... not in love with Kale Eddison

by Joanne McClean

  They made their way out of the darkened room and were momentarily blinded by the sudden brightness of the corridor ahead of them. As their eyesight adjusted, Izzie looked at her grandmother, “So you aren’t too disappointed you didn’t get to see ole Dean, are you?”

  Her grandmother laughed, “Not at all, that Kale is easy on the eyes too.”

  Izzie rolled her eyes and threw her grandmother a weary look to which her grandmother told her, “Don’t be like that, I never said anything!”

  Izzie chuckled, “You don’t even have to say what you really mean, I can read you too well; I know exactly what you are trying to get at! Just drop it Gran, let’s talk about something else.”

  Her grandmother gave a defeated sigh, “Fine but first I need to tinkle dear. I’ll be back in a minute.” Izzie watched her grandmother make her way to the Ladies and wait in the short queue. Izzie propped herself against the wall while she waited and rested the back of her head against the cold hard concrete with her eyes closed.

  A minute later, she was being poked – very painfully – in the arm by someone. Izzie’s eyes flew open and saw nothing; nobody seemed to be left in the corridor. Then she looked to her right and jerked back when she found herself in close proximity – too close for comfort– with Kale.

  “Hey, fancy seeing you here.” Kale flashed his Hollywood smile at her and Izzie found herself momentarily stunned by how handsome he looked. She mentally shook herself before she answered.

  “Oh, it’s you – again. What brings you out to the ever-so-exciting cinema? Come to see yourself in action? As if looking at yourself in the mirror all the time isn’t enough.”

  Kale smirked, “Ooh touché … you are a very witty girl! No, as much as I wanted to watch myself act badly … I was actually here to watch the new Dean Jameson movie.”

  Izzie looked at him with raised eyebrows; she was very sceptical that this was the truth. Nevertheless, she attempted to look interested, “Yeah, we were looking to see that one but had to make do with the crap one you were in. How’d you manage to snake a ticket to ‘Rising Suns’?”

  Kale smiled, “The ticket cashier was very persuasive when I gave her an autograph. Although, I now regret that we didn’t meet in the queue since I could have saved you from my terrible acting. You and the other member of your ‘we’ could’ve sat through two hours of some fine acting … that Dean really nails the ‘one tear anguished look’ that I strive so hard to perfect.”

  Izzie couldn’t help but laugh, “Wow, you really talk some rubbish, you know that? Though, I have to agree that your acting was terrible ... but my Gran didn’t seem to mind. Think you may have gained another fan in her but you can definitely count me out!”

  Kale looked amused, “Ouch, well I did say I loved your honesty … harsh as it may be! So the ‘we’ you were referring to was your grandmother then?”

  Izzie looked at him like he was stupid, “Uh yeah, that’s what I said, didn’t I? Why, you think taking your granny to the cinema is lame?”

  Kale shook his head, “No, I don’t. I actually think that’s sweet, not many people our age like hanging out with their grandparents.” He looked quite serious as he said this so Izzie didn’t say anything. Kale smiled at her and sighed, “So, where is your grandmother? I’d love to meet her.”

  Izzie nodded to the bathroom, “She had to go to the Ladies but she’ll be back in a minute or two – just don’t go giving her a heart attack!” She laughed and found Kale chuckled too.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll try not to! So, not to be nosey but I thought you were here last night with your friend – Maddie, right?” He looked at her curiously and Izzie found herself looking into those baby blues of his and answering him honestly; she had every intention of lying to him but found she couldn’t – weird!

  “Oh,” she began; trying to look nonchalant, “Maddie found out about Jake’s party and wanted to go to it instead but she didn’t tell me until I was in the car. She got really mad that I hadn’t predicted that she had changed her mind so I just stayed in and she went on ahead. Why do you care anyway?”

  Kale shrugged, “No reason. Your friend seems to be a bit of a mercurial girl though – not that it’s a bad thing but she doesn’t have the right to flip out at you for something so insignificant.”

  Izzie nodded, “Fair point but that’s just Maddie. What did you do last night then? Since you want to invade my private life … I’ll invade yours a little. So, was it practising your ‘one tear anguish look’ in the mirror or reading about yourself online?”

  Kale half-smiled, “None of the above … just read some scripts and arranged with my assistant, Alicia, the best way to come here undetected.” He looked a little guilty admitting the last part.

