The Pros And Cons Of Being In Love With The Lead Singer Of A Rock And Roll Band

Chapter Twelve

“I’m not letting go of Orlando,” Alex said, holding him down with one powerful arm. “Not until you listen to Morgan.”

“Let him go, Alex,” I said, tiredly. “It’s no use.”

He didn’t look at me. “Listen to her!” he insisted. “Get the other girls in here. Kayla and What’s-’er-name.”

“Mandy,” I said.

“Yeah, Mandy. Get them in. Ask them.”

“They’ll say exactly what Emily is saying,” Orlando grinned.

Alex slowly loosed his grip on Orlando. I think, like me, he was starting to see it was hopeless. “You lying toad,” he said, sounding shocked and horrified. He walked back over to me. “Get on the ‘phone. Get your parents here right now.”

Something in his tone sent shivers up and down my spine. “What?” I said, intelligently.

“Do it. This is getting serious.”

“No need,” Mrs Hathaway cut in, smoothly. “Standard protocol. They’ve already been sent for.”

I bowed my head. “I swear I didn’t do it.”

“I know you didn’t,” Alex said, quietly.

I raised my eyes and looked at him. “They’ve suspended me.” That fact was slowly beginning to seep into my brain. “Alex, they’ve suspended me.”

“I know.”

*

“What’s going on?” my dad asked, the moment he came through the door. “What’s she done?”

I glared at him. “I haven’t done anything!”

“Mr Sydney. Mrs Sydney.” Mrs Hathaway put on a very false smile and shook their hands. “Please sit down. I’m sorry we have to meet here instead of my office, and under these circumstances, but something of a most sinister nature has suddenly come to light.”

“What?” asked my mother, looking pale.

Mrs Hathaway quickly enlightened them. When she had finished, Alex stood up. “You’ve heard her side of the story,” he said to my parents. “Are you going to listen to your daughter?”

“Is there any point?” countered Orlando. “She’s obviously going to say she didn’t do it!”

“Right.” Mrs Hathaway stood up. “Emily. You’re president of the student council committee now. You’re in charge of making the announcement.”

“Wait, what announcement?” I asked.

Mrs Hathaway turned to me, with a faint smile. “The announcement that The Screams are disqualified and Faint Hope have won.”

“That’s not fair!” gasped Alex. He looked like he had been stabbed in the heart. I remembered how much he loved the band. I wanted to cry for him.

“Oh, I think it’s perfectly fair,” Mrs Hathaway said coldly.

I watched Alex. I could see the blood drain from his face, until he turned white. This was the boy who didn’t flinch when he got suspended, but, as soon as his band was disqualified from a stupid competition, he goes pale.

I would have laughed. If it hadn’t been so unfunny.

I wanted to pick up Alex’s hand, squeeze it tight, tell him it would be alright.

But I’m Morgan Sydney. I don’t make promises I can’t keep.

So I stood where I was, hanging my head a little, wondering how it would all end. I very much doubted it would end happily…