The Space Between Us (In Progress)
written by ☆kiola-the-iola☆
Gemma Butler's mom died a year ago, and ever since then, her family's been broke, because her dad doesn't want to move on from the job he had when her mother died. She's had to parent her little brother, Israel, at seventeen. What's more, her friends don't get it, and so when she does something stupid, they disown her. Finally, as Gemma sees how desperate their situation is, she tells her dad to move on. She means get a better job or something like that. But that's not how he takes it. Suddenly, her dad is never around. Her rock is gone! And then she finds out why- he's engaged to a movie star! And she has to move to New York City. Gemma feels like she's betrayed her mom. How will she deal with all of this while she's trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life?
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
4
Reads
749
Chapter Three
Chapter 3
My dad, Israel, and I are sitting at the table with Leeanna Dershish. It’s silent except for the fact that our forks keep hitting the sides of our plates. Finally, Leeanna tries to make conversation.
“So, Gemma and Israel. Did you know that you’re going to have six new stepbrothers?” I roll my eyes.
“You think we don’t know how many kids you have? You’re a famous movie star, for goodness sakes.” My dad gives me the be nice look. Israel pipes up then,
“There’s Cameron, the eighteen-year-old; Josiah, the seventeen-year-old; Owen, Colt, and Rylan, the thirteen-year-olds; and Declan, the eight-year-old.” I stare at him with amusement. I had no idea he knew all of the Dershish children’s names.
"The press found out about our engagement. You're going to have to get used to life in a semi-spotlight," Leeanna says. I sigh. She's only going over things I've already figured out. Then Israel quietly says,
"What should we call you?" She looks slightly taken aback.
"Well, I… I don't know. Whatever you feel comfortable with. You could call me Mom." Israel puts his head down. I see a little tear on his cheek, and I know he's thinking about Mom. I stand up.
"This conversation is draining me. I'm going to go hang out with Josef." I prance out, ignoring the withering look that Dad gives me.
.....
"So why are you still hanging out with me?" Josef asks. I look up, confused. He responds,
"You were only dating me to get back at your dad. You did. Why are you still here? I thought you'd have left me by now."
"I guess I just need someone to hold onto," I whisper. Josef wraps his arms around me as we walk around the little pond in the park.
"Are you saying that you actually want to be my girlfriend?" I blush a little.
"Maybe. Or maybe I just want someone who will help me through all this." Josef smirks.
"I'm betting it's the former." I laugh, grabbing onto his arms.
We sit down on a rock to watch the sunset.
"I'm sorry that I was such a jerk and for all the stuff with Israel. I've been feeling pretty directionless lately, and my relationship with my dad was falling apart. But we've worked stuff out, and I think we're doing better." Josef says.
"Just don't do it again," I say. Josef agrees.
"Now, why don't we get you home? It's chilly." I bury my face in his shoulder.
"I don't want to go home. Leeanna is there." Josef picks me up bridal style.
"Well, you can't just stay here," he says. He starts to carry me back to his car when I hear a camera click.
We look up and there are several paparazzi. They crowd around, throwing a million questions in my face.
"How do you like your soon-to-be stepmom?"
"Is this your boyfriend?"
"How long have you two been together?"
"Is your story as romantic as your dad and Leeanna Dershish's?"
Josef puts me down and we plow through the reporters.
"No comment," I say. They all whine and follow us back to the car. As we drive away, I hear,
"Well, Gemma Butler and her handsome boyfriend will be an epic story for the teens. Those are awesome photos!"
…..
We get to my house and Josef sits me down on the couch.
“Are you okay, Gemma?” I nod, trying to get normal breaths back into my body. This is going to be my life now! I’m a teenage girl who’s going to be pushed into the spotlight so that other teens think that they can have a happily ever after. Of course, they won’t know that I’m not happy in the spotlight.
My dad and Leeanna come in, Israel storming up to his room with a pout when they tell him that we need a private conversation. They start to talk, but I just focus on Josef’s hand rubbing my back, trying to keep me calm. After he apologized, I started to see his other side- the one that wasn’t covered by a tough, snarky guy act. He’s acting like a real person now. Like he actually is trying to comfort me.
