Author’s Note: Names, likenesses and relations in the next few chapters are made up and for entertainment purposes only.

“I take it, Mr. Winters didn’t inform you about Erika’s um secret.” Her mother walked into the situation.

Brook just shook her head. How could she make even that look graceful?

“He doesn’t tell me things I don’t need to know.” She stopped staring at Erika and glanced to her mother. She cleared her throat, lifted her head and handed Erika a coffee. “I hope I got it right.” She said. “I heard how you ordered it this morning.”

“Thank you.” Erika took the cup. Her heart was still beating like a jack-rabbits.

“Let me know when you are ready.” Brook was much more composed now. She turned and followed Mrs. Martin out of the room.

“This isn’t going to be a problem is it?” She heard her mother ask Brook in hushed tones.

“No.” Brook affirmed. “I was just surprised is all. Mr. Winters has other people like her among his clientele.”

The voices drifted off.

Erika took a deep breath and let it out before tasting her coffee. It was almost perfect.

“Well.” She muttered to herself. “That wasn’t the worse reaction. I hope it doesn’t change things between us.”

She finished drying off and decided that it was definitely an occasion to wear her gaffe. Once done putting herself together she stepped into the living area in her bra and panties.

“I’m ready, now.” She smiled nervously at Brook.

Brook smiled nervously back and joined her in her bedroom. “I’m so sorry.” Brook began, “I didn’t know, and it was. . . well, a surprise.”

Erika nodded. “I can understand.” She stated.

“I didn’t even suspect.” Brook went on. “You are a very pretty young lady.”

“Thank you,” What else was she supposed to say?

“Those pictures you took today were fantastic. It’s like Clyde said, there is something different about you. . .” she stopped.

“And now you know what it is.” Erika smiled, trying to make light of it. She had to take the heavy nervousness out of the air.

“There I go sticking my foot in my mouth.” Brook apologized.

“Can you still help me get ready?” Erika changed the subject.

“Of course.” Brook strode over to the red halter-top gown. She unbuttoned the collar of the dress and held it out for Erika to step into before helping by re-fastening it.

The long skirt had a slit cut up Erika’s left leg, almost all of the way to her thigh.
“You’re going to have to go without the bra.” Brook stated. “You look like you have perky breasts.”
“They aren’t mine.” Erika sighed. “Well, I paid for them, so I guess they are, but these are forms until mine grow.”
“I hadn’t realized. They look great.” Brook began taking a closer look.”
“I glue them on and have to use a touch of makeup to blend in the seams. You can just make out one here.” Erika pointed.
“I didn’t even notice.” Brook smiled. She stepped back a few paces and took Erika in. “Wow.” Brook smiled. “I knew you would look amazing in this dress.”

Erika held up the skirt and walked to a mirror hanging on the closet door and was almost brought to tears. She did look amazing.

Brook and Erika talked as Brook pinned Erika’s hair up and put on her makeup.

Erika explained how she kind of fell into modeling with the family photography session and how she was not only still new to it, but also wasn’t sure if it was what she wanted to do.

“It’s hard enough for natural girls to get into and succeed at modeling, I’m sure it’ll be even more difficult for someone like me.” She said. “That’s why I’ve been keeping it a secret.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” Brook smiled. “Not only because I like you, Erika, but because Hal has me under contract.” Brook stood back from her work and scanned Erika’s face. “I guess that’s as good as it gets.”

Erika looked at the reflection of a beautiful young woman and almost began crying. “Holy Shit, Brook. You’re as good as Maria.”

“Hardly.” Brook rebuffed. “You are just that beautiful.”

Erika hugged Brook tight and tried her best to keep the tears from ruining Brook’s work.

“Now for the shoes.” Erika exclaimed excitedly. She nearly tripped on the skirt of her dress as she hurried across the room to retrieve the sparkling footwear.

“I’ll go check on your mother.” Brook left as Erika began strapping on her current obsession.

Erika stood tall in her heels and took a second to adjust to the new height and balance. She strode over to the floor length mirror and peered at herself. She had been professionally made up for photoshoots in the last few weeks, but she never got used to seeing the beautiful young lady looking back at her in the mirror. She studied herself from the top of her arranged hair to the tip of her sparkly sandals.

