The Other Side - Chapter 6

"The Other Side - Chapter 5" 

Becky sat on the couch in front of the TV wearing pajamas and a pair of worn-out slippers. She shoved a brownie into her mouth, uncertain how many she had eaten at this point. Her nose felt much better after the night before, but a sick, swishy, miserable feeling in her stomach wouldn't go away. The brownies were probably not helping. She felt so confused and the restless sleep she had the night hadn't helped her figure things out. Her remedy for these kinds of situations was usually the comfort of chocolate.

Delany came over and sat next to her on the couch. Becky didn't lift her eyes from the television. "Becky, what in the world are you doing? You're moping. You never mope. What's going on?"

Becky sighed. “I don’t know…” For some reason, she didn’t want to confide to her cousin, and best friend, about sneaking over to see Jacob. It just seemed too cheesy. “I guess I’m just trying to figure out what to do with Jacob.”

Delany flopped on the couch and let out a long sigh. “Oh man, I know what I would do with him!” She waggled her eyebrows.

Becky showed no amusement. “That’s just the problem, Del. I’m not you and I’m not like every other girl. I don’t want to fall for Jacob Jones.” Why am I talking like it's inevitable?

Delany ignored Becky's comment and continued swooning. Becky munched thoughtfully on yet another brownie. Her guilt last night had taken her into Jacob’s room and now she realized she wouldn’t be able to back out. There was no kidding herself – Jacob Jones was one heck of a charmer. But he was still a celebrity. How could someone be friends with Jacob when his bodyguard was going to call every two minutes? What’s more, and what scared Becky that most, was that there was no saving him.

He’s asking the world of me and it’s just not mine to give.

Just then the phone rang. Becky, eager to get away from Delany's starry-eyed stare, ran to pick it up.

"Becky?" Jacob's voice rang clearly out through the speaker of the phone.

Becky bit her lip. "Oh, hi Jacob…" she said. She forgot she gave him her phone number.

"I was just calling to see if you wanted to have lunch later today…" He hesitated. "I mean, maybe we could talk or something— Of course, you don't have to or anything, it's just I thought maybe —"

"Well, I don't know…" Becky drifted off. She was hoping she would have time to form a plan of action. But she had no reason to say no, plus Delany was standing there listening to every word, and by the expression on her face, she wasn't about to let Becky back out of it. "Sure."

On the other end of the phone, Becky could hear Jacob breathe a sigh of relief, and she sensed him smiling.

"Is noon all right? I can come by and pick you up if you'd like…"

"Um… yeah, that would be great." Becky let the back of her head hit the wall as she leaned against it. "I'll see you then." She hung up the phone without waiting for a reply. Becky put her head in her hands. "I only have an hour to get ready," she said hopelessly.

-----

Chris watched in disbelief as Jacob dug through the closet of the hotel room, and then through the suitcase that lay on the floor. Finally, Jacob got up, put his hands on his hips, and looked around the room. Throwing his arms up in the air, he turned to Chris. "I have nothing to wear," he said.

Chris couldn't hold it in any longer; he let out a long hard laugh.

Jacob waited patiently as Chris regained his composure.

"You could always go with what your sporting right now," Chris said cheerfully.

Jacob scowled, fully aware that he was clad only in a pair of dark green boxers. "I don't think that would associate well with low profile."

"But it might get Becky to warm up to you," Chris said with a wink. He didn't give Jacob time to retort. "Come on Jake-y, look at yourself, you're freaking out. You have plenty to wear. You have your own designer for crying out loud."

"That's just the problem! I don't want designer clothes. I want something… normal."

Chris shook his head sympathetically. "Well, let's not think about that just yet. You have time, just relax." Chris let out a breath and leaned back in his seat. "Now, where are you and the little lady going for lunch?" he asked. Jacob looked at him and opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again. He got up and started banging his head against the opposite wall. Chris stared at him for a moment, put his head in his hands, massaged his face, and let out a deep, breathy sigh. "You don't know."

----

Becky tied her wavy hair back in a high ponytail. Delany approached her cousin and said, "I love Jim to death, but I am so jealous of you."

She giggled and smiled at Delany, "I think I'd rather have Jim. This Jacob guy is a little..." Becky twirled her finger near her ear.

"I know, I know, but..." Delany glanced over to Jim who was immaturely shooting rubber bands across the room, trying to get them into the fish bowl.

