Page 97 of Exactly What I Needed
Funny. I had the upgraded tickets, and yet, she was gossiping with everyone else.
This was probably partly my doing, always pretending like I was mostly disinterested in her taste of music. But that had been with a purpose. A purpose I was slowly beginning to doubt if it was worth it.
Tossing my purse on my dresser, I placed the heels on the shoe rack in my closet and grabbed some headphones. Lying down on my bed, I turned on some music and stared at the ceiling. (14)
Notes thumped in my ears, and then Asher’s haunting voice echoed through the speakers. Of course this was the type of music I chose to listen to. Sitting up, I clicked pause and then scrolled down to my music. Thestuff that I’d composed years ago when things were new and fresh. Fun still.
And pressed play. (15, 16)
Immediately, I recognized the difference. Less pain danced across the notes. Less heartache and chaos. Some fear, some excitement, some joy. It was beautiful and poetic. I wanted to write something more like that again. Something a little more free. Maybe even something a little darker.
I wanted to feel this sense of being alive coming through my notes in whatever piece I composed this year.
Eventually, the song ended, and a new one began playing.Misery Business(12) of all songs popped up since, apparently, I’d hit shuffle. I hummed the tune and then began singing along. Closing my eyes, I fell into the memory of yesterday. That feeling of breaking out of the chains that had once bound me came flooding back. Even if I wasn’t able to see him tonight, there was a piece of him still imprinted on my heart. There was a piece of him that would always be with me.
I giggled, rolling sideways and curled up in a ball. I could make it through tomorrow. And the next day. I could make it through until I saw him next.
Chapter 32
Friday was finally here. Of course Sydney and her friends had forgotten I’d been planning on texting them when I got off work yesterday to find out where they were. They were done by that time anyway. So, I’d gone shopping alone, but video called Asher in the dressing rooms and actually picked out something a little more similar to my birthday outfit. Not quite as fancy, but definitely not school-appropriate.
Off-the-shoulder, dark red crop top that I’d wear with some black boyfriend cut jeans. But it wasn’t just any red crop top. No, it had a sweetheart neckline with cute, ruched sleeves and a cut-out just below the bust line. It was a little edgier than what I normally wore, without being so far from my style.
I spun on my chair, lazily excited that we would also be ending school after third period. Students could stay for lunch if needed, which would give me time to finish the work I would’ve had to do over the weekend, and then we would get to go home.
I would get to see Asher.
Students began slowly trickling in, ready to start second hour. Grins were plastered upon their faces, knowing that they were that much closer to ending school. Plus, the look on Selena’s and Caralee’s faces told me gossip would happen. After they did some work on their essays. I figured none of them would be that upset to continue writing the persuasive essay on which song was their favorite and why.
They were required to use personal experiences from this weekend, but if someone wasn’t able to go, they were able to privately approach me and gain permission to use YouTube.
The chatter was loud and rambunctious as the time ticked closer and closer to the end of class. I knew their focus was long gone, since most of the kids were no longer typing as intently as they had for the first half of class. Even the students who normally worked hard, no matter what, were getting distracted.
“All right, you can put your stuff away and chat for the rest of class,” I finally announced, and every laptop slammed shut. They carried them quickly to the portable lab in the back of the room and then immediately returned to their seats—barely breaking conversation.
Until Dane whipped his head to face me. “Miss Duval!” he said loudly, quieting the class.
I lifted a brow, looking away from my computer screen. “Yes, Dane?”
“You remember your promise, right? You’ll take videos at both concerts?”
I nodded. “Of course I remember. I’m a girl of my word.”
“Is your boyfriend going to be there?” Selena shouted and wiggled her brows, knowing more than the rest in the class. As I thought about it, I bet the background of the video Asher sent gave it away for her as well.
“Yeah, Miss Duval! That man you’re talking to on Picsnap. Is he going to be there?” Caralee added with a grin.
“Maybe?” I teased, narrowing my gaze suspiciously.
“Oh, come on, just answer us!” Benson begged.
“Okay, yes. He’ll be there.” I glanced at Selena, who merely sat in her chair with a smug smile on her face.
“So, you’ll take pictures with him and share them with us?” Dane asked.
“That wasn’t part of the agreement,” I stated, not outright denying it because, well, yes. There would be many pictures with him.
“Just one!” Madison piped in.
