Free Moving Neutral by Katy Atlas Page B

even knew the name of his high school English teacher, who he thanked in the credits of their album.
    Madison was right -- we were only a step removed from those screaming girls, and better to keep it under wraps.
    Blake leaned down and played with the ripped knee of his jeans. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, someone turned the music off for a second time. I scanned the room to see where the stereo was.
    It’s my friend Jesse, he put his iPod into the player. He can never listen to a song for longer than thirty seconds -- it’s a giant pain.
    The next song that played was something I didn’t recognize, and I tried not to be obviously disappointed. They should play one of your songs, I said, smiling at him.
    He looked at me like there was no one else in the room. I’ll play one for you, he said quietly.
    My breath caught in my throat, and I tried to think of how to respond. Maybe Madison had redeemed herself -- maybe this time, she’d actually been right.
    When do you leave New York? I asked.
    Tomorrow morning. I wish we could stay all weekend, but we have another show tomorrow night.
    I looked around the room, but no one seemed to be paying attention to us. I saw April, still talking to the same guy, and as I looked back deeper into the room, I could see Madison, who apparently hadn’t found Sophie after all. She was staring back at me, trying to wave to me in a way that would draw my attention but wouldn’t make anyone else notice her. As our eyes met, she gestured to a spot only a few feet away from us, next to a tall dresser that held a flat screen television.
    And next to the television was the real Lindsey Thompson. Flatironed hair, quilted jacket and all. She was standing next to a guy in his twenties carrying a giant camera, and she obviously hadn’t noticed either Madison or me yet.
    Yet.
    I tensed in the seat, and hoped Blake didn’t notice. I turned my head away from her direction, hoping my long hair would provide some sort of a shield against her noticing me. I couldn’t risk being exposed for what had happened earlier that night, not now. An idea formed in my head, and I blurted it out before I could reconsider.
    Do you want to go for a walk or something? I asked Blake, trying to smile. Are you going to get attacked by screaming fans if we go outside?
    He looked at me, as intensely as he had in the bookstore, making me forget the party around us. Sure, he said, and stood up. Actually, there’s something I wanted to do tonight.
    I followed him across the room, trying to keep my body concealed by ducking behind groups of hipster-looking guys. When we were only a few feet away from the door, Blake paused.
    Jesse, he looked to the side, making eye contact with someone next to me. I knew before I even looked up that it was Moving Neutral’s bassist. This is the guy who keeps messing with the music, Blake explained, and as I turned, I saw a set of familiar-looking black framed glasses. Jesse, meet Casey, Blake introduced us, and I held out my hand.
    Jesse looked at me closely, then at Blake with an expression I couldn’t read. Hi Casey, he said to me in a friendly way, and turned back to Blake. Where’s April?
    I felt my stomach tighten up in jealousy, and tried not to let it show.
    Somewhere around here, Blake said, shrugging dismissively. Hey, we have to leave pretty early in the morning, okay? Try to wind this thing down.
    Jesse nodded, but he’d clearly stopped paying attention. Brushing past Blake, he turned back to say nice meeting you to me before continuing into the room.

Chapter Eight
    Blake headed for the door, and I followed him. It was a relief to walk out into the quiet hallway, and at the same time a little terrifying to suddenly be alone with him. I tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t make me sound immature or boring.
    Have you guys been to New York a lot?
    It was a lame effort, and I regretted the words as soon as they were out of my mouth. Boring was better than