Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  Chapter 1

  I brush my long blonde curly hair and gaze at myself in the mirror, is this really what I look like at the age of twenty two? I see myself every day and have an occasional glance in a mirror but do I ever stop to really have a look at the girl staring back? Her deep brown eyes and huge red lips are the first thing that comes to my attention all evened out by her light golden skin that is glowing. Who is she? The thing that strikes me most in my reflection is the way my eyes stare back as if they have something to say, a hidden depth another layer, a frame that no one can see past, but the truth is it’s just me and my story.

  "Alanna” I hear my roommate shout as she pours in through the bathroom door "hey are you nearly done in here? Sophie says "yes just one more second" my roommate is from the city she is very pretty almost too pretty she has a mass of thick dark straight hair, brown eyes and a skin tone so rich you would think she lived in a tropical island and not here in the cold winter of the east Hamptons. We are currently staying in a small cottage style house I rented out for when college is on a break for holidays and stuff but most of the time we live together in the college dorms of Columbia. From the very first time I met Sophie I knew that we were destined to be become friends .we met six years ago at a charity event that was held in my dad’s honor. My dad works for an advertising company in the city. There are a huge client list products and loads of boring parties. I can’t really say that they are my kind of thing however I do make an appearance every so often to. "Earth to alanna" oh sorry Sophie I say, “You were doing it again.” “Really?” I say. I tend to have a wandering mind. I don’t think I have ever finished a conversation with anyone in my life. There are always a million things going round in my head at any one time. “Sophie you looking forward to tonight? I say trying to make up for ignoring her while I had my little thought bubble. “Kind of you know these charity things aren’t always my kind of thing but you know that tonight is one of those nights where I have to go have to. I have to look my best and try to show everyone including HIM that I’m ok and that I have moved on" "but Sophie you have been doing so well and as for HIM well he is just a loser who didn’t know when he a had a good thing its only his loss" " I know alanna but seriously how am I supposed to be ok with everything"? "but Sophie" I say in my most sympathetic voice " chace is one of those guys that you can tell from the right off that he is never with a capital N going to stay with the one girl even this one now that he thinks that he is so head over heels for eventually she will get boring and he will break up with her for some stupid reason that only he could come up with and realize that he actually doesn’t really care for her and like he said about you "is only a distraction someone to look good on his arm someone he could show off as trophy so that the other trust fund babies of New York can say that chace has one up on them" oh alanna I know your right but the kind of felling’s I have for him don’t just go away. I fight every second of every day just to try to stop myself from thinking about him" Sophie you so have to move on" I know I know" oh poor Sophie there is nothing worse than seeing my friend upset like this. I really could kill chace for the way he has treated her. They went out for about a year , there dads are business partners they joint own a hotel in the city so naturally they thought there kids would be great as an item and pushed them together ever since they could walk. Every vacation they took where always together, every party, every event the two families where inseparable and from a very young age Sophie has loved chace. on paper he is perfect standing at 6 "2 his sandy blonde hair his piercing blue eyes his full lips and perfect tanned skin just all round nice looking boy. But then they had what can only be described as one of the worst break ups in the history of bad break ups. They shared a small apartment on the edge of town and Sophie like the little homemaker she is. Was very much so the perfect little almost housewife. Everyone loved them as a couple they complemented each other in every way possible and she was totally in love. But by the end of the year there where so many rumors about chace and other girls Sophie tried her best to ignore them until one night while Sophie was out Christmas shopping in the city, she told me to go round to the apartment and feed her dog as chace was out of town. Sophie had run into an old friend from school and they got into talking and basically she wouldn’t be home for hours. But unknown to me that chace was actually home and no less he was with a girl in my best friend’s bed and not any girl. One of Sophie’s best friends Chelsea. I could not believe my eyes and I could not speak I just stood there looking at them but what really shocked me the most was the look on chaces face like he almost wanted someone to walk in and see him there with Chelsea like it was all a game to him, as quickly as my brain would function I picked up the little white dog and ran out the house, then I had to make one of the most difficult phone calls I ever had to make I had to call my best friend and tell her that her boyfriend and her oldest friend where together that I had walked in and saw them that it was her apartment and that it looked like it had be going on for a while. He had been lying to her and that her friend had done the worst thing a friend could ever do. Sophie came straight home and the fight began chace told her he never cared about her that she was a just an arrangement for the good of the business to show a united front, to make their rivals jealous to show they had everything the best hotel the entrepreneur son with the daughter of the hotel owner the little trophy on his arm not only a front but a business deal for the press just a distraction the one thing to put the hotel in the limelight. So the story is he says he cares for Chelsea but unknown to her he is just using her like he did my friend he has moved her into the same apartment and now they are the golden couple. Whilst my friend hides away in shame.

