Page 65 of Fame & Rhythm

They both turn and stare at me like they’ve seen a ghost.

“What?” I ask, almost skipping to the table as I sit.

“Umm… who are you and what have you done with our moody, morning-hating teenager?” Mum asks with a wide smile.

“What? I’m not allowed to be happy for once?”

She shakes her head, still smiling, while Dad keeps staring like a good-girl clone has replaced me.

“No, of course, honey. It’s just… you haven’t gotten up on your own since you were about five.”

“Yeah, well… I feel good this morning, that’s all,” I say, opening the paper and flicking straight to the comics.

“Does this have anything to do with the kiss you and Aston shared last night?” Mum asks.

Dad huffs. “Let’s not talk about that right now, okay? I can’t shake the image from my head as it is.”

I roll my eyes while Mum beams at me, giving a subtle wink before turning back to the stove.

Not long later, Ella comes down, dressed perfectly as always. We couldn’t be more opposite when it comes to clothes. Ella wears her cute dress, smart shoes, and perfectly curled blonde hair.

We eat breakfast together, and soon enough I’m in the music room, waiting for everyone else to arrive.

But mostly… one person.

He hasn’t messaged this morning, and I’m bursting to see him. Dad’s going to be here all day, though, which means zero chance of any time alone.

Ella and Dad walk in as I tune my guitar, and the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it. Annie, stay here,” Dad says.

I frown, watching him hurry out.

“What was that about?” Ella asks.

I shrug. “Guess he’s going to be a dickwad today and try to keep Aston and me apart.”

She grins. “I heard Dad and Aston’s mum arguing about finding him on top of you, snogging your brains out.”

I try to hide my smile, brushing my fingers over my lips as I remember the kiss. “Yeah… that might’ve happened.”

Her eyes go wide. “So? How was it? Kissing, I mean. Is it as amazing as in the movies?”

“Better,” I say.

She practically bounces. “So what does that mean? Are you and Aston a thing now?”

Before I can answer, Aston, Caleb, and Dad walk in, cutting the conversation dead. My eyes find Aston straight away. He glances at me, gives me a quick, awkward smile… then looks away.

My heart starts racing. Somehow, he looks even better today. Heat prickles along my arms, that familiar tingling shooting through me as my breathing picks up. My palms dampen, and I swipe them on my pants just in case he reaches for my hand.

Which I really hope he does.

“So we’re just waiting on Chad, then we can rehearse, and I can tell you all your exciting news,” Dad says.

Aston walks straight past me without acknowledging me.

My stomach twists.