Tatiana Bazhan
A Better World

Chapter 1: Alex

Night. Alex lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep wouldn't come. Not tonight. Not any night, really. A heavy weight pressed down on his chest, a constant companion these past months. It felt like a stone, cold and hard, lodged right behind his ribs. He sighed, the sound swallowed by the darkness of his room.

Depression. That's what the school counsellor had called it after Alex's last breakdown. A fancy word for feeling… utterly broken. He hadn’t gone back to that school to tell him he felt worse.

He closed his eyes, and instantly, they were there. The voices. Whispering, then louder, sharper, crueller.

“GINGER FREAK!”

“CARROT TOP!”

Each taunt echoed in his head, amplified by the silence of the room. It had started innocently enough, the odd comment in the corridor. But it had escalated, day by day, turning into a relentless barrage of insults, snide remarks, and outright mockery. And with the digital age at hand, there was no going back.

The teacher, Mr. Davies, just seemed to look the other way. Did he not hear? Didn't he care? Probably not. Alex was just another kid in a classroom full of them.

His parents? They had no idea. He couldn't bring himself to tell them. His dad, a university professor, always seemed so… preoccupied. His Mum always too busy with the house to listen. He didn’t want to burden them. Besides, he was sixteen. He should be able to handle this, shouldn't he?

He’d tried. God, he’d tried everything. Ignoring them. That didn’t work. Fighting back. That only made it worse. Trying to befriend them? Hopeless. They weren't interested in anything beyond their phones, their stupid online stories, and the latest viral trend. They didn't know what a book looked like, let alone that a guitar could move your soul. They just liked tormenting him and filming it.

Alex rolled onto his side. Maybe he should just get a new place. Switch schools? What would it help? This was the third school in two years. Always moving houses with his people. It was always the same. The whispers, the stares, the relentless pursuit of anything that made him different.

He remembered the last time. The hand-drawn caricatures plastered all over the school corridors, his face twisted into grotesque shapes, accompanied by vile captions. Photos of him taken without his knowledge, uploaded online, attracting a torrent of hateful comments.

He just couldn't face it anymore. Every morning, getting out of bed was a battle. Walking through the school gates felt like entering a war zone. The weight in his chest grew heavier with each step.

His mum kept saying, “You have to finish school, Alex. You need to go to university. Your father’s a professor, you can’t let him down by flunking your exams.”

“But Mum…” he started last week, only for her to cut him off.

“No buts, Alex! We just want what’s best for you.”

He knew they did. But what was the point of a good degree if he was completely destroyed by the time he got there? Alex closed his eyes once more, the darkness closing around him like a suffocating blanket. A single tear escaped and traced a cold path down his cheek. He was so tired. So, so tired.

Alex opened his laptop, searching for the answers. “How to stop bullying at school?” and “How to overcome depression?” he typed, hoping for solutions. He stumbled upon a website offering help to teenagers in tough situations. He read:

“YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”

The words caught his eyes.

“YOU WERE BORN TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE!”

A message followed:

“You can help those who need you. Meeting tomorrow at 6 PM in the abandoned house.”

Alex hesitated, a mix of fear and hope welling up inside him. Could this be the answer he was looking for? Or was it something else entirely?

Chapter 2: Emily

Emily was running away, trying to escape from herself and the illusion of her family.

That evening the kitchen light cast a harsh glare on her father. He was slumped at the table, a half-empty bottle of whiskey glinting beside him. Crumbs of bread and bits of chicken lay scattered on the newspaper in front of him, though he wasn’t eating now, just drinking. Mum had moved into her room weeks before, and every night the girl could hear her muffled sobs through her dream.

He hadn’t always been like this. She remembered… well, she tried to remember better days. But the alcohol seemed to have washed them away, leaving only the ugly present.

The dam broke last Tuesday. Mum couldn't take it anymore. Emily understood now that it was dangerous, too dangerous to confront the drunk. But her nerves snapped. She stood in the doorway, her voice rising with each word.

“I wish you were dead, you monster!” she screamed, her face red and blotchy. “I hate you! You've ruined my life!”

He exploded. He kicked the kitchen door off its hinges with a sickening crack. Then he swept his arm across the table, sending glasses and plates crashing to the floor.

“Dad, please! No!” Emily begged, but he didn’t even seem to see her. He was lost in his own rage, a beast unleashed.

