“I’m just going to nip upstairs and let Noah know I’ve come home,” I say.
Mum nods, then she smiles at Megan. “How are your parents, sweetheart? It’s so nice to see you again . . .” Leaving Mum to catch up with Megan, I run up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
As soon as I’ve written a direct message to Noah (he’s far more likely to check Twitter than his email), I also take a moment to open up my blog. Megan’s apparent change of heart has been playing on my mind, and I know who I want to tell.
25 June
Can You Forgive and Forget?
I know it’s my second post today, but it feels like the longest day ever! So much has happened.
Do you remember a while back when I wrote about drifting apart from a friend? And then that “friend” turned out to be the very person who sold me out to the media? (I know—who needs enemies when you have friends like that, right?)
Well, she actually apologized.
Can you believe it? I never thought I would see the day.
She helped me out when I thought no one would, and was really nice to me. And, even though I kept looking for an ulterior motive, she didn’t seem to have one.
She was just nice.
She was my old friend again.
It felt good to have her there to talk to. Is that weird? Is it even possible to forgive something so big? Can I ever forget what she did to me?
She even said she had been jealous of me. How can that be right? I guess we don’t always know what other people are thinking, even if they seem to have everything figured out.
Wiki, I know you will hate this when you find out.
But I think I want to forgive her. I can’t throw away that many years of friendship so easily . . .
Anyway, I will keep you posted.
Girl Offline . . . never going online xxx
• • •
I change out of my dress and into my most comfortable onesie, then head back downstairs. Mum and Dad switch the film back on, so Megan and I curl up on the sofa to watch as well.
It’s not very long until there’s a frantic knock on the door. Dad goes to open it and Noah runs into the room.
“Penny, thank god!” Noah’s face is as white as a sheet. Seeing him wrenches the knot in my stomach. He rushes over and gives me a hug. “What the heck happened? I came out after my set to find you, and Elliot said he hadn’t seen you at all. When I saw all your stuff in the dressing room, I was so worried about you. I called you about a bajillion times . . .”
“I’m so sorry, Noah. I can’t believe I missed your set. I was so excited it just completely went out of my head to even check that I had my ticket with me. Then someone in the crowd knocked my phone out of my hand and it all became way too much for me. Thankfully Megan was there to help me out.”
“I wish it could have been me. If I’d known what was going on . . .”
“You would have leapt off the stage?” I say, laughing. “There was nothing you could do. Besides, it’s OK now.” He hands me back everything I left backstage and I smile gratefully. Now it’s only my phone that is missing.
“Hey, Noah.” I look up at the unfamiliar voice and I’m surprised to see Blake standing there. “Now that you’ve found her, I’m going to get back to the hotel.”
“Sure, man, thanks for helping me out. Can you let Dean know everything’s OK? And get him to check with security to see if anyone’s handed in Penny’s phone. It’s got a pink case with PP doodled in black Sharpie on the back,” Noah says.
“Uh, Penny, I’d better go too.” Megan stands up from her seat and gives me a little wave, but I can tell her attention is all on Blake, despite this being the first time she’s met Noah. Slouched against the doorway, Blake strikes an edgier, grungier vibe than Noah, and possesses that rock-star confidence that can only come from being onstage in front of a huge, screaming audience. Megan casually takes her hair out of her bun, shaking it out around her shoulders, and I can see Blake stand up and take notice too. “Thanks for the tea, Dahlia.”
“Of course, Megan,” says my mum. “Thank you for being there for Penny today. It’s nice to see the two of you together again.”
“My pleasure. Any time. See you later, Penny.” Megan flashes me a wide smile, tossing her hair and rolling her shoulders back to showcase her outfit—my dress somehow looks completely different on her. At least I know the world hasn’t completely turned upside down; this is the Megan I’m used to.
“Megan . . . thanks. A lot,” I say. “I’ll see you around.”
She nods and disappears down the hall towards the front door. Blake follows a step behind.
“What are you doing here?” comes a high-pitched voice from the hallway. I cringe as I realize Elliot must have come into the house just as Megan was leaving. Talk about bad timing.
“I was helping out my friend, which is more than I can say for you.”
I let out a noise that is somewhere between strangled cat and deranged weasel, then jump up and run into the hallway. A battle between Megan and Elliot is not what I need right now.
“Elliot,” I say, and I give him a look I hope says, It’s OK. Megan might have redeemed herself but I’m not sure yet. Can a single look convey that entire message? I’m not too sure.
He seems to get it though, in the way that only best friends can.
“See you later, Megan,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Bye,” she says, before finally leaving, followed closely by Blake.