The Monster of Fame (The Price of Fame Series) by Aimée Duffy

the smoke swirling around her feet and the murmurs from the crowd, she imagined she was back in Miles’s recording studio, singing this song just for him—but this time, Anna didn’t close her eyes and retreat into the world she’d created. This time, she experienced it all.
    Anna poured her heart and soul into every word, using all the power in her voice and pushing it to the limit at the chorus. This was for her family, her friends, and more importantly Miles, all of whom believed in her, even when she wasn’t sure she believed in herself.
    On the last note, the spotlight dimmed and the crowd rose to their feet—the applause was almost deafening. Even Miles and Sander stood and she saw the sheen of moisture glisten in Miles’s emerald-like eyes. She tried to curve her lips into an apologetic smile, hoping he’d forgive her. His answering beam sent her pulse racing and her body zinging with heat.
    The other acts joined her on stage and they listened to the judges’ opinions. All the while, she kept her eyes fixed on Miles. He looked over at her occasionally. It was like he couldn’t keep his gaze away from her for very long. Wondering what he was thinking about kept her mind temporarily off the fact that she could be going home tonight.
    Both Miles and Safri put her through. Her mentor’s change of heart shocked her, but she quickly got over it. Sander voted for his own act which Anna accepted. Safri failed to do that for her the week before, and Anna found she was beginning to respect the muscled-up judge a bit more than she had.
    Relief and gratitude slammed through her with the intensity of a battering ram and she felt a tear escape, making her feel like a fool. Before she became overwhelmed, Anna hurried off the stage and made her way back to her dressing room. She closed the door and heaved a huge breath.
    Do not fall to pieces. You’re stronger than that, remember?
    The tears clogging her throat dissolved. She was starting to believe in herself. Her phone rang then, distracting her.
    After a quick glance at the screen, she answered. “Hi, Mum.”
    “Annabelle, honey. I just saw you running off stage. If it’s too hard, sweetheart, come home. We’ll manage. Nothing is more important than your happiness.”
    “I’m fine, Mum. Just overwhelmed.”
    “I don’t know, Anna, love. I don’t want you doing something that makes you unhappy.”
    Anna thought about it for a moment. She wasn’t unhappy; she was relieved and when she was on stage that last time, elated. This really was what she wanted to do with her life. Maybe she hadn’t been very strong to begin with, but two weeks in the bottom had put everything into perspective. Now she was living her oldest dream and she’d be damned if she was going to give up on it now.
    “You don’t have to worry. I love this. It’s just taken me a while to see it. I’ll do better next week, Mum, and I’ll get through. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” she joked, trying to lighten her mum’s anxieties. After all, she had enough to deal with.
    “If you’re sure, though I’d rather you came home than be unhappy.” Her mum didn’t sound convinced, but Anna was. Everything was so clear now and going home was the only thing she had to fear. Except now, it wouldn’t only be because she’d failed her family.
    It had taken her this long to realize it, but when she got up on that stage and sang, the thrill that rushed through her was truly euphoric. She loved performing and now that she’d had a taste, couldn’t imagine going back to work at the shop.
    Nor could she imagine never seeing Miles again.
    If not for his help and support this week, she’d be left without a final song and chucked out of the competition before she could say ‘give me another chance’. And now she had to apologize for acting like a crazy person this morning. If he’d ever speak to her again that is.
    “I’m sure, Mum. I’ve never been so sure about anything in