Chapter 32: Chapter 32

~~~~~~ AFTER TWO YEARS ~~~~~

Amelia's p.o.v;

At college, In the music club,

Hannah gave me a whack on the head after I yawned.

"What was that for?" I berated her.

"If you want to yawn, go somewhere else. don't do it in front of me and make me lose my patience. Will you stop yawning in the middle of my class?"

"Hmph!"

I got to my feet and moved away from Hannah and the junior freshmen. I find it hard to comprehend that I am now a senior.

It feels like only yesterday that we were all in diapers, trying to keep up with the rest of our class. How quickly things have changed. When was it? When did my life transform into this one? How could someone change from childhood to adulthood, so rapidly?

I pulled out my phone and looked through the music club's group messaging for any notification. I grinned when I noticed that, even after all these years, my old group chat with Hannah and Cathy and other pals was still active. I didn't bother reading any more and instead scrolled over it.

"Senior?"

I noticed who it was when I looked up. It's Carey, a junior in the classical music department.

"What is it?"

"Can I go home today, I forgot my guitar?"

I handed her my guitar and said, "Take this and join them. This Friday, we have an event to perform so go and practice hard."

"Yes, Senior."

"Don't forget your guitar tomorrow. I can't share mine with you everyday. I could also forget it one day like you."

She went to the others for practice after receiving the guitar from me. These newcomers are very slothful. Why do these guys always ask for permission before leaving when we have a performance event? Was I the same way too? No, I recall remaining behind and working on my technique even after everyone else had left. But I haven't gotten used to it yet. The situation is the same for us as they are carefree. most of them, that is. There are still a few of them that appear to take their time before leaving, albeit some of them are more reserved than others.

There were a few spectators, but we were the only ones performing. I believe everyone else left earlier than anticipated. There wouldn't be any more entertainers on stage for a few more hours. But the fact that nobody else had been here earlier seemed weird.

I walked out of the music club after turning to look at Hannah, who was instructing the new students.

I went to the cafeteria and ordered drinks for my juniors. As I waited for the drink, I yawned once more. My head hurt with each beat of my heart, and I was aware that it would only grow worse before it got better. I still had a few duties to finish even though the school year was coming to a conclusion, like making sure all of my juniors were on track for their senior year.

"Have you had a good night's sleep?"

I looked behind and saw Brian standing infront of me.

"Yes, I had prepared for the situation by practising."

"Why are you practising so diligently?"

"Now that I'm in charge, I need to be extra careful to avoid making mistakes, am I right?"

"When was the occasion?", he asked as he put his head on my shoulder.

"Next Friday."

"Your drinks are ready, Ms. Scott." the server said as I was speaking to Brian.

"That's a lot of drinks for one," said Brian.

"Brian, if you're free, could you help me carry these to the music club?"

"Okay, next time buy me supper."

"Noted."

He questioned us as we were making our way to the music venue, "When is your brother's wedding again?"

"Next week,"

"And here you are preparing for the occasion. Aren't you supposed to be working on your brother's wedding instead of this event?"

I yawned and said, "Since I'm a senior now, I also have to be accountable for my juniors."

"Do you intend to yawn on stage while you perform? You should really get some rest."

Brian assisted me in getting the beverages along with me and then he exited the music venue after delivering it.

"Okay, gals! I know you guys have been practising for a while, so let's take a short break from our current practice session. Come and pick up your drinks."

As I approached Hannah, I handed her one of the drinks while saying, "Take it."

She pulled the beverage away from me and began consuming it.

I sat next to her, leaning on her and resting my head on her shoulder.

She was trembling a little, so I just held her tight until her shoulders stopped trembling before pulling away to get a better look at her face. Her face was expressionless as her hands continued to grip mine fiercely. As if we were both afraid that the world would end at any moment, she wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close to her.

"It's exhausting, Hannah." I remarked.

"You're practising a lot these days, you should take a rest. Why are you doing this to yourself?"

"Similar to why you are. I'm also concerned about this event. Our performance at this event marks our first as seniors. We should give our best." I gave her a hug and continued, "This is something that we can accomplish. Not to worry."

She agreed with me by nodding.

After the break, the juniors gathered in front of us and began practising. In the group, some people laughed.

"What made Zoey and Carey laugh in the back?"

They shook their heads and remained silent.

I asked again, "What is it?"

"Are you two dating?" Carey enquired of us.

"Are we two dating?" I asked Hannah with a smile as I turned to face her.

She pushed me away and told the juniors to focus on their practice rather than talking about unimportant stuff. They resumed practising the song once she asked them to.

I put my head on her shoulder and looked at the juniors who were practicing.

Hannah said, "You're being clingy lately. What happened?"

"I'm not being clingy. I'm just being myself around you." I sat straight and asked, "Hey Hannah, What made them think that we're dating? Are we giving them wrong impressions?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to sleep? Go take a nap in the recording room. I'll wake you up in a while." Hannah questioned.

I hugged her and said, "Hannah, thank you very much."

I strolled to the recording to take a nap.

At home,

When I walked in the door, I saw my parents working on the invitations.

To get upstairs, I walked by them, but dad stopped me and questioned why I had been so tardy.

"I had a practice."

"When is this event you're dying for?"

"Friday."

"Will you be like this until Friday?"

"Dad, I'm a senior now and I have to take care of my juniors, I can't leave them in the middle and come here."

"You're the one who worked so hard to make your brother's wedding possible. Without you, the wedding wouldn't have happened but you're not here when you have to be here."

"I want to be here and take this wedding in my hands but I can't do it now. I have responsibilities, dad. I will help you with the wedding as soon as I finish up with the event, dad."

