Lizzy

The emails from Kattie started out frequent and we spoke on the phone almost every day as promised, some nights falling asleep talking. I could hear by the way the crowd reacted to her, that she was getting a good response with her music, which made me prouder than ever to brag about her back home. As I started tuning into the TV, I could see her beginning to appear everywhere. News reports had her face displayed all over them. As did TV specials and billboards at bus stops outside work. As she started getting more and more exposed to the public, the emails started getting further and further apart, with the phone calls ceasing completely.

Work became a blur, and my days consisted of checking my emails and going to sleep disappointed. The disappointment turned into hurt and hurt into depression. Seeing her face everywhere didn’t help my pain. And so began the thoughts of upping my weed dosage by a lot, in hopes of putting me into some sort of constant daze so that I wouldn't be so bent on Kattie twenty-four seven.

Sitting there self-loathing, I looked around the room as I heard a ringing coming from my computer. Kattie was calling through Skype. I nearly fell over my bed trying to get from one end of the apartment to the side that held the computer, before it stopped ringing. I answered and her unearthly face showed up on the screen. Joy filled my heart, as did nerves from not seeing her face in so long.

“Hey, baby!” I almost yelled as I jumped into my swinging computer chair.

“I miss you,” she sighed, the look on her face said that she was sorry for not being consistent like she had promised.

“I miss you. My heart is literally aching.” I moped, pulling my famous puppy-dog eyes.

“I’ve only been gone for two weeks.” She laughed. “But I miss you too. So much.”

“How is it over there?” I replied, secretly hoping it was bad so that she would come back to me.

“It is amazing, Lizzy! We all get on so well, just like family. The team, as well as the fans, are just so supportive. They make me feel like I am the most talented person. Did you know I actually have groupies?” She gushed.

She seemed so happy as she smiled and talked about every person on her team like they were the best people she had ever met. I couldn’t help but see what a great opportunity for her, despite how much I longed for it not to be so that she would come back to me. After forty minutes of her filling me in, she asked, “So, what's new with you?”

And after hearing about all the exciting people and experiences she had already had, my life seemed incredibly dull in comparison.

“Nothing really, just work,” I replied, smiling weakly, as a tall brunette man came into the view of the camera, “Kattie, we are ready for you.” he instructed.

Kattie looked at him and smiled, and then back at me. “Well, I’m sorry to rush off, but I have to go.” Her team fussed over her hair and makeup, as my heart ached more than ever. Tears formed in the corners of my eyes, and not wanting her to see them, I quickly said bye and hung up before she had the chance to say anything. The salty streams fell down my face and I wiped them away, refusing to be sad. I hunched back over to my bed, laying down on it and flicking a stress ball into the air. Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea. I was going to book tickets and visit her.

I went online, searching for tickets to Brazil. Every ticket was over $1000. “For God's sake”, I breathed out a sigh. Kattie was worth it. I booked one for the following week, and then looked at my bank account, which was now empty. I dialed Kerry’s number into my phone and when she answered, I practically begged her for more shifts, that was the only way I got any, these days. I was going to need loads more work to make up for what I just spent.

My next few days were spent working eight-hour shifts constantly. At night though, my group of friends from work, which included Aaron, and a few of the girls, Jennifer, Lauren and Cass, made a habit of hanging out. Bowling was one thing we loved to do. Bowling and drinking. Aaron, of course, always made out that he was the bowling king even though he had only ever gotten one strike in the few weeks we had been playing.

When I wasn't working or doing social activities with my friends, I was sleeping. Counting down the days until I got to surprise Kattie in Brazil and see her perform live. My excitement was uncontainable, and I am pretty sure I told Aaron about it every single day, to which he would roll his eyes and say, “You already told me that yesterday”.

The day before I left for Brazil, I spent washing and packing. I packed all my summer outfits, along with some outerwear and several pairs of shoes. I looked in my underwear drawer, and decided on some black lace lingerie, adding it to my pile. My computer started ringing. I looked up to see Kattie’s name on my screen. I quickly answered, trying to push my bag off the bed and hide the surprise of my visit. I failed.

“Hey!” Kattie’s voice came through the speakers.

“You have green hair!” I gasped, as her once beautiful honey hair, was now a vibrant shade of teal.

“It’s teal, you like it?” she said, smoothing her hair over and looking slightly conceited; a look I hadn’t seen on her before.