Becky's laughter was interrupted by a firm knock on the front door. She licked her lips and grabbed her purse. She glanced at herself in the body-length mirror attached to the closet door. Becky wore knee-length cutoff jeans and flowing brightly colored tunic shirt which she bought from an African vendor. She used a piece of twine to tie the shirt close to her body in a faux empire waist.

"You look nice."

Becky jumped at his words and focused her line of sight to see Jacob standing behind her in the mirror. He was wearing khaki pants and a navy blue t-shirt with a slight v-neck. It was so simple it was drool worthy. She twirled around with a bright smile. "Thanks! Are you ready?"

"Are you ready?"

She nodded and waved to everyone as Jacob escorted her out the door to a red Porsche, a different car than he had yesterday.

Becky lifted an eyebrow. "What happened to the Mercedes?"

"Major damage. Mud leaked through and the interior was a disaster. I had to pay for the cleaning. So, I got a new rental." Becky hid her smirk as Jacob opened the door for her and she ducked into the car.

Well someone seems nervous, Becky thought, finding that his babbling actually made her feel more relaxed. She watched him jog around the front of the vehicle to get to ther driver's side and tried to ignore the sudden extra thump her heart made in her chest. Somehow, even without a make-up crew, his brunette hair was still brushed expertly back from his face. His really was gorgeous.

Jacob started up the car and turned onto the road, heading toward town. Jacob took the leap to break the ice. "So... what brought you to Africa?"

"My parents mostly. They work for UNICEF and spent a lot of time abroad. This season it's Sierra Leone.” Becky smiled and shook her head. “Normally, I stay in the States with relatives but after finishing my first full year at college I felt like I needed the break from reality. Well, the American version of reality anyway."

"Man, what a life. Your parents must love their jobs."

"More than they love me, I think." Becky said with a laugh. "Do you mind if I roll down the window? It's such a gorgeous day."

"Not at all," Jacob replied, and snapped off the air conditioning as Becky let the wind gush into the car. The air filled the car with the smell of sand and salt.

Becky watched Jacob as he, too, rolled down his window. The air instantly messed the hairdo she had orignally admired. Becky felt her smile widen. Jacob took his eyes off the road just long enough to glance over at her. His eyebrows lifted.

"What?" He glanced over again, "Wait - are you laughing at me?"

"I'm ruining your hair."

"Shit!" Jacob exclaimed and put a hand on his head. "We have to go back to the hotel - I need my gel - "

Becky's eyes widened as Jacob's mouth pulled down into a frown. Before she could respond and tell him it wasn't that bad, he glanced over at her again, his eyes smiling.

Becky smirked and rolled her eyes. "Right. Actor." She watched him carefully, making sure he really had been kidding. "That was actually pretty good."

"You'll get used to it," he said with a shrug, and relaxed back into the lush leather of the car. "So where are we going?"

"I thought this lunch was your idea," Becky exclaimed.

"True, but you're the expert at Sulima - right?"

"I don't know, I'm not so sure I should let you off the hook..." She looked out the window at her surroundings. They were just entering the main part of town. "But, we are close to a fantastic place. Take a right here."

Becky continued to give him directions and finally pointed out a small restaurant amongst a whole line of shops. As Jacob parked and looked up at it, his face showed skepticism. It was a very plain place and the windows were small and hard to see into. The sign on the front was broken and tilted.

"Um... you sure this is the place?" he asked, and Becky took his arm eagerly.

"Don't judge a book by its cover, Mr. Kilmer," she said, a broad smile on her face. She grabbed his wrist and dragged him inside.

They were instantly assaulted by the smell of a spicy mixture of foods cooking in the back room. The restaurant, though the front windows were curtained, had thrown the back doors opening, filling the small dance floor with sun. The room was filled with color. Wonderful African music filled the place and two lines of mismatched tables filled what was left of the space. Most of the tables were taken for the lunch hour, though the majority of the people were up and dancing to the music.

"Wow. What is this place?" he asked.

"Let's just say they serve the meanest Kedjenou in all of Africa." Then she whisked him off to a table near the dance floor.

----

On Becky's recommendation, Jacob ordered the Kedjenou without even looking at the rest of the menu. He really hoped it wasn't monkey intestines or something crazy, though. He wasn't sure he would make a good impression with her if he pushed away his food like a snob.

Although I have a long way to go to work my way up to 'good impression.'

