The Rock Star Trilogy 01 - Jaded

his name.
    “ Scarlett,” he smiles. “Want a ride?”
    I nod as I walk to his car. I slide into his passenger seat, and suddenly wish I would've taken the time to fix my makeup.
    “ You look good,” he says as we take off. “Less like Barbie.”
    I look at him for a few seconds before responding, “I'm not sure if that is supposed to be a compliment or not.”
    “ Oh, it's a compliment.”
    “ I'm pretty sure today is the first day I've gone without makeup since I was 14 years old,” I admit to him. “If only my mom could see me now, she'd have a cow.”
    “ Where are your parents?” he asks.
    “ My dad is in Los Angeles. He's my manager and refuses to accept the fact that I'm taking a break,” I explain. “And my mother, well, I think she's at my house in Europe. Her and my father can't stand to be in the same country as each other.”
    “ So, why are you taking a break?”
    Why is a very good question. One that I'm not exactly sure how to answer without being too personal.
    “ I am just reevaluating my life. I'm not sure that music is what I want anymore,” I admit. “I mean, don't get me wrong, I love music . Music is my life. But, being a rock star isn't exactly what I thought it would be. I'm under so much pressure to just be perfect, and I can't do it anymore.”
    “ So if not music, what do you want with your life?” he asks.
    Another good question. “I have no idea. I honestly have never dreamed of doing anything else. Maybe I will go to college.”
    “ You don't seem like the college type, no offense, because I'm definitely not the college type either,” he says. “Not that college isn't good for people like my brother, but you and me, we were destined for more.”
    “ Do you really believe in destiny?” I ask.
    He nods. “I think I do.”

    12:02 pm
    You like her.

    I really didn't think that my math tutor session did any good, but today during math I actually understand some of it. I know that I still have a long way to go, but Ethan says he's willing to help me until I get it.
    “ When can you tutor me again?” I ask Ethan as we walk to lunch. The whole walk there, I'm wondering if Stephan will eat with us or not. I should have asked him in Study Hall.
    “ I need to study for a chem test tonight,” he says. “Tomorrow?”
    I nod. “Sounds good.”
    “ Scarlett,” I hear a voice. I turn around to see a brunette girl come up to me. She's wearing a cheerleading uniform. Her eyes stand out to me. They're the same color of green as Stephan's. The girl is kind of beautiful.
    “ See you inside,” Ethan blushes, then with his head down, he walks off in the opposite direction.
    “ Hi, I'm Mona,” she introduces herself to me. “Do you want to eat lunch with me and my friends today?”
    “ I don't know,” I hesitate. “I usually eat with Ethan.”
    She rolls her eyes. “Come on, you're Scarlett Ryan. Why are you hanging out with him ?”
    “ Scarlett!” Stephan comes up, and puts his arm around my shoulder.
    “ Ewe,” Mona says, then turns around and walks the other way.
    “ What's her problem?” I ask him.
    “ I don't know, and I don't care.” He says. I start to walk towards to cafeteria, but he stops me. “Let's ditch.”
    I roll my eyes. “It's my third day here, Stephan. And might I remind you, I'm 19 and still haven't graduated high school. I'm here to learn.”
    He tries to look sad. “Fine. Go hang out with my dorky stepbrother, and I will see you after school. Remember, you promised to give me a private concert tonight.”
    I half wave. “Later.”
    As I walk through the cafeteria, I ignore everybody who tries to talk to me, and sit beside Ethan. I don't even care if everybody thinks I am being a bitch. I am not in the mood to put up with fake people, and I am quickly figuring out, high school is almost as bad as Hollywood.
    Ethan looks sad, but smiles when I sit at the table across from him. He almost looks surprised that I am sitting here.
    “ What's wrong?” I ask.
    He shakes his head. “It's nothing. I just... hate small towns sometimes.”
    “ Trust me when I say it's not any different in a big city, just less people to hate you here,” I shrug. “Does this have anything to do with that cheerleader?”
    “ Mona,” he reminds me her name. I really don't care. “You know, I've known her since kindergarten. We were friends up until two years ago. After my dad married Stephan's mom, she quit talking to me.”
    “ Wow, what a bitch,” I