The horror of that night was never to be forgotten. The people who were supposed to be Emily’s safe place had become something else. That staggering, slurring man was not her dad. And her mum’s face that streaked with mascara and tears was not the face of the calm, strong woman she knew. They were strangers, monstrous versions of themselves.

Fear and shame became Emily’s constant companions. There had been times, back before Mum moved into her room, when Dad would wet the bed. Emily was so ashamed. At first, Mum would pull off his wet trousers and underwear, her face tight with disgust. Then, she just stopped. In the morning, he'd strip off the soaked clothes himself, a look of weary disgust on his face before shuffling towards the bathroom. The heavy, acrid smell of urine would linger in the big room for days. Sometimes, he wouldn't even make it to the bathroom, and the hall or the living room would be stained. He'd vomit in the bath, leaving Mum to clean it.

His binges would last for three or four weeks, turning the house into a living hell. He gave his wages to Mum, but when he needed money for a drink, he would first beg, and then force it out of her. The gentle giant, slowly dissolving into a monster.

Emily just wanted him to stop. She just wanted her mum to smile again. She just wanted her family back.

Chapter 3: Jessica

Jessica's stomach rumbled, a loud, embarrassing groan that echoed in the otherwise silent library. Her head swam, and the edges of her vision began to blur. Black spots danced before her eyes. Five days. That was all. In five days, she’d managed two oranges, a single boiled egg, and a handful of leafy greens. There was also the chicken, but she didn’t count that. She’d bolted to the loo and brought it right back up.

“I need to lose weight”, she thought, clutching the edge of the table for balance. “I'm too fat.”

The numbers flashed in her mind, a brutal, unforgiving equation: 54 kilograms. 169 centimetres. It was disgusting. Ann, from her form, was so much better. She floated through the halls, a wisp of a girl at a mere 49 kilograms. The older lads noticed her. Everyone wanted to be her boyfriend. Jessica? Invisible. She was always on her own.

A wave of nausea washed over her, and she closed her eyes, willing it to pass. This had to work. She needed to be thin. She’d even bought a pair of jeans a size too small, stuffed in the back of her wardrobe. A goal. Motivation.

The bell rang, jolting her back to reality. Another lesson. More staring, more whispered comments she could only half-hear, more loneliness.

She stumbled out of the library, fighting to keep her head up. The corridor was a blur of faces, all laughing and chatting and belonging. Jessica felt more invisible than ever.

Later that day, during break, it happened. One minute she was standing by her locker, trying to remember what pages of history she was supposed to read, the next, she was on the floor. The world swam around her, a distorted mess of noise and colour.

Then, nothing.

When she came to, the first thing she noticed was the cold, hard floor beneath her cheek.

“Jessica? Jess, are you alright?”

It was Mrs. Davison, the history teacher. Her face was etched with concern.

“I… I think so,” Jessica mumbled, trying to sit up. “What’s happened?”

“You’ve fainted, dear. Just now. Lucky I saw you.” Mrs. Davison helped her up and led her to a nearby bench. “Are you eating properly, love?”

Jessica looked away, shame burning in her face. “Yeah, fine,” she lied.

Mrs. Davison sighed.

“Look, Jessica. I'm not daft. You look pale as a ghost. You need to take care of yourself. Your health is more important than… well, than anything.”

Jessica didn't say anything.

“Come on,” Mrs. Davison said gently. “Let's get you to the school nurse.”

At the infirmary, Nurse Thompson took Jessica's blood pressure and asked a few questions.

“Are you feeling stressed about anything, Jessica?” she asked, her voice kind.

Jessica hesitated.

“Just… school, I guess,” she mumbled.

The nurse nodded.

“School can be tough. But you need to make sure you're eating enough. It will affect your school.”

She paused, then added softly, “You're a lovely girl, Jessica. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.”

After the nurse left, Jessica sat for a long time, staring out the window. Mrs. Davison's words echoed in her head: “Your health is more important than… anything.”

She thought about Ann, about the older lads, about the clothes a size too small. She thought about the black spots in her vision, the rumbling in her stomach, the cold, hard floor under her cheek. Just a couple of days. She needed to be patient. She needed to weigh 49. Then she would eat and do sports. Then she would be attractive.

Chapter 4: Mike

Mike was 15, and his life felt like a rubbish sitcom. Ever since his parents split, his mum, Carol, had been on a relentless quest for “the one.”

