People Talk to me, and all the voices just burn holes"
-Yellow Flicker Beat(Lorde)
"Jim! Jim! Here take a look here!"
The camera flashes blared in every direction as Jim Lore stepped out of his car. It was hard, being an actor. He fell into the career when his friends made him come to an audition to the T.V. Series 'Roland's Locker", a then-underrated Neo-Noir Teen Drama. Jim liked detective novels and mysteries and had even aided in solving a Student Council election corruption back in his high school days all from watching one episode of Veronica Mars from his cousin, Cassie White's house. So when he read the script, he was like, Why the hell not? He initially auditioned for the main character's best friend who only floats in and out of the series. But apparently, he had natural talent. He was cast as the lead, Roland Moore, with his friend, Lionel Roberts, getting the Best Friend role.
A year later, the series is a cult hit and Jim had become a big star.
But sometimes he longs for a nicer, quieter life.
He had hoped that Roland's Locker, despite being popular, would faze out after three seasons and be cancelled, like the aforementioned T.V. series that helped him with the school corruption thing. But the producer was just so good that they've been into 4 seasons of Roland's Locker and it's still getting good reviews.
Roland sighed as his bodyguard pushed through the Paparazzi.
When he reached his apartment room, he took off his suit that he had worn to the Teen's Choice Awards (Roland's Locker won over Pretty Little Liars) and tossed it to the laundry basket, replacing it with casual clothes.
He stared into the ceiling, thinking what he should do for the night.
Then, he grabbed this brown trench coat he likes to wear and put it on.
He wanted to be a Private Detective before he got into acting. Being an actor is a creative, but sometimes frustrating job. His love for mystery went so far as to wanting to solve them himself.
That's the only reason why he still sticks around for Roland's Locker. So he can live it without really living it. It was all so fake, but it felt real.
Then...There's his little sister. With his father bailing on them and his mother too weak to continue working, he had to support his family by himself(He used to bus tables though and also had his own stints of looking for missing things when he was in high school. He had a sharp eye so he charged a little cash for it. Refundable, of course."
His little sister only had him since he's the only one that pays for her education.and expenses. This acting job has a big inflow of money, so he's happy that his sister's happy.
Jim went through his stuff for something to do. He found his old beanie and shades.
Then, he had an idea.
He grabbed the fake ID machine Lionel gave him last Christmas and made a fake P.I. License.
"Keith White... How inconspicuous."
He put on his hat and shades, grabbed his old wallet from his box of stuff and stuffed it with about 458 Dollars, grabbed the Taser his other friend, Erica Sein, had gave him last week. Private Investigators do need weapons.
He strolled out of his apartment complex, thinking how people may see through his disguise. Surprisingly, it had worked.
~Coffee~
"Mr. Keith?" The barrista called. "One Mocha Cappuccino?"
"Oh. Thanks!" Jim donned green eye contacts he got as a gag prop so he didn't have to wear his sunglasses all day.
As he sipped his coffee, he saw the T.V. playing Roland's Locker.
Jim sighed. "Can't even escape my job here." He muttered
In the screen was the penultimate episode of season 1. Just after Roland had saved the leading lady, he had given her a kiss that had been wildly popular to the fanbase.
Jim remembered it too well. It was his first kiss after all. It was so fake... And minty for some reason.
Jim strolled out the streets. He didn't want to keep watching it.
Especially when people have dubbed him The Man with the Perfect French Kiss. He hated the nickname.
As he walked the cold streets of New York, he found himself attracted to a continuous guitar beat going on from the street.
A girl, who was on an acoustic guitar was doing an excellent cover of We Used To Be Friends by the Dandy Warhols.
The only reason why Jim knew the song was because of Veronica Mars.
He grinned and thought, I can't seem to shake this show off.
As she ended her song and collected all her earnings, Jim approached and handed her a crisp 100 dollar bill. He didn't even bother trying to look like a random stranger.
"You were great."
She smiled. "Thanks." Jim took a few seconds to see if she would recognize him. But no... The usual You're Jim Lore! People seem to shout at him when they see him.
