Page 18 of Fame & Rhythm

Aston drops into the seat beside me, and I smirk as he winks.

“Okay, kids, come and get it,” Dad calls.

I scoff, folding my arms. “How many times do I have to say it? I’m not a kid.”

Ella and Aston laugh.

I glare at them, and they immediately stop.

“Annie, don’t start,” Dad says evenly. “Lose the attitude and get your breakfast, or you can go without.”

My stomach growls again as he plates up bacon and sausages.

“Dammit,” I mutter, pushing to my feet and following the others to the counter.

There’s chatter around me, but I barely hear any of it while I eat. By the time we’re done, I’m completely stuffed, thanks to the extra crispy bacon Aston ‘didn’t want.’

Apparently, he’s protecting his abs.

Lucky for me, I don’t have that problem.

And honestly? Bacon makes everything better.

The food helps, though. I’m still tired and a little grumpy, but at least I’m human again and ready to face school after the weekend.

We head toward the study just as the gate buzzer sounds. Mum moves to let whoever it is in, so I keep walking with Aston and Ella into the room we use for lessons.

Dad left a few minutes ago. Something about meeting Rob—12GAUGE-Slayed’s agent—to talk about another tour.

Which sucks.

Even though we clash, I hate it when he’s gone for weeks at a time. Mum does too, even if she doesn’t always say it.

Maybe one day, when Staked makes it, we’ll go with him. Open for them. Tour together.

That would be… perfect.

Mum finds it hard when he’s away. As the PR Manager for 12GAUGE-Slayed, she’s constantly working, even from home, while still keeping an eye on Ella and me. But she handles it. She always does. The band is just as popular now as it’s ever been, even after all these years.

I drop into my seat behind my desk.

Dad wanted this room set up like a proper classroom, so we’ve got three desks lined up in a row facing Susan’s larger desk, with an Interactive SMART Board behind her. Bookshelves cover the walls, mostly filled with music books, but there’s enough actual school stuff to make it feel legit.

Susan’s been teaching us for as long as I can remember. Pretty sure Dad had us ‘learning’ before we could even walk.

Okay, maybe not that early—but close.

Honestly, I don’t mind. I get to spend every day with my sister and my best friend.

Life could be worse.

Well… except for maths and science. Nothing could make those subjects better.

I open my laptop, sitting in my usual spot—Aston on my left, Ella on my right—just as Susan walks in with her oversized bag.

“Morning, guys,” she says in her soft, high-pitched voice.

“Hi, Susan,” we all reply at once, then laugh.