He wouldn’t do that. He promised me.
He promised.
He wouldn’t break his promise like this.
Hewouldn’t.
I somehow pull myself together and say, “There has to be a reason. There has to be an explanation.”
“Explanation.”
I flinch at Con’s angry voice but still, I grab his arm and plead with him, “Con, he’s not like that. He’s not. I know you hate him. I know Ledger hates him too but he’s not all bad. He’s not. You don’t know him like I do. You don’t…” I gather my scattered breaths again. “I was going to tell you, I promise. I was. I just… I’m sorry that I lied. I’m so sorry. But Con, there has to be an explanation for this. If I could just –”
“Enough,” he snaps, making me shut my mouth and let go of his arm. Then he pulls in a deep breath, as if to calm himself. “We’ll talk about this later, you understand? Go back to your show right now. You’ve got a show, remember?”
“I don’t care about the show, Con. I need to see if Ledger’s okay and I need to talk –”
“All you need to do is go back to the show. You need to go dance and we’ll talk about this later, got it?” he orders. “Straight to your show, Callie. You’re done wasting your time on him.”
Chapter Ten
Iwatch him from across the space.
He’s sitting on an overcrowded couch with a bunch of his friends. There are girls in the mix, of course. But he’s not paying attention to any of them.
In fact, all his attention is on his bottle.
The same one as yesterday. The liquor that looks like water, vodka.
Even though he’s focusing on the alcohol, I’m still jealous of all the girls around him. I’m still jealous that they’re trying to get his attention like they always do.
I want his attention.
I just don’t know how to get it.
I’m too afraid to walk up to him.
I’m too afraid to ask him.
I’m too afraid...
Come on, Callie. Do it.
That’s what you came here for, right?
Right.
That’s why I abandoned my show and came to this place.
This place outside of my town where this strange party is happening and Reed is in attendance.
After Con told me to go back to the show, Tempest found me again. She dragged me away from the crowd and took me to a quiet place, away from the stadium.
Away from all the people, from all the violence.
Even she knew I couldn’t dance like this.
She stayed with me as I cried and shook.
