Page 150 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
I think about everything I’ve been hit with today, and my mind lands on me yelling at Ryder in the hallway. It replays over and over in slow-motion, making every muscle inside me contort and cringe.
“I just...” I press my fingers against my temple. “I made a huge mistake before coming in here. Kimberley and Jessa told me they knew about my parents, and I assumed they got the information from Ryder. Oh gosh, I completely unleashed on him in the hallway. I said some really awful things, and now I know it didn’t come from him.”
“He knew about your parents?”
“Mm-hmm.” I nod. “I told him to keep it a secret.”
“And he did?”
I nod again, feeling a wave of sickness rise to my throat.
“So tell him you know it wasn’t him.”
“You didn’t hear the way I…”
Madison plants her hand on my shoulder. “He kept your secret. He was the only one who knew before that idiot over there went digging. Ryder knows you’ve been in a dark place.”
I take a settling breath, comforted under the weight of Madison’s hand. “Okay. You’re right.”
Madison removes her hand, stifling a laugh. “If Ryder hears it was Jasper messing with you, I can’t wait to see how he reacts. I saw him knock Jasper on his butt last week.”
I bite into my bottom lip, smiling. “Yeah. There’s definitely no love lost between Ryder and Jasper.”
“Ryder will have your back. I saw your connection at the gig on Saturday night. Your photos turned out excellent, by the way.”
I flinch. “What photos?”
“The ones on the band’s social feed. I remember where you were standing at The Factory. Those shots were yours.”
“Not that anyone knows that. They’re credited to my aunt.”
“Oh, please. There’s nothing on the band’s feed with that kind of flair. Even if people don’t know it’s you behind the camera, they know it’s a brand new artist.”
“Thanks. I needed a bit of an ego boost today.”
“Well, they put my shots to shame. Not that anything I do is very hard to beat.”
“Since when are you self-deprecating? I thought you were all about brand armor?”
“Oops.” Madison sits up, wearing a bright, cheesy smile. “I let some armor slip. My bad.”
“It’s good to see you’re a real person.”
“I’ll take that compliment because I know this school hasn’t infected you yet.”
“I don’t plan on becoming another student clone.” I notice the shift in Madison, and quickly blurt, “No offence.”
Madison giggles, swatting a hand. “None taken. It’s the game plan I recommended to you on your first day.”
“Oh, I remember. I decided not to like you.”
Madison winces.
I lean in and whisper, “I’m learning people deserve second chances.”
Madison sighs, slumping in her seat. “Well, thanks.”
“And thank you for sitting next to me. I think I would’ve truly spiraled otherwise.”
