“Sponsorship deal?” Emily repeated, raising an eyebrow. “For a girl who hasn't eaten a decent meal in weeks? That's… messed up.”
Mike ran a hand through his hair. “I know, I know. But the point is, it's working. Look at her, Emily. She's actually smiling. This whole thing is helping her, and that's what matters, innit?”
Emily looked over at Jessica, who was laughing with the make-up artist. She had to admit, Mike had a point. Jess did seem happier, more alive. But something still didn't sit right. “Okay,” she said slowly, “I'll trust you. For now. But you better not be messing with her, or with me.”
Mike met her gaze, his eyes earnest. “Never. Cross my heart.” He hoped she believed him. Because the truth was far more complicated, and far more risky, than he was letting on. And the dream he had the previous night was a true one and he desired her and her love.
Chapter 9: Preparation for a change
The chipped mug warmed Alex's hands, but he still felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. Tonight was the night. The night he was supposed to, according to this website he'd found, give a little gig – a proper live concert – at the local café. He kept glancing at his guitar case, propped against the kitchen wall. His own songs. The thought still felt surreal. Maybe, just maybe, this was it. Maybe this was the start.
He hoped, with a fervent, almost desperate hope, that it would stop the endless teasing at school. The “ginger nut” taunts, the relentless mickey-taking – maybe they’d finally see him as something other than just “that ginger kid.” Being called “carrot top” every single day got old, real quick. He just wanted them to, like, chillin’ instead of being such prats.
And then there was Jessica. The whole Jessica thing was…well, mental, really. Falling for someone he’d never even met, someone who was apparently giving up on eating? Bonkers. He'd only seen her picture. Nothing particularly striking, just…normal. But the website had said, in big, bold letters: “YOU CAN HELP THOSE WHO NEED YOU!” And that, for some reason, hit him hard.
He knew it sounded cheesy, proper cringe, but he actually believed it. He really thought he could make a difference. Maybe he couldn't change the entire messed-up world, but maybe, just maybe, he could change Jessica's life. He would message her online a few times after the gig, trying to be encouraging, offering to listen. “You alright, Jess?” he’d type, then immediately delete it and forget her.
His mum’s voice, sharp and slightly nagging, cut through his thoughts. “Alex? Where are you off to then? Have you finished your homework? Are you even thinking about applying to university? What time will you be back? And for goodness sake, don't embarrass your father!”
Alex winced. His dad, the university professor. The embodiment of academic respectability. “Yeah, yeah, Mum,” he mumbled, already tuning his guitar. “Just doing my best. I need to go out now.”
“Out where? With who? Don't tell me you're seeing those guys from your school. They are bad boys, you know.”
Alex rolled his eyes. He didn't reply, just strummed a chord, letting the sound drown out her questions.
He plucked at the strings, checking the tuning. E…A…D…G…B…E. He needed to nail it. He needed to be perfect. This wasn't just about the gig, it wasn't just about escaping the bullies. This was about…everything.
