Page 111 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
So, did he…
I shake off the question. Yesterday, at Alto Burger, I read a good-enough essay. All he had to do was upload it to the school portal. Maybe he’d only get a B minus, but it’s better than a failing grade.
“Yes,” I respond with as much confidence as I can muster. “I read his essay. He was good to go.”
“Excellent.” Miranda makes a note on her planner. “Remember, you have therapy at ten a.m. tomorrow. I want you to discuss school with Dr. Novak. We need you to get your head on straight and actually attend classes. You can do that, yes?”
“Yes,“ I squeak before I even compute her words.
Miranda gestures at the door. “You can go, dear. I need to get back to work.”
I’m off the chair before she can take it back. I’m so fast down the stairs that I almost slip. My sweaty palm grips the bannister, hoping I don’t make a scene and force Miranda out of her office.
Thankfully, I make it to the second floor without gaining my aunt’s attention.
Before turning toward my bedroom, I notice the silence. The band isn’t playing. Are they still here? Is Ryder still planning to knock on my door? Did he stop by while I was upstairs?
My eyes drift upward, remembering the filing cabinets, especially the one labeled ‘Personal.’ What’s in there, and could it have anything to do with my mom? Anything about money changing hands or the reason they didn’t talk for years?
The possibility of answers about my new reality fills me with tentative hope.
Ryder’s door flies open, jolting me out of my thoughts. He emerges in dark jeans and a charcoal button-down, chains glinting at his collar. His hair is damp, pushed back from his face with more care than usual. He’s moving fast, sliding his phone into his back pocket. He nearly collides with me before he registers I’m standing there.
“Ally.” He stops short, doing a quick double-take. “Hey. You okay?”
A car horn blares from outside. Long, aggressive, and impatient.
“Where are you going?” I ask, taking in his nicer clothes.
“Chase’s house.” He’s already moving past me and toward the stairs, talking over his shoulder. “His dad is actually home for once. He’s, like, never there. But he’s got a conference call with overseas investors at nine-thirty, so if I don’t leave right now, I’ll miss him completely.”
Another horn blast, even longer this time.
“That’s…” I start, but he’s already halfway down the hall.
He pauses at the top of the stairs, turning back. “Go downstairs and get dinner from Mrs. Gallagher, okay? You need to get back into the habit of eating.”
I flinch. Is he ordering me around again?
He leans over the bannister, urgent concern furrowing his brow. “Alice, please. Don’t make me worry about you while I’m gone.”
I roll my eyes. No, wouldn’t want to put the rockstar out.
“Ally, I’m serious. I care about you.”
Pouting, I force myself to look at him.
“Look, I…” He stops, reaching for his phone and frowning at the buzzing display. “Gotta go.”
He races down the stairs, talking on his phone. “Dude, I’m coming. Chill.”
Before I can even move to the top of the stairs, I hear the front door slam.
He’s gone.
I move down the stairs, hearing the crunch of gravel outside the house.
My stomach growls. Ryder was right. I should eat.