“Gemma. Gemma?” my dad says. I look up from my lap, startled.
“What?” Leeanna sighs,
“I’m sorry if I upset you. I really didn’t mean to. I want to get to know you!” She doesn’t sound fake at all. It’s hard not to feel her sympathy.
“When are we moving?”
“May 27th,” Leeanna says softly.
“I wasn’t asking you! You’re not the one moving across the country. I like it here in Texas! This is where Mom is!” She puts her head down, silent.
“Gembear!” my dad scolds. “That’s no way to talk to your future stepmom!” I just curl into Josef, trying not to think about the impending move.
“Gemmy, what happened today? Why are you acting so skittish?” I don’t answer. Josef says,
“The paparazzi found us at the pond.” Leeanna gasps.
“I'll tell them to delete all the photos!” I look up sharply.
“It’ll be fine! I don’t need your help.” Josef squeezes me as my shoulders quiver a little. It’s not because of the press- it’s because I’m scared of what my ex-friends will say when they see a magazine issue dedicated to me and a boyfriend who isn’t one of the boys we ever cleared.
Clay had this list of boys we knew were safe to date. It wasn’t to be mean- it was to keep us safe. Josef definitely wasn’t on there. I think it was definitely an oversight, but will she think that I’ve lost all my morals?
I get up and walk out to our porch swing. Josef follows and sits next to me, putting his head on my shoulder. I tell him my worries, but he laughs.
“I thought you were a bigger person than that. It doesn’t matter what others say as long as you’re sure you want to be dating me.” I look him in the eyes.
“I’m sure,” I say. Then I lean in and kiss him.
All my problems seem to disappear.
.....
School is just as bad as I thought. Clay and her friends waltz past, still mad at me for my attack on Harriet. Once, I walk up on Nico kissing Harriet up against a locker. She looks pretty happy, which I guess is good. Kids everywhere are holding Josef and I’s magazine issue.
Josef and I don’t have any classes together, but we eat lunch together. Too many people are trying to talk to us, so we eat in his car. I fall asleep, so he leaves me in the backseat and takes my car to get coffee for us.
He slides in and wakes me up. I sit up groggily.
“Hey, Babe,” he says softly. I rub my eyes and blink to try to put him in focus. He chuckles and hands me a java chip frappuccino.
“I thought sugar and coffee both would wake you up a little more.” I take it and drink a big gulp, leaning my head on his shoulder. We’re relaxing when all of a sudden, Josef’s car is surrounded by reporters. Cameras are flashing in my half asleep face and reporters are shouting through the glass. I shove my head under Josef’s arm. I don’t need any more stories. Somehow, one cameraman removes the window and drops it on the ground, where it breaks. He shoves his camera in my face. I cry out as I try to hide.
I don’t know why people want fame so much.
Josef hugs me to his chest and muscles out of the car, knocking the cameraman down and causing his camera to crack.
“You broke my camera!” he screams. Josef calmly replies,
“You broke my window and entered my car without permission. You also freaked my girlfriend out. Now please, excuse me.” We quickly walk away, heading back into the school building.
Later, I’m walking to the bathroom when Clay bumps into me, sending me sprawling.
“Oh! I’m so sorry.” She helps me stand up, actually looking sorry for once, but it makes me crack.
“Why can’t everyone just leave me alone?” I yell. “I need space! And privacy! And I don’t need anyone shoving cameras in my face! For heaven's sake, I don’t have any friends! Leave me alone, self-righteous rich girl!”
My screaming has brought teachers and students running. My throat gives out and I start to cry, falling to my knees on the tiled floor. I hear Clay whisper,
“Is she okay?” People surround me and I start to panic, clawing at my throat. Josef’s arms swoop down and carry me to a secluded corner.
“Breathe, Gem, breathe.” I try to, but I know that I’m worrying Josef. My throat starts to close up again.
“Josef… I can’t! Help!” I start to gasp, a panic attack starting full force. Josef starts to calmly list things he knows I like. Slowly, my lungs remember how to work. Josef cradles me as I regain oxygen.
