Page 82 of Fame & Chaos

This is actually happening.

“We’re on last, but the first band starts at seven.” I pause. “Indi, you okay?”

“Yeah,” she says softly. “This just feels weird.”

“Good weird?”

“More like… memory lane weird.”

I smile slightly. “The good kind or the bad kind?”

“The good kind, Caleb,” she admits quietly. “I miss hearing you sing. It’ll be nice seeing you perform for a real audience.”

“It’s gonna be amazing,” I tell her, and she giggles again, making my chest flutter stupidly.

God, I’ve missed that sound.

“I know you’ll be incredible,” she says. “You always were. Where’s the show?”

“At the concert hall in London. You know the one Mum used to take us past when we’d go into the city?”

“Yeah,” she says softly. “I remember. We really did have some good times together.”

“Yeah,” I murmur. “We did. Maybe we can make some new memories too.” She goes quiet instantly. “Sorry,” I say quickly. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just meant… I’d like having you around again. Even just as a friend.”

Lie.

“We’ll see,” she replies carefully. “I should go, but I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

I practically bounce on my toes. “Okay, great. And Indi?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for answering.”

She laughs softly again. “Thanks for thinking of me and inviting me to your concert tonight, Caleb. I’m genuinely honored.”

I scoff quietly. “Indi, you’re the reason this is even happening for me. I’m the one who should feel honored.”

Silence falls again.

“Indi?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks… for always making me feel better.”

“I’m glad I could help,” she says softly. “I really do have to go now, but thanks for calling. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay. I’ll come find you.”

“No worries. I’ll stay near the back, though. I don’t really like crowds anymore.”

The sadness in her voice twists something painfully inside my chest.

“Right,” I murmur. “I’ll see you in a few hours then.”

“Bye, Caleb.”