Love Lost Fiction

HOLLYWOOD STARS
by Queenie

Chapter One
Star Dust

My best friend John. We have been buddies since Kindergarten. Lived a block away from each other. Hell, almost Everyday I had growing-up had him in it.
I know everything stupid he has ever done.
We were probably about 7 years old when Chelsea moved in the house 3 Doors Down from his. I knew right away she was going to be trouble. Her hair was way too nice.
I just kept my mouth shut hoping his fixation on her would go away.
Over the years, I finally just got used to her being there. Part of his world.
Chelsea had not even lived on the street two days when we started peering over John's fence and the few between over to her house. We watched Chelsea's dad put up the largest tree house we had ever seen. Complete with a huge red slide.
John watched because he already loved her.
I watched because these days I own my own construction business.

Chapter Two
Star Gazing

Over the years, Chelsea would play with us from time to time. Not too often. My freckled face buddy never did have enough nerve to talk to her first.
When we would get together with Rick and James we would terrorize the girls in the neighborhood with squirt guns.
He never once sprayed her.
And would beat up any one of us who did later on.
Whatever, he was my best buddy. I left the girl alone.
I remember a few times over the years riding my bike over to his house and noticing her there with him. I would just ride on by.
Sometimes I would tease him about her. He would tell me to shut-up.
Even when we were teenagers, you know, he never once said he wanted to throw it in her.
He never really did talk about her much.
But I knew he loved her.
I remember back in Grade Nine, Rick and Chelsea dated for awhile.
John was not into beating people up anymore. He just never talked to Rick again.

Chapter Three
Stars of Tomorrow

God, I remember it like it happened today. Our high school graduation. I had been on the football team all through school. Grad night rocked.
I remember just before we were leaving ceremonies, a bunch of us guys, heading towards the door.
Chelsea came running up to John and threw her arms around him.
"We made it, baby," she said loudly.
I just rushed the rest of the guys along and let him have his minutes with her. Besides, I had me a case of beer in the trunk of my Pontiac. She was my third car.

Chapter Four
Stars Burn Out

We were sitting on the front porch watching Chelsea's house. Her dad and brother Bob were loading up the car. And a car trailer.
Chelsea was leaving for college Up North.
John just sat there quiet. He did not say a word. He had called me over about an hour before hand.
I just looked at his mother's flowers and the cars sometimes driving by.
It was getting close to dark when she finally came out. But not her mother. She looked real nice, wearing all pink.
She was up to the car when she looked over. She just stopped, her hand on the door. She waved.
"I am going now. Bye, John," she yelled.
He sat there in that lawn chair, all slouched. He raised a lazy arm from his black t-shirt and waved.
And she just stood there.
Man, I am telling you it was a lifetime. Her hand just stayed on that door and she just looked at him.
And my buddy just sat there, still slouched.
So she just eventually got in the car.
What else could she do?
I had known all along she loved him, too.
They drove passed us and she had her head out the window. She smiled her big smile and waved, anyway.
And we just still both sat there. She probably felt like an idiot.
After five minutes, I spoke up.
"You should have told her, John."
He did not look at me, just raised the same arm he had waved at her with and shook his head.
"Let's just go watch TV," he said.
My buddy never did much like to talk.