Page 19 of Awestruck at Dusk
Bryce looked confused. My security detail used to keep a certain distance before, and they would never engage with the students. But my father’s neurosis pushed them to keep closer tabs on me now.To be neurotic like him.
I had to take a deep breath and force a smile. “Amena, it’s okay,” I said to her.
“Miss, I’m going to have to ask you to delete that photograph from your phone,” she said to a puppy-eyed Bryce, completely ignoring me.Damn,she’s tough. I felt so bad for Bryce.
Bryce’s implications were annoying, and the selfie was a bit too much, but I didn’t want her to feel like crap about it either. It wasn’t such a big deal, and she didn’t mean any harm. She was just curious. I think.
“Um, sure. I—I’m sorry, Billie,” she said, tapping her phone’s screen. Nolan rolled his eyes and shook his head. Amena had scared the shit out of her.
“Bryce, it’s okay. You don’t have to delete it, okay?” I whispered. “Just don’t post it anywhere because Nolan says I don’t look my best today.” I laughed, trying to soften the mood.
“I didn’t—” Nolan started to say, but I nudged his arm with mine and widened my eyes at him.Just play along.
“Miss Murphy, if I may suggest—”
“Amena, it’s fine, really,” I insisted. She nodded and took a few steps back.
End of drama.
I had enough shit going on to be bothered by a selfie, and all I wanted was to photograph the three beautiful ballerinas that were waiting for us on stage.
La Pièce de la Résistance
April 9, 2010
“OH, MY GOD!You’re William Sjöberg’s girlfriend?”
Nolan and I looked at each other after the barista at the coffee shop almost screamed the question at me. She covered her mouth, looking shocked as she waited for my reply, which consisted of me denying it and looking away.
Nolan and I then sat at the table where Emily, his girlfriend, was waiting for us. I couldn’t help but think of Bryce when Nolan told Emily what had happened with the barista. She thought the whole thing was funny and suggested not to worry about it.
Those damned photographs.
It was weird to be recognized like that by a random person who saw the premiere photos. It made me want to crawl under my seat. The truth is I hadn’t gone out much in the past few weeks. I just hoped getting asked that didn’t become a recurrent theme on my every outing.
This reminded me of William’s celebrity status, which was something I used to constantly forget. I couldn’t, for the life of me, comprehend how they could live their lives in the spotlight like that—being followed, recognized, approached.
I’d only witnessed a glimpse of their fame, and it was madness. I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to stomach it if I were in their shoes. But that was yet another confusing thought that was ready to be shoved under the rug.
We gave Nolan a ride to his job on my way back home. Nathan promised to head out of the office earlier today, since it was Friday. We planned to order something for dinner and just stay in for the rest of the night, just the two of us.
Lily was out of town, and I hadn’t seen her or Joel in days, but she promised to be back for my birthday.
I took my time showering, enjoying the hot water on my back, feeling myself relax, and the doorbell rang.
Nathan.
I jumped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around me as I rushed to open the door, leaving a trail of water behind me.
“Hey!” I said, opening the door just a tad, my smile melting on my face.Hell no. I shut the door in William’s face and rested my forehead on it for a couple of seconds as I heard William’s laughter.
“Open up, Guille!”
“No!” I shouted back. “Go away!” I wouldn’t step out to chat when I was dripping wet wearing nothing but a towel—besides, that freaking surveillance camera. I didn’t knowwhowas watching, but I didn’t want to put on a show for some random agent.
“Get dressed!” he shouted. “I have a surprise for you!”
William and his impromptu shit, as always.
