Soon it was time for everyone to start arriving; Izzie checked to see if the photographer had arrived and was pleased to find him already stationed by the hall entrance. She smiled at him and then gladly flopped down onto one of the dining chairs to rest before the rest of her year turned up.
Stacey was first to arrive with her date – a boy Izzie didn’t recognise – and Izzie noticed how she looked everything over and nodded her approval over at Izzie, who breathed a sigh of relief. Next, Maddie appeared with Jake and neither glanced Izzie’s way which suited her just fine; Maddie had been a terrible friend and Izzie remembered – with a jolt of pain – that it had been Kale who had shown Izzie the light in bringing out Maddie’s true colours. Izzie pushed all thoughts of Kale out of her head and promised herself not to think about him again for the rest of the night.
By 7.30pm, her whole year was sitting down to a delicious three-course meal. Everyone was in high spirits and talking animatedly amongst one another … everyone – that is – except for Izzie. She was sitting at the table with the least amount of people and hadn’t bothered to socialise with them all throughout dinner; she just wanted to be left alone. When the last dessert plate had been cleared away, most people made their way to the bar while others circulated around different tables.
At 9.30pm, Izzie was starting to panic; DJ Chill had meant to have arrived half an hour ago and he wasn’t answering his phone. Stacey had glared in Izzie’s direction and many people were starting to get restless; desperate, Izzie quickly nipped out to her car and managed to come up with her iPod and a set of speakers. She figured she could get away with it until DJ Chill showed up.
After Izzie had got some music playing, she tried ringing DJ Chill again; still no answer. Izzie sighed in frustration and felt the colour drain from her face when she noticed Stacey making a bee-line for her … uh-oh!
“Isobel, what the hell is going on? Where is the entertainment? It should be here by now! Please tell me you have a good excuse as to why they haven’t arrived yet!” Stacey flipped her long blonde hair angrily over her shoulder and eyed Izzie scornfully, waiting for her to answer.
Izzie sighed, “Stacey, I’m doing the best I can; it’s not my fault that they’re running late. I’ve tried ringing but there’s no answer … but I’m sorting it, ok? Just leave me alone to handle it and it would go a hell of a lot quicker!”
Stacey glared at her but seemed to get the message since she stomped off a few seconds later. Izzie gulped; Stacey was going to murder her before the night was out – she was sure of it! She sighed wearily and tried DJ Chill again; thankfully he answered on the fourth ring.
“What up?” came the same male voice again.
Izzie refrained from shouting ‘Hallelujah’ and instead remained calm while she questioned him, “Where are you? Have you left yet? You were meant to be here three-quarters of an hour ago!”
The male voice chuckled, “Alright love, keep your hair on … I’m on me way. Ran into a bit of traffic but I’ll be there in five.” And then he hung up.
Izzie scoffed at the cheek of him and decided she was going to let him have it when he turned up; he was going to have to accept a lower rate because Izzie sure as hell wasn’t giving him the full amount after that!
Izzie looked around and was grateful to see many people dancing and having a good time; even Stacey was busy gyrating to Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’. Izzie made a break for the bathroom to freshen up and was relieved, on her way back, to find DJ Chill setting up. She made her way over and was shocked to find he was a guy who was probably in his late fifties and was now too busy leering at all the girls instead of concentrating on plugging in the speakers. Izzie tapped him on the shoulder and eyed him with disgust; he was even creepier up close. She shuddered as she took in the lecherous grin, receding hair-line and beer belly; she hoped to God that he had a decent music collection!
“You’re late!” she yelled over the music blaring out from her tiny set of speakers.
He grinned, “I woulda got here sooner if I knew there was so many of these hot young things here!”
Izzie quivered with anger, “Oi! You are here to do a job; get on with it!” she made to walk off but not before she turned back and yelled, “Oh and just to let you know … I’m docking your fee for being so unprofessional!” With that, Izzie stalked off, leaving him open-mouthed, and went to sit in the corner but she was careful to keep an eye on him.
Another half hour passed and still DJ Chill wasn’t set up yet; Izzie was furious but also mindful to avoid Stacey – she was rumoured to be asking around for Izzie; no doubt to yell about why the band they had picked hadn’t turned up and why DJ Chill had. Izzie quickly ducked behind one of the tables as Stacey marched past and tried to think of the best way to break the news to her; she couldn’t avoid her forever.
