Rise To Fame

Chapter 7

(Y/n's POV)

After we finish our meal, which Jamie insists on paying for, we go for a walk down by the river under the glow of the street lamps.

"What's your family like?" he asks me out of the blue.

"Uh... I haven't got any actually."

"You haven't any?" he sounds very confused.

"Well,  I haven't got any left. My parents both died in a fire when I was 8. I was away at one of my friends' houses, and a fire started while they were asleep. The police weren't sure what caused it, but neither of them woke up in time to get out. And my grandparents died before I was born. I haven't got any brothers or sisters, no aunts or uncles, nothing. So I went into the foster care system alone, bounced around from house to house for the next 10 years and then found my own place as soon as I hit 18."

I look at him bravely, not really caring what he thinks. I'm proud of myself for surviving those 10 years in foster care; it's tough getting thrown back into the system when no-one wants you. I could've turned out to be such a different person to the one I am today, but I didn't. And I'm happy with that.

"That is honestly amazing," he says.

I raise an eyebrow, "You think losing your parents is amazing?"

"No, no, no. I think you're amazing, to have been through all that and become who you are. To have become as successful as you have."

"I wouldn't say I'm-"

"And if you're happy with your life," he interrupts, "then that's the best success there is."

I grin and loop my arm around his as we continue to walk.

"And you?" I ask him. "What about your family?"

"Mine's not that big to be honest."

I laugh, "Well as long as it's bigger than mine then I'm happy for you."

"Yeah, it is," he laughs too. "I've got Mum, and I've got my brother Sam."

He stops.

"Is that it? No cousins or aunts or anything?"

"Nope. Just Mum and Sam."

"Sam's in the band with you, right?

"Yeah he is. Or at least he was, while we were still together."

"Wait, what??" I stop and turn to look at him. "Shut up. No way."

"And here I thought you knew everything about me," he teases. "The band broke up last year. I'm flying solo now."

"Why did you break up?"

"Dunno. I guess we just felt like we were done. Why? You disappointed y/n?" He grins at me.

"Relieved actually," I joke back. "Now there's no more of that racket you used to make."

"Hey! I'm still doing my own stuff you know."

I screw my face up with distaste. "And here I thought I was free."

He looks shocked. "Well that's charming that is."

"Oh Jamie," I laugh and put my arm through his again. "I'm only messing, you know that."

"Yeah, yeah. I know." He doesn't look at me but he's smiling again now.

We sit on the edge of the wall and hang our legs above the water.

I place my head on his shoulder, and he puts his head on mine.

"Sing for me?" I ask gently.

He doesn't need a guitar or piano or any kind of accompaniment. His voice is soft and beautiful on its own.

"It's been a little while now,
Since I last saw your face.
And I'm hoping that in death,
That you have found a better place.
I still think about your childhood,
And the future you did waste,
I guess you felt you don't belong here,
And that haunts me every day.
And I know that I get lonely when I think about your smile,
And there's moments when I know I could have helped,
Or should have tried.
And I'm sorry I get angry,
When I know what you have lost,
You're not alone."

"Who's it about?" I whisper.

"An old friend. He died, tragically, and I wrote this to remember him. Not that I could ever forget him, but... I wanted to do something for him."

I slowly take his hand and intertwine our fingers.

Jamie stands up slowly and gently pulls me up after him.

We stand next to the river, under a street lamp, faces inches apart.

"Y/n," he says softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind me ear.

I blush a little and whisper, "Yes?"

"You're amazing."

I close my eyes as Jamie leans in and, in the next second, his lips are pressed against mine.