Page 14 of Wild Stars

The room is quiet, so quiet the only sound that can be heard is the steady breathing ofHeart Killer’s remaining members.

“Well, now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”I bark as I push away from Hailee and Howler, heading down the hall.

When I get to my studio, it’s quiet, and I can finally concentrate.

Hailee walks in, glaring at me.“You didn’t have to be such a tyrant,” she says calmly.

I sling my guitar over my shoulder.“If you’re nice, people walk all over you,” I reply, my voice even and cold.“If you want respect, you must demand it.”Anger is flooding me like a drug.It makes me want to fucking punch something.

I hate feeling out of control.

How is it that one dumb kid can make me feel so, so...

Powerless?

Hailee’s eyes glisten, and she purses her lips.“Right.Because earning it is so fucking last season, right?”she says, just as Helena pushes the button once more.

“Hailee...it’s not...”

“Whatever, Mateo.Forget about it, let’s just focus on the music, yeah?”She lets out a loud sigh, brushing some highlighted hair over her shoulder.

“Start with Satellites,” Howler orders, her voice unwavering.Pulling me back to the task at hand.

Hailee plays the opening notes and I sing.

“I’ve been all across the galaxy, searching for a sign…” My hands shake, and I feel like shit.But I don’t have time to think about Dare and his bratty attitude, or his solid weight against me.

Or Hailee’s words that cut to me the bone.

I don’t have time to think about the chaos.I need to be in control.

“Searching like a lost ship, searching for my satellite.”

Hailee’s soft vocals filter in over mine as she sings, “I need a satellite, to anchor me, call me home.”

I glance at her, and the softness in her expression makes me feel even worse.

I strum out the chords, losing myself in my lyrics once more.

“Can you hear me?I’m calling satellite, satellite.Bring me home.”

CHAPTER5

Dare

I power-walk down the hall,heading straight to the breakroom.

What is Matty’s problem anyway?

I’ve never had an issue rehearsing here, over the last year I’ve been here!

I make my way to the Keurig, fixing for another cup of caramel cappuccino to soothe my frayed nerves.

I don’t know what came over me, either.Normally, I’m not so easily pissed off, but something about Matty’s venomous tone and the way he got inmyface...like, flipped a fucking switch or something.

I’m not an argumentative person in general.I avoid conflict at all costs, ninety-nine percent of the time.

So why did I feel likefightingwith Mateo Starr was a good idea?

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