She sucked in a breath and tried to wrap her head around this whole situation. A year ago, Eric was hiding in his house when not forced to go to school. He was a boy who created a fantasy world where he could be anything, anybody, but who he really was. Surreal. That was the only word that could come close to describing what was going on.

Erika used the edge of her finger to wipe the wetness away from her eyes. She took a deep breath, smiled at herself and stepped out of her room.

Brook and her mother stood waiting in anticipation.

Her mother’s hands flew to her mouth as she took in her daughter. “Oh my God, you are so beautiful.” It came out in a gasp.

“You’re going to make me cry.” Erika felt her eyes starting to water again.

Brook smiled at them both, then reached into her purse. “Here are the tickets for tonight’s event.” She handed them to Erika’s mother. “They’ll get you into the after party too.”

“What?” Erika was shocked. “Seriously?”

Brook nodded.

“Thank you.” She gushed.

“Don’t thank me. Thank Mr. Winters.”

“We will.” Erika’s mother promised.

Brook escorted them down to the hotel lobby. Erika’s mother kept looking at her. A few times even shaking her head in disbelief.

Erika was too excited to sit still. She kept shifting her body as much as her vision. Concrete sound walls along the freeway decorated with graffiti, palm trees, and what seemed like miles and miles of houses.

Soon the Limo joined a line of limos that stretched for a block or more.

“Is this it?” Erika asked the driver.

“Sorry Miss, this is the security check point. They’ll ask to see your passes and have a look at the car. The event is a few blocks away.”

Erika’s impatience was growing as they sat waiting for their turn going through security. But what could she do? People had to be safe. Who knew what terrorists were capable of these days.

Finally, through the checkpoint, Erika was practically bouncing in her seat as the Limo crawled along the people lined street.

“One more moment, Miss.” The driver cautioned.

Camera flashes were going off everywhere as they approached a red carpet. Before she knew it, her door was being opened. She stepped out onto the red carpet as a man helped her to keep her balance as she stood. It was like being in a hundred photo shoots at the same time as flashes from cameras as well as cell phones nearly blinded her.

She nearly put her hands up to block the flashes but restrained and tried to paste a smile on her face. Why were these people taking pictures of her? They didn’t even know her. She didn’t look like any celebrity, not really. She turned to see her mother struggling to not look like a deer in head lights. Poor thing, she didn’t sign up for this.

“This way Miss.” A suited man gently guided. “We need to keep everyone moving.”

Before she knew it, she was guided by the red carpet and the line of people ahead of her. She thought she spotted a country singer ahead of her and was that a soap star getting out of a limo behind her?

A façade wall covered with the gala’s logo loomed up to one side. What looked like a security officer held up his hand stopping her. “Wait here for a moment, Miss.” He stated scanning the crowd. “Do you have your invitation?”

Erika held it out for him. He scanned it a barcode reader as well as a UV light which revealed a hidden design. “Miss Erika Summers?” he asked.

“Yes.” She managed, her heart and brain couldn’t decide what to feel right at the moment.

“Mrs. Martin?” he asked scanning Erika’s mother’s invitation.

“Yes officer.” She sounded more confident that Erika felt.

He nodded. “Please step forward and have a pleasant evening.”

A temporary barrier lined the carpet on one side. It was jammed with even more people with all kinds of cameras.

“Erika, over here!” a voice called.

Who would know her? She thought. She looked to see a woman with a camera trying to get her attention. How in the world did they know her name?

A young woman dressed in black slacks and white blouse was kneeling on the carpet up against the temporary barrier. “Stop here,” She instructed.

Several more people from the mob of paparazzi began calling her name as more flashes went off.

Erika realized that the whole way was lined with these people instructing celebs to pause in front of them to pose for the cameras.

“Oh crap.” Erika muttered. The next stop had television cameras and was that who she thought it was? “Oh my God.” It came out as a whisper. She was sure no one could hear her over the mob calling various celebs by name. it was one of the hosts of a tabloid show.

As she approached, she saw someone whisper in the host’s ear.

“Welcome Erika.” She greeted her. “How are you doing this evening?”

Erika’s heart flipped, then flopped, stopped, then flipped again.

“Fine, thank you.” She smiled.

“Erika Summers, I understand that you are Hal Winter’s newest acquisition.”

