Caleb's P.O.V. 

        I opened the door, peering out the open crack. Chris was standing upright with his head hung over. His eyebrows were furrowed, and a straight line took its place on his lips. 

        "Caleb, let me in." I took a step back and allowed my brother into my room. It seemed like he purposely bumped his shoulder into mine because as soon as I stumbled back, a grunt escaped his mouth.

        "I'm not happy with you, at least not right now. What were you thinking, Caleb? Are you that obsessed with ST3LLAR?" I nodded. We already went through this. 

        "Chris, what do you want me to say? Sorry? Was I being too careless? I'm not apologizing anymore because nothing happened. He doesn't care about me the way you, and mom, a-and dad keep letting on." 

        Chris licked his chapped lips and leaned against my bed frame. "I don't care what happened between you two. I mean, I do, but that's not what I'm talking about. It's just that you need to take a break from them. All that dopamine in your head is getting to you." Chris took a deep breath before explaining.

        "I don't get how people can just dedicate their lives to people who don't even know they exist. Then, once they are noticed, they throw their lives away for them. They are not gods or angels in the sky. They are just normal people that happened to spread their gift around, further than they can reach. You need to get your life together, or else, you might end up as a sixty-year-old fan dancing around in skin-tight jeans and a half-cut shirt." I took in his words, closing my eyes. He was right, he was always right. I wasn't an ignorant kid anymore. I was going to change for the better starting tomorrow, but for now, it was time to be a guilty child. 

♪♪♪

        The early morning sun was already well risen and the spring grass shone like it had its own gentle glow from within. The air felt refrigerated, that same coolness combined with moisture Peter always felt when he reached for the coffee cream. Though it was late enough for bright light, it was early enough for the streets to be almost deserted - perfection. Apparently 6:22 A.M. was the sweet-spot.

        I was to go to school, come home, complete my homework, and go to bed. My parents had already laid out the rest of my high school days. Speaking of school, Kat's face appeared in my mind for a second. I had forgotten all about the project, but I remember her words clearly. “We’re only going to have three days to work on the project. I don't know about you, but I need this project to be perfect!” It didn't seem to matter now. Today was Saturday, and that meant that the project was due in two days. I doubt my parents would let me out over the weekend, and I wasn't planning on pressing their buttons to get a reply. 

Kat's P.O.V.

        "I want to dye my hair green. Mint green." Milan shook his head. "That wouldn't look right. Sorry, but no. I like your natural hair. It's like fiery, sizzling hot, flaming red, scorching hot red, scarlet, bold red, maroon, sunset red, holly berry red." He put the cheeseburger in his mouth, staring at me. "Keep it." When he opened his mouth, I could see the burger. It was disgusting. 

        "Milan, close your mouth. That's so nasty!" He took another mouthful of the greasy burger. "Anyway, I think I'm going to fail Mr. Paige's class. My partner bailed on me. He's freaking crazy anyway. Caleb always talks about the band, like his life depends on it. It's so annoying."

        Milan laughed, putting his hand out to rest over mine. "You're annoying when you talk about how much you love me." Once I saw his dimple, I knew he was just trying to make a joke out of me. "I honestly don't feel like talking about the weirdo today. Let's just eat and watch Netflix at your house." I got lost in his eyes for a couple of seconds. They glistened brightly, cold and metallic, rivaling the most excellently polished suit of armor. The sclerae that surrounded them were pristine, untouched by red. They were pure. They were cold. They were beautiful. 

        As we got ready to leave the restaurant, I couldn't help but hear my phone ringing. It was playing a slow jazz song. Mama. 

        "What's wrong, Ma?" 

        "Nothing hun'. I just wanted to let you know that I won the bet against Walter Lee. I slept the leader of the band ST3LLAR. Kat, it was just amaz-" I had to stop her.

        "Ma, I don't want to know about it. How much did he give ya'? $1,250?" Milan was lagging behind me, eating his leftovers. 

"Baby, it was double or nothing. I got $2,500. We gonna be eatin' good tonight." Milan had pulled me alongside his car. His hands had found their way down to my hips, allowing me to sway with him slowly. 

        "Ma, I gotta go. I'll see you later." She replied with a thick stack of goodbyes and hung up. Milan was showing off his cheesy grin. "Guess what?" I asked.

"What?"

        "My mama slept with Luke, the ST3LLAR guy. Isn't that crazy?" He nuzzled my neck before. "It would be crazier if she was pregnant." A cackle escaped my lips. That seemed very unreasonable. they only did it one time. She wasn't going to end up pregnant out of nowhere.