Finally, Izzie plucked up the courage to face Stacey; better to get it over and done with. Stacey suddenly spied her lurking near the door and advanced on Izzie.
“There you are! What the hell is going on? Where are ‘The Kickers’ and why the hell is that pervy guy here?” She glowered at Izzie with her arms folded and tapping her foot impatiently.
Izzie sighed heavily, “I told you at the time that ‘The Kickers’ weren’t available and I couldn’t get anybody else at such short notice! You may make do with him ‘cause he’s all we’ve got!”
Stacey shook her head and ranted, “That’s not good enough! You have ruined the Formal for us … do you realise this? God! I should’ve known you’d make a mess of this! You are such a stupid bitch who isn’t worth the dirt on my shoe!”
Izzie was getting more riled up, the longer Stacey yelled; if she wasn’t careful, she was going to end up belting Stacey one. However, she kept her cool as Stacey continued on calling her every name under the sun; she just didn’t see the point in starting something so close to the end of her final year.
Stacey raved on and Izzie just rolled her eyes, not paying much attention to her. She really didn’t see what the problem was; DJ Chill had finally finished setting up ten minutes ago while Stacey had been shouting and everyone seemed to be having a good time – even if DJ Chill’s choice of music was a little dated.
Finally, Izzie yawned and held her hand up to interrupt Stacey, “Oi, Stace, if you spent less time screeching at me; you would’ve realised that everyone seems to be making the most of it. I admit DJ Chill isn’t the best but at least he is providing us with some music. I think you should just shut the hell up, leave me alone and go join in the fun.”
Stacey looked like she had just been slapped and then started off on her shrieking again. Izzie tried to escape but Stacey kept blocking her path so she gave up; she knew Stacey would tire eventually – even if it wasn’t the most enjoyable way to spend her Formal.” Izzie paid more attention to what everybody else was up to rather than listening to Stacey. She had just about made out – over Stacey’s lunatic screaming – that DJ Chill was now going to play ‘an oldie but goodie’ and Izzie found herself curious; the man had truly terrible taste in music judging by tonight’s show!
Izzie nodded to Stacey’s shouting; she hoped it at least looked like she was listening, even though she was actually trying to hear what the song was.
After a few seconds, Izzie felt a punch in her stomach; of all the songs … DJ Chill just had to pick that particular song; her and Kale’s song … ‘You Do Something To Me’. And suddenly, Izzie now noticed that everybody had stopped dancing; even Stacey had broke off mid-rant and stood dumbstruck.
‘Ok,’ Izzie thought after a few seconds of this strange behaviour, ‘everyone’s acting weird … what the hell?’
It was then that she noticed a group of young men carrying equipment over to DJ Chill and then they started to set up drums etc. Izzie was perplexed; where had this band appeared from? She frowned and noticed Stacey was still standing mute. Then Izzie felt a warm hand place on her shoulder and she spun around …
Kale smiled warmly at her
and leaned forward to whisper in her ear, “I believe DJ Chill is playing our song … would you care to dance Miss Frank?”
Izzie was stunned; she was totally speechless so she nodded mutely and let Kale lead her to the dance floor where everyone created space for them and then returned to their own dancing.
Izzie blinked up at Kale; afraid he was a mirage and was about to suddenly disappear. They danced for the entire song and then one of the young men from earlier grabbed a microphone, “Hey guys … we heard it was your Formal and that you needed a band. We are ‘Broken Disco Floor’ and we’ve come to your rescue.” He nodded at the rest of the band and they struck up a rock number which had everyone dancing in minutes; Izzie noticed that DJ Chill slunk away to the bar huffily and the she finally looked back at Kale.
“Are you going to explain to me what the heck is going on?” she asked him angrily.
Kale looked sheepish, “I called by your house and your mother explained the whole deal; you know … the Formal, no band – the whole thing and I wanted to help. I called in a favour with these guys and they were happy to come; I hope this solves any problems Stacey had … she didn’t look too happy with DJ Chill.”
Izzie rolled her eyes, “Understatement of the century! I guess I should say ‘thanks’ for everything but you still haven’t told me everything.”
Kale’s grin faltered, “You want an explanation about the article and not calling you, don’t you?”
Izzie nodded, waiting for him to speak.
