Page 115 of Disharmony

“I’d like to think so,” I say, thinking about how he’s broken Leila’s trust. As much as she denies it, the chemistry between them is obvious. His make out session with Tiffany wouldn’t have resulted in a huge drama if she didn’t. “Time heals a lot of things. It’s not easy, but I think it can be done.”

He nods. “Some things are too hard to forgive and forget.”

“Leila cares about you,” I say gently. “I can tell. No matter how much she’s trying to hide it. Have you tried talking to her about how you feel?”

He shrugs.

“You’ve got nothing to lose by telling her,” I say. “Nothing can be worse than how things are now, right? Don’t give up yet. If you want something, you have to fight for it, and Leila is worth fighting for.”

Have the Basilisks thought of me? Has Ripper tried to get in contact after what happened between us, or am I another name on a long list? I know what that night meant to me, but I have no way of knowing what it meant to them. But, if someone liked me as much as Conor likes Leila, I’d want them to fight for what we have.

“Thanks Ash,” Conor says. He jumps up with a new determination and wipes his jeans down. “I have to go.” He stops halfway down the steps to turn back. “I’ll see you at the cook-out later, right?”

I stare at him blankly. “The cook-out?”

“It’s tradition for the first day of rehearsals,” he explains. “We always have a cook-out on the lake. Cookie knows all the details. I’ll see you there.”

“Maybe,” I say, questioning whether going is really a good idea after what happened at rehearsals earlier today.

After speaking to Conor, I almost forgot about the mystery package delivered earlier. Inside the small envelope, a pin badge falls out. It’s a cute yellow duck with an adorable mohawk and the wordsQuack on. Like last time, there’s nothing else in the envelope. After triple-checking to make sure my new duck friend is nothing more ominous, I pin it on my denim jacket.

Why is someone leaving me gifts? Whoever it is seems to know exactly what I need to improve my mood.

* * *

When Cookie returns from the afternoon rehearsals, she tells me in great detail about Tiffany’s choreography misstep and subsequent breakdown where she reduced a backing singer to tears. Without me there, she had to pin her frustrations on someone else.

“How did your session with Zach go?” Cookie asks as she changes into a rainbow maxi dress with floaty sleeves.

“Fine,” I reply drily. “If you don’t count his mom coming in and me calling her an asshole.”

She drops the coat hanger she’s holding. “You didn’t?”

“Well,” I stand at the mirror brushing through my hair and tearing through a large tangle, “it was implied.”

“When you make it in this industry, you’re gonna need me as your manager to smooth over the situations you get yourself into,” she says, applying a pink sparkly lipstick which looks the bomb against her skin.

“If I ever get into the industry,” I remind her. For all we know, this performance on Camp Harmony’s stage is likely to be my last. “Why would you want a career managing other people? If Tiffany is anything to go by, its sounds like hell.”

“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.Cliché, but true,” Cookie says. “Ever since I was a little kid putting on shows and managing theater productions, I knew I wanted to be part of it all. I never felt the need to be on the stage, I like helping people in the background, you know? And I’ll make you shine!”

“Maybe you should manage Tiffany instead?” I murmur. “You’ll have a better chance of breaking out with her.”

Although, that bitch doesn’t need help shining. Her name is guaranteed to be up in flashing lights sooner or later—if her talent doesn’t get her there, her mom’s connections will.

“Tiffany already thinks she’s the brightest star in the sky,” Cookie says, “but she doesn’t think for herself. I want to represent real people, people who want to take risks with their music. That’s why I want you to make it, Ash. You’re not like most people here. You’re real, and I’m not going to let Tiffany take your chance away. I’ve made mistakes in the past. Shit happened last year… things I want to forget… and I won’t let it happen again.”

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened with Riley?” I ask.

“I’ll tell you when camp’s over,” Cookie replies with a dull smile. “Some things are better not to know. Let’s just get through the next few weeks, okay?”

I’m already counting down the days until I get my phone back and find out whether the Basilisks have been in touch.

“Perfect.” Cookie smiles as she fastens her crystal necklace and strokes the pretty purple rock. “This is supposed to keep bad energy away.”

I snort. “You’ll need a lot more than an amethyst to do that.”

She rolls her eyes and beckons me out the door. “Come on, we’re already late.”

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