CHAPTER 24

Annabelle.

The show was back on. Well eventually. Xavier's next date was tomorrow night with Rose and apparentley the rumour was he was taking her to the ballet. I was the last on this list and I was glad for this wanting to put this off for as long as possble.

He's been in lockdown for a week and I don't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Rose was ecstatic for the date though. Not necessarily for the date but more particulary for the ballet itself. She kept flying in and out of my room asking what she would wear, although her stylist would choose her clothes, justin case her favourite ballerina saw her from the stage.

I was in my room trying to cover another song. I was wearing black leggings and my dads old Beatles T-shirt with rolled sleeves. And purple fuzzy bed socks over the top. You can't forget the bed socks. My hair was fastened in a high pony tail with a good old scrunchie and my favourite perscription thick framed glasses sat over my nose.

Pfff, I was going for the nerd look on purpose.

My eyesight was tempermental. Sometimes I'm fine, sometimes I'm looking out a tempered glass window. Apparently I needed glasses and I cried.

My Youtube channel had gotten a lot more popular since being on the show. Like a lot more popular. The really cool thing was that a few recording companies, major ones like Sony Music and Warner Brothers Music had contacted me regarding being signed to their label, after hearing my work of course. I was so excited but for now I kept my options opened. I mean my dream was to be signed to Golden Records as they were my dream label. Ever since I was little. Majority of my favourite artists and bands came from Golden Records.

And a lot more people were demanding more covers and to update more frequently. So I was on Ultimate Guitar figuring out how to play Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood. I was halfway thrrough when somebody knocked on my door.

It couldn't be Rose because she barges straight in so I expected it to be Taliah. But I did not expect it to be Xavier.

I almost slammed the door in his face as a flood of emotions tumbled on top of me like a tsunami wave. Hurt, Anger, Regret.

He gave me those stupid pleading eyes which begged me to listen to him. Be strong Annabelle. Be strong. Resist the stupid boy with stupid beautiful eyes.

Remember what he did.

But what about what I did.

God, I hate having a damn conscious. It bloody guilts trip every single dang time about everything.

"Hi." I said. I was glad I sounded somewhat normal. Not that his very presence affected me at all. He took in my strange appearance before saying, "Can I talk to you, in the music room?"

Is he kidding me. This boy is more bi polar than the weather in Australia. And that is saying something. My cousin told me.

"I know I'm proably the last person you want to see and I understand that you most likely hate me but please let me talk to you in rhe music room. Please."

I nodded. Dumbly. God, I'm such a pushover. I followed him while playing with my hands nervously. Hoping he doesn't hate me.

Soon we were in the room I had come to miss and we both stood there awkwardly for a moment before he spoke.

"I'm so sorry Belle," he spoke softly, "I'm so sorry."

Belle.

"I'm so sorry for the way I treated, for yelling and blaming you. I have no excuse for what happened except that I am an idiot." He paced the floor while he spoke, slightly out of breath. He looked nervous, "And I really hope you can forgive me because I don't know what I'll do without you."

My heart melted at his sincerity.

"Of course Xavier," I whispered.

Sasha Fierce would be dissappointed in me.

He smiled at me,"Thank you."

Thank you! Thank you! He says thank you as I so mercifully forgave him. I wanted a hug damn it!

He sat down in one of the bean bags before patting the spot next to him. I could feel his warmth through the layers of my clothes as I sat.

"Things are finally working out. With my dad and management. Everything. And it's all thanks to you Belle." He was excited, sincere and apologetic and happy at the same time.

"I'm so happy for you Xav,"

He smiled and stared at me. Like really looked into my eyes. Emotions passed through his own eyes like a window to his soul. It was a comfortable silence before he gently took my hand and laced his fingers with mine.

They were strong and warm, the tips calloused from years of playing the guitar. His thumb rubbed circles on the back of my hand which drove my heart into working overtime.

"Belle..." He gently said; nervous.

"Mmm.."

He looked me in the eyes as he spoke, "I just want you to know, that despite whoever America votes to be my date, you would be my first choice."

My heart fluttered. And then I died.

Before I could say anything in response to his statement he said, "What was that song you were working on when I knocked?"

Classic boy movement. Dodge the moment.

"Sweater Weather, the nighbourhood." I was still slightly in shock and he didn't give me any time to recover!

"Come on, I want to play to." He stood and grabbed is electric guitar while passing me the acoustic. He played the melodic line, or riff, while I followed with the chords.Then he started singing the first verse.

