ZoeValentin

2.2.16
PM

TheAnonymous

ChapterOne

Themomentscreamspiercedtheairandtheindistinguishablefeelingofhysteriaarose,
Keaganknewthatdraggingherbrotherdowntothemeetupwasabadidea.A
very
badidea.
Handsthatshookwithnervesshotouttograppleathisjacket,tugginghimclosertothefrenzied
lineofgirlsthatstretcheddowntheblock.Gavin,ofcourse,tookitinstride,grinningashewas
pulledinthisdirectionandthat.Hereacheduptoyankhissunglassesoff,atypicalstepinthe
procedureofdistinction.Itwasntthefirstoccasionthathewasmistakenforteenheartthrob
ChrisMeyers,whomtheunrulybunchwereanxiouslyawaitingfor.
Thetwocouldbemistakenfortwins,ifnotforthepatchoffrecklesthatlitteredthetops
ofGavinscheeks,courtesyoftheSmithfamilyline.Keagan'sownfrecklescoveredthebridge
ofhernose,whichshescratchedidlyasshewaitedfortherambunctiousgirlstorealizethat
no,it
wasntChrisMeyers,
and
yes,theyhadtocontinuetowaitfortheirturntomeethim
.
Onlyamomentortwopassedbeforethesighsofdisappointmentcame,buttheirinterest
waspeaked.Gavinwasreasonablypopularonsocialmediahadevenacoupleofarticleswritten
abouthimbeingtheLookalikeoftheCentury!.ThesegirlsknewthateventhoughGavin
wasnttheinfamousChrisMeyers,theywouldstillgetlikesonsocialmediaforhavingapicture
withhim.Keagonrolledhereyesasherbrotherwasonceagainsuckedintothecrowd.She
yankedherphoneoutofherpocketandshothimatext.

Really??Illbewaitingattheendoftheline.Meetmewhenyouredonewiththe
crazies.
Shewaitedamomentbeforetheinevitable
ding!
came.
alright..andtheyrenotcrazyK.theyrejustpassionateyaknow??anywaysillmeet
youinafew.gottago,theyregettingrestless!
Keagonhuffedathisilliteratestyleoftextingandlockedherphone,shovingitbackinto
herpocket.Asshewalkeddowntheblock,shedidntmissthejudgementalstaresofthegirls
waitinginline.Theylookedherupanddown,asifshewerecompetition.Inaway,shewas.
ThesegirlsdidnttrustoneanothertheyallwantedtobethenextMrs.Meyerstoobadly.
WhenKeagonreachedtheendoftheline,sheshruggedoffherbackpacktosiftthrough
thecontentswithin.Shehadntrealizedthatasecurityguardwouldbecheckingtomakesureshe
hadherpass.Shequicklyregisteredhowsillythatsounded.Ofcourseameetandgreetwith
ChrisMeyers
ofallpeoplewouldbeswarmingwithbuffsecuritymen.Itshouldhavebeena
given.Keagonfeltatwingeofannoyanceatthatthought.Shehatedfamousbubblegumpop
stars.Theonlywaytheybecomeovernightsensationsisfromtheirappearance.Smackaface
likeChrisMeyersonalineoflunchboxesoreventubesoftoothpaste,anditwouldselloutin
seconds.
Keagonpickedathernailsassheswayeduncertainly.Thesecurityguardhadlether
entertheropedofflinewithoutahitchthankstothepassesthatMrs.Andersonhadgivenherthe
previousweek.Heroldersisterwasthetourmanagerfortheboywhoseneoncolorednamewas
splashedalongthetopofthepass,soattainingtwoofthemwasntaproblem.Theproblemwas
howKeagonfeltaboutbeingattheeventitself.
Shemovedalongtheedgeofthebrickbuildingthemassofgirlswerewrappedaround,
thankfulforBoston'scleandowntownsidewalksasshefoundherselfaplaceonthecement.She
pulledherlaptopoutofherbackpack,quicklypluggingintheheadphonesthatwerehanging
aroundherneck.Ashercomputerstartedup,shehummedafewbarsofthenewestsongshewas
workingon.Shemadeamentalnotetolookoverthechorusonemoretime.Whenher
homescreenappeared,shequicklypulledupherdocumentshehadbeenworkingonlatethe
previousnight.

