Page 29 of Fame & Rhythm

A drip.

The only reason I know what it is is because I had one when I was in the hospital getting my tonsils out.

A horrible thought hits me.

Am I in the hospital?

I glance around the room and realize that, yes, I am very much in a hospital room, completely alone, and I feel absolutely dreadful. I start to push myself upright, but before I can get very far, Caleb walks in with a ridiculously attractive nurse. I know I’ve seen her before, though I can’t quite place where. She’s short, with shoulder-length wavy blonde hair, and there’s something almost pixie-like about her.

“Oh, good, you’re awake,” Caleb says, coming over while shaking his head. “What the hell were you thinking, Annie? Your dad is going to kill me for this.”

The pretty pixie moves to the IV stand and adjusts the drip rate.

“I think Dad’s more likely to kill me than you,” I mutter, though even speaking makes my head throb harder. I wince and lift my hand to support it again.

“Indi, is she going to be okay?” Caleb asks, and the name stirs something in my memory. She must be one of his old friends.

“She’ll be fine, but she’s going to have one hell of a hangover by the looks of it.” Indi gives me a sympathetic smile. “I’m giving you fluids to help rehydrate you, so hopefully that’ll help, but it’s not going to fix everything, sweetie. I’m sorry.”

She pauses, her expression turning more serious. “I really should call your parents, but Caleb has assured me he’ll be speaking to Colt and Dee as soon as you get home. I’ve already spoken with hospital administration, and they’re willing to release you into Caleb’s care this time. If this ever happens again, Annie, I’m sure they won’t be nearly so lenient.”

“Thank you,” I mumble. “I know one thing for certain…. I am never doing this again. Alcohol is evil.”

Caleb exhales sharply and fixes me with a look. “Annie, where the hell did you even get the alcohol?”

I bite my bottom lip and try to remember, but everything has blurred together in one awful, embarrassing haze. “I think… I was stealing drinks from people when they weren’t looking,” I admit, sinking back against the pillows.

“Why?”

I shrug, though even that feels like too much effort. “I felt uncomfortable and wanted to escape.”

Indi gives a subtle shake of her head, and both Caleb and I catch it.

“Indica—”

“Don’t call me that. I’ve told you so many times, Caleb—”

He lifts his hands in surrender. “Okay, sorry. Indi, I know what you’re thinking, but this isn’t a regular thing. Is it, Annie?”

I shake my head.

Indi folds her arms. “Not regular? So it does happen, just not often?”

“No.” I grimace. “This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, and considering how I feel right now, it’ll definitely be the last. Why the hell do people do this to themselves?”

Caleb smirks, but Indi keeps frowning.

“How old are you, Annie?” she asks.

“Seventeen today.”

The look she shoots Caleb could cut glass.

“What? I told you it was her birthday party—”

“Not her seventeenth birthday, Caleb. Can’t you see how fucked up this is?”

That shuts me right up.