*James*

No one is surprised Julia is upset hearing Mila Giovanni will be working with Nate again. The worst part is, Julia didn't find out from Nate first, she saw it on the news. What we are surprised about here is that she didn't flip out or have one of her manic episodes like we expected. Instead, she isn't speaking to anyone. She takes her meds and still helps me with everything, but she says absolutely nothing to any of us. I think this is her way of shutting down without really shutting down. Julia is not one to talk bad about people, so I think she figured if she has nothing good to say then say nothing at all. Either that or this is her way of processing shit.  We're not sure.

Nate has tried calling, texting, sending messages through Paul and even trying to come by and talk to Julia in person. She doesn't give him the time of day. I try not to get involved when it comes to her and Nate but I can see how Mila working with him would be devastating to Julia. What was meant to be a publicity stunt between Nate and the supermodel ended up turning into more. Then he started treating Julia like shit and earned a swift slug to the face from me once I heard about it. Ahh, the good ol' days.

"Still not talking to anyone?" I nudge Julia while she helps me with breakfast. "Babe. You can vent to me. I get it. You know I do." I rub her arm in a soothing way but Julia keeps her eyes lowered while peeling my orange for me. 

"Anyways, are you guys even together? You said you needed space.... from everyone."

Julia glares up at me. Ok, maybe that was a bad choice of words and timing. But it's true. If Julia needs space from everyone, then she needs to follow through and take the space. I will just stay out of this one and be here for her when she needs someone.

Even though she chooses not to talk to anyone, I continue on like nothing has changed which earns a slight smirk from Julia.

"Well, Trevor is going to take me to morning session. Mike is gonna try and go too." I look over to Mike. He doesn't look like is he ready to sit through a session yet but by law he is supposed to. If his parole officer were to come by and see he isn't doing what he is supposed to do or find out he used drugs again, he'd go straight to jail. Do not collect. Do not pass go. In the slammer. So yeah, Jeremy said he has to do this now.

"You want to come with?" I ask Julia like I do every single day but she declines without using words. "Suit yourself. Eventually you're going to have to start going, though." 

Paul answers the door and Trevor is here to bring us down. Mike lets out a sigh.

"Sure you don't want to join us, sunshine?" He smirks. Mike is probably the most sarcastic human being I have ever met in my life. But he's harmless and I don't mind his company. He doesn't bother me at all.

"And eventually you're going to have to start talking to me, sweetie. I miss you." I whisper close to Julia's ear before I head out.

"Are you sure you want to attend this meeting? This session is more of an AA meeting, geared towards addicts, James." Trevor is curious on my motives.

"I know it's an AA meeting. Actually, I was wondering..." I stall while we continue walking down the long hallway. "If while Mike was in his mandatory meeting if you could take me to visit Cara Hollan? I have a feeling she doesn't get many visitors these days." I pause. "I didn't want to ask Julia to take me because she not really with it these last few days. But I can't go anywhere alone... you know... these damn seizures and shit."

"Oh." The well-dressed doctor says. "Of course! That's good thinking, James. And really kind of you to want to pay a visit to Cara. She could use a friendly face once in a while." 

"Well I'm not going anywhere near that crazy chic. My kidneys still hurt from her, so you two have fun with that. Wear a helmet and some padding or something." Mike joins the conversation while putting his hair in a low ponytail with one of Julia's hair bands.

"I think she's been through a lot. She's so young. Just a kid." I remind him. "She should be getting ready for her high school prom and excited to go away to college or something. She didn't get to be a teenager, ya know?"

"Good point." Trevor agrees. We drop Mike off at his session and continue our walk through the Avalon.

"You know, you really should think of maybe applying for a job here, James. You could mentor a lot of struggling patients. 

"I can't even tie my own shoes, stutter when I'm tired and have seizures. I'm pretty sure I'm a liability no one wants on their shoulders." I chuckle. "Plus, I need someone with me at all times, can't hold a pencil well or write notes. I'm a lump on a log, sir."

"You're not a lump on a log, James. Not at all. You have so much to offer. I could even help you out. We could figure it out together. I'm kind of a waste of time here right now anyway. I am here for Julia but haven't earned her trust yet. I can't help her if she won't let me."

"She's trying." I defend Julia who really is NOT trying. Not at all. She hasn't talked to Dr. Tremont much or given him the time of day. 

"I know she's trying. A little. She'll come around. But anyway, I've told Julia she would be good as a caretaker here the way she helps people with their detox and that big caring heart of hers. And I'm telling you, you'd make a good therapist or mentor."

We end our conversation when we approach Cara's room. She still requires a guard outside her door which means she's still giving staff a hard time. A nurse comes out looking frazzled and shaking her head with Dr. Donovan right behind her.

