PRT 373- “Reunions and Red
Herrings”
I arrived at the address Zack had
emailed me. Today was the day of the interview reunion and I was beyond
psyched. I got out of my car and went inside the building where I found everyone
else already there.
“Hey guys!” I cried.
“Michelle? Oh my god!” Lisa cried
as she ran over and hugged me, Jessica right behind her.
“It’s so good to see you guys.
It’s been years!” I said.
“It’s been too long…you sure have
grown up kid.”
I smiled, “Yeah, it happens.”
“She’s right. I’ve seen you on TV
and everything but I still picture you as that kid. To see you in
person…wow…you’ve grown up.” Jessica echoed.
“She’s become a beautiful woman.”
AC chimed in as he hugged me.
“Hey, I’m sorry about before.”
“Don’t worry about it. We all have
our moments. We’re cool.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s so nice to have everyone
together again.” Kelly said.
“It’s amazing.” I agreed as the
reporter walked in.
“Hey guys, glad you all could make
it. Are we ready to get started?” he asked.
“Sure.” Zack replied.
We walked into another room and
sat down.
“OK, first off, what’s it like to
be together again after all these years?” the reporter asked.
“It’s like a class reunion.
Seriously, this is our high school reunion.” Zack said.
“When you look back on the show
what do you see?”
“My youth. We all pretty much grew
up on the show. Had a lot of firsts and…it was our high school years…it was
just filmed.” Kelly said.
I nodded, “Exactly. The show means
so much to all of us I think because that really was our adolescents.”
“And the show did set the stage
for the current shows we have of it’s kind, both scripted and reality. Did you
ever think your show would start a whole new genre of teen television?” the
reporter asked.
“I don’t think any of us could
have predicted that. We started and never expected to last one season. We
certainly didn’t expect it to get as big as it did.” Jessica said.
“At the shows height you all were
the biggest celebrities in the country. What was it like to go from unknown to
wildly famous?”
Zack laughed, “It was insane.
Nothing…absolutely nothing can prepare you for that. We would go to mall
appearances and just get completely mobbed. I’m talking clothes ripped and hair
pulled. Everyone just trying to get a piece of us. It was purely insane.”
“Oh yeah. I remember those mall
tours. There is no fanatic like teenage girls.” I said.
“On the show you all were friends.
Was it that way off screen?” the reporter asked.
“The show wouldn’t have worked if
we weren’t.” AC said.
“Most of us had been friends long
before the show and remained friends long after. That’s how the show came
together and why it worked.” Jessica agreed.
“In recent years each of you has
remained active in entertainment and have successful careers, but with less
intrusion from the press. Is there any part of you that misses the media
storm?” the reporter asked.
“First of all, although it was
crazy back then, tabloids really didn’t report on us. Tabloids weren’t then
what they are now. We didn’t have the pressure that teen stars today do.
Second, I don’t know any sane person that would miss that.” Zack said.
“And I do have the tabloids
tailing my every move right now. I will be the first to tell you, it’s no fun.
I love my career, but being a tabloid target, sucks!” I said.
“Which brings me to a question I
have been dying to ask, Michelle, back on the show you were secretly dating Jon
Giovanni, a rock star twice your age. The recent tabloid rumors are that you’re
back with him. What is the real deal between you two?” the reporter asked.
I sighed, “OK, here’s the thing,
Jon and I absolutely dated back when I did the show. I don’t deny that. I’ve
admitted it since multiple times. Yes I was 13 when he was 26. Whatever. The
age thing never bothered us. We were madly in love and honestly I’m a little
sick of defending what I did back then. What Jon and I had was real and yes, it
was odd to some. It’s the past. People need to let it go. As for the recent
rumors, as I have said and will keep saying, we’re just friends. Jon has been a
huge part of my life and will always be special to me. Of course there’s always
going to be a part of me that loves him, but we’ve both moved on with our
lives. The tabloids just print what they thing will sell their trash…and that’s
all it is…trash. Jon and I are friends and that is where it ends.”