  Chapter 2

  When we arrive in the city for the party the blinding lights of the press are there to greet us as we step out of the limo I have on my black tight mini dress and my favorite shoes my christen loubotins my hair is curled and hanging down my back I don’t usually wear much make up just a blush one stroke of mascara and a little nude gloss and of course and spray of my hidden secret my channel no5 "alanna I don’t think I can go through with this it’s too hard look at all the cameras" "sweetie you look amazing just go with the flow you have nothing to be ashamed about you are the best" I wasn’t lying when I said she looked amazing she totally does she has a on a long gold tight ball gown and her hair is pushed up into a high bun she does sometimes tend to go over the score with makeup but tonight she looks great, "let’s go" I say as we make our way onto the red carpet in front of the building, in front of a camera Sophie is a natural she has been at it for so long it’s like a second nature to her.me on the other hand it’s a little different I tend to stay away from the cameras but with Sophie by my side that’s not possible "alanna hart over here” strike a pose" I do my best I shyly flash them smile. Sophie on the other hand isn’t so shy she always goes for the one hand on the hip chin down foot out pose. It really is all just for the cameras but sometimes I think that Sophie takes it a little too seriously. as we enter I can see it’s the usual crowd with a few new faces all in all there is around 150 guests and single handily I could name almost every one , Jake Harper CEO fly’s around on a private jet and tells everyone else what to do, Charles Vanderbilt thinks he owns all of the city but really is just a spoiled little man who is secretly in the closet and his wife and daughter only care about the expensive gifts daddy brings home from Paris. “Sophie Marco is here" "what no don’t let him see you” it’s already too late he is walking over get ready for another slanging match alanna" "hey" the tall dark guy says "oh hi Marco" I say trying to sound cool Marco gives Sophie a little nod "yeah hi" adds Sophie "so how’s it going how have you been alanna?" fine I say “I heard wha
t happened before Christmas that must have” , and before he can finish I jump in "look Marco that really has nothing to do with you and as far as I’m concerned it was for the best my friend was far too good for chace he treated her with nothing but pure hatred and disrespect" alanna I was only going to say " well don’t Marco it’s just not " just not what?" “nothing to do with you” “but if you think alanna it is cause you know chace is my bud and he tells me everything so yeah it kind of is got to do with me" “really you think it does tell me this Marco do you really think that it was a nice thing for chace to do?” "Well" “well what Marco?” as I look out the corner of my eye I see Sophie she is just standing next to me looking like she is about to cry with my friends best interests at heart I look at Marco the tall dark guy that’s makes me feel like I’m a little doll even with 6 inch heels on his big dark eyes and thick wave of dark hair you can certainly tell he has Italian roots even though he is good looking there is something about him so arrogant so full of himself so self-involved that I really find him rather repulsive. I turn to look at my friend and as I take her hand she gives me a quick smile as we head away I turn to look at Marco and simply say "bye".

