Hi everyone! Before you begin reading, I just want to clear a few things up because in my story a few things are different. For one, the song writing contest was never held. And another, Don and Nora have been together for about a year by the time Loren and Adriana start their senior year. I wanted to see what would happen if Loren was really just a normal girl when she met Eddie, no special treatment, no special circumstances, just fate and chance working their magic. I hope the changes don't scare you away and I hope you give the story a chance! Thanks! (P.S. I'm totally a Max/Nora shipper and that will play into the story eventually as well.)

"I'll show you how the birds learned how to fly,

Don't mind leaving your nest,

Don't mind making a mess,

This might be the best day of your life"

-The Best Day of Your Life by Katie Herzig

When Don stood, all conversations ceased and all eyes shifted their gaze as my mom took her stance beside him, placing one hand on his shoulder while the other held her glass of wine. I hated how her body language verified her love for the man, mainly in the way she leaned into him as his hand rested on the small of her back. But she was happy. For the first time in over ten years, my mom was really and truly happy and for that reason alone, my opinion of Don was null and void and my opinion of Don's daughter Adriana was even less relevant. My mom was happy and so I too stopped mid sentence while talking to my best friend Melissa and turned my body towards my mom and Don who were gazing lovingly into each other's eyes.

Don scanned the table as Mom lowered her head, blushing slightly from the sudden attention that was falling on her. "Thank you all" he said suddenly, taking Mom's hand in his. "All of you have played a role in this love story and I know I speak for both Nora and myself when I say that we couldn't be more thrilled that tomorrow you will all share in our day." Don gazed back at my mom "Tomorrow I marry the love of my life and tomorrow two families become one." At that his gaze fell upon both Adriana and I. "Adriana, Loren, would you two please stand?"

Adriana rose from her seat in a huff, crossing her arms over her chest. As always, she looked immaculate. Her sandy blonde hair was in waves, framing her face and her greenish-blue eyes were popping in contrast to the hot pink dress that was hugging every curve of her body. I felt dull in comparison as I rose from my own seat, with my hair in its everyday straight fashion and a powder blue, chiffon dress that fell just above my knees. Sometimes I really did feel envious of Adriana, and during those times I wanted nothing more than to slap myself for having such thoughts.

"Girls" my mom began, "the two of you are our worlds. You have both grown into such beautiful and strong young women and we couldn't be more proud" at that moment I locked eyes with my mom and smiled at her words. Then her eyes shifted to Adriana "Adriana, I know that I'm not your mom but I want you to know that I already love you like a daughter." Adriana made her way around the table and enveloped my mom in a hug, silently thanking her.

Sadly, I knew that my mom and Adriana had been bonding in the last few months. Mom seemed to think that Adriana simply needed a positive female role model in her life, and while I could see what she meant and I could understand it, I couldn't find it in me to allow that to justify any of Adriana's actions. So as everyone melted at the scene in front of them, I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Melissa however, did not. It was one of the reasons I loved her so much.

"And Loren," my train of thought broke at the sound of my name. "Every day I grow more and more in awe of you" Don said. "You are such a bright and driven young lady and I will be honored to call you family." Feeling as if it was expected, I walked over to Don and gave him a gentle hug. The small crowd of people began to applaud but as I looked over at Melissa and our friend Adam, I saw that Mel looked about ready to pounce on Adriana, who was still hugging my mom and Adam was sending me a sympathetic look as I pulled away from my soon-to-be step father.

"Thank you, to all of you" Mom continued as she and Adriana pulled apart. "We can't wait to unify our love in front of all of our family and friends tomorrow."

"Cheers!" Don shouted as he lifted his wine glass and took a hearty sip; everyone following suit.

Then, as Mom, Don, Adriana and I once again took our seats, dessert was served. Melissa and I both chose the tiramisu while Adam took a large slice of blueberry cheese cake and swiftly shoved a fork full into his mouth. "You still don't like him do you?" Melissa asked as she took a bite of her dessert.

