Rockstar Roommate

~Part Ten~

The days following the gala were a confusing blur. The kiss had done its job; the media was buzzing about our "relationship," and the band's image had improved dramatically. Jeff was ecstatic, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my chest.

Noah and I maintained our public appearances, but something had shifted. There was a tension between us that hadn't been there before, a mix of unspoken words and unresolved feelings. We went through the motions, but the ease and comfort we had started to build were now strained.

One evening, I found myself in the living room, flipping through channels aimlessly. Noah walked in, looking just as restless as I felt. He sat down next to me, and we sat in silence for a moment, the TV casting a dim light over the room.

"How are you holding up?" he finally asked, his voice soft.

I shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "I'm okay. Just trying to process everything."

"Yeah, me too," he admitted. "That kiss... it felt different, didn't it?"

I turned to look at him, surprised by his honesty. "Yeah, it did."

We fell into another silence, the weight of our conversation hanging in the air. I could feel the tension between us, an unspoken question lingering.

Before either of us could say anything more, Noah's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and frowned. "It's Jeff. He wants us to do another interview tomorrow. He thinks we need to keep up the momentum."

"Of course he does," I muttered, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation.

The next day, we arrived at the studio for the interview. The set was bustling with activity, and the bright lights only added to my growing sense of unease. We were ushered to our seats, and the interviewer, a woman with a polished smile and keen eyes, greeted us warmly.

"Welcome, Noah and Mia. It's great to have you here," she began. "There's been a lot of buzz about your relationship. How are you handling all the attention?"

Noah squeezed my hand, giving me a reassuring smile. "We're taking it one day at a time. It's been a bit overwhelming, but we're happy."

I nodded, trying to match his confidence. "Yes, it's definitely been an adjustment, but we're making it work."

The interviewer continued with her questions, delving into our "relationship" and the impact it had on the band's image. We answered as best as we could, sticking to the script Jeff had given us. But as the interview went on, I couldn't help but feel like I was losing a part of myself in this charade.

After the interview, we headed back to the apartment. I felt drained, emotionally and physically. Noah seemed to sense it and suggested we order in and watch a movie to unwind. I agreed, grateful for the distraction.

As we settled on the couch with takeout containers, I tried to push the day's events out of my mind. We chose a light-hearted comedy, hoping it would lift our spirits. But even as we laughed at the antics on screen, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

Halfway through the movie, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Zoey. I realized with a jolt that I hadn't updated her on the mix-up at the apartment. Bracing myself, I answered.

"Hey, Zoey," I said, trying to sound casual.

"Mia!" Zoey's voice was a mixture of excitement and annoyance. "Why didn't you tell me you were living with Noah? I just saw it online!"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm sorry, Zoey. It all happened so fast, and I didn't know how to explain it."

"Explain it now," she demanded. "Are you two really together, or is this some kind of publicity stunt?"

"It's... complicated," I admitted. "We ended up in the same apartment because of a mix-up. And Jeff thought it would be good for the band's image if we pretended to be a couple."

"Unbelievable," Zoey said, her tone softening. "So, what's it like living with him?"

"It's been... interesting," I replied, thinking back to the moments we'd shared. "There have been some awkward moments, but also some good ones."

"Like what?" she pressed.

I hesitated, then told her about the kiss and how it had felt different, more real than I expected. Zoey listened intently, not interrupting until I finished.

"Mia, it sounds like you have real feelings for him," she said gently. "Maybe it's not all just a charade."

"I don't know," I admitted. "Everything is so confusing right now. But Noah and I talked about it, and we're trying to figure things out."

"Good," Zoey said firmly. "Just remember, I'm here for you. And don't keep me in the dark like that again!"

"I promise," I said, smiling. "Thanks, Zoey."

After hanging up, I felt a sense of relief. Talking to Zoey had helped clear my mind, and I felt more determined to navigate whatever lay ahead.

But as the evening wore on, the tension between Noah and me grew more palpable. He was more distant, his usual charm replaced by a cold detachment. It was like the kiss had created a barrier instead of a bridge.

One evening, after another grueling day of appearances, we found ourselves in the living room again. The silence was heavy, the air thick with unresolved tension.

"Noah, we need to talk," I finally said, breaking the silence.

He looked up from his phone, his expression unreadable. "About what?"

"About us. About this... whatever it is between us. It's getting harder to pretend, and I need to know where we stand."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Mia, it's just for the band. It's not real."

The words stung more than I expected. "Not real? It sure felt real to me. And I think it did to you too."

He didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the floor. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity.

Finally, he stood up, avoiding my eyes. "I think we should keep things professional. It's easier that way."

My heart sank at his words, but I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I sat there, the weight of the situation pressed down on me. The lines between our fake relationship and our real feelings were blurred beyond recognition, and I didn't know how to untangle them. The confusion and uncertainty were overwhelming, and for the first time, I felt truly lost.

Noah's distant behavior continued in the days that followed. We maintained our public appearances, but the connection we had started to build was fractured. The awkwardness between us was palpable, and it was taking a toll on both of us.

One night, as I lay in bed, I heard Noah's voice coming from his room. He was on the phone, his tone low and strained. I couldn't make out the words, but the emotion in his voice was clear. He was struggling, just like I was.

I wanted to reach out to him, to bridge the gap that had formed between us, but I didn't know how. The fear of rejection held me back, and I found myself retreating further into my own thoughts.