Maddie Fitzpatrick is the new candy counter girl at the Tipton hotel and she already had caught the eyes of those around her. When a superstar enters her life, will Maddie figure out the difference between love and friendship, or will her heart be scarred and broken forever? Read and review! Maddie/Esteban

WHAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

Chapter One

You Are the Music In Me

The hot afternoon sun beat down upon Maddie Fitzpatrick as she walked toward the Tipton Hotel. She couldn't believe that she had landed a job as the candy counter girl at one of Boston's finest hotels. Maddie changed her walk to a run as she hurried down the sidewalk. It was her first day on the job and she didn't want to be late.

The lobby of the Tipton Hotel was full of people. Maddie looked around for Mr. Moseby, the manager. She finally spotted him at the front desk checking in some guests. Maddie waited until they where on their way to their rooms before she approached him.

Maddie rang the bell at the front desk. Mr. Moseby looked up from his computer.

"There you are, Madeline. Right on time. I like that."

The fifteen-year-old girl flashed him a nervous smile.

"The candy counter is right over there," said Mr. Moseby, gesturing to the other side of the room. If you need any help with where everything is, Esteban can help you."

"Who's Este-" Maddie started to say, but was cut off by an accented voice.

"Oh Mr. Moseby, I cannot help the new girl."

Maddie turned to see a young man dressed in a Tipton uniform. He was carrying eight bags of luggage. Sweat poured down his face. Maddie gave him a sad smile. She felt sorry for him.

"Those must be heavy," said Maddie. "Maybe I could help you. May I, Mr. Moseby?"

"Go right ahead, Madeline. And then get to work," said Mr. Moseby, turning back to his computer.

Maddie took two of the bags from Esteban. He stared at her in amazement.

"What?" asked Maddie.

"It is just that no one has ever offered to help me before," he said. "Much less the new girl."

"Oh that," said Maddie, lightly. "Think nothing of it."

"I'll try not to."

Maddie followed Esteban to the elevator.

"Where are these bags to go to?" she asked.

"The sixteenth floor," said Esteban, leaning against the back wall of the elevator. Maddie punched in the number.

"Are all the employees nice at the Tipton?" asked Maddie.

"Si," said Esteban. "The only person who's not so nice is Miss London Tipton. Then I guess she cannot help it."

"Mr. Tipton's daughter?" exclaimed Maddie. "I've always wanted to meet her!"

"Wait until you do," said Esteban. "It will not be so nice."

The elevator dinged and they got off.

Maddie felt as if she should say something to Esteban, but she couldn't. Her voice wouldn't let her. Instead she started to hum.

"Do you sing?" Esteban asked her, as they walked down the hall together.

"Yes, of course. I always wanted to be at the drama club at Our Lady, but Shannon, the 'drama queen' wouldn't let me. She doesn't think I have enough talent."

"I am sorry to hear that," said Esteban, inserting a key into a door and walking in.

Maddie remained quiet as they entered the suite. A young just married couple was there. They smiled at Maddie and Esteban as they brought the suitcases in.

Backing out shyly, Maddie and Esteban headed for the elevator.

"So are you going to show me where everything is?" asked Maddie.

Startled, Esteban stared at her.

"You mean the candy counter?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Well, since you did me a favor, I suppose I owe you one."

Maddie smiled as her face flushed red. She tugged nervously on a strand of her blonde hair as they waited for the elevator to come up. There was something about Esteban that made her feel almost unnatural. Like she couldn't be herself around him. So strange when she had hardly met him ten minutes ago.

The elevator doors opened and they walked in. Not exchanging a word.

Once back in the lobby, Maddie headed for the candy counter. Esteban right behind her.

Esteban pointed out where everything was.

"Wow," said Maddie. "It's like you've helped out before."

"Ci. The last candy counter girl that was hired was terrible! She was always getting things mixed up. Mr. Moseby had me help her."

"Whatever happened to her?"

"She was fired about two weeks ago."

The elevator doors opened and two pairs of feet came running out.

"Esteban!" cried a young boyish voice. "Heads up." A football came whirling toward them. Esteban ducked, but Maddie caught the ball.

"I believe this belongs to you," she said, handing the football to its owner.

"Yes," said the blonde boy. He looked up at Maddie and winked. "Hey, Sweet Thang."

"Zack, Cody," said Mr. Moseby, walking toward them. "Are you already harassing my new candy counter girl? And what have I told you about no football in the lobby?"

"Sorry, Mr. Moseby," said Zack, the boy who had tried to flirt with Maddie. "We just want someone to play with."

"Well the hotel employees are not your playmates."