Keagonstaredatthetitle,nervesofexcitementcatchingandknotsforminginher
stomach.
MyInterviewWithFamousMusicProducer________
.Shefrownedslightlyatthe
blankspace.Thesolereasonwhyshewashereatthisevent.Shehopedtodiscoverandmeet
the
musicproduceroftheinfamousChrisMeyers,ifhewouldsokindlytellherwhoandwherethey
were.Shewincedslightlyattheprospect.Thepopstarwouldprobablytakeoffenseifthefirst
thingthatKeagondoeswhenshemeetshimistoblurtout
Hi,Idontreallylikeyouorwhatyou
standfor,butImheretofindoutwhowritesandproducesyourmusic..soifyouwouldhelpa
littleolegirllikemeout?
.Herresolvehardened.Itwasworthashot.Heracceptanceintoher
dreamschoolthatwilllaunchherdownthepathofbecomingamusicproducerherselfwas
ridingonthis,andshecouldntscrewitup.WhenMrs.AndersonhadbrokethenewsthatNew
YorksSchooloftheMusicalArtshadampeduptherequirementsforincomingstudents,
Keagonfeltanimmensepressureonhershoulders.Sheknewsheneededtostandoutamongthe
thousandsofotherhopefulstogetin.WhenMrs.Andersonsuggestedthisidea,Keagonwas
quicklyonboard.Shewasthankfulthatherfavoriteteachercouldpullsomestringsinorderto
helpherout.
Keagonbitherlip,andopenedanewtabonherlaptop.ShequicklytypedChris
Meyersintothesearchbarandhitenter.ShehoveredhermouseovertheNewssection,and
clicked.Hundredsofarticlescameupfromthelastweekalone,mostofthemwithheadlines
like:
ChrisMeyersHitsItOffWithMysteryBlonde,PossibleGirlfriend?
.Sherollshereyesas
shescrollsdown.Suddenlymysteryblondeturnsintospunkybrunette,thenintoher
personalfavoritenewgirl.Keagonwasalwaysamusedwithunoriginality.Sheexitedoutof
thetab,elbowcomingtorestonherknee.
Howwouldshebeabletoactlikeshecanevenstandtheguy,letaloneaskhimforabig
favorlikereleasingthenameofhisanonymousmusicproducer?ChrisMeyerswastheepitome
ofeverythingKeagonfeltlikewhatwaswrongwithfame.Yethismusic.Hismusicwasso
good
.Shehadshamefullydownloadedeveryalbum,singleandtrackthathehadcomeoutwith
sinceheshottofametwoyearspreviously.Acoupleofthemwereonherlistoftoptensongs,
andshelistenedto
alot
ofmusicgenreaftergenre,artistafterartist.Itwasaprettyamazing
feat.Shealmostwishedtocongratulatethemastermind,ifonlysheknewwhotheywere.She

couldntcomprehendhowageniuslikehismusicproducercouldsitaroundandwrite,record,
andproducesongsforaguylikehim.Hopefullyshewouldfindouttoday.

ChapterTwo

BythetimethatGavinflashedthepassthatwashangingaroundhisnecktothesecurity
guard,twentyminuteshadpassed.Keagonwasgrowingrestlessattheconstantchatteraround
her,andshecouldfeelthebeginningofaheadacheformingatthebackofherhead.Hereyes
followedGavinashesatdown.
Thattookwaytoolong.Youwereprobablygettingallofthosegirlsnumberswhileyou
wereatitweren'tyou?Shedrawled,thetonecomingoutharsherthansheintended.Gavin
huffedoutalaugh.
Nah.Remindmetonexttimethough.Hesaid,theexhaustionclearinhisvoice.He
clearlydidn'twanttofightwithher.
Keagonfeltapangofguiltrunthroughher.Sheknewthathedidn'taskforallofthe
attention,yetshewasstillslightlyjealousofthewaythingsseemedtobehandedtohim.
Gavinletoutadeepsigh,andleanedbackagainstthebrickwallbehindhim.Whendoes
thisthingend?Heasked,closinghiseyesforabriefsecondbeforeheshiftedhisheadtolookat
her.
Itshouldendat7.ApparentlythepopstarneedstobeinVegasbythemorningtoget
readyforhisshowtomorrownight.Keagonreplied,lookingtoherrightasthelinefinally
begantomove,signalingthestartoftheevent.
Soundslikeabusyguy.Gavinsaid,shufflinghisfeetashewaitedforthemovementof
thelinetoreachthem.
Oranoverbookedonethirstyforthemoney.Keagonshotback,packingherthings
backintoherbackpack.Shedidn'tmissthewayherbrotherseyesonceagainclosedather
remark.
Whydoyouhavesuchacynicaloutlookontheguy?Hehasn'tbeeninthepressfor
doinganythingbad,heconstantlyorganizesmeetupswithhisfansthatarechronicallyill,and
youseemto
really
enjoyhismusic.What'syourproblemK?Gavinrepliedtiredly.

