Across The Stars

Chapter 9.

The past few days have been pure agony for me.

I couldn't think straight.

I barely ate.

I don't recall the last time I had a decent sleep.

All I could think about was Toby.

I could feel the self-battle with myself growing more intense by the minute.

Why didn't I give this much of a shit about him when we were actually dating?

How come all it took was for him to break up with me in order for me to realize that I've fucked up?

My mum had told me that he hasn't been by in the past few days, which makes sense. But it leads me to believe that he's in worse condition than I thought he would be given that he was the one who ended it.

It felt strange being away from him for this long. We've been inseparable for as long as I can remember.

Even when we were living in different states, I felt closer to him than I did now.

I attempt to look somewhat presentable today for my day in the studio, but I can't seem to gather my thoughts enough for me to put a simple braid in my hair.

I throw it up into a ponytail, pull on the same flannel shirt I've been wearing for the past three days and pray that it smelled decent enough. I pull my jeans up my legs and slide into my converse before grabbing the keys to my car and heading out the door.

I hadn't realized that I passed the studio when I did, groaning in agitation. I was running on close to no sleep and I was completely distracted.

Come on, Annie. Pull yourself together. These people aren't going to give a shit if you've just gone through a breakup. They'll cut you loose in a matter of seconds. You really should've brushed your hair today.

I pull around to the back of the studio and park my car before stumbling out of it. I check my reflection in the window one last time then make my way inside.

The studio is empty when I get in, not a single person in sight.

Am I in the right place?

"Hello?" I call out, surprising myself with the hoarseness of my voice.

"Hey." I hear Austin say.

I turn and see him sitting at the piano, his blond hair disheveled on top of his head.

"Where is everyone?" I ask.

"We don't usually record on Saturdays unless we have to." He tells me. "They like to give our voices a break."

"Shit." I groan, remembering that was one of the first things Lowery told me.

"You look like it." Austin smirks at me.

I roll my eyes before turning on my heal.

"Hey, wait! You're leaving so soon?"

"Yeah?" I slowly state, looking over my shoulder at him with a raised brow.

"Why don't you stay?"

"No thanks." I tell him.

"Come on, Anna. It looks like you have something on your mind."

"I don't."

"You two broke up, didn't you?" He suddenly asks.

I feel my bottom lip quiver at the sudden thought of Toby. "I..."

"Anna..." He softly says, standing up from the bench.

"No!" I protest. "Please don't throw it in my face. I don't need the 'I told you so'."