Page 43 of Fame & Rhythm

There’s a pause.

“Get away from me?”

The guilt hits instantly.

“I started feeling awkward,” I admit. “I didn’t really know what any of it meant. What happened with us, I mean.”

Silence stretches between us.

“Aston?”

“Yeah, I’m here.” His voice is quieter now. “I felt the awkwardness, too. But I don’t want that to come between us. If I need to pull back so we can still be friends, then I will.”

Something in me loosens at that.

“I think we need to keep the band in mind,” I say carefully. “That’s what matters most, right?”

He hesitates, and I hear him exhale. “Sure.” Another pause follows before he speaks again. “And for the record, Annie… I heard what happened. I overheard Mum talking to Dad. I know Caleb took you to the hospital because you drank too much.” His voice dips lower. “I just really hope I wasn’t the reason you did that.”

I stare at the wall for a long second. “Do you really want to know the answer to that, Aston?”

Silence.

Then, so quietly I nearly miss it, “I’m such an idiot.”

“What?”

“Nothing,” he says quickly. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I was really worried. I wanted to come over, but I didn’t know how much your dad knew, and I didn’t want to make it worse. I’m sorry it happened. And it won’t happen again, I promise.”

I lie back on the bed and hug my pillow to my chest, not entirely sure whether that promise makes me feel better or worse.

“Dad doesn’t know,” I say. “No one does except Caleb, and he won’t say anything.”

“Well… that’s good.” He pauses. “And Annie?”

“Yeah?”

“I really am sorry about trying to kiss—”

“Aston, stop!” I cut in quickly.

“Okay.” His voice tightens a little. “But we’re still friends, right?”

And there it is.

That note of hurt in his voice makes my chest ache.

“Of course we are, Aston,” I say softly. “Best friends. We always will be.”

At least, I hope that’s true, because I honestly don’t know what I want. All I know is Aston has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I can’t imagine him not being there.

“That’s good to hear,” he says, and some of the tension leaves his voice. “I’ll be over tomorrow for school and rehearsal, so maybe we can have a minute alone, just to make sure we’re okay?”

“We’re okay, Ast. Don’t worry.” I tuck myself further into my pillow. “It’s probably better if we don’t talk about it anyway. Anyone could overhear, and you know the walls have ears around here.”

That finally gets a laugh out of him, and the sound loosens something in me I didn’t realize had still been wound tight.

“Yeah, okay. So… how about that slag hanging off Caleb last night?” he asks, his voice turning playful.