Hehasn'tbeeninthepressbecausehehastokeepupwithhisperfectimage.Doyou
reallythink
he's
theonethat'sorganizingthosemeetups?It'sprobablyhismanagementteam.
AndIenjoyhismusicbecauseit'stheonlypartabouthim..thatisn't
reallyhim
.Behindthe
scenesit'sageniusfeedinghimthoselyricstosingintothatmiceverynight.Keagonexplained
slowly,waitingforhimtounderstand.
Gavindraggedhishandacrosshisfaceandsighed.Hedidntrespondastheymoved
forwardintheline.Hetookapairofheadphonesoutfromhispocketandpluggedthemintothe
phonethatwasrestinginhishand.Afterscrollingforabit,hereacheduptotakeoffthe
sunglassesthatwastuckedintothefrontofhisshirt,andslippedthemonhisface.Theydidnt
speakastheywaited,inchingtheirwaydownthecoupleofblocks.Soonenough,theyhad
reachedthefrontoftheline.
Keagoncouldfeeltheanxietyswellingwithinherasonlyacoupleofgirlsseparatedher
frompotentiallylearningaboutthe(inhermind)legendarymusicproducer.Todaycouldbethe
daythatputherinfrontofalloftheotherpeoplecompetingforherdreamschool.Thiscouldbe
thedaythatshecouldsecureherfuture.Itwasnervewracking.Althoughtheyvebeenbathedin
silenceforwhatseemedlikeforever,Keagoncouldnthelpreachingoutblindlyforherbrothers
hand.Whenshefoundit,shelatchedon.Shefeltacomfortingsqueeze.Gavinknewhowmuch
thismeanttoher.Herbreathingslowed,andbythetimethesecurityguardatthefrontushered
herintothebuilding,hernervesturnedintoconfidence.
ChrisMeyers,KeagonSmithiscoming
foryouandshescomingonamission.

Chapter3

Ablastofcoolairhitherasshewalkedintothebuilding,handslippingfromGavins.
Thechaosthatthegirlscreatedearlierinthedayhadallbutdissipated,andonlyafewstragglers
remained.Theyweresoonwavedout,andthesiblingsweretheonlyoneslefttomeetthe
superstar.Foursecurityguardsmilledaround,obviouslyawareoftheeventcomingtoaclose.
Peoplewithbadgeswalkedaround,packingupsomeofthemerchandisethatwasondisplay.
Abuffmansaunteredovertothemboth,checkedtheirpassesonemoretime,andgrunted
outaFollowme..Keagonsteppedforwardtofollow,andrealizedthatGavinhadntmadea
move.
Dude,cmon!Keagonwhispered,andGavinwhippedhisheadforwardfromwherehe
waslookingaroundtheroom.Andtakethoseglassesoff.Wereinside.Youlookridiculous.
Heopenedhismouth,theprotesttotheinsultdyingonhislipswhentheterrifyingman
shotthembothaglare.Doyouwanttomeethimornot?Heasked,turningbackaroundto
walkoutoftheroomthroughadoorwayontheirleft.
KeagonandGavinrushedtocatchup,andtheroomtheywereleadtohadmore
merchandisebooths.
ItsalmostfunnyhownotsurprisedIam,
Keagonthought,shakingher
head.Themandidntstop,butcontinuedtowalkacrosstheroomtoanotherdoorway.He
paused,andaskedOneatatime?Ordoyouguyswanttogointogether?.
Gavinshookhishead.Itsalrightman.Imonlyhereforher,soIlljustwaithereuntil
shesdone.Themenacingdudenoddedhishead,andturnedtoKeagon.
Lastoneofthenight.Luckilyforyou,thatprobablymeansalittlemoretimethan
everyoneelsegot.Hesaid,anamusedtiltinhisvoice.NowIcangogetsomedinnerbefore
theeventisreallyover,andImforcedtohelpcleanup.Hejoked,andKeagonwasabittaken
abackatthelighttoneemittingfromtheburlyman.Relieffromaharddayofworkcanreally
changeaperson.Heslidthekeycardthatwasattachedtohisbeltthroughthescanneronthe
handleofthedoor.Itbeepedandthelightturnedgreen.Hepushedtodooropen,lettingherwalk
through.