The nurse sends me home, saying that I’m getting too anxious. Before I can tell my own side of the story, the truth is out.
“The stress is too much for her,” my dad says. “Let’s move right now. The kids at New York Private Prep are used to famous kids being there. They won’t crowd her so much. And there’s a better level of security. The paparazzi aren’t going to be able to get to her. We'll live in a hotel until we get married.” I listen with concern as Leeanna agrees.
Just like that, we’re moving in a week.
“So, Gemma and Israel. Did you know that you’re going to have six new stepbrothers?” I roll my eyes.
“You think we don’t know how many kids you have? You’re a famous movie star, for goodness sakes.” My dad gives me the be nice look. Israel pipes up then,
“There’s Cameron, the eighteen-year-old; Josiah, the seventeen-year-old; Owen, Colt, and Rylan, the thirteen-year-olds; and Declan, the eight-year-old.” I stare at him with amusement. I had no idea he knew all of the Dershish children’s names.
"The press found out about our engagement. You're going to have to get used to life in a semi-spotlight," Leeanna says. I sigh. She's only going over things I've already figured out. Then Israel quietly says,
"What should we call you?" She looks slightly taken aback.
"Well, I… I don't know. Whatever you feel comfortable with. You could call me Mom." Israel puts his head down. I see a little tear on his cheek, and I know he's thinking about Mom. I stand up.
"This conversation is draining me. I'm going to go hang out with Josef." I prance out, ignoring the withering look that Dad gives me.
.....
"So why are you still hanging out with me?" Josef asks. I look up, confused. He responds,
"You were only dating me to get back at your dad. You did. Why are you still here? I thought you'd have left me by now."
"I guess I just need someone to hold onto," I whisper. Josef wraps his arms around me as we walk around the little pond in the park.
"Are you saying that you actually want to be my girlfriend?" I blush a little.
"Maybe. Or maybe I just want someone who will help me through all this." Josef smirks.
"I'm betting it's the former." I laugh, grabbing onto his arms.
We sit down on a rock to watch the sunset.
"I'm sorry that I was such a jerk and for all the stuff with Israel. I've been feeling pretty directionless lately, and my relationship with my dad was falling apart. But we've worked stuff out, and I think we're doing better." Josef says.
"Just don't do it again," I say. Josef agrees.
"Now, why don't we get you home? It's chilly." I bury my face in his shoulder.
"I don't want to go home. Leeanna is there." Josef picks me up bridal style.
"Well, you can't just stay here," he says. He starts to carry me back to his car when I hear a camera click.
We look up and there are several paparazzi. They crowd around, throwing a million questions in my face.
"How do you like your soon-to-be stepmom?"
"Is this your boyfriend?"
"How long have you two been together?"
"Is your story as romantic as your dad and Leeanna Dershish's?"
Josef puts me down and we plow through the reporters.
"No comment," I say. They all whine and follow us back to the car. As we drive away, I hear,
"Well, Gemma Butler and her handsome boyfriend will be an epic story for the teens. Those are awesome photos!"
…..
We get to my house and Josef sits me down on the couch.
“Are you okay, Gemma?” I nod, trying to get normal breaths back into my body. This is going to be my life now! I’m a teenage girl who’s going to be pushed into the spotlight so that other teens think that they can have a happily ever after. Of course, they won’t know that I’m not happy in the spotlight.
My dad and Leeanna come in, Israel storming up to his room with a pout when they tell him that we need a private conversation. They start to talk, but I just focus on Josef’s hand rubbing my back, trying to keep me calm. After he apologized, I started to see his other side- the one that wasn’t covered by a tough, snarky guy act. He’s acting like a real person now. Like he actually is trying to comfort me.
“Gemma. Gemma?” my dad says. I look up from my lap, startled.
“What?” Leeanna sighs,
“I’m sorry if I upset you. I really didn’t mean to. I want to get to know you!” She doesn’t sound fake at all. It’s hard not to feel her sympathy.
“When are we moving?”
“May 27th,” Leeanna says softly.
