Even if I wanted to flee from here, I can’t because that would make it so obvious that I wrote it. So I have to sit here with my entire body on fire with embarrassment as he sings my emotions to the world.
This can’t be happening. Please someone tell me this is a nightmare.
The crowd erupts in cheers as his voice grows louder with the climax of the song. The smile on his face is so electrifying, I can’t help but feel it all over.
Under other circumstances, I might have let myself enjoy it—hedoeshave an amazing voice—but because this is way toomortifying, I keep my head lowered and my gaze in my lap. Of course, my eyes have minds of their own and shift in his direction.
Bending to my friends, I hiss, “He didn’t forget about it.”
“Clearly,” Addie hisses back.
He finishes the song and takes a bow, the others bowing on either side of him.
“Thanks so much!” Kylen says, eyes sweeping over the students. “That was a song written by a very special, but mysterious person. We’ve been searching for this writer for days, but he or she hasn’t come forward. If anyone knows who this person is, please let us know. We’d really love to thank you and give you all the praise for the song.” He bows his head.
Whispers spread over the room. But no one stands or claims ownership. Other than a few losers who pretend they wrote it, but Kylen sees right through their BS.
His eyes sweep over the room again, filling with despair. When they connect with mine, they pause for a second, then skim over me like he’s not interested in me.
A breath I didn’t know I was holding seeps out of me. He looked over me as if he has no inkling at all that I wrote it. When I tell that to my friends, Sophie says, “Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Yeah, it is.” Or it should be. Why does it bother me that he doesn’t even suspect I wrote it?
Am I crazy? First I complained that he would suspect I did, and now I’m upset that he hasn’t? I’m totally going insane.
When he realizes that he’s not going to find the person, he thanks everyone for listening and leaves the dining hall, his shoulders hunched.
I still don’t understand why it’s so important that he uncovers the identity of the writer. I mean, it’s just a song. Sure, it means a lot to me, but it shouldn’t mean that much to anyone else. Or him.
Chapter Sixteen
Kylen
I’ve been pacing in my room for what feels like hours. I can’t count how many times I ran my hand through my hair, my thoughts a mess.
The door opens and Beck strolls in. After taking one look at me, his eyebrows shoot to the sky. “What’s up with you?”
“I’m losing my mind, Beck.”
He waves his hand. “Is this about the writer? It’s cool, man. He doesn’t want to take ownership of the song, so it’s ours now.”
Shaking my head, I walk to where he’s rummaging around in his drawer for something. “No, you don’t get it. I think I know who wrote it.”
He stops and lifts a brow.
I drop down on my bed. “It all makes sense now. Why she didn’t want to expose her identity.”
“She?”
“Because the song is about me.”
His mouth hangs open. “Dude, you’re not making any sense.”
I get to my feet. “You’re right. Nothing makes sense. Why would Raven write a song about me breaking her heart when she was the one who rejected me?”
His eyes pop open. “Raven? Raven wrote it?”
I nod. “I didn’t want to believe it at first, but I saw the look on her face when we performed it during lunch. She looked horrified, embarrassed, and she was avoiding my gaze. Why would she do that unless she wrote it? Isn’t it so obvious why she hasn’t come forward? Of course she doesn’t want me to know it was her. Because she pretty much wrote about being in love with me. But I’m so confused. Why would she write that Ibroke her heart? Didn’t she read the letter I sent her? I explained everything. I told her I loved her.”
