” someone asked.

“I hope so.” Erika shrugged. I spent most of the day, Monday, doing a photo shoot for it.”

“How did you get invited to the gala?” someone else asked.

“My Agent, Hal Winters, is also Tommy Kincaid and Michelle Grayson’s Agent.”

“Who did you meet?” Tricia and Mrs. Anderson spoke at once.

“I met Jacklyn and saw Amanda Erins,” Erika began going down the list. She felt like it was name dropping, but these people really wanted to know. Even Jake seemed interested. “Oh, and I made friends with Cassandra Steward, Brock Steward’s Daughter. She plays bass in a band called Purple Mischief.”

“I’ve actually heard of them.” A goth girl spoke up. Erika didn’t know her name. “They are a bit mainstream but pretty good.”

“I liked them.” Erika smiled at her. “I went to listen to them play at a nightclub night before last.

“What else happened?” Tricia prompted.

Erika dropped her gaze and flushed again.

“What?” Samantha and Tricia both urged.

“I had a seizure.” Erika admitted. “I spent the rest of the night in the hospital.”

Jake had a good laugh at that. A few other students in the class could be heard snickering as well.

“That’s enough, Jake.” Mrs. Anderson reprimanded. “Unless you want to visit the principal? Erika’s medical condition is not a laughing matter.”

Jake’s laughter didn’t stop, but he pressed his lips together to keep it quiet. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Erika.

“Well, that sounded like a pretty eventful evening.” Mrs. Anderson wrapped things up. “Now can I do my job and try to inject some knowledge into your bowls of mush called brains?” She finally started the day’s lesson.

“Seriously? You had a seizure?” Tricia’s voice was full of concern. “You didn’t text me that.”

“You know how I get after a seizure.” Erika told her. “Besides it was very late at night even without the time zone changes.”

Samantha just stared at her shaking her head.

“What?” Erika finally asked.

“It’s just so surreal.” She sighed. “Last summer you couldn’t walk in heels or put on makeup and now you’re modeling for national magazines. It’s just really hard to believe sometimes.”

“Tell me about it.” Erika muttered.

Victoria approached Erika hesitantly as she was walking to the cafeteria.

Erika looked at her friend. “You said you wouldn’t unless I gave permission.”

“I know.” Victoria acknowledged. “I won’t. But could you at least read it first?”

“Did you email it to me?” Erika asked. “I haven’t really had a chance to look at my account.

“Yes.” Victoria confirmed.

Erika stiffened as she saw Strange Stephanie glaring at her as they neared her in the hall.

“Freak.” She snarled as they passed.

“Don’t pay any attention to her.” Victoria tried to soothe.

“I am.” Erika stated without emotion.

“What are you talking about?” Victoria demanded.

“You know.” Erika stated. “You had your moment in that club too.”

Victoria looked wounded. “That was before I got to know you.” She tried to defend.

“I know.” Erika gave her a tight smile. “I am a freak though.”

“You are one of the kindest souls I have ever met.” Krystal joined them with Jorge. “You were one of my very first champions this last summer. You believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.”

“That was mostly Rachel.” Erika stated. “I just went along for the ride.

“Hardly.” Krystal scoffed.

The girls lined up in the line to get whatever lunch they were serving. Erika was suddenly knocked hard on the shoulder and stumbled forward.

“Watch it Bitch.” Taylor growled as she walked by.

Flashbacks of being tripped in the halls, slammed against lockers and spit upon flooded Erika’s mind.

“Seriously?” Victoria called after Taylor. “That’s how you want to be?”

“That’s why you are off the squad.” Krystal sneered.

“Guys, leave it alone.” Erika took a deep breath and pushed all the horrible memories out of her mind. “She has every right to be mad at me.”

“No, she doesn’t.” Krystal was staring off after Taylor. “She made her choice. Now she has to live with it.”

“If you let me publish the article.” Victoria told Erika. “This would probably stop.”

“If you publish the article, it may get worse.” Erika countered. “Look what happened at Adams High with Allie and Annie Wilson.”

“That was an isolated incident.” Victoria protested.

“You didn’t see them being ostracized at church.” Erika shook her head. “It is not ‘just isolated incidents. I just want people to leave me alone and treat me like I’m normal.”

“You’re a freaking model, Erika. There’s nothing normal about you.” Victoria stated. Krystal and Jorge nodded in agreement.

“Why would you want to be normal?” Tricia joined them wearing her pink wig and a pink dress to match.

“If you experienced what I experienced the last couple of years, you’d want to blend into the background too.”

Tricia punched Erika in the arm. “Stop it!” she demanded. “You can be the most self-suffering downer sometimes. You had a rough couple of years, we get it. You changed this last summer, you blossomed. You’ve become amazing. You spent the weekend doing what most girls could only dream about. You walked a red carpet, met celebs and spent the day with freaking Hunter Allyson.” Tricia was on a roll. “You really need to get over …” She lowered her voice. “the plague. Half of the girls in this school are jealous of you and the other half wish that they were you.”

Erika looked skeptical. They wouldn’t think that if they knew what she truly was.

The girls took their trays of food and sat down at the table with Samantha.

“Hey. What’s going on?” Samantha greeted.

“Dummy here was feeling sorry for herself again.” Tricia pointed to Erika.

“Taylor was causing problems.” Victoria elaborated.

“Hopefully she’ll get over it.” Samantha sighed. She took a drink and looked at Erika. “You haven’t elaborated much on your trip. What did you get to see?”

“I want to know how your day with Hunter went.” Victoria leaned in.

Erika described the warm weather and the palm trees. She told them about shopping on Rodeo with Brook and the photo shoots with Clyde. The amazing clothes that she modeled and got to bring home as well as the amazing dinner Chef created for her with Hunter and her mother. She was about to tell them about meeting up with Cass later when the bell rang ending lunch.

“See you after school?” Erika asked Tricia and Samantha.

“I’ve got Cheer.” Samantha told her.

“I’m still on the Dive team and have to be on the best behavior.” Tricia sighed. “Afterwards?”

Erika shrugged.

Tricia took Erika’s hand and pulled her close. She leaned up and feathered her lips across Erika’s. “I’ve missed you terribly.” She whispered to her.

“I missed you too.” Erika responded. She turned and followed Krystal down the hall towards their next class. She enjoyed Tricia’s kiss, but it lacked the excitement, the sparkle of Hunter’s.

“What’s going on in that brain of yours, Erika?” Krystal asked.

Erika shrugged. “Just trying to figure things out.”