JATP: When Ghosts Sing

Chapter 17

Carrie's POV

I get home to see Trevor sitting on the couch, millions of papers scattered all around him. It's like a tornado blew through here. Then again, one might have.

"What's going on?" I ask, internally yelling at myself for bringing it up instead of just going upstairs immediately.

"I wanted to get a headstart on looking for opportunities for your future as a soloist. I contacted some old friends from colleges I applied to and they said they'd love to meet you. Plus, there are all these other colleges that have some really cool opportunities around the world. Or, if you don't want to go to college that's okay too. We can start your career immediately after high school if you want. Or during!" Trevor says, as though he never thought of it before.

"I don't graduate until the end of next year. What made you start thinking about any of this right now?" Part of me is kind of curious as to why he's doing this at all, but then I remember that I hate him with every fiber of my being, so I don't bring it up.

"I felt bad about this morning, so I figured I'd make it up to you by helping you with your future as much as I can." Trevor says as though he doesn't wait till the last minute to work on all the important aspects of his career.

"Okay? Well I'm just gonna go upstairs and away from all of...this..." I say, trying to wrap my head around his strange and sudden actions.

"Okay. I left a little present for you in your room by the way. When you're ready, I can help you with some of it if you want." He calls out as I make my way to my bedroom on the second floor.

When I get upstairs, however, I see that my bedroom door is closed, which is weird since I didn't close it before I left this morning. I turn the door handle and let my door swing open into the room. In the middle, there are three different guitars set up, each a different shade of pink and with a list of what seems to be the best artists who use each kind.

I move past the guitars and sit on my bed in an attempt to calm down. This is all just...too fast. I open my phone and start scrolling through social media for a few minutes before the girls start coming so we can rehearse. I look at the time and spring up from my bed. Dirty Candy is gonna be here in 10 minutes!

I quickly change into some workout clothes, move the guitars into my closet, planning to deal with them later, and go downstairs. I manage to get Trevor to clean everything up, because I don't need the girls asking me why my dad's looking through colleges that offer soloist opportunities. The sooner this practice is over, the sooner I can stop lying to my friends. I decide to scroll through social media some more while I wait, since I still have some time before the others get here. I see a text from Nick, which is a little strange, but since I still have nothing to do, I figure there isn't any harm in seeing what my ex-boyfriend has to say.

Nick:

Hey, I couldn't stop thinking about our conversation this morning, and I think I might be able to help you with your dad. Could we meet up to talk somewhere?

I cringe at the 'my dad' part. It's still a sore topic, and I don't think that fact will ever change. I decide that I can't be around Trevor right now, so I text him back.

Me:

The park? In two hours?

Nick:

Sounds good.

I turn off my phone, hearing the doorbell ring and go to see who it is. Although, I think I already know who's on the other side of the door. All of the girls stand outside and I let them in so we can start practice. Trevor had to move the furniture to the walls so we had enough space to practice.