Love's Autograph (16 page)

“
How has she heard it and I haven't?” Ria asked. “Watch what you say to her.”

“
Shh… I can't do two things at once. Hold on,” Ellie said.

Maggie texted to Ellie,
Is it about my mom?

Ellie texted to Maggie,
Yes, is that okay with you?

Maggie texted to Ellie,
No.

“
So what are you telling her?” Ria asked.

“
I told her the truth. I won't lie to her,” Ellie said. Ria sighed.

Ellie texted to Maggie,
No, it is not okay for me to like your mother?

Maggie texted to Ellie,
No that is okay. It is not okay for her not to love you back.

Ellie texted to Maggie,
I didn't say I love her.

Maggie texted to Ellie,
Clearly by the song, you love her. That is what your fans are chatting about too. They all think you have a new love interest. They keep talking about Jenny. Are you back with Jenny?

Ellie texted,
No. I'm never going back with Jenny. That was a publicity stunt and it was a surprise to me.

“
What are you guys saying?”
Ria asked.

“
Shh, give me a minute. You have international calling on your plan right?”

“
Yeah, relatives in Italy,” Ria answered.

Ellie texted to Maggie,
You're so smart for a little one. So, what if I do love her? It's okay that she loves someone else.

Maggie texted to Ellie,
How can she possibly love that boring doctor and not love you?

Ellie texted,
Love can be complicated. It's okay. I'm okay with it. You should be too.

Maggie texted,
So, you don't love her anymore. If she said she would kiss you or something you would say no. I mean if she was single.

Ellie texted,
I'm not talking about kissing your mother with you. This is not something for you to get upset about.

Maggie texted,
If she kissed you, then you would live here instead of stinky Gwen.

Come on be nice to Gwen,
Ellie texted.

Maggie texted,
You don't know the half of it.

I'm
still here to text and talk, and your mom said you and I would do lunch when I get back,
Ellie texted.

Maggie texted,
Does she know you're EJ Way?

No and how do you know?
Ellie asked.

Maggie texted, Y
our picture is only on everything. How can someone not know? Should I tell her and then she will be happy you're famous. And then she will have you move in?

You can tell her if you want. But I don't think it would make her
instantly fall in love with me,
Ellie said.

Maggie answered
,
I will think about it. I will think of a plan. Text you later.

Be nice to you
r mother for ME. Text you later.

“
Ria?” Ellie asked.

“
Oh, you still there. I recopied the dictionary while waiting. What's the verdict? How did she know? Just through the song?”

“
She said it was through the song. She really wants you and me to be together. Fair warning, I think you and Gwen are headed for trouble,” Ellie said.

“
Oh, great.”

Ellie said,
“Well, I asked her to be nice. I think she will, but I think she might mention that she wants you to be dating me.”

“
Okay, this should be fun,” Ria said. “Did you tell her that you had feelings for me? Do you still like me? I don't want to know. Did you tell her anything?”

“
I didn't have to,” Ellie said. “She's smarter and more resourceful than you think.”

“
Oh, believe me I know,” Ria said.

“
Well, it's kind of worse than I thought. She heard the intensity in the song, and knows I'm in love with you.”

“
Now what?” Ria asked.

“
I should go to bed,” Ellie answered. “You're welcome to join me.”

“
Ha, ha. I should check on my patient,” Ria said. “What have you been busy doing when you're not playing a gig?”

“
I rest, and check out the town, and plan the next show,” Ellie said. “It's tiring doing a concert. I need time to rest. There is only the band and the crew to keep us company. So I'm pretty isolated. You can come visit if you want.”

“
Yeah right, what about Maggie?”

“
Bring her,” Ellie said. “I'll send a private jet for you.”

“
Wouldn't that be nice if you ever got big enough to have a jet someday?” Ria said.

“
Ria, if I had a private plane right now, and I was famous, would it change anything? Would you get on the plane?”

“
No, I don't think it would change anything. I still have a job to do, lives to save and all that,” Ria said. “Well I should go. Talk to you later.”

“
Yeah, okay. Bye,” Ellie said as she hung up.

Ellie was in her hotel suite being dressed and made presentable by a team of people. She stood before the long mirror in the overpriced hotel. She was happy her design team agreed to her wearing a suit instead of a dress. She would have been self-conscious in a low-cut, tight dress. She wore a black tuxedo, gray vest and black bow tie. It was tailored to her body. The white button-down shirt was custom made with no sleeves. Black converse sneakers covered her feet.

“
You look incredibly hot,” Jazzie said. Jazzie had accompanied Ellie to the American Music Awards ceremony.

“
Thanks, I don't think I've ever looked better,” Ellie said.

“
If a certain someone saw you in that, she'd not be able to resist,” Jazzie said. Ellie shot her a stern look. Jazzie put her hands up and mouthed ‘sorry.’ Jazzie left to grab the limousine.

