Chapter 23
Now I’m sitting on the plane on my way to Las Vegas processing everything that’s happened today. I messaged Scarlett explaining how I’m coming early, and just my luck I get to watch their last show tonight. I close my eyes and remember the first time I properly spoke to Nora on a plane like I am now. I smile at the thought of our first interaction. When I open my eyes, I feel like I’m thrown back into reality, of what I’ve just received and what has happened. I take Coco’s letter out of my handbag and read it again until the words just become letters, making no sense. I hold it to my chest and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to suppress more tears. I don’t think my head can take anymore tears.
Live for both of us.
Reading this letter, I can hear Coco’s voice so clearly. The gentleness her voice always had, even when she was upset or annoyed. In a weird way, although this is sad, there’s a sense of relief being lifted off my shoulders. It’s reassuring to see her last words to me, that in fact it wasn’t my fault and I couldn’t help her. Although I’ll always have a sense of guilt, it’s less than it was before. I am looking forward to a hug from Nora, to tell her everything that has happened since I last saw her.
I spend the rest of the plane ride asleep, the abrupt landing shaking me awake. When I glance outside the window, I can already see the flood of buildings and bright lights. I can’t believe I’m really here. Luckily, I don’t
BEYOND THE BLUES
have to spend a fortune on a taxi to the venue. Scarlett offered to come pick me up as she’s driving past the airport already. I collect my bag and speed walk outside, searching for Scarlett. She shouldn’t be too hard to miss. She has flaming ginger hair, and a fabulous sense of fashion. Everything is always matching, and looking as if she’s going out somewhere fancy, every day. Of course, I haven’t met her in person, but from her Instagram, I can tell she is confident and bubbly.
“Ophelia!”
a loud voice echoes. I shoot round and there Scarlett is. Her hair in Hollywood waves, a bright red lip and a skin tight matching glittery red set. She really looks like a rockstar. I walk over, and she immediately embraces me in a hug, her skin smelling like caramel.
“I’m so happy you’re here! I’ve heard so many things about you.”
She says ecstatically.
“All good things, I hope.”
She pulls away, holding onto my shoulder, and smiles.
“The best things.”
Suddenly I see flashes in the corner of my eyes, and there are paparazzi calling Scarlett’s name. I don’t look my best to be getting photographed right now.
We get into the back of this fancy black car, a bunch of refreshments on offer, and the driver in a suit. Maybe I didn’t realise just how big their band had got recently.
“So the drive is about thirty minutes from here, so if you want to touch up your makeup or whatever, do it now!”
Scarlett says, scrolling through her phone. I decide to follow her advice since I don’t want to be photographed again looking the way I do now. I frustratingly untangle my curls from my scrunchie, unsure of what to do with it.
“Want some help?”
Scarlett asks.
“Please.”
I plead. Scarlett scoots over to me and looks at my curls. She grabs a spray of water from the door. She is truly prepared.
“Wet hair is always the way to go when your hair is not working.”
She laughs, and spritzes my hair, scrunching and twirling my hair into the perfect curls. I know she has a similar hair type to me considering all her photos flaunt her big mane of ginger hair. Before I know it my curls are falling
*
perfectly.
“How did you do that so quickly?”
“I’ll teach you at some point.”
She winks and returns to her phone. I look down at my outfit and, of course, I’m still wearing my tracksuit with some ketchup on the leg.
“Do you mind if I grab something from my suitcase in the back?”
I ask Scarlett.
“Nigel, can you pull over for two secs?”
She says to the driver. She jumps out of the car and slams the door. Oh god, I hope I didn’t upset her. Before I know it, she’s back in the car, a dress in her hand. She hands it to me and I stare at it.
“This isn’t mine?”
“Yeah, it’s mine. I thought you’d suit it.”
Scarlett says, not looking up from her phone. It is a nice dress, a maxi bodycon black dress. At least it will hide my trainers. Scarlett presses a button and the window between the driver and us darkens. I slip the dress on. Getting dressed in a car is another level of difficult.
“Just in time, you look gorgeous.” She says.
“Right, when we leave the car, it’s gonna be a lot. Just hold my hand, smile and wave.”
Scarlett warns me. I nod and latch my hand onto hers like a scared child. The door opens and there is a crowd of screaming people and flashing cameras. Scarlett weaves through the crowd, waving, bouncing with energy. I attempt to seem less awkward by waving a little to the crowd, but their faces display confusion as they try to figure out who I am.
We walk into the back rooms of this arena, filled with music equipment and tech guys. Even from here, I can hear people cheering in the arena.
“Right, I’ll take you to the VIP and then after the show I will come get you!”
Scarlett says, she drags me into this booth on the side of the stage, giving me a perfect view of the side of the stage. Scarlett waves goodbye and runs out of the booth. Then the music starts, pounding drums and fans even louder than before. The band walks on stage and there she is. Nora. Her hair is a bit longer, and she’s wearing baggy jeans with a cropped racer vest. If
BEYOND THE BLUES
anything, she’s just gotten more attractive. I want to run onto the stage and plant my lips onto hers. She picks up her guitar and picks the strings, her hand effortlessly moving. Scarlett sings and her heavenly voice fills the arena, almost silencing the cheers. The other band mates are just as well, although I don’t remember their names. The show goes on and I can’t stop grinning. Everything is so perfectly done. After a couple of hours, they’re all sweaty and bowing to the crowd. The roars of the crowd are deafening.
I’m too eager to wait for Scarlett, so I leave VIP, weaving through people to find Nora. I see the band huddled together, minus Nora. Where is she? I reach the band and they all face me, their faces a little awkward, as if I’ve interrupted something. I have. Nora has a blonde girl pushed up against a railing, her lips all over her like she did with me. The girl is laughing, flaunting her perfect teeth. My Nora has another girl laughing, just like I did with her. My stomach drops and I feel sick. I face Scarlett. Why would she bring me out here knowing Nora is seeing other girls? I know we aren’t official, but we still loved each other. Well, at least I do. I love her. Rather than questioning it, I walk away. I lightly jog, getting hotter by the second, desperate for fresh air.
“Ophelia!”
I hear Scarlett yell out to me, her chunky boots clunking on the floor behind me. I try to ignore her. I can’t do this right now. I feel her hand grasp my wrist and pull me towards her.
“Please let me explain. I’m so sorry.”
“Why would you humiliate me like this?”
“I thought if Nora saw you, she’d change her mind over this fame whore out there.”
She waves her hand around.
“She hasn’t been the same ever since she’s been back. I know she misses you.”
Scarlett says, as if it’s reassuring. If she missed me, why would she do this? She didn’t even tell me she was seeing someone new. I can’t stay here.
“Sorry Scarlett, I have to go.”
I storm out into the fresh air, the loud chaos of Las Vegas filling my ears.