All I am, is a man

I want the world in my hands

I hate the beach

But I stand in the California

With my toes in the sand

As the song went on I joined in the melody with Xavier.

She knows what I think about

And what I think about

One love, two mouths

One love, one house

No shirt, no blouse

Just us, you find out

Nothin I really wanna tell you about no

And then soon we harmonised together in the chorus. Our voices blending over each other.

'Cause it's too cold whoa

For you here

And now

So let me hold whoa

Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

Goosebumps appeared on my flesh as we sung together as one. He lead, I followed. Like a dance, but with our voices. When the song finished he grinned at me.

"Ready to record?"

To be compltely honest, being around Xavier was kind of weird. A good weird. He was so happy, so chilled and open compared to when I first met him and he was all dark and mysterious. Despite having a clone act as him he still had to so some acting himself to keep up the character. Him being like this made me happy, so happy. He was out the back, everyone was, and everyone was involved in a game of soccer;tThe crew and cast members (well not really cast because it's a reality TV show). Even Lindsay was getting involved.

Kind of.

But it was fun. Coco was barking at everyone and running around although Elliot didn't seem too keen. He was on the phone to someone while shooting us dirty looks. Or more specifically anyone in lower social castes to Lindsay.

But you learned to ignore it.

The ball flew in my direction so I stopped it and started dribbling towards my teams goal.

"Belle, Belle, I'm open!" Xavier shouted as Xavier and Charlie started ganging up on me. I pass the ball to Xavier who was standing near the goals and kicked it in, through the goalies legs.

"YES!" He yelled with his arms up in the air, ran towards me and wrapped his arms around me and swung me in a large circle.

"We won!" He cried.

I laughes, "Xaver, you're all sweaty!" I cried trying to push him off me.

After lunch Xavier was going to do his first live interview after being in lockdown. He texted me as I finished showering. Belle, Channel 10 at 2:30. x.

And of course he tweeted to his fans. His very first tweet since being in lockdown, since his breakdown.

@XavierMatthews: Big News! Channel 10, 2:30pm. #Bethereorbesquare

He is a square.

It was 2:32 when I turned the TV on, and there he was sitting with a male interviewer. They were just introducing everyone when it turned on.

"Welcome everyone, my name is Stan," he was one of those typical young American hipsters with buttoned up collar shirt and frames glasses, "And this is the one and only Xavier Matthews."

Xavier grinned and waved at the cameras. Probably a big shock to his fans that Xavier Matthews can actually smile.

Stan then said, "First off, big changes are happening concerning you aren't they?"

"Yeah, a whole lot more authentic and real changes."

Stan nodded, "Considering the interview two weeks ago, what are the changes you are excited for?"

"Well, I've got a new team around me, including my dad. I now get a say in everything I do which is definitely what I need the most."

Stan smiled, "What about your music?"

This time Xavier beamed. Excitement radiated off of him.

"The big news is, I'm re-releasing my first album Different Worlds the way I had originally wrote it. Many of the songs on the first album were written by me musically and lyrically. But the lyrics had been manipulated to meaning superficial things like sex and partying and girls and the music had been changed to fit into that 'pop' category. The way I had initially wrote it was with a more alternative, rock and acoustic sound. More raw."

Stan nodded, "This is sounding really good. What are you expecting from it?"

"To be honest, not much. Music is how I express myself and this is putting more of me out there but I don't expect anything in return. Some of my current fans may not like the new sound but I'm hoping a lot more people will take a listen."

"A more diverse fan base – both boys and girls."

Xavier nods, "Yeah definitely. I don't want to be known as the teenage popstar or teenage heartthrob with thousands of screaming fans. I want to be known as an artist, who creates music because he loves it."

Stan smile, "This is exciting. You're so young and talented. It's so great to see young singers and performers and actors, whatever, make a stand against what the industry says should happen."

"Thanks Stan."

The interview went on and they talked about the show but I was sitting on my bed, only wrapped in a towel with dripping wet hair, smiling at the TV.

He did it.

A/N: Hi!!! How is everyone?!

So I re-watched Clueless for the first time in ages and it's flawless and beautiful and I love it.

NEXT WEEK IS THE 1975 MY HEART IS POUNDING!

Also I love all of you amazing people so much like the amount of reads and comments and votes and support on this story is ridiculous I did not expect it all so I thank each and every single one of you so much.

I LOVE YOU

Dedicated to @Abbey192013 for the super rad banners she sent me x

QOTU: Dream wardrobe/outfit? Link to pictures are cool to! WOOO6