She must not watch TV much or not care about the series.
The girl took out a CD from her guitar case. An album she made, he thought.
"Here's my first album. It's unofficial though. It's just covers and a few of my original songs. I'm still Indie. It's the best I can give you for a hundred dollars anyways." She says.
Jim takes the CD.
More Than A Step by Angel Rue
"Thanks. Angel Rue" Angel picks up her guitar case with a smile, but stumbles when a man runs into her and grabs her stuff.
"Hey! HEY!!" She ran after him and Jim trailed behind.
The Guy wasn't even wearing a mask, Jim Thought. What a lousy thief.
Then, the guy turns around and pulls out a gun. The people in the area gasps in horror. Angel stops, but her hand was on her backpocket. Jim made out what looked like a pager sized shape. A Stun Gun.
Load of good that would do to the guy with a gun.
But Jim notices first. The thief's gun was on its safety. And NOT only that. It was a prop gun used in theaters. Jim knew because he's had the pleasure of working with them every season of Roland's Locker for a lot of episodes. And he really meant a LOT.
"The Guns A fake!" He shouts. A trickle of sweat creases on the thief's eyebrow. He tries to turn around and make a run for it. Before Angel could run after him with the Stun Gun already on her hand, Jim presses her back, takes out the Taser from his pocket, and shoots.
A direct hit. To The neck.
It looked painful.
The people around the area claps their hands. Jim keeps his head low to avoid being recognized. To his surprise, he saw Angel run to the guy with her Stun Gun in her hand. She takes back her stuff and presses the Stun Gun to the thief's neck and zaps him.
"Nice try you Fucking A." She stands up and kicks the man to the gut. He moans as she walks back to Jim.
"Hey...Thanks. I'm a total stranger but you still helped me."
Jim blushed. "I-It's what any decent human being would do." He said.
He remembered an episode of Roland's Locker where he had done something similar for a female friend. But this felt more... natural.
She smiles. "Aww, don't be so stiff and embarrassed. At least let me take you out to some coffee one day. Give me your cell." Jim hands her his Iphone 6.
"Oh. Someone's got some cash to burn. Careful not to bend it."
"Ha Ha. I'll have you know, this hasn't been damaged. Not once."
She gives a cocky smile and pulls out a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and exchanges their numbers.
"Oh... I forgot. What's your name." Jim felt sweat trickle on his neck.
"I'm..." He lowered his voice a little. She didn't know who he was, so he thought he'd be safe. "Jim."
"Well, Jim, give me a holler and I'll bring you somewhere neat." She gives him a flying kiss and walks away.
~White Residence~
"Oh, hey 'Roland'" Cassie White, Jim's maternal cousin, was holding a cup of coffee when she opened the door.
"Teen Sleuth saves Little Brother." Jim retorts. "Come here" And he pulls her into a hug.
"So. What brings you here?"
Especially when people have dubbed him The Man with the Perfect French Kiss. He hated the nickname.
As he walked the cold streets of New York, he found himself attracted to a continuous guitar beat going on from the street.
A girl, who was on an acoustic guitar was doing an excellent cover of We Used To Be Friends by the Dandy Warhols.
The only reason why Jim knew the song was because of Veronica Mars.
He grinned and thought, I can't seem to shake this show off.
As she ended her song and collected all her earnings, Jim approached and handed her a crisp 100 dollar bill. He didn't even bother trying to look like a random stranger.
"You were great."
She smiled. "Thanks." Jim took a few seconds to see if she would recognize him. But no... The usual You're Jim Lore! People seem to shout at him when they see him.
She must not watch TV much or not care about the series.
The girl took out a CD from her guitar case. An album she made, he thought.
"Here's my first album. It's unofficial though. It's just covers and a few of my original songs. I'm still Indie. It's the best I can give you for a hundred dollars anyways." She says.
Jim takes the CD.
More Than A Step by Angel Rue
"Thanks. Angel Rue" Angel picks up her guitar case with a smile, but stumbles when a man runs into her and grabs her stuff.
"Hey! HEY!!" She ran after him and Jim trailed behind.
