Page 134 of Fame & Rhythm

“Oh, there she is,” Mum says, and everyone follows her line of sight toward me. Aston’s eyes flare open, and he stands up abruptly, letting Amber’s hand fall from his leg. He swallows hard and looks right at me.

“Didn’t even know you were in here, Annie,” Caleb says, and I shrug.

“Wasn’t being very conspicuous,” I say. Aston shakes his head and turns to walk out of the room. Amber gets up and follows him, and I shudder, watching her chase after him like a lost groupie.

“You okay, Annie? You look pale?” Mum says, walking across to me.

“I’m fine, just want to go back to the hotel.”

“Okay, sweetheart, let’s go.”

“But what about Dad?” I ask, and then she looks over at Caleb.

“I’ll let him know,” he says, and Mum smiles at him.

“Thanks, Caleb.” Mum walks with me wrapped in her arms toward the door.

“Can I stay, Mum?” Ella asks.

“Sure, honey, just come back to the hotel with your father, okay?”

We walk out of the room and down the hallway.

“Talk to me, Annie. Are you really okay?” she asks, and I cuddle into her side tightly.

“I will be. It will take some time, is all. Doesn’t help when Amber Leopard Print Pants is all over Aston,” I say, and Mum chuckles.

“Sweetheart, I don’t think she was all over him, but it’s okay to be jealous. Just try not to let it upset you,” she says.

I nod even though I know that this is only the beginning of Aston and Amber Leopard Print Pants.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Annie

Six months have passed.

Six months since Aston, and I’m completely miserable.

Not even music lifts my spirits anymore. The colors are wrong, dull and lifeless, and the notes don’t float the way they used to. Instead, they fall flat, heavy and hollow, just like me.

Since the tour started, each day has felt worse than the last.

Aston and I don’t talk. We barely even look at each other. Well… I look at him. He just doesn’t seem to notice.

If this is what needed to happen, if us being apart was the right thing, then why does it feel so utterly wrong?

I don’t understand what’s happening to me.

Mum and Dad are worried. They don’t let me out of their sight anymore.

We played our final show of the tour last night in Sydney, then flew straight home at two in the morning. We landed in London mid-afternoon and came straight back here.

I know once the jet lag wears off, Mum’s taking me to see a psychiatrist and I’m not sure how I feel about that, but if there’s even a chance it might help, I’ll take it.

These days, my life is simple.

I get up.