Young But Real (5 YA Short Stories)

Affirmation

I will never understand how someone can go gaga over a celebrity. It has been a crazy week since the Rainbow won the Battle of the Bands. I expected their win. This is just the beginning of their success. We, the people closest to them, knew before the fundraising concert that they would be the best band in the country.

But no one has prepared us for the onslaught of crazy fans wanting a piece of the members of the Rainbow.

Especially Riley.

After the interview was aired, the media made a big deal on who Riley is dating and has been milking it. After all, one of the hottest gays in the country is dating and everyone wants to know who's the lucky one. The issue has exploded like an inferno when someone claimed that he's dating Riley.

We were shocked. I was shocked to the core when someone named Cooper Bailey posted a photo of him kissing Riley on the cheek. Before my blood boils, Riley was quick to explain that it's a fan who requested for a photo and he was surprised as well when he kissed him.

Could've fooled me since he was smiling brightly at the camera. However, I knew that it was nothing for him. That it was only part of being an up and coming rock star and if I want to be with him, I must accept that I have to share him to millions of people. Everyone thinks rock stars are hot. I don't only think. I know it very well.

The Rainbow is currently in Perth for the Music Festival. I haven't seen Riley for three days and I miss him although we talk every morning as soon as he wakes up since his timezone is later than mine. Then, I call him again before I sleep.

I stare at my phone again, specifically at the photo. There's no way that this picture is legit.

"Holy shit!"

The phone slips from my hand, but thankfully I catch it before it hits the floor.

"Damn it, Selena. Don't sneak up on me like that."

Raising her hands up and with a mischievous smile she says, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I wasn't sneaking at all. Didn't you hear my heels clicking on the floor?"

I didn't. I was busy inspecting the picture.

"Didn't you read the sign on the door?"

She glances over her shoulder and shrugs like she doesn't care.

I glare at her. "It says 'No shoes inside the house'."

"I love these red stilettos. My feet don't want to be separated from them," she pouts. "They're so comfy."

"I'll bet on Riley's abs that those shoes are from Finn and you want to parade it in front of me." Finn is back this week. It's why Selena is glowing in just her white shirt and ripped denim shorts. Orgasm is the perfect skin care.

Dammit. I miss my Rye.

"Whatever." She rolls her eyes. In a blink of an eye, her expression changes, furrowing her eyebrows. "Can we go back to that picture of a shirtless Riley, sleeping on the bed with another half — hopefully not fully — naked man?"

"They'll never stop, won't they?"

"Not until they have the real one."

"I won't take their bait. Damn them if they think I'll play their game."

She stands next to me and we both examine the Instagram photo like bacteria under the microscope. Both of their lower half are covered by the white blanket. The waistband of Riley's boxer shorts is shown and his left hand is splayed on top of a guy sleeping on his stomach.

"Are you sure this picture is not real?" She pinches two fingers and holds the screen of my phone to zoom on the picture. "It looks legit."

I was in a shitty mode when I saw it earlier. Before my emotion clouds my brain, I let my eye for details do its job. "Keep zooming on Riley's left hand on top of the guy's back."