Broken Strings

Chapter Nine

"You two just look like the cutest couple." The primped up interviewer says to us.

Hayden and I look at each other. We give each other our fake smile. We haven't really been on good terms lately. But this was an interview, my Mother reminded us, we had to keep up appearances.

"Oh no we aren't together." I inform the interviewer smiling at her.

She looks purely shocked.

"But the chemistry you two have is amazing. Especially on stage." She says ignoring the camera for a minute.

She looks like a genuinely concerned fangirl. But from the faint wrinkles on her forehead and the wedding ring on her finger. I guessed she was a little too old to be sitting on tumblr all night. Than again, from the way she was studying me for all the details. I wouldn't put it past her.

"No Esther is like my little sister. I love her and all but just not that way." Hayden sits up and places a hand on my knee.

It takes everything in me to not push him away from me. He has been cold and distant towards me lately. Why should he get to act like the cute one in front of the cameras?

"Trust me. We fight like brother and sister as well." I throw the snide comment at Hayden. But to the audience it is a light hearted joke.

"Aw well that's all the time we have for today. If you guys would like to play us out?" The audience cheer and clap for us as we make our way to the stage.

Hayden and I sing an acoustic version of our most recognised song Storyline. We both try to avoid eye contact for most of it but at the end we give each other a hug and wave to the cameras.

"And we are out." A guy calls.

Hayden and I quickly pull apart. Greg comes up to us and helps get the mics off us.

"Keep smiling 'til we get out." He whispers to us.

Hayden and I roll our eyes at the exact same time.

"I hate seeing you guys like this." Greg mumbles but I'm already making my way out of the studio.

"Great going darling." My Mother's voice comes from behind me.

I turn around to see her beaming. My heart starts to beat quickly and the corner of my lips begin to tingle. Is she actually complimenting me?

"I can always count on you." She starts walking towards me. That's when I catch sight of the blackberry in her ear. "I'm on my way back now Charlotte, you just stay right there."

My Mother walks right by me and straight into her car. Something breaks a little in my chest. I know it's ridiculous to have gotten my hopes up, but a girl needs her mother.

I play with the bracelets around my wrist. I would usually go talk to Hayden but as he brushes by me I guess he isn't in the mood to talk. I press my lips hard together and follow after the fleeing boy.

The car ride back to our hotel is quiet. Hayden and I are looking away from each other pressed against our own windows. Greg every once and a while will look back at us. I catch his gaze at one stage. He smiles at me but I don't have it in me to smile back.

The minute the car pulls up outside the hotel Hayden jumps out. I take a minute to compose myself. I take a few steady breaths. It is always better having Hayden. He'd listen when no one else would.

Maybe he has gotten fed up of me. He just doesn't want to hear it any more. About my petty little problems. The boy has been through way worse than I have and he doesn't break down. I'm just weak.