The Guy wasn't even wearing a mask, Jim Thought. What a lousy thief.
Then, the guy turns around and pulls out a gun. The people in the area gasps in horror. Angel stops, but her hand was on her backpocket. Jim made out what looked like a pager sized shape. A Stun Gun.
Load of good that would do to the guy with a gun.
But Jim notices first. The thief's gun was on its safety. And NOT only that. It was a prop gun used in theaters. Jim knew because he's had the pleasure of working with them every season of Roland's Locker for a lot of episodes. And he really meant a LOT.
"The Guns A fake!" He shouts. A trickle of sweat creases on the thief's eyebrow. He tries to turn around and make a run for it. Before Angel could run after him with the Stun Gun already on her hand, Jim presses her back, takes out the Taser from his pocket, and shoots.
A direct hit. To The neck.
It looked painful.
The people around the area claps their hands. Jim keeps his head low to avoid being recognized. To his surprise, he saw Angel run to the guy with her Stun Gun in her hand. She takes back her stuff and presses the Stun Gun to the thief's neck and zaps him.
"Nice try you Fucking A." She stands up and kicks the man to the gut. He moans as she walks back to Jim.
"Hey...Thanks. I'm a total stranger but you still helped me."
Jim blushed. "I-It's what any decent human being would do." He said.
He remembered an episode of Roland's Locker where he had done something similar for a female friend. But this felt more... natural.
She smiles. "Aww, don't be so stiff and embarrassed. At least let me take you out to some coffee one day. Give me your cell." Jim hands her his Iphone 6.
"Oh. Someone's got some cash to burn. Careful not to bend it."
"Ha Ha. I'll have you know, this hasn't been damaged. Not once."
She gives a cocky smile and pulls out a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and exchanges their numbers.
"Oh... I forgot. What's your name." Jim felt sweat trickle on his neck.
"I'm..." He lowered his voice a little. She didn't know who he was, so he thought he'd be safe. "Jim."
"Well, Jim, give me a holler and I'll bring you somewhere neat." She gives him a flying kiss and walks away.
~White Residence~
"Oh, hey 'Roland'" Cassie White, Jim's maternal cousin, was holding a cup of coffee when she opened the door.
"Teen Sleuth saves Little Brother." Jim retorts. "Come here" And he pulls her into a hug.
"So. What brings you here?"
Jim sighs and sits down on the couch.
"I dunno. I just wanna be somewhere I can feel like a normal human being."
Cassie grins and enters the kitchen. She reemerges with another cup of coffee and hands it to Jim.
"Well, in that get up, I doubt people would notice you. Here."
"Two times in a row." He says.
"Take what you get, man. Its what non-celebrity humans like me do." He smiles and grabs the cup and drinks.
"I met a girl today." Jim says. He didn't really know where that came from.
"On set?" Cassie asks. "I'm dying to know if you'll end up with Nancy Atwell."
He chuckles and removes his hat.
"The girl's nice enough, but I just don't feel her." Cassie shrugs and lets him continue. "No, this time, this girl Is the first human being in a long while that I've met without some sort of intervention or staged event. This was pretty coincidental."
"Well what do you want from me?"
"I need... Advice."
Cassie flipped her hair and set down her coffee mug.
"Well, I AM a girl. And a real person. Let me see this girl."
Jim took out his new copy of Angel's Album and handed it to her.
"Hmm. Pretty. Didn't think your type would be the musical type." She grabbed her phone and began typing in the girl's name in Google.
"Uhh... What are you doing?"
"The girl has a decent following. She has a show tomorrow at 3:00 in the Local Cake Store."
Jim laughed at Cassie's 'Sleuthing' skills. Though it hadn't really crossed his mind to Google her for a SoundCloud account or something.
~French Kisses~
"Hurry! Get out of here!" Cassie insisted Jim to hurry.
"Too late."
The flashing of cameras began. He tried his hardest to keep his family out of the Hollywood scene.
"Who's the girl Jim!" Jim tugged at his beanie to hide from the flashes. Cassie was stunned as the cameras blinded her.
