Page 11 of Fame & Rhythm

I glance back down the stairs, smile, and then keep going toward my room.

“What an awesome night, hey?” I say as Ella reaches her door.

“Sure was. Night, sis.”

“Night, Elle’s Bells.”

She rolls her eyes at the nickname, and I grin as I step into my room and close the door behind me.

Finally.

My room is the one place where I don’t have to think about how I’m acting or what anyone else expects from me. In here, I can just be. It’s where I let myself think about the things I try not to think about in front of other people, because if I do, I might crack, and I hate that.

I don’t want people seeing the messier parts of me, if I can help it.

I walk over to my dresser, pull out my extra-long 12GAUGE-Slayed T-shirt, and toss it onto the bed. I take my hair out of its ponytail and run my fingers through it, fluffing it out before I strip off my clothes and throw them toward the edge of the bed.

They miss and land on the floor.

So do yesterday’s.

I leave them there because future Annie can deal with it.

I pull the shirt over my head just as there’s a knock at the door.

“Yeah?”

“It’s me, honey. Can I come in?”

Mum.

“Yeah, come in.”

I climb onto my bed and sit back against the pillows as the door opens. Mum steps inside and closes it behind her. “You ready for bed?” she asks.

I nod and slide under the crisp purple sheets.

“Good. You’re up far too late, but I suppose that comes with being a rock star,” she says, sitting beside me.

I laugh. “I’m not a rock star yet, Mum.”

She smiles and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “No, but you will be. And I’ll be there every step of the way.”

The words make me think straight back to earlier, to them not being there the first time.

“I know,” I say quietly.

She frowns. “I’m sorry about today, Annie. I promise we’ll make it up to you.”

“It’s okay. You already did by letting me play again after I came back.”

She takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Did you mean what you said today?”

There’s so much hurt in her eyes that it makes my chest ache.

I shake my head and move a little closer. “No, Mum. I didn’t mean any of it. I was angry, and I lashed out. I’m sorry about what I said, because I couldn’t ask for a better Mum. It just really hurt, knowing you and Dad weren’t there when I was playing for you.”

“I know,” she says softly. “And trust me, you have no idea how sorry I am. We let you down. But it won’t happen again, Annie. I promise.” She leans in and kisses my forehead.