Page 5 of The Star in Room 7

Someone knocks on my door, and I practically jump out of my skin. This isn’t like me. I traveled halfway around the world, alone, to follow my dreams. Now I’m a trembling wreck in a stranger’s home, too afraid to close my eyes.

The knock repeats.

I force out a, “Come in.”

The door opens, and the man from last night, Phoenix, comes inside, smiling. “How are you feeling this morning?” His cool gaze slides over me, probably taking in my day-old stubble, my disheveled clothes, and the bags under my eyes.

“Fine,” I lie. “Thanks for letting me stay here last night. I’ll, uh, get out of your hair now.”

“You don’t have to. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

I sense a but, so I meet his gaze, waiting for him to continue.

“I’m not sure how much Aaron told you about Halo House.”

“Umm… He said it was a safe place for queer people who have nowhere else to go.”

“Yes, that’s correct. We refer to them as Angels.”

Now the name of the house makes sense.

“And, as I said last night, you’re very welcome here.”

“But I do have somewhere to go. I have an apartment that costs a bomb, actually, and…” I press my chin against my knees and pick at my jeans.

“Do you feel safe going back there?’ Phoenix asks gently.

Tears prick my eyes. “No,” I croak out. “But I have to.”

“Why?”

I blink. “Because you must need this room for someone who actually deserves it.”

“You do.”

“But, ‘nowhere else to go’ usually means homeless. I figured this was a place for queer kids who had been kicked out of home or something.”

“That’s one reason Angels end up here, yes, but that doesn’t mean you’re not welcome to stay. If you want to. It’s your choice, Zach, no one’s forcing you to stay, and I’m certainly not asking you to leave.” He sits elegantly in the armchair by the dresser, one leg draped over the other. “Why don’t you tell me a bit more about yourself?”

“Didn’t Officer Vale tell you?”

“I’d rather hear it from you. Could you tell me why you’re afraid to go home?”

“A woman broke into my apartment last night. She’s been sending me fan mail ever since my movie released. She was there when I arrived home and…” I stiffen. “It was terrifying finding someone in my home.”

“I can imagine. I’m so sorry.”

“The police have her in custody, so me not wanting to go home is totally irrational. There’s no reason I can’t go back to my apartment.”

“Except that you don’t feel safe there anymore?”

“No.”

“Perhaps staying here for a while will help you work through that fear.”

“How? Do you have therapists on tap, or something?”

Phoenix shakes his head. “No, not exactly. Let me explain what Halo House is. That will probably answer most of your questions.”