Keagonabruptlystopped,eyesfallingonthealltoofamiliarboy.ChrisMeyers.Hesat
withhisheadinhisarms,bodyslumpedoverthetablewherehehadbeensittingforthepastfive
hours.Fatigueoutlinedtheslopeofhisshoulders.Atthesoundofthedoorclickingclosed,he
shotup.Aplasticsmileseemedtopasteitselfonhisface.Ohhello!Ithoughtweweredonefor
theday,sorryaboutthat!Heexclaimed,thesugarysweettonealmosttooloudforthesmall
room.Hiseyesmusthavebeenrunningoverher,butKeagoncouldnttellbecauseofthestupid
sunglassescoveringhisface.Itmadeherselfconscious,butshefoughttheurgetofidget.The
cornerofhislipstwitched,andshecouldtellhewantedtosmirk.Keagonswallowed,and
steppedforward.
Benice,
shechastisedherself,
allyouhavetodoisbenice
.
Um..hi,Shecroakedout,clearingherthroatalittlebeforestartingagain.Hi,
uh..Chris.MynameisKeagon.Imabigfanofyourmusic.
Obviously,oryouwouldnthavecome.Heteased,cockinghisheadtotheside.
Kegaoncouldfeelherhacklesbeginningtoraise,andhervoiceadoptedasteelyedgetoit.
Yeah.
Obviously
.Shebitout.Shetookadeepbreath,andplasteredonafakesmilethat
notevenhecouldbeat.Imactuallyheretoaskyousomequestions,ifyoudontmind.
Notatall!Chrisgrinned,obviouslyamused.AlthoughIhavetowarnya,Idontgive
myphonenumberouttofans.
Keagoncouldfeeltheblushcreepingupherneck,andherfaceburnedathisinsinuation.
Wellthatsgood,becausethatwouldbethelastthingIdaskofyou.Sheshotout,before
reprimandingherself.
Keepittogether.
Chrissmilefaded,andheseemedtobestudyingherfromunderneathhisglasses.Then
why
are
youhere?Youdontseemlikemuchofafantome.
LikeIsaid,Keagonreplied,Imafanofyourmusic.Sheletthemeaningbehindher
sentencesinkin,andChrisbreathseemedtogushoutofhimallatonce.
Gotcha.SoItakeityoudontwantmetosignanythingforyou?Heasked,hisposture
beginningtofall.Becausemyhandiskindareallycramped.Hecontinued,noddingtohimself
whenKeagonshookherhead.Hereachedunderneaththetable,andpulledoutawristbrace.He
strappedhisrightwristintoit.
Huh,thatsfunny,
Keagonthought,
therewerentanyarticles
aboutahurtwrist.