I placed my fork on my plate and leaned my body closer to hers, so that I could keep my voice lowered, "It's not that." I assured her as her eyebrows shot up accusingly, "Something about him just doesn't sit well with me."

Mel nodded in understanding and leaned into my ear "And he's responsible for the existence of Adriana."

I was about to deny her words, but there was no point "That doesn't help" I admitted.

"I know" Melissa agreed readily. We both glanced over at Adriana who had declined dessert and was instead talking her boyfriend Phil's, ear off. "Those two are so perfect for each other" Mel said as she rolled her eyes.

I couldn't help but laugh at Melissa's bitterness, "And lucky me, I get to deal with them twenty-four seven after tomorrow."

"That's right, the impending move" Adam chimed in after downing his cake. "How are feeling about moving into the Masters mansion?"

"Elated" I replied, allowing the sarcasm to drip heavily from my lips before filling my mouth with dessert and stopping myself from saying anything further about Don and his demon of a daughter.

At the end of the night, the dozens of candles that were placed around the table were barely continuing to flicker. Empty plates were being cleared by staff members of the restaurant who seemed relieved that our party was finally beginning to leave, as we had stayed well past closing and I assumed that they were all happy to finally be able to go home. Mom and Don were standing outside talking to the last two guests, who I assumed were clients of Don's. Melissa and Phil had both left separately, with Mel driving Adam home and Phil offering to take Adriana home, to which Don firmly declined. Instead Adriana and I were both leaning up against Don's car, waiting for our parents, she typing away frivolously on her phone and I staring up into the Hollywood hills, feeling them calling out to me.

Mom and Don began to make their way over to us, hand in hand, both grinning from ear to ear. "Did you girls have fun?" Mom asked as they reached the car.

"It was great" Adriana stated, briefly glancing up from her phone and then she placed all of her attention back onto the tiny screen.

I nodded in agreement, "It really was, but I'm so full now."

Mom laughed and held a hand to her stomach "So am I, I should have skipped dessert."

Don chuckled and kissed the top of Mom's head "Shall we get going? We have a big day tomorrow."

"Yes we do." Mom lost herself in Don's baby blues all over again.

"Actually, I was going to go for a walk, if that's okay?" I asked my mom who I could see was hesitating a little so I pulled my cell phone out of my purse, "I have my phone, it's fully charged and I have money for a cab. If I need you I promise to call. Please, Mom?"

Mom knew where I was going; she had always known where I went when I needed time to myself. So even as Don spoke up voicing his concerns about my going off alone at night, Mom spoke up and told him that it was okay. "If I call you, I don't want your phone to pass the second ring and I want you home by midnight, okay?"

"I promise" I kissed her cheek and then reached into the back seat of Don's car so that I could grab my converse sneakers and jean jacket before saying goodnight to everyone. Then I made my way towards the restaurant so that I could sit on the bench in front and change out of my heels where I watched as the three of them drove off.

I reached my spot in hills in a little over half an hour. The city lights in the valley below would always block out the shine from the stars but up here, those stars were able to shine. It was one of the reasons I loved to come up here, nothing was blocked. Nothing was hidden. It was the one place where my thoughts ran free, where I didn't hold back. Sometimes I would come up here to simply smile after a good day, and other times I would sit up here, lean against the tree and cry. And then there were the days like today, where I didn't want to smile and I didn't need to cry but I just needed some clarity.

The idea of moving into the Masters' mansion brought up such dread. Tomorrow night, I would sleep in my new room. Don had been kind enough to have it re-painted a warm cranberry colour that I had chosen. My closet was large enough to be my actual room, which excited Melissa to no end but only made me wonder how I could possibly, ever fill it. And when he offered to buy me a new bed I had refused. I needed some familiarity in my new life.

After growing exhausted by my thoughts I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone and headphones and pressed play on my iPod where Eddie Duran's voice then wiped any and all thoughts from my head. Every note pulled me further away from worry, every lyric calmed my racing heart, his music, as cheesy as it sounded, spoke to me. It made me feel alive.