"Are you dating the local Teen Sleuth?" Jim laughed at that thought. And just when he couldn't take it anymore, he turned from his car door and smiled.
"She's my cousin you Fucking Ass. I'd appreciate it if you leave me or anyone related to me ALONE."
He got in the car to speed off to the Cake Store Angel was playing in. But the paparazzi were doing their utmost best to block his way.
Jim honked but none of them backed off. He considered getting out of his car and shooting his Taser at one of them, but he didn't want to go to court.
He banged his head at the steering wheel in anger. Cassie, who was watching by the porch and backing some people away, couldn't take it anymore. She ran back into her living room, barely bumping into her little brother, and grabbed her Stun Gun from her backpack.
"Ok!" Cassie didn't worry about HER name. She was a nobody to these people. She may be related, but she wasn't an actor.
She cackled her Stun Gun to the air and made a few run from fear. But the more persistent ones didn't go away. She grabbed one by the shoulder and jammed the Stun Gun at his neck.
"Merry Christmas." He was down. He faced another.
"Happy Holidays!" Down again!
The last one was still persistent and decided to attack her. She kicked him in the shin and placed the Stun Gun at his chest. "Feliz Navidad, Bitch."
He was down. The other ones around ran away.
"Go." She mouthed. "Good Luck." She added.
He was gone.
"Thank You! Merry Christmas"
She took in the small array of applause and collected her things. Before she could exit, a hand rests on her shoulder.
"That was awesome." The mystery guy who saved him. Jim, she thought.
"Oh. Thanks. You know, I think I remember just asking you to call me for coffee. How did you even find me here?"
"Eh, Google?"
"Hahaha. Well, we might as well go now." Jim did his best to hide himself from public eye and Angel wondered why he looked down every time someone passed by.
"Reclusive?"
Jim chuckled and looked at her. Her eyes were really pretty, he thought. "No. Just avoiding attention."
Angel didn't want to ask why. He could be a murderer, or a local rapist. It should have really shaken her, but she really likes him. So she just went along with it.
They reached a cafe, not Starbucks, that was barely full of people. It was back near that fancy Apartment building she recalled housed some stars from TV series. She wasn't a big fan of TV, but she watches occasionally because her sister enjoys them. Also because she listens carefully for soundtrack.
"No one knows this place that much, but they serve REALLY good coffee!" Angel eyed the price. Well no wonder there were barely any people. They were slightly expensive. And there was that weird bouncer like guy outside who let Jim in without any hesitation.
"So. Why music?"
"I went to a Flyleaf concert when I was young and I started enjoying music. It was pretty simple, really. Music... Is my life." Jim gave a small laugh. He thought about his job career. It WAS his life too, but mostly for financial reasons, but the lack of privacy was an annoying liability.
"So, what do you do? Are you some sort of Private Detective?" Jim opened his mouth to answer, then his friend Lionel appeared out of nowhere."
"Girl, do you even watch TV? He's not just a P.I., he's Roland from Roland's Locker!"
Angel stared at him with a blank expression. Roland's Locker...
She had heard of that show from her sister countless times. She watched ONE episode of it. Though she had to admit it was good, she didn't want to immerse herself and be like her sister.
Then it hit her. Jim really did look like that Roland guy.
"You're... The actor from Roland's Locker? I don't really watch that, but my sister talks about it nonstop." Her face was flushed. She didn't know how to respond to going on a date with a famous actor. It might increase her publicity, but she wasn't that shallow.
"I... I don't know what to say." Jim sighed. He didn't really want to her to find out because the information of his career is enough to drive people greedy... Or away.
He gave Lionel a look of disappointment. Lionel raised his hands in apology and told him he was going home.
"I hope that doesn't really compromise things." Jim expected one of two things. Angel becomes giddy and be THAT person. A user. OR Angel stands up and walks away.
Instead..."Are you kidding?" Jim expected the giddy part. "You think I'm that shallow? Why do you think I don't watch TV?"
That was what sealed the deal for Jim and smiled. He was going to pick up his coffee and accidentally brushed her hand. In a long time, he hasn't felt that hot, breathless feeling of attraction because of his fake life on TV. Angel giggled at Jim's blushing face.