  “Ah,” Izzie nodded, “I wondered how you avoided the screaming fans and the microphone and camera brigade. Though why do you look so guilty for wanting some privacy?”

  Kale shrugged, “I guess because without the fans and the media … I wouldn’t be where I am today and it’s like an unwritten rule that you have to appreciate the fans and whatnot. I feel it’s my duty to be constantly signing autographs and giving interviews.”

  Izzie shook her head in disbelief; she actually felt a little sorry for him, “But you can’t expect that of yourself. I mean everyone is entitled to privacy – famous or not! You’re not a machine Kale; everyone needs a break once in a while – even egotistic superstars like you.”

  Kale chuckled, “And there I thought you were actually being nice to me for once! You really think I’m egotistic?”

  Izzie was saved from answering as her grandmother finally exited the toilets.

  “Oh Izzie,” she exclaimed, “sorry I took so long but the toilets were absolutely disgusting, I had to thoroughly clean one before I even thought about using it! I hope you weren’t waiting too long – oh,” her grandmother paused as she caught sight of Kale, “I needn’t have hurried back, I didn’t realise you were busy.”

  Izzie threw her a warning look when she noticed her grandmother eyeing Kale and then look at Izzie approvingly. “No, we’re not busy. Come on Gran, Kale was just leaving.”

  Kale smiled at Charlotte Frank and she found herself getting giddy, “Hey Mrs –” he paused and Izzie watched her grandmother smile.

  “Mrs Frank dear but you can call me Charlotte.”

  Kale smiled, “Ok, Charlotte, I heard you’re a big fan. Did you enjoy the film?”

  “Why yes I did Kale, and may I say how well-mannered and pleasant you are … to hear Izzie you’d think you were a rude little -”

  “Gran!” Izzie cut across, “Kale needs to be going and so do we … come on.”

  Kale watched the two of them amusedly and smiled as Izzie and her grandmother abruptly left the cinema; the latter waving pleasantly at him. Kale had been quite pleased that he had ran into Izzie; she wasn’t afraid to tell him what she thought and could be downright rude to him at times but she was brutally honest about his performances and Kale actually liked this about her; he actually felt like he was Kale; regular guy not Kale Eddison the mega film star. It was refreshing and he hoped to talk to her again in school – if she let him. He smiled to himself and figured she would; after all, they had all the same classes so she couldn’t escape from him and he assumed she wouldn’t want to be rude when he gave her the personalised autograph for her grandmother on Monday. He had really liked her grandmother and hoped to see her again; maybe if he stayed on the right side of Izzie, he just might.

  On Monday morning, much to Izzie’s annoyance, Kale was waiting by her locker. What the heck did he want now? She sighed as she swung open her locker with more force than necessary; she was secretly hoping to hit that perfect face of his but he ducked out of the way at the last second. Disappointed, Izzie ignored him and packed her books into her bag while she waited for him to speak. It didn’t take him long to take the hint that he was to make the first move.

  “So, did you have a good weekend? How’s your grandm
other?” Kale cringed at himself; he really thought he could have come up with a better opening than that. He was an actor; he was meant to be brimming with confidence and be able to think of something intelligent to say but Izzie seemed to strip him of these powers for some reason that was unknown to him.

  Izzie reluctantly looked at him; she figured she’d have to throw the poor bloke a bone; after all, he was being perfectly pleasant to her. “Yeah, it was ok and Gran’s fine, thanks.”

  Kale smiled, “That’s good … I have something for her. It’s just an autograph; I figured she might like it.” He handed her the picture and watched her put one last book in her bag along with the autograph and slam her locker closed.

  “Thanks, I’m sure she’ll love it. So, you have a nice weekend?” Izzie felt she had to show him the same courtesy he had shown her, though she regretted not being able to conjure up something a bit wittier.

  Kale shrugged, “Same old, same old; read through scripts and hung around the house. The life of an actor is not that exciting contrary to what people believe.”

  Izzie nodded, “Hm, so how do you manage to escape the paparazzi every morning? You must have one hell of an assistant.”

  Kale chuckled, “Yeah, Alicia’s great but I can’t escape them all the time unfortunately. They agreed to leave me alone the last few days ‘cause I’ve agreed to do a conference later today. They’ll get their story later on and I get to be left alone for a few more days but I’m not getting my hopes up.”

