Steal the Show •On Hold•

Chapter Thirty Five

So I might go back and do an actual chapter in Tokyo, which is what I wanted to do originally, but I am at a loss for ideas, sooo.... yeah. In the words of Ughlifeissoboring, "NOW ON TO MELBOURNE!"

City: Melbourne, Australia

Song: Writer In the Dark by Lorde

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Artemis slipped on the flowered shawl. She huffed as she took the latest letter from Cam out of her pocket.

'Hey, Babe,

I see you're still as stubborn as ever. You should really clear that up. Just agree to meet with me, and no one will get hurt. If you don't, you're mother will get dragged into this. You don't want poor helpless Paula to get dragged into this, do you?

Love,

Cam'

A loud knock caught Artemis' attention. She quickly stuffed the paper into her vanity. Keys jingled in the door, and Jade slipped in.

"Hey, Sis. It's been a while," She gave Artemis a hug.

"Hey Jade! How's it going?" She didn't have to force her smile.

"I'm good. Tired, but good."

"How's LiLi?"

"She's good. Doesn't like sleeping, though. Whatever happened to 'sleeping like a baby'?"

Artemis laughed. "That saying makes no sense, from what I've heard."

"No, it doesn't."

"You came early. And you brought your new baby to a concert?! What's wrong with you?!"

Jade rolled her eyes. "I have baby headphones. I'm not an idiot."

"That's debatable."

Jade smacked her.

"Arty! You're on in ten!" Bao announced.

"Sh**. Thanks, Bao! You should go, Jade. Tell LiLi Aunty Arty says hi."

"Of course." Jade tan off.

-•-

"Break the news, you're walking out to be a good man for someone else. Sorry, I was never good like you. Stood on my chest and kept me down. Hated hearing my name on the lips of a crowd. Did my best to exist just for you." Artemis' voice filled the auditorium, sipping and swelling with every verse.

"Bet you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark. Bet you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark. Now she's gonna play and sing and lock you in her heart. Bet you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark.

"I am my mother's child, I'll love you 'til my breathing stops. I'll love you 'til you call the cops on me. But in our darkest hours, I stumbled on a secret power. I'll find a way to be without you, babe.

"I still feel you, now and then. Slow like pseudo-ephedrine. When you see me, will you say I've changed?

"I ride the subway, read the signs. I let the seasons change my mind. I love it here since I've stopped needing you.

"Bet you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark. Bet you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark. Now she's gonna play and sing and lock you in her heart. Bet you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark.

"I am my mother's child, I'll love you 'til my breathing stops. I'll love you 'til you call the cops on me. But in our darkest hours, I stumbled on a secret power. I'll find a way to be without you, babe."

Applause echoed off the walls.

After the show, Artemis was quickly scribbling out autographs. 'Glad you liked the concert, Gita. - Artemis Crock'. She surrender the autograph over to the girl who'd asked for it. Her friends squealed.

Wally walked up to Artemis as she headed back to her dressing room. "Hey, Babe." He gave her a quick kiss.

"Hey, Wall-Man."

Wally groaned. "Are you ever gonna let me live that down?" He asked, referencing their less-than-ideal meeting.

"You mean how you tripped over your own feet like the klutz you are, Baywatch? Nope!"

Wally facepalmed. "You're annoying."

"I know! And you love it."

"I do." He gave her another kiss.

"Wally, I gotta go see Lian and Will."

"Alright, fine." He pouted.

She gave him a kiss. "I'm sorry, Babe. But you're not always the most important thing in my life, kay?"

"Why not?"

"Because I said so."

"Moooommm."

Artemis rolled her eyes, and walked away.