"I can understand," he rubbed my shoulder and murmured. "But Amelia, let's get this over with as quickly as you can so you can rest. Have you given yourself in the mirror? Your eyes are actually moving deeper into your sockets as you get ever more slender. You resemble a vampire almost. Are you trying to scare someone?"

When he said I reminded him of a vampire, I grinned.

He gave a flick over my forehead and said, "Don't chuckle. Likewise, take care of yourself."

"Yes, father."

I walked to Ash's room and saw him talking over the phone so I waited for him to finish chatting before approaching him.

He took a look at me and cut the phone and asked, "When did you come?"

"Right now."

"How did the practice go?"

"Good."

"Have you had dinner yet?"

I gave him a nod.

"All right, go to bed. Take a break, you've been practising a lot.

"I apologise."

"Why?"

"I was powerless to contribute to the wedding in any way. I feel awful."

"Never be. I am aware of your circumstance. Do you realise how pleased I am with my little sister's responsibility? I can't believe this is the same girl who used to avoid social interaction and prefer to spend her time alone in her little library-like room. You are what you are. I'm quite self-centered since I prefer the responsible person. Go get some sleep right now. That's all I want right now."

I nodded at him and said, "Okay, brother."

On the occasion's day,

"I'm anxious, Amelia," said Hannah, holding my hands.

"Girl! Do you think I'm anxious if you're not? I'm even more anxious. It's just I'm not expressing it on my face."

For the performance, the juniors and I gathered backstage with them.

I led Hannah out of the auditorium while holding her hand.

"We have to be on the stage in five minutes. Where are you taking me?"

"Shhhh… come with me."

I took her out of the auditorium and stopped at fountain and whispered into her ears, "Play the tune that we've been performing in front of me all these days" 'I said to her after giving her the violin.

"What?"

"Play it, believe me."

"Who would play in front of the fountain?" she remarked as she took in her surroundings.

"Just play."

She sighed and began to play the tune we had been rehearsing.

"Close your eyes and play the tune." I muttered to her.

"Why should I close my eyes?"

I took the cloth out of my pocket and tied it over my face covering her eyes and said, "Stop asking questions and play the song."

I entered the theatre when I noticed her eyes were closed and told everyone to assemble near the fountain outside for our upcoming show.

Carey, "Aren't we on stage performing?"

"A change of scenery is needed. This time, let's do it outside. It will also be lively. Step outside."

While Hannah was deeply engrossed in her violin playing, I gathered everyone around the fountain. I gave the juniors the go-ahead to start performing.

Hannah tried to open her eyes after hearing the music, and I muttered in her ears, "Keep playing."

I joined her and began playing my guitar along with the beat. I took off the cloth over her eyes and said, "You won't feel anxious anymore." And smiled at her.

Hannah gave me a hug and said, "Thank you, Amelia."

"Hey, you're hugging me tightly in front of the whole college. Aren't you worried about the rumours?"

She broke the hug and kissed my cheek and said, "F*ck the rumours!" And laughed.

I hugged her and we continued playing the song together in front of everyone.

People began to sing along with us as the concert went on. While some people danced, others merely watched and conversed.

Everywhere had a positive energy. Like in one of those corny romance novels when the characters come together of their own volition but have never actually been apart, there is something about the smell of a metropolis that always attracts people together. We do reside in a music City, after all.

It was fantastic to witness so many various types of individuals singing together and enjoying themselves in one location. Because I had previously experienced so much, I could relate to how it felt for me.

Despite the confusion, we were able to perform the night's final song without incident. It seems that everyone was having fun the entire time.

I observed some individuals returning to their changing area to likely prepare for their upcoming performance. I chose to remain with Hannah, though.

Hannah, "I'm grateful,"

I put my head on her shoulder and asked, "What for?"

She pushed me away and said, "Because of what you just did. I was so relaxed while I was performing for the main event. And, it's only because of you."

"Argh! Stop staring at me in that manner. I'm worried I'll start to fall in love with you if you give me those eyes for just a little bit longer."

She smacked my head and laughed in response to what I said.

A call came to Hannah.

"Who is it?"

"Bradley is here", she stated while holding out her phone.

"How does he know you are with me, I wonder. He calls you every time we're together alone. Has he placed a covert camera in your dresses?"

"Don't make fun of my guy in that way. Ok, I believe he has already arrived. Then I'll start moving. Have a good night."

"Hannah, enjoy the evening with your guy."

She gave a smile before departing and waved at me.

While I was looking at her leaves, someone stood beside me. I turned around to see who it was.

"Brian, what are you doing here?"

He took a seat beside me on the bench and said, "The event was wonderful."

"Were you there?"

"Yup!"

"I didn't know you were interested in music."

"I don't but I came here to cheer for you."

I looked at him and said, "How cute. Hey! Do you like me?"

He laughed at my question.

"You could have said no. Your laugh makes me look like a fool to ask you."

"I didn't laugh to tease you."

"Then, what is that for?"

"I didn't know. It came out suddenly. And, for the question you asked, of course I like you but not in the way you like Hannah."

"I don't get it."

"The whole college speaks about it and the story you told me looks similar to what i saw."

"You and Hannah are a thing, right?"

"What made you think like that? She just left with her boyfriend." And I laughed at him.

"So the rumours aren't true?"

"No, we're just friends."

"Then, what about the story you told me? Unrequited love. Who was it?"

I stood up and said, "This Friday is my brother's wedding. Don't forget to come. I've sent an invitation through a message already. I'll be waiting for you."

"You're not going to answer that, right?"

I nodded at him.

He smiled and said, "Since you and Hannah are just friends. I'm okay with what you asked."

"Um, it's overdue. Your time is over. Bye."

"Wait!"

"See ya at the wedding."