"Excuse me?! I'm done. If you think that's the kind of person I am, then there is no fucking way you were ever my best friend."

"I know what people say; I know what I've heard. I'm sure there's truth to it if everyone else sees it."

"You really think other people know our friendship better than we do? You know what? Maybe you do belong with Jude. You're just as oblivious when it comes to your true value. You're just as insecure!"

"McKay!"

"You crossed that line first!"

"Uncross it, now!"

"No!" I huff, indignant.

Danatha sighs, seemingly over the drama.

"Why don't you say what you mean then?"

"What's wrong?" I acquiesce.

She sits, tired and frustrated.

"I'm ..." She shakes her head. "I'm not who I thought I was."

"You kissed him?!"

"It doesn't matter. Whether I kissed him or not, I have feelings for Llanelli."

"A bad person wouldn't care."

"I was thinking of a more age-appropriate categorisation." She rolls her eyes.

"Okay, you're a principled person; he is not."

"That's the issue; we both aren't. Maybe that's why I feel so good around him. Or maybe I feel so good because I know he would cross lines that I would never dare.

"I don't know, Kay. Sometimes he looks at me like he's ready to take me to dangerous peaks." She covers her face in shame. "Peaks I would never dream of taking myself to."

"I'll forgive you for your age, but seriously; the bad boy trope?"

Danatha laughs.

"I know. I'm a mess. But then again, it is a trope for a reason."

"You're purposefully casting yourself in the role of victim."

"Blame the fairy-tale books."

"They do make it sound appealing, don't they?" I scrunch up my nose in mirth.

"Oh, to be swept off my air-Nikes is my biggest dream."

We both giggle but I soon quieten.

"Danatha, I hope you know I don't think I'm better than you. Your skin has nothing to do with it. You've always been wiser and more poised than I ever was.

"The truth is I don't know what I would do if I were you. I'm exhausted after a few months when you've been with JD for years. If I were in your situation, I would probably be crying in a bathroom somewhere. I still don't know how you're laughing."

"I'm laughing because there's a reason fairy-tales aren't real life. There's a reason women fought for their right to work and file for divorces - being the damsel in distress gets boring. And the heroes we're usually afforded aren't even demi-gods. They're stupid little boys who prefer quantity over quality."

"Well, most girls are attracted to that anyway."

"What? You mean the literal definitions of don't-know-what's-good-for-them?" I laugh in response. "That's how you separate the women from the girls. Women know a bad boy long term is just a bad person."

"See? Much wiser than I could ever be."

"When I tell you, my granny is the GOAT-"

"You told her about Jude?!"

"What? No! She was speaking in general; not that you need more than half a brain cell to know that Jude fits perfectly into that category."

"Ha! You are so mean. I'm sure someone will love him one day."

"Please, you've met the guy. No one would be able to deal without the mysterious allure of the pop-stardom."

"What do you think of Aden, then?"

"He's not that mysterious!" she throws her head back and I join her in laughter. "He's not trying to corrupt your moral campus, is he?"

"No, but our situation is challenging every expectation I have of two people in a romantic relationship. All we have are fifteen-minute phone calls every day."

"McKenzie, McKenzie. This is the 21st century. People don't marry when they're 19 anymore. Love isn't having dinner you prepared every night with your husband who works at the factory in town either. Things changed. People evolved. Why would shows of affection stay the same?"

"So, you think what we're doing is part of evolution?" I indulge her.

"Yes; evolve, sweetie. You'll only suffer if you chain yourself to what you think he needs to do. In fact, he's already doing a lot. He's a busy boy-band member who spends fifteen minutes of each day, talking to you. Sounds more intimate than most couples."

"I miss his touch."

"That makes sense."

"And?"

"And nothing. No fancy speech for that one. It's what's got to happen if you're dating an active boy-band member in this day and age." She shrugs.

"You miss him too?"

She ignores my prying.

"You were wrong. Llanelli doesn't want me because I'm confident. There are tons of girls like me around the world. He wants me because I see through his veneer. He's not as self-assured as he looks. He wants my approval."

"Like a pet?" I sneer.

"Jeez! How did you manage to belittle him so fast?"

"It's not my fault he keeps running circles around you with his tongue out."

"Is that all?"

We burst out laughing.

Half an hour later, another crew member invites us to go sit in VIP again to watch the show. Of course, Danatha knows the words to all the songs and is screaming along to them like everybody else.

Like before, I am solely watching Aden Arrington in amazement. But this time things are different. He is no longer the unbelievably hot lead singer of Lune Quartz who might or might not have been lusting over me. Now, he's mine.

I can't help looking down and giggling. So many of these girls, if not almost all of them, would do just about anything to touch Aden - something I can do not only once, but as many times as I want.

When the set finishes, Danatha and I stay behind chatting. It's not like we know where we should be, so the safest option is to remain in place. When I hear footsteps approaching, I immediately leap up and smile only to be met with the most condescending laughter.

"Relax, I'm not your guy. I mean, I could be. Danatha, you can share, right?"

He laughs by himself as Danatha shakes her head. Crossing my arms, I glower.

"Where is he?"

"Not his bodyguard, lady."

I tilt my head to address Danatha.

"Is he always this obnoxious?"

She nods, clearly amused. Just as I'm about to have another go at Jude, Aden appears in the entrance of the VIP section.

"Come on."