"That girl is going to be the death of me." The old lady murmurs.

"What's going on?" Dr. Tremont asks Jeremy.

"She's giving us a hard time taking her medications. She's just frustrated with her detox and making sure everyone around her knows." Jeremy responds, holding a small clear cup with a few pills in it and an unopened bottle of water. "We'll have to try again later when she is calmer but she's on a strict time schedule with some of these doses."

"Um.. can I try? I mean, I can't unscrew that water and may drop the pills, but can I go in and talk to her. I came down to pay her a visit regardless." I hope I'm not overstepping here but Jeremy looks to Trevor who raises his eyebrows and shrugs his shoulders.

"Sure, Mr. Gallo. You can try. But you can't be alone in there with her."

"I can't be alone in there with ME. That's why Trevor is here to help me in case something medical happens."

"Oh, right. Sorry. I didn't forget...well. I did. You look like an average healthy male. I sometimes forget you have a few neurological issues." Jeremy hands Trevor the meds and water and then opens the door.

Cara is sitting up in her bed with her knees to her chest just like Julia does sometimes. But her head is tucked in so she can't see who is at the door.

"I said fuck off, Jeremy." 

"Hi to you too." I tease and Cara lifts her head. Her eyes are swollen from crying, and she looks much younger than her age right now. "I..um.. I could use some company and didn't need to go to the session this morning. I thought, maybe it would be ok if I could hang out here? With you? I just...." I pause now that I have Cara's attention. "I have to bring this guy with me because I can't be alone. You know, shit-seizures and all my issues. Is that ok?" 

I worded my invitation a specific way. I don't want Cara to think I feel bad or pity her. I don't. But I recognize when someone could use a friend. So I made it about me needing to get out of the apartment, and bringing Trevor because I can't be alone, not because she is dangerous, and no one can be in a room alone with her. That would just make her feel worse.

Cara slowly loosens her grip and lowers her legs so she is sitting upright. She's wearing the typical light blue Avalon sweatshirt and matching sweatpants that are way too big for her, but underneath I can tell she has the detox shakes like Mike.

"I'll just be over here if you need me. Jeremy gave me your medications as well." Trevor walks to the far end of the room and sits at Cara's desk to give us a little space. I pull a chair over closer to her bed to sit.

"Why the hell would you choose to hang out with me to get away?" The girl scoffs. "Look at me. I'm a mess."

God she sounds like Julia sometimes.

"You're detoxing. Like half of the other Avalon patients here. You're not a mess. You're getting healthy. That's a good thing." I know I need to choose every word carefully with Cara.

"I'd rather be high." She retorts and leans back on her bed so she is sitting against the wall.

"Ew, really?" I make a face. "Don't addict's like.... rot their teeth out and get zits everywhere from getting high?"

Cara rolls her eyes and laughs a little.

"I think they get wrinkles sooner than everyone else too. You wanna look like some weird raisin with no teeth and zits in ten years??" I continue and am well received with her laughs. I'm cheering her up.

********

*Trisha*

Every single change he gets, Hollan is banging on the Avalon door trying to explain himself to Julia. He's wasting so much time in the process and is now late for his practice with the band this morning. I try to be positive and say Julia will come around, but this is about Mila Giovanni. I don't know if she will. A lot went down when Mila was with Nate.

"Did you talk to your lawyer about the video?" I ask the status of something other than Julia while Evan drives us to the studio.

"He's looking through the contract and will see if he can find any loopholes to get me out of this bind but it doesn't sound promising. I'm going to have to film the video with Mila."

"Fuck, Nate. What are you going to do??"

"My hands are tied. I'm hoping the lawyer can find something before the production team gets things under way. God, I can't stand Richard."

"Well one good thing is this video isn't going to be all hot and steamy like the heartbreak hotel one was." I state.

"It's still about love. They'll find a way to push the envelope for ratings. What's worse is in one of her interviews, Mila said she is spending a full month in L.A. with her new baseball player boyfriend so will be local and ready to work. With the new guy on her side, Mila has learned to speak more English, and you can actually have a full conversation and for the most part, understand her. These things do not work to my advantage. Having a communication barrier hurt but also helped me in some ways. Now, she's more vocal and tells people what she wants. From the most recent interviews, she's telling em she still wants me...even though she is seeing someone! I'm sure Jules has seen them by now which doesn't help my case one bit."

"I don't know, Hollan. You're gonna have to figure this out. Things got messy last time. You went off the deep end." I give Nate a dirty look. "I'm sick of cleaning up your shit."

"You don't think I'm aware of this Trisha? I'm fucking trying to figure it out. You know I am."

 We pull into the lot and see Mila's entourage of SUVs. I bet Richard had another meeting with Mila behind Nate's back, that weasel.

