04

4

The Real You

KENDALL AWOKE to the heavenly scent of pancakes. She squinted at the bright sunlight that poured through the window next to her. The scene would have been a lot more enjoyable if she didn't have a mind-splitting headache.

On the nightstand next to the bed was Fiji water and a bottle of Aleve. Both items sat on a note that read: "Take me." Next to that was a transparent bag with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Neatly folded at the end of the queen-sized bed was a plain white t-shirt with a pair of skinny jeans. On top of the clothing was a note which had the words "Wear me" written neatly on it. A pair of black flats had been placed at the foot of the bed.

Kendall vaguely remembered Ryan asking permission to take her to his place. She couldn't remember whether she said yes or no, but if she was here, she most likely agreed.

That doesn't sound like a very Kendall thing to do, but you were drunk. People do stupid things when they're drunk.

She dragged herself out from under the warm sheets and into the en suite with the clear bag in her hand.

Kendall came out with a white fluffy robe wrapped around her. She might as well take advantage of everything. She changed into the clothes that had been laid out for her. Before going downstairs, she pops two pills into her mouth, chasing them down with water after.

Ryan turned from the stove when he heard Kendall take a seat at the kitchen counter. He smiled. "Morning."

Slightly uncomfortable, Kendall drew invisible circles on the marble countertop. "Good morning. Uh, whatever you're cooking smells amazing, but I should probably get going."

"Why?" Ryan frowned, shoveling the scrambled eggs from the pan onto two plates.

Kendall was never a good liar. She had a tell that everyone always figured out.

She blinked. "I can't be late for work."

"Okay," Ryan said, placing the hot pan back onto the closed stove. "Now tell me the truth."

How the hell.

"That is the truth."

Ryan extended both of his arms out so that only his hands touch the counter. Kendall couldn't help but notice the way his veins showed more prominently when he did this.

"I know that the manager of your job is Seventh-day Adventist." Or at least he's supposed to be, Ryan thinks. "Therefore, Literature and Lattes is closed every Saturday."

"You got me," Kendall sighed. "It's just that . . . I don't really know you."

Ryan snorted. "I'm Ryan Hughes. Just Google me and you'll find my whole biography."

"That's how Hollywood sees you. They don't know the real you."

Ryan opened his mouth to argue but closed it, realizing that Kendall was right. People only knew him as an actor who stars in action movies. They didn't actually know him. They only knew what Hollywood showed to them. They only knew what they saw on a movie theater screen.

"When I met you, you didn't ask for my autograph or a picture. Why?"

"Celebrities are people too," Kendall responded calmly, pulling the plate of breakfast toward her. "They should be treated as such."

Ryan smiled at the action and sat down on the tall stool next to her. "Ryan Leonard Hughes. Almost twenty-three on February twenty-second. Half white on his dad's side and half Korean on his mom's side." He pours maple syrup over his pancake stack and slides it to Kendall. "Your turn."

She caught the bottle with ease. "Kendall Annalise Morgan. Twenty-two on May thirtieth. White on both of her parent's sides."

Ryan already knew. But the more they shared the less he'd have to worry about letting her information slip in the future.

They continued to talk about nothing and everything for hours. Kendall couldn't help it. She was just too trusting. She also couldn't help the fact that everyone she talked to took a liking to her. It was all in the way her eyes lit up when she smiled and moved her hands animatedly while engaging in conversation.

Kendall thought she was an ordinary girl when in reality, she was everything but.

"I think I've intruded long enough," Kendall declared whilst getting up from her seat. She picked up her clutch and dress from the table. "Drive me home?"

He really didn't want her to go, but it would be weird if he asked her to stay. Ryan reluctantly walked to the door and held it open for Kendall.

Kendall stepped back to take in Ryan's massive house. "Holy cow. You live here by yourself?"

She's so cute.

"Yeah."

"But this place is huge. Don't you get lonely?"

"Sometimes."

Maybe you could come live with me someday, Ryan thought as he opened the passenger seat door. Kendall slipped in effortlessly.

"Buckle up," Ryan said as he got into the driver's seat.

Kendall chuckled, but put on her seatbelt anyway. She turned to look out of the window when Ryan started to drive. Comfortable silence filled the car. Ryan would glance over every now and then to admire the way Kendall's eyes twinkled at the breathtaking Los Angeles scenery.

It took them around forty minutes to drive from Beverly Hills to Downtown LA.

Ryan walked her into the building until they stopped at Kendall's apartment door.

"Thank you. For everything."

"No problem, Miss Morgan," Ryan smirked.

She gave Ryan one last smile before unlocking her apartment door.

As soon as she got in, her phone dinged.

Phoenix

Girl! Have you seen

the gossip sites yet?

No. Why?

Look!

There are more pictures

of you and Ryan in the bar.

Your face is pretty clear

in them.

Jesus Christ.