Page 125 of Fame & Rhythm

“Do you feel any better?” she asks.

I nod slightly. “Yeah. I’m sorry I worried everyone. I just… couldn’t hold it in anymore.”

She brushes my hair back gently. “I know you’ve made up your mind,” she says softly. “But you and Aston have something special. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. You may not believe it, but he does love you—”

“Mum, please… just stop.” I shake my head, my chest tightening again. “I need time. That’s all. And don’t worry about the band, we’ll be fine. I’ll swap spots with Ella, so I’m not next to him.”

“But Annie, you and Aston are a team. You play off each other. You support each other. Music might not feel the same without that.”

I know she’s right.

We are better together.

The band could suffer.

But I can’t let that matter. Not right now.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say quietly. “The band will be fine. I’ll lean on Caleb instead.”

As if on cue, Caleb, Dad, and Ella walk in.

“Lean on me for what?” Caleb asks.

Mum just shakes her head.

“For the band,” I say. “Ella, can we swap spots? I’ll stand on Caleb’s side, and you can stand next to Aston.”

Ella glances at Mum, then back at me. “Um… yeah, I guess.”

Caleb frowns. “Annie… are you actually going to be okay performing with Aston there? Or do you need time to sort your head out?”

“I don’t need to sort my head out,” I snap. “I’m fine! I just don’t want to stand next to him anymore. Is that such a big deal?”

“It’s a crime against music,” Ella mutters.

I exhale sharply. “Well, if my own family can’t support me, then maybe I should just leave the band altogether.”

Everyone goes still.

“Annie, what are you even saying?” Dad replies. “You’re jumping to conclusions.”

“Then why is this such a problem?” I shoot back. “It’s just a position change. Left instead of right. That’s it.”

“Because you’re not dealing with the actual issue,” Caleb says. “Why not just talk to Aston?”

“No.” I shake my head. “He caused this. This is on him.” Even as I say it, something twists inside me because I know that’s not entirely true. But I’m not ready to admit it.

Mum steps in before it can escalate further. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. For now, Ella will stand next to Aston. We’ll revisit this when Annie’s had time to think clearly.”

I nod.

“Okay,” Ella says quietly, though she looks like she might cry.

“If you don’t want to, Elle’s—”

“No, it’s fine,” she says, sitting on the edge of my bed. She exhales slowly. “I just hate seeing you like this. I hate that they still have this much control over you.” Her voice softens. “I wish I could take the pain away. I wish I could make you see what you’re throwing away.”

My throat tightens.