Starstruck Read Online Paige Laurens

Categories Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Tags Authors: Paige Laurens Advertisement1

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"If people see that even someone like you can snag a celebrity, think of what it'll do for them!"

I pause and give her a look.

"Sorry," she sighs. "It's still hard to be nice to you."

I cross my arms.

"Don't you want to make the world a better place? Isn't that what you're all about? Innocent, cute, adorable, Elle."

"Nope, I'm good. Sorry to disappoint. And that's not making the world a better place."

"Just one interview."

"Interviews are awkward as hell. I would know, I used to work for a magazine."

"I know," she rolls her eyes. "But I'll make it easy. I'll tell you everything you need to say. You just have to read from a cue card."

Now I really don't trust her and think she's up to something.

"If you think I'd ever let you put words in my mouth you're more delusional than I thought."

"God you're such a hypocrite. You're the one who didn’t want to be a secret! I gave that to you, and now you can't even go on TV and tell your story? You could be famous! Hugely famous."

"I never wanted to become famous," I roll my eyes. "I just want to date Asher."

October

I hear my name being called but I'm too nervous to move. When I realize it's Asher I let my location be known. A second later he lifts the tablecloth to find me underneath. "What are you doing?" He laughs.

We're still a few hours before showtime, in a city I don’t know.

"Hiding from Mona."

"Nice," he chuckles. “Can I come too?"

I move over and he slides in.

"I’m sorry she’s been giving you such a hard time."

"It’s fine," I rest my head on his shoulder. He sighs loudly.

"Did you ever think it would be this annoying to date me?"

"Just a little." I tease.

"You ready to go home next week?"

"Yes!" I realize I exclaim a little too excitedly.

"Really?" He furrows his eyebrows.

"Sure," I shrug. "Sleeping in a new bed almost every night is kind of getting old. I don’t know how you’re used to doing this all the time! Plus, I like the idea of being back at our place with all this," I motion around us. When he doesn't respond I look up. His face has fallen. "What?"

"Nothing," he shakes his head. "I thought you were having fun."

"Oh my gosh, I am!" I grab his hand. "It's one of the most unique and interesting experiences. There’s something new and exciting about being in a new City. And your band, your crew… your backup dancers... everyone is really nice."

"You don’t have to pretend for me," he breathes.

I narrow my stare, not sure what's gotten into him. "I'm not." I swear. "I've loved getting to see you every day. I don’t know how I’ll possibly go back to being without you."

"Why would you have to go back to being without me?" He offers a weird look. That's when I notice he’s holding an envelope.

The envelope.

My envelope.

"I just meant if and when you have to go away again and I get a job or something and won't or can't be with you. What's up with that?" I motion to his hand.

"Nothing," he slides it back into his back pocket. "I'll go put it back in your suitcase."

"Were you going to let me open it?"

"I dunno," he shakes his head, being weird. "I was thinking about it, but maybe when we get home."

He suddenly crawls out from under the table and walks away.

22

A Beautiful Day For A Dumpster Dive

November

Being home is great. The perfect break. I spend most days on our balcony, wrapped up in my favorite heated blanket, taking in the newly fall colored leaves from my birds eye view of Central Park. It's a sea of bright yellow, red, orange, and green. All is calm and peaceful. Until my cell phone rings.

It's Mom.

"Hey!"

My smile immediately turns into a frown as she starts ranting. Loudly.

I recoil and move the phone away from my ear, picking up a few key words.

"Wait what?" I hold it back up to make sure I heard correctly.

Shit.

There's a photo of me from two days ago at the pharmacy buying the morning after pill.

My Dad saw it at the store in one of those tabloid magazines.

I quickly grab my computer off the little side table to see how bad it is.

Horrific.

I scream, dropping the phone.

I pick it back up. "Mom, I'll call you back."

Asher rushes out with a look. Immediately I can tell he already saw it. He hesitates. "I got a call this morning. I was hoping you wouldn't see it." He cringes. "Was it your mother?"

"Oh my god, Asher! Why-"

He runs.

I chase after.

At least when it ends, with us naked on the floor, I don't make the same mistake twice.

That evening I log into Facebook for the first time in literally almost a year. I hadn't really needed to use it much before. I already kept in touch with everyone I cared to. But people on tour were always like, I'll friend you! And truthfully I'm excited to connect with them.


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