Page 15 of Introvert

"So, you're on the bus now?"

"Yeah," I said softly. "I'm in the bathroom."

A pause. "Why are you whispering?"

Because I don't want anyone to hear.

Because talking to myself would seem strange.

Especially to a bunch of rockstars.

"And is that…your uniform?"Freya smiled at me from my phone screen. "Only you would wear that your first day on tour."

"I didn't have time to change," I said defensively.

"You make it look good," Freya said. "Anyway,where are the guys from HERS?"

"Probably in their bunks, the kitchenette, or the little sitting room up front." I shrugged. "It's not like I took note of everyone's location before I came in here."

"You didn't?"

Okay, so I did. But that was only because it helped calm my nerves. Knowing what to expect, being prepared beforehand, that was the key. New people, new experiences, anything unexpected usually spiked my anxiety. Part of me still couldn't believe I was here.

Freya chuckled as if she'd read my mind. "I can't believe you're actually doing it."

I tilted my head. "I can't believe you waited until the last second to tell me you weren't."

"Hey, I'm concussed!"

"Frey."

"What?It's true." she said. But after a moment,she sighed. "Okay, so I may have delayed telling you, thus giving you less chance to back out—"

"I knew it."

"—but it all worked out. Right?"

I stayed silent.

"You're there, Ror."My cousin's voice was filled with awe. "You're about to live the dream."

"Sharing a bathroom with five guys?" I said. "Oh yeah, it's going to be awesome."

"You know what I mean."

I did.

"Also, I know you're kind of upset at me for bailing—even though there's no way I could've known I'd be hit by a rogue basketball—but…I'm so proud of you, Ror."

"Thanks, Freya," I said.

"Hey, what'd you want to tell me?"

"What?"

"Just before your phone died, you said you had something big to tell me."

"Oh, that," I murmured, feeling my cheeks heatas memories of the kiss replayed in my mind. "It's nothing."

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