Ellie road the elevator down to the lobby and was escorted
by security through the paparazzi to her limo. Jazzie stood holding the door open for Ellie and had a smile from ear to ear at the prospect of heading to music fan heaven. Ellie slid into the limo where Robert awaited her. He went over facts and statements that he wanted Ellie to talk about to the press.

Ellie texted Maggie,
Hey, when I point to the camera tonight I'm pointing at you.

Maggie texted back,
I'm watching it live-stream online.
Give the peace sign that is cooler.
Ellie and Maggie had been mending their relationship one text at a time. Ellie could not wait to see her in a few days.

“
Pull over here,” Robert yelled up to Jazzie. As Jazzie pulled over, another limo pulled in behind them. The door opened and a woman got in. It was Jenny.

“
What the hell, Robert!” Ellie said.

“
Let's go,” Robert yelled up to Jazzie.

“
EJ?” Jazzie called back to Ellie.

“
Go ahead and drive. I'm not going to have my fans wait because of her. When we get there I'll part ways with Jenny,” Ellie said.

“
Kind of hard, when we have seats next to each other,” Jenny said. “Ellie, it’s pathetic that we can't just sit next to each other!”

“
No, no, Jenny! Just like you couldn't tell me that you wanted to move out!” Ellie yelled. “I'm not doing this right now. Stay out of my life. And Robert, you're this close to being fired.” Robert shrugged and smirked as he looked out his window.

They pulled up to the red carpet and Ellie stepped out. Jenny was close behind her and grabbed Ellie's hand. Robert came between
them and put his arms around both Ellie and Jenny's shoulders.

“
Back together!” Robert yelled. Ellie yanked her hand away and walked ahead of them. She avoided several interviews, apologized to each journalist and host, and said she would come back to them. She went to the restroom. Just as she walked out of the restroom a text came in. It was Maggie.

Maggie
asked,
Are you back with Jenny?

Ellie
answered,
No they pulled another publicity stunt.

I'm
in my room and I am threatening to cut myself
, Maggie said.

Ellie
said,
Please, don't do that. Go talk to your mother.

Ellie
dialed Ria.

“
Hey, I can't talk right now...” Ria's voice mail picked up. Ellie called again and got voice mail. She called again.

“
Hey, Ellie now isn't a good time,” another woman answered.

“
Is this Gwen?” Ellie asked.

“
Yes, we're dealing with something...”

“
Gwen, let me talk to Ria. I know that Maggie is planning on hurting herself. She texted me.”

Gwen answered,
“Yeah, she and I got in an argument. She locked herself in her room, and we can't get in. The police are on their way, as well as an ambulance. We got it under control.”

Maggie texted,
Mom already
knows. She's trying to get in. She called the police I think. They are going to take me away. I heard Gwen say today that things would be better without me around.

“
Glad to hear that you think things are under control. No offense, but please let me talk to Ria now. Please,” Ellie said.

“
I'll ask,” Gwen said.

Ellie texted Maggie
, Glad you texted me. Hurting yourself is not the answer. Give me some time to help and talk to your mom.

Ria came on the phone,
“Ellie? She's texting you?”

“
Yes, she's mad at Gwen. She thinks that she doesn't want her around,” Ellie said.

“
What does she want?” Ria asked.

“
She doesn't want to be taken away. I'm not sure what else,” Ellie said.

“
Tell her to come out and I’ll call off the police,” Ria whispered.

“
Okay,” Ellie said. As Ellie stood outside the bathroom, several reporters were taking pictures of her. Ellie smiled.

“
Don't text and drive!” she said to the cameras. She then shot the peace sign.

You did the peace sign to me,
Maggie texted.

Ellie texted,
Yes, I did.
Your mom said that if you come out she will call the police off.

Maggie texted
, What about the ambulance?

Ellie walked back into the bathroom. A few celebrities were standing in front of the mirror. A few of them looked familiar to Ellie.

“What about the ambulance?” Ellie asked Ria.

Ria said,
“They have to check her out, but I'll tell them I don't want her taken away if she doesn't hurt herself and if she comes out.”

Ellie texted Maggie
, She said the ambulance has to come, but she will tell them not to take you if you come out now.

I will open my door, but nobody can come in my room,
Maggie texted.

“
She opened the door Ellie,” Ria said.

“
She asked that nobody comes in her room,” Ellie said.

“
You should send her away to get help,” Ellie heard Gwen say in the background.

“
Gwen, can you go in our room?” Ria said.

Okay, things will be good now. Talk to your
mom. Call or text me if you need anything else. Don't hurt yourself,
Ellie texted to Maggie.

New plan,
Maggie texted.

What plan?
Ellie texted.

“
Ria, Maggie is saying a new plan. Hold on, I'll let you know,” Ellie said.

Maggie
texted,
You need to come here. That way you will be away from Jenny, and you will save me from Gwen. And you can see Mom.

Ellie
texted,
Did you forget that I'm in NYC?