He watched Becky as she accepted a glass of water from the waitress with a kind smile. He was rather shocked when Becky had accepted his lunch request. He expected her to politely decline. Instead she was sitting in across from him, brown wavy hair up in a pony tail, and looking rather pretty. Jacob felt his curiosity about her rise.

“You said you're a sophomore in college, right? What school do you go to?”

“I'm studying psychology at Penn State - Harrisburg. That's where my family is originally from, so I'm not far from home. Del and Jim are there too – we all are staying in one apartment this year." Becky shook her head and grimaced. "I'm a little terrified. It’s going to be nuts."

"You guys are great together. You don't think you'll have fun?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Fun, yes, but - well you've already had a taste of Delany's..."

"...excitement?" Jacob finished for her. "I suppose that's true. So, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Hm, I've never been. Philadelphia is the closest I've ever gotten - you know, liberty bell and all."

Becky rolled her eyes. "I know it has history, but I wish Pennsylvania had a little more pizzazz."

Jacob took a sip of his water, looking at her closely. "I can see you in psychology. After all, you understood me pretty quick." He grinned and toyed with the edge of the off-white tablecloth. "If I led a normal life, I'd probably take some classes on photography. I'd want to work for National Geographic Magazine."

Becky just stared at Jacob, dumbfounded. "Are you serious?"

Without glancing at Becky, he nodded. "Yeah. I love wild animals, especially giraffes. They're awesome." He looked around the room, its vibrant colors reminding him of the desert.

"Last time I was in Kenya, we were filming a scene where I was in the fields and these giraffes just like... ran into the scene and ruined it. It was the most amazing thing I ever saw in my life." He caught Becky's eyes. "They can see for miles without having to go anywhere. They're so peaceful. I wish I had brought my camera. So many moments I couldn't capture. I missed it all."

Becky didn't respond at first, her eyes searching his. He watched the way she looked at him, seeming to decide whether he was being sincere or not. That was a reaction he was used to - people never knew if he were acting or not. Sometimes he didn't even know himself. But here? Now? No, this was him, and, even though he had never voiced it before, he really could see himself wandernig the wilderness with a camera somewhere. Maybe it was because it was the polar opposite of his life right now. And maybe that's why it fit.

As he looked at Becky, who was looking at him, he suddenly felt more like a normal person than he had felt in a long time. For a moment, just a moment, it was like he was Jacob Kilmer again. He was someone who could actually imagine a future different from the path he was currently on. It was liberating.

"You're so real," Becky said softly.

Jacob tilted his head, not sure if he heard her right. "What did you say?"

Becky shook her head, her cheeks flushing pink. "I... didn't really mean to say that aloud." She dropped her eyes to the table. "You're so real."

Jacob wasn't sure what to make of the tightening feeling in his chest. He watched her carefully as she swirled the straw in her glass. Even though the restaurant was busy and the music was loud, he felt like Becky and he were in an area alone.

"I mean - let's just say we all have our pre-set notions about celebrities," Becky looked up at him sheepishly. "But you're not what I ever would have expected. You're breaking down my stereotypes left and right. And that makes you... well, a lot more like a real person than I expected."

Jacob stared at her. "No one's ever said anything like that to me before," he said softly.

Becky reached out and touched his arm. "Not anymore."

Jacob barely had a chance to register her touch before she pulled it away. The waitress, whom he hadn't even noticed had arrived, set two massive plates of food in front of them. The Kedjenou was a purple concoction of chicken with eggplant, onions, peppers, ginger and so many other things he couldn't quite discern.

"Wow - this looks... good."

"Wait until you taste it," Becky said as she happily picked up her fork and dug in.

Deciding he wouldn't be outdone, Jacob followed suit. Even though he wasn't sure about all the ingredients, it had an amazing flavor. The eggplant in particular - whose slimy, purple-grayish look has always scared him off before - were surprisingly good.

"Well, Becky, you're already succeeding."

"At what?" She asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin. She looked down at her plate and then over at his. "Are we racing? Because if we are, then yes, I'm definitely winning."

Jacob laughed and then shook his head. "No, at showing me the other side. Because there is no way I would have selected this dish to eat on my own."

Becky's eyes seemed to jump to life. "But you like it?"

"It's awesome."

Her mouth broke open into a grin. "You're welcome!" She laughed as she took another bite. "And, I'm still going to win the race!"

Jacob laughed and continued eating, unintentionally picking up the pace a little. He didn't want her to completely beat him - that and it really was delicious.