“Yes.” Erika’s heart was now like a jack rabbits. Was her face blushing? It felt hot. She didn’t know she would be doing television interviews. “Mr. Winters was kind enough to take me on.”

“I understand that you will be gracing the pages of Teen Magazine soon.” The host stated. “That’s a big step for a young model from Constitution.”

How the hell are they finding out all of this? Erika’s mind screamed.

“I’m very excited about it.” Erika grinned. “It’s an experience of a lifetime.” She hadn’t even shot the Teen Magazine pictures yet. Who knew if she’d make it in.

“You look fantastic.” The host scanned her very quickly. “Whose dress are you wearing tonight?”

Erika wanted to throw up. Who’s dress? She didn’t know. Brook picked it out for her. “I, um, I’m not sure.” Erika knew her face was turning red now. “I just picked it up yesterday.”

“Well it is quite stunning on you.”

“Thank you.” Erika managed. Oh my God get me out of here. Her mind screamed. She didn’t know that she was supposed to know who made her dress. Probably some under paid slave labor in China for all she knew. This was horrible. “I’m just excited to be here, supporting Mr. Kincaids’ charity.” Well at least that sounded good. She hoped.

“Erika!” She heard “Ms. Summers.”

“Thank you, Erika, and good luck.” The host thankfully allowed her an escape.

Erika moved closer to her mother. “Why didn’t you save me?” She asked.

“What was I supposed to say?” her mother whispered back. “You’re the one who wants to be a model. You did fantastic.” She added.

Several more picture posing and another interview later, this time the interview went a little smoother, Erika and her mother made it into the door of the event.

A relative quiet cascaded over them. The noise of the media like a gaggle of geese behind them.

“You handled that quite well.” A familiar voice sounded ahead of them.

“Mr. Winters?” Erika was surprised. “I didn’t know I would have to do interviews. I probably looked like a hillbilly out there. Why didn’t you warn me?”

“I wanted to see how you would handle yourself under media pressure.” He approached. His smile never left his face. “You did quite well, considering.”

“How did they know who I was?” She inquired.

“I put out the word.” He smirked. “I represent some of those people too, you know.” He dipped his head towards the crowd scampering to get the best pictures and interviews. “You did very well, not a hillbilly at all. Just sweet and naive, which is exactly what we want for Teen Magazine and other like sponsors to start asking for you.” He gave her a once over with his eyes. “You look beautiful. Brook is amazing, isn’t she?”

Erika nodded. Momentarily forgetting her bitter attitude. “They mentioned that I would be in Teen Magazine.” Erika raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t even posed for them yet, how do we know if I even make it into the magazine?”

“You do or don’t, they’ll forget about it by the end of the week.” He shrugged. “Welcome to Hollywood.” He looked to Erika’s mother. “I sent a copy of the Teen Magazine contract to your husband and had a copy delivered to your hotel. Did you receive it?”

“Yes, “her mother nodded. “I haven’t had time to go through it though.”

“It’s just a simple contract. I’ll have you stop by the office tomorrow evening to sign it.”

“That soon?” She was astonished.

“It’s Hollywood.” He stated. “They always want the up and coming, the new, the innocent and the freshest young ladies. And they want them last week.” He paused and greeted another celeb as they entered and then looked to Erika. He pulled out a large smart phone. “Have you seen your pictures from today’s shoot?” he asked.

Erika shook her head.

“Here.” He handed the phone over.

Erika’s mother looked over her shoulder a she started swiping through the photos.

“The first few, the black and white are Clyde’s camera test before makeup.” Mr. Winters explained.

“You are so beautiful.” Her mother gasped. Her voice held awe as well as pride.

Erika was almost brought to tears. “that is me?” she was in awe as well.

Mr. Winters nodded. “That is why I’m setting up the Teen Magazine shoot. They’d be stupid not to use you.

Erika swiped to the next set. These were in color and after Maria had done her hair and makeup.

“Wow.” Her mother gasped breathlessly.

Erika looked from the pictures to her agent and back to the pictures. “These are even better than the pictures I did back in Constitution.” She saw Mr. Winters nod out of the corner of her eye.

“Part of that is Clyde, the other part is you.”

Erika handed his phone back, still having a hard time believing that those pictures were of her.