  Izzie found herself curious, “How do you mean? Surely when the get the story they give you a bit of privacy, right?”

  Kale laughed humourlessly, “Yeah right, they’re always hiding behind bushes or some crap like that. They want to catch you doing something that will shock the world; they are constantly chasing stories … waiting for you to slip up so they can write about your tragic fall from grace and turn you into a national hate figure. As they say ‘everyone loves a hero but they’re always waiting for your downfall’ … just comes with the territory I’m afraid.”

  Izzie couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him; it was bound to be miserable being followed all the time and not having a speck of privacy. “Wow, I know you guys all bitch about lack of privacy but I had no idea it was that bad. So how did you get them to leave you totally alone on Friday and all?”

  Kale sighed, “A heck of a lot of money and threats to call the police … seemed to work pretty well though. Blackmail and tons of money will get you places …” He laughed humourlessly.

  Izzie merely raised her eyebrows and remained silent so Kale changed the subject.

  “So, can I walk to class with you?” He flashed another dazzling smile and Izzie found herself nodding. They walked along the corridor, Kale did most of the talking but at least Izzie wasn’t telling him to go away.

  “So, where’s this bookstore you work in? I could really do with something new to read.”

  Izzie looked up at him, “You read? I had you pegged as a comic-book guy.”

  Kale laughed loudly, “You really are an unusual girl; you know that? No, I never touch them … a little childish in my opinion.”

  “Hmm,” Izzie was a little sceptic, “What was the last book you read then?”

  Kale smirked, “I shouldn’t admit this but it was ‘Wuthering Heights’.”

  Izzie shook her head, “Uh-uh, no way you read that.”

  Kale was adamant, “Yeah, I did … Kathy, Heathcliff and those creepy moors. Come on, have you read it?”

  Izzie nodded, “Just once, it’s not really a guy’s usual reading material.”

  Kale looked sheepish, “Well I was researching some stuff for a role … but I did enjoy it regardless!”

  Izzie laughed, “Uh-huh, sure. Why would you be researching that? You gonna star in an adaption of it or something? I don’t think that’s likely! It’s pretty far off your usual fluffy chick flicks.”

  Kale just shrugged, “Believe what you will, anyway, enough chat about what I read … you never said where this bookstore is.”

  Izzie rolled her eyes, “Fine, it’s in the town centre … ‘Page-Turner’, you can’t miss it.”

  Kale nodded as they took their seats and looked to the front; Ms Belson had arrived.

  “Good morning my dears, now I have some news for you all. It’s very important so make sure you pay close attention … that includes you too Miss Herring.” Izzie looked over at Maddie; she hadn’t even noticed her come into the classroom but now she saw her friend look flushed and stop trying to catch Kale’s eye. Izzie turned back as Ms Belson ploughed on.

  “Now, as you know, for years we have assessed your Drama skills merely on your participation in class exercises and performances of a few pieces of dialogue from the play we have studied … however, this year they have introduced a new and exciting syllabus. It is with great pleasure my dears; that I can tell you - from this year - we get to put on a play which will be open to the public and your part in this – no matter how small – will be marked towards your final grade. Everyone has to take part to pass this class and this year the principal has agreed to ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ as we are already studying this piece.”

  Everyone looked around at each other excitedly; a chance to actually perform in front of people!

  Ms Belson raised her voice to be heard above the chatter that had just broken out, “However, you will all have to audition for your parts; I will be leaving a sheet with the list of characters and other duties that will be the ones you can be marked on … choose wisely.”

  Izzie saw the whole class’s attitude change dramatically now; the majority now had a hungry, competitive look about them; it was going to be a fight for the best part. Izzie glanced at Kale who looked like he really didn’t care about which part he got but another glance at Maddie was a different story; by the look on her face, she was determined to get the part that would involve her acting opposite Kale. Izzie rolled her eyes to herself; she really didn’t care about any of this, she just wanted something small or behind the scenes – no way was she making a fool of herself going for one of the leads!

  Ms Belson ran through a few more scenes from the play and just before the bell had rang, handed the sheet around for everybody to put their name down.

