13 Like A Scene, Like A Dream

"LIKE A SCENE, LIKE A DREAM"

It'd been a week and my mom still hadn't come home or even checked in with me. My dad and I adjusted to our new normal, the two of making breakfast together every morning. Two half decent cooks made one great cook, right? It was basic math.

After breakfast I usually headed to the garage where Cherry helped me recreate the stage at the roller rink that was being rented out for the birthday party I was set to sing at.

It might've only been a small concert for a bunch of thirteen year olds who didn't know me, but it was technically my first ever solo concert.

Bea Lopez still hadn't replied to my email. I figured I took too long and she was no longer interested. On the off chance that she's simply been too busy girl bossing, I wanted footage of the concert. And I wanted it to look good.

Tameka's little sister, Neveah, had good taste in music. The playlist Ryan sent me had Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Ellish, SZA, Ariana Grande, and a whole lot more. I picked five upbeat songs that worked with my voice range and had the list approved by the birthday girl before working on a routine.

I spent hours in that garage, sweating my butt off with the same five songs instrumentals on repeat.

Now, on the day of the party, I hummed Nonsense by Sabrina Carpenter under my breath as I watched the awkward preteens. The girls and the boys were separated into different group on the roller rink. Both groups terrified to approach the other.

"Maybe if someone administered some cootie shots, they'd be less scared." Peter said, coming to stand bedside me.

Only he and Ryan were there. A rare sight because the Conways usually traveled in a pack.

Peter leaned his arms on the short wall that separated the skate floor from the carpet. His forearm brushing against my own.

This had been our new normal ever since that night on the Ferris wheel where he pretty much said he wanted to drop the fake part of our fake relationship. That night we swapped positions. Now, I was the one getting flustered when he made a suggestive joke or whenever we had the slightest physical contact.

I'd never been shy around guys, so this was entirely new territory. Never in my sixteen and a half years on this earth has a member of the male species been able turn me into a blushing thirteen year with a loss for words.

Until Mr. Perfect.

I couldn't form a comeback for his cootie shot quip because I was too busy thinking about how it'd feel to have his arms around me instead of just against me.

Thankfully I didn't have to as two girls skated over to us. "Hi," a freakishly tall thirteen-year-old said.

"Hey..." I said, unsure what this was about. I glanced at Peter who shrugged.

The girl's friend nudged her in the side, and the taller one continued, "We love your song I Don't Wanna Dance With You!"

The second girl nodded so quickly her glasses almost fell off.

My jaw dropped because no way was this happening. No way were two complete strangers recognizing me for my music.

Without my confirmation, the girl sounded unsure. "You are her, right? Faye Moore?"

"She is," Peter said when it was clear I was too stunned to speak. He placed an encouraging hand on my back, jolting into action.

"Sorry. Yeah, that's my song," I told them, stammering.

They brightened at that. The shyer one said, "We're obsessed!"

"I sent it to my ex," the taller one admitted, giggling. "He was so mad."

"So was my ex when he realized I wrote it about him."

The tall one pulled out her phone. "Can we take a photo with you?"

The shy one practically bounced on her toes. "My cousin doesn't believe I live in the same city as you. She'll be so jealous!"

The moment felt so surreal as the three of us posed together and Peter snapped the photo. Once the girls skated away, I turned to Peter, beaming.

"Did that really just happen?"

He smiled right back. "It really just happened."

***

The party eventually got going once the birthday girl took the first step in getting the girls to skate with the boys. Cherry arrived a bit later, her fancy camera in hand.

Since the carnival she'd been spending more time with Tristan. She didn't let him kiss her that first night, but they'd been working towards it since then. I think she was still afraid it was all too good to be true. I could relate.

I was set to go on stage in a few minutes. Though, stage was a generous word. It was more like a small platform next to the bathrooms. Cherry took my hands in hers. I knew what was coming, but I welcomed it this time around. I needed ever bit of positive energy I could get.

"Deep breath in," she said, taking in a breath. I copied. "And breath out all the grossness from the last few weeks. We're only channeling the highlights of life today."

I did as she said, stealing a glance of Peter who was talking to Ryan. Postive thoughts only.

Neveah, in her gold birthday sash and tiara, came up to me before I went on stage. "Can you sing I Don't Wanna Dance With You? I know I sent you a list, but I didn't realize you were that Faye until Lia and Maggie told me."

I was sure to wake up from this dream soon, but until then, I was determined to enjoy it.

Cherry talked with the DJ to set up an instrumental version of my song. When I got on stage, my nerves made my legs quake. My clothes felt too tight. The lights were too bright. And I couldn't figure out why I was there.

This wasn't like open mic night or singing in front of a strip mall. I was hired to be here. People counted on me to entertain them. The birthday girl and her friends. Ryan, who helped me get here.

But I was a fraud. I wrote and recorded songs in my garage with a thrifted piano. Even Bea Lopez knew it. Why else hasn't she replied?

My song started and I missed the cue to start singing. The thirteen-year-olds started to whisper, clearly impatient. Even they knew I shouldn't have been up there.

"Faye." I turned, microphone trembling in my hand.

Peter stood beside the stage/platform. With a glance at the bored crowd, he climbed up.

