Mrs. White gets Starry Eyed Inside with Rochelle Allison (@roglows)

Did you ever have a crush on someone? Did you ever see someone from across the room and wish they were watching you the same way you were watching them? Did you ever go to a party, hoping that a certain person would be there, only to see them with someone else? Did your stomach ever twist and turn as you watched that person leave with someone else? Did you ever wish you were that someone else they left with? Oh gosh, look at me getting all nostalgic here.

Starry Eyed Inside by Rochelle Allison is the story of Bella and her teenage crush. During the summer before her freshman year of high school, 14 year old Bella happens to catch a glimpse of the most beautiful boy she’s ever seen. He’s from across town and the rival school, but that doesn’t keep them from bumping into each other every so often. Soon enough, Bella is infatuated with Edward Cullen, her stomach swirling each time he shows up at a party she’s attending, or a gathering where she and her friends are hanging out. Even though she’s excited to see him, he always seems preoccupied with another girl or a game of pool. He talks to her once or twice, but never anything serious, until one night…

*****
"So you like someone else," he said suddenly, his eyes opening.

I nodded, willing my hands to leave my sides so I could just touch him.

He brought his face really close. "Tell me who," he whispered, brushing his lips against mine.

I gasped a little. He secured his arms around my waist and kissed me, a brief touching of lips.

Don't just sit there. React!

I hesitantly brought my hands to his face. He paused, searching my eyes, and went in for another kiss, parting my lips with his. I could feel his warm breath inside my mouth, and then his tongue grazing mine.

Still I shivered, and still he held me tighter, his body pressed against mine so close. He angled his face so that he could take it deeper, his thumb swishing back and forth against the small of my back.

My mind was racing so fast, traveling at the speed of light, blissfully empty of everything that wasn't him kissing me.

His lips were so soft and warm, and he tasted good, sweet and smoky. His tongue filled my mouth and I tightened up deep inside, my body wanting him in ways my brain wasn't even aware of just yet.

He broke away first. My eyes slowly drifted open and I gazed at him.

My cell phone vibrated in my pocket.

Crap. Half hour till curfew.

"I …have to go soon," I said.

Edward nodded, gazing sleepily at me as he pressed one last little kiss against my lips. He turned to face away but didn't move, and I was thankful for his warm body pressed so pleasantly into mine.

Funny. I hadn't even noticed the stars. They were brilliant tonight.

*****

Thus begins Bella’s first love and the trials she and Edward face as they attempt to be together. Edward has some normal teenage rebellion issues, and soon enough, he’s run out of chances with his parents. Bella’s world falls apart when the boy she loves is sent away to military school for two long years. Things go from bad to worse when suddenly Edward cuts off all contact. A heartbroken Bella mopes and stumbles through her days until finally she meets a sweet, responsible, loving boy named Garrett. In Edward’s absence, Bella learns about love, kindness, and devotion, only to have her world turned upside down once again…

*****
"Ah, I love this song!" I gasped, turning up the volume.

Garrett smiled at me sideways, shaking his head as I started to sing.

It was an obnoxiously peppy tune, the sort of garbage that Alice and I would sing secretly in her bedroom. Come to think of it, we had done that, thousands of times.

I was still singing when we hit US-1, lost in my own little pop-star universe.

Garrett hit a red light and stopped, drumming his fingers impatiently on the wheel.

A car pulled up in the next lane and I peeked surreptitiously to see if they were watching me make a fool of myself as I sang. I was always paranoid about other drivers watching me. They never were.

Unfortunately, that car's windows were up, and tinted, so I couldn't tell. It was a really nice car, though, a Camaro. One of the brand new ones, a gorgeous, gun-metal-grey. It reminded me of rain, of stormy days.

As soon as I thought it, rain drops began to speckle the windshield.

I glanced up at the light, wondering what was taking so long. Garrett's phone rang, and he turned the radio down to answer it.

