“Okay,” he says. “I’m going to need you to turn down your radio in the background so we don’t get feedback on the air. What’s your name, caller?”

“Amanda,” I say. It feels weird to say it. I reach over and turn the radio off. “I’m calling from St. Petersburg.”

“Okay, hang out for a second,” the deejay says. There’s a pause and then his voice drops an octave. “Hello, and welcome back to Magic 101.We’re talking this morning about superstar Star Beck. Is she in rehab? Or is this just one more high-profile celebrity publicity stunt? I have Amanda from St. Pete on the line. Amanda, go ahead.”

I try to put on a Southern accent. I don’t quite sound as much like Maple as I hoped, though, as I begin talking. “I don’t think she’s in rehab.”

“Then why no public appearance to deny it?” the deejay asks.

“Maybe she has a good reason,” I say defensively.

“Like what?” he prompts.

“I don’t know,” I say, still drawling pathetically. “Like maybe she’s just getting really tired of her life, you know? Maybe she feels like she never has a chance to just be herself. Maybe she feels like every single move she makes is controlled and everything she says is scripted. Maybe she just wants to be out of the spotlight for a little while.”

The deejay laughs, startling me.

“Yeah, like any of us wouldn’t trade places with her in a heartbeat,” he says. “C’mon, Amanda. Why would she want to walk away from the lap of luxury? She probably has dozens of little minions running around to wait on her every desire.”

I feel a surge of annoyance. “No, she doesn’t,” I snap.

The deejay sounds amused. “Whoa, Amanda, sounds like you’re taking this a little personally here. I guess you’re a big fan. But be logical. She’s been pampered her whole life. What does she have to escape from?”

“Maybe she feels like her whole life has been a lie,” I say.

“Interesting theory,” the deejay says, and I know he doesn’t mean that at all. “All right, thanks for calling—”

“I bet she feels really bad about the example she’s setting for her young fans,” I interrupt. “She would probably feel really bad if she knew everyone thought she was in rehab for alcoholism. She’s probably really concerned that so many people are worrying about her.”

“Amanda, you sound like a nice girl,” the deejay says finally with an edge of impatience in his voice. “But you’re being awfully naïve. Star Beck has probably never worried about another human being in her life.”

Chapter 9

I can’t believe I’ve lost you.
I can’t believe you’re gone.
You were my world, my life, my
soul,
Now you’ve been away for far too
long.