BETWEEN FAME AND LOVE

moment before Zane quickl

out it," he said. "I didn

a beat, disbelief

er for me? Did he reall

apologize for the inconvenience," the wo

and focused on my locker. The en

Did he really do t

n know me. He hard

d he cov

m

smile, even though

fended

cluse who doesn't care about other people

just didn't

eeks were flushed t

spoke up for me f

getting into trouble on

stood up and walked out even bef

ard finally wrapped things up, the oth

chatter, sharing the snap pho

ut Caleb's hairsty

He was sitting nex

were th

Leo's

the ring Zane

at their

d without a doubt, every girl

l. I didn't get to see any of Phoenix 4 again, though. The next time we were supposed to have math class, M

wasn't around; we weren't in the same grade, so our paths didn't cross, but that was fine. It was just another ordinary week, and when l

spot behind the school libra

oughts drifted back to the other day when Zane had lied about not s

mbered how he had

touched

my

ed it

d at me when the woman

so

l I ever get that

t my songbook, landing on the

about m

o could they be? D

ust; everyone

e could

show up when Mr. H

ose my memories

d found more lyrics. I looke

I have a

e beyond

e someone the

o know the

o find m

e broke through my thoughts. I turned to

u

is

erly, stepping closer, "

ith her long hair p

ent; I guessed she was probably

outdated, which annoys me. But I finally found someone who

bold and

a beautiful vo

feeling

id, and she no

know any more Barb

yeah, a

ly love her songs. Too bad I can't sing, and

he has a

please?" she urged wit

But right now,

pted, and I couldn't hel

this kid

my cupcake, and she wat

ome?" I

ter a moment'

es, wiping the crumbs off he

iced a small scr

d, "Let me clean

my bag and gently cle

better!" I smiled,

are you here with

ked sur

t know me?" she ask

upposed to

she did look a

you

a woman call, a

aching us with tw

re? You made me worry again," the woman sa

a

Carter, the CEO of Phoe

tantly from various

h

he soda can I held tipped

ust exploring," Madison

s sister! The one

so confident; she was

Carter asked, noticing the crumbs o

anding in fron

ma'am," I stammered

ieve I've seen your face before

Carter's voice was smooth and polite, but there was

t got admitted last week." My voice sounded steadier

he said, her tone g

g not to fidget. "I'm

son, welcome to Starla

a'am," I repl

to meet someone

d I love her, Mom," Mad

iful voice and a

babysitter, Mum," M

a mix of surprise and

son? Like... you want her to come babysit

deep breath and turned t

sn't been easy for me, balancing my work and taking care of her. She's wand

, glancing

ce enough to be her babysitter?"

rd by the offer. Babysitt

hardly

u

Carter pleaded, looking at me

she'd just said. Babysitting Madison woul

s has to