"Why don't you blonde peoples go over to the park across the street?" suggested Esteban.

"And play with each other," finished Mr. Moseby.

"I think I'd rather have some candy first," said Zack. He turned to Maddie. "Fill me up, Candy Girl."

"Zack, you know Mom is going to have a fit if she finds out you've been eating candy before dinner again," said Cody.

Zack put his hand on his twin brother's shoulder.

"Cody, Cody, Cody. You always look on the dark side of life. Why not try to live a little?"

"Somewhere other than my lobby," said Mr. Moseby, shooing them out.

Esteban turned to Maddie.

"The Martian Twins," he explained.

"Twin terrors," said Maddie, as she looked after them. "I can tell this hotel is interesting already."

"Esteban!" Mr. Moseby called. "I need you to get this man's luggage."

Esteban turned to look at the guest. A wrestler.

"You think he'd carry his own bags," he said to Maddie.

"I know," said Maddie. "He's got such big muscles."

Esteban made a face and hurried over to Mr. Moseby.

"Hey, hey," said a voice, as the hotel doors swung open. "I'm back!" A girl about Maddie's age walked in. She was dressed rather expensively. She spotted Maddie and pointed at her. "You, candy girl, come here."

Maddie walked over to her.

"Take my bags up to my suite."

"But I'm working."

"So?"

"London," said Mr. Moseby, walking over to her. "How was the trip in Paris?"

"Oh just lovely. You wouldn't believe the traffic though! It was so hard to get from the hotel to the stores."

"Other then that, did you have a good time?"

"Of course. Except Daddy spent all his time with his new wife, Miranda. He hardly spent any time with me!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Maybe you should go up to your suite and freshen up."

"Of course." London turned to Maddie. "What are you still doing here? I thought I told you I wanted by bags brought up to my suite. Their waiting in the limo outside."

"Maddie is working, London," said Mr. Moseby. He turned to Maddie. "Go back to your post, Madeline."

Glad for the excuse to get away, Maddie scuttled off.

Maddie leaned against the counter. Her shift was almost done and she was happy to be going home. Or maybe not so much. At home, all her parents did was fight. It amazed Maddie that they didn't get a divorce. Maybe it was because they couldn't afford it. Maddie sighed and let her eyes wander to Esteban who was just leaving the elevators. He was so handsome. . .and eight years her senior.

Maddie tried to put thoughts of Esteban out of her head. She knew it wasn't right of her to think about another employee in that way. If Mr. Moseby found out, he might have her fired.

"Alright, Madeline, you may leave," said Mr. Moseby, coming up to her.

"Okay. Thank you, sir."

"You did extremely well today," he remarked. "I can tell you will be a fine employee."

Maddie nodded and headed for the door. She met Esteban outside.

"Where are you going, Maddie?" he asked her.

"Home," she said.

"When it's so dark outside and your. . .alone?"

Maddie shifted her feet awkwardly.

"Well yeah," she said. "I mean, I suppose I could take the bus back to my apartment. . ."

"That wouldn't be wise, Miss Maddie. A young girl all alone on a bus full of strangers. Anything could happen to you."

"Do you really care that much?" asked Maddie, hopefully.

"Well. . .of course! I wouldn't want anything to happen to a fellow employee," said Esteban. "Maybe I should walk you home?"

Maddie's heart soared.

"I'd like that." She slipped her hand into Esteban's. Hand in hand, they walked down the street together.

"It's a beautiful night," Maddie said, trying to start a conversation.

"Oh, uh, sure," Esteban said, refusing to look at Maddie in the face.

"Esteban?"

"Yes?"

"Is something the matter?"

"Oh no. It's just—"

"Oh look!" cried Maddie, pointing to a sign. "The night club is have a talent show tonight! Esteban, I'm not in a hurry to get home. Would you like to go with me?"

"Of course," said Esteban, leading her inside the night club.

"Are you here to be in the talent show?" asked a man in a tuxedo. He stared at Maddie and Esteban's uniforms.

"Si, amigo," said Esteban.

"Then sign your names here," said the man, handing him a list.

Esteban signed his name and then Maddie signed hers.

"Just one question," said Maddie. "What will we preform?"

Esteban thought a moment. "You said you can sing, right?"

"Yes."

"Then why don't we sing?"

Maddie looked surprised.

"Esteban, can you sing?" she asked.

"Si, senora. What duet would you like to preform?"

"Well I was thinking of All I Ask of You from The Phantom of the Opera. Do you know that one, Esteban?"

"Si. I saw the play on Broadway once."

"Then that's what we will preform."

Maddie and Esteban waited until their names where called out.