The problem? “The one” seemed to materialise, unpack his suitcase, and then vanish in a puff of smoke, roughly every four weeks.

Each new boyfriend came with new rules.

“Mike, you need to be more respectful,” Barry would boom, settling into Mike's dad's old armchair and demanding the telly remote. Or, “Michael,” as Graham insisted on calling him, would declare war on Mike's music.

“That racket! It's hardly classical, is it?”

Mike's strategy was simple: make their lives a misery until they couldn't stand it anymore. He'd leave his dirty laundry everywhere. He'd “accidentally” break things. He'd blast his music at all hours. And he'd perfected the art of the sarcastic remark.

“Nice shirt, Barry. Did you get it from a jumble sale?”

“Graham, are you sure you know how to cook? Smells like the house is on fire.”

Carol, though, was livid.

“Why can't you just be nice, Mike?” she'd scream, her voice cracking. “Just for once! Is it too much to ask?”

“They're not my dad,” Mike would mutter, kicking at the skirting board. “They're just… temporary.”

“They could be permanent if you weren't so impossible!”

The tension in their small house was always thick. Dinners were silent affairs, punctuated only by the clatter of cutlery and the barely-concealed glares between Mike and the latest intruder. Carol would try to make conversation, but it always felt forced, fake.

One particularly grim Tuesday, after Mike had “accidentally” spilled a glass of orange juice on Trevor’s brand new laptop, Carol snapped. The argument started in the kitchen, then spilled into the living room, escalating with terrifying speed.

“You do this on purpose, don't you?” Carol shrieked, her face red. “You want to ruin everything!”

“They ruin everything!” Mike yelled back, his voice trembling. “They come in here and try to tell me what to do!”

“They try to bring some stability into this house! Something you clearly can't do yourself!”

Then, Carol said the words that would forever echo in Mike's mind. Words that would change everything.

“Sometimes,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face, “sometimes I wish I’d never had you. I should have had an abortion.”

The air went still. Mike stared at his mother, his mind reeling. The words hung in the air, heavy and poisonous. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

He couldn't speak. He just turned and ran, slamming the door behind him. He ran until his lungs burned, until his legs ached. He didn't know where he was going, he just needed to get away.

Carol’s words replayed in his head, over and over. “I wish I'd never had you. I should have had an abortion.”

He stumbled to a park, collapsing onto a bench under a gloomy sky. The world seemed grey, lifeless. Was he really just a mistake? An unwanted burden?

A dark thought began to creep into his mind, a chilling solution to the unbearable pain. If he wasn't wanted, if he was just a problem, maybe… maybe it would be better if he wasn't here at all. The thought of disappearing, of escaping the constant turmoil, was strangely appealing.

He stared blankly at the murky pond, the water reflecting his own despair. The idea of ending it all, of simply ceasing to exist, became a dangerous, seductive whisper in his ear.

Emily arrived at the park just in time. One look at Mike and she understood everything.

“Hey,” she said, her voice filled with urgency, “You are not alone! You were born to make the world a better place!”

Like Alex, Emily had also found the website dedicated to helping teenagers. She knew she wanted to help others; it was far better than watching loved ones suffer.

“You can help those who need you,” she continued, her voice softening. “Meeting tomorrow at 6 PM in the abandoned house.”

Mike thought she was talking nonsense, but then she took his hand. Her hand was warm, filled with life. In her eyes, he saw the same vitality. Her lips… He tried to push the thought away. He just agreed to meet her at the abandoned house tomorrow.

Chapter 5: The meeting

Alex approached the abandoned building. It was 5:50 PM. His heart pounded in his chest. He tried to calm himself, muttering under his breath, “You can help those who need you.” As he got closer, he saw Mike. They used to play basketball together at their old school.

“Alex! What are you doing here?” Mike asked, surprised.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Alex replied, a little breathless. “I got a message online. It said someone needed my help and told me to come here.”

“Sounds familiar! Some strange website. Thought it was a prank at first, but… well, here I am,” Mike said, looking around nervously.

They began to question each other about how they had ended up there, until together, they started repeating the words written in the message:

“YOU ARE NOT ALONE! YOU WERE BORN TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE!”

Across from them, Emily seemed to be ignored by the others, but she was secretly observing Alex. Tall, slim, and with red hair, he was striking. Handsome, curly hair framed his face. And his eyes – a gaze full of determination to change the world. And his fingers. She involuntarily imagined those fingers touching her face, then trailing down her shoulders.