I had made it halfway through his first album when I felt a presence behind me and I looked over my shoulder. I pulled my headphones out of my ears and stared in shock as the person stepped into sight, nervously scratching the back of his neck "Sorry, I didn't know anyone was up here" he said in his sing song voice.

Eddie Duran was apologizing to me. Had Adriana slipped something into my drink at dinner? I wondered to myself. Was I hallucinating? I realized that I felt perfectly fine, but I don't think I had blinked since I laid eyes on him. "It's okay" I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I could tell, that he could tell, that I recognized him and I could tell that that fact made him a little uncomfortable, "Well, I'll leave you alone." And he turned to walk away.

"No, you don't have to" I shouted after him, which caused him to turn around. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second embarrassed, "I mean…I don't want my completely humiliating fan girl moment to scare you away, sorry."

Eddie laughed and started back towards me, "It didn't and it's okay. I just honestly, didn't expect anyone to be up here, it's kind of my spot." He admitted as he stopped walking just before the curb.

"It's my spot" I replied, "I've been coming here for years."

"So have I" and I believed him. We both stared at each other for a minute in surprise before laughing simultaneously. "I'm Eddie" he introduced himself, politely as he moved closer to me and reached his hand out to me.

I reached up, taking his hand in mine, causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach, "I know. I'm Loren."

"It's a pleasure to meet you" he said as he squeezed my hand before releasing it. "Do you mind if I…?" He gestured to the ground beside me.

"Not at all," so I grabbed my purse and moved it to my other side, making room for him.

"So, what brings you up here so late at night?" He asked as he crossed one ankle over the other and leaned back on his elbows.

Tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear, I let out a heavy sigh "It's a long story. What about you?"

"It's a long story" he replied. Silence overcame us for a few minutes as we both looked down into the valley, taking in the silence of the hill and the cool night air that was almost tangible. "How did you find this place?"

I looked at Eddie briefly before focusing back down on the city lights "When I was really little, my dad brought me up here to watch a meteor shower. I've been coming up here ever since." I caught his gaze and blushed a little, still overwhelmed by his presence "What about you?"

Eddie sat up and began to pick some of the grass surrounding him "We used to live just down the hill. I used to hike up here all of the time. I guess old habits die hard."

"Yeah…"

"Are you okay?" I met his gaze, "You look upset" he explained.

I smiled weakly, down casting my eyes "I usually am when I come up here." His eyes began to burn a hole in the side of my face so I lifted my eyes once again, "It's just family stuff, though."

Eddie shook his head "It's never just family stuff. That stuff is the heaviest." I nodded in agreement "Do you want to talk about it?"

I let out a short laugh "Eddie Duran wants to hear about my problems?"

Eddie just shrugged "Why not? It's probably easier to talk to a stranger."

"You're not exactly a stranger," I countered causing his eyebrows to pull together in confusion. "I've had your poster on my wall for the better part of my teenage years and my Mom had your parents on her wall before that, so…"

Eddie just laughed at my confession "That's pretty cool." I joined in the laughter, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "Which poster?"

Burrowing my face in my hands I replied "The one with the umm…the jacket." I ran my fingers through my hair pushing it back and away from my face.

"Ah, that's a good one" and he chuckled once more. "Seriously though, if you want to talk about it…"

"That goes both ways," I told him. He nodded before going silent and I followed suit for a few minutes. I could tell something was really bothering him, but I didn't want to pry, I didn't want to scare him off. "Are you good with change?" I asked suddenly.

He turned to look at me, "What do you mean?"

I lied back, staring straight up at the stars, "My whole life is going to change tomorrow, and I don't know how to handle it. I like things the way they are now."

Eddie lied down beside me, "When my mom died, my whole world shifted and I hated it. My career was taking off and all of my dreams were coming true but I would have given it all up to have her back and I still would. I wasn't prepared for that change in my life, but it sounds like you've had time to think about the change in yours."

"Yeah, I guess" suddenly my problems seemed so insignificant.

"Can I ask what this change is?"

I turned my head to its side so that I was looking at Eddie and saw that he was looking back at me, "My mom's getting married tomorrow."