It didn't really take them that long to start talking about things. Normal things. They continued this talk on their walk out when Jim offered to take Angel home in his car.
They did their best to avoid the topic of acting, but Angel was a little curious. Not in a paparazzi way, but curious.
"So why'd you become an actor anyways?"
"I was curious. I liked the story, that's all. I didn't really expect things to kick off. Truth be told, I really wanted to be a REAL Detective. I didn't want to end up a cult hit like Veronica Mars or something."
"What's Veronica Mars?"
"Ask your sister. From what you've told me, She must know."
"So why don't you go do it? I mean, even a normal teenager like that Cassie White girl could do it."
"Funny story about her..." He said and explained his relationship with her. Angel laughed at the coincidence.
They arrived at her Apartment complex and stopped.
"We're here." Angel blushed.
"Want to come down? It's room 239." Jim refused.
"I'm sorry. I don't want people to start hounding YOU because they'd see me." She nodded. She stared at him, longer than she meant to, and she just felt like... She was complete with him.
As she held his gaze, they didn't notice that they were both getting closer to one another. Then it just happened.
They shut their eyes and their lips interlocked. Jim was happy. This was the realest kiss he'd given. He maybe a French Kissing prince on TV, but here in real life, it was perfect.
"Merry Christmas." She smiled.
"Merry Christmas."
And she exited the car.
~Mockingbird~
In the span of 3 months, Jim and Angel's dating life were as perfect as possible. Jim made it his mission to keep her a secret from the TV life.
They'd rendezvous at small, unknown stores and cafes and did everything possible to enjoy company. Soon, they'd met each others friends and families.
Jim's actor friends were kind enough to keep Angel out of people like Perez Hilton's sights. Jim's family was far away, so he brought him the closest to family he could. Cassie. The two were very fond of each other.
Angel's friends(Rather, Her BEST friends) were excited to meet Jim and promised, crossed their hearts, and barely hoped to die, that they'd keep it secret.
Her family? Her sister hyperventilated. She was THIS close to glomping Jim and full out kiss him.
Angel made her swear to keep it a secret.
Secrets.
All the secrecy didn't last though.
A month later, a sneaky Paprazzi had followed Jim out from set and spotted him dating Angel in his favorite Tea House.
They were surprised to find Angel's in Hollywood Lifestyle papers.
"Celebrity dates Local Musician!" They were THAT quick to find out everything about her.
Though it gave her publicity, even a record label contract with Fueled by Ramen, she would shake her head at the way she bloomed. She didn't want to use her own boyfriend.
With everything, Jim decided to just keep holding her hand everywhere.
It was a nice gesture, but the next months got really painful.
Shippers from Roland's Locker sent hate mail to her.
It was mean, she admitted, but Jim was really pissed.
"Leave my Girlfriend alone. Fans? That's just awful." He tweeted. That divided some fans.
It went too far when a crazy fan approached Angel in a shop and slapped her.
"You're just using him! USING HIM! SNAKE! BITCH!" Angel refused to cry. She stood her ground. Though she had a body guard, she insisted that she'd deal with her.
"He's just a person too. That's what you crazy people do now. Generalize. Well, I hope you'll enjoy generalizing this!" She took out her Stun Gun and scared her away.
That night, she sat Jim down to talk.
"I can't do this anymore."
"But... I love you." He'd said it enough. And she as well.
"I do too... But this. This crazy life. It's not for me." A tear ran down her cheek.
"Angel."
"I love you too, Jim. I do. So much. But I can't deal with this chaos."
She ran out crying that night.
Jim broke down. He had broken into an echo of himself.
As Roland's Locker got better, so did Angel.
Her career flourished and she was standing at stages beside the likes of Hayley Williams and Patrick Stump.
Jim felt his heart break each time he saw her tweets, her face in the news. But he never stopped loving her. He'd buy her album and he could tell she loved him too. Every album, there were always 3 songs for him.
But his favorite was "Mockingbird."
It detailed their first meetings and their fondest memories.