Nate is in quite the predicament. I remember how Mila was towards him. A new boyfriend isn't going to stop her, that much I know. And Richard is going to make life hell too. I'm gonna have my work cut out for me.

 Keep Mila away from Nate, and Nate from murdering Richard.

******

*James*

"I can't believe you were the one to get Cara to take her medications." Jeremy is shocked when he hears Trevor praise me once out of Cara's room. I shrug and continue walking until the dick gets a page needing to leave and it's just Trevor and I again.

"I can honestly say I enjoyed my visit with Cara. The girl just needs some attention. Attention her brother doesn't have time to give her." I walk a fine line saying that but it's true. I'm not sure how much Trevor knows about Nate but he knows he's famous.

"I think that's why she is so open and willing to let her crackhead mother in to her life. Their mother is a mess and Nate and Cara don't have a dad. All they have is each other, and Cara doesn't even have that most of the time. She has no support system."

"I could kind of see that when she was talking to you. She opened up quickly to you. She likes your company, James." Trevor and I wait by the door for Mike's session to end.

"I wonder how many other young adults here feel the same way. They should have youth groups here for these teens. I think they'd benefit from being around other young adults their age. People they can relate with and talk to." I recommend.

"You know what? You're absolutely right. The Avalon focuses on celebrities, detox and specializes in individuals with mental illness. This place has general sessions but there really isn't nothing geared to the younger crowd." Trevor's wheels are turning and I can tell. "Maybe you and I can brainstorm more about this idea. I'd love to this this happen, James."

"Dr. Tremont. I'm not qualified in.... anything. I never got the chance to go to college. I barely got through high school. I worked at a fucking hotel. Sorry." I lower my voice with my language. "But I'm not trained for anything."

"Then I'll train you. For everything. James, I don't think you realize what a smart man you are. The way you talk to others, the ideas you have. With every thing you do you are thinking of the people around you and how to make their lives better. Don't think that goes unnoticed, Mr. Gallo. I notice it with Julia. I see it with Cara." Trevor's voice softens. "I even notice it with how you are with Jeremy. You keep cool even though..."

The man stops there. Julia has told him more than I thought aside from what he read online.

"You observe everything and everyone and want to see a change."

"I don't know. I have my own baggage and shit." I don't get into my problems with this guy. He doesn't need to hear about my father or my nightmares or any of that.

"I'm tell ya, man." Trevor puts a hand on my shoulder briefly. "Don't let this gift you have go to waste. I'm here with nothing to do. I can help."

*******

*Trisha*

"God he's so high maintenance." I look down at Nate's message while Evan drives us to grab lunch.

"What now?" The bodyguard asks.

"He wants a grilled chicken salad but no dressing." I start rattling off Nate's high maintenance text message. "No croutons, no cheese and the chicken has to be grilled with no added ingredients. No oil unless it' 100% pure first cold pressed olive oil. No salt or any added spices. Oh, and an unsweetened iced tea. Make sure they don't use Lipton's. I want Barry's for the brand of tea bag. With one half of a lemon and 3/4th ice. Two stevia packets on the side."

"My God." Evan laughs loudly. "Do you ever just want to pick the guy up a crispy chicken salad with bacon n ranch dressing from Wendy's and call it a day?"

"He'd fire my ass. Welcome to my world, Mr. Scolfield. The world where celebrities have all the money in the world so act fucking ridiculous. Go up to Gina's Deli on the right. They cater to assholes like Nate."

I watch Evan drive for a moment.

"I'll try to drive a little on the way home?" I add as a questionable idea I'm unsure I can follow through with.

"Only if you're comfortable. We can start by having you go through the Wendy's drive- thru cuz that crispy chicken salad is right up my alley for lunch." Evan gives me a little wink.

"Mine too. But with a Frosty. Not some organic fucking iced tea shit." I add.

"Marry me."

Evan teases like Nate does. He's really opening up to us all by being around everyone so much and I enjoy his company. At first, I thought he was going to be another Paul. Never letting his guard down for a second until you get him in private. I've seen the real Paul but only in the privacy of my own home when it's just the two of us. The way Paul took care of me during my pregnancy and after my miscarriage. I miss that Paul. I don't know where he went but his guard is up with me again. I'm not sure why.

"Oh God, he's texting me again." I roll my eyes when I get another notification from Hollan. "This motherfucker is going to be the death of me."

[You are NEVER going to guess who came into the studio.]

[Wait. Let me guess. Shawn Mendes] [Tswift?] I laugh. Nate has actually exceeded and well beyond both of those celebrities.

[No and No.]

[Ok...so who came into the studio?]

Nate starts typing but then the bubbles disappear and reappear a few times.

"What the hell is he doing. Spit it out." I shake my head at my phone.

[Macy]

"Holy shit..."