Page 19 of Our Final Encore

It should make me happy, seeing him get the attention he deserves for his talent, but it doesn’t. Instead I feel a bit sick.

I quietly weave through the crowd and head into the bathroom. I sit on the toilet and let out a long sigh, cradling my head in my hands. This plan of mine certainly backfired to a degree even I wouldn’t have predicted.

After I don’t know how long I hear a quiet tapping on the door. “Opal?”

I recognize Alex’s voice, so I stand up and open the door. “Yes?”

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” I shake my head. “I was using the bathroom.”

“Are you alright? You’ve been in here for a while.”

I didn’t even realize it had been that long, I just felt like I had to escape that moment, and it was the only option. Opening the door, I see that his face is filled with concern. “I’m fine, I’m just getting tired. I think I’m gonna head home, I texted my grandma.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to, really. I know you’re having fun.”

He shakes his head. “I came here to hang out with you. I don’t even know these people.”

A tight smile pulls at my lips. “Whatever you wanna do.”

“Let’s go chill outside until she gets here.” He reaches his hand out for mine, and it feels good when I let him hold it.

We start toward the front door, but a sharp feminine voice halts us. “Alex, wait!”

Brooke grabs his hand and stops him. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired. Had fun though, we should do it again.” I honestly can’t tell if he’s just being his usual polite self, or if he really means it.

Brooke turns to me. “Hey girl, could I talk to Alex for just a sec before y’all leave?” She gives me a sweet and innocent smile.

“Sure,” I try to keep my voice light but it doesn’t work.

She pulls him away and I walk out the door, just wanting to get away from them. I sit down, pulling my phone out.

“Hey,” Alex sits beside me on one of the big brick stairs leading up to her front porch a few moments later.

“Hi.”

He smirks before pulling his pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. At some point he picked up the habit, even though I made it clear I didn’t approve. I can’t deny that he looks kind of cool while smoking them though.

“Brooke asked me to go on a date with her.”

I’m not surprised at all, but I feel even more sick than before. “Did she?” My voice comes out a bit higher pitched than normal.

The flick of his lighter illuminates his face, showing off his defined cheekbones. “Mhm.” He looks almost bored with the conversation.

“So, what did you say?” I try my best to make it sound like I’m not that interested in his answer.

He shrugs, ashing his cigarette as he stares off into space. “Told her I’d think about it. I mean, she’s cute. And I think it’s cool that she likes my music.” He pauses for a minute. “It was kind of nice playing for all of them. I didn’t expect it to be that fun.”

Envy pours through my veins, and it burns like acid. I make a noncommittal humming sound.

His eyes slide over to mine and it looks like he’s searching for something, but I’m not sure what it is. “How would you feel about that? If we did go out.”

He’s asking me for permission?

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