Sighing inwardly I glanced back at the Camaro, noticing the driver had rolled his window down.

He was looking at me.

My heart stopped.

Edward.

*****

Will Bella be able to resist Edward? Will she want to? Will he even be interested in her anymore? And seriously, what happened to Edward while he was in military school?

I love this story. I mean, I LOVE this story. It’s my one “drop everything and rush to the computer when it updates” story. My kids now refer to it as the “story that means we’re making our own dinner tonight” story. It’s true…I can’t be bothered to do anything else when it updates. The way Rochelle Allison writes the story is so amazing. I feel as though I’m living the experiences along with Bella. The way she writes the emotions takes me straight back to my own teenage years and I’m instantly transported to parties and dances that my friends and I went to…watching the boys we longed for from across a crowded room. Hmmmmm…it’s so unbelievably beautiful. Rochelle Allison has created strong, honest characters and put them in realistic situations that any teenagers might find themselves in. This story is exquisite and a true work of art…and I could not love it more. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.

Now that I’m feeling all lovey and sweet, I think I’ll go stir up something good and angsty for next time… I’ve got something in mind, but until then, go get yourself a little starry eyed…you won’t be sorry.



Mrs. White: Hey Rochelle Allison! Thanks for coming to hang out with me today.

Rochelle Allison: Hi Mrs. White! No problem. How’s it going?

MW: It's good, and it'll be a whole lot better in about 17 minutes. You'll see why...

RA: Oh, okay... I'm intrigued.

MW: Yeah, it's worth the wait. Trust me. So, how did you get started in fan fic?

RA: For writing, The Age of Edward contest 2009. For reading, around Nov 2008; I’d read and re-read the Twilight books and wanted more.

MW: Hmmmmm, Age of Edward contest...seems a lot of good Edward's have come out of that... **hee-hee**

RA: They most certainly have... **sigh**

MW: Hey, have you ever sang karaoke?

RA: Nope. Yeah, no one needs to hear me sing, not even as a joke...lol

MW: Oh, too bad. There's a cool place a few blocks down. A lot of the things we're here to watch like to gather there...you might change your mind once you see them.

RA: Well, I guess there's a first time for everything. I don't mind watching, but singing? No.

MW: Oh, alright then. So, what's the first story you read?

RA: I think a couple of Jenwordsong’s stories; “Mine” and “Yours”. Yeah, I was definitely looking for missing BD moments...those stories did a fantastic job of providing them

MW: Ohhhhh, I haven't read those ones. They sound fun, though. I'm guessing they don't fade to black?

RA: No, they don't. And they're beautifully written.

MW: Hmmmm, that's always nice. **glances at watch** Only 14 more minutes. Do you ever use people from real life in your stories?

RA: Sometimes I base my characters on people I have known or do know, yes. Depends on the story. And I’m not saying who.

MW: Such a tease, you are. **winks at Rochelle Allison** So what's your favorite fan fic story?

RA: Can’t choose one. If I had to narrow it down, it would include “With Teeth”, “The Blessing and The Curse”, “Tropic of Virgo”, “Hydraulic Level 5” and “Wide Awake”. These are the stories I think about, that I re-read, and that I affected me on a gut-level while reading. I have a lot of other stories that are super close to my heart though.

MW: Ohhhh, Tropic of Virgo... I love that story. And I got to hang out with Gondolier from HL5 last year. She's awesome. OH! And Angstgoddess from WA. Good times...

RA: Oh, cool. I haven't met any of them, but I have met a couple of other awesome writer girls, as well as fandom friends. It's awesome to meet the people behind the names

MW: Yeah, it's fun, I've been able to get smutty, I mean hang out with so many totally hot authors. Speaking of hot, if you could make smexy times with any character from one of your stories, who would it be?

RA: Edward from Volition. Because he’s a rebel. And he’s hot.

MW: Yeah, my friend BittenBee raved on and on to me about that Edward of yours. I need to get acquainted with him... Hmmmm, 12 minutes. Hmmmm. So, how did you come up with the ideas for your stories?

