Page 64 of Fame & Rhythm

Me: Sorry about Dad, I’m so embarrassed! A2 xxxx

I hit send.

Aston: Don’t be, he was just angry. He’s scary when he’s angry. A1 xo

I laugh and nod before hitting reply.

Me: He’s not scary, just a big grumpy old fart. Harmless really. R u still here? xxxx

Aston: No, just left. Ur dad said that they’d better take me home before I corrupt u or something. Mum said that Colt was being a dick, and he got all huffy. So sorry if he’s even angrier at u now. I told Mum to let it go, and ur mum was really good about it, but yeah, we left so it wouldn’t keep the arguing going. Dad just gave me a high five. lol A1 xo

I giggle and shake my head. Of course, his dad, Johnny, would high-five him. I hope his mum, Anna, is okay. I know her and Dad can butt heads sometimes over us. Anna is more… let us do what we want. Whereas Dad… is all rules, rules, rules.

Maybe we need to learn for ourselves once in a while? I hit reply.

Me: Sounds like I missed out, r u still coming over tmro? xxxx

Aston: Yep, of course. Apparently, there’s no school. We’re rehearsing all day for some reason. Not that I mind. I’ll be there at ten. Try and stop me :) A1 xo

I smile and wipe the last of the wetness from my cheeks before hitting reply.

Me: Okay, looking forward to seeing u. Guess I’ll try to get some sleep. Have a good night. A2 xxxx

I hit send and roll over, plugging my phone into the charger.

Aston: Night, Lennox, sleep well. I know I will. Might be dreaming of someone, but shhh, don’t tell anyone ;) A1 xo

I smile, biting my bottom lip as I walk over and pick up my 12GAUGE-Slayed T-shirt, pulling it on before climbing into bed.

***

The music plays like a symphony in my mind, notes flowing together in perfect harmony, building into something new. The rhythm is slow but steady, each beat pulsing in time with my heart. There are no words, only melody, and it feels… right like this could be something real. Something big.

An image of the willow tree drifts through my subconscious, slipping into the music without warning. I frown, even in the dream, unsure why it’s there. But it fades just as quickly, replaced by a swell of strings that lifts the entire piece, giving it a richer, fuller tone.

The song begins to wind down, the final notes stretching out as I try to hold onto them, willing it to repeat. But the sound fades, the world around me dissolving into black…

I wake with a start.

My room is still dark. I glance at the clock on my bedside table, three forty-seven a.m. I push myself up, switching on the lamp before pulling open the drawer and grabbing my notebook. Pen in hand, I start scribbling down everything I can remember, the rhythm, the harmony, the melody, the strings… all of it. Maybe later today, I’ll take Aston back to the willow tree, see if we can piece it together.

And maybe, just maybe… we will share another kiss.

The room slips back into darkness, and not long after, I wake again from the same dream, like it’s stuck on repeat. This time, I feel blissfully happy.

I don’t usually wake on my own. Mum always has to drag me out of bed, but today I feel refreshed and energized. It’s probably the dream… or maybe the realization that I actually like Aston.

And that kiss.

Oh my God. I never knew kissing could feel like that.

I stretch and yawn, sitting up and glancing at the time. Nearly nine a.m.—when I’m supposed to get up anyway. So I climb out of bed with a newfound spring in my step and head for the bathroom.

After getting dressed in tight leather pants and a black tank ripped across the shoulders and stomach, very rock and roll, I head downstairs. I’m sure Dad will hate it. And that thought makes me grin. Nothing’s breaking this mood.

The smell of coffee and bacon hits me as I walk into the kitchen, and it only makes everything better.

“Morning,” I chirp to Mum and Dad at the stove.