Page 59 of From Drummer to Gamer

The feeling flooding my veins consumed me, eating me alive from the inside. It was indescribable and fervent. It was something I’d never felt before, and judging from her state, she felt the same way, too.

What was it?

I wasn’t sure if I was grateful or disappointed when the elevator finally landed on our floor. One part of me wanted to dissect that feeling like a surgeon, labeling each part of it with utmost detail, and the other wanted to sprint to the other side of it, never looking over my shoulder.

Sierra darted out of the car like her feet were on fire, and I slowly shadowed her.

The car ride to the event was uneventful with Raphael arguing with Katy, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling.

I thought only my thoughts were corrupted by Sierra Chan.

But now I was feeling weird, indescribable emotions?

If I’d thought I was in trouble before, I was in deep, dark, uncharted waters now.

Drowning.

CHAPTER 14

SIERRA

What the fuck was that?

A vague recollection of my biology teacher explaining the chemical reaction of hormones inside our bodies popped into my mind.

That was what it was, right?

Definitely a hormonal, chemical reaction.

But nothing else could explain that intense, suffocating emotion that drew heat to every single cell of my body, zapping it alive.

Whatever it was, I knew I shouldn’t be feeling it, but that fact alone made me want to feel it more and more.

I tried to sneak glances at him when he wasn’t looking, but that seemed harder than a math exam because Matty’s sole focus was on me.

Every time I looked.

Like I was a model for the sculpture he was carving.

I didn’t know if I should welcome it or shy away from it.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at the event. It was only when my eyes dragged over the press, screaming crowds, and photographers did the monumental significance of where I was, and with whom I was, dawned on me.

“We’ll go through the red carpet,” Katy declared. “Matty, you take Raphael up front, I have news that the boys are already here. I’ll take Sierra through, and come meet up with you guys. Unless…” Her eyes darted to mine. “Sierra, you want to walk the red carpet with your brother?”

My eyes widened. “No,” I blurted loudly, shaking my head. “I don’t want that.”

“Okay, then.” Katy nodded, determination shining in her eyes. “Let’s get this event over with.”

Matty held a tight grip on my arm while he helped me out of the limo, and for a second, I froze. I did have my fair share of photo moments at the competitions, but nothing compared to this scale.

Even though none of the cameras were trained on me, it felt like they were.

It was so blinding and jarring.

“Sierra.” Matty’s soft voice beckoned me over the commotion and clatter filling the air. It tugged me away from my trance-like state, and somehow looking into his green eyes felt like I was home again.

“Go with Katy.” He gestured toward her, rubbing a rough thumb over my arm. “You’ll be fine.”