Tyler.
Every part of me lifts, expands, and from that point forward, I love being on stage. I relish every second in thespotlight.
This is what I wanted, and though I sneak a look at my family once in a while, every line and song and scene makes me realize it’s not forthem.
It’s forme.
I’m doing it for me, and I feelamazing.
The final curtain is accompanied by thunderous applause andhollering.
Everyone exchanges smiles—even Kellan pulled his shittogether.
Carly tries to avoid my gaze but can’t, and I wink at her as we join hands tobow.
“I owe you a drink,” I murmur to her, “since I’m pretty sure your family’s entire liquor cabinet is inside mycostume.”
“That was great, Annie,” Haley says when she and my dad come backstage after the show. Her eyes land on my costume and the trash bag on top of it. “Do I want to know what that’sabout?”
“No. No, you don’t.” I smile, looking past her. “Where’s Tyler? I saw him come in. He was standing in theback.”
They exchange alook.
My dad lowers his voice. “Let’s gohome.”
“I’m going withPen.”
“Annie,please.”
“Okay,” I relent, waving to my friend with a promise to call her in themorning.
When we get home, my dad’s Bentley is already in the garage, but Tyler’s bike isgone.
How is he not backyet?
I run around the side of the house, nearly tripping on the roses in my hurry to get to the poolhouse.
The lights areon.
I burst in the door, breathless, a smile on my face as I prepare to giddily tell him every second, to demand his reaction. Hell, I’d even take notes as long as he put his hands on me while he gavethem.
But the space isempty.
Something else is wrong,too.
It takes a second for me to put my finger onit.
No schoolbooks. Not tidy stacks ofclothes.
Noguitar.
My stomachplummets.
I feel a presence at my back and whirl on my dad. “Where ishe?”
“Gone.”
Numbness takes hold of my gut, spreading to my limbs. “Where?”