The N Word by Michelle MacQueen & Ann Maree Craven

Author:Michelle MacQueen & Ann Maree Craven [MacQueen, Michelle & Craven, Ann Maree]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-27T04:00:00+00:00

11

Nari

Nari had never once been nervous going to the Callahan’s house, but this time, it wasn’t to see Peyton. Julian promised no one would be home, that the band could practice uninterrupted. The thought of anyone finding out Nari spent her weekends clipping pink extensions into her hair and standing under the hot lights of a stage shouldn’t have freaked her out so much. It shouldn’t have made her palms sweat. What was it she’d posted on No BS after their last show?

I have a secret identity.

As if she just needed to say it. She was like a freaking spy—except a spy who traded her secrets codes for lyrics and her weapons for a keyboard.

Her fingers itched to play something, anything, and the Callahans didn’t have the keyboard she craved. They did have a piano, however. It once belonged to Peyton’s grandmother. Peyton and Julian both took lessons as kids but quickly moved on to other things. Their parents didn’t play.

Noise came from the kitchen where Julian had left to get them drinks. Nari moved around the baby grand piano, her fingers skimming the smooth top. She sat on the bench in front of it and settled her fingers on the keys, playing a few notes before delving into a familiar, yet simple song. Her mother and her piano instructor always pushed her toward the more complicated pieces, but Nari relaxed into the easy melody, enjoying the music rather than the skill it took to play it.

By the time she finished playing, she looked up to find Julian watching her. He gave her a half smile. When they first formed the band, none of them knew how to be around each other. Becks was the popular kid nobody could quite figure out. Wylder was a wild child—no pun intended. And Julian was…sad.

She hoped the music was as healing for him as it was for her.

“Sometimes I forget how talented you are.” Julian walked forward and handed her a bottle of water.

She shrugged. Accepting compliments wasn’t Nari’s strong suit. She rested the bottle on her knee and stared at it, her hair shielding her face from Julian’s scrutiny. “I’m not that good.”

Julian huffed as if he didn’t believe her. “I’ll go get my guitar. Becks and Wylder will be late. They had to do dinner with their dad and stepmom.”

She shrugged in acceptance.

The day with Peyton had been exactly what she’d needed after the Avery kiss fiasco. Her best friend was always good at taking Nari’s mind off everything. They’d spent most of the day wandering around the mall, only stopping when they ran into a group of kids from Defiance Academy. Their winter break began a few days before.

Kenny was among them, and Nari avoided his gaze, unsure if he’d recognize her from his party. The only thing she could think about was the look on Nicky’s face the night of the party when he walked in on Kenny kissing some girl. Nicky had stood frozen at her side and there was nothing she could do to shield him from it.

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