Eddie rolled onto his side, "And you don't approve of the guy?"

I shook my head "It's not that exactly. I don't disapprove, it's just that…there's something about him that…I don't know, I guess I just don't know him that well maybe."

"No, there's something there, what is it?"

I bit my lip in concentration, trying to pin point a certain characteristic or trait but I couldn't. "I really don't know what it is. I guess it doesn't help that his daughter and I don't get along, so that just complicates things."

"And tomorrow she becomes your sister?"

I could feel my face tighten, as if I had just sucked on something sour "Step sister."

Eddie smiled at my correction "How old is she?"

"Eighteen, same as me" I answered. "We've known each other since kindergarten and we've despised each other since then too."

"Can I give you some advice?"

I could feel my eyebrows shoot up to my hair line "Advice from Eddie Duran? I'm not going to say no to that."

He chuckled lightly "Take it one day at a time. Tomorrow focus on the wedding, don't worry about your step sister, or how you're all going to live under one roof. Just have fun, dance a little, or a lot, and eat too much cake. Then wake up the next morning, and figure it out one step at a time. You'll drive yourself crazy if you start living for the future. Just live for the present."

I rolled my head back to stare back at the stars "That's pretty good advice Duran."

"Oh, see now that's not fair" Eddie teased "you can't last name me if I don't even know yours."

"Tate, Loren Tate" I told him as started to connect the dots in the sky, putting together constellations.

I sensed that Eddie had started to gaze up at the stars as well, as silence fell upon us. Both of us were breathing steadily, lost in our own thoughts, going over our own situations in our heads or desperately trying to forget them.

Out of the blue I heard Eddie begin to sing, and realized that my phone was ringing. I sat up and pulled my phone out of my purse, "Hello?"

"Hey sweetie," my mom's voice was no different than usual, telling me that this wasn't a frantic call to see if I was okay, but that she was just checking in. "You've been out for over two hours and I just wanted to check up on you." I could feel Eddie's eyes silently questioning.

"I'm fine, I promise" I told her. "You don't have to wait up for me, I'll be home soon."

Mom sighed, "I don't want to go to bed until I know you're safe and sound. You know that."

"Well, I'm on my way right now" I assured her as I secured my purse over my shoulder and slowly began to stand. Eddie followed suit, getting to his feet and stuffing his hands inside his pockets.

"Okay, do you want me to pick you up?"

"No, it's okay, I can grab a cab."

"Are you sure?"

I laughed lightly, "I'll be fine Mom, really."

"Okay, I love you."

"Love you too. Bye." With that I hung up my phone and tossed it into my purse before looking up and meeting Eddie's eyes "That was my mom, she wants me home."

Eddie nodded "Are you two close?"

"Yeah we are" I smiled, "I guess that's part of my problem with Don, her fiancé. I don't think anyone will ever be good enough for her."

"I'm sure she feels the same way about you" Eddie recanted, causing a warm blush to sweep its way across my cheeks. "Hey, I couldn't help but overhear that you were going to take a cab home?"

I adjusted the strap of my purse, and un-tucked the hair behind my ear "Yeah, it's late and I didn't want my mom to have to come get me. She has a big day tomorrow."

"Well, it's pretty late. I don't want you walking around down town by yourself. Why don't you let me give you a ride, my car's just at the bottom of the hill."

To say I was shocked by this offer would be an understatement "It's really okay, I've done it before."

Eddie took his hands out of his pockets, his right hand holding his keys "Humor me." He said with a simple shrug of his shoulders.

I opened my mouth to protest but closed it again realizing that if Melissa were here she'd slap me just for considering passing up an opportunity to spend another twenty minutes with Eddie. So I nodded, accepting his offer and following him down the hill.

His car was black and sleek, and I assumed it was some sort of sports car. He walked with me to the passenger side of the car and the opened the door for me. "Thanks" I said softly before he closed the door and ran around to the driver's side and climbed inside as I buckled my seatbelt and watched him do the same.