He'd listen to it for hours.
Then one day, he went out and told his producer to end Roland's Locker. To his surprise, Roland's Locker was to end in one more season.
So he did his best. 6 seasons in, Roland's Locker ended with Roland getting the girl and living the dream.
Now it was Jim's turn to get the girl and live the dream. If his fake life had that opportunity, so should he.
He took a P.I. exam and surprisingly passed. He still took to acting, but only in movies and small part shows. He didn't want to have a long alternate life again. Never.
A month passed and he found himself sitting at the park where he met Angel. A mockingbird perched at his hat.
"What a nice coincidence." He said to himself. The lyrics to the song entered his mind.
"A Pathetic Thief, A Graceful Savior" He had sung out.
"A Fake Gun, A Real Taser." Another voice sounded.
It was Angel.
The Mockingbird flew away.
"Now... THIS is a coincidence."
"I heard you're a P.I. now."
"Just call me Detective Jim Lore. Not Roland."
It didn't take them a second to relight their old fire and let sparks fly.
They sat in their spot, their past overlooking from beyond, kissing as the clouds parted and the Mockingbird taking flight.
~There is a pretty interesting story as to why I made this story. My mom and dad kept mispronouncing Mockingjay and another French store I don't remember.
This just came into mind when I watched videos of paparazzi bugging actors everywhere in youtube. Terrible, TERRIBLE, scums of the earth, by the way.
This is my excuse for a Christmas story. It's long, I know, but bear with it :) Enjoy
Oh, and, Merry Christmas :D
-Thanos Venge.
"Well what do you want from me?"
"I need... Advice."
Cassie flipped her hair and set down her coffee mug.
"Well, I AM a girl. And a real person. Let me see this girl."
Jim took out his new copy of Angel's Album and handed it to her.
"Hmm. Pretty. Didn't think your type would be the musical type." She grabbed her phone and began typing in the girl's name in Google.
"Uhh... What are you doing?"
"The girl has a decent following. She has a show tomorrow at 3:00 in the Local Cake Store."
Jim laughed at Cassie's 'Sleuthing' skills. Though it hadn't really crossed his mind to Google her for a SoundCloud account or something.
~French Kisses~
"Hurry! Get out of here!" Cassie insisted Jim to hurry.
"Too late."
The flashing of cameras began. He tried his hardest to keep his family out of the Hollywood scene.
"Who's the girl Jim!" Jim tugged at his beanie to hide from the flashes. Cassie was stunned as the cameras blinded her.
"Are you dating the local Teen Sleuth?" Jim laughed at that thought. And just when he couldn't take it anymore, he turned from his car door and smiled.
"She's my cousin you Fucking Ass. I'd appreciate it if you leave me or anyone related to me ALONE."
He got in the car to speed off to the Cake Store Angel was playing in. But the paparazzi were doing their utmost best to block his way.
Jim honked but none of them backed off. He considered getting out of his car and shooting his Taser at one of them, but he didn't want to go to court.
He banged his head at the steering wheel in anger. Cassie, who was watching by the porch and backing some people away, couldn't take it anymore. She ran back into her living room, barely bumping into her little brother, and grabbed her Stun Gun from her backpack.
"Ok!" Cassie didn't worry about HER name. She was a nobody to these people. She may be related, but she wasn't an actor.
She cackled her Stun Gun to the air and made a few run from fear. But the more persistent ones didn't go away. She grabbed one by the shoulder and jammed the Stun Gun at his neck.
"Merry Christmas." He was down. He faced another.
"Happy Holidays!" Down again!
The last one was still persistent and decided to attack her. She kicked him in the shin and placed the Stun Gun at his chest. "Feliz Navidad, Bitch."
He was down. The other ones around ran away.
"Go." She mouthed. "Good Luck." She added.
He was gone.
"Thank You! Merry Christmas"
She took in the small array of applause and collected her things. Before she could exit, a hand rests on her shoulder.
"That was awesome." The mystery guy who saved him. Jim, she thought.
"Oh. Thanks. You know, I think I remember just asking you to call me for coffee. How did you even find me here?"
