Nigel shakes both of our hands and we stare as he turns and walks away. A moment of stunned, absolute silence passes before we’re hugging, Zayne lifting me into the air and spinning me. I see Carlton watching us with wide eyes before he storms out of the room, but I don’t let it get to me.
“We’re going to Underwood!” My voice comes out in a blur of laughter. The rest of the cast is clapping for us, cheering for us.
I’m going to Underwood Academy.
With Zayne.
When he stops spinning me, I frown at him. “You were going to give up your spot if I didn’t get in?”
“Of course I was.” He takes a deep breath, like he’s preparing himself. “Underwood may be my dream, but it would never be the same without you.” He touches my face. Swallows, making his Adam’s apple bob. “I’m sorry for everything,” he whispers, pulling me to the corner of the green room, away from prying eyes and ears. “All of it. I never thought you’d be the one getting hurt.”
“It doesn’t matter. Carlton’s a liar.”
Zayne stares at the ground. “Yeah, he is. But he was right about Cassidy. That really happened.”
My heart races at his admission, and I can’t help but feel a little scared he’s going to tell me more of it was true.
“We dated to improve the way our characters interacted onstage. But that was the only time I’ve ever done that, and it was Cassidy’s idea to begin with. You and I, Dot… you’re real.” He swallows hard, motioning at the air between us. “We’re real. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you.”
I nod, taking his hand. I hold it against my chest. My pulse thuds like crazy. “I know. I—I feel the same way about you.”
His eyes shine. “Can I please kiss you?”
I try to speak, but there’s emotion clogging my throat. Instead, I grab the front of his shirt and pull him to me, kissing him with a ferocity that leaves us both breathless. I don’t care if anyone sees us. All I care about is Zayne’s lips on mine, and the knowledge that we’re taking our next steps together. There’s not a thing that anyone else can do to stop us, especially Little Birdie.
I sit on my rooftop when I get home. It feels like a full-circle moment, sitting here, watching the stars, because technically this is where it all started. This is where I met Carlton.
I think about Mom, how when summer began, I was such a mess, unable to see the good in her absence. All I wanted was for her to come back, and I let Carlton fill that void.
Now, I feel so incredibly full, thanks to the closure I got from seeing her again and from forgiving her.
“Mind if I sit with you?”
I jump, startled at the unexpected voice. I squint in the darkness to see Carlton climbing up the ladder propped up against the side of my house. Thankfully, having it there isn’t as awkward now that Christmas is coming and people are starting to string lights up on their houses around the neighborhood.
My nerves skyrocket at seeing him. Is he going to yell at me? Tell me I don’t deserve to go to Underwood? Or maybe he’s just here to plant more seeds of doubt in my mind. “What are you doing here? You came up way too quietly for my liking,” I say.
“Sorry.” He smiles tightly and sits down, letting his legs dangle off the edge of the roof. He stares up at the stars, his mouth pressed together.
“You okay?” I nudge him with my shoulder. I know I should be mad at him for spreading those lies about Zayne, for breaking us up, but I can’t find it in me. In fact, I feel on top of the world and…kind of sorry for him.
“My parents officially split,” he mumbles.
“Oh, Carlton.” I shake my head. “I’m so sorry.”
He turns to face me. “I owe you an apology, Dot. For?—“
“I know. It’s okay.” I shrug. “I get it, I guess.”
“I also wanted to thank you.” He frowns at the shingled roof we’re sitting on. “All this time I’ve been so focused on getting into Underwood, I never took the time to figure out if it was what I really wanted. I knew my parents wanted it, but me?” He blinks too quickly. “I couldn’t help but feel relieved when I didn’t get the spot. It’s weird, but it felt like this immense pressure lifted off me.”
I purse my lips. “I get it.”
He meets my gaze. “I’m happy for you and Zayne,” he tells me. His next words are laced with a subtle note of mirth. “But I still hate him.”
I roll my eyes, biting back a smile. “Then you should get going, because he’ll be here any minute to pick me up.”
His brows narrow. “Sneaking out? This late?”
