Chapter 23: Something For The Pain

Pauline was sound sleeping when she felt a hand on her arm. Her eyes opened automaticaly and she saw Ava. "What is it?" she asked scared. Her mind came the worse. "I thought you want to go for a walk! It's past noon! Do you always sleep that much?" Ava answered. Pauline signed of reliefe. "You scared the heel out of me! I thought that something bad happend!" "Nope, everything is okay! Now, move your money maker we have some shopping to do!" "Okay! Don't bite me, i'm coming! I'll be ready in a few minutes!" Pauline answered and get out of bed.

She saw Ava closing the door behind her and checked the phone on the night stand. No missed calls. She was trying to find a way to take Richie with them. But how? Her head was in her hands when it hit her. "Guitars! Of course! How can i forget that?" she said and wore her clothes.

She closed the door behind her and walked to the living room. "Good morning!" she said with a smile. "Morning Angel!" Richie answered and smiled. Pauline sut but Ava grabbed her arm and get her up again. "We will not have breakfast?" Pauline said complaying. "I'll buy you something on the road!" Ava said. "Okay!" Pauline answered. Richie drunk a sip of his coffee and got up from the chair. "Ready girls?" he asked. "What are you coming too?" Ava asked. "Yes, i want to ckeck on a friend here!" Richie answered.

Ava didn't like the idea of her Dad coming with them. On the other hand Pauline was more than exited. She was trying hard to act normal when she knows that kind of secret. But the time passes like water in the river and she must find a way to stop Richie of drinking his coke in lunch. She will find a way.

Richie left them on the roasd with the most shops. "So, where is the shop you saw?" Ava asked when Richie left. Pauline was looking around a little. "I think is from that way!" Pauline said and pointed with her hand the road on right. "I hope you know where we are going! I don't to get lost in LA!" "Relax, we are not going to be lost! Just relax and trust me!" Pauline answered and keep walking.

They keep walking for a little more when they found the shop. "Ava i found it! Is here!" Pauline said. "Thank God! Let's go inside!" Ava answered and opened the door of the t-shirt shop. The place has the perfect size for a shop like that. Pauline knew exactly what she was looking for. So, it didn't take them so much time to leave the shop with Pauline carring two bags.

"I still wonder how you thought that!" Ava said and closed the door of the t-shirt shop behind her. "What you thought i was going to LA and i will not buy something for Mr Complainer?" "No, but the one you bought is a little weird but i'm sure he'll loved it!" Ava said.

Pauline's phone start buzzing. She put it out of her pocket and said "Morning gorgeous!" she said. "Good morning Paul. How is LA?" Jesse asked. "Great!" "Where are you now?" "Shopping with Ava!" Pauline answered and looked at Ava who was laughing. "When you will be in Jersey?" "We leave from here at 6.00 p.m. The flight is almost 4 hours!" "Oh, so i will not see you today?" Jesse said with a little sad voise. He was missing her so much.

"Hey, don't be sad! We will have all the time when i come back!" Pauline said. She could feel it when he's sad. "Yeah, you're right about that! Oh and i almost forgot it! When your parents are leaving for LA?" "The meeting is at 26th of November but they'll leave at the 25th. Why are you asking?" "An invitation arrived the last week and we are invited at the Kensington Palace in the UK that day!" Jesse answered. "Oh!" Pauline said and her eyes lost the sparkle the had before.

"But i'm not going!" Jesse said. Pauline rolled her eyes. "Why? This is very important!" "Yeah, i know but Dad said i can stay here if i want to. Plus i have strainning and i don't like loosing trainnings!" "You'll have plenty of time to think about it!" "Yeah, but i've already take my desicion...... i'll stay here! I rather be with you in NJ rathen than being in Europe with my family! If i was going i couldn't have see you and you'll stay alone because your parents and Zeta will be in LA. And since you're coming from LA i want to see you and spend time with you! Am i asking too much?" "Ι don't know Jess! If want to go i don't any problem, really i don't!" "You may not have but i do! What if something bad happens when you're alone and i can't protected you? No, i'm not gonna risk it!" Pauline lost her words. She couldn't find a good enough answer. "And about that i want to ask you a question." "Ask me!" "I think is a better idea you know to come to stay with me in the house! You know is a little bigger but if you want to stay in your house to be safer i understand....." Jesse said and he is waiting for an answer.

"I will loved that! I hope your parents will not mind!" "Of course and they will not mind it! I can't wait to see you, Paul!" "Me too Jess! but i gotta go now, i'll text you when i'm home!" "Alright! I'll wait! I love you!" "I love you too!" Pauline said and hung up.

"What is it?" Ava asked. "Nothing bad! he's just checking if i'm okay!" Pauline answered. "Pauline!" Ava said and looked her in the eyes. Pauline knew what Ava wanted to hear. She couldn't hide it but she was so shy to tell it. "Well...." she started. "While my parents are in LA i'll stay with Jesse!" she said it. "Really? That's great! but what about his parents?" "They'll be in the UK with the kids and we'll have all the house for us!" Pauline answered.

"Nervous?" Ava asked the right question. "Maybe a little! But i'm ready for what you're thinking! he never pushed me on the departement. He just waits when i'm ready and now i am!" "If you say it you're ready! Just be carefull, you know what i mean!" Ava said and winked at her. "We will!" Pauline said and nobbed.

A few hours later they arrived at Heather's house. In a few hours they'll leave. It was the last meal in this house and they all hoped that they will never come back. Table was ready wating for them. The girls went to the room to leave their things and the returned to the kitchen.

Pauline had an idea of how she'll destroy Heather's plan but it must succeed. While Richie and Ava were wating in the table Pauline went to help Heather. She saw her above the sink holding something in her hands. But Pauline couldn't see it because she was facing her back. "Can i help you?" she said and Heather sceared. "Oh Pauline you scared me! I don't need any help you can go and sit in the living room! I will not be too late." "No, you accommodated me in your house! Is the least i can do." Pauline answered.

"No, i'm fine! But if you want to help you can take the chicken!" Heather said and smiled. "It looks so delicious! I'm afraid that i'll eat it before i'll take it to the living room! I'll take the drinks, is more safe!" Pauline said and she was trying to sound normaly.

Heather was starting to sweating. Her only chance to destroy Richie was flowing by. She couldn't do nothing right now. Pauline had always an eye on her. She was watching her close. Pauline opened the fridge and took 4 Cokes and 4 glasses. "Don't be late we're starving!" Pauline joked on her as she left.

She couldn't hide the smile on her face. Her plan worked. She went to the kitchen the right moment. She didn't want to think what it will have happend if she was going a minute later. Sure, thyings will be diferent by now and Richie will be in danger. But not now. He's safe because of Pauline.

At the table Heather was looking at her having that big smile on her face. That was making her feeling sick. She was so close to make it and because of her she will never take full castody of Ava.