Page 57 of Siren's Heart

"Nothing bad.” Well, that doesn’t sound any more legal. “Just trust me. I'll go on a date with Asher and distract them. It's worked so far." I know she means it genuinely, but I frown. Something about that statement isn’t making sense. What does she mean, ‘it worked so far?’

Suddenly, it all clicks into place. Her dating Asher even though she doesn’t like him–her dating, when she usually only has hook-ups or her friend with benefits.

"Wait– are you okay, Kayla?" I turn so I face her completely. There’s no way.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Something's up." I narrow my eyes at her. "Please don't tell me you're only dating Asher to distract from Luca and me?"

Her silence tells me all I need to know. Oh, that sneaky bitch. She’s playing martyr for me, and I didn't even fucking know it.

"Kayla!" I scold her, and she raises her hands defensively, evading my eyes. Why would she do that? Wait, does he know they’re only dating to distract from Luca and me? The question and shock must be written all over my face because she hurries to answer it.

"Relax. He knows. We've decided together to do it to buy you two a bit of time. It's no big deal."

"Kayla!" I scold her again. I'm pissed. And happy. And angry. And speechless. "Why the fuck wouldn't you tell me?"

"Because then you'd feel guilty, so you wouldn’t have gone on a date with Luca and all that jazz.” She rolls her eyes and waves her hands dismissively. "The point was to let you two focus on each other. I'm not jumping in there to talk to you about my fake relationship and distract you. And see? It's worked out. The two of you are together, and you’re disgustingly cute and adorably happy. The plan went well, wouldn’t you say?"

"Well, what's going on with Luca and me aside. Is there something to talk about?" I ask alarmed, just to make sure and ignore her question. It’s such a huge thing, I can't believe she wouldn't tell me about that.

"No," she says, but I can see in her face that she's lying to me. She has this tell where one of her nostrils flares just before she’s telling a lie.

"Kayla," I warn her, but she shakes her head.

"It's nothing. I’m having some 'me' problems. We'll keep this up until the match is over and then go our separate ways while you two ride into your happily ever after sunset, and everything's going to be fine."

I sigh. Getting Kayla to open up about feelings is worse than prying a can open with a fingernail. But I love her anyway.

"Well, feel free to involve me in your 'me' problems anytime." I lay my head on her shoulder and feel her tense up for a moment before relaxing. "I'm your friend. That's kind of what I'm here for."

"Well, same goes for you," she mumbles and hesitantly leans her head against mine. "If Luca ever gives you shit, you tell me. If Asher gives you shit after we break up, you either tell me, or you go right ahead and kick his ass. Just make sure to film that roundhouse kick."

"I'm sure Luca would love to help out if it comes to that," I tell her and let out a deep sigh, letting comfortable silence settle for a bit.

"You know, I'm glad I'm doing this whole being a popstar thing with you, Kayla." breaking the silence after a few minutes.

Kayla agrees with a low hum, and we stare at the opposite wall for a while, each of us dealing with our own thoughts. I'm so glad we've stuck together through all of these years. There were times we became sick of each other, times when all I wanted was to be left alone, and even times she literally fled from me because we had to spend so much time together and were fed up.

We are going stronger than ever, but there were definitely times I wasn't so sure our friendship would survive. Where I feared that she’d rather go solo than deal with me.

All the happier I am that we’re still here. And our friendship is the strongest it has ever been. Even though madame keeps up her damn walls. Good thing I have my chisel and sledgehammer to slowly but gradually break them down. Maybe someday she’ll talk to me about what’s really going on in that beautiful head of hers.

Now that I know she's not dating Asher for real, a lot of questions go through my mind, though. Even though it’s fake, she seems…softer. Happier, even though she doesn't quite show it with how she acts.

Then again, maybe that's the thought of the charade being over soon. Or the thought of the charity match being over soon. Because I have to be honest, I'm getting a bit tired of dancing my way through the same routine over and over again, until even the movement of my fucking pinkie is according to Mike's wishes.

I want to write songs. Get into a recording studio and let the words and sounds flow. Convert my emotions into music and share them with the world.

Maybe someday they'll understand me. Maybe someday they'll show me some grace.

Maybe someday I'll catch a break from all the hate going on online.

Luca

I shift my weight from left to right as I ride up the elevator of Millie's building. I've just gotten back from Mary's pottery studio, Millie’s mug in tow and mine stored securely in the car, wrapped in an old shirt of mine. One day, I'll show it to her. On that day, she needs to answer the question I engraved on the bottom of the mug.

I also got more flowers for her, daisies this time because the little golden dot in them also reminds me of the sun, and some pralines my mom swears by and put them inside of her mug. The cup came out beautifully, I must say. She has an amazing eye for color, and the gold glaze really gives it a luxurious item feeling. I would never think that this is the first item she ever created. It looks incredible. Even Mary was impressed when she brought the two mugs over to me.

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