Page 81 of Before the Encore

“During The Pop Factor, I was invited to a lot of parties.” She clutched the mug tighter, though it had gone cold. “I was eighteen. This world was new to me. People you grew up admiring suddenly know your name. They start calling you…When I got an invite to an anticipated ‘party of the century’, I couldn’t believe it. Me?” She shook her head, remembering how long she’d spent choosing her outfit, how nervous she’d been that it would be too much. She later realised no such thing existed in the industry. Anything deemed out-of-the-norm was making a statement. Some sparkles and sequins weren’t going to turn anyone’s nose. Except the media—but they always had something to say about everyone.

“It was one of those nothing-is-off-limits parties. Drinks were endless. Drugs were everywhere. There were so many celebrities; it felt like getting a golden ticket. Everyone is having a good time…until they’re not.”

Madison squeezed her, her breath tickling the top of Bonnie’s head.

“It was like someone had wiped my memory. Sometimes, I wonder if I imagined it all—but I remember someone…I couldn’t tell you who. But their voice? That lingers.” The party’s just getting started. The words echoed, and her skin crawled. “One minute, I was dancing, the next I was sitting on the sticky floor with my head in my lap and sick on my dress. I couldn’t remember how I got there. My legs wouldn’t move, and all I could hear was the pounding of the music. Over and over.”

Her breathing quickened, the moment replaying, the thumping bass vibrating her bones.

“I couldn’t talk properly, and all these people walking past just…left me there. It was so horrible. Then a man saw me, stopped, and asked me if I was okay. When I could barely answer, he helped me up and took my phone from my bag. I panicked, but I couldn’t do anything. My legs were like jelly. I was completely helpless to whatever he was going to do to me.” Bonnie wet her lips, blinking back tears. “Luckily, he called my mum from the phone in my bag and put me in a taxi. I couldn’t even thank him, and I had no idea who he was.”

Madison’s arm tightened, and she nestled further into her. Madison’s heartbeat thumping under Bonnie’s ear.

“The next morning, I was so embarrassed. I had the hangover from hell too, but I’d only had three drinks. It wasn’t enough for me to be in the state that I was.”

Madison’s voice was low, careful. “Someone spiked you.”

She nodded. “Thankfully, that man helped me. I don’t know what would’ve happened if he hadn’t.”

“Jesus, Bonnie. Whose party was it?”

She hesitated before answering. “Rory Lukris’s.”

“Your old mentor on the show?” Madison stiffened, spitting through gritted teeth. “I’m going to break his legs.”

Panic swam up her spine, and she turned to her. “No. Madison, I don’t want you to do that. Please. I don’t even know who did it. He wouldn’t even know. There were so many people there.”

“What if he did know?”

Bonnie put her mug on the bedside table, then pressed her hand to Madison’s chest. “Please. Nothing bad happened to me. I’m okay.”

“But it could have. Everyone at that party…” Madison pressed her lips together, nostrils flaring. “Everyone who walked past you like that. I’m gonna kill them.”

She rubbed Madison’s chest. “You can’t kill everyone.”

“Watch me.”

Bonnie gave her a small smile. “I would prefer it if you weren’t in prison.”

The crease between Madison’s brows deepened. “Did you go to the police? To the hospital?”

“I was too embarrassed. I didn’t know what people had seen, and I was young.” She dipped her chin. “I just wanted to pretend it didn’t happen.”

“So, that’s why you disappeared after The Pop Factor.”

“Yes,” she said, surprised that Madison would know that. “It shook me up. And then I blamed it for me coming third. Truthfully, I barely made it through the last weeks of the show. But I blamed myself. And every time I thought about it, about what could have happened, I started having panic attacks. Even when Rory’s name was mentioned.”

Quiet settled between them, the air heavy but Bonnie’s chest light. Madison’s arm stayed wrapped around her, and Bonnie traced her collarbone with her fingertips. Her body relaxed into hers, safe and warm.

“Thank you for telling me.” Madison pressed a kiss to her head. “Have you told anyone else?”

“My mum. But I doubt she remembers now.” Sleep weighed on her eyelids, and she fought back a yawn.

“I think it’s time you got some sleep,” Madison murmured into her hair. “I should go. Is your alarm set for tomorrow?”

“Yes.” Madison shifted beneath her, but Bonnie wound her fingers into her vest, holding her there. She didn’t want her to leave. “Will you stay?” she whispered.

Madison answered with a kiss on her head, arms squeezing her closer. “For you? Always.”