A Better World

Later, during a break, Emily pulled Mike aside. “Mike,” she said quietly, “where did you learn all this stuff? And where did you get this place?”

Mike shrugged, trying to look casual. “Oh, you know, just picked it up. Always been into photography. And the studio… let's just say I know someone who owes me a favour.” He winked, hoping she wouldn't press him.

Emily wasn't convinced. “That's a bit vague, isn't it? And those clothes… they're designer. Don't tell me you “picked them up” too.” She couldn't help the slight edge in her voice. She was starting to feel seriously out of the loop.

Mike sighed inwardly. He was trying to keep things simple, but Emily was too sharp. “Look,” he said, lowering his voice even more, “it's a bit complicated. Just trust me, yeah? It's all part of the plan. The website's paying for everything. Think of it as, like, a sponsorship deal for Jess.”

“Sponsorship deal?” Emily repeated, raising an eyebrow. “For a girl who hasn't eaten a decent meal in weeks? That's… messed up.”

Mike ran a hand through his hair. “I know, I know. But the point is, it's working. Look at her, Emily. She's actually smiling. This whole thing is helping her, and that's what matters, innit?”

Emily looked over at Jessica, who was laughing with the make-up artist. She had to admit, Mike had a point. Jess did seem happier, more alive. But something still didn't sit right. “Okay,” she said slowly, “I'll trust you. For now. But you better not be messing with her, or with me.”

Mike met her gaze, his eyes earnest. “Never. Cross my heart.” He hoped she believed him. Because the truth was far more complicated, and far more risky, than he was letting on. And the dream he had the previous night was a true one and he desired her and her love.

Chapter 9: Preparation for a change

The chipped mug warmed Alex's hands, but he still felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. Tonight was the night. The night he was supposed to, according to this website he'd found, give a little gig – a proper live concert – at the local café. He kept glancing at his guitar case, propped against the kitchen wall. His own songs. The thought still felt surreal. Maybe, just maybe, this was it. Maybe this was the start.

He hoped, with a fervent, almost desperate hope, that it would stop the endless teasing at school. The “ginger nut” taunts, the relentless mickey-taking – maybe they’d finally see him as something other than just “that ginger kid.” Being called “carrot top” every single day got old, real quick. He just wanted them to, like, chillin’ instead of being such prats.

And then there was Jessica. The whole Jessica thing was…well, mental, really. Falling for someone he’d never even met, someone who was apparently giving up on eating? Bonkers. He'd only seen her picture. Nothing particularly striking, just…normal. But the website had said, in big, bold letters: “YOU CAN HELP THOSE WHO NEED YOU!” And that, for some reason, hit him hard.

He knew it sounded cheesy, proper cringe, but he actually believed it. He really thought he could make a difference. Maybe he couldn't change the entire messed-up world, but maybe, just maybe, he could change Jessica's life. He would message her online a few times after the gig, trying to be encouraging, offering to listen. “You alright, Jess?” he’d type, then immediately delete it and forget her.

His mum’s voice, sharp and slightly nagging, cut through his thoughts. “Alex? Where are you off to then? Have you finished your homework? Are you even thinking about applying to university? What time will you be back? And for goodness sake, don't embarrass your father!”

Alex winced. His dad, the university professor. The embodiment of academic respectability. “Yeah, yeah, Mum,” he mumbled, already tuning his guitar. “Just doing my best. I need to go out now.”

“Out where? With who? Don't tell me you're seeing those guys from your school. They are bad boys, you know.”

Alex rolled his eyes. He didn't reply, just strummed a chord, letting the sound drown out her questions.

He plucked at the strings, checking the tuning. E…A…D…G…B…E. He needed to nail it. He needed to be perfect. This wasn't just about the gig, it wasn't just about escaping the bullies. This was about…everything.

He thought about Jessica again. He imagined her, somewhere out there, maybe listening to music, maybe feeling completely alone. He would dedicate a song to her. It would be a surprise for her.

His mum sighed dramatically. “Honestly, Alex, sometimes I think you live in a different world. Your father works hard to provide for you, and all you care about is strumming that blasted guitar.”

He ignored her. He had to focus. Tonight was about changing things. Changing his own life, and maybe, just maybe, changing Jessica's too. He imagined her face, a small smile playing on her lips as she listened to his song. He pictured himself being interviewed, being famous, helping so many teens. Alex closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and prepared to head out to the café, ready to face the music, in every sense of the word. It was definitely going to be a mad night, one way or the other. He just hoped it would be mad in a good way.

Chapter 10: The gig

Alex was bricking it. Proper bricking it. His hands were shaking like a leaf, and his voice felt all squeaky and weird, not like his own at all. Getting up on stage, even in this tiny little café, felt like climbing Mount Everest. What if he totally blanked the lyrics? What if he went completely out of tune? Or even worse, what if everyone started cracking up laughing at him, at his songs, even at his ginger hair? Proper panic was setting in. He wanted to bail, just run for it and pretend this whole thing never happened.

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