“Sure, I do.” I tried to sound convincing. I sighed, knowing she would look irresistible, no matter what the hair colour.

“Going somewhere?” She was leaning back in her chair and twirling her hair as she peered at the pile of clothing on my bed behind me… Shit, she saw the bag, I thought, as I tried to push it away with one hand, leaning back in my chair. I paused for a moment to see if it had worked, “no?”

“I don’t believe that for a second,” She laughed.

“Well, I was going to make this a surprise, but since you saw the bag… I will be seeing you in roughly seventeen-and-a-half hours.” I excitedly looked for her expression. To my surprise, she didn't appear very excited. Her face went from that brilliant smile that I loved to a slightly displeased look.

“Is that okay?” I said slowly, started to feel stupid. Why did I just assume she wanted to see me? What an idiot!

“Yes, Of Course, I'm excited.” She said as if she had only just processed the news. I just wasn't expecting this surprise. It will be great, babe. You can meet everyone!”

Somehow I wasn't buying her almost fake excitement and she could tell.

“Oh, no, I don't want to interrupt. I'll just cancel my flight,” I said, disheartened.

“No, please come! I need to see you!” She exclaimed.

“Okay, I’ll come.” I smiled, feeling slightly less like an idiot.

“I have to go, babe. I’ll see you in two days!” Kattie grinned, abruptly hanging up.

AS I STEPPED INTO SYDNEY AIRPORT, people were out of control. The lines were huge and the room was crowded. After much looking, I spotted the line I needed to be in and joined the other hundred or so people in it.

Once I made it through the line, three drawling hours later, I was finally ready to board. Finding the way to my seat, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with excitement, butterflies, and most of all, nervousness. Nervousness from the thought of being in a different country for the first time in my entire life; nervousness for seeing Kattie, nervousness for not being able to get in touch with Darcy in so long... I had received one long email from her, though, had not been able to speak with her directly. She outlined that she had lost her virginity to a Greek God, so naturally I was jealous. The way that she described him helped me get a visual, and when she posted pictures on social media, I was pleasantly surprised to find that he looked pretty much spot on to her description.

NINETEEN AND A HALF HOURS LATER of sleepless reading, thanks to the man next to me with an obvious sinus problem, I reached Rio de Janeiro’s. The air was hot and sticky as I walked toward baggage claim. I inspected all of the people of different cultures. I couldn't seem to hear any English-speaking voices within my radius. Grabbing my bags from the revolver, I heard my name being called out. A voice I barely recognized. I turned to see Franco looking at me. His fat stomach on full display through his tight button-up shirt which seemed to be coming open between every button hole. I sighed at the sight of him, realising Kattie was not going to pick me up, and walked over to him.

One awkward car trip later, and I was at Kattie’s hotel. As I put my bags down, she came through the door, mouth first.“I want this exact outfit and that exact after-party. I won't take no for an answer, so stop following me around demanding a different one. It's not going to happen.” Kattie made an appearance, her team quickly running behind her, fussing with notepads.

“Lizzy! You made it!” She squealed, jumping on me and pushing me back in my stance. She wore a leather jacket and tight dark blue jeans and her teal mane flowed gloriously.

“Wow! You look so different. You seem so different!” I managed to blurt out before she placed her lips on mine.

“Yeah, it was the stylist’s idea. It helps me give off a more distinct image. But, less about me, more about you! How was your flight?” She held me back by my shoulder as she looked me up and down.

“It was okay, I slept most of the way,” I replied, and halfway through my sentence, her managers, artists, and everyone else started pulling at her and talking all at once as if a chorus was in the room. No space for any thoughts or conversation. I felt overwhelmed and dizzy.

Suddenly I was blinking my eyes open and the whole room was quiet. Finally. For a brief moment, I was unsure of where I was and why I was there. Who were these people? Who was this girl looking over me? Her face was so close.

“Lizzy? Lizzy?” The green-haired girl was speaking at me, but I was unable to say anything.

“What happened?” I spoke and it came out as a mumble.

“You passed out. I guess it's the heat. Sorry about all the bustle. I told them to fuck off. It's just you and me now, baby.” She looked at me with concern, brushing my hair away from my eyes. “That was weird, though. For a moment there, you opened your eyes and looked at me, like you didn't know who I was. It was like you weren't really with us. You are all good now though, so do you want to get up and I'll order some food?” She began to walk toward the phone, “I have something to tell you.”

“Last time you told me something you went away. I'm scared.”