The Rock Star Trilogy 01 - Jaded

nice. He's been such a great friend to me... And he's kind of hot.” Hot is a bit of a stretch, but he is nice looking. Any girl would be lucky to be with him.
    She thinks about it for a moment. “Yeah, I guess he is kind of cute.”
    I follow her towards the cafeteria, and decide to talk up Ethan. “You know, I kind of think he looks a little like Thor.”
    She laughs, but I can tell it's fake. “Ok, well, you can grab your friend and meet me at the table. We sit in the direct center of the lunchroom. It's where all the most popular girls and boys in the school eat.”
    Like I really care who sits at the “popular” table!
    I turn and walk towards the far right, where Ethan and I always sit. He's waiting there for me.
    “ Hey, Scarlett.”
    “ Hey. Good news. We're sitting with that cheerleader girl that you like,” I say. “So come on.”
    “ What?”
    “ Come on,” I motion him. “Your dream girl awaits.”
    After a few seconds, Ethan finally gets up and follows me to the popular table. I want to vomit at the thought of sitting there, but I have to hold up my end of the bargain.
    “ Hey! So glad you two could eat with us!” The cheerleader scoots down for me and Ethan. I take the seat furthest from her, so Ethan is forced to sit by her.
    “ Hey, Mona,” he says, shyly.
    Mona, why can I never remember that name? Though, I guess I've always been bad with names.
    Everybody around the table takes turns introducing themselves to me. I'm glad that none of them ask for my autograph, though I suspect Mona asked them not to scare me away.
    Most of the people sitting at the table are either in sports, or they are cheerleaders. Apparently baseball and basketball are a big deal at this school. Only a couple of people sitting at the table aren't into sports, and I can tell by their designer clothing that they must have rich parents.
    I wonder why they don't like Ethan. He's the hottest guy at the table, and he obviously has wealthy parents. Their house is next door to mine, right on the beach. A beachfront property, even in a small town like this, costs a lot of money. And I've seen the cars parked there – they aren't exactly driving old beaters. I'm pretty sure I saw his dad driving a Hummer, and his mom has a red Corvette.
    Maybe they don't know ?
    I shake off the thought almost as quickly as it comes. I know that's not the case, because in a small town like this, there are no secrets . There has to be a lot more to the story. Ethan definitely isn't telling me everything.
    I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out to see a missed call from a blocked number. There is a voice mail.
    “ I'm sorry, guys,” I say to nobody in particular. “I have to take this.”
    Before anybody has a chance to respond, I get up and walk out of the cafeteria as fast I can. Nobody , not even Stephan or Ethan, has my number. Just my parents, managers, record company, and Alec. I need to know who the call is from.
    Ever since my sister disappeared, every time I get a call from a unrecognizable number, I think it's her. I'm usually disappointed, but I never give up hope. I can't. I even hired a private investigator.
    Once I'm out of the cafeteria, I keep walking and head out the front doors of the school. Once I'm outside, I put my phone up to my ear, and listen to the message.

    “ Scarlett, this is Andrew Davis, ” I listen. My heart jumps when I hear my P.I.'s voice on the other end. “ I have a lead on your sister. I'm not sure if this is just another dead end, but it looks promising. I'm in South Carolina. I should get back in touch with you in a couple of days at the most. Talk to you soon. ”

    I lean against the side of the brick building and close my eyes. I try to picture Stacy, but when I think of her, I always see the 17 year old version of her. I know that she's 26 now, though. I wonder if she has her own family, if she's married with kids. I wonder if she still looks the same. I wonder if she would be proud of me.
    I shake my head, and push myself off the wall. No, she would not be proud of the person I've become. I've had less than a stellar life. I let fame and fortune go to my head. But maybe she would be proud of my decision to come here – my decision to get my life straight.
    “ Is everything alright?” I hear Stephan's voice.
    I nod, and wipe the tears away from my cheeks. I hadn't even realized I was crying. “Yeah, everything is... perfect.”
    “ I saw what you did for him... for