Page 33 of Forbidden Heart

“Y-You did?” I ask hesitantly.

“Of course we did.” JJ shoots me a flirtatious wink, one that makes my cheeks flush. “I’m going to text him the good news.”

“The thing you need to understand about Silas,” Charles adds just as I’m about to protest, “is that he hasn’t been able to write a single song since the school year started.”

“But I heard him practicing,” I protest. I don’t think I could ever forget the very first time I saw Silas, sitting at the piano, and pouring his heart out into that one song.

My heart runs deep

Like the bottom of the sea

You touch my soul

Each time you run to me

I’ll be your king

You’ll be my slave

I’ll be your death

You’ll be my grave

“Please, stop,” JJ moans, and I realize I was humming Silas’s song and singing the words under my breath.

“I’m sorry, I—”

“It wasn’t you, Roonie,” JJ adds quickly. “It’s just that he’s been singing that same chorus over and over again all semester. It’s been driving us all insane.”

Charles nods in agreement.

“Which is why it’ll be such a relief when we have our new song,” JJ adds. “Do you think you’ll be done by next weekend?”

“Next weekend?” I whisper, hardly daring to breathe.

JJ nods. “You don’t know how much we’ve been dying to start rehearsals. It’s not just Silas singing that song. It’s the competition coming up and our new vocal coach. It’ll be such a relief to finally have a song.”

“Oh... right... of course.” I nod.

“Great!” JJ beams. “I can’t wait to hear it. I know it’s going to be amazing!”

A wave of panic courses through me. I can’t write an entire song in under a week. I—

The panic must show on my face, because Charles quickly adds, “If it’s anything like your other songs, we’re going to love it!”

Which would help if I had a song—or even part of a song—or even a chorus like Silas.

I’m still panicking when Charles gets to his feet and picks up our empty dishes—or in my case, half-empty, because I completely lost my appetite. “I need to go to the watch repair shop at the mall. Does anyone want to come along for the ride?”

“People still wear watches?” My words leave my lips before I’ve had a chance to think about them.

JJ snorts. Charles frowns.

“This isn’t just a watch,” he says, holding up his wrist. “It’s an expertly-crafted timepiece. An art form. A reflection of style.”

“Right. Of course.” My cheeks flush, and I look away. Why did I have to open my big mouth? Now Charles probably won’t want me to come to the mall.

“I’m in,” JJ says, and my heart sinks. Great, now they’re both going to go, while I’ll be the sad princess, locked up in the castle tower, all but forgotten.