Description: A fanfiction based on the actor Toby Hemingway. Multi-chapter fiction, rated M for sexual content and language. (Excerpt from story) “You’re cute when you’re drunk.” His heavy breathing against my neck was setting my skin on fire. My vision is blurred, but I can still make out his perfect blue eyes. “You’re cute when I’m drunk too.” Somehow I don’t think that was much of a compliment.

–

The bus …oh how I hate thee.

I barely made it to the bus stop on time, but it still didn’t stop some guy from brushing his hand against my bum. That isn’t surprising, which is I don’t bother saying anything. I guess you can say I’m used to it happening. This is why I need a car, which I can’t get until I find a job, which I can’t do unless I ride this damn bus. My life is an endless circle isn’t it?

Anyway, it seems that my day isn’t a complete doom – I found a seat in the back of the bus. Thank god!

If there is anything worse than riding on the bus, it is standing on the bus while it’s in motion. I remember this one time I was standing when the bus took a turn and BAM! I ended up on the lap of some 70-year-old geezer – I would have apologized but he ended up with a hand up my skirt. Needless to say, that since that day I have never worn a skirt while riding the bus.

But alas perhaps this bus ride won’t be so bad since I did end up with a window seat.

The rocking motion of the bus is so soothing… well not really but I’m tired as hell. Not to mention the fact that I just had a shock overload just a few hours ago.

I rest my head against the cool window as an attempt to find some type of relief. My eyes feel so heavy; maybe I can just rest them for a minute or two. After all it is still a long ride over to my interview, so there is nothing to worry about.

Just a few seconds… a few minutes… that’s all a few minutes…

–

“Hey, awake up girl.”

I heard the voice, but it was faint. All I wanted to do is ignore it and continue my nap. But the owner of the voice was now shaking me as well. Opening my eyes, I tried to focus on my surrounds. What the hell am I?

“Miss, you have been asleep the whole time. This is the end of the line. You need to get off the bus now.”

Oh shit. I fell asleep…on the bus! I repeat – SHIT!

The man continued saying something to me but none of his words reached my brain. I nodded my head to whatever it was he said and got my stuff together. I walked off the bus and looked around. Triple shit. None of the sights look familiar. But I shouldn’t be surprised after all I have been in this state for less than a week.

Uh oh. This just got worse.

Glancing around I notice a group of about three guys checking me out. They were already starting with the catcalls and such. I tried not to look at them – I’m a firm believer that if you ignore something (or someone) long enough it will go away.

Out of the corner of my eye I see them snake their way closer to me. I guess my theory doesn’t apply to perverts.

“Hey mami, wanna come over here and talk.” I hear one of them call out, the voice sounded much closer this time.

Shit.

I need to call Autumn - fast. Pulling out my cell phone, I sighed in relief as I saw it was still charged. You see almost always I forget to charge my cell phone and end up with a dead phone all day. But honestly I don’t remember putting it to be charged last night…must have been Autumn.

Oh how I wish the girl had a cell phone right about now. Autumn ended up losing her cell phone the night I first came to L.A., which was when she threw me a big welcome party. The girl has such a bad habit of getting shit faced drunk and losing stuff. I remember her telling me once that…

Wait…this is no time for me to be reminiscing. I quickly search through the cell phone for the number to our apartment. Note to self: memorize phone number a.s.a.p. Finally finding the number I pressed call and waiting patiently…

Ring…

Ring…

Ring…

Ring…

Ring…

How many goddamn times is she going to let it ring? That is if she is even home! What if she went out? What the hell am I going to do if she…

“Hello?”

I let a deep breath that wasn’t even aware I was holding until I heard a voice on the other end. But just I finally felt my heart beat return to normal, a wave of panic struck through me… that wasn’t Autumn’s voice on the other end of the line. Dammit!

“Hello?” Toby repeats into the phone. His voice sounds rough, like he just woke up from sleeping. What the heck was he doing sleeping in my apartment!

“Where’s Autumn?” I know I’m being rude but this is no time for formalities.

He yawns into the phone, and it seems he is taking his time to answer. Well either that or he doesn’t know. “Out. Jessie?”

Wow, he remembered my name. I mean I wouldn’t have remembered his after one brief meeting, if I didn’t already know who he was. “Yeah…” Great, just great. My only hope is out. What am I going to do now? I feel like wining over the phone but I manage to hold myself back.

“Is something wrong?” The tone of his voice drastically changed from a satiated one to one of concern.

The way the question had been asked had taken me back so much that I couldn’t even form any words in my mouth. Did he actually care? Yeah right. The guy met me only a few hours ago and we didn’t exactly have a fairy tale first impression. He was probably trying to score some brownie points with Autumn.

