DAY NINE

FANGIRLS

How bad can it be? Erin thinks to herself.

The second she asks, terrifying scenarios swirl through her mind. These possibilities make it impossible to open the door in front of her. So she continues to stand outside Ms. Johnson's classroom, a.k.a. The Tomahawk Press's headquarters. 

Since she kissed Derek, Erin was planning to avoid him indefinitely. However, the upcoming meeting had to take place soon after the Freaky Ferret concert.

"Dude, are you going in or what?" A voice startles her from behind. Dan is standing right behind her, tapping his foot.

"What?"

"You're blocking the door, little chickadee. Keep this up and we're both going to be late."

Erin hears the derision in Dan's voice when he says "little." God, he is such an ass. She steps aside and Dan strolls on through like it's nothing. Ten seconds later, Erin bravely enters, holding her head high.

As soon as she walks in and makes eye contact with Derek, her proud "little" head averts its eyes with her chin ducked down. She sits as far away from him as possible. The strategic move doesn't stop her from sensing his steady gaze on her.

After another minute of mental distress, Derek and Stacy start the meeting, going over everyone's next assignments.

"Erin," Derek calls on her. Cringing but resigned, she looks up at him at last. She's certain there's a cold glint in his eyes as he addresses her.

"We want you to cover the upcoming talent show."

"Okay." As soon as she agrees, he moves on to someone else.

"Alright, people. You have new articles picked out. For anyone who has something left to do on your current ones, we have this room for another half hour," Stacy says.

Erin goes to her own computer. She needs to make a few edits to be done with the art show piece. As soon as she has everything pulled up, danger strikes. Someone clears their throat behind her, causing her to wince.

"Hi Derek," she says meekly.

Shockingly, Derek smiles at her—but it has to be an act!

"Hello, Erin." Derek leans down to face her, closing the space between them. Escaping from his determined stare, she faces her computer screen.

Nevertheless, Derek hovers over her shoulder, allegedly looking at her screen; in reality, he whispers to her.

"I want to talk to you." His voice is an insistent yet quiet rumble in Erin's ear. If that doesn't make her shiver, his following words have her trembling.

"In private. Today."

"I can't," Erin whispers back so softly, it's almost inaudible.

She doesn't dare look at him. Instead, they are both studiously staring at her Word document.

"Why?"

He's so close, Erin can feel his breath on her neck. She can't decide if she finds it threatening or a turn on.

Maybe a bit of both.

"I have a doctor's appointment," she lies. 

"Tomorrow then. After school. Here," Derek replies without missing a beat. Erin tries to think of another excuse but comes up empty.

"Erin?" Derek inquires firmly.

"O...okay." 

Derek moves back and goes to check on Dan. At last, Erin can breathe—well, except she can't inhale because she's choked up. Not to mention, she feels nauseous.

This time tomorrow, Erin will know what Derek really thinks about her. He will scream that she's sick for having touched him, let alone traded saliva. Erin squeezes her eyes shut, blocking out the scene of Derek looking at her in total disgust.

Dear God.

What is she going to do?!  

"No, Erin. I don't think Derek's going to spit in your eye and call you a lily-livered cur. Didn't I tell you to stop reading books about pirates?"

Jessica Lynn holds back her frustration as Erin rambles over the phone about the death and doom that awaits her. She's never dealt with her friend being so hung up over a guy. She looks desperately down at the cafe table and her half-written lyrics. She was on the verge of a breakthrough when Erin kept calling frantically. Too bad being the friendly ear causes it to go numb. Jessica Lynn starts to zone out, so when Erin ends up saying farewell she almost misses it.

"My mom needs me to help her with the groceries," Erin says. "I'll call you later. If I haven't spontaneously combusted by then."

Jessica Lynn starts to reply, but Erin's hung up. She doesn't have time to feel insulted by the abrupt goodbye, because another diversion arrives.

"Refill, Jessica Lynn?"

Bobby Miggins, the poor lad, hovers by her table, holding up a pot of black coffee—despite the fact she's ordered a chai latte.

"No thanks, Bobby."

"Oh, okay."

To anyone else, this would signal an end to the conversation, but he lingers. Jessica Lynn tries to ignore him but—

"What are you working on?"

"Um, stuff."

"Like what?"

"Nothing major. Lyrics for my next song."

Hah. Next song, her butt! She'll be lucky if she can come up with two verses for this one.

"Wow!" Oblivious Bobby is exultant at the news. He's bolder than usual as he sits down. "I knew you were working on your music. I bet it's amazing."

His undue praise has her blushing. Noticing his rapt look at her writing, she covers the paper with her elbow. God forbid anyone lay eyes on the horrendous hook she's made.

"In my dreams maybe," she mutters .

"What?"

"I was saying thanks for your support." Jessica Lynn fumbles awkwardly for an excuse. She racks her brain for a way to send Bobby packing.

"Don't tell anyone, but my sister's very jealous of you," Bobby goes on. "She talks about how you show everyone up in chorus."

"I don't mean to show anyone anything. There's no need to be jealous. I'm nothing special."

"I've heard you sing, JL. You definitely are."

