Chapter 52

“He’s the lead singer of Beauty in Lies. They went on tour with Zayd’s band, Afterglow. These shoes, Barker Blacks, are his favorite. He wears them to every concert.”

I blink stupidly, taking a sip of my drink to cover up the silence. This is the longest and most normal conversation Creed and I have ever had. I’m not even sure what to say.

“Sorry, I don’t listen to rock or pop or really any mainstream music for that matter. Mostly, I’m focused on Sophia Dussek or Catrin Finch.” I switch my coffee out for the Danish, and Creed watches me, like he’s studying my every movement. I realize I haven’t given him an answer to his question: should I go to the winter formal with this guy?

“Harpists,” Creed says, but not like he’s at all unsure, more like he would expect any cultured person to recognize those names. “Becky wants to kill you for taking her spot in the orchestra.”

“I didn’t take her spot; I’m just a better player. Besides, she’s the understudy. That’s a bi