“Just down this hall and through those doors is a magical life.” Mr. Winters stated. “Don’t believe half of what you hear and promise nothing to anyone. Any job offers posed to you have to go through me first.” Mr. Winters looked her in the eyes and smiled. “You, my young lady, have a reputation to protect and to enhance. Have fun and don’t drink too much.”
A reputation to protect and enhance? What does that mean?
“Will you be joining us, Mr. Winters?” her mother inquired.
“In a bit. I have other clients to see to as they come through.” He nodded towards Erika’s mother. “You’ll be just fine in there. You’ve already raised a fine young lady.”
Was it her imagination or did he keep stressing ‘lady’ in this conversation?
“Now, young lady.” He began. “I have arranged for an escort for you. He is waiting for you just outside the doors.”
“An escort?” Erika questioned. Did she really need and escort?
“I think you’ll have fun with one another.” Mr. Winters smiled.
“Who is it?” Erika asked.
Mr. Winters’ eyes sparkled as a tight smile of mirth washed over his face for just a moment. His eyes darted towards the doors. “Excuse me.” He stepped towards the door. “Amanda.” He greeted.

Erika looked up to see Amanda Erins. An actress from a popular cop show.

“Erika.” Her mother’s voice grabbed her attention.

“That’s Amanda Erins.” She whispered to her mother.

Her mother smiled. “I’m sure we will be seeing many more famous people tonight.”

Erika took a deep breath and stepped down the hall with her mother, their heels clicking on the marble floor as they went.

Large floral arrangements dotted the corridor as they walked. Large birds of paradise, roses, and other flowers she didn’t know.

They turned a corner and heard music and many voices coming from double doors. Just outside was a young man in a tux looking at his phone. He looked up and smiled as he spotted Erika.

Erika lost her breath. Her head spun, it couldn’t be, could it?

“Hello, you must be Erika.” He stepped forward greeting her with a big smile. “Hal showed me a picture of you. You’re even prettier in person.”

It was. She suddenly felt like she needed to hold onto a wall. She tried not to stumble in her heels as she felt her face grow hot and her heart race. Hold on, she had to be cool. She wasn’t attracted to boys…. Well Jake was kind of an exception, but this was different. Was she attracted to him or was she Fan Girling? It was Hunter Allyson. The Hunter Allyson.

“You’re Hunter Allyson.” She managed to stammer. Seriously? He knew who he was, she was the one having trouble coming to grips with being face to face with Hunter Allyson.

He smiled at her. “Yes. Yes, I am. I’m glad you at least know who I am.” He reached out as if to steady her. “Breathe.” He threw a grin at her mother. “It’ll pass in just a moment. Just don’t go fainting on me.”

“I loved you in your last movie.” She managed to get out. Oh god, she was fan girling. She needed to stop. She took a deep breath or three and felt a bit better.

“See, breathing helps.” He touched her bare arm.
He actually touched her. She felt her face flushing even hotter. “I’m so sorry, Hunter. I must seem like such a ditz.”

Hunter leaned closer to her ear. “My first one of these, I got so overwhelmed at seeing my teen crush in person, I actually threw up. So’ you aren’t doing too bad.”

“Are you really my escort tonight?” she asked.

He nodded. “Hal said that you are his newest project and wanted me to take good care of you.”

“He did?”

Hunter nodded. “I am to introduce you to all of the important people here and help you get your face known. I would have picked you up at your hotel, but Hal wanted you to walk the media frenzy alone. You can’t make a name for yourself if you are Hunter Allyson’s newest squeeze.”

Erika felt like she was starting to get control of her nerves. Her stomach was not longer trying to escape, and her heart wasn’t trying explode.

“Hello Hunter, I’m Nancy. Erika’s mother.”

“Hello Nancy.” Hunter took her hand in a warm greeting. “I see where Erika gets her beauty from.”

“Aren’t you sweet.” She smiled.

“Are you ready to make your entrance, Erika?” Hunter looked at her closely.

Erika nodded. She needed a selfie or at least a pic. No one and she meant no one back home would believe that she had met Hunter Allyson let alone been his date. No. she couldn’t ask for a pic. That would be too uncool, and she had already too many uncool strikes against her in this meeting.

“Now, the best thing to remember is that everyone here is an ordinary person who just seemed to win the entertainment lottery. Many here are just as nervous as you are and if they aren’t, well they are lying to themselves.” Hunter took Erika’s hand and wrapped his arm around it. It was like a nineteen-forties Hollywood style entrance.