Kale sighed, “Izzie, I wanted to call but I knew if I did I would want to walk out on the film again and I knew you’d be mad if I did that … I just thought it’d be best if I didn’t speak to you for awhile; to try and focus on something else for once … you know. Anyway, it worked for awhile but then I just got so fed up of not seeing you … hearing you, so I decided to fly back today. As for the article; it was all lies … Tess Drudger got fantasy and reality mixed up. She got her hands on some pictures of me doing what she described in the article; what she didn’t know was that I was acting.”
Izzie looked a little puzzled so he continued on.
“Izzie, those pictures were taken during filming of the movie; it’s my character who was behaving like that … not me. However, Tess printed the story anyway because she knew it would stir up some trouble; that’s what reporters do. Anyway, I hope you can forgive me.”
Izzie merely stared at him for a few minutes and finally spoke, “I forgive you and that’s all very sweet Kale but you’ve just done the one thing I told you not to; walk out on the film again.”
Kale shook his head, “No, I forgot to tell you; it’s not like that. Sam knew something was up with me from the beginning. He knew I was in some sort of funk and then he finally figured out I was ‘love-struck’ – that’s how he put it. He was awesome Iz, he demanded that I followed my heart and told me we can resume filming at the end of next month; that way you can come with me. Sam knew I wasn’t performing up to my potential; so he decided to let me follow my heart and then come back and give my best performance and really do the role justice.”
Izzie smiled at him, “I have to confess; I’ve been miserable without you too. I’m sorry about all the nasty things I ever told you to force you to leave. Just know that I really do love you.”
Kale grinned, “I know Izzie and I love you too … always have … and always will.” Then he grabbed Izzie and they kissed as many cheered and whooped around them … guess they were destined for a Hollywood happy ending after all.
A few months later …
Izzie had just stepped out of the limo and lifted the delicate hem of her dress so it wouldn’t get caught on anything. Kale appeared two seconds later, looking extremely handsome in a tux and held out his arm for her. She took it and they both walked down the velvety red carpet to many screams and flashbulbs until they were safely inside. The ceremony started fifteen minutes later, Izzie and Kale both sucked into the show.
Soon, it was the last award to be revealed and Izzie waited with bated breath.
Dean Jameson was standing on the magnificent stage behind the stylish plinth. He addressed the audience and read out the nominees. After all the clips had played, he pulled a little gold envelope out of his inner jacket pocket.
“And the Oscar … for best villain goes to …” Dean paused dramatically and the camera flickered between all the nominees, “for his part in the chilling, terrifying and truly haunting ‘Bad Times’ … it’s Kale Eddison!” Dean finally shouted and the applause nearly deafened Izzie as Kale rose from his seat and made his way up to the stage.
He accepted the statue and shook Dean’s hand before stepping behind the plinth, “I don’t know what to say … thank you so much everyone. I had some stiff competition and I admire every single other nominee’s work. This job isn’t easy and it’s taken me long enough to gain the respect of some amazing directors which led to even more amazing roles. This role was a rare opportunity for me to expand my acting ability beyond that of ‘romantic hero’ and I have one special person to thank for that. The only girl who had the guts to tell me when my films were crap and that I should go for the unthinkable. She was also the only girl who was immune to my charms but also made me feel like the real me. Ladies and gentlemen … I’d like to thank the girl I’m in love with and who is daft enough to love me back … Miss Izzie Frank. Izzie, could you come up here please?”
Izzie was going to kill him; flaming cheeks, she made her way up to the stage and he put his arm around her. She, however, leaned into the microphone, “To be honest … there have been times when I’m not in love with Kale Eddison … and now is one of them!” Izzie hit him playfully on the arm, “I can’t believe you’ve embarrassed me in front of all these people.”
Kale smirked, “You love me really.”
Izzie rolled her eyes and turned back to the audience, “I really am quite daft … I’d need to be to be in love with you!” She laughed and then Kale swept her up into a kiss … It looked like – against all odds – they really could live happily ever after.
The End
About the author:
Joanne has loved writing from a young age and didn’t start writing properly until she was at college. The idea for this book struck her on a bus journey home one day. She hasn’t been able to stop writing since.
Discover other titles by Joanne McClean at Smashwords.com
Connect with me online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JoanneCMcClean
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My blog: http://www.joannemcclean.com
Table of Contents
Foreword
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
... not in love with Kale Eddison Page 19