Page 162 of Fame & Rhythm

That’s me.

That’s what I’ve become.

“Go, Annie,” he snaps suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence. “Before I say something I might regret.”

I flinch, then slowly push myself to my feet. “I’m sorry, Dad,” I say again, my voice barely steady. “I never meant for this to happen.”

“You never do,” he replies, his tone still sharp. “That’s the problem. Now go to your room. Don’t come out until I tell you to.”

I glance at Ella. She’s watching me, quiet, unsure.

Mum gives me a small nod toward the stairs.

I turn and leave, the silence behind me heavier than the shouting was.

My breathing is uneven, my heart racing as I take the stairs two at a time. I need to get away. To be somewhere I can fall apart without an audience.

I reach my room and shove the door closed behind me, the sound echoing louder than I intend.

Not because I am angry at him.

Because I am furious with myself.

The tears come instantly, hard and unstoppable, as I collapse onto the bed. I clutch the pillow to my chest, holding onto it as if it might somehow keep me together.

I wish it were Aston.

I wish he were here, telling me this would be okay.

But it’s not going to be okay.

Dad’s angry. The damage is done. And Aston…

I don’t even want to imagine what he thinks of me now.

He’s the one person I want to talk to, and I don’t even have a phone to reach him.

A broken laugh escapes through the tears.

Of course.

I bury my face into the pillow, sobbing until my chest aches, until there’s nothing left but the hollow aftermath.

The world has seen me at my worst.

And there’s no taking that back.

Chapter Thirty

Annie

I stayed in my room from the moment I got there until Dad came to get me this morning.

I didn’t even leave to use the bathroom.

I didn’t want to do anything else to set him off.

He had every right to be angry.