“Speaking to that, the rest of
you, what was it like to watch Michelle dating Jon back then?”
“As her big brother of course I
hated it. I did everything I could to convince her not to see him. I didn’t
like who she was when he was around. Jon is trouble, always has been, always
will be.” Zack said.
“It’s always hard when you know
someone you care about is making a mistake, but sometimes you just have to
stand back and let them make their own mistakes. There’s not stopping someone
who is determined and headstrong.” Kelly agreed.
“I don’t think any of us liked Jon
or what he did to Michelle. She’s like a little sister to all of us. It was
hard to see her like that.” Jessica added.
“Sounds like Michelle was a
terror.” The reporter said.
I laughed, “I was. I’ll be the
first to admit it. I was a nightmare. I’m not proud of the way I acted.”
“What about other romance on the
show? We saw Zack with each of the other girls at one point or another. Was that
real?”
“Yeah, we all dated at one point
or another.” Zack confirmed.
“But Zack and Kelly was the couple
everyone wanted to see together and you’re still together. How has life been
since the wedding?”
“We’re like any married couple. We
have our ups and downs but we love each other and have a great life. I think
we’re both really happy.” Kelly answered.
Zack nodded in agreement, “I
couldn’t be happier. I have a great wife, amazing kids, and an awesome career.
I’m really very lucky.”
“Zack and Michelle, on the show
you two seemed extremely close…almost inseparable at times. Are you still that
close?” the reporter asked.
“We fight like any other siblings,
but yeah, at the end of the day we are extremely close. Obviously we grew up and
have our own lives now, but we’re still close.” I said.
“Exactly. No matter what she’s
still my baby sister and I love her very, very much.” Zack agreed.
“What about the rest of you, are
you still close?” The reporter asked.
“We all have very busy lives, but
we’re still friends and we still get together when we can.” Lisa said.
Jessica nodded, “Yeah, I’ve
recently been interviewed on AC’s news program and Kelly and I get lunch when
we have the time. We’re all still friends.”
“The one missing cast member is
Sam. I know he was excluded as a group decision. Why did you all decide that?”
the reporter asked.
“Because he betrayed us. He’s
writing a supposed ‘tell-all’ about the cast and those aren’t his stories to
tell. He’s making money off his so-called friends. Beyond that he’s become a
jerk in recent years. He’s self absorbed, rude, and just generally not a nice
person.” I said.
“That really sums it up. At one
point we were friends, but if you even watch the show he always was somewhat of
an outsider. It’s sad, but he made his choice.” AC added.
“Are any of you worried about what
he’ll write in the book?” the reporter asked.
Zack shook his head, “No. We
really weren’t that bad. I suspect he’ll fabricate a lot. If he’s truthful it
wouldn’t be that interesting. Yeah, we went to adult clubs sometimes, that’s
not news these days. Honestly I have no skeletons in my closet so it’ll be
interesting to see what he comes up with.”
I nodded in agreement, “I really
am the only one that was truly out of control wild, but everyone knows about it
now. I’ve been open about my past. It’s sickening he wants to use his friends
to make a buck, but he’s a lame person.”
“Do you plan on doing a reunion
show anytime soon?” the reporter asked.
“We’re all very busy. The timing
would have to be right to get us all together for that.” AC said.
“Yeah, we all have our own
projects and so I think it would be hard, but not impossible. We’ll see what
happens.” Jessica agreed.
“OK, each of you, looking back,
what is your best memory of the show?” the reporter asked.
“Sophomore prom. That was one of
the most amazing nights.” Kelly started.
“Hmm, this is hard. Probably the
time we turned Zack’s subliminal taped messages against him. It was always fun
teaching him a lesson.” AC smiled.
“Mine would be the time Kelly and
I broke up with Zack and AC and they put on this cheesy show to get us back. It
was so sweet and very high school.” Jessica laughed.
“For me, I think my favorite
moment was the episode we shot that music video. That whole episode was so
dramatic and real. It showed what the show was capable of…and the music video
was fun.” I said.
