She sends photos of a few options. Her mum insists that she wear her only, and way too fancy, dress. But Lucy thinks the dress is a weird shade of blue and it’s uncomfortable when she sits down. It’s funny because I think this is the first time she’s ever been worried about what she looks like. She’s so comfortable in her own skin, a trait I’m truly jealous of and admire. I realise then how much I miss her and can’t wait to see her when I get home.

Jaxon drove with us in my dad’s car to the airport— he’s borrowing the car while Adam’s gone. Yesterday, when I tried calling him for the millionth time, I’d been about to hang up when I heard him say, ‘What do you want, Sky?’

‘I want to say congratulations on getting a recording,’ I said. ‘That’s so awesome, really, you guys totally deserve it.’ I was sincerely happy for him, proud, and hoped that came across in my voice.

‘Thanks.’ His voice had softened slightly.

‘And I’m sorry for not telling you about Oliver,’ I said, ‘and making everything weird between us. I am. I was—’

‘Being a coward? Hedging your bets? Enjoying the attention?’

I deserved that. ‘Yes. I’m really sorry.’

Silence.

‘Jaxon?’

‘What.’

‘How many times do I have to say sorry before you forgive me?’

‘A million and one.’

‘Well, here goes: sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry …’ I repeated it, getting into a rhythm, as I took out my favourite mug with the chunky blue handle and small chip, and the tea bags. ‘Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry …’ I dunked my tea bag in the water, added sugar and continued my sorry stream. I half expected him to hang up, but the line was quiet.

‘Oh my God,’ he said eventually, starting to laugh. ‘That was about a thousand. Will you leave me alone now if I promise to say goodbye at the airport tomorrow?’

‘Really? You’ll come?’

‘Gotta go now, I’m with Trent and we’re working on some songs before the trip. I should have recorded your apology and made it into a rap.’

I smiled and did a little happy dance in my head.

And now he’s here, and seeing him again doesn’t feel awkward at all, not like I feared. I suppose his big success helped him forgive me. Who could be annoyed when they just got the break they’d always dreamed of?