Just then, Mike introduced her to Alex.

“Alex, this is Emily. Emily, this is Alex.”

Their eyes met briefly.

“Nice to meet you,” Alex said, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“Hi,” Emily replied softly, her cheeks flushing slightly.

But Mike, oblivious to the unspoken connection, interrupted.

“Right, well, it's 6 PM now. This mysterious stranger from the website should be showing up any minute.”

The three of them started calling out, “Anybody here? Hello?”

No answer came. Only silence. The apprehension grew.

“Maybe this is a joke after all,” one of the boys said, trying to lighten the mood with a weak smile.

But then, Emily noticed an envelope. It lay on a stone. Opening it, the teenagers read,

“SHE NEEDS YOUR HELP! OR SHE WILL DIE BECAUSE OF HER DIETING.”

Below the words was a photograph of… Jessica, lying on the floor near her locker at school. Further down the page, there were detailed instructions, outlining what each of them should do and say.

“Okay, this is getting serious,” Alex said, his voice firm. “Let’s read this carefully. We need to figure out what's going on.”

Chapter 6: The game starts

The next morning, Emily arrived at school and found Jessica. Her mission was simple: befriend Jessica.

“How hard can it be?” Emily thought.

But a nagging doubt lingered. The whole situation felt odd. What was this mysterious website? How could she possibly “save” Jessica if Jessica was determined to starve herself? Emily felt she'd be better off saving her own father from his alcoholism and her mother from his abuse. Her priority was to get into university and secure a well-paid job. That was the real challenge.

Just then, Jessica stumbled out of the school building. She was unsteady on her feet, her face pale. Other students almost knocked her over as they hurried past. It looked as though even a slight breeze could have toppled her.

“Hi there,” Emily began, flashing her most genuine smile. “You look perfect!”

Jessica looked up, startled.

“I'm a photographer’s assistant,” Emily continued, smoothly reciting her pre-prepared lines. “We’re shooting a summer clothing collection for this season, and you'd be perfect. Your figure is ideal, and your face… well, all the boys will go crazy for you.”

Emily watched carefully, gauging the effect of her words. It was working. Jessica, who had looked like a ghostly apparition, was now a ghost with a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Boys will go crazy?” Jessica repeated, a glimmer of hope in her voice.

“Absolutely!” Emily affirmed. “But first, we need to grab some food. I'm as hungry as a wolf!”

Jessica hesitated. She was about to lie and say she'd already eaten, even though she hadn't had a proper meal since yesterday – or was it the day before? But Emily was insistent.

“Photoshoots are a long process,” Emily explained. “Not everyone can handle it. So, lunch first, then the shoot. And don't worry,” she added, her tone reassuring, “only healthy things. I wouldn't want to ruin my model's figure, would I?”

Jessica finally conceded. A genuine smile flickered across her lips. It was the first time Emily had seen her smile.

Chapter 7: The cafe

Emily and Jessica sat at a small table in “The Corner Café,” a popular spot known for its strong coffee and even stronger gossip. The aroma of freshly baked scones and frying bacon hung heavy in the air. Emily, with her bright blonde hair and easy smile, was, as usual, attracting attention. A group of teenage boys near the window kept glancing their way, nudging each other and whispering. Every glance was directed at Emily; none even registered Jessica's presence.

A wave of self-loathing washed over Jessica. She felt invisible, undesirable.

“I want to leave,” she muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper. “I hate myself. I need to lose weight. Why did I even come here? The smell of food is making me feel sick.”

Emily, who missed the exact words, but noticed Jessica's paling complexion, frowned.

“Jess, are you alright? You look a bit green.”

Jessica forced a smile, a pathetic attempt to mask her inner turmoil.

“I’m fine, just… not really hungry.”

According to the script they had, the next character to arrive was Mike. He was already running late. Emily racked her brain, trying to fill the awkward silence and boost Jessica's deflated spirits.

“Listen,” Emily began, leaning forward conspiratorially. “You know that skirt for the photosession… This one with the flowers. With your amazing legs, you would look absolutely stunning. And that red top – the one that really shows off your figure? Pair those together, and honestly, those lads over there would be falling over themselves to ask for your number. You’d have a queue of admirers!” Emily cringed inwardly. She knew it sounded cheesy, but she was desperate.

Before Jessica could respond, the bell above the door jingled, announcing Mike’s arrival.

