Chapter 22
ELSIE
Two days later
“Cheers!” Violet toasts. “To making it to the on-stage rounds of American Superstar!”
The small crowd around us raises their glasses. I hold my own high, touching it to the tip of hers, throwing the tequila back and reveling in its burn. The liquid hits my lips and detonates like a flavor-packed bomb. I grimace and swallow.
Seven days. Seven magical days. It’s been one week since my second audition and live appearance on the television screen and in my new favorite bar, with Violet the lawyer, Stan the bartender and seven other fans of the American Superstar, I drink to my success. I drink to my health. I drink to numb the hurt, to push the little needle inside me that pricks every time I think about the one person who should be here right now… and isn
