xX A Beautiful Lie Xx...Chapter 13

Rachel's pov...

Once off the stage I began to run, I didn't know where, all I knew was I needed to get away from there, from this place, from them, from him! Meanwhile all that kept running through my mind was I couldn't believe he'd do something like this to me. Was he so mad about me not wanting to let him in my life that he felt the need to humiliate me?!

Finally, after about 10 minutes I stopped, finding myself outside the venue, a cool breezing blowing in the air. Thankful that the concert hadn't finished yet because it meant that there was no one around and no noise except the sound of cars and the distant thudding from the music inside, I lowered myself onto the curb; pulling my hood up before hugging my knees to my chest as a few stray tears made their journey down my cheeks.

...How was I going to be able to handle three weeks of, what was now obviously intended to be, torture? But what choice did I have?! It was either this or losing my job, and quite frankly I wasn't going to give Jared the satisfaction. It was simple! I was just gonna have to ride it out and write the best article of my life to wipe the smile off his face.

At this thought a quiet laugh escaped my mouth and I defiantly wiped away the tears; as if only about 45 minutes ago I'd been discussing with Kelly the possibility of actually being with Jared, of trusting him. I could only thank god that I'd never actually revealed my feelings to him cos the hurt he could have caused me then would have been immense...In fact, just thinking of what he could I have done with that information wasn't bare thinking about!

As I sat there with all these thoughts in my head, I became aware of some one sitting themselves down next to me. I didn't acknowledge their presence, hoping that they would realise I didn't want company and so would leave me alone. But no such luck, because I felt the person squeeze my arm and a male voice say "I'm sorry about my brother."

A sigh escaped my lips...I guess I must have lost track of time as it appeared the concert had finished "Why are you sorry?" I asked, turning my head slightly so I could see Shannon's apologetic face. "It's not your fault your little brother is a dick, is it?!" I stated, before it occurring to me that this was Jared's big brother I was talking to, therefore not the person I should be bad mouthing him to, and so I quickly began to back track "...Uh I mean - well, not a dick exactly - uh, just ya know-"

Shannon raised his hand up to silence me "It's fine!" he laughed "He may be my brother but even I know when he's acted like a prat. And tonight he definitely acted like one of those!...Oh and just so you know, I told him that making you go onstage like that without any prior warning or whatever, was a bad idea but he wouldn't listen."

I nodded "Yeah I figured. Thanks for trying anyway."

He gave a small shrug "No problem."

A short silence ensued before he spoke again "...Listen, Rach."

"Yeah?"

"I know this is none of my business, but Jared really isn't a bad guy"...I rolled my eyes..."Oi, don't roll your eyes!" he laughed "I'm serious! He may do a lot of stupid things...tonight being a fantastic example...but his hearts in the right place."

"You would say that" I stated sceptically.

Shannon grabbed my arm and pulled me round so that I was fully facing him "Now listen to me!" he said sternly "the only reason Jared has been doing these things is because he's trying to impress you. Ever since you interviewed us that time he hasn't shut up about you. He told me about what he'd said at the bar that night, and he told me about what happened when he turned up at your work, and then you're apartment; so I can understand why you're so suspicious of him and his motives, but honestly, it's just because he likes you so much. I know he doesn't have the best way of showing he cares but he does!"

I gave an unconvinced snort "Hmm thats funny, he and my friend said exactly the same thing."

"Well its because its true."

"Well thats nice and everything, but as I said to them and as I'm going to say to you, I don't care...no offence" I quickly added at the end. "Now, if you'll excuse me I better get back to my job as a journalist, and actually do some writing" I said standing up.

Shannon looked at me in a kind of disbelief "Wow he was right!"

"Right about what?" I asked, puzzled.

"Right that you're different from any other girl he's met before!...I mean this has to possibly be the first, and probably the last, time that Mr Jared Leto the hollywood movie star and lead singer of a successful American rock band has ever been turned down by a girl!...And I salute you for that!" he laughed.

I looked at him dumbfounded "I still don't understand."

"Rach, when you're in the position my little brother is in, you get women throwing themselves at you, even if they don't fancy you; just because they think that they might be able to get their 15 minutes of fame just by being seen with him."

"Oh no, women throwing themselves at him. However does he cope?!" I said sarcastically, shaking my head.

"Hey, he's been hurt because of it!" Shannon retorted, his voice slightly harsher than before. "I don't think you realise what its like to really like some one, maybe even falling in love with them, only to find out that they're using you to further their careers!"

I stopped shaking my head and looked at him feeling slightly bad about being so quick to judge "Oh" I said quietly, looking down at my feet "I never thought of that."

"Yeah people don't" said another man's voice from behind us.