Their water glasses were refilled and Becky asked him a little more about the show business scene and eventually their plates were cleared.

Jacob leaned back in his chair, placing his hands on his stomach. "Becky, that was truly a great meal. Although maybe we should have ordered the lunch size."

Becky laughed, leaning back in her chair as well. "That was the lunch size, Jake. Traditionally, their biggest meal of the day is lunch."

"But how do they move for the rest of the day?"

"Like this!" Becky jumped up from her chair and started pulling on his arm. "Come on - up, up, up!"

"What? What are you doing?" he asked, standing up.

"You can't come to this restaurant and not dance. It's simply not acceptable," she said and tugged him onto the dance floor. He smiled at her, but then listened to the African music.

"You know, I would love to, but I don't know how to dance to this," Jacob said and Becky tsked.

"You mean you spent time filming your movie here and you never bothered to learn some African dance?" She asked and he shook his head. Becky threw her hands up in mock exasperation and grabbed his wrists. "All right, just follow me," Becky said and Jacob soon had his eyes glued to the floor, desperately trying to keep up with the fast paced beat of the music.

The two laughed aloud at his attempts. He was used to being the hottest guy on in the room, but looking around, he was now only just the most awkward. By the time the song ended they were both breathing hard.

Becky threw her head back and laughed. Her chest heaved but she smiled slyly. "Up for another song?"

Jacob looked at her skeptically. "Are you sure? I think they're going to toss me to the curb."

Becky grabbed his wrists and shook her head. "Not with me here; I make you look good."

Jacob felt his eyebrows shoot up his forehead as she winked and then placed his hands on her waist, forcing him to move with the beat, even though he couldn't feel the rhythm at all. His hands felt warm on her slender waist. He had held the waist of hundreds of women that he knew less personally than Becky, but he still wasn't sure what to do with his hands on her body.

"Come on, Jones. You have some funk in there somewhere." Becky said with giggle as she moved quickly, crouching low to the floor and stamping her feet back and forth to the rhythm. It was everything Jacob could do to keep up.

After a few more songs and a break for dessert, Jacob finally found like he was getting the hang of it. Jacob watched the dance floor, and the much more coordinated Africans, as Becky took a moment to call home. Celebrity or not, they wanted to make sure she wasn't being abducted on her first date.

Jacob watched Becky out of the corner of his eye, overhearing her end of the conversation.

"Oh, yes. Jim, it was great," Becky bit her lip as she listened. That made sense, it was Jim that was concerned, not Delany. First date. That was an interesting thing to call this. He wasn't sure if it felt like a 'date' or not... did he want it to be a date?

"Well, you can't come to this place and not dance, you know that," she said, rolling her eyes as she spoke. She smoothed back her hair in her pony tail. Her skin was tanned and still flushed from the dancing, it glimmered slightly from the heat of the restaurant.

"He's a perfect gentleman." Becky said, her voice dropping lower. Jacob held back a smirk. She paused, listening, before her eyes widened with shock. "Jim!"

Becky blushed bright. "Jim, stop talking like that right now!" She paused. "Yes, he's here and we're leaving now," Becky replied, holding her hand over her eyes in embarassment. She stood up and grabbed her purse, ready to leave but with the cell phone still at her ear. Jacob stood up as well.

"No, I don't think I'll be back until later on this afternoon or early evening," she said and rolled her eyes. "What are you, my mother? Stop that, I mean it. I'm a big girl now." She impulsively stamped her foot. Jacob held back a chuckle.

Becky gave him an embarrassed smile and turned around so Jacob wouldn't see her blushing. "We're just going to go down to the harbor. It's a beautiful day... All right, Jim. Okay, bye."

Becky turned off the phone, stuffing it in her purse, and let out an angry growl. She turned back toward Jacob. "I told you, Jim and I are close."

Jacob nodded understandingly and took out his cell phone. "Now, could you hold on a second while I get permission to stay out a little later than planned?" Once the conversation was completed, Jacob gave her a wide smile and offered her his arm as they walked out to the car.

"Where are we off to now?" Jacob questioned. This was amazing. He never expected to have such a good time today. While there were awkward moments once in a while, for the most part they were really getting along.

"Well..." Becky started. "I was thinking we could go to the harbor, watch the fishing, talk..." She gave him an evil grin. "Maybe do a little shopping." Jacob glanced her way; one eyebrow rose at the tone of her voice, but turned the car in the proper direction.

"The Other Side - Chapter 7"