Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Ainsley

Ainsley, age sixteen…

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: Life and other crushes…

I have a big crush, and I think he likes me too.

Last summer, while my family was away, I spent a lot of my time with Porter. He's shy but sweet. We're almost inseparable. Papa has been teaching him how to play music, but I've practiced with him and helped him perfect his technique.

Ever since we became best friends, he's been studying harder and setting up big goals for his future. He wants to be a famous musician. Unlike Papa, whose band Dreadful Souls began playing back in the ' 70s, and even after they broke up, are still famous, he wants to be a solo act.

When he first announced it, my parents reminded him that they had a few conditions before we could try to be in the entertainment world.

We have to graduate from college first.

You know that if that weren't an important rule, Mattie and Jacob would've started a band right after finishing high school. If I were allowed to leave the house, I'd be applying for Juilliard, Berklee, or the Royal Academy of Music—even when I'd miss Porter.

Well, according to Papa, I'll be allowed to apply to those schools once I'm ready to go to college—at eighteen. I'm not mature enough to be around college kids.

Someone should remind him that my social maturity is their fault.

But, back to Porter. Since he was going to graduate soon, I requested information from all the universities close by so he could apply. Though he appreciated my effort—yes, he appreciates everything I do for him. ((insert starry eyes))—he told my parents that college isn't for him.

Let's remember that he was bullied at school while growing up. I wish we had found him earlier, right after his mom and brothers were killed in the accident. We would've taken really good care of him.

So, he convinced my parents that he'd rather start his career as a musician than spend money that would go to waste.

My parents are proud of him for advocating for himself, yet they made him register for online classes. He can start recording while studying.

That all sounds well, but I'm heartbroken. He's going to leave for Seattle at some point, and what am I supposed to do? Everyone leaves me.

Where are you? It's been so long since the last time I heard from you.

Hugs,

Ainsley

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: More news…

Gabriel has a new girlfriend.

Yes, I know it's fake and a way to keep the playboy image he's built for the last twenty years, but it bothers me. If I were Papa, I'd be pissed with him.

In other news, Porter has been releasing some singles, which have hit the charts. I think he's going to be famous. Since Porter speaks my language, we began to communicate through music. We compose lyrics and notes. Several of his hits are the compilation of the moments we share at night.

Before you jump to conclusions, no, we haven't kissed, but I feel like we make love through notes as he plays the guitar and I play the piano.He's about to go on tour. He'll be the opening act for Joy and Heavenly Rhythm, an alternative rock band.

I'm going to miss him.

By the way, where are you… I'm starting to think you created this account so I wouldn't bother you at all.

Missing you,

Nine.

Porter is playing in Portland. It shocks me that my parents allow us to go and see him play. Of course, we don't go alone. Arthur Bradley is with us. When he starts what I believe is the last song before the next act comes to the stage, he says, "This new song goes out to my girl. It's only me and you, AJ, no matter where we are."

I feel the exact moment when my heart leaves my body and jumps next to his. There's nothing in the world I won't do for him.

Me and him. The rest of the world doesn't matter anymore.

It's in your smile

Your eyes

The way they see me

With you, I'm invincible

Because it's only me and you

Me and you, no matter where you are

I own your heart and you own mine

You gave me the strength to be who I am

Now I can conquer the world

But I only need to conquer your heart

I only need your heart to survive

Because it's only me and you

Me and you, no matter where you are

I own your heart and you own mine

Let's run away

Only the two of us

No one will ever break us

I'll never let anything come between us

Because it's only me and you

Me and you, no matter where you are

I own your heart and you own mine

The stadium is packed, and the audience witnesses his declaration of love.

He said it.

He only needs me to survive.

Once he's done, I beg Arthur to take me backstage. He shakes his head but agrees to do it. My brothers, who I adore but can be a couple of assholes, make fun of me.

"Ooh, Porter, my love." Jacob places his hands on top of his heart and bats his eyelashes. "He wants my heart."

"Stop it." Matt pushes him playfully.

I almost kiss my brother for defending me until he opens his big, stupid mouth, "The guy can conquer the world. He might want to beat the shit out of us if we bother her."

My eyes become a pair of slits. "I hate you!"

I'm so angry at them, but the irritation disappears when I spot Porter. Everyone and everything else around me disappears. It's just him.

Porter's dark eyes almost shine when he sees me—or at least I think they do. Like in those cheesy movies my father stars in, we run toward each other. He opens his arms and hugs me tightly.

This guy turns my world upside down and my body into a gooey marshmallow.

"Baby, I missed you so much," he whispers in my ear. His voice sends me into a haze I never want to leave. "You have no fucking idea how much."

"I missed you too, Porter." I nuzzle his neck and absorb his spicy-earthy scent.

His lips brush mine. The heat sends me into a frenzy, but before I can kiss him as they do in the movies, he puts me down. After that concert, he calls me his girl, but never in front of my parents. We hide from them, but it's okay because we don't want to upset them.

I don't want to lose Porter. I'd do anything for him. He's the only person who likes me and wants to be with me.

One day the entire world will learn about us. For now, it's just us.