"And for our next act, Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya De La Rosa Ramirez and Madeline Fitzpatrick."

Maddie and Esteban walked on stage and the audience clapped. Soft, romantic music began to play.

"No more talk of darkness,

forget these wide-eyed fears;

I'm here, nothing can harm you,

my words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom,

let daylight dry your tears;

I'm here, with you, beside you,

to guard you and to guide you. . ."

"Say you'll love me ev'ry waking moment;

turn my head with talk of summertime.

Say you need me with you now and always;

promise me that all you say is true,

that's all I ask of you."

Maddie smiled at Esteban as he sang the next part.

"Let me be your shelter,

let me be your light;

you're safe, no one will find you,

your fears are far behind you."

"All I want is freedom,

a world with no more night;

and you, always beside me,

to hold me and to hide me."

"Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;

let me lead you from you solitude.

Say you need me with you, here beside you,

anywhere you go, let me go too,

that's all I ask of you."

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.

Say the word and I will follow you. . ."

"Share each day with me, each night, each morning. . ."

"Say you love me. . ."

"You know I do. . ."

"Love me, that's all I ask of you. . ."

The music began to swell as Maddie gazed at Esteban through mascara caked eyes. He was smiling too.

"Anywhere you go let me go too

Love me, that's all I ask of you. . ."

The crowd went wild with applause. Someone whistled. Maddie and Esteban took a bow and walked off the stage. Both of their faces flushed.

"That was amazing," said the man in the tuxedo that they had met at the door. "Have either of you ever thought about a career in singing?"

Esteban shook his head.

"It's always been a dream of mine," Maddie admitted.

The man shook his head.

"I wouldn't be surprised, Miss Fitzpatrick, if someone didn't offer you a record deal sometime soon."

Maddie smiled.

"I don't think I was that good," she said,

"You were amazing," said Esteban. "You sang like an ángel, mi amor."

Maddie raise her eyebrows.

"Mi amor?" she asked.

Esteban's face turned red.

"That. . .that did not come out right," he said, looking at the ground.

"Oh, their announcing the winners!" exclaimed Maddie, as the last act finished.

"Third place goes to Gloria Winters."

Applause.

"Second place goes to Anthony Stevens."

More applause.

"And first prize goes to. . ."

Maddie held her breath.

"Esteban Julio Ricardo— whatever and Madeline Fitzpatrick!"

Applause echoed through the whole room as Maddie and Esteban walked on stage to receive their a beautiful golden trophy.

"I could never imagine. . ." Maddie started to say, her eyes welling with tears. "I could never have done it without you, Esteban."

He smiled and handed her the trophy that had been placed into his hands.

"You should take it," he said.

Maddie stared at him in surprise.

"But we both won it!" she exclaimed.

"Si, that is true, but you are the music in me. You brought out what I have hidden for so many years."

Esteban led Maddie outside while she reflected on his words. It seemed in a matter of minutes they where outside her apartment.

"I guess this is it," said Esteban. "Goodnight, Miss Fitzpatrick." He bowed respectfully to her.

"Goodnight, Mr. Ramirez," said Maddie. Before she knew what she was doing, she reached out and gave him a hug.

Esteban returned the embrace. Maddie relished in the thought of Esteban being so close to her.

"Goodnight, mi amor," he said once again, before he turned and was gone.

"Goodnight. . .mi amor," whispered Maddie, quietly. She looked after Esteban with wistful eyes. There was something about the guy that made her not want to let him go. She smiled to herself as she opened the door and went inside the apartment.

Maddie walked up three flights of stairs before reaching the floor where her parents apartment was located. She sighed as she trudged towards the door.

Mr. And Mrs. Fitzpatrick were in the livingroom. They looked up when Maddie entered the room.

"Where have you been, Madeline?" demanded Mrs. Fitzpatrick. She spied the trophy in her daughter's hands. "Where did you get that?"

"Esteban and I won first price at a talent contest at the local night club," answered Maddie.

"Who's Esteban?" asked Mr. Fitzpatrick.

"One of the Tipton employees," said Maddie. "He walked me home because he thought it was unsafe for me to be out at this time of night . . .alone."

"Smart guy," said Mr. Fitzpatrick. "Well, take your trophy to your room and go to bed."

"Okay. 'Night."

"'Night."

Maddie went to her room, once again thinking about Esteban. What did he mean when he said, You are the music in me. You brought out what I have hidden for so many years. Was Esteban hiding some kind of secret? What could it possibly be?

So how was my first attempt? Terrible? Good? Interesting? Chapter two will be up soon! (Does Maddie even know what 'mi amor' means?)