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

Chapter Fourteen

I walked into school, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Alex was right beside me.

“It’s OK,” he whispered. “That was a whole summer ago. They’ll have forgotten about it.”

“Are you sure?” I demanded.

“I’m sure.”

I still didn’t believe him. I squeezed his hand, his fingers caressing mine softly.

As we walked along, a girl was standing by herself. She kind of hovered, looking hesitatingly at me, before moving a little towards me.

I looked up at Alex, who shrugged. “I’ll see you later, girl.” He dropped a kiss on my cheek. “Love you.”

“And you.”

I watched him as he wove his way through the crowd, then I turned to look at the girl.

“Morgan.” Emily walked up to me. “How was your summer?”

I looked down at the shiny polished floor. “It was OK. It would have been better if somebody hadn’t accused me of cheating…”

Emily looked at the floor too. “I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. “Fine.” I turned to walk away. I didn’t want to be friends with Emily again. Why should I?

“Morgan!” She caught my arm. “Orlando made me do it! He…”

“I don’t want to hear it, Emily,” I replied, trying not lose my temper. “It wrecked my summer.”

“I…” Emily looked down. “I’m sorry.”

I looked at her, and felt a bit sorry for her. I don’t know what Orlando had said to her. Had he threatened her, or made her wonderful promises? Had he said he loved her?

“If you see Liam, would you tell him…” Emily gulped. “Tell him I’m sorry.”

I looked down. “Emily…”

OK, maybe she hadn’t been a good friend to me. Maybe I hadn’t exactly been a good friend to her either.

“You have to promise me you will never do that again.”

“I promise!”

“Because if you do, it’s over.”

“Of course.”

“Do you want to sit with me during class?”

She nodded. “Please.”

*

“So. Why did you do it?”

Emily looked down at her lunch. Ham sandwiches and a carton of Ribena. “I was scared. Orlando said if I didn’t…” She shuddered. “I’m sorry, Morgan. I… He really scared me.”

I nodded. I still didn’t understand properly. And I knew I would never trust Emily quite the same again. But I knew how scary Orlando could be. I knew what it was like to be scared. I knew how it felt to be desperate. So, I put my arm round Emily’s shoulders. “Friends?”

“Friends.”

I felt eyes on me, and looked up. Liam was watching us. I tilted my head on one side. “Em… Do me a favour.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t break my brother’s heart again.” I stood up. “He’s over there. Go talk to him.”

Emily smiled. “Morgan… Thanks.”

I watched as she walked away and went over to my brother. Maybe they’d get back together, maybe they wouldn’t.

Either way. If we survived last summer, we can survive anything. We’d get by. We’d be happy.

THE END