Jessica Lynn knows Bobby admires her, but to hear him say it outright is different. Bobby's managed to embarrass them both. Catching the buhbye bug, he gets up.

"I got to get back to work."

"Alright. Nice talking to you." Jessica Lynn sincerely means it. Bobby stops mid-walk away and turns back to her.

"When you finish your song, you should come play it here for Open Mic night. There's one coming up in a few weeks."

Touched, she returns Bobby's grin.

"Maybe I will."

Bobby leaves her regretting the semi-promise. How can she perform a song she can't finish? She rubs her forehead, hesitantly picks up her pen, and returns to her musical conundrum.

"What does this do?"

"It's a volume button."

"What about this button over here?"

The sound engineer lets out a lengthy sigh.

Amber's aggravating him with her endless questions but she can't help it. She's so damn happy to be here! In a real studio, listening to her boyfriend play music professionally. It's an inspiring experience.

Today is Adam and his band's first recording session since he signed with Sandy. He invited her to come and check out the process.

Sandy doesn't mind her excitement. He chuckles while she eyes the sound mixer's bells and whistles. The console is huge, with tons of sliders and tempting things to press. The booth the guys are in is cool too, decked out with state of the art equipment. Caught up in the moment, she points to another button. Apparently, she gets too close because Mr. Huffy guards the board like a linebacker.

"Please, miss, don't touch anything."

"Sorry." Amber innocently places her hands back in her lap.

"Okay, guys," Sandy says, his voice relayed into the booth. "Let's try Amber Sunrise."

"It's a nice song, sweetie," Sandy adds to Amber, winking at her.

They go into their next take and Amber's eyes are bright in rapture. The song is as good as when Amber first heard it. The thought it could make it onto their first album is mind-blowing.

Amber considers what she'll tell Adam after they head out to dinner. She'll say they're great obviously, but there's something else she needs to tell him.

Tonight's the night to have "the talk." Adam's made a few subtle offers about being exclusive, but he's dropped asking her for anything permanent, leaving it up to her. The scariest part is she's been considering it. She made up her mind at the concert when he was singing this song to her. Hearing it again confirms how she's ready to take a shot with someone.

The next few takes go well, according to Sandy, who then gives everyone a brief break. Amber goes for a quick bathroom run. As she starts to leave the restroom, she bumps into Sandy and steps back in surprise.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Sandy's smile is charming but there's something behind it. Something...off.

"It's okay." She tries to walk by, but he blocks her path. His charm turns into the greedy, seductive eyes of a snake ready to strike.

"You weren't able to get those Dante's Inferno tickets, right?"

"No. We're bummed."

"I know a few people. Maybe I can pull some strings, and get you guys backstage," Sandy says. Amber gasps, hugging him.

"You are the most amazing guy ever. You're like a fairy godwizard or something." She pulls back but Sandy holds onto her.

"Maybe. But even with fairy godmothers or wizards...wishes come with a price." Amber soon catches on as Sandy glances around, then at the restroom door.

"No," Amber says. What a fucking perv.

"You sure? You'll let your friends down. Then again, you seem to be the least popular person in your group. The fat one hates you and the artsy girl probably has more talent in her pinkie finger than you do at all. If you did this..."

She hates to say it but he has a point. Jessica Lynn would be thrilled, and Erin might respect her. But there's no way she's hooking up with this lowlife.

"No matter what you think about me, I'm not like that. You're wrong."

"Am I? That's not what I heard."

"What are you talking about?"

"Sean let me in on what kind of girl you are." Sandy's gaze roves over her, making her want to puke.

Fucking Sean. Him and his big mouth. She opens her own to fight back but Sandy cuts her off.

"Adam would be devastated if he found out how you sleep around."

"I don't sleep around."

Sandy holds up his hands at Amber's venomous tone. "All I'm saying is he's going to be disgusted when he finds out you came on to me."

"Me? Come on to you?" Amber hisses, her blood boiling. "You're the one soliciting a teenage girl. I could have the police on your ass."

The sleazeball shrugs. "Fine. Don't do it, but I'm going to tell him you did anyway."

"You fucking—" Amber starts, livid.

"BUT if you do, no one has to know. Not even Adam."

With despair deep in her heart, Amber worries Adam might actually believe this sicko. Why shouldn't he? Everyone else would. So, what difference will it make if she does or doesn't do it? No one will change their opinion about her either way. Besides, if she is stupid enough to do it, she can guarantee those tickets.

"What's the big deal, beautiful?" As Sandy edges closer, his voice is a smooth, lethal timbre. "You get what you want, I get what I want. It's a win-win."

A win-win. If there is such a thing, is Amber willing to lose her innocence over it? It's wrong, fucked up, the stupidest choice she could ever make.

But...

"No one?" she asks. Sandy doesn't say anything. Instead, he takes her hand and leads her into the men's bathroom. Amber hesitates at the entryway. It looks like her first time will be nothing like she expected, but after all, nothing ever lives up to your naive dreams. 

Amber steps through the door, knowing once she does...there will be no turning back.

*** Thanks for reading! More updates on Monday about Amber's fate and the rest of the gang.

https://youtu.be/3gnvDq6sZVQ