"We'll have to keep the meeting short then," Nadine stresses. "Your mom doesn't want you to do the play anyway. She said it's not enough exposure."

I throw my head back and groan. What alternate universe have I fallen into? That's the only explanation I can come up with to explain how Nadine could be brainwashed by Mom. I roll my neck like Austin taught me. He thinks it will help the tension I seem to carry in my neck and shoulders. My pocket starts to vibrate and I reach in for my phone. Finally some good news -- it's Austin!

"Hey!" I turn away from Nadine and Matty, who is talking to Pete about a second smoothie to take back to his dressing room. "How was the scrimmage? I tried calling -- "

"I know, I'm sorry. We won and coach took us out for dinner to celebrate." I hear a lot of noise in the background and realize Austin must be on the bus heading back to school. The scrimmage wasn't till 8 PM last night and the game was two hours away so the team stayed overnight.

"That's great!" I tell him. "Were there any scouts?"

"Actually one knew my name and said he'd be calling me," Austin says. "And I met one of the coaches from that camp Rob and I want to go to in Texas."

"Sounds like you had a good night." I smile. Just talking to Austin lifts my mood. I wish he were here now. I really miss him.

"You too, Miss Vanity Fair," Austin teases. "Partying all night like a rock star, posing with Jay-Z and Ava Hayden. It looks like you had a ball."

"How do you know that?" I ask.

"Rob brought his laptop," Austin says. "They had Wi-Fi in the hotel. I checked out the pictures this morning. It made me madder than ever that I had to miss taking you. You looked gorgeous."

I blush. "Thanks."

"KAITLIN, YOU'RE HOT!" I hear someone yell. "WE LOVE YOU!"

"Guys, enough." Austin laughs. "Let's just say your red carpet pictures were rated a ten."

"I'm glad they approve." I giggle. "Even if your opinion is the only one that matters."

"I didn't know you knew Ava Hayden," he says. "There were a ton of pictures of you two with some girl named Lauren."

"Cobb," I tell him. "She's really nice. I think we're going shopping together later this week."

"Cool," Austin says. "So, I hate to bring this up, but have you talked to Liz yet?"

I take a deep breath. "I tried her last night, but we got disconnected. Then she called me back, but I missed her call."

"So try her again," Austin pushes. "I'm still not sure what happened at your lunch, but Josh said Liz has been really upset about the fight you guys had and I know you are too."