"Alright, let's review the rules. It's a strict schedule that you must abide by to prepare for the tour. Okay? There's no room for ditching, slacking off or forgetting."

"Yes. I understand."

I coldly cut her off.

"Alright. Now repeat them back to me."

"Mom."

"Come on."

I watch as her revolving fork twirls the noodles on her plate. I stare at the revolving spaghetti; cringing each time the metal scraps the glass. She spins her food 'round and 'round; never eating it. It's infuriating. The veggie meatballs have danced around her plate touching each corner. But I have yet to see her eat one.

Even the way she eats is selective and particular. I wonder, was she born with impossible expectations for her family; destined to be dissatisfied? Or is she just not satisfied with me?

She calls my name demanding a response. I quietly suppress every inch of me that wants to scream and comply.

"I've gotta complete all records on time, interviews and shoots without complaining, come prepared to every writing session, refer to you guys as Mr. and Mrs. Moon and only contact you guys regarding business... "

"And home by ten every night and no Ally."

My mother added proudly

"Those rules don't apply because I'm not coming back."

I quickly shot back at her. I'm not going to let my parents or Jimmy push me around. There's no way I'm living with them ever again. I'm only staying with Ally's family till the tour. Then, I'll get my own place.

"You don't have a choice Austin. You heard what Jimmy said. If you want a career, you have to move back in with us. Or else we'll cancel your six-month tour. And besides, haven't you burdened Ally's family enough? They're barely supporting their daughter and now they have to feed and shelter some kid who's not even theirs. That doesn't seem fair."

"What are you talking about?"

"Let me guess, you thought Ally went to school because she liked to. No. After Ally's mom lost her job they struggled to live off of one income. And on top of that, their daughter, who was their ticket to a better life, hasn't been selling CDs or getting much buzz on the internet. Her career's almost as dead as yours right now. The only difference, you have a large enough fan base to come back. She doesn't. This tour will pretty much be her last. And they'll be evicted from their million dollar house. But I guess you'll have enough money to fend for yourself by then. So, you won't suffer at all."

My heart sank and my tongue went numb. This couldn't be true. How could she know all of this? Am I really a burden to their family? Why hasn't Ally told me about-

"I-I don't believe you. How could you know-"

"It's music business gossip. Plus Starr Records and Ramone Records are neighbor labels, so stuff gets around."

"So. Are you going to impose yourself on a struggling family or are you gonna move back in with your managers?"

"Where is dad?"

"He's at home. He had a feeling the lunch would go something like this and didn't want to waste his time. I would've stayed home, but we battled over who had to meet with you and I lost. I'm not a very good pool player."

She laughed briefly. My bitter eyes stared at her red lips. They formed into a menacing smile as she laughed. She knew how I felt, yet she continued to laugh. She was laughing at my ignorance, my pain. She was laughing at me.

"Yeah. You're not a very good mother either"

I offer her a melancholy smile as a tear softly trickles down my cheek. Her hard eyes meet mine and her chuckles began to die.

I had this fantasy that my mom would one day, somehow, come through. I thought that if I kept trying, I'd eventually make her proud of me. My dad would never love me, but maybe I could persuade her to. If I kept up my behavior, she might see that I'm not all bad. I counted on my mom to fix our family. I needed her on my side. Not for every fight, but just a few. Just to know I wasn't always fighting alone. Just an occasional hand to help me up when I'm down; so that I don't feel like a stranger in my home. She's never come through. And I don't think she ever will. Her heart's as frozen as my father's. She killed the fantasy.

"I told you to stop calling me-"

"I'm sorry. Mrs. Moon."

Time couldn't have slowed down anymore. I shut my eyes tightly, trying to push back any tears that threaten to escape. I clenched onto my arms of my chair in an attempt to transfer my pain to the stitching of velvet seat that was currently holding me in place. I want to melt.

Unable to contain myself any longer, I decide to leave. Nervously, I fish a wallet out of my pants and throw two twenties on the table.

"I'm leaving."

I run a quick hand through my wet eyes as I sniff my way out of the restaurant.

"Austin wait."

She calls for me; sending butterflies in my stomach. My name is so cold on her lips, but hearing it warms my heart. I debate turning around until she pulls my shoulder and decides for me. She sticks out her hand; offering a small white envelope.

The header read:

UCF Admissions Dpt.

"This letter came in two days ago. It has your name on it."

I held the envelope in my hands and stared at its size. This can't be mine. Scholarships always come in a large yellow envelope. I wanted it so bad. There's no way my parents are going to pay for my college education. It was hopeless.

I carefully rip it open; revealing a single letter. With glossy red eyes, I read and re-read the beginning sentence. My right arm falls weakly; crashing into my thigh. She takes the paper from my hand and reads it for herself.

"Austin Moon. Rejected from the top school in Miami. I can see the headlines now."

I snatch the letter from her.

"Don't worry. We bought tons of new pillows that you can cry into all night."

She swings her arm over my shoulders and begins to walk me out. I hear her ramble on about the interviews, the rehearsals, the tour, the schedule, and the flights. And I feel myself fall apart.

It's happening again. I feel out of control. I'm so angry.

I roughly throw her arms off of me.

"Hey! Watch it."

"Forgive me Mrs. Moon, but I'm not living with you or your husband ever again. So go ahead. Take it all away. I don't care anymore. Take my music, my career, my record deal, everything!"

Cameras begin to fly towards us as we draw a crowd.

"This was never my dream. I wanted to be a singer; not a prisoner."

"Austin, stop. You're drawing a crowd."

"I don't care. Let them come. At least now they'll know the truth!"

"Oh, that Austin Moon's a lazy, unappreciative pop star? I think they already knew that."

"No. That he's an overworked, depressed pop star with mommy and daddy issues."

My mind races along with my feet as I roughly cut through the crowd of cameras. From every angle, I am besieged with bright, blinding flashes. The stench of gossip and lies reeks of each of the desperate photographers. I shut my eyes; disguising myself from their pictures. They can capture my body, my hair, or whatever; but they can't have my eyes; the only remaining windows to my soul that haven't been shattered yet. All I hear is shouting, yelling, complaints, and about a million questions. The questions from the paparazzi, the complaints; my mom. I don't know which noise is more excruciating. I guess seeing my mother complain about my behavior during my public meltdown is probably more painful than anything else. She'd do me a favor by taking out her phone and joining them. At least then, I'd only have one thing to run away from.

Finally away from the scene, I head towards the Metrorail station.

Maybe I'll just stay on and see where it takes me

Maybe I'll go to another city. Maybe Coral Gables. No one will recognize me there.

My head is spinning so fast I feel like I might fall. I stop for a minute to catch my breath. My mind is only temporarily distracted by breathing before it focuses back on the real issues.

All my hopes and plans have crashed down on this day. My college goals, career goals, relationship goals; everything. And on top of that, my own parents despise me. And because I'm a stubborn yet remorseful idiot, I'll probably be homeless for the next two months.

What am I going to do? Ally's going to UCF with or without me. My parents are managing with or without me. Everyone's moving forward and I'm getting left behind. They are the reason I'm depressed. They're the reason I hate my career. They're the reason for every crappy thing in my life. I'm not going back just to be told I'm worthless. I can do that myself. But, I can't stay with Ally's family, knowing I'm burdening them

Suddenly my knees feel weak and I crash down on the sidewalk; leaning up against a nearby building. Weighted by heavy thoughts, my head rests between my knees. I shut my eyes.