  "Quickly Sophie" I say as we make our way to ladies room "alanna you didn’t have to do that" “do what?” I ask looking confused "I mean stand up for me like that”, “Sophie don’t be silly you know I will always stand up for you and anyway Marco I just an arrogant ass" “alanna you always say that about him” “it’s true you only have to look at him the way walks over like he is god’s gift to women” “Alanna do you ever stop to think maybe Marco likes you?” “What? Likes me how could that self-obsessed idiot like anyone other than himself?” “alanna there is no use in me staring this conversation with you cause I know I will never win but just think he is always where you are he always comes up to you first whenever he sees you and then if it’s not totally blind to see the way he looks at you it’s like he is looking at what he wants what he needs and with such passion”. “Stop Sophie I am just not interested in Marco never have never will”. as we walk up the stairs and into the main reception area to look for the ladies I can’t help but stop and look around the room to the surroundings in witch this party is held it is really elegant and beautiful there are huge flower displays the walls are gold and silver with painted charbs on them the whole room is lit up with several chandeliers so big and over the top but absolutely gorgeous the food is laid out in all its glory on massive white tables with gold Versace table cloths huge silver platters all filled with the most tiniest little canapé’s , the bar all lined with Moet champagne in crystal ice buckets , at the back of the room an elegant band all dressed in tailored black suits and the women in white cocktail dresses. You have you hand to the organizers they really know how to throw a party together. “here is the ladies room Sophie”, as we walk in two older ladies are on their way out gossiping about one of their friends no less, “hey do want to some gloss alanna?” “no thanks Sophie I’m fine” “I can’t believe I’m actually here alanna I have been dreading this night for so long and yet here I stand”, “tell me about it I forget how awful one of these parties can be” , “it’s just I know they are here somewhere and I know they are going to be rubbing my face in it”, “Sophie you know those two are made for each other only she could do that to a friend and only he could make you love him like that and then shatter everything seriously they are not worth your thinking time.” “I know but the other thing is I know everyone here is thinking about it talking like they know the facts and look over see them so happy and all over each other then they look at me standing alone looking glum and not wanting to be here” “Sophie you always care to much what people think and these people you know what they are all fake there fake smiles there fakes laughs and fake interest in any one other than themselves talking about there million dollar homes competing for who has the best car”, “alanna I know all this but it still doesn’t make it any easier knowing everyone is talking about you” “do what I do don’t let it bother you it’s hard enough in life without worrying what other people think.” “I know your right and from now on no more tears no more hiding away I am going to go out there and enjoy the party have fun with my best friend”, “after all we are the hottest two socialites in the room tonight” “I Hate when you do that alanna!” “Do what?” “Make fun of all this” “Sophie it’s the only way I get through it!” we head back out and go straight to the bar the bartender who is a little short for man with straight red hair and brown eyes pours us a glass of champagne each we toast and as we stand listening to the music I spot HIM he is standing with two other guys smiling from ear to ear he has on his dark grey suit his hair pushed back and he does look nice I can see why Sophie really liked him at first glance there is nothing not to like! To mine and Sophie’s despair he sees us his smile quickly fades and see I him make a nod like he always does , “oh alanna I still love him look how gorgeous he is I can’t help my feelings alanna I want him”. “Sophie I know you do but he is not right for you and what he did that was just too much” and speaking of what he did I see her she is wearing a little blue dress way to tight and way to revealing her auburn hair short and straight she walks up to him gives him a kiss on the cheek and links into his arm “there is no doubting it now alanna they are really an item” “Sophie don’t look over lets go” and as we start for the tables I see chace say something to Chelsea and to our Dred I see him start to walk over and before we can try move so we don’t have to speak to him he is there right next to us looking down with his eyes so blue you think you could swim in them, “hey girls” “hi chace” I here Sophie say I a voice of total love “how have you been Sophie?” “I have been ok chace”,” yeah considering” I say a little harshly, chace shifts looking nervous "it’s a nice night out" yeah nice night" Sophie says, "look chace” I say staring him in the eye “is there something we can help you with?” “I just thought I would say hello"” for what reason chace? You made it clear Sophie is not good enough so why, why do you want to say hello? You have your little trophy over there so go back to her and don’t bother us” “alanna I just, never mind enjoy the night “he takes Sophie’s hand and kisses it and he walks away.