"Eh, Google?"
"Hahaha. Well, we might as well go now." Jim did his best to hide himself from public eye and Angel wondered why he looked down every time someone passed by.
"Reclusive?"
Jim chuckled and looked at her. Her eyes were really pretty, he thought. "No. Just avoiding attention."
Angel didn't want to ask why. He could be a murderer, or a local rapist. It should have really shaken her, but she really likes him. So she just went along with it.
They reached a cafe, not Starbucks, that was barely full of people. It was back near that fancy Apartment building she recalled housed some stars from TV series. She wasn't a big fan of TV, but she watches occasionally because her sister enjoys them. Also because she listens carefully for soundtrack.
"No one knows this place that much, but they serve REALLY good coffee!" Angel eyed the price. Well no wonder there were barely any people. They were slightly expensive. And there was that weird bouncer like guy outside who let Jim in without any hesitation.
"So. Why music?"
"I went to a Flyleaf concert when I was young and I started enjoying music. It was pretty simple, really. Music... Is my life." Jim gave a small laugh. He thought about his job career. It WAS his life too, but mostly for financial reasons, but the lack of privacy was an annoying liability.
"So, what do you do? Are you some sort of Private Detective?" Jim opened his mouth to answer, then his friend Lionel appeared out of nowhere."
"Girl, do you even watch TV? He's not just a P.I., he's Roland from Roland's Locker!"
Angel stared at him with a blank expression. Roland's Locker...
She had heard of that show from her sister countless times. She watched ONE episode of it. Though she had to admit it was good, she didn't want to immerse herself and be like her sister.
Then it hit her. Jim really did look like that Roland guy.
"You're... The actor from Roland's Locker? I don't really watch that, but my sister talks about it nonstop." Her face was flushed. She didn't know how to respond to going on a date with a famous actor. It might increase her publicity, but she wasn't that shallow.
"I... I don't know what to say." Jim sighed. He didn't really want to her to find out because the information of his career is enough to drive people greedy... Or away.
He gave Lionel a look of disappointment. Lionel raised his hands in apology and told him he was going home.
"I hope that doesn't really compromise things." Jim expected one of two things. Angel becomes giddy and be THAT person. A user. OR Angel stands up and walks away.
Instead..."Are you kidding?" Jim expected the giddy part. "You think I'm that shallow? Why do you think I don't watch TV?"
That was what sealed the deal for Jim and smiled. He was going to pick up his coffee and accidentally brushed her hand. In a long time, he hasn't felt that hot, breathless feeling of attraction because of his fake life on TV. Angel giggled at Jim's blushing face.
It didn't really take them that long to start talking about things. Normal things. They continued this talk on their walk out when Jim offered to take Angel home in his car.
They did their best to avoid the topic of acting, but Angel was a little curious. Not in a paparazzi way, but curious.
"So why'd you become an actor anyways?"
"I was curious. I liked the story, that's all. I didn't really expect things to kick off. Truth be told, I really wanted to be a REAL Detective. I didn't want to end up a cult hit like Veronica Mars or something."
"What's Veronica Mars?"
"Ask your sister. From what you've told me, She must know."
"So why don't you go do it? I mean, even a normal teenager like that Cassie White girl could do it."
"Funny story about her..." He said and explained his relationship with her. Angel laughed at the coincidence.
They arrived at her Apartment complex and stopped.
"We're here." Angel blushed.
"Want to come down? It's room 239." Jim refused.
"I'm sorry. I don't want people to start hounding YOU because they'd see me." She nodded. She stared at him, longer than she meant to, and she just felt like... She was complete with him.
As she held his gaze, they didn't notice that they were both getting closer to one another. Then it just happened.
They shut their eyes and their lips interlocked. Jim was happy. This was the realest kiss he'd given. He maybe a French Kissing prince on TV, but here in real life, it was perfect.
"Merry Christmas." She smiled.
"Merry Christmas."
And she exited the car.
~Mockingbird~
In the span of 3 months, Jim and Angel's dating life were as perfect as possible. Jim made it his mission to keep her a secret from the TV life.
