Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

what fifteen year old doesn’t want to be a rock star?”
    “Your life seems pretty great. You’re Scarlett Ryan. What more could you want?”
    I have to laugh at the irony of his statement. He’s right, really, what more do I want? What more is there? I now have family, friends, and the best boyfriend ever. On top of everything, I have a shot at doing my music my way. So what else could I possibly want?
    “I will let you know when I figure it out.”
    I am first up on the board, and I have no clue what I am doing. I was hoping that I would be last so I could watch everybody else. I pick up the ball and walk toward the pins.
    I hear Stephan laughing as he comes up behind me. “First of all, that’s the wrong lane,” he explains, and then points to the lane to the right of where I am standing.
    “Oh. Right.”
    “And you’re holding the ball wrong.” He explains how to hold the ball, and then he tries to explain how to roll the ball. I end up throwing it instead. It hits the hardwood floor with a crack and then slowly rolls into the gutter.
    “That was really bad.”
    Stephan nods his head in agreement. “Yes, that was pretty bad.”
    As we are waiting for my ball to come back up, I look back to see Alec laughing at me. I glare at him.
    My ball comes back up, and Stephan grabs it for me. “Let me help you.” He hands the ball to me, but holds onto my arm. His body is pressed up against my back, and all I can focus on is the fact that literally every inch of our bodies is touching. I can feel his breath on the back of my neck. I’m vaguely aware that he is saying something, but I’m not sure what. All I know is that I could listen to his voice forever. “Do you got that?”
    “Mmhmm,” I sigh.
    “Scarlett?”
    “Yeah?”
    He laughs, and it vibrates through my whole body. “Did you hear anything I said?”
    I shake my head. “Not a word.”
    “Just roll it this time,” he instructs, as he starts to back away.
    “I’ll do anything you want, as long as you never stop touching me.”
    “Promise?” he flirts.
    I take the ball and “roll” it down the lane. I don’t throw it this time, but it only goes a few feet before it goes into the gutter. I turn around to see Stephan checking out my butt.
    I raise my eyebrows at him. “It’s your turn, which means I get to ogle you from behind now.”
    He thinks about it for a second. “I’m definitely okay with you ogling me. In fact, feel free to touch.”
    And then Stephan smiles. It’s the kind of smile that could literally make any girl fall into bed with him. I’m praying that he tells me he loves me soon, because I don’t think I can tell Stephan no that many more times.
    Stephan is a much better bowler than me. He rolls the ball, and it goes perfectly down the middle of the lane. He gets a strike the first time.
    “That is how you do it,” he tells me, and then grabs my hand as we walk back to sit by everybody else.
    “You two are disgusting,” Mona says, crinkling her nose.
    Ethan agrees with her. “They are all over each other all the time. It’s absolutely disgusting.”
    “I think it’s sweet,” Bridgett defends me. “I wish I had a guy who loves me half as much as Stephan loves Scarlett.”
    Damn. We can’t get away from the L word tonight.
    “Maybe if you didn’t push people away, somebody could love you,” Alec tells Bridgett sharply. “It’s your turn.”
    Bridgett glares at him, as she storms past him to grab a ball.
    “Geez, Alec, think you could tone it down a little? Bridgett did just get out of a two-year relationship with a douche bag. Not to mention, she’s just getting over her eating disorder, and she just had a heart attack.” I scold him. Nobody can talk to my sister like that.
    “You’re right.” He sighs. “Sorry.”
    “What’s going on with the two of you?” I ask.
    “Nothing.” He turns his attention forward.
    It feels very awkward. Everybody is just sitting there, not looking at each other. I can tell Stephan is upset that Mona is here, and Mona is upset that Stephan is here. But now would be a perfect time to get them to talk.
    “So…” I start out, not sure what to say. “How was school today?”
    I don’t ask anybody in particular, but neither Mona nor Stephan acknowledges the question. Ethan tries to help.
    “It was good for me,” Ethan says a little too eager. “You know, there isn’t that much time left until Thanksgiving break.”
    Stephan turns to me. “That reminds