Page 45 of Fame & Rhythm

My body moves before my brain can catch up. I cross the room in seconds and throw my arms around Aston’s neck, pulling him into a tight hug, and for a split second, he freezes.

Then he relaxes.

His arms slide around my waist, holding me just as tightly, and I bury my face against him without thinking. His familiar scent hits me, and something inside me settles in a way it hasn’t for days.

Relief.

Warm and immediate.

He leans in slightly, his face brushing against my hair, and I hear Ella laughing again somewhere in the background, but I don’t care.

For a moment, everything else fades.

It’s just this.

His arms around me.

Safe.

Steady.

Home.

My breathing quickens without my permission, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it everywhere. That same strange buzz builds again, rushing through me, lighting up every nerve like I’ve been plugged into something I don’t understand.

It doesn’t hurt.

If anything… it feels incredible.

Too incredible.

I cling to him for a second longer than I probably should, caught in it, before—

“Geez, Annie,” Mum says dryly. “Let the poor kid breathe.”

Reality crashes back in.

“Oh, shit, sorry,” I mutter, pulling away quickly.

Aston looks down at me, and I meet his eyes.

Big mistake.

The air leaves my lungs in a rush.

He smirks slightly. “You can greet me like that any time you want.”

And just like that, I realize exactly what I’ve done.

I take a step back, my stomach twisting. “Sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Something flickers across his face—disappointment, maybe—but it’s gone almost instantly, replaced with an easy smile. “It’s fine,” he says. “I missed you too. We haven’t really talked for a couple of days. It’s nice to have my friend back.” He emphasizes the word friend just enough for me to catch it.

“Yeah,” I say quickly. “Exactly.”

Mum watches us both, raising her brows slightly, clearly trying to figure out what just happened, before shaking her head. “Right,” she says, clapping her hands lightly. “How about you two stop hovering and get ready for class? Susan will be here any minute.”

She glances at Ella and gives her a small, knowing wink.