He stood next to me, his back to the crowd as he whispered, "Having fun?"

"Totally. Ten out of ten stars," I whispered back. "Would recommend if you enjoy being booed by a mob of preteens."

His fingers lightly brushed my wrist, tingles shooting up my arm. "You got this, Faye. I've heard you practicing in your garage every night. You're more than ready."

I looked at him, his face incredibly close to mine. He wore a soft smile, his light eyes shining with encouragement. "I need to look into getting the garage soundproofed."

Chuckling, he said, "Don't. It's been my favorite soundtrack this week."

There was a whole zoo in my stomach at his words. His hand slid into mine, or fingers intertwined. My palms were definitely sweating. He didn't care, he gave my hand a comferting squeeze anyway.

My nerves settled into a slight shimmy, instead of an 8.0 quake. "Get off the stage."

He smirked, used to my rudeness, and hopped off the stage.

I glanced at the woman working the sound system and nodded. She started the song again. That time, I didn't miss my cue.

***

"That was amazing!" Cherry exclaimed, wrapping me in the tightest hug.

The party was over and everyone was heading home. I still buzzed with adrenaline an hour after my performance. I didn't plan on coming off this high for a while.

"I still feel like I'm dreaming," I mused as we walked to her car in the parking lot.

Cherry reached over and pinched my arm. I yelped rubbing the spot. "You're awake."

"Thanks," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Are you going to say bye to Peter?" She nodded towards the jeep he leaned against, scrolling through his phone as he waited for Ryan.

"No." I could still feel his touch on my wrist. The way his fingers felt in-between mine. I had all I could take of this new Peter.

My best friend giggled, pushing me towards him. "I'll meet you in the car."

With a groan. I shifted direction and walked over to Peter. He put his phone away, standing from the car when he spotted me. "I knew you'd be over. Did you remember your manners this time?"

I rose my hand to flip him off. He closed his hand over my fist, taking me off guard. He was getting good at that. He lowered our hands until they were between us. Then he stuffed his own hands into pockets of his jeans.

"I'm not trying to rush you or anything, but--"

"That sounds exactly like what you're doing," I pointed out.

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fair enough."

What's wrong with things being complicated?" Those words had been my soundtrack all week.

I folded my arms across my stomach, toeing some loose gravel. "I don't have an answer for you."

Technically, I did, I just wasn't ready to tell him and put an end to this more than friendly side of him. I knew it was wrong to keep stringing him along when I knew he had real feelings. But I couldn't stop myself from selfish. Just for a little while longer.

"So there is an answer coming?"

Before I could answer, Ryan walked over, greeting me and telling Peter about their dad wanting to go out and eat for dinner.

I was glad Ryan showed up. It gave me a reason to hug Peter. As I wrapped my arms around his neck, I whispered into his ear. "Soon," was all I said before heading to Cherry's car.

***

For being the worlds bestest friend and camera woman, I used the money I got from playing the birthday party to take Cherry to her favorite burger place. After my first official paying gig I was a hundred and fifty dollars richer.

We both ordered bacon cheese burgers with fries and strawberry milkshakes.

"That was a long goodbye you had with Peter," she said, her brows bouncing up and down.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "You're aware were only fake dating, right?"

"That's what you say, but after that moment on stage, how could you not want something real?" She was practically swooning. Had been since her date with Tristan. "What'd he say anyway?"

"Nothing. It doesn't matter anyway," I drained my milkshake before saying. "I think it's time for our fake breakup."

Cherry leaned forward, frowning. "Why?"

When Peter and I made the deal, we never went over the logistics. Not how long it would last. What we planned to do in the end. But our fake relationship had to end at some point.

"There's only a few more weeks of summer," I reminded her. "We can't date into the school year."

"Why not?"

I flinched away at the question. "What do you mean 'why not'?"

She pushed her blue and purple braids over her shoulder. "You like him, Faye. And I knew he liked you back even before what happened at the carnival."

"None of that matters. He can do so much better than me and you know that. I don't deserve him."

In rare Cherry form, she looked pissed. Even rarer, it was aimed at me. "First of all, my best friend deserves all good things in this world. Second, you're scared."

"Of what?" I scoffed.

"Of being hurt by some you like as much as you like Peter."

"Uh, the name Daniel ring a bell? I've already been hurt by someone I really liked."

"First of all, do not compare Peter to that...thing."

"Pretty sure that's your third 'of all'..."

She threw a fry at me. "Don't make jokes right now. You know I'm right. You like Peter way more than you liked Daniel, Ivan, and Nathan combined. I may be inclined to say you're in--"

I slapped my hands over my ears, in a true display of my maturity. "Shut up!"

Cherry doubled over in a giggle fit.

I removed my hands from my ears, glaring at her with no real power behind it. "You're wrong."

And I now knew for certain that I needed to end things. Because I couldn't love Peter Conway. Not when I knew he couldn't love me back.

******

So the tables have turned and Faye is on the other end of the awkwardness that comes with liking someone!

Also that moment between Faye and Peter on stage?!

And will Faye follow through with breaking up with Peter, or will she find another excuse to delay it?

Shout out to CaitlynGorman4 for leaving sweet comments!! 💖💖

Thanks to everyone for reading!!

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