Hereyestrailedupward,andshenoticedthathisperfectlystyledhairwasbeginningto
droop.Imactuallyheretoaskyouaboutyourmusicproducer.Theanonymousone?Who
writesallofyourlyricsandstuff.Shetrailedoff,takingasmallstepbackwards.Ifyoudont
mindmeasking.
ShewassurprisedwhenChrisletoutasmallhuffoflaughter,shakinghishead.Idont
mindatall.Hesactuallyhere,rightinthisroom.Hegestured,andKeagonfurrowedher
eyebrows.Theroomwassmall,notenoughspaceforanyonetohide.Itwasapparentthatonly
herandthepopstaroccupiedit.Shewonderedbrieflyifthegeniuswasunderneaththetable,but
quicklyrealizedhowridiculousthatwouldbe.
Isthissomekindofjoke?Keagonasked,theburninginhercheeksturnedtoanger.
Idontseehowitwouldbe?Chriscautiouslyreplied,takenabackbyhersudden
changeindemeanor.
Andwhereisthismusicproducer,mayIask.Shespatout.
Uh..,Chrisstammered,bewilderedatherquestion.Righthere.Yourelookingathim.
Iwriteandproducemyownmusic.
Keagoncouldfeelherheartplummet,landingnicelybetweenherstomachandother
intestines.Forsomereason,tearsprickledatthecornerofhereyes,andsheletoutabaffled
laugh.Thisisajoke!Ohmygosh,wherearethehiddencameras?Thisissofunny,She
rambled,watchingChrisshrinkback,becauselasttimeIchecked,theresnowaysomeonelike
you
couldevenhavetoabilitytowritemusic,letalonemusicthatsactually
good
.Shecould
seethewayChrisspinestiffensandjawclenches.Herconfusionfuelsheranger,andwhat
couldonlybedescribedas
betrayal
.Alltheseyearsshehadalmostpinedafterthelyricalgenius,
anditturnedoutthatthemysteriousbeingwastheonepersonsheresentedforbeingassociated
withthem.Sheflushed.All
you
knowhowtodoishookupwithrandommodelsandsignyour
namehundredsoftimes.ThishasGOTtobeajoke.PleasedonttellmeIwastedallofmy
time.Hereyeswidenedasarealizationstruckher.Heressay!Alldownthedrain!Shedhaveto
comeupwithanewanglebeforetheduedate.Herhumiliationandangerbroughttearstoher
eyes.Icantbelievethis.Shewhispered.SheturnedtowardsChrisoncemore.Yyou..youre
ajoke!Youreanarrogantpopstarwhodoesntcareaboutanythingandnowyoujustruinedthe

onechanceIhadataperfectfuture.Sothanks.Thanksalot.Shespatout,watchingthewayhis
faceflushedwithhotangerandhisownconfusion.Beforeshemadeherwaytoleave,sheturned
oncemore.Andwhatiswithboysandsunglasses?!Youlooklikeanidiotwiththoseoninside
ofabuilding!thevenomdrippingfromhervoice.
Shestormedtothedoor,andgrippedthedoorshandle,readytopullitopen.Outof
nowhereahandslappedthedoor,pushingitsoitremainedclosed.Keagonstartled,notrealizing
thatChrishadevenmovedfromhisspotatthetable.Nowheleanedoverher,blockingherway
out.Angerwasetchedintoeverysingleoneofhisfacialfeatures.Hereacheduptoslidethe
sunglassesoffhisface.Keagonseyeswidenedwhentheycaughtsightofthedarkcirclesthat
tookupresidenceunderneathhiscrystalblueeyes.
IwearsunglassesbecauseIdontwantmyfanstoseehowexhaustedIamafterbeing
upallnight,tossingandturningfrommyinsomnia.Iwearsunglassessotheydontseethatthe
smilesIgivethemnevertrulyreachmyeyes,becausehalfthetimeImreadytocollapsefrom
drowsiness.Iwearthemsothepaparazzidontmistakethebagsunderneathmyeyesfor
somethingfalse,likemebeingacrackheadorsomething.Iwearthemtocoverupallofthe
fatigueandstressImconstantlyfeeling,whichstemsfrompeoplelike
you
.heseethed.AllI
knowhowtodoissignmyname?Wellletmetellyou,sometimesithonestlyfeelsthatway.
Toomuchofthesamemovementmessedupthenervesinmywrist,sonowIhavetowearthis,
heliftedhisarm,thewristbraceinclearview,anychanceIget.YetIstillholdthesemeetups,I
stillstopwheneverIcantoetchmynameintowhateverthescreamingexcitedgirlshovesinto
myface.Andyouknowwhy?BecauseIoweittothem.Withoutthosegirls,Iwouldntbewhere
Iamtoday.Iwouldstillbethelonerboy,pickedoninschoolbecauseIraisedmyhandtoo
oftenandsangintheboysbathroom.Yes,theymademefamous,whichImguessingisthe
reasonyouhatemesomuch,butImherefor
them
,Imakemymusicfor
them
,Ioweitallto
them
,andIdontoweadamnthingtosomeonelikeyou.Heshotout,fistsclenchingathis
sides.
Keagonswallowed,eyeswideathisoutburst.Assoonasthelastwordslefthislips,it
wasclearthefightlefthimallatonce.Heslumpedonthewallnearthedoor,turningsohisback
wastoit,andsliddownuntilhewassittingonthefloor.Hepulledhiskneesupandburiedhis

