Scooter

When Ryan woke up, Abigail had already left.

"You're leaving so early?"

"My parents might come back this morning, so I have to get back ahead of time," Abigail explained after thinking it over.

"Then why didn't you wake me? I could've driven you back."

"I wanted you to get a little more rest. You're always so busy. I've been pretty busy these past couple of days too, training. As for tutoring you, I'll have another classmate fill in for me," Abigail said.

"Training? Isn't the most important competition already over?"

"I still have to train. Based on my current results, my coach says I might get to compete in the next Olympic Games in London," Abigail said firmly.

Ryan hung up the phone and ran his fingers through his hair, from his forehead to the back of his head.

He realized Abigail was deliberately distancing herself from him. He guessed it was probably because he'd chatted with a female fan while they were watching a movie yesterday. It was also possible Abigail hadn't been asleep when he spoke with Taylor on the phone last night.

He had no excuse for either of those things. He'd simply been unlucky, and all he could do was let time explain everything.

As it happened, Marvin called Ryan that morning.

"Kid, you're in luck. There's a big gig in Florida. A famous nightclub in Orlando is celebrating its tenth anniversary and has invited several big names. They're paying very generously."

"Why not send Deadmau5?"

"I'd like to, but Ultra Music Festival has an exclusivity agreement with Deadmau5. He can't perform publicly in Florida for six months after the festival," Marvin explained.

To improve its competitiveness, Ultra Music Festival had signed exclusivity agreements with all the DJs who performed there that year. Ryan, who'd appeared as a guest performer, wasn't bound by one.

Ryan confirmed the dates with Marvin.

"Lastly, don't let me see Joel. Everyone gets one chance with me, and he's already been cut," Marvin reminded him.

"We're partners..." Ryan said. Joel had become so obsessed with Electronic music that it had interfered with his main job as an assistant recording engineer. On top of that, business was slow, so Blackbird Studio had fired him. This gig's pay was important to Joel.

"If you insist on bringing him, then don't bother coming either," Marvin said, leaving no room for argument.

"Fine."

"Then book your flight for Friday."

"No, I mean I'm not going either," Ryan said.

"You two are one fool and one lunatic!" Marvin grumbled. But deep down, he thought Ryan was pretty loyal. People like him were rare these days.

Marvin ultimately agreed to Ryan's request. Joel would be paid separately, and Ryan wouldn't have to cover it out of his own fee.

When Ryan got home that morning, he found Trey hadn't gone out.

"I finally have a day off," Trey said, stretching.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Fried fish! Barbecue! And pasta with meat sauce!" Trey counted them off on her fingers.

Ryan put on an apron and headed straight for the kitchen.

He was halfway through cooking when Trey came rushing in with her phone. Judging by her lips, it was Taylor Swift again.

"I want to invite you to work on the production of 'You Belong With Me.'" Taylor didn't mention at all that she'd been blocked.

What kind of stunt was she trying to pull now?

"I'm cooking." Ryan hung up immediately.

By the time dinner was ready, Taylor called again. This time, Ryan didn't even pick up. He had Trey turn her down directly.

"She wants you to be her producer? Did she hit her head on a door?" Trey was astonished.

"Who knows what she's up to?" Ryan shook his head and paid it no more attention.

That afternoon, Trey took the initiative and suggested Ryan take her for a drive. The two of them also went to the famous Bluebird Cafe for tea. There were photos on the wall of Taylor performing there back in the day. Afterward, they went for a walk.

Trey told him that her ex-husband had died of an illness, and that her daughter had also passed away two years later due to an inherited condition. Now only her elderly father was still alive, but he was stubborn and refused point-blank to move here from his home in Florida.

At one point, Trey sneaked off to the side to take a mysterious phone call. Ryan had no idea who'd called her.

"Have you ever thought about finding another husband all these years?" he asked casually when she returned.

"Mind your own business." Trey tapped Ryan on the head.

Then Trey asked about Ryan's situation.

"I never would've guessed you had it in you. You've even started looking for an assistant," Trey said, sounding delighted.

"It's a social media assistant. They'll just help me post photos and videos every day and interact with fans," Ryan explained.

Then Trey grabbed Ryan and headed straight back.

"Where are we going?"

"To help you interview people, of course. I'm good at this," Trey said without looking back.

Ryan blushed a little, mainly because Trey was holding his hand.

"Is that really necessary? Don't tell me you've never even touched Taylor's or Abigail's hands?" Trey noticed Ryan's reaction in the car and immediately laughed.

"Not quite," Ryan said, shaking his head. In truth, he'd already "appreciated" all the places those two could reach. But there were still places he couldn't touch—places he had yet to "explore."

"Then why are you blushing?"

"I was thinking about that night, when you..." Ryan hesitated.

"STOP!" Trey quickly cut him off.

"This Scooter profile picture is definitely suspicious!"

Back home, Trey and Ryan chatted with several online applicants. After investigating, they reached a conclusion.

"Look, both the YouTube and Myspace accounts were just created, and the account hasn't replied to anyone except you. Clearly, someone's watching you anonymously," Trey said.

"Scams, blackmail, hacking. Remember, don't open any links sent by this account," Trey continued warning him.

Ryan nodded. It never hurt to be cautious.

But other than this "Scooter," no one else currently fit Ryan's requirements. All he could do was wait for more applications.

Right then, Trey got another call from Taylor Swift.

Ryan still let Trey answer.

"He's not here, and I don't know where he went," Trey said, shaking her head.

"Huh?" Her expression changed the next second, and she looked troubled.

"Fine, I'll tell him about it tonight." Trey hung up.

"She said she's already found you a social media assistant, and you won't have to pay," Trey said.

Taylor had clearly seen the recruitment notice Ryan had posted online.

"I don't get it. She wanted to cut ties before, but now she's coming back around and constantly checking on you. Is this what young people call love?" Trey marveled.

"Love?" Ryan sneered.

"Have you considered getting to know her again? You should think it over. This might be your last chance," Trey said with a playful smile.

"Oh, don't be so stubborn. You're a man, and the girl's already humbled herself this much. What's wrong with giving her another chance? You should be the bigger person." Trey was actually pleading Taylor's case.

"Whose side are you on?" Ryan cried out.

"I'm not on anyone's side. I just think... To be honest, she contacted me secretly this afternoon and gave me the job of directing the music video for the second single from her new album. See? She really is sincere!" Trey blinked, clearly already won over.

"I should've brought a camcorder so Abigail could see how you're acting right now," Ryan said helplessly.

"They're good friends. There's no need to choose between them. Just count yourself lucky," Trey teased.

Damn, your thinking is way too "progressive."

Ryan stopped arguing with her, turned, and went back to his room to sleep.

Thanks for all the votes, everyone.