“But I thought you said you didn’t want—”
“I’m going to apply for the composition program next year,” I cut in before she could finish. “When I was at the recording studio with Alec and Xander and I got to create music instead of justplaying it? That felt right. I’ll have to compose two different scores if I want to get in, which is a little scary since I don’t have much experience, but I want this.”
Violet considered for a long time. “Well,” she finally said, the corners of her mouth turning up into a dazzling smile, “based on what I heard when I came in, you’re already halfway there.”
* * *
“I’m going to the grocery store to get snacks for later,” Dad called over my music as he stepped into the garage. “Popcorn or ice cream?”
I stopped sweeping and hit Pause, cutting Diego St. James off midchorus. “Really? How is that even a question?” I asked, setting the broom aside. When I got home from school today, Dad asked me to tackle the mess left over from my portfolio, so for the past half hour, I’d been tidying up my workbench. After dinner, however, the two of us planned on having a horror marathon. While it was still premature to call Dad a changed man, two Thursday movie nights in a row seemed like a good start.
He stroked his chin in thought. “Both?”
“The only acceptable answer,” I said with a laugh. “Don’t forget chocolate syrup and sprinkles.”
Instead of heading for his sleek red Audi, Dad ambled over to me, a hand tucked into the front pocket of his jeans. “It’s good to see you smile again, Indie. I was starting to get worried. You seemed pretty miserable last week.”
“That’s because I was miserable.” I’d spent those days grieving. Not just for a dream I’d dedicated my entire life to but for the bondwith my sister I thought was forever shattered. Now, however, I was thankful. Because every once in a while, the most effective way to fix something was by breaking it. Only then could you put the pieces back together in a way that made sense. “I’m fine now,” I reassured him. “I promise.”
“Because of this guy?” Dad asked. He dragged the metal shop stool out from underneath the workbench and took a seat. “Tell me about him.”
My brows sprang up at his request. “Really, Dad? We’re going to talk boys?”
“What’s wrong with wanting to know some basic information about the person my daughter is dating?” As if to make a point, he crossed his arms over his chest like he had no intention of moving until I shared. “I’m not asking for his Social Security number.”
“Okay, fine. His name is Xander, and yeah, he’s one of the reasons.” But not the only one. There were several factors contributing to my current state of mind: a fresh start with Violet, a plan for my future I was actually excited about, new friends, and a better outlook on life. I was happy now because I’d made the decision to be. “He’s a musician.”
“In the same band as Alec, right?”
Clearly Dad already knew the answer—he must have grilled Violet about the subject already—but I indulged him anyway. “That’s correct.”
“So he’s pretty famous then.” There was a glimmer of what looked like concern in his eyes.
“Yeah, I guess,” I replied with a shrug, but Xander’s fame was theleast important part of who he was. To me, he was the boy with the most endearing, lopsided smile in the world. The boy who always put others first and hummed Hank Williams to himself when he was lost in thought. When I thought about Xander, I didn’t think of Xander Jones, lead guitarist for the Heartbreakers. I thought about the guy who, from day one, had always been there for me. “He’s on tour right now, but he’ll be back before Christmas. Maybe we could all have dinner together?”
This seemed to mollify Dad, because the anxious look faded from his expression. “That’s a great idea,” he said. “I can’t wait to meet him. The distance must be so hard for you two.”
It was, but as much as being apart sucked, we were getting really good at FaceTiming between the breaks in his hectic schedule. And when that didn’t work, there was always texting. At least one good thing had come from Violet’s career—all the time I’d spent alone had prepared me for this situation, and I knew Xander and I would get through the next eight months no problem.
“We’re making it work,” I told him.
Just yesterday, the sweetest package had been delivered to the house: a box filled to the brim with Mango Bite, a popular candy in India; a green alien plushy; and the first edition ofThe Clockwinders Saga, a comic about warriors working to stop an evil organization from changing the course of history by means of time travel. Apparently JJ had seen Xander readingLady Phoenixand thought I might like the series.
“Good, I’m glad.” Dad unhooked the sunglasses dangling from the collar of his shirt and slipped them on. “I should leave beforetraffic gets bad, but I’m curious to know what you think of my theme for tonight.”
“Which is?”
“Wait for it…” Dad did an over-the-top drum roll. “Demonic possessions!” he exclaimed with jazz hands. “I pulled outThe Exorcism of Emily Rose,Insidious, andParanormal Activity, but if you don’t like those options, we could always go with a classic likeThe Exorcist.”
Before I could answer, my phone rang. It was an incoming FaceTime from Galaxy Rider, the first I’d received in days. “Those all sound great, Dad, but do you mind if I take this? It’s Xander and—”
He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Say no more. I’ll see you later, kiddo.”
I scrambled onto the vacated stool and punched the Talk button. When my boyfriend’s smiling face appeared on screen, I couldn’t help but grin. “Hey, you! What’s up?” Normally Xander called me from his hotel room, but today it looked like he was sitting in some kind of fancy lounge.
“Nothing much.” His tone was casual, bored even, but I didn’t believe him. Not when there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Just wondering if you want to hit up the archery range with me tomorrow?”
“Oh,” I said, my shoulders sagging at his not-so-funny joke.Ten more days, I reminded myself. That was how long I had to wait until he came home. Not a long stretch of time when you looked at the bigger picture, but at the moment, it felt like an eternity.“You know I’d love that, but considering you’re halfway around the world, I don’t think that’s a possibility.”
