Nigel:
You’ve got this
With a deep breath, I pocket my phone and step out from the alcove. My feeling of determination doesn’t last long. The noise in the room has amplified and even more people have arrived. The walls are closing in on me. Nigel’s words of encouragement echo in my mind, but they’re not enough to battle the rising tide of anxiety.
A group of laughing people walk past, one of them stumbling and knocking into me. I gasp a breath, my heart hammering. I need air, I need space.
“Are you okay?” someone asks.
“Excuse me,” I mumble.
I weave through the sea of bodies until I find myself standing in front of the door I’d come out of earlier in the evening. I hesitate for only a moment before pushing it open and stepping inside.
The quiet of the side room instantly calms my nerves. I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths as I try to regain control over my racing thoughts.Is this what it’s always going to be like?I’ve been through so much, and come so far, to get where I am today, but it’s times like this I wonder if it’s all worth it. The weight of the fame, the public scrutiny…
The door to the room pushes open. “Zelman?”
“Hey, Wren,” I say, straightening and mustering a smile.
“Is everything okay in here?” Though the concern in their voice is unmistakable, the disappointment etched on Wren’s face is equally clear.
“Sorry for disappearing like that. I needed a few minutes to myself.” I rub my temple. “Actually, I’ve got a headache so I might call it now.”
Wren gives me the once-over. “Sorry to hear that but it would be good if you could push through. We’re counting on you. We’re all here to support a good cause, and maintaining a positive image is crucial. The guests at this event tonight have paid a premium to spend some time with you.”
I’ve got to admire Wren telling me how it is. Too many people pussyfoot around me, not wanting to upset me. Their words add to the guilt that has been gnawing at my insides since I stepped away from the crowd. I hate that I’ve let people down.
“Yeah. Okay. Just give me a minute and I’ll head back out.”
Wren nods and grabs a bottle of water from a table and hands it to me. “See you in five.”
I chug the water then, with a renewed sense of purpose, follow them out the door.
The sounds of music, laughter, and clinking glasses fill my ears once more but I remind myself that no matter how difficult things may seem, I am stronger than my fears, and I have the power to rise above them.
Chapter Six
Kyle
Thecabinisarefuge on this huge floating hotel that seems filled to overflowing with people. I can cross the space in a couple of strides but it’s my own private oasis. The glass doors open onto a small balcony. Through them I can see an endless expanse of blue ocean stretching all the way to the horizon. It’s beautiful but part of me wishes I was back home on the farm surrounded by the comforting familiarity of grapevines and the mountains in the distance.
Turning my back on the view, I grab my phone and tap the icon for FaceTime, glad I subscribed to the Wi-Fi package, because I really want that connection to home.
“Hey, John.”
My brother’s face fills the screen. He’s sitting at the kitchen table. I can see Sarah behind him, no doubt cooking dinner. It’s a familiar routine that I miss.
“Kyle! How’s the cruise going?” John asks.
“It’s fine. We’re still afloat so that’s a win.”
“Have you met anyone interesting yet?” Sarah calls out from the stove.
“Um, not really. I’ve just been walking around, checking out the pool and stuff. There are some pretty outrageous outfits and a lot of out-there people, and everyone seems to be having an awesome time. It’s great for people watching.”
“Sounds like quite the experience,” John says with a smile. “But you’re not going to find anyone interesting if you don’t get out there and mingle.”
“I ran into this guy in the ship’s library and we had a bit of a chat,” I reply, feeling the need to defend myself.