He extends his arm. I take his hand and follow him. As we pass a bunch of people, I slide on my hoodie.

"I hope you're not embarrassed to be seen with me." Aden sneers.

I smile in response. We finally leave the crowd behind as Aden leads me inside and tells me to wait in the corridor, only to return minutes later.

"I should go greet the other VIPs."

"Only if you promise to return to this one."

He kisses my cheek.

"How could I ever stay away? It's Patina's straight after this, alright?"

I nod. Not two minutes later, some blonde guy approaches me.

"What are you doing here? No groupies allowed."

"No, Aden said I should wait for him here."

"Aden is it?"

"I'm McKay."

I'm pretty sure most people around here have at the very least heard of me. His eyes zipline my figure.

"Oh. I guess you can wait here for your little sleepover."

I nod.

"Although, the boys said they were going to the club after the show."

"Yeah, I know. Aden invited me."

"Well, I don't know where you dropped your bags but when you decide to change in your outfit, there's the bathroom you'll use." He points across the room.

"What outfit?"

He eyes me warily.

"The one for the club. Oh no, house of horrors. Tell me you are not going like this!"

"I most probably am."

"Okay, how do you feel about a makeover? Think of Aden's reputation, honey."

A makeover? Wow. Well, maybe that's just what the doctor ordered. I know the last time I dressed up to impress a guy, it didn't go according to plan - at all. But after Aden's comments earlier, I want to impress him and prove to him that I can fit in his world.

"Come, I know where the dancers do their make-up."

He escorts me to a room full of vanities and racks of clothes everywhere.

"I trust you can do your own make-up."

"Minimally, yes."

"As simple as you want but with one bold statement. I would say bold red lip. I'll get an outfit."

He skips off into the endless rows of clothes. I watch him skirt from one rack to the other as I apply a basic eyeliner, a little smoky eye-shadow, a brow pencil and the brightest red lipstick I find on the table.

I hear the man in the distance.

"Shoe size?"

"Eight!" I shout back and finish off with some blush, highlighter and concealer.

The man appears holding up a short red dress.

"Really?"

"It suits you; I'm not sure of the fit though. Try it on."

"That's not really my style."

"McKay, is it? This is your style because this is everyone's style." he snaps.

"Wasn't there something black?"

"So, you can go back to your post of drying paint on the wall? Come on; have a little dignity."

I give in and put on the dress. The man introduces himself and by the time things are packed, Cecil has finally finished with my over-moussed hair. I run my fingers through some of the newly formed waves.

"Hey, they told me you were in here..." Aden trails off. "Is this what you've been doing?"

I bite my lip, not feeling exactly comfortable as Aden appraises me slowly before simpering.

"I wouldn't have guessed you were this eager to go to the ball, Cinderella."

"Cinderella is right! House of horrors over here wanted to go to the club in a hoodie."

"I felt comfortable."

"Yeah well, now you feel hot and that's way better." Cecil leaps off, happy with his work, after throwing over his shoulder to Aden. "You owe me, Dice."

"We can go," I affirm from under the thick fake lashes Cecil pasted.

Aden offers his hand and I wobble onto my feet. I'm finally looking Aden in the eye with the low heels that Cecil provided.

When we make it out to the backstage area where everyone's waiting for the cars to arrive, a few people turn their heads. There are a couple of groupies who joined the party. They're dressed in the same fashion as me, so at the very least, my outfit isn't that scandalous. But the other guys applaud me. Danatha immediately grabs onto my arm.

"Well then, Kay. I didn't know this is how you get down."

"Well, neither did I. Some guy offered me a makeover."

"You look fabulous."

"I'm not sure I like it."

"I know you don't, but I know who does."

"I don't want to please him." I defend.

"I meant me." Danatha frowns. "I've always begged you to be my little doll, remember?"

"Looks like you found a magical genie."

"It's one night. Have some fun, will you? But for the love of God, cross your legs at all times."

We both laugh. They pile us all into a van again and this time the fit is so snug that I end up on Aden's lap, trying to lower my dress after every bump. Damn Cleveland with its potholes and parking lot speedbumps.

Patina's is packed as per usual. The van passes the front before heading to the back entrance; of course, Lune Quartz won't wait with gen pop. When we're getting out onto the pavement, Yves is shouting over the music that we should all sit in the same designated area and leave together at the end of the night.

But during Yves's short speech, I hear whispers that grow harsh in tone. I look around for a while, finding nothing. It's only when the whispers start again that I spot a woman who seems vaguely familiar with a man. His grip is firm on her upper arm. She wriggles but he keeps gritting something into her ear.

I turn completely, while Aden frowns down at me before following my gaze.

"What is he doing?"

"Don't worry. They know each other."

Wait a second. That's that woman from the house in Detroit. Wasn't her name Judy?

"No, he's being too aggressive with her, Aden."

Aden's arm goes around my waist when I try to step towards them. I frown.

"What are you...? We have to help."

"I told you, Trudy knows him. They'll sort it out."

But as if on cue, the man shakes Trudy violently, knocking her fist against her face. My entire body engulfs itself in heated fury. I feel a nudge against my teeth as if it was my face that he knocked. My feet carry me forward and my hands force me from Aden's grip.

"Don't..."

Aden tries but fails. I'm moving too fast. In fact, I'm not in control yet I'm the one who shouts out into the colourfully lit night.

"Let go of her!"