Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

morning.
    “Can I listen?” I ask Otto, excitingly.
    “Tomorrow,” he promises. “I'm going to mix it. I don't want you to hear it until it's perfect.”
    “That's okay,” Alec says before I can protest. “Our rock star has to get to bed. She has school tomorrow.”
    I roll my eyes. “Don't remind me.”

 
     
    Saturday, October 25
    10:34 AM
    Lazy days are the best.
     
    The week passes in a blur, and I feel like a walking zombie at school for the most part… But when I'm recording, I feel alive. I forgot just how much I missed playing music, and the fact that it’s actually my music makes it that much better.
    I've laid down three tracks so far, and they sound amazing . I have to admit that Otto really knows his shit. And, I've learned, he has quite a sense of humor. Working with him is fun, and I will definitely record with him again.
    Alec and Bridgett flew out late Friday night to go to LA. Alec has a meeting with his record label or something. I'm not sure why Bridgett went, but I sure was glad to have a day off… and to have the house to myself.
    The camera crew was off for the weekend, which I couldn't be more thrilled about. A whole two days of not having to fix my hair, or make up! When I wake up, I throw my hair up in a messy bun and put on a pair of green sweatpants and a pink tank top.
    Lazy days are the best . And I got to sleep in until almost eleven. SCORE .
    I am lying on my couch, flipping through the channels, when I hear a voice.
    “Nice hair.”
    I look up to see Stephan smiling at me. He's been here so much that he doesn't knock anymore. I want him to always feel welcome.
    “I think I'm going to watch Vampire Diaries . They have it on Netflix. You know there is a vampire on the show named Stephan. I wonder if he's as hot as you.”
    “I doubt it,” he says, sitting down beside me.
    “Me too,” I agree.
    “So… we have the whole house to ourselves?”
    “Yep.”
    “So we don't have to worry about being quiet.”
    I roll my eyes, and pretend to be annoyed. I don’t want him to know his dirty talk turns me on. “Do you think about anything other than sex?”
    “Who says I was talking about sex?” He challenges me.
    “Were you?”
    “Yes, definitely,” he confirms. “But that's not the point. You didn't know that I was talking about sex… Which means that you were thinking about it too.”
    I throw my pillow at him. “ Vampire Diaries or Gossip Girl . Take your pick.”
    He groans. “If I'm forced to watch, I guess I'll go with Vampire Diaries .”
    I push play. “Good choice.”
    I cuddle up next to Stephan.
    I quickly decide that my Stephan is way hotter than the one on The Vampire Diaries . I also decide that I'm TEAM DAMON . Vampire Stephan is way too boring. Besides that, Ian Somerhalder is pretty hot for an old dude. I would totally tap that. (You know… if I wasn’t dating Stephan).
     
    3:57 PM
    You wish.
     
    After watching a few episodes of The Vampire Diaries , Ethan comes over to hang out, so we decide to go surfing. While I still haven't mastered the art quite yet, I have managed to stand up on my board about five times, which is huge progress.
    “So what did you and Mona talk about on Monday?” Ethan asks me as we are waiting on a wave. “She's been so quiet ever since you two ditched school.”
    My eyes glance over at Stephan, whois now looking at me curiously. Why did I lie? Ugh…
    “Um…” I look back at Ethan. “Just girl stuff. I'm sure if she wanted you to know what was said, she would tell you.”
    “Why didn't you tell me, Scar? Is that why you were acting so weird on Monday?” Stephan asks.
    “Yeah. I'm sorry. It's just Mona asked to talk to me. It was personal, and I promised that I wouldn't tell anybody. It's her business to tell.” It’s also Stephan's business. He has a right to know the truth. And I feel so guilty about keeping this from him. But I don't tell them that.
    “Okay,” Ethan accepts my answer, and paddles toward an oncoming wave. Stephan however is sitting there, looking at me like he's trying to figure me out.
    “I'm sorry I can't tell you more.”
    “I know there is something that you're not telling me, but I trust you. I know you'll do the right thing. If you ever need to talk, I'm here.”
    And then Stephan has to go and say something like that. I want so badly to tell him, but I can't. It wouldn't be right. It's Mona's place to tell him.
    Damn it, why did Mona have to tell me?
    “This one is small,