The Music to His Lyrics [5] For Her Own Good

“I can’t leave,” Emma stressed, “This is my job. I’m working.”

“Mom said you had to take us wherever we wanted today,” Audrey said, officially proving she had the diplomatic skills of a three year-old.

“Joanna already canceled the babysitting job I had promised Mrs. Reed tonight,” Emma said, “So, I at least need to finish this shift. Can’t this wait until later?”

“Don’t worry, Em,” Bobby said, taking her employee hat off of her head and placing it to the side of his head on top of his own. “Vic’s still not done with her shift. I’m finished here, and I don’t really have much else planned today, except maybe boarding with the guys later on. I’ll take your shift.”

“Bobby,” Emma said hesitantly, “That’s the same thing you said last time. I feel bad.”

“Yeah, but I actually mean it this time,” he smiled.

"Okay, well, only if you can. And Vicky, could I please your bus pass?" Emma asked.

"Bus?!" Claire shrieked.

"We're not walking there, are we?" Em asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Are you crazy?" Claire snorted.

"We're not doing either!" Audrey sneered, "Mom told us that since Henry couldn't drive us, and Claire crashed our convertible, we had to take yours."

"But Travis took my buggie to the repair shop," Emma stated, with a confused expression on her face.

"How do you think we got here?" Audrey snapped,"We picked it up at the repair shop because Mom made us. Oh, and you might want to get a new front headlight. Apparently Claire doesn't know that a yellow light means to slow down.

Emma's expression darkened. "You crashed my car just when I finished paying for its repair?" she said through clenched teeth.

"Em, I'll just lend you some money to help you pay for it. You can take as long as you need to pay it back," Victoria said, trying to calm Emma down.

"What are friends for?" Bobby said with a smile, "You shouldn't ever be ashamed to ask us for help. All three of us could pitch in."

"You guys," Emma whined, "I could never-"

“Emma, let’s go! Like, now! We‘re going to be late to the Downhill Mystery CD signing! It‘s at the mall down at the end of Tilbury Street, and you know how packed the traffic gets.” Audrey said, tapping her foot.

Victoria let out a fan girl scream. “I’ll be catching up to you later for sure! I would die to be within thirty feet of the two hottest guys in the world: Ted and Cole Hastings!”

Emma laughed. Vicky had a thing for twins.

Claire was staring at Bobby, batting her eyelashes with a goofy smile on her face. “You’re so sweet, Robby.”

“Bobby,” he corrected.

“Whatever,” she beamed.

Emma placed her apron back in the utility closet, placed the CD in her bag, and slung it over her shoulder. Walking over to Victoria and Bobby, she asked again, “Are you guys sure that-”

“Go on, get out of here!” Victoria said with a laugh, grabbing Emma’s shoulder and pushing her through out through the swinging doors of the smoothie place. “I’ll definitely meet you later. I wouldn’t miss a CD signing with Downhill Mystery for the world!”

As Victoria watched Emma and her stepsisters walk towards the mall’s exit, Victoria turned to Bobby.

“Rick, we‘re taking our break!” he yelled, untying his apron and going out back to pull his wallet out of his black backpack.

“Would you happen to have another copy of that demo CD?” she asked.

“Yeah, like five of ‘em.” Bobby said, pulling one out of his front backpack pocket and handing it to her. “You’re going to send it anyways, aren’t you?”

“It’s for her own good. She’ll thank me later,” Victoria said, wrapping the flyer advertising ‘Night of Dreams’ around it and placing it into her handbag.

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