“My favorite memory was the
episode we won the U2 tickets. That was crazy, fun, and so unexpected.” Lisa
said.
“There were so many amazing
moments and the best part was just working with friends.” Zack added.
We all nodded in agreement.
“Thank you so much for meeting
with me.” The interviewer finished.
“Thank you.” Zack said.
We went to another area to do a
photoshoot and that was it.
“That was so fun.” I said.
“It was great seeing you again
kid.” Jessica said.
“It was great seeing all of you
again. I’m sorry I lost touch.”
“It happens. All of us lead busy
lives.” AC said.
“You’re not really seeing Jon
again, are you?” Jessica asked.
“I knew that was coming. I plead
the 5th.” I said.
“Oh no, here it goes again.” Lisa
said.
“Don’t start with me. I’m a grown
woman now. I can handle myself.”
“You think you can.” Zack said.
“OK, enough. Seriously. I really
do have to go. I have more damage control to do. I’ll see you guys soon.
Hopefully at another reunion sort of function. Laters.” I said hugging each of
them before I left.
I went back to my apartment to get
ready to go out. Mina may have put me in a corner, but I could dig my way out.
I got ready and took another
Vicodin and headed out. I arrived at the club and found a table. I had tried to
reach Mia to meet me but I kept getting her voicemail. I was a little worried
but I figured she was capable of taking care of herself. I sat and had a drink
while I waited. A few minutes later I felt a pair of arms wrap around me from
behind.
“Hey beautiful.” A familiar voice
said.
“Hey Rich.” I said turning around
and kissing him.
Yes, the same Rich that was Jon’s
best friend and guitar player. Let me explain this. Everyone was on Jon and me
about dating, in spite of our attempts to deny. This would not do…at all. I
decided the best way to change the focus of the press was to give them a bigger
story to write about. That’s where Rich came in. He was single and it would
take the heat off Jon if I was seen with his best friend. It was a brilliant
plan, right? Well it was.
So, that is what I did. I
proceeded to drink, dance, and most importantly make out with Rich and I made
sure that we were seen. The press would flip, which is exactly what I had set
out to do.
By the time the club closed we
were both fairly drunk, although I was still functional. Rich called a car and
took me to my apartment.
“Thanks. I had so much fun.” I
said.
“Anytime, you know that.” He said.
“You wanna come inside?”
“You sure? No cameras in there.”
“So?”
Rich nodded, “OK.”
We went inside my apartment and
started making out.
“Bedroom.” I got out between
kisses.
“Are you sure
“Yes, Rich, I want you.” I
murmured as I kissed him again.
“OK.” He replied as he picked me
up and carried me to the bedroom. We undressed each other and had awesome sex.
Now, this wasn’t exactly part of
my plan, but I was drunk and…I like sex when I’m drunk and…he was there. Ok, so
there’s really no excuse…but…it happened. And it wasn’t half bad. Nowhere near
as good as Jonny, but not half-bad.
Anyway, the next morning I woke up
next to Rich, which was slightly odd. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the guy well
enough, but he was no Jonny. I got up and put some clothes on then I went to
the computer and logged on. I went to an entertainment news site and found the
following story:
In the ever changing world of
This story took an unexpected twist last night when
Michelle was seen at an LA nightclub with Jon's guitar player and best friend,
Rich Samson.
Michelle and Rich were seen dancing and making out late into
the night and then left together at closing time. A witness states that he was
seen going into her apartment with her.
One club patron overheard part of their conversation,
"Michelle seemed very into Rich and I didn't hear Jon's name come up at
all. They were all over each other and seemed very happy."
This has led to speculation that perhaps Michelle was
meeting with Jon as a courtesy to gain approval before seeing Rich. Others
wonder if this is just a publicity stunt to get the heat off Jon. Who is Michelle
with? Time will tell.
I smiled. It was working. Soon
people would get off Jon and he would be ok. That is the only thing that matted
to me right now.