"So where am I going?"

"Oh, just start heading south on Sunset" he nodded and started the car up. The radio came to life and coincidently Eddie's song Something in the Air was playing and I saw him absentmindedly reach to change the station. I slapped his hand away before he got to it and he quickly shot me an amused smile "I like this song."

He laughed and held his hand up in defense "Sorry, you're the lady. You control the music."

I couldn't help but grin "Does Chloe let you change the station when your songs come on?"

I saw his smile drop at the mention of her name but decided it wasn't my place to ask questions "She's not really into music."

"Oh," I found that a little strange, "I can't imagine that. Music's gotten me through some pretty trying times; your music, actually."

And finally that beautiful smile was back on his gorgeous face "That means a lot, thanks Loren."

I smiled at the sound of my name trickling from his lips "Thank you," I replied before directing him onto my street.

"For what?"

"For writing music, for the advice tonight and for the ride home, you've surpassed any expectation I ever had of you." When I pointed to my house Eddie came to slow stop and parked in front of the walkway. I rested my hand on the handle of the car door, "Seriously though, thank you for everything. This night was exactly what I needed."

"Same here," he replied "it was nice to have a normal conversation with someone for a change. No business talk or publicity or paparazzi. It was real. I've missed that. So thank you Loren Tate."

"It was my pleasure Eddie Duran. Goodnight." I pulled down on the handle and pushed the door open but before closing the door I leaned my head back inside "Do you mind if I repay the favor and give you some advice?"

Eddie smiled "Sure."

I down casted my eyes, hoping that I wasn't speaking out of turn "Twenty four hours to think about it, forty eight hours to act on it and then you have to let it go."

"What?" Eddie looked genuinely confused.

"It's something my mom told me once. Basically, regardless of whatever's going on between you and Chloe, you should take no more than twenty four hours to think about it and no more than forty eight hours to go and talk to her. After that you should start over. Otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy thinking about it" I explained.

Eddie nodded as he began to drum his fingers on the steering wheel "Sometimes it doesn't feel like it's that easy."

I shrugged, "Maybe not, but it's a good guideline."

"Yeah, your mom's a smart woman" he replied.

"Yeah, she is. Well, I'll let you go. Goodnight, again, Eddie."

"Goodnight Loren" and then I closed the car door and made my way to the front door and I was correct in assuming that it was unlocked, meaning that my mom was still awake, waiting up for me. After pushing the door open I saw Eddie begin to drive away and smiled shyly at the fact that he had waited for me to get inside before leaving.

"Loren?" I heard my name called and saw my mom come out of her room, now in a pair of pajamas and her hair out of its French Twist and instead flowing over her shoulders. "How was your walk?"

A part of me wanted to tell her everything that had happened tonight, but for some reason, a bigger part of me wanted to keep tonight to myself. It was a small treasure, that was all my own. "It was…perfect. It was exactly what I needed."

"Good" she replied before kissing the top of my head. "I'm going to head to bed now okay? And you should be heading there soon too?"

"I will. Goodnight."

"Goodnight sweetie." Then she walked down the hall and into her room before closing her door and I saw her light go out.

I tossed my jacket onto the couch and then made my way to my bedroom, closing the door behind me. I opened my laptop and instantly logged into twitter and clicked on Eddie's page to discover that he hadn't tweeted since I checked this morning.

Then, on a whim, or just for the hell of it, I typed his twitter name into a new message and posted it.

realeddieduran Thanks for the advice Eddie. The present is a gift after all, is it not?

I knew the chances of him seeing it were slim to none, but still. I then got changed and brushed my teeth, all the while humming Eddie's songs to myself. Before getting into bed I refreshed my twitter page, simply to see if the impossible had occurred and there it was in black and white. He had replied with:

loveto_love_you That it is. Good luck tomorrow and thank you for everything. I mean it.

Then I noticed that my followers had increased by one. I timidly clicked on my followers list, thinking that what I was thinking couldn't be true but again, plain as day, my wildest dreams were answered. Eddie Duran was following me on twitter.