All About the Hype Read Online Free PDF

not being over.
    ‘I knew something was happening,’ she admits. ‘I heard Johnny talking to Stu.’
    ‘I didn’t have a clue,’ Libby interjects.
    ‘I bet your dad didn’t trust us not to blab,’ Lou points out with a smirk.
    ‘On that note,’ I say, growing serious, ‘Brandon and Miles don’t have a clue about Jack and me getting together, so please be careful what you say.’ I turn to
Natalie. ‘Can you warn Aaron and Dougie?’
    ‘Sure.’ She nods decisively.
    ‘I’ll tell Chris and Tom,’ Lou chips in.
    ‘Thanks.’ I flash her a grateful smile.
    Lou and I hit it off straight away when she joined our school last term, but, after I left England, she and Libby became friends. It bothered me initially, the thought of them growing closer
without me, but hopefully I’ll feel better when I make new friends of my own.
    A flurry of nerves goes through me at the thought of starting school in a couple of days.
    I refocus on the here and now and realise with a jolt that everyone is dressed.
    Lou has chosen a metallic silver slip dress, Libby has gone for a long black dress with beaded detailing and Natalie has opted for a midnight-blue fringe dress. They all look totally stunning,
and I tell them so.
    ‘Do you really like your dress?’ Agnes asks.
    ‘I love it,’ I reply with awe.
    ‘Good, because it’s your birthday present. I made it for you,’ she adds with a sheepish smile.
    ‘You
made
this?’
    ‘Uh-huh.’
    ‘Bloody hell, Agnes! You are
so
talented, it’s not even funny!’
    She blushes as I throw my arms round her.
    ‘You’re not done yet,’ she says with a giggle, pulling away. ‘I have to do your hair and make-up.’
    She’s halfway through when the door flies open and Lottie bursts in.
    ‘There you are!’ she shouts, spying me. ‘Your man downstairs told me that no one without an English accent was allowed inside. It’s just as well I can act.’
    ‘Hello, you,’ I say, laughing, certain that Sam knew
exactly
who she was. She must’ve been on his list of friends allowed inside. ‘Everyone, this is
Lottie,’ I say after I’ve given her a hug. Only then do I realise that the room has fallen silent. They’re all completely star-struck by the A-lister in their midst. I laugh as I
introduce her to everyone.
    ‘Are you guys nearly done?’ Lottie asks, flicking her long dark hair back. She’s wearing a red dress and looks unbelievable as usual, with bright red lipstick to match, her
perfectly curved eyebrows framing her oval face.
    ‘Pretty much,’ Agnes answers her question, dusting some blusher onto my cheeks with a fat brush.
    ‘Good, because I really need a drink.’
    I hate to disappoint her, but I doubt there’ll be booze. Johnny is teetotal. Although he has let me have the odd drink in the past, so maybe we’ll be allowed one or two…
    ‘Why are you so desperate for a drink?’ I ask Lottie, as she and I lead the way back downstairs.
    ‘I need a distraction.’
    ‘From what?’ I frown at her.
    ‘Brandon,’ she mutters.
    I soon discover what her problem is. Maisie, Brandon’s girlfriend, is here. Brandon usually keeps her all to himself – I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend at first because
he always flirts with Lottie and it’s hard to imagine how any girl could ever compete with her. But I met Maisie at the All Hype gig and she’s lovely, with big dark eyes and a shy
sweetness about her. She and Brandon have been going out for a long time.
    I didn’t actually know that Lottie cared this much, so I’m kind of flattered she shared her feelings with me.
    As soon as I get outside, I’m hit by another attack of anxiety. Earlier I managed to convince myself that Jack and Tom will have kept their distance from each other, but now I’m not
so sure. We head straight for the igloo, where ‘Reptilia’ by The Strokes is blaring from the speakers.
    ‘I take it your dad’s responsible for the playlist,’ Jack says drily, materialising at my