Page 43 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
Yesterday.
When they left without explanation.
When they weren’t home overnight.
“Those meetings were productive,” Ryder argues. “We locked in our slot for the showcase, and they dug the setlist. That’s real progress.”
“It was productive,” Miranda agrees. “And exhausting. Which is why I spent this morning following up with the promotional team and the social media managers.” She crosses her arms. “All of which matters, Ryder, only if you graduate.”
“The label cares about talent, not my English grade.”
“The label cares about image. And Mr. Kensington specifically cares about Ashworth Academy’s reputation.” Miranda’s voice sharpens. “You know this. We discussed it at length over dinner last night.”
I stand frozen near the doorway, my headache pulsing. Will Miranda acknowledge me? Surely she wants to know how I’m doing, and how I’m managing at my new school.
Her focus narrows on Ryder.
“After everything we accomplished in those meetings,” Miranda continues, “after all the strings I pulled to get you in front of those executives, you cannot jeopardize it by failing out of school. Do you understand how that would reflect on me?”
“I’m not going to fail out.”
“Your English grade suggests otherwise.” Miranda picks up her phone again, scrolling through something. “Which is precisely why we arranged the tutoring. You agreed to this, Ryder. You agreed to hold up your end of the bargain.”
“The showcase is in two weeks!”
“And you have exams in eight. Both matter. Both happen.” She looks up from her phone. “You want this career? Do you want the label’s support? Then you need to finish your assignments and pass your classes. That was the deal.”
Ryder runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Fine. But after the showcase—”
“After the showcase, we’ll reassess.” Miranda’s tone softens. “But right now, you need to focus on both. The music and the academics. Can you do that for me?”
“Yeah,” he mutters. “I can do that.”
Only then does Miranda’s gaze shift to me, like she’s just now remembering I exist.
“Alice, darling,” she says, her voice taking on that practiced warmth. “Why don’t you head to the library and get your materials ready? Ryder will join you shortly.”
My stomach drops. “Now?”
“Well, of course now, dear. You missed yesterday’s session, which means you’re behind schedule. And since you’re bothhome early...” She gestures as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “It’s actually perfect. You can make up for lost time.”
“Miranda, no.” Ryder stops pacing. “I need to practice. I’m already running out of time because I have that stupid photo shoot booked tomorrow, and…”
“And you have a tutoring session now,” Miranda says firmly.
“Mr. Kensington’s expectations are insane,” Ryder snaps. “Since when does he care if I pass English? He should care if I can perform, and if the band is ready for the showcase.”
“He cares about both.” Miranda’s voice takes on that steel edge. “And so should you. Unless you’d like to explain to Chase and Brooks why you’re being dropped from the band?”
Ryder’s face flushes. “That’s not going to happen. They need me, and you know it.”
“And you need them. You know that.” She glances at her phone again. “Now, Alice has been kind enough to prepare materials for you. The least you can do is show up and put in the effort.”
“This is ridiculous,” Ryder mutters, but the fight has gone out of his voice.
“Alice?” Miranda turns to me again with that plastered-on smile. “The library, please. Get everything ready. Ryder will be there in just a moment.”
I nod numbly and head toward the library, my headache pulsing with every step.
