Page 14 of Stuck Behind Her

“You okay?” my mom asks. I jerk my head toward the door, where she stands. Where did she come from?

“I’m fine. Lorenzo’s going to pick up Ellie,” I tell her.

“Obviously not by choice.” She walks closer, smiling. It’s fine. An eye for an eye. He put himself in this position. “Why are you mad at him?”

“I’m not. It’s school stuff, don’t worry about it.”

She looks at me for a bit before continuing. “Are you and Lorenzo in the same school?” She chuckles. Why did I even try to keep it away from her? I should’ve known she’d figure out.

I narrow my eyes. “Yes. Laugh until you remember who else goes there.”

She continues to grin, walking closer and hugging me. “It’s okay. You’ll be fine. He will be, too, as long as you are,” she assures me.I’ll be fine as long as I don’t get exposed, I think to myself. My mom lets go and faces me. “Plus, Lorenzo says he’s fine.”

“So, you’re just going to believe him and let everything go?”

“Everything has its time, honey. Right now, I’m comforting you. What happens to him comes later,” she states. I smile. I don’t think anyone hates Elias—well, Roland specifically— more than she does. I don’t even think she actually hates Elias as a person, more of the idea of him as Roland’s son. But I understand her. She has her reasons.

“Also, why didn’t you tell me that Ellie and Elaina Williams are friends?”

She shoots me a confused look. “I didn’t find a need to. What, is her sister also in your school?” I nod, a frown appearing onmy face. “That’s actually hilarious, Val,” my mom says, trying to hold in a laugh. “I’m sorry. It’s not funny, I get it. But at least you have Lorenzo,” she reminds me. Yeah, and that’s great. The best part of all this. As long as he keeps my actual name a secret.

“So long as he doesn’t mess up my secret,” I tell her.

“He wouldn’t. Even if he did, it wouldn’t be intentional. He’s your best friend, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, or your career.”

My mom’s right, Lorenzoismy friend, and I know that he would never wish anything bad for me. But he’s still someone that could let something slip out by accident.

“I know. You should go rest. I’ll wait for them,” I tell her. She smiles, softer this time.

“I’ll be inside if you need anything,” she replies before walking out. She’s the best. No matter what’s going on, she always knows what to do, even it means she sometimes blows up my phone when she doesn’t know where I am, or if I don’t answer her calls. She understands me, which is something not many can do.

I sit on the couch, waiting for Lorenzo to arrive, taking my laptop and placing it on my lap. Might as well get some planning done while I’m waiting. Now that I have to go to school, I have less time to concentrate on my singing career. But I’ll get through it. If anything, I can always skip a period or even a day. As long as I find myself some winners, and keep my identity secret, school itself doesn’t really matter.

After twenty minutes, the doorbell rings. I get up to open the door and see both Lorenzo and Ellie standing outside on the welcome mat. “You left me with him,” Ellie complains, gesturing to Lorenzo. I forgot that she doesn’t like him.

“Blame him. Plus, take it as a punishment for not telling me about Elaina.” I say. It’s not a punishment, but I need an excuse.

“How was I supposed to know that Aurora knows you? Or that you cared? Or that you needed to keep your identity a secret when it came to me?” she states.

“Ellie, you know I need to keep my identity a secret. When did I ever say you could tell someone about my connection to you?”

“You’re in disguise, I didn’t think it mattered.” She shrugs.

I cross my arms. “Ellie, Lorenzo didn’t kill you. You’re fine. Let it go,” I tell her. She rolls her eyes, stomping to her room. I turn my head, my eyes following her.

“I told you. Dramatic,” Lorenzo mentions. I turn back to face him. Sheisdramatic, I know that. But I do what I can. That’s just how she is.

“I’m not done with you,” I remind him. He pouts, still standing outside.

“Come on. I did it for you, Vi. I know it was awkward, but you’re going to be spending over a month with them. You need to get more comfortable around them. And by them, I mean Elias. I’m not telling you to like him and become his best friend, but you have to feel less stressed around him,” he explains. I don’t like the fact that he’s got a point and he’s right.

“You’re mean. You’re supposed to be wrong so I can be annoyed at you,” I tell him, moving to the side so he can walk in the house. He laughs, entering so I can close the door. He then turns to face me.

“Look, I’m sorry. About the joke that could’ve exposed your identity and leaving you in an awkward situation with them. I just don’t want these next two months in school to make you feel uncomfortable,” he says, taking both of my hands in his. I know he doesn’t. He’s doing this for me. “Just don’t look at him as Miller. Look at him as Elias. I swear he’s different. I would never be friends with him if he wasn’t.”

“Okay. I’ll try. Just please, while you’re here, try not to cost me my career,” I tell him. A big smile forms on his face.

“I’ll try my best,” he promises. He will. I’m sure of it. He then tips his head to the side slightly. “I just realized how much I prefer you with your natural hair.”

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