The music swelled but it was at an acceptable level that one could speak to others without yelling. Crystal chandeliers as large as small cars cast rainbows of color over a room filled with beautiful women in dresses of every color and length. Men in Tuxedoes and fine tailored suits.

Erika hadn’t realized that she had stopped until Hunter gently urged her on with a tightness on her arm. A server approached with a tray of champagne. Hunter took a glass and was about to hand it to Erika and stopped. He turned to her mother. “Is it alright if she has a glass?” he asked.

Her mother nodded. He handed the glass to Erika then handed one to her mother before taking one for himself.

Champagne wasn’t by any means new to her. She drank an occasional glass at family functions and parties. She took a sip and was delighted to find that it was even better than the cheap stuff her family would drink.

“Thank you.” She said after a sip.

Hunter leaned close to her. “I find it helps give you something to do with your hands while talking to some of these people. Some of them can be quite boring. Especially the name droppers.” His voice got nasally and snooty sounding. “I’ve worked with so and so and I did that movie with this person or that person.” His voice dropped back to normal. Believe me it gets quite tiresome.”

“Is that . . . ?”

“Jacklyn.” He finished. “Yes. Pretty isn’t she?”

Erika nodded.

“She is one of the nice ones.” He started toward the famous actress. “Jacklyn.” He called getting her attention. She turned and smiled at Hunter.

If Jacklyn had a last name, Erika sure didn’t know it. Jacklyn was one of those celebrities who didn’t need a last name. She was an older woman probably as old as her mother and had been in many blockbuster films, from Rom-coms to drama and even an action film or two.

“Hunter.” Her face lit up. “I hoped to see you here.”

“Jacklyn, this is Erika Summers. Hal’s latest project.”

Jacklyn turned her lovely smile to Erika. “Erika, lovely to meet you. What does Hal have you doing?”

“I’m. . . . I’m supposed to be doing a shoot for Teen Magazine.” Erika actually pinched herself with her free hand to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. Who meets Hunter Allyson and Jacklyn in the same evening?

“A model.” It was a statement. “Well, you definitely are pretty enough. How long have you been in Hollywood?” The Hollywood legend asked.

“This is my second day.” Erika felt embarrassed.

Jacklyn took her hand from Hunter’s and leaned close. “Second day and you are at a ball on the arm of Hunter? Girl, you are my hero.”

Erika was beginning to feel light headed. Was it the champagne or meeting the Jacklyn? “Honestly this was all a surprise to me.” She stated.

“Hal Winters treats his projects well.” She nodded with understanding.

Erika suddenly blushed. “This is my mother, Nancy.” She introduced.

“You’ve always been my favorite leading lady.” Her mother gushed.

“You are so kind. Thank you.” Jacklyn greeted. “I’m sure this is all a bit much.” She waved her hand around.

“For this country girl, yes.” Her mother smiled.

“Honesty, how refreshing.” Jacklyn stated. Someone else was vying for her attention. “I do hope we get another chance to speak tonight.” She told Erika’s mother. She leaned closer to Nancy. “I’m a pig farmers daughter. It’s nice to talk to people who aren’t deeper in the much than the pigs.” She turned to Hunter. “You promised my daughter a signed poster.”

“I’ll get it to her next week.” He promised.
Hunter led them around the room Erika finished her champagne and wanted another but was afraid to ask her mother for a second. She wasn’t tipsy, but it did relax her a bit which was very helpful because Hunter kept introducing her to movie stars, rock stars, Olympic athletes as well as Professional Athletes. As soon as she walked away from one, she kicked herself for not getting a picture, and by the time they got to the next one, she was in too much awe that she forgot to ask for one.

“Hunter.” She got his attention. “I need to use the ladies room.”

“Good timing.” Hunter smiled. I do too. Um to use the men’s room.” He corrected. He whisked her across the room to one side. “I’ll meet you out here in a few minutes.”

Erika gave his arm a squeeze and smiled. Where did that come from? She had never used body language like that with her friends. Not with Tricia, or even Jake.

The bathrooms were quite posh. Beautiful wood stalls instead of durable metal, soft lighting instead of florescent. Granite countertops and cloth towels. Wow, this place was amazing.

