Page 221 of Fame & Rhythm

They move closer.

Too close.

Cameras flashing.

Questions flying.

“Shit! C’mon, Annie,” Aston mutters, tightening his grip on me as he starts moving us back toward the car.

“You better get your facts straight, or we’ll sue every one of you,” Dad calls over his shoulder as he follows.

I glance back.

Loretta isn’t with us.

She’s still standing there.

Talking.

To the cameraman.

And something inside me snaps.

Finally, I feel something.

Not numbness.

Not confusion.

Anger.

Hurt.

Resentment.

But more than anything…

I feel used.

Maybe Ella was right. Maybe this was never about me. Maybe this was about what she could get. And I hate that thought more than anything.

We reach the car just as one of the photographers catches up and snaps photos nonstop.

“Annie, sweetheart, get in,” Mum urges, throwing the door open.

I climb in quickly, Aston right behind me, followed by Ella as Mum slams the door shut.

I press into Aston, and he shields my face as flashes go off through the window.

The tears come anyway.

“Oh, baby… don’t cry,” Aston murmurs, rubbing my arm. “She’s not worth it. None of this is.”

Mum and Dad are yelling outside, but I can’t focus on what they’re saying.

“Jesus, this is insane,” Ella mutters under her breath.

My heart starts racing.