I wasn’t in the mood or position to lie about my current situation so I answered truthfully, “No.” He didn’t say anything in response so I assumed he wanted to elaborate. “I’m lost.” There simple and to the point – my pride wasn’t that badly wounded.

“What do you mean you’re lost?”

The grip on my phone tightened at his question. “Well…” I paused biting my lower lip from sheer frustration. “Unless you have another definition for it, then it means I don’t know where the hell I am.”

He obviously chose to ignore my sassiness because of the sound of his voice remained concerned when he asked me, “Do you see a street name or something?”

Was this his way of telling me he was coming for me? The curiosity was driving me crazy but I didn’t want him to think I wanted him to come for me. I mean I did, but I didn’t at the same time. I didn’t want him specifically to come for me – I would have settled for any human being to come to my rescue. So if he wanted to come than I wasn’t to object but that didn’t mean I was going to ask him to.

“Well…” I pause as I look around looking for something that can tell me where I am. Finally I spot this ‘welcome to’ sign across the street from me. “Lakewood. I’m right by the sign that says ‘Welcome to Lakewood’ and this street is called Division Ave.” At least now I knew where I was at, not so much specifically but it was something. I didn’t him utter a word; maybe I got expectations up to high after all.

“I know where that is. Stay by that sign and I’ll be soon.”

I guess that answered my question. But before I had a chance to voice my two cents in, he hung up the phone. Out of the corner of my eye I spot those guys coming closer to me.

Just great. I’m waiting for one jerk to come ‘save’ me from three other jerks. Like I said, my life is such an endless circle.

–

20 minutes. It had been 20 minutes since I talked to Toby. I’d really wish he’d hurry up, than again I had no idea how far away I actually was.

Those guys were still bothering me with the catcalls as I leaned against the wall only a few feet away from them. It seemed with every single that passed by they were getting closer. Of course, they couldn’t make it too obvious since we were in public after all. Still, I was starting to feel a little uneasy.

“Hey mami don’t you hear me talking to you.”

I turned around and there they were only two feet away from where I was standing. The first thing I thought of was stepping back to regain some personal space. Unfortunately one of them had already moved behind me, blocking my path. The next thing my mind told me to do was scream. And I was about to do just that when I heard someone call out my name.

“Hey Jessie.”

Looking to the side, I see Toby coming out of his car and jogging over to me. I was total speechless. He actually came for me, and not to mention at the perfect moment. “Come on,” he simply says as he gently takes hold of my hand in his and starts pulling me away from the guys. I was just going to breathe a sigh of relief when one of the guys slapped my bum.

Like I said I’m used to this type of harassment and it doesn’t bother me anymore. But by the look on Toby’s face I’d say he isn’t used to this scenio.

If looks could kill.

Toby let go of my hand and took a couple steps towards the three of them. His demeanor immediately froze and tensed. The look on his face was so intense it was actually sending chills up my spine. Everything was happening way to fast but I knew I had to stop him. Before he could even say a word to those guys, I grabbed his arm and pulled him away. I really didn’t want him to get smashed up by something so non-important.

I held on to his arm until we got to where the car was parked. He slammed the door closed and hit the steering wheel with a fist before starting the car. It was silent for a while, a very uncomfortable silence. I guess he felt it too because he suddenly popped in a CD and tuned the volume way loud. Deaftones. Well, at least he has good taste in music.

But as suddenly as he had turned the music on, he just as suddenly turned it off. Damn, and it was on my favorite song too. But I guessed he finally had something to say to me.

“Why didn’t you let me do anything?” he asked, his voice was hard. Yeah, he was definitely mad. In all honesty I didn’t know what was the big deal. All I know his little cocky attitude is pissing me off.

Even though I knew he couldn’t tell because he was driving, I rolled my eyes at him. “I’m used to it,” I blurted out without thinking – it was something I didn’t normally like to admit.

“Besides what were you going to do? Defend my honor?” I stated sarcastically followed by a short chuckle. “Don’t make me laugh,” I mumbled that last part to myself.

He didn’t bother saying anything to me. I could careless. I prefer the awkward silence than having to talk to him. Seriously though, he was making a big deal out of nothing and I wasn’t in the mood for it. It is my body and if anyone should be pissed off it should be me. Since I’m not than he has no reason to be.

I leaned my head against the window and watched the passing scenery. Damn. I had never seen this place before – I had really gotten myself lost, big time. Not to mention the fact that it was a long way from the apartment. He must have been speeding like crazy to get to me so quickly. I suddenly felt the guilty wash over me.

Biting my bottom lip I took a deep breath as I prepared to swallow my pride.

“Thank you.”

There I said. I guess it wasn’t that bad saying it and he did deserve it. I so should get some good karma coming my way for that.

