Page 88 of #Moonstruck

“They dated,” I reminded her.

“For like two seconds. It probably wasn’t even real. Like a publicity stunt or something.”

Did she mean like how Ryan and I started out? That did not help.

Ryan ran through “Be With You,” and it made me think of the music video, which helped relieve some of my anger.

That Skyler perched on a box in the corner of the stage did not.

“Let’s grab some lunch. It’s about time.”

That was probably a good idea. I didn’t particularly want to see Skyler’s rehearsal anyway.

It took us a little while to find our way to the back, given that most of the crew members were unhelpful (since we weren’t famous), and we didn’t dare speak to any of the music stars around us. I had to hear Skyler singing in that nasally, breathy baby voice that set my teeth on edge.

Finally, we found the back exit of the theater. The barbecue was set up in a courtyard, surrounded by thick, high bushes. I wondered what they normally used this area for. Angie and I stargazed a little bit, pointing out some of our favorites while trying not to be obvious. So much talent gathered in one spot!

Then, probably after making some people uncomfortable, we decided to check out what kind of food they offered. There was almost a line of demarcation between two tables—food for regular people like chips, soda, and hamburgers; and food for famous folk, including quinoa, lettuce, and kale.

“If vegetarians love animals so much, why do they eat all their food?” I asked Angie, filling my plate.

A voice behind me said, “Maybe you should try it. Veganism, I mean. It looks like you need it.”

I turned to see Skyler Smith glaring at me, flanked by two very tall, very thin women. She was attempting to insult me. Why?

“I’m not interested in being vegan or vegetarian. Thanks anyway.” She sucked at insults. I was happy with the way I looked. The whole thing was random and weird. I was about to say as much to my best friend, but Skyler kept talking.

“Why? Do you have something against vegetarians? Ryan is a vegetarian.”

Since she’d brought Ryan into this, she must have known we were together. But why would she care? Although he ate a lot of vegetables and other weird stuff, Ryan was not a vegetarian. I’d seen him eat plenty of meat.

“I don’t have anything against vegetarians or vegans. Cows are vegans, and I love them.”

Skyler gasped, and I remembered that she was super into animal rights. “The only thing cheaper than your sarcasm is your perfume. Until human beings start seeing animals as our friends and not as a food source, there’s no hope for us as a species.”

“Seriously? Just how many cow friends do you have?” I was starting to enjoy myself, but Angie looked horrified.

“Meat is murder.”

“Then I’m about to commit a homicide. I’d like one burger, please.” The man stationed at the barbecue slid a patty onto my plate. “I have something for you, Skyler. It’s called go away, and it’s located somewhere not here.”

She crossed her arms. “Ryan will never end up with some nobody like you. He needs a woman like me on his arm. Someone with millions of followers who will get him all the publicity and fame he needs for his career. Your little band has no fans.”

“Untrue. We have a fan.” Joe. It was weird that she seemed to know things about me.

“The only fan you have is on the ceiling.”

I wondered if she hurt herself coming up with that one. “We’re outside. That might have been a solid burn if we’d been indoors.”

Her face turned slightly red. At first I couldn’t tell if it was anger or embarrassment. I quickly discovered it was anger. “I am going to dedicate my time to ruining you. I will say whatever lie, spread whatever rumor, do whatever I have to do to destroy you and your career. When Ryan sees how much you’re dragging him down, he’ll beg me to take him back.”

All of Ryan’s fans already hated me. I couldn’t see where Skyler adding to it would do much more damage. “Do you have a life goal to be a James Bond villain? You’re just going to spell out your whole evil plan for me? What do you think’s going to happen when I tell Ryan what you’re planning to do? Because I will tell him. I even have a witness.” I pointed at Angie.

It was like that thought hadn’t crossed her teeny mind. “Whatever. You’re not even worth my time. I’m leaving because I can’t stomach another second of being around that dead flesh on your plate.”

To add to her whimsical unkindness, she called me some names a woman should never use against another woman.

“I understand why you have to rush off. I’m sure you need to get back to luring children into your gingerbread house.” Now I was annoyed, mostly by the inappropriate name-calling. Why did America love her so much? She was horrible.

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