RA: Different things: songs, memories, things I see day to day. Sometimes word prompts.

MW: Yeah, I seem to like the things that word prompts inspire for you. :)

RA: Well, word prompts are really just for the fictionista workshop exercise. Although some of those stories I have posted on their own, like Sessions, Oceanic and Curtains. I mean, I don't think anyone really knows where inspiration comes from. It just appears.

MW: Yeah, I was talking about Sessions. I never knew hand holding could be so hot...

RA: It so is. Going for the gold is over rated. It's the getting there that sizzles.

MW: Ugh...you're so right. Hey, have you ever been skiing? Like water or snow skiing?

RA: No. But I’ve been jet skiing. A lot. I grew up in the islands, even though I have spent time in cold weather. So, that obviously rules out snow skiing. And water skiing just wasn’t that popular, tbh.

MW: Cool, that sounds fun. I mean, I live in a place where we could do all of those and yet I'm too chicken to do them. Though if there were cute guys...I could be persuaded. **checks watch again** So, who is your favorite character to write?

RA: Bella.

MW: Why is that?

RA: She's the easiest to channel. She can be every girl. I suppose I could do that with the other female characters, but I have always felt the most connection to Bella, I guess from reading canon twilight and being "in" her head.

MW: Oh yeah...so true. I just want to BE her. I mean, she gets Edward, and that's kinda awesome. So, like I even need to ask, but who is your celebrity crush?

RA: Besides Rob, I like Hayden Christensen, Paul Walker, Wentworth Miller, Keanu Reeves. Yep, that about sums it up. I'm a sucker for a pretty face. I've really been in to Garrett Hedlund lately as well.

MW: Hmmmm, I don't know him. I do know the others...so yummy. And Paul Walker is my age. I don't even have to go all cougar on him. :D

RA: Yeah, Paul is delicious. My cousin, who is gorgeous, met him in Costa Rica one New Years. I was so jealous.

MW: Ugh...that's so not fair! His eyes are incredible...hmmmmm. So, how did you get your beta?

RA: I met Nic when we used hang at the Black & White thread over on Twilighted way back in the day. When I finally got the guts to write my first oneshot, she offered to beta and I told her she’d be beta-ing all my stuff, thanks. ;)

MW: She is kinda awesome, I love her.

RA: She's really great. perfectly sweet, but never fake. Honest and real. I love her. I can't wait to meet her in RL... We so would've been friends in high school.

MW: Oh, that is nice. Hey, speaking of high school, we have 7 more minutes... I'm so excited!! It's like waiting for Christmas morning!!

RA: I guess! **laughs** You seem super excited... What is it we're waiting for?

MW: You'll see, you'll see. Though I kinda thought you'd have figured it out by now, what with writing about it in Starry Eyed Inside. But don't worry, you'll know soon enough. And it'll be beautiful... Oh, what's your favorite cookie?

RA: Toss up between the Neiman Marcus cookies and the Nutella cookies. I actually make cookies all the time, so it's funny you asked that. I love them. ;)

MW: I love cookies too. Paradise Bakery makes these ones...but they never have my favorite two at the same time! It's horrible!

RA: Aw, never heard of them. Yum.

MW: Just once I'd like to have a Ginger Molasses AND a Lemon Zester on the same day. Is that too much to ask?

RA: Mmmmm. That sounds amazing and no, it's not too much to ask. My fave place does that, they switch out flavors all the time...

MW: Yeah, it's so wrong. I mean, they have like 529 different kinds of Chocolate Chips ones. Take out one of those! **sniffle** Okay, now that I'm all riled up, how does it make you feel when people gush over you and your stories?

RA: It feels great. I love writing, and I love that people enjoy what I write. I’m forever gushing over stories and certain authors too, so, it goes both ways. I mean yeah, it feels good, especially when you're really feeling something you wrote, and then other people can relate on some level.