Take a private plane.
You're rich and resourceful. You can do these things. Right?

Ellie texted,
Maggie really? I can be there by tomorrow.

Ton
ight, please. I am done texting,
Maggie said.

Ellie responded
,
Keep the door open. I'll try to get there ASAP. Play your guitar. Learn some chords. Promise you won't hurt yourself.

Maggie
texted,
I promise. See you soon.

“
Ria, she wants me there, so I'm coming. I told her to play her guitar. Keep Gwen away from her. I'll try to be there in less than two hours.”

“
You don't have to—” Ria started.

“
I'm on my way. Don't let them take her,” Ellie said as her voice cracked. She choked down the tears.

“
Okay, see you soon,” Ria said. Ellie could hear Ria choking up. She left the bathroom as she dialed Jazzie.

“
Hey, about Jenny, I didn't know,” Jazzie picked up and said.

“
Forget about it,” Ellie said. “I need your help. I got to leave. I hate to pull you away from all this.”

“
What? Why?” Jazzie asked.

“
Maggie and Ria need me,” Ellie said.

“
No problem,” she said. “What do you need?”

“
I need to get to the airport and back to Boston,” Ellie said.

“
Well, some of the stars landed on the hotel roof over here in a helicopter,” Jazzie said. “Maybe we can borrow one of their rides.”

“
I’ll come out and get you, and we'll hop up there to the roof,” Ellie said. Ellie jogged away from the bathroom and passed all the reporters again. It was like running through a life-sized Barbie field. There were Kens and Barbies everywhere.

“
EJ Way! Where you headed?!” a reporter yelled out.

Ellie yelled to the reporters,
“It's my re-enactment of Cinderella. I'm going to turn into a pumpkin soon. Sorry I have to run. I apologize.”

“
Does this have anything to do with Jenny?” someone else called out.

Ellie stopped and walked over,
“Let it be known that this has nothing to do with Jenny. Let's not give her that power. We're over and done with. My manager, Robert, keeps trying to rock that boat.” Ellie looked into the cameras and flashed a peace sign. “Keep rocking.”

Ellie and Jazzie made it to the roof where
, with some sweet talk and a bunch of hundreds, they rented a helicopter that took them to LaGuardia Airport. At LaGuardia they chartered a private jet to Logan Airport in Boston.

As
Ellie and Jazzie sat in a private jet from LaGuardia to Logan Airport, Jazzie asked,
“
I know these are not the best circumstances, so is it bad that I'm excited to be on a private jet?”

“
No, I needed some fresh excitement,” Ellie said. “Next time I go on a private jet, I'll make sure to bring you.”

“
So, now that we're alone, what's going on?” Jazzie asked.

“
Well, I don't want to spread Ria and Maggie's private business. I guess I can tell you that Maggie has some self-harming behaviors and wanted me to come home,” Ellie said.

“
What happened?” Jazzie asked.

“
She hates Ria's girlfriend, and I think she's mad because she saw me on TV with Jenny.”

“
Oh,” Jazzie said. “Why does she care if you're with Jenny?”

“
She wants me to date Ria.”

“
Don't we all. What are you going to do when you get there? How are you going to help?” Jazzie asked. “Not that you're not helpful, but why you?”

“
I guess Maggie likes me and trusts me,” Ellie said. “They both are important to me.”

“
I get that,” Jazzie said. Ellie started wiping her sweaty palms on a napkin from a nearby table. “Try to relax.”

“
Yeah, how? Can't this thing go any faster?” Ellie asked.

“
Let's get your mind off it,” Jazzie said. “Oh, I know. I'll name a celebrity, and you tell me if you've met him or her and what he or she is like.”

“
Doesn't sound fun to me, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it,” Ellie said.

“
Danny Daniels,” Jazzie said.

“
Really? You're going to start with someone from a boy band? He thinks he knows everything,” Ellie said.

Jazzie succeeded in occupying Ellie's mind during the flight. They landed in
Boston and Jazzie made it from the Logan Airport to Ria's in no time. All in all, they made it from New York City to Ria's apartment in about two hours.

“
Sure you don't want me to come up and stand outside the door or in the lobby?” Jazzie asked.

“
No, that might seem like an invasion of their privacy, you know,” Ellie said.

“
Okay, I'll sit out here for a little bit. Please call if you need anything at any time.”

“
Thanks,” Ellie said. “Thanks for everything. I won't forget it.”

Ellie stepped into the elevator. Her adrenaline was pumping. She had tried to text and call Ria but there was no answer. She
could not help but think the worst. She knocked on the apartment door. The door swung open with an exhausted Ria on the other side.

“
Hey,” Ria greeted Ellie. Ria ran her eyes up and down Ellie’s outfit. Ellie had forgotten that she was wearing the same clothes from the awards ceremony.

Ria's eyes widened and she raised her eyebrows
and whispered, “Wow.”