Page 145 of Goodbye Note

a reason to stay alive

when i close my eyes

you are the face that always comes to mind

this nebula in my void

the bright in my life

my neverland to escape to

straight on until morning

i’ll meet you there

I slipped backstage to meet him when he walked off before the encore. Arik’s entire face lit up. He ran, slamming into me, guitar and all.

He held me and shook. “How are you here?”

“I didn’t give anyone a choice,” I whispered into his ear.

“How long?” His voice was raw, and not from singing a full set.

“Twenty-four hours.” I hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed.

“Thank you.” He rested his forehead against mine.

“You have to go back on.”

“Promise you aren’t a hallucination.”

“If you’re hallucinating without me, rude.” I squeezed him again before disentangling our bodies. “I promise. Go finish.”

“Come on with me.” Arik reluctantly let me go.

“I’m not going anywhere. Do you know what kind of rumors that would lead to? I should be in Germany!”

“Fine.”

He played the rest of the encore and ran offstage and into my arms again. I’d never get sick of this feeling.

“Stardust. Come on, let’s go get your stuff so we can get out of here.”

“You’ve got confetti in your hair.”

“Where?” I raked my hands through the strands, trying to find it.

“Let me get it.” He pulled out a piece of the glittery gold. “See?”

“That’s your fault!”

“It looks good on you.”

“Would you get in trouble if I kidnapped you now?” I didn't have the time to do the band thing or deal with Kiernan. I wanted Arik to myself.

“Maybe. Is that a problem?”

“No. I’m not giving you a choice.”

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