It was a bit of a struggle to figure out using the toilet in a long dress, it wasn’t like she could just lift the skirt of the dress and whip out her manhood and pee into the toilet standing up. Not with keeping her facade. She finally managed.

She stepped out and saw a striking young woman checking her makeup on the mirror. The young lady looked to be a year or two older than she was. Her purple and blue hair and exaggerated eye makeup was something Tricia would love. She finished freshening her lips and looked at Erika through the mirror. She then turned and looked at Erika.

“You’re Hunter’s new girl?” She asked.

“No.” Erika didn’t know what to think of her. “Mr. Winters asked him to be my escort. I’m Erika.” She put her hand out.

An interested smile crossed the girl’s face. “Hello, Erika, I’m Cass.”

“Hi, Cass.” Erika greeted squeezing her hand. “I’m sorry, I don’t recognize you. What do you do?”

The girl stared at Erika for a moment. “I am a bass player in a band. Oh, and Hal wants me to model.”

“Hal Winters is your agent too?” She grabbed ahold of something that they had in common.

“Yea, he kind of had to be since he’s been my dad’s for like ever.”

“Oh? Who’s your dad?”

“Brock Steward.”

“As in the lead guitar for the rock band?” Erika was fan girling again.”

Cass rolled her eyes with a sigh. “Yea, that’s him.”

Erika sensed that it was a subject that Cass was probably tired of. “What’s your band called?”

Cass looked curiously at Erika. “Purple Mischief.”

“Cool name. what kind of music do you play?”

“Kind of hard rock with a twist.” She stepped away from the mirror so that Erika could wash. “We’ll be playing in a little bit.”

“Here?” really?”

Cass nodded.

“I definitely want to listen.” Erika stated.

“Hold on a sec, Erika.” She stepped up behind Erika. “Your dress is caught in your panties. She gave it a quick tug. Erika felt the hem of the skirt brush against the back of her ankles. Cass then smoothed out the wrinkle.

“Oh my God, thank you so much.” Erika hugged Cass. “I’m already a fish out of water, here with Hunter, I’d just die if I walked around like that.”

“Hunter’s a good guy.” Cass stated. “He’d have warned you or fixed it.”

“So, he isn’t faking his being nice?” Erika wanted confirmation.

“No. he’s pretty cool. We’ve hung out before. He’s not really my type though.” She leaned against the wall and studied Erika. “You know he’s related to a Hollywood legend, right?”

She was volunteering information. This was good. Erika shook her head. “Really?”

“Ya, his great grandmother or something was a Hollywood star back in the black and whites.”

“She was?” Erika began searching her brain.

“June Allyson.” Cass fed her.

Erika shook her head. “I’ll have to IMDB her.”

The two girls walked out of the bathroom together.

“Well, hello, Cassandra.” Hunter greeted.

“Hey, Hunter.”

Erika had wondered if Cass was short for something. Cassandra was such a pretty name, why did she shorten it?

“You playing tonight?” He asked.

Cass nodded.

“I’ll make sure to be there.” He turned to Erika. “Cassandra is the bass in a really cool band.”

“She told me.” Erika smiled at Cass.

“Maybe we can hang later?” Hunter asked Cass.

“Perhaps.” She replied.

Hunter shot her a smile and guided Erika away.

“She was nice.” Erika told him after they were out of ear shot.

“She can be.” Hunter agreed. “She has had some hard stuff happen in life.”

“Her dad’s a rock star, how hard can it be?” Erika asked.

“Rock stars have easy access to drugs.” He left it hanging.

“Oh.”

“Jim!” Hunter called. “I’d like you to meet Erika.”

The meet and greets started all over again. This time she noticed her mother was hanging back sometimes watching from across the room.

Another half an hour went by as Hunter introduced her to so many celebs that her head spun. No one was going to believe this back home. This was absolutely crazy.

The music suddenly cut off and a voice sounded over some speakers by a stage on the far side of the room. Close to a hundred servers were quickly negotiating the room handing out flutes of champagne.

Erika found her mother had rejoined them. “I met Juan Garcia.” She sounded giddy. “And Joan Black.” Her mother handed her a champagne flute with an excited smile.
Erika bet this night is one that her mother would not forget soon either.

