Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

course Mona had to jump back into the conversation. God forbid if she isn’t the center of the universe for two seconds.
    It’s really none of her business, so I just give her a half-truth answer. “It’s just a standard protocol. Their name goes on my CD, so they like to know what’s going out.”
    “Seems like they wouldn’t care so much, considering how many awards you’ve won and CD’s you’ve sold. Every time I’ve tried to see you in concert, you’re always sold out. I just figured you could record anything you wanted. They’re lucky to have you.”
    Wow. For once, what Mona says actually makes sense . Why would they deny me? They have no reason to. But if they do, then I have options. Like Bridgett said, find a new record company… Or at least pretend that I am trying to.
    Then, an idea hits me.
    It doesn’t matter what the record company thinks. It’s what my FANS think .
    I feel much better about my upcoming visit with Barry Stevens. I know that even if it doesn’t go well, it doesn’t matter. Who cares what he thinks?
    Okay, I still care. Obviously I want him to like my music, but if he doesn’t, it isn’t the end of my career. And now I’m glad we came over here…  I just wish Mona wasn’t so cold toward Stephan. I wonder how she can be that way toward him, knowing that he’s her brother.
    Maybe I could get them talking though. It’s really worth a try.
    “Hey, Mona, did you know that Stephan is into racing?” I ask her.
    She rolls her eyes. “Everybody knows that. It’s so stupid and dangerous.”
    I ignore her comment. “He’s also a really good surfer. He taught me how to surf, but I’m still not very good at it yet. I still have a long way to go. But I can totally stand up on my board.”
    Neither Stephan nor Mona replies, so I take that as my cue to continue talking.
    “I really think you two could be friends if you put your differences behind you.”
    “ Scarlett, that’s enough,” Stephan says angrily, before getting up from the table. He turns to me one last time. “Don’t follow me.”
    He leaves the table, and Mona is smiling, obviously satisfied that he’s leaving.
    “Much better.” She smirks. “And I wasn’t even the one who made him leave. Even better. Great work, Scarlett.”
    “You are ridiculous,” I tell her and then drop my voice to a whisper. “He’s your brother. You really shouldn’t treat him like that.”
    “Shut up about that,” she whispers back. Her eyes glance around the table to make sure nobody heard me.
    “People are going to find out eventually,” I say at a normal level and get up from the table. Peter and the rest of the camera crew follow me. It feels like the first day of school all over again, and I just want to be alone.
    I walk out to the front of the school and lean against the side of the brick building. I put my head in my hands.
    “You’re not thinking of leaving, are you?” I hear a voice. I look up to see Ethan leaning up against the building beside me.
    I shake my head. “No way. I’ve missed enough school already. And I am missing tomorrow. I need to be here so I can learn.”
    “You’ll pass either way,” Ethan says with a shrug. “Even the school will take bribery in the form of a new gym.”
    I laugh. “That wasn’t me. It was MTV. I can’t imagine that they will get any interesting footage here, though.”
    “I don’t know. That conversation in the lunchroom was pretty entertaining.”
    “Glad you thought so.”
    “Hey, Scarlett, I have a question…” he hesitates.
    “What is it?” I urge him to ask.
    “Are Stephan and Mona… brother and sister?”
    I remember the cameras in front of us, and my eyes get huge. How can I answer him with them standing right there?
    “Be honest. I know that you know something…”
    I sigh. “Mona made me promise not to tell. I want to tell Stephan, but it’s not my place to. I feel stuck. What would you do in my situation?”
    “I don’t know, Scar, but I think you should tell Stephan.”
    “Why me? You know now too. Why can’t you tell him?”
    “Because Mona told you, not me,” he answers. “Besides, I really don’t think Mona would have told you unless she wanted Stephan to know. I think she wants you to tell him.”
    “How do I even tell him? It’s not something I can just casually bring up at dinner. ‘Oh pass the salt, by the way, Mona is your sister.’ It’s a sensitive subject.”
    “I don’t know.” Ethan pushed himself off