MW: Yeah, I get that. Gotta say, it's been fun watching people freak out over you and your stories on twitter. I love that.

RA: Ha, thanks. :)

MW: Sure, no problem. Hey, if you could move anywhere, where would you go?

RA: Back to St. Croix, where we’re from, or NYC. Actually, I should add CA to the mix, like the San Diego area. I have a lot of friends down there and I adore CA in general.

MW: Oh yeah, Cali is fun. I live REAL close to that...though they think we're crazy here, they might not let me in. :D So, which Twilight book is your favorite, and what did you think about Breaking Dawn?

RA: Twilight is my favorite; it’s what made me fall in love and feel all those crush-type feelings. Breaking Dawn is my least favorite, mainly because it’s so all over the place and bizarre, but I don’t hate it. I’ll be seeing the movie(s), mainly for a certain few scenes…

MW: Yeah, I think the theaters would be smart to have paramedics and ambulances on stand by when those movies come out... There will be swooning women everywhere!

RA: Oh, I know. I can't wait! **haha**

MW: Me either. Just the couple of pictures that have been released so far... Holy hannah...

RA: Yes, they've been very smart in which shots they've released and 'let' leak...

MW: Yeah, I'm happy. **looks at watch, again** Three more minutes. Ohhhh, you're gonna love this! Okay, so do you listen to music when you write, or does it inspire you in any way?

RA: No. I like music too much, and I find it distracts me while I’m writing. I prefer silence. Sometimes songs inspire scenes or moods though.

MW: I'd have to agree with that. Huh, look at all the middle aged women that have started to gather in this park. Interesting...

RA: It, uh, really is...

MW: Yeah... So, if you could give one piece of advice to a new author, what would it be?

RA: It’s always scaring posting, especially for the first time. Just do it. Get a beta, make your story/oneshot the best it can be, and post. One more thing: be yourself, not what’s popular in the fandom (style & substance wise).

MW: That's good advice right there. Oh I wanted to ask you, if you were a Disney Princess, which one would you be?

RA: I guess Belle, because she likes to read. I can’t sing though, haha.

MW: Ahhhh yes, the karaoke thing. Only two minutes to go. I should touch up my lipstick a bit. So, what's your favorite part about fan fic and the Twilight fandom?

RA: The sense of community. How supportive and positive people can be, whether it’s a kind review, cheering you up on Twitter, participating in the Fandom Gives Back, or engaging in some of the forums and communities we have.

MW: That's so true. Twitter really can be fun, and all the charity things...so uplifting and nice. Hey, if you were gonna be in a beauty pageant, what would your talent be?

RA: Tomfoolery.

MW: I'd watch that. **takes a deep breath** Okay, it's the moment we've been waiting for. In a second you're gonna hear bells ringing and then those doors will burst open and...oh the pretty you'll see... You might want to think of your favorite almost curse word, just incase you need something to yell. I usually do.

RA: ok…

MW: **bells ring in the distance and suddenly doors open as hundreds of teenage boys race out of the military school across the street** See what I mean??? Oh good gravy...

RA: HOLY CRAP!

MW: I know, right!!! This is like the prettiest thing ever... Well, after RPattz anyway.

RA: Gotta love boys in uniform...

MW: So yummy... I could watch this all day. It's almost heavenly sitting here... Hey, if Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

RA: I know it exists. “Well done, good and faithful servant”.

MW: I do love a girl that’s so sure of things… It’s hot. So, now do you see why I wanted to come here? You're rethinking that whole karaoke thing now, aren't you? Trying to come up with a song that will woo all the cute boys that hang out at that place?

RA: Sure. Ha, maybe.

MW: We could get Cherry Cokes and serenade them... Come on, let’s hurry and get there so we can get a seat up front. We want to be the first thing they see when they look out at the audience. 

RA: Or maybe you could get up there and sing. I'll probably be too starry eyed inside to do much more than stare and smile like an idiot.