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private thoughts will be written in here. They’re not really for other people to see.”
    Jason smiled. “You don’t think my lyrics are private?”
    “Not if you plan to turn them into songs for the world to hear.”
    “They’re still my thoughts, though. They’re still a part of me.”
    I’d never thought of it that way. That his lyrics were a part of him. It was obvious, really. To write words that other people can feel, they have to mean something to the person who penned them. They have to reach into the souls of people who have never met him, and touch them the way whatever inspired the words touched him. Just because Razes Hell was a rock band, didn’t mean they didn’t write poignant lyrics. They even threw in an occasional heavy ballad now and again.
    “In that case, you’re very brave.” I smiled. “Takes balls to throw your feelings out there like that.”
    “Balls of steel.” Jason winked at me, making me laugh again.
    This is going to be okay. I didn’t even blush at the mention of Jason’s gigantic steely balls.
    Did I?
    Eager to steer the conversation away from anything that might embarrass me, I asked Jason about his writing process, and as we talked, already I started to see another side to him and we hadn’t even left the country yet. In the past our conversations were usually silly and fun, or just plain basic since, when our families got together, there were always so many other people to speak to that we didn’t have time for much more.
    I was in big trouble. Barely away from home and I was ready to disregard everything Ellie had said to me after one conversation with Jason.

Chapter 3 – Eiffel Tower Selfie
    “Is this… it?”
    Drew laughed as I dropped my suitcase and glanced around my room at the hotel that was to be our home for the next two nights. From the outside, it hadn’t looked so bad, but inside it was kind of… budget. Not that I had a right to complain; I’d paid for very little of the trip, but I’d still expected at least Premier Inn standards, even for somewhere inexpensive. The walls were an ugly brown, as were the curtains. The carpet was clean but worn, and the amenities were basic in the extreme. There was a kettle and some tea and coffee sachets – nothing more. Not even a hairdryer, unless it was hiding in a cupboard somewhere.
    “You were expecting The Ritz?” Mack asked as he peered inside.
    “No. But… well, this is very… simplistic.”
    “Welcome to the world of rock and roll,” Drew said, still laughing. “Are you going to be okay on your own while we find our rooms, and shower and stuff?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, of course. I need to call home anyway. Mum made me promise to let her know when we arrived.”
    “Give us say… an hour and a half,” Jason said, standing up on his tiptoes to see over the shoulders of Drew and Mack. “Then we’ll head out and find a place to party!”
    I grinned, but Drew shook his head. “Nope. Dinner and an early night tonight.”
    Jason rolled his eyes. “Alright, Mr Responsible, but you’re not killing our fun every night.”
    “He’s right.” I looked up at Drew. “There has to be some partying on this tour.”
    “There will be. But tonight we need to rest up because once we start moving, we won’t get much time for anything, including sleep.”
    The tour schedule was pretty intense. Our next night off wasn’t for eight days, and in that time we’d be stopping in four different countries. And hotels? Forget it. Once we left Paris, we’d be on a tour bus. Glancing around the room again, mild panic filled me as I realised this would be the last night I’d spend in my own space for a long time. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all. Even with the drab décor.
    “Okay, guys,” I said, suddenly desperate to get them out of my room so I could enjoy my freedom before it vanished for the summer. “Come get me when you’re ready.”
    Drew smiled as if he understood, and placed my other suitcase