headinbetweenthem,takingacoupleofshudderybreaths.Imsorry,hesaidautomatically,
thatwasrudeofme.
Keagonremovedherhandfromthedoorshandle,andturnedtowardthepopstar.No,it
wasnt.IkindadeservedthatdidntI?Shesmiledtentatively.Therewasnoresponse.Look,it
seemstomethatyouvehadquitearoughday.Isurelydidntmakeitanybetter.Stillno
response.Iguess..IguessIwaswrongaboutyou.Ithoughtforsureyouweresomekindof
stuckuppopstar,butobviouslyyourejustaboyundertoomuchpressure.I..um..Imsorry.For
everythingIsaid.Iguess..Imnothavingthebestofdayseither.Sheadmitted,slowlysitting
downnexttothefragmentedboy.
Heturnedhishead,peekingupatKeagonthroughthebendsofhiselbows.Hiseyes
trailedoverherface,registeringtheapologythatwaswrittenthere.Whenherealizedthatthe
sentimentwasgenuine,heliftedhisheadabitmore.Anuncomfortablesilencefelloverthetwo.
Keagonpickedatthelacesofhershoes,andtriednottofidgetunderhisgaze.Why?Heasked,
startlingtheuneasygirl.
Uh..I..what?Shestammered,takenabackbythesuddenquestioning.
Whyarentyouhavingagoodday?Heasked,referringtoherearlierstatement.
Oh.Keagonreplied.Well..Idunnoknow.Ijust..wasreallyrelyingongettingthis
interviewwithyourmusicproducerforthisessayImwriting.Ithadthepotentialtogetmeinto
mydreamschool.I..uh..reallywanttoproducemyownmusicsomeday.So..Keagontrailedoff,
embarrassedofherconfession.Shewasntsurewhy,becauseapparentlytheboyproducedhis
ownmusicanyways.AfrowntuggedatthecornersofChrismouth,andhelookeddown.
Andyoucantinterviewmebecause..?Chrisasked,toneindifferent.Helookedupset,
andKeagoncouldtellthathewashurtbyherwords.
Well.Keagonstarted,snappinghermouthclosed.Therewasntreallyareasonthatshe
couldntinterviewhim.Itwasactuallya
goodidea
tointerviewhim.Iguess..findingoutthat
ChrisMeyersanonymousmusicproducerishimself,isntthatbadofanangle.Shesaid
gently,smilingattheboy.
Chrissmiledback,andheleanedhisheadonthewallbehindhim.Wellfuturehotshot,
hitmewithyourbestquestions.Hedeclared,beforealookofconfusionwashedoverhim.Did

youreallynotknowIwrotemyownmusic?Whydidyouthinkallofmyalbumshadmyname,
and
only
mynameonit?Heasked,toneteasing.Keagonscheeksburnedatthecomment,
beforeshebegantoquestionherselfaswell.
Actually..Imnotreallysure.Shereplied,laughingalittle.Chrislaughedaswell,
beforehiseyestrailedoverKeagonsfaceoncemore.Asoftersmilewasdirectedherway,
beforehequicklylookeddown.Keagonblushed,andsmiledattheground.Um..sothefirst
question...

