Page 42 of Starstruck

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chapter thirteen

happy birthday marigold

For the first time in a long time, I’m not dreading seeing myparents.

The last time I’d seen them was at the airport, just before I boarded the plane to New York nearly six weeks ago. There hadn’t been any heaviness in saying goodbye then, and now I understood why—everything had changed in exactly the way I’d imagined it would.

I’d found friends. Real friends. The kind who made the days fly by, who made every moment feel worth savouring. Life here wasn’t just new; it was effortless. Natural. Full of the laughter and warmth I hadn’t realised I’d been missing until I found it. It filled me up in a way that felt like home.

And then there was Tristan. Every moment with him felt like stepping into a secret world, one that belonged to just the two of us, where time slowed and we moved to our own rhythm. And Henry—his energy was like pure sunshine, so warm and vibrant it felt like the entire world could run on his joy.

Life here had become everything I’d hoped for, and more. It was everything I hadn’t even realised I needed. But perhaps the biggest change was how I felt about my parents. The people I’d once tiptoed around, the ones who had always mapped out my future, now felt like a steadying presence I could trust completely. For the first time, everything felt right. Exactly right.

I don't look at my dad and see a man with dollar signs in his eyesand not an ounce of love in his heart. Instead, I see a dad who is trying to be a better man than the one who raised me.

I don’t glance at my mom and see a woman who wants to see herdreams through her daughters. Instead, I see a woman who, although was always a good mom, is trying to be better.

Take today, for example. They’ve flown all the way L.A. to be withme on my birthday. It doesn’t seem like a lot, I know. But to me… it’s everything.

My past few birthdays were signed away from me, the rules ofseveral filming contracts stealing those precious moments, and, although my smile was deceiving, the sprinkle cupcake and candle left by my cast mates in my dressing room simply weren’t enough to take away the hurt of having my one day stripped from me.

For the first time in a long time, today was mine.

“You sure you’re settling in okay?” My mom asked from across my favouritebooth in Flo's, her simple jeans and t-shirt being a nice change from the feather-cuffed robes she used to live in.

I swallow down a few sugary apple chunks and take a sip of my coffeebefore I nod at her, and then to Dad. “I really am. I knew I’d adjust just fine but, oh my God, I love it here, you guys.”

As I locked eyes with my dad, he tilted his chin at me. “And you’representation this morning?”

I nodded quickly. “I think I did well. And if the way our professor'smouth gaped throughout the whole thing meant anything, then I’m sure everything went great. And I had a feeling it would. We put so much effort into the research. I’m pretty sure we stayed in the library until midnight one time—”

“Goldie.”Mom sighed, her worry knitted in her brows.

“But it’s only because I love it, Mom. I forgot how much I lovelearning.”

I see it on their faces then. All those times I was picked up earlyfrom school or dropped off to class at noon, so much of my education wasted running to and from auditions and callbacks.

But that was in the past; there was no point in dwelling on it. Whywaste my time looking back when the road ahead looked so perfect?

Well, perfect if I could just figure out how to work up the courageto ask Henry out.

The thought of his blonde hair and adorable glasses brought anunconscious smile on my face, before I felt the beginnings of a daydream trickle into my mind, building up the dam before I zoned out completely.

Maybe now that the presentation was over, I’d find a way to givehim more than just subtle hints or glances that I hope he’d study and see the question written in there, asking him for me.

Maybe tonight would be the perfect chance.

“Oh, can we just give it to her now, James?” Mom’s voice pulled meout of the clouds in my mind and back into the moment, my eyes darting between their mirrored, giddy smiles.

Dad’s shoulders rolled, the wrinkles that bordered his eyesdeepened as his smile grew. “Yeah, get it out, Bet,”

Quick as anything, Mom pulled out a box from under the table, asthough she’d made it appear my magic. “We wanted you to have this.” She slides a green velvet box over to me, and when my eyes meet hers, she nods at me, and I don’t waste any more time before I pick it up.

I hold my breath as I open the lid, the early evening chatter insidethe bakery filtering between us, but the gasp that skated past my lips as I caught a glimpse of what lay on the inside was loud enough to quieten it.

“Mom.”I barely muttered those three letters; all my strengthdeserting me the second my eyes landed on the gold locket that was laced with a satin ribbon, sitting daintily in the box. My fingers felt shaky as they glided over the bundle of marigolds that were engraved in the centre.

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