And I’m closing up the café.
There’s a huge crowd outside…
I can see some people from my school.
They’re all jumping and giggling.
“Where is he? Where did he go?”
I’m curious what’s happening…
But first I need to lock up.
Then I see someone out of the corner of my eye.
Oh my god, how did I not notice?
There’s a guy still in here!
He’s sitting at the back table…
I look at the book he’s reading with surprise.
Michelle
Hey! I’m reading The Phantom Tollbooth right now, too!
His blue eyes open wide and he smiles at me.
Guy
What a coincidence! Yeah, I’m loving it.
Then I remember why I came over here.
Michelle
But we’re closing now.
Guy
Do you have a back exit?
Wow. He’s really handsome…
What I can see of him under his hood, anyway.
Why does he look so familiar?
Michelle
Uh…yeah. It leads to the parking lot.
Guy
Did you happen to drive here today?
Guy
Is your car in the parking lot?
Guy
Could you give me a lift to my car?
I don’t know what to say.
What?! Why did that just come out of my mouth?
Why did I just agree to give a ride to a total stranger?
Guy
Thanks so much! I owe you one.
He stands up and puts his book in his backpack.
I grab my bag and lock the front door.
Michelle
Wait. How do I know you’re not a murderer?
He looks at me and laughs.
Then he pulls down his hood and extends his hand.
Guy
Hayden Stevens. Nice to meet you.
I can’t believe I didn’t realize…
That I’ve been talking to Hayden Stevens.
Hayden is on every radio station…
And I just suggested he might be a murderer.
My palm is all gross and sweaty.
Hayden
Are you going to tell me your name?
Michelle
Oh! Michelle. Yeah, that’s my name. Yup.
And I die a little inside.
I lead him outside through the back exit.
I die a little more when we get to my beat-up car.
I throw my empty McDonald’s bag and makeup off the front seat.
After I start my car, my radio starts blaring “Believe” by Cher.
I scramble to turn it off.
Hayden
Hey, I love that song!
He turns it back on and sings along…
Pretending to hold a mic.
Hayden
“Do you believe in life after love!”
He puts his rolled-up hand to my face.
Michelle
“I can feel something inside me say…”
But then I come to my senses…
Michelle
Where should I take you?
Hayden
My car is over in the next parking lot.
Michelle
It’s the super shiny Ferrari, I assume?
Michelle
It looks like we have a problem.
There’s a crowd of girls surrounding his car.
Hayden
Oh man, I really don’t want to deal with that.
Hayden
Do you maybe want to go somewhere and kill a few hours?
I do my best to play it cool.
Michelle
What do you have in mind?
Hayden
How about the drive-through milkshake place?
We go to the drive-through, get milkshakes, and sit in the car…
Turns out, we have similar tastes in books and music and…just about everything.
Suddenly, we realize that we’ve been talking for two hours.
And then Hayden’s phone rings.
He answers it reluctantly.
I can hear the caller’s voice.
Caller
Hayden, where the heck are you?!
Caller
You’re supposed to be at the event.
Caller
Remember you need to be seen arriving with the Italian model from the premiere.
Hayden finishes the call and sighs.
Hayden
Yeah. I guess I should go.
Michelle
Yeah, you have an Italian model waiting.
Michelle
I don’t even know you. That’s crazy.
I put my keys in the ignition and start driving
I don’t know what to say anymore. I feel weird.
When we get to his car he hops out.
He walks around to my window and leans in.
Hayden
You know, if you’d like to attend a totally pretentious event tonight…
Hayden
You’re welcome to come.
Hayden
At least there’ll be a lot of free food there.
Hayden
I can make sure that security lets you in.
But then I try to picture myself among all the celebrities and models.
Michelle
I really can’t. I’m sorry.
Hayden
Well, if you change your mind…
Hayden
Here’s an invitation.
Hayden
It’s my way of saying thank you.
He walks to his car and zooms off.
I head home and go straight to my bedroom…
Planning for a full night of Netflix.
Then I see my brand new dress…
The one I bought for a friend’s wedding that’s coming up.
Maybe I’ll just try it on…
And imagine what it would be like to attend a celebrity event.
I put on the dress and imagine Hayden seeing me arrive.
Am I insane? He’s dating an Italian model…
Even if it is just for show.
Hayden won’t even notice me at an event like that.
But at least there’ll be free food, I reason.
I put on some red lipstick and my favorite earrings…
And dig out the perfect pair of shoes to go with my dress.
Then I tiptoe down the stairs…
And sneak past my parents in the living room.
I open the front door slowly and slip out.
Next thing I know, my Uber drops me off…
In front of a huge building in the trendiest part of town.
Lights flash across the entrance.
Lots of famous-looking people are walking in.
I show them my invitation…
And they let me right in.
As soon as I walk in, I see him.
He’s in the middle of the room talking to a tall, gorgeous brunette…
With beautiful long, straight hair.
Meanwhile, my curls are struggling to stay in a bun.
I’m about to turn around and flee when Hayden looks right at me…
And walks over to where I am.
Hayden
I didn’t think you’d come.
A man comes up behind Hayden.
Man
Hayden, there you are!
Man
The press wants to get some photos…
Man
Of you and your date on the stage before you sing.
Hayden
No problem, I’ll be there in a minute.
Michelle
You’d better go.
Then he smiles and grabs my hand…
And pulls me through the crowd.
Michelle
What are you doing?!
And before I know it, I’m on stage with Hayden Stevens.
Photographers surround us.
I’m so nervous that I accidentally squeeze Hayden’s hand.
I try to let go, but he squeezes back.
Then he looks into my eyes and gives me a kiss.
And I hear the cameras snap in unison.
He pulls back. We’re in public, after all.
But he continues to hold my hand.
Hayden
We’ll have time for more later.
Then we both laugh at how this day turned out.
And I have a feeling that my life is about to get even crazier.