Chapter4

BythetimethatKeagonhadgonethroughallthequestionsshehadwrittendown,she
feltlikemakingsomemoreupontheflyjusttohearChristalksomemore.Hehadthiswaywith
words,anditthatintriguedthecuriousgirl.Thewayhetalkedabouthislifebeforefameandthe
impactthatfamehadonhismusicsparkedfeelingsofguiltandinterestinher.Shereprimanded
herpastselfforbeingsocriticaloftheboy.TalkingtoChriswasliketalkingtoanoldfriend,
whosharedallofthesameinterestsasher.Sheneverwantedittoend.
Keagonstaredattheboy,hergazecatchingonhislips.Theywerestretchedintoasmile,
teethpearlywhiteandperfectlystraight.Ittraveleduptohisblueeyes,whichheldthepurityof
crystalglass.Allofhisemotionswereheldinthoseorbs.Itlandedonhishairnext,tousledand
messyfromtheamountoftimesheranhishandsthroughit.Hehadadmittedearlierthathe
loveswhenheisabletodojustthatwithoutworryingaboutthestiffhairspraythatholdsitin
place.Hesaidhewasgladthattheeventwasoverandhedidnthavetolookniceforanymore
pictures.ThattrainofthoughtjoltedKeagonoutofherstupor.Shehadntcaughtitthefirsttime
hesaidit,butsherealizedwithastartthattheeventwaslongsinceover.Gavinmusthavebeen
supermad!Hereyebrowsfurrowedasshewonderedwhyhedidntjustknockonthedoor.She
squeezedherhandintothepocketofherjeans,tightfromthewayherlegswerecrossed.She
pulledoutherphone,pressingthebuttontoturniton.Thescreenremaineddark.Dead.Of
course.Chrismusthavenoticedherlookofworry.Whatsthematter?Heasked.
Nothingjust..theeventisoverright?Keagonwondered,headcockingtotheside.She
triedtolistenforanynoisesoutsideoftheroom.Shecouldnthearany.Chrisgavean
embarrassedlaugh,rubbingthebackofhisneck.
Uhyeah..Icanum..askmydrivertotakeyouhomeifyouwant.Hemurmured,picking
atthecarpetbeneaththem.Ididntevenrealizewevebeentalkingforsolong,headded,but
itfeltkindanice.
Yeah.Keagonlaughedshyly,tuckingapieceofhairbehindherear.Shestalledfora
moment,baskinginthecalmatmospherebeforeslowlygettingtoherfeet.Chrisliftedhishead,

trackingherwithhiseyes.Shemovedtoputawayallofthethingsshetookoutofherbackpack
earlier,inherhastetotypeupallofChrisresponses.Chrisstoodup,brushingoffthejeanshe
waswearing.HewatchedasKeagonpackedawaythelastofherthings,slingingherbackpack
ontohershoulder.Shegavehimatentativesmile,whichwasreturnedjustashesitantly.Itwas
evidentthatthetwodidntknowwheretogofromthere.Didtheyexchangephonenumbers?
Weretheytospeakagain?Thankfully,Chrisseemedtoanswerthosequestionsforthebothof
them.
ActuallyIwashopingIcouldgiveyoumyphonenumber.Justsoyoucouldreach
me..ifyouwantedtoofcourse.TheballsinyourcourtKeagon.Hequipped,ablushcovering
bothofhischeeks.Keagonbitherlip,tryingtocontainthesmilethatthreatenedtotakeoverher
face.
Thoughtyoudidntgiveyournumberouttofans?Sheteased,eyessparkling.Chrislet
outapuffoflaughterattheremark,surprisedbyherfriendlybanter.Hegrinned,shrugginghis
shoulders.Theyexchangednumbers,Keagoninsistingthathehavehersaswell.Bythetimethat
thewholeordealwasdone,bothoftheteenscheekshurtfromthesmiling.Chriswalkedoverto
thedoor,pullingitopen.Heboweddown,gesturingforKeagontogofirst.
Ladiesfirst.Heannouncedinacheesyradiopersonneltone.Shegiggledatthesilly
boy,beforecrossingoverthedoorsthreshold.Helaughedaswell,hishandlandingonherlower
backashewalkedthroughtostandnexttoher.Thelaughterdieddownwhentheyreeyestraced
thelengthoftheroomtheyjustentered.Empty.
Chris?Keagonwhispered,swallowinghard.Aknotformedatthebottomofher
stomach.Whathappenedtoallofthepeoplepackingupthemerchandise?WherewasGavin?
Thelastthoughtmadehergaspquietly.Chrisheard,andusedthehandthatwasstillrestingon
herbacktowraparoundherwaisttopullhercloser.Keagoncalmedatthesingerscologne,
muskyandunique.
ItsokayKeagon.Theyreprobablyputtingeverythinginthetrucksoutback.He
insisted,voiceuncertainhimself.Hereachedintohisbackpocket,pullingouthisphone.He
glancedatthescreen,eyebrowspullingtogether.Thatsweird.Hemurmured,thumbflicking
quicklyacrossthescreen.

Whatsthematter?Keagonasked,theknotwoundingtighter.
Well,Ihavenotificationsturnedonforwhenonlinearticlescomeoutaboutme..he
started,justsoIknowwhentocalloutanythingthatisfakesomyfansdontbelievethecrap
writtenaboutme.Anyways,therearedozensthatjustcameoutaboutmearrivinginVegas
about15minutesago.Look.