FABLE

Chapter Thirteen

"This way," Todd says, walking down the corridor at a fast pace.

As I follow the security guard past several sets of frosted glass doors, I remember Beth boasting that her dad got her a suite.

If she was telling the truth, it means she and the other Bs are probably somewhere nearby on the same level of the arena.

I might even run into them.

Oh hell no.

Although even if that were to happen, it's no big deal. Nothing could ruin my good mood. This is shaping up to be officially the most amazeballs night EVER, and it's only going to get better. I still can't believe I'm going to meet the rest of the band after the show.

I'm not too nervous about meeting Lyall or Elliot, because everyone knows that Lyall's a total sweetie and Elliot's super nice. Ben has a bit of a "hothead" image going on but he's really fun, and Alastair is... Alastaire.

I have no clue what I'm going to say to them.

Todd finally stops in front of a brightly lit room which has its massive double doors flung open.

There's a girl in her late teens or early twenties standing in the doorway, crossing off something on a clipboard while she sips from a huge Starbucks cup.

Her dark wavy hair is cut into an elegant bob just above her shoulders. She's wearing a chic black playsuit and stilettos, and something about her screams money.

In fact, she looks like she could have walked straight off a Chanel or Dior catwalk.

With Kate Moss cheekbones, pale skin, long dark eyelashes and cherry red lips, she's easily the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in real life.

I can just see into the suite behind her - a wide brightly lit oval with a table in the centre.

"Another offering?" she asks Todd without even looking up from the clipboard.

"Yeah. Take care of this one," Todd says, before turning on his heel and walking away down the corridor.

The girl glances at me and rolls her eyes.

"Wow, another blonde," she says in a smooth, bored British accent, her eyes lingering on my guitar case and school bag. "Congratulations. You're the fourth one Alastaire's pulled out of the crowd tonight."

"You're wrong -", I start speaking but she cuts me off.

"No, I'm not wrong. I'm sorry to have to break it to you sweetheart. You see those girls over there?" She gestures to three blondes sitting in plush seats in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

"It's the same thing at every single concert. Alastaire likes to make himself a little harem for his... amusement... after the show. That's how he does things. If you're not happy with sharing him, feel free to leave."

"That's not what I meant", I say. "What I'm trying to say is... I'm not here for... for the harem thing. Alastaire didn't send me. It was Felix."

For just a moment, the girl's eyes widen, and she stares at me intently.

"Really?" She asks, now studying me more closely. "What's your name?"

"Ashling," I answer.

"Ashling what?" she asks.

"Ashling Shields," I reply. Why is she quizzing me like this?

"And you live around here? You're from Portland?" she asks, flicking her eyes around my outfit, like she's looking for a flaw or a clue.