  As Sophie and I walk to take our seats for the speeches I see Marco again this time he looks annoyed “alanna may I speak with you?” “On you go Sophie says I will be fine” “ok then” Marco leads the way over to the side where it’s quite and no one is around “alanna I need to ask you something” “ok go ahead!” “Why do you hate me so much?” “Marco I don’t hate you” “you certainly make it look like you do” “Marco I don’t hate anyone I really don’t” “why do you act that way around me?” “I don’t feel I act anyway certain way around you” “yes you do alanna you have a problem with me and I don’t know why I don’t feel there is any reason for it I need you tell me why!” “Why is it so important to you for me to like you?” “Don’t do that!” “Do what?” “Turn the question right back around to me answer me alanna once and for all why do you hate me?” he says kind of loud he is almost shouting his face is red and full of anger why do I bother you so Marco I think as I look at him why do you need me to like you maybe Sophie is right maybe he does like me maybe he is a just a little boy with a crush. "Alanna" he says looking impatient “Marco maybe I do give you a hard time but the truth is I don’t really know you to hate you whenever we speak it does get a little heated maybe we are just two people that don’t get on” “you don’t know me?” “Not really it’s not as if we are friends or anything” “will you let me show you who I am and get to know me?” “What?” “I am going to Venice for the new year with my family I would love it if you would join me!” “you want me to go on a family trip with you I am just after telling you I don’t know you and that’s what you say” “you can get to know me I will show you my life the real me not the fast car driving douche bag you already know and hate” “I don’t hate you Marco” “if that’s true then come away with me I will show yo
u Venice take you shopping buy you anything you want please don’t say no!” “Marco do you realize how crazy you sound?” “I’m not crazy just maybe a little crazy for you!” “Marco I’m sorry but I can’t it’s not my nature to run off with a boy to another country” “please don’t say that alanna” “I am sorry really I am but no I can’t go” “he looks sad a face I have never seen he takes my hand a says "alanna maybe one day you will open your eyes and see me here waiting for you and that I’m the right guy for you" I look at him and I walk away

  Chapter 3

  the next morning I wake and thoughts of last night are spinning round in my head what was Marco thinking asking me to go away with him he is crazy. and as for chace with that whole Chelsea thing and thinking he could just walk over and play nice” alanna” I here Sophie say “I’m off into the city do want to come?” I get out of bed and pull on my black and white silk robe I see Sophie standing there in her tight skirt and buttoned up blouse "hey you want to go?" “I would love to but I can’t I have to go over to my parents apparently they have some news or something” “ok then alanna I will see you later then” ”yeah have fun” and with a slight bang of the door Sophie is gone and I’m alone again with my thoughts. I still can’t get over everything that happened last night the sheer fact of Marco’s questions and how random they were and the crazy thing is that just ten minutes earlier we were having a heated discussion and in which I was really kind of rude how could he just ask me to go to Venice with him after that. I really feel there is something wrong with him. I go over to the coffee pot and as I grab a cup I notice Sophie has left me breakfast of waffles and strawberries fresh coffee and the morning paper, as I take a sip of the coffee I see on the front page of the newspaper Sophie and I with the headline "hart of new York" I never get used to seeing my face in the paper. I open up to page three and I see the article about last night’s event as I read through I can’t believe what I’m reading, alanna hart and Marco Marino are officially a couple and by looks of things they were having a lovers tiff on growers at the party said " I overheard them talking she was telling him she didn’t love him anymore and that there trip to Italy for new year’s was off she basically dumped the guy right there on the spot the poor guy looked devastated" looks like manhattans new it couple are over before they even started! I hate the press I take the newspaper and throw it in the bin so wrong everything so wrong I need to get away I need out of this bubble I can’t spend new year’s here like this. I really sometimes do hate yew York hate this life hate the fact everyone knows my name I need out! I go upstairs through on my jeans and long sleeved black shirt and my loubotins grab my purse and head for the door. I make my way to my car I see there is a little red envelope on the window I go over and grab it. I open my car jump in as I sit there I carefully open the envelope. inside there is a little pink piece of paper and its reads "I am still waiting please change your mind I have feelings for you I really like you please come with me to Venice all my love Marco" I take a deep breath thinking maybe what if it did?