They'd rendezvous at small, unknown stores and cafes and did everything possible to enjoy company. Soon, they'd met each others friends and families.
Jim's actor friends were kind enough to keep Angel out of people like Perez Hilton's sights. Jim's family was far away, so he brought him the closest to family he could. Cassie. The two were very fond of each other.
Angel's friends(Rather, Her BEST friends) were excited to meet Jim and promised, crossed their hearts, and barely hoped to die, that they'd keep it secret.
Her family? Her sister hyperventilated. She was THIS close to glomping Jim and full out kiss him.
Angel made her swear to keep it a secret.
Secrets.
All the secrecy didn't last though.
A month later, a sneaky Paprazzi had followed Jim out from set and spotted him dating Angel in his favorite Tea House.
They were surprised to find Angel's in Hollywood Lifestyle papers.
"Celebrity dates Local Musician!" They were THAT quick to find out everything about her.
Though it gave her publicity, even a record label contract with Fueled by Ramen, she would shake her head at the way she bloomed. She didn't want to use her own boyfriend.
With everything, Jim decided to just keep holding her hand everywhere.
It was a nice gesture, but the next months got really painful.
Shippers from Roland's Locker sent hate mail to her.
It was mean, she admitted, but Jim was really pissed.
"Leave my Girlfriend alone. Fans? That's just awful." He tweeted. That divided some fans.
It went too far when a crazy fan approached Angel in a shop and slapped her.
"You're just using him! USING HIM! SNAKE! BITCH!" Angel refused to cry. She stood her ground. Though she had a body guard, she insisted that she'd deal with her.
"He's just a person too. That's what you crazy people do now. Generalize. Well, I hope you'll enjoy generalizing this!" She took out her Stun Gun and scared her away.
That night, she sat Jim down to talk.
"I can't do this anymore."
"But... I love you." He'd said it enough. And she as well.
"I do too... But this. This crazy life. It's not for me." A tear ran down her cheek.
"Angel."
"I love you too, Jim. I do. So much. But I can't deal with this chaos."
She ran out crying that night.
Jim broke down. He had broken into an echo of himself.
As Roland's Locker got better, so did Angel.
Her career flourished and she was standing at stages beside the likes of Hayley Williams and Patrick Stump.
Jim felt his heart break each time he saw her tweets, her face in the news. But he never stopped loving her. He'd buy her album and he could tell she loved him too. Every album, there were always 3 songs for him.
But his favorite was "Mockingbird."
It detailed their first meetings and their fondest memories.
He'd listen to it for hours.
Then one day, he went out and told his producer to end Roland's Locker. To his surprise, Roland's Locker was to end in one more season.
So he did his best. 6 seasons in, Roland's Locker ended with Roland getting the girl and living the dream.
Now it was Jim's turn to get the girl and live the dream. If his fake life had that opportunity, so should he.
He took a P.I. exam and surprisingly passed. He still took to acting, but only in movies and small part shows. He didn't want to have a long alternate life again. Never.
A month passed and he found himself sitting at the park where he met Angel. A mockingbird perched at his hat.
"What a nice coincidence." He said to himself. The lyrics to the song entered his mind.
"A Pathetic Thief, A Graceful Savior" He had sung out.
"A Fake Gun, A Real Taser." Another voice sounded.
It was Angel.
The Mockingbird flew away.
"Now... THIS is a coincidence."
"I heard you're a P.I. now."
"Just call me Detective Jim Lore. Not Roland."
It didn't take them a second to relight their old fire and let sparks fly.
They sat in their spot, their past overlooking from beyond, kissing as the clouds parted and the Mockingbird taking flight.
~There is a pretty interesting story as to why I made this story. My mom and dad kept mispronouncing Mockingjay and another French store I don't remember.
This just came into mind when I watched videos of paparazzi bugging actors everywhere in youtube. Terrible, TERRIBLE, scums of the earth, by the way.
This is my excuse for a Christmas story. It's long, I know, but bear with it :) Enjoy
Oh, and, Merry Christmas :D
-Thanos Venge.
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