  Eventually it was passed to Izzie, she took a quick scan down the list and noticed a lot of the girls had scrawled their names under either ‘Beatrice’ or ‘Hero’; clearly hoping Kale would go for either ‘Benedick’ or ‘Claudio’. She scoffed and looked further down the list for some small role … ‘Margaret’ – that would do. She scrawled her name under it and passed the sheet to Kale.

  Kale studied the list intently; of course the female population would go for two of the leads. He scratched his head; he put his name under two of the characters, then looked again and added another one. He nodded and handed the sheet to Ms Belson on his way out; she took it and Kale made his way along the corridor to catch up with Izzie.

  “So … ‘Margaret’, why’d you not go for something bigger?” Kale stole a glance at Izzie and saw her roll her eyes at him.

  “I don’t care about being a lead … I just wanna pass the damn class – and not embarrass myself while doing so.”

  Kale nodded, “Fair enough, seems you’d have to beat every girl in the class anyway.”

  He laughed and Izzie found herself joining him.

  “Yep,” she began eventually, once she managed to be serious again, “Ms Belson’s got her work cut out for her, I tell you. So, did you go for ‘Benedick’ or ‘Claudio’?”

  Kale smirked, “None of the above, ‘Don John’ and ‘Don Pedro’.”

  Izzie raised her eyebrows and said nothing.

  “What?” Kale asked, a smirk playing on his beautiful lips, “You don’t think I can handle it?”

  Izzie shrugged, “I didn’t say anything! I just can’t see you playing the villain, that’s all.”

  Kale nodded, “I know but it was time for a change, I’m tired o
f playing the same character over and over again in the movies. My agents all tell me to stick with it – ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ – but they don’t get a say in this. I’ve been dying to play a baddie for ages, now’s my chance.”

  Izzie nodded, “Yeah, try telling that to Ms Belson; she’ll have you gunning for ‘Benedick’ or ‘Claudio’ – I’ll bet my life on it.”

  Kale raised his eyebrows, “I’m intrigued; you seem so sure. How about we put a wager on it?”

  Izzie smirked at him, “Ok, I’m interested, what are the terms?”

  Kale thought for a moment; this was the perfect chance to get her to agree to something she would otherwise decline.

  “Ok, if Ms Belson casts me as ‘Benedick’ or ‘Claudio’; I’ll pay for us to go out for dinner after the roles are announced … but if she doesn’t, you pay. What do you say?”

  Izzie shook her head in disbelief, “I say that involves me, you and dinner, no matter what the outcome is.”

  Kale looked smug, “Yeah and? Come on, what do you say? If you’re right you get a free dinner?”

  Izzie shook her head and laughed at him, “You’re a trier; I’ll give you that. Fine but I pick the place, deal?”

  Kale held out his hand, “It’s a deal.” Izzie grasped his hand and shook it and as she did so, she felt the most peculiar sensation shoot through her; she actually felt butterflies in her stomach; surely she, of all people, couldn’t be getting excited at the prospect of eating dinner with Kale Eddison? She shook her head to clear her thoughts and made her way to English Lit.; Kale following her closely behind.

  As the school day drew to a close, Izzie found herself wishing that the week was over; already she felt she had made a huge mistake agreeing to dinner with Kale. She quickly pushed these thoughts away as she made her way to her locker and gathered the books she needed for her homework later that night. As she made her way out, she noticed all the television vans and reporters congregated in the car park; she had forgotten about Kale’s conference. She quickly struggled through the vast crowd until she made it to her car and got behind the safety of closed doors. She took a fleeting glance around and found she was blocked in; she sighed, she knew she’d have to wait until the conference was over – no way would the T.V. van move now, not when Kale was about five minutes from greeting them all. All of a sudden, Izzie noticed the crowd of reporters hurry towards the front doors of the school; it looked like Kale had presented himself. She saw them all file into the school and figured that the conference must be happening in the Staff Room. Before she knew what she was doing, she found herself getting out of her car and following the throng of people; she was curious as to how Kale would act in front of all these journalists. Izzie managed to sneak in at the back and nobody questioned her so it looked like she was safe. She ducked behind a rather large man and prayed he wouldn’t move or Kale would surely spy her sitting there. There was a lot of fuss and commotion while the reporters got out their notepads and the interviewers checked their microphones. Finally there was silence and Kale spoke to them all.