The paparazzi

People won't stop following me.

I mean that's a good thing, right? I've always imagined being a celebrity and the paparazzi following me. Hell, I'd always wanted to say “no pictures, please,” but not like this. Not when I'm running from the so-called paparazzi.

“Miss Turnpike, I need you to answer my question.” A middle-aged man said as he ran behind me.

“Stop following me!” I screamed at him.

“I can't do that. This story's too good to pass up.” He called out again

“Too good? Who the hell follows a college student with a camera?!”

“A reporter and that's my job! The question, honey. I'm gonna need answers!”

“Go away!” I ran past a small cake store when an arm suddenly grabbed me and I vanished into the alley.

I tried to scream but his gloved hand closed my mouth.

“One peep out of you and that's it.” He threatened.

I'd recognize that voice anywhere. I threw my eyes open. “Ajax!”

“Can you keep your voice down for once?! You're like a human jukebox!” He whisper-hissed as the reporter and his crew ran past.

“No, I'm not.” I mumbled.

“Then you'll be better off dead then. I'll remember to play Silent Night at your funeral.” He hissed.

“Wait! Please, can you stop talking about killing me?”

“No. I actually want to kill you for ruining my life.”

“It's just one mistake. Get over it.”

“One? Bitch, that was two and it was all your fault!”

“It wasn't my fault the paparazzi were right outside. I did nothing wrong.” I mumbled.

“Jericho, is that you?”

We both froze.

I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

I craned my neck to look at my horrified mother. “Hi, mom.”

****

The last time I was like this was during timeout and dad had joined me after he tried to defend me. I was a kid and had stolen mom's chocolates. You can imagine the horror.

“Sneaking into his bathroom? What were you thinking, Jericho?!” Mom put her foot down when I tried to speak.

“I can't even look my customers in the eye because they keep asking where you are.” She massages her temples. “Oh God.”

“I'm sorry, mom. I didn't mean for that to happen.” I mumbled.

“If you didn't mean that then you wouldn't have been there in the first place.” Ajax pinched my side and I winced.

“Don't tell me you two are dating!” Mom gasped and that was the end of it.

“Mom, he's not my boyfriend.” But I wish he was. At least before all this happened.

“Your daughter is in trouble, Mrs. Turnpike.” Ajax began. I could already see the fake tears in his dreamy eyes.

Mom sighed. “You don't have to tell me twice.”

“Mom, ouch.” I faked a wince as I pushed my glasses to my face.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed a seat in front of us. “How the heck did you get involved with Ajax anyways? And that photo? Gosh, I hope it's been taken down.”

“It has but the damage has already been done,” Ajax shot a glare at me. If his eyes were bullets, I'd be long gone.

Mom turned to me, slowly releasing me. “Jericho, why? I thought we'd talked about this.”

“I'm so sorry, mom.” I gripped the side of my shorts and looked down. She's upset and I hate it when she is. How do I fix this?

“What about you, Ajax? How're you holding up with all this?” Mom asked with a look of concern on her face.

Ajax heaved a frustrated sigh and that told us everything. “It's hell. I even got held off the team for now.”

I pushed back my chair. “What?! But that's not fair. You brought them into the finals!”

“Tell that to Coach Gallagher.” He sighed.

“Ugh! Now who's gonna captain the team. Owen Wilson? That crawfish who can't even score a goal to save his life!” I dragged my hand through my hair. This is all messed up.

Ajax stared at me like I'd grown another head.

Mom just smiled and shook her head. “She gets like this when she's pissed. Has been a fan of hockey since she was 12.”

“Really?” Ajax asked with a grin.

“Yes. She's a huge fan of the sport and won't shut up about it.” Mom went on.

“You don't say.” Ajax scoffed.

“The point is : you have to play. You just can't sit in the bleachers. That's so un-Ajax!” I gripped the edges of the table.

“Well, that wouldn't have happened if someone hadn't snuck into my en suite and pulled down my towel.” He hissed.

I knew he'd mention this.

“I'm sorry.” I sighed and took back my seat. “I didn't mean to.”

“Well, the damage has been done.” Ajax played with the signet ring on his finger, not looking at either of us.

“I understand, dear,” She reached for his hand and gave it a light pat. “That’s the downside of popularity. People turn their backs on you at the slightest mistake but don't worry, everything will be fine.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Turnpike.” He smiled softly.

“Please, call me Jenna.” Mom smiled. “I'll get you some cake.”

“Oh no. I'm fine.” He shook his head.

“Please, I insist.” Mom scurried off into the showglass to get some.

“He likes chocolate.” I called out to her only to get a glare from Ajax.

“It’s weird that you know that.” He scoffed.

“You told Haylee Baylee when she interviewed you at the Met Gala last year.” I beamed at him.

“Whatever.” He rolled his eyes.

Mom brought the box of cake over and passed it to him. “I wish I could've done more. I'm really sorry about what my daughter did. Please, forgive her.”

He won't. He prefers killing me instead.

“I’ll try.” Ajax reached for the cake box.

“Well, that's a start. Thank you.” Mom smiled, before she turned to me. “And you, don't go around hiding in boy's bathrooms or that's it for you at Elite University.”

“What?” That piqued Ajax’s interest because he leaned up.

Mom looked at me and I shook my head. Don't tell him!

She ignored me and opened her mouth. “Jericho's father is a… very strict man.”

I collapsed on my chair. “Mom!”

“Hush now,” she swatted my arm and continued. “Every time Jericho does something bad, we put her in timeout.”

“Which didn't work!” I rolled my eyes.

“Shut up, nerd.” Ajax scoffed.

Mom continued. “When she got into college, the troubles grew worse.”

I instantly took the cue to defend myself. “I didn't cause trouble. I was…”

“Leading a protest against your college tuition?” Mom counted with her fingers.

“It was as pricey as Ronaldo’s mansion.” I scoffed.

“Spray painting your dorm room?”

“I was being a renegade and besides, that place could use some colour.”

Mom sighed. “Her father told us if she causes one more trouble, we'll… pull her out of Elite University.”

I had never seen Ajax's eyes light up that brightly. “Really?”

“Really.”

“So what are you waiting for? Pull her out already.”

“I'm afraid that decision is up to her father when he returns.” mom said.

“You’re right about that.” A deep voice that didn't belong to Ajax replied.

Christ on a crutch.

I pushed back my seat and stood. “Hey, dad.”