Across The Stars

Chapter 12.

"Are we ready?" Lowery asks us through the microphone on the other side of the glass.

Austin and I each give him a thumbs up in response.

Austin turns to me and smiles. "How're you feeling?"

"Ready to record this duet." I say as eagerly as possible.

Whatever motives I had behind recording this duet with Austin, I knew it was time for me to make myself known to the world.

And perhaps make Toby realize what he was missing out on.

When Lowery gives us the cue, I begin playing the intro to the song. Austin comes in on time, perfectly singing his part.

We record the song over and over until Lowery is completely satisfied with how it sounds.

As soon as we finish, I hear faint clapping coming from behind the glass. Austin wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in for a hug. "We did it."

"I wouldn't have been able to do this without you." I somewhat lie.

Austin was responsible for helping me get this record deal in the first place, but part of me still feels upset about the fact that my first record wasn't going to be my own.

"We should go out to celebrate." Austin says.

I hesitate before nodding my head, not entirely sure if I would be able to keep my cool while we were by ourselves.

I practically threw myself at him the other night after Toby and I had it out with each other. My hormones and anger seemed to have been having their own battle as I tried to convince myself that revenge sex with Austin probably wasn't such a good idea.

Since I've floated back down to reality, to say I was embarrassed anytime I was around Austin now was an understatement. Thankfully, for my sake, and most likely his own, he hasn't brought it up since then.

Truth be told, aside from the whole Toby thing, I wasn't sure how I felt about Austin. I was more confused than ever given that I was free of Toby's clutches, but I couldn't help but wonder if this was the right thing for me to feel.

Austin and I were so similar yet so different. He gave me this rush of energy that did wonders to my body, but I couldn't help but feel closed off from him.

I could feel myself battle within trying to break through, but not as forcefully as necessary.

"Anna?" Austin questions.

"Hmm?" I glance over at him.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah." I nod. "Let's go while the night is still young."

***

Austin and I end up at a bar a few blocks away from the studio. We decide to sit outside, taking the opportunity to admire the somewhat decent sunset, a sight you never truly get to experience in New York.

I remember the sunsets in Los Angeles.

Dad would open the bay window in his bedroom and let Toby and I sit on the windowsill with our feet hanging over as we watched the sunset over the city skyline. The colors illuminated perfectly off of Toby's dark eyes, filling them with beautiful colors.

I shake my head as I take a sip from my glass, ridding myself of my thoughts.

"So, what now?" I ask Austin.

"Well, now that the single is recorded, Lowery will have to get it edited and hopefully distributed so it can be released. Not sure how long that will take. It could take anywhere up to a few weeks to a few months."