Page 113 of Foes & Cons
“It’s just like I dreamt it in my dreams!” she squeals, beaming round at us. She turns to Charlie. “Can we sing something, Charlie?”
“I don’t think . . .” starts Charlie, shaking his head.
Sadie’s face drops and we all look at Charlie, who has just crushed a tiny koala baby.
“I think that was a rhetorical question, Charlie,” Roxy says. “It’s basically mandatory to sing. It’s all part of the convention experience.”
“Fine,” he says, semi-rolling his eyes as Sadie jumps up and down hanging on his arm. “Where’s the song book or whatever.”
“There’s an iPad at the front; you just put in the song and Vivian does the rest,” I say.
“Thanks,” says Charlie, holding my gaze for a few seconds before Sadie drags him away.
“Well, hello Mr Hollywood Star,” says Roxy, putting her fistout to Dylan.
He bumps Roxy’s fist, a relaxed smile on his face.
“Hey, Roxy.” He looks round at me. “So, the others were saying I need to sing with them, apparently.”
“Yes. It’s actually mandatory,” says Roxy, and I’m glad for her easy chit-chat.
Dylan smiles at her.
“I better make sure they choose something I can actually sing, but I’ll see you guys later?”
“Definitely,” I say.
“Great,” he says, giving us a little salute. “Thanks again.”
Roxy and I watch him walk to the actors’ table, then we turn to look at each other.
“That was unexpected . . .” starts Roxy. “Right, OK, no messing around then?”
Taking inspiration from Sadie, I have clamped myself to Roxy and squeeze her tight with both arms. I press my cheek against her spiky goth vampire top, which is incredibly uncomfortable against my skin but not as uncomfortable as a life without her friendship.
“I’m sorry,” I say. She puts her arms around me and kisses the top of my head. “I’m so sorry, Roxy.”
“It’s OK, babe.”
I pull away and grab both her hands.
“It’s not. I was a twat,” I say, shaking my head. “A massive one.”
“Maybe medium-sized,” she says, shrugging.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too, but I know the Eliza stages of stubborn ass-ness off by heart.”
I snort and wipe my nose on the back of my hand without releasing Roxy’s. She grimaces but in a familiar way, like she knows she’s stuck back with me now.
“I was so obsessed with Charlie being here and ruining our weekend that I actually ruined it myself,” I say.
“You didn’t ruin it, babe.”
“I nearly ruinedus, which is worse. I’m sorry I freaked out about you and Vivian.”
“There’s no me and Vivian,” she says, tweaking my nest of hair. “We were just talking.”