“Sorry I’m late, girls!” Mike breezed in, his dark hair slightly tousled. He planted a quick kiss on Emily’s cheek, per the script. She almost recoiled instinctively, but reminded herself that it was all part of the plan.

“So, Em, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” Mike asked, smoothly turning his attention to Jessica. Without waiting for Emily to say anything, he extended his hand.

“Hi, I’m Mike. You look… incredible. You must have a huge portfolio of photoshoots; you’ve got that “model” vibe.”

Jessica was stunned into silence. She didn’t know what to say. Her cheeks flushed, but for the first time that afternoon, a glimmer of something other than self-disgust flickered in her eyes. She no longer felt the urge to bolt from the café.

“Right, girls,” Mike continued, clapping his hands together. “Let’s eat and then head over to the studio. I’m still a bit of a novice photographer, but I’ve got a couple of shoots lined up today.”

The waitress arrived with their order: a grilled chicken breast and a green salad for Jessica and Emily, and a large plate of chips for Mike. Jessica found herself unable to take her eyes off the food. The previously nauseating smell now seemed incredibly appealing. She cautiously picked up her fork, but as she attempted to stand, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She stumbled, and the next thing she knew, she was falling – directly into the arms of a young man walking past their table.

“Oi!” he exclaimed, steadying her. “If all the beautiful ladies are going to be falling at my feet today, I might just have the best day ever!”

His playful tirade was cut short by a familiar voice.

“Jessica!” Mrs. Davison, their history teacher, stood nearby, a warm smile on her face. “Jessica, dear, you look wonderful! I’m so pleased to see you eating something healthy. It’s doing you good, and it seems you’re acquiring a few admirers too!” she winked knowingly.

Jessica, mortified but secretly pleased, managed a weak smile. She retreated back to her chair and began to eat, her appetite surprisingly robust. Maybe, just maybe, this afternoon wouldn't be a complete disaster after all.

Chapter 8: The studio

Emily, Jessica, and Mike eventually rocked up at the studio after lunch. Jess was buzzing, totally full of beans. She was positively blooming, all smiles and energy. Emily, though, was starting to get proper doubts. The more she clocked Mike, the more confused she got. How did he know all this camera gear? Where did he learn to set up backdrops and lighting like that? His instructions for Jess were bang on, so clear and pro. And where had he got the studio from? And the clothes! Emily would have totally rocked any of those outfits herself. They were so on-trend, wicked even.

Mike, meanwhile, kept glancing at Emily. Sure, he was telling Jess where to stand and what to do with her face, but his head was elsewhere. Last night, he'd dreamt they were, well, getting it on. She was touching him, he was touching her. And now, just looking at Emily, at her lips, he felt himself getting, you know, a bit flustered. He was genuinely happy about the whole charade, this website thing, the job of getting Jess to come out of her shell, to feel good about herself, to believe in herself and, most importantly, to just bloody eat. But the real kicker, the thing that kept him going, was that he and Emily were supposed to be a couple, even if it was just for this storyline.

“Right, Jess, love,” Mike said, snapping back to reality, “let's try a few shots with the denim jacket. Emily, what do you reckon, should we go for high-key lighting or something a bit moodier?”

Emily, jolted out of her thoughts, stammered, “Um, high-key's probably good, yeah? Makes the jacket pop more.”

She tried to sound confident, but inside, she was a mess.

“Pop? What even is pop?” she thought. This world was so alien.

Jess, striking a pose, chipped in, “High-key's ace. Makes me look, like, glowing. Is my hair alright?”

“Hair's mint,” Mike reassured her. “You're looking great all around. Just relax, yeah? Imagine you’re walking down the street, feeling like a million dollars. Own it, Jess!”

Later, during a break, Emily pulled Mike aside.

“Mike,” she said quietly, “where did you learn all this stuff? And where did you get this place?”

Mike shrugged, trying to look casual.

“Oh, you know, just picked it up. Always been into photography. And the studio… let's just say I know someone who owes me a favour.”

He winked, hoping she wouldn't press him.

Emily wasn't convinced.

“That's a bit vague, isn't it? And those clothes… they're designer. Don't tell me you “picked them up” too.”

She couldn't help the slight edge in her voice. She was starting to feel seriously out of the loop.

Mike sighed inwardly. He was trying to keep things simple, but Emily was too sharp.