He didn’t say anything; just tap his fingers against his steering wheel. It was driving me nuts. I was beginning to regret thanking him, when I suddenly heard him clear his throat.

“For what…” he paused as he took a sharp left turn. “Trying to defend your honor,” he said with the same sarcastic tone I used on him earlier, “or for coming to get you?”

I shrugged my shoulders casually at this question. Pausing for a second, I pretended to actually think which of the two it was. After a couple of seconds, I tap a finger to my lip before answering, “Both,” the amusement clear in my voice.

I honestly couldn’t help but smile. Not one of those forced smiles I had given him before, but an honest to goodness, genuine smile. And I guess he noticed that too because when I glanced over to look at him, he was smirking.

Then it struck me. I was suddenly staring into those amazing blue eyes. I felt like I could get lost in those eyes. But at this moment I knew those eyes should not be looking at me. Placing a finger to his cheek, I turn his face back on the road.

“Eyes on the road Casanova.” I really couldn’t help but tease him.

I guess he didn’t mind my teasing either since he let out a couple of short laughs. Note to self: have him laugh more often – he sounds incredibly cute when he does.

–

As soon as I stepped foot inside the apartment I was greeted by a frantic Autumn. If I didn’t tell her that I couldn’t breath I don’t think she would have let up on the hugging any time soon. I heard Toby laughing in the background as I tried to keep up with all of her questions.

“How did you end up getting lost? Did you forget to take your pills?”

My eyes immediately widen at her statement. Her own eyes did the same as she realized her own mistake. I eyed Toby for a reaction, seeing none I let myself relax. Thank god he didn’t seem curious by what she said. I really didn’t want to have to explain that topic to Toby, or anyone else for that matter. I glanced back at Autumn and noticed how her eyes fell. The look on her face said enough, I knew she was sorry for spilling that out.

Sensing the uneasiness in the room, he cleared his throat before he said, “Hey Aut, I’m gonna go finish my nap in your room.” With that he headed over to her bedroom not saying another word. So I was right, he was sleeping when I called. Well now I feel even better about thanking him earlier.

Autumn just nodded her head in response to his statement as she continued drinking her energy drink. That girl has gotten a serious addiction to that stuff.

Now that Toby was gone I could talk more easily to her. “Just for the record, I did take my pills. I just fell asleep on the bus.”

She nodded her head again, and she changed the subject by asking, “What do you think of Toby?” I could tell by the fake tone that she was trying to sound casual about it. But I knew there was nothing casual about that question. Something was definitely on her mind.

“He’s okay.” It was a simple answer and by the look she was giving me I could tell it wasn’t what she had wanted to hear.

After the day I just had I didn’t feel like evaluating my feelings for him. Besides I wasn’t exactly sure what I could possibly think about him after just one day. But coming to my rescue had certainly made up for the rudeness when I opened the door. Anyway what did she expect? For me to fall head over heals with just one look at the guy?

“Do you have a headache?”

Well that came out of nowhere. It must be something big she wants to tell me if she’s asking that. I shake my head no. I’m lying but I’m also curious to know what she wants to tell, which she won’t if she thinks I have a headache. “What is it?”

“I got some news,” she said slowly and paused for what I guess was dramatic suspense. Seeing that I wasn’t making attempts at guessing what it was, she rolled her eyes and proceeded to tell me. “I’m going on vacation… out of the country…” she mumbled the next part quickly, “for the next two months.”

Talk about a bucket of cold water. Two months. As in eight weeks. Me alone in L.A. not knowing anyone except her and her friends. What the heck am I supposed to do? Not to mention I don’t have a job. What about the rent and the rest of the bills?

“But how…”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said quickly interrupting my predictable ranting. “Toby will be staying here in my place and pay for what would be my share of expenses.”

I swear, right then and there, my jaw dropped all the way down to the ground. She was not being serious, was she? No this had to be a joke, or maybe a nightmare. This could not be happening.

My internal distress must have been showing on my face because Autumn put on her puppy dogface.

“I promise it won’t be as bad as it sounds. I’ll explain it all to you later, but right now I got to get to work.” With that she went to grab her things from the hanger.

I didn’t even respond to what she said to me. After all what could I say? I was completely speechless and in total shock. It wouldn’t be as bad as it sounds she says. YEAH RIGHT! If something sounds bad than chances are it is bad. She is definitely gonna have a lot of explaining to do later.

“Oh and by the way…” I heard her yell out from the doorway “…the going away party is this weekend.”

With that I heard the door slam shut, not leaving me time to ask any questions or argue.

Sitting down on the couch, I take the nearest cushion and press it against my face. With all the force in me, I scream my head off in the pillow. The next thing I hear is a thud sound coming from the Autumn’s bedroom. I guess I startled Toby with my scream…oh like I give a fuck.

My life just got a bit more complicated.