I keep reading, the article is clearly trying to slam Rae in every way, it talks about her music being too repetitive, her image being too perfect. It compares her to her mom, calling her the “watered down version of the original.” It’s brutal.
The comments are even worse. People are completely bashing her music and her as a person, which just makes me shake my head. None of them actually know her. Neither do I anymore, but I still know none of this is true.
I look through my contacts and see that I still have her number, though I’m not sure if she’s changed it by now, I try anyway. What else am I going to do stuck here in this bed in my tiny apartment I rented on short notice.
Asher
Hey
She doesn’t reply right away and I don’t know if she will. I also notice the texts from Adam, Caine, Drew, and Max that I leave on read. I scroll back to some of the texts from Audrey I never answered either, and think about telling her I’m here.
Audrey and I were never close, we didn’t even know each other until I was a teenager anyway. Even after I came to live with her we didn’t get along. We butted heads over everything. She thought just because she’s older that I had to listen to everything she had to say.
My phone vibrates and it’s a reply from Rae. I fully expect it to be her asking who it is, or being told I have the wrong number.
Rae
Wow, never expected to hear from you again, stranger.
Asher
Yeah, you’re actually talking to a ghost.
Rae
That tracks actually.
I don’t know what my intention was reaching out to her. Making sure she’s okay? She seems fine. It’s not like I could see her or anything. I’m down the use of an arm, and we have nothing in common.
My phone goes off again.
Rae
Are you home or at a fight somewhere?
Asher
Home.
Asher
Actually back home in Denver.
Rae
Really? No one said anything.
Asher
No one knows.
Rae
Oh.
I set my phone down; I’m sure she’s going to tell Audrey now. Maybe I should text her first. A twinge of pain from my shoulder distracts me, and reminds me how lost I really am. Alone and lost.
I don’t let myself feel bad about it because it’s how I’ve always been, and how I’ll always be. I’ll get through this, just like I get through everything else.
