Page 3 of The Star in Room 7

Officer Vale and his partner leave my bedroom.

“I’ve got everything we need. We’re done here.” His partner nods at me. “Have a nice night.”

Have a nice night! Is he serious?

He heads to the door, while Officer Vale stays put, eyebrows raised in a silent question—have I decided to take his offer, or stay?

I can’t stay here.

I stand, too quickly, the room spinning. “Umm, Officer Vale… That place you mentioned… I think I would like to go there. Just for tonight.”

“That’s a good choice, Zach. Do you want to pack a bag before we go?”

“Thanks.” I start toward the bedroom and then stop dead, my feet refusing to move any further. My heart hammers, my skin feels cold and clammy, and the room spins. What did she do to my bedroom? What did she do in there? “Actually, I… I don’t need anything.” I go back to hugging myself. I must look pathetic. I am pathetic.

Officer Vale gives me a sympathetic smile. “Are you sure? We can wait outside while you do, if it’s privacy you need?”

I don’t, but find myself nodding anyway.

“We’ll give you a few minutes.” He and his partner step outside, leaving the front door ajar.

I retreat to the sofa and drop onto it like a dumbbell. I shouldn’t be letting her get under my skin like this. But she has. Maybe all I need is a night or two away from here—enough time for her scent to fade to nothing. My stare falls on the square table, a napkin folded up under one of the legs to stop it from wobbling on the laminate flooring. The sight of the cold, congealing dinner on the plates makes my stomach turn. I stand, stride to the table, grab the plates, and throw them into the bin. Maybe I should have used the garbage disposal, but I still haven’t got used to having one.

I’m supposed to be packing a bag. I make it as far as the bedroom door. I even wrap my hand around the handle, but I can’t bring myself to open it. I can’t go in there. I return to the sofa instead and sit, tapping my fingers together.

Officer Vale comes back inside. “Are you ready?” He hesitates, glancing between me and the closed bedroom door. “Do you want me to throw a few things into a bag for you?”

I almost burst into tears, but manage to sniff them back. Officer Vale seems kind, and all, but the thought of having anyone else go through my things makes my skin crawl. Besides, I don’t want to touch any of it if she has. I shake my head.

“A lot of Halo House’s guests have to flee their current circumstances. There’s always things on hand for people who show up with nothing.”

But I don’t have nothing. I have drawers and a closet full of clothes. I’m just being pathetic.

“Come as you are,” Officer Vale says kindly. “It’ll be fine. You can borrow some clothes and things. Are you ready?” He gestures toward the front door.

“Yes.”

He squeezes my shoulder. “You’ll be safe at Halo House,” he promises. “Everyone will make you feel at home.”

“Thanks.”

I follow him out of the apartment, shoulders hunched, head down.

I’ve never ridden in a police car before. I never thought I would. As a kid, I dreamed of being able to go in a police car, with the sirens blazing. But not like this. Not under these circumstances. I sit in the back, my head tipped against the window, not paying much attention to what’s outside. We stop at the precinct and drop off Officer Vale’s partner. Is this normal? I realize this cop could be taking me anywhere, but something about him means I’m not afraid. Of him, at least. Maybe it’s because he’s giving off caring vibes, or because the tone of his voice helped calm my frantic heart. I trust him, possibly because he feels like the only thing that’s halfway safe in my life right now. God, I really am pathetic.

I gnaw on the skin around my thumbnail, finally taking in the outside world. We’re not in NoHo anymore. We’re on a… What do the Americans call them? Not a motorway. Oh, right, a freeway. I don’t drive. The sky is getting darker by the second, while the sun is staining the horizon red. At least it’s a different shade of red to the rose petals, more dark orange, really.

“Where is this place?” I ask.

Officer Vale glances into the rear-view mirror, allowing us to make contact for half a second. “Headland Cove. Phoenix’s place is near the beach.”

I like the ocean. I stupidly thought I’d see more of it when I moved to LA, but between working, commuting, and doing auditions, I don’t have time to head to the coast. Not being able to drive turned out to be a huge problem, too. I hadn’t realized how much I’d taken UK public transport for granted. I debated using my film fee to learn how to drive, but figured it was best to put most of it into savings in case money got tight.

“Are you allowed to do this?” I ask.

“Do what?”

“Play babysitter to me when you’re meant to be working.”