Tommy Kincaid and Michelle Greyson were both introduced to the stage. The crowd of stars applauded generously for them before Tommy thanked them all for their generous contribution to his charity. He spoke briefly about the work being done and then a short film was played, showing people that the charity had helped.

Erika was star struck. Tommy Kincaid and he was just yards away and Michelle, so beautiful standing proudly next to Tommy, fixing everyone in the audience with a smile meant just for them. Erika was stunned to find that gaze fixed upon her a sparkle in her eye. Erika became light headed as that split second seemed to last minutes in her reality.

“You alright?” Hunter raised an eyebrow as his arm wrapped around her waist.

“Yes. I’m fine.” Erika nodded. Excitement coursed through her body at the feel of his reassuring hand at the small of her back. Neither Tricia or Jake had ever made her feel this way. What was happening to her? “Do you think she’ll sing?”

Hunter smiled down at Erika. “You never know with Michelle Greyson.”

At the end of the film Tommy thanked everyone again and introduced his wife, Michelle.

Michelle’s voice was light and lyrical. She thanked everyone as well and was joined on stage by a band. On closer inspection, Erika recognized Cassandra adjusting her bass on stage.

“Looks like you are getting your wish.” Hunter took a sip of his champagne.

The music started to applause and then Michelle began to sing. Erika’s skin suddenly erupted in goose pimples at the sound of her beautiful voice. “Wow” escaped her lips in almost a whisper.

The song ended with an immense applause. Michelle thanked everyone again and then introduced the newest, hottest band in Hollywood, Purple Mischief.

Erika found herself hooting for the band as they began.

“You’ve heard of them?” her mother asked, surprised.

“I just met the bass player in the bathroom.” Erika explained. “The one with purple and blue hair.”

Her mother raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Erika smiled. “She was very nice. Her dad is Brock Steward.”

Her mother’s face changed to one of surprise. Erika knew for a fact that her mother had Brock’s music on C.D. as well as downloaded.

“Is Brock here?” her mother asked.

“I haven’t seen him.” Hunter cast his eyes around the room again. “If I do, I’ll introduce you to him.”

“Really?” her mother was fan girling on a rock star who might not even be in the room.

Hunter nodded. He looked to Erika. “You want to dance?”

“I’m not very good.” She stated. Other than the dance lessons at Camp Kumoni, she really didn’t know how to dance.

“No one is.” He took her hand and led her forward. “Look.” He pointed out some celebs and their spouses awkwardly moving in front of the stage.

Erika giggled and let herself be led to the group. Hunter as it turned out was a pretty good dancer. Unsure of herself dancing in heels, Erika was a bit more subdued.

Every once in a while, she’d look up to see Cassandra watching her and Hunter. Every time Erika caught her watching, her eyes would flick to another spot in the room. Erika wondered if she had done something wrong. Was Cass jealous? There was no need. After tonight, she was sure she’d probably never see Hunter again. Celebs of his status just didn’t mingle or hang with people like herself.

Erika’s head started feeling heavy. She wondered if it could be the champagne, but then it started to hurt.

“Crap.” Erika swore to herself. She knew this feeling. ‘Not now!’ she screamed silently at her brain. She looked around for her mother and spotted her speaking with Jacklyn.

“I gotta go.” Erika stated curtly to Hunter. She could start to see gray around the edges of her vision. “Crap, crap crap.” She continued swearing as she nearly bolted from the throng of dancers towards her mother.

“What’s wrong?” Hunter inquired, suddenly worried. “Are you alright?”

“No.” Erika needed to make it someplace away from all of these people. It was embarrassing enough to have seizures in the high school gym, but at a charity ball surrounded by celebrities? “Oh God, what will they think?”

Her mother spotted her bolting jerkily towards her. The smile on her face slid off replaced by fear and heartbreak. She had seen that terrified look on her daughter’s face before. She touched Jacklyn’s arm in parting and ran towards Erika.

“It’s starting.” Erika nearly collapsed into her mother’s arms.

The world around her was becoming narrower and narrower.

“What’s wrong, is she sick?” Hunter asked.

“We need to get her someplace quiet and away from these people.” Her mother instructed. Her voice changed as she directed it towards Erika. “I’ve got you. You’re going to be okay. I’ve got you.”

Blindly, Erika stepped where ever her mother was directing. Darker, darker.