“Look,” he said, lowering his voice even more, “it's a bit complicated. Just trust me, yeah? It's all part of the plan. The website's paying for everything. Think of it as, like, a sponsorship deal for Jess.”

“Sponsorship deal?” Emily repeated, raising an eyebrow. “For a girl who hasn't eaten a decent meal in days? That's… messed up.”

Mike ran a hand through his hair.

“I know, I know. But the point is, it's working. Look at her, Emily. She's actually smiling. This whole thing is helping her, and that's what matters, innit?”

Emily looked over at Jessica, who was laughing wearing her make-up. She had to admit, Mike had a point. Jess did seem happier, more alive. But something still didn't sit right.

“Okay,” she said slowly, “I'll trust you. For now. But you better not be messing with her, or with me.”

Mike met her gaze, his eyes earnest.

“Never. Cross my heart.”

He hoped she believed him. Because the truth was far more complicated, and far more risky, than he was letting on. And the dream he had the previous night was a true one and he desired her and her love.

Chapter 9: Preparation for a change

The chipped mug warmed Alex's hands, but he still felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. Tonight was the night. The night he was supposed to, according to this website he'd found, give a little gig – a proper live concert – at the local café. He kept glancing at his guitar case, propped against the kitchen wall. His own songs. The thought still felt surreal. Maybe, just maybe, this was it. Maybe this was the start.

He hoped, with a fervent, almost desperate hope, that it would stop the endless teasing at school. The “ginger nut” taunts, the relentless mickey-taking – maybe they’d finally see him as something other than just “that ginger kid.” Being called “carrot top” every single day got old, real quick. He just wanted them to, like, chillin’ instead of being such prats.

And then there was Jessica. The whole Jessica thing was… well, mental, really. Falling for someone he’d never even met, someone who was apparently giving up on eating? Bonkers. He'd only seen her picture. Nothing particularly striking, just… normal. But the website had said, in big, bold letters:

“YOU CAN HELP THOSE WHO NEED YOU!”

And that, for some reason, hit him hard.

He knew it sounded cheesy, proper cringe, but he actually believed it. He really thought he could make a difference. Maybe he couldn't change the entire messed-up world, but maybe, just maybe, he could change Jessica's life. He would message her online a few times after the gig, trying to be encouraging, offering to listen.

“You alright, Jess?” he’d type, then immediately delete it and forget her.

His mum’s voice, sharp and slightly nagging, cut through his thoughts.

“Alex? Where are you off to then? Have you finished your homework? Are you even thinking about applying to university? What time will you be back? And for goodness sake, don't embarrass your father!”

Alex winced. His dad, the university professor. The embodiment of academic respectability.

“Yeah, yeah, Mum,” he mumbled, already tuning his guitar. “Just doing my best. I need to go out now.”

“Out where? With who? Don't tell me you're seeing those guys from your school. They are bad boys, you know.”

Alex rolled his eyes. He didn't reply, just strummed a chord, letting the sound drown out her questions.

He plucked at the strings, checking the tuning. E…A…D…G…B…E. He needed to nail it. He needed to be perfect. This wasn't just about the gig, it wasn't just about escaping the bullies. This was about… everything.

He thought about Jessica again. He imagined her, somewhere out there, maybe listening to music, maybe feeling completely alone. He would dedicate a song to her. It would be a surprise for her.

His mum sighed dramatically.

“Honestly, Alex, sometimes I think you live in a different world. Your father works hard to provide for you, and all you care about is strumming that blasted guitar.”

He ignored her. He had to focus. Tonight was about changing things. Changing his own life, and maybe, just maybe, changing Jessica's too. He imagined her face, a small smile playing on her lips as she listened to his song. He pictured himself being interviewed, being famous, helping so many teens. Alex closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and prepared to head out to the café, ready to face the music, in every sense of the word. It was definitely going to be a mad night, one way or the other. He just hoped it would be mad in a good way.

Chapter 10: The gig

Alex was bricking it. Proper bricking it. His hands were shaking like a leaf, and his voice felt all squeaky and weird, not like his own at all. Getting up on stage, even in this tiny little café, felt like climbing Mount Everest. What if he totally blanked the lyrics? What if he went completely out of tune? Or even worse, what if everyone started cracking up laughing at him, at his songs, even at his ginger hair? Proper panic was setting in. He wanted to bail, just run for it and pretend this whole thing never happened.

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