“I wasn’t asking you! You’re not the one moving across the country. I like it here in Texas! This is where Mom is!” She puts her head down, silent.
“Gembear!” my dad scolds. “That’s no way to talk to your future stepmom!” I just curl into Josef, trying not to think about the impending move.
“Gemmy, what happened today? Why are you acting so skittish?” I don’t answer. Josef says,
“The paparazzi found us at the pond.” Leeanna gasps.
“I'll tell them to delete all the photos!” I look up sharply.
“It’ll be fine! I don’t need your help.” Josef squeezes me as my shoulders quiver a little. It’s not because of the press- it’s because I’m scared of what my ex-friends will say when they see a magazine issue dedicated to me and a boyfriend who isn’t one of the boys we ever cleared.
Clay had this list of boys we knew were safe to date. It wasn’t to be mean- it was to keep us safe. Josef definitely wasn’t on there. I think it was definitely an oversight, but will she think that I’ve lost all my morals?
I get up and walk out to our porch swing. Josef follows and sits next to me, putting his head on my shoulder. I tell him my worries, but he laughs.
“I thought you were a bigger person than that. It doesn’t matter what others say as long as you’re sure you want to be dating me.” I look him in the eyes.
“I’m sure,” I say. Then I lean in and kiss him.
All my problems seem to disappear.
.....
School is just as bad as I thought. Clay and her friends waltz past, still mad at me for my attack on Harriet. Once, I walk up on Nico kissing Harriet up against a locker. She looks pretty happy, which I guess is good. Kids everywhere are holding Josef and I’s magazine issue.
Josef and I don’t have any classes together, but we eat lunch together. Too many people are trying to talk to us, so we eat in his car. I fall asleep, so he leaves me in the backseat and takes my car to get coffee for us.
He slides in and wakes me up. I sit up groggily.
“Hey, Babe,” he says softly. I rub my eyes and blink to try to put him in focus. He chuckles and hands me a java chip frappuccino.
“I thought sugar and coffee both would wake you up a little more.” I take it and drink a big gulp, leaning my head on his shoulder. We’re relaxing when all of a sudden, Josef’s car is surrounded by reporters. Cameras are flashing in my half asleep face and reporters are shouting through the glass. I shove my head under Josef’s arm. I don’t need any more stories. Somehow, one cameraman removes the window and drops it on the ground, where it breaks. He shoves his camera in my face. I cry out as I try to hide.
I don’t know why people want fame so much.
Josef hugs me to his chest and muscles out of the car, knocking the cameraman down and causing his camera to crack.
“You broke my camera!” he screams. Josef calmly replies,
“You broke my window and entered my car without permission. You also freaked my girlfriend out. Now please, excuse me.” We quickly walk away, heading back into the school building.
Later, I’m walking to the bathroom when Clay bumps into me, sending me sprawling.
“Oh! I’m so sorry.” She helps me stand up, actually looking sorry for once, but it makes me crack.
“Why can’t everyone just leave me alone?” I yell. “I need space! And privacy! And I don’t need anyone shoving cameras in my face! For heaven's sake, I don’t have any friends! Leave me alone, self-righteous rich girl!”
My screaming has brought teachers and students running. My throat gives out and I start to cry, falling to my knees on the tiled floor. I hear Clay whisper,
“Is she okay?” People surround me and I start to panic, clawing at my throat. Josef’s arms swoop down and carry me to a secluded corner.
“Breathe, Gem, breathe.” I try to, but I know that I’m worrying Josef. My throat starts to close up again.
“Josef… I can’t! Help!” I start to gasp, a panic attack starting full force. Josef starts to calmly list things he knows I like. Slowly, my lungs remember how to work. Josef cradles me as I regain oxygen.
The nurse sends me home, saying that I’m getting too anxious. Before I can tell my own side of the story, the truth is out.
“The stress is too much for her,” my dad says. “Let’s move right now. The kids at New York Private Prep are used to famous kids being there. They won’t crowd her so much. And there’s a better level of security. The paparazzi aren’t going to be able to get to her. We'll live in a hotel until we get married.” I listen with concern as Leeanna agrees.
Just like that, we’re moving in a week.
