"I'd be lying if I say your outward appearance and structure didn't impel me to give you the proposition," he says. "But for me patience is a virtue. I believe I can make you what you want to be. If only you help me too."
Back then I didn't take the role. Mom's separation with dad, grandma's death and dad's sudden fascination in another woman... Altogether the timing was really bad. I couldn't focus on anything. I didn't attend most of the classes in first year. It felt like I lost my passion.
"Which day is the audition?" I finally ask.
"So this is a yes?"
"I still have to pass the audition too Mr. Dean."
"Put your mind to it and you'll make it."
"I'll try my best." I ask, "The time and..?"
"I'll send you all the details via email."
I'm not sure about having music as a career. I only came to this academy because of her. I never knew up until now that I'd be able to write a song. But acting is something I can do. Cause that's what I really wanted to do all this time. Then why I'm still having second thoughts about it?
••••
A week has passed since Damien's suspension. I guess it's about time I go to school again. I'll have to take notes from Chris too. The audition is tomorrow.
Mom calls out to me from downstairs. "Chris's here for you honey."
It's been a while since we talked huh... I ignored his calls the first few days after that incident but I eventually gave in afterwards. He didn't ask me anything regarding that matter which was a bit surprising. Guess Chris's better than what I give him credit for. He has never judged me. I guess I can't hide in my room forever. Mom doesn't know about the thing with Charles Dean. It's better if she doesn't know.
"What's up Mr. Angel?" He waves at me.
"Hi Chris." I greet plastering an all natural smile on my face.
"It's been long since we went to school together. So I came to pick ya," he says.
"That's nice of you Chris," Mom pats Chris. "I was just... Oh look at the time! Chris, please take this boy away or he'll be late."
"Sure thing ma'am."
••••
All the way to school we remained quiet. I thought he'd atleast try to... But guess he thought I'd be mad if he talks about it.
When we enter the school ground Chris calls out from my back. "Saint."
"Yeah?"
"I will find the guilty one. Whoever took that picture. I swear it."
"Does that incident changes your opinion about my ima..?"
Chris shakes his head silencing me. "Not in the least. Even though I want to know what you really feel about that fool."
"Hey! What do you mean by that?" I try to shut him.
But he speaks anyway. "Whoever you like or whoever you feel most comfortable with—as your best friend it's my first duty to support you in any situation, Saint."
His words soaks through my skin and I immediately pull him in a hug. "That...means a lot Chris. I just... Everything's..."
"I know. You'll always have my back Saint."
"You'll have mine too. Thanks for being my best buddy."
The whispers haven't received an official end yet. And it won't anytime sooner. When I walk into the classroom someone switches on the fan which wasn't on up until now and a hundred photocopies of that photo falls all over me—on the floor and desk...table—they are everywhere. Is this what it feels like to be teased badly... Bullied? Has Saint Angel's reputation gone up in flames?
Chris quickly brushes some of these away from me. "What is this?!" He yells but no one says a word. He starts picking them from the floor, then rolls and crumples them before they go to the trash bin outside.
I take my usual seat quietly as Damien's group keep staring in my way. Well Damien isn't here yet. Will he skip today?
Someone from the back says, "I bet a 1000$ that Saint like Damien. He's the one who wanted to kiss that wild boy."
I put my head down on the desk listening to them quietly.
Someone else adds, "No wonder Damien took the blame. He's Mozart's Heart Academy's top guitarist. He cannot run away from silly matters unlike someone."
Mika calls out to those guys. "Will y'all shut it? What'd you know anyway?"
"Are you looking for a fight Mika?" Zayne, the main guy from that bunch of assholes asks angrily.
"Don't provoke me Zayne!" He growls. "Don't spread baseless rumours you bastards!" Mika walks towards them with Todd and Zeb following behind.
They too start shouting loudly. Damn I've never seen Mika like this. I...want to stop them but... Would they even listen to me? How will I even... I can't do this.
In the chaos I swiftly open the classroom door.
"Saint wait!" Mika's voice trembles.
Before I could answer I bump into a familiar scented body. Damien's woody ambery scent.
I look up for a brief moment before walking past him but his hands take a firm hold of me. "You aren't going anywhere."
Damien's forceful strides and his charming bold yet fierce nature temporarily ceases the fire but when the class ends and the professor exits without giving us any unnecessary attention which would fan the flames of the current situation, it goes back to its previous state; though a bit diluted this time.
"Hey Boss, wanna go outside?" Zeb asks.
I guess they're not that bad of a person. They indeed have each other's backs.
••••
The next day Chris insists on coming with me as I get ready for my audition at Eternals Studio. He was really bubbling with excitement when I told him about it. Now he's in my house.
"Come on Saint. You need someone to encourage you. I can't let you go alone there."
"Others will be there ttoo Chris. I won't be alone."
"Here we go again." He rolls his eyes.
"I thought someone said they'd find the real culprit for friendship's sake?"
"Chris..." Mom calls him from downstairs as I comb my hair. "How long will he be taking to get ready for school? It's not like today's special."
"He's nearly finished ma'am." Chris answers. "He's just.."
"Shhh" I sign him to keep quiet.
"Saint, why didn't you let her know?"
I take my bag and look at the mirror for a final check. "Trust me, this is for the best."
He pulls me out of my room. "Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?"
"Yes! Oh goodness. Besides I need you to take care of things. Like making sure that mom doesn't know and also take notes of the classes for me."
He gives a light punch on my chest. "Duly noted Mr. Angel."
••••
"This place has changed a lot since my last visit." I mutter under my breath as I walk into the building.
There are more young guys waiting in the line. Mr. Dean asked me to arrive before 12p.m. It's 11 now.
A middle aged yet fine looking woman comes out of the other side then enters the auditioning room. Two guys come of the room with defeated eyes.
After one and half hour of waiting when it comes to my turn... Charles Dean asks the last guy after me to come in together.
A pair is needed. The lead male protagonist and the antagonist. He hands me the script. There are two other people besides Mr. Dean. Probably the writer and the producer. Eternals isn't too old. It's been only a decade since they came in industry. I was very much inspired by the male actor who brought fame and recognition to Eternals.
"So the scene is, despite being the protagonist you'll betray the trust of your lover and play a vicious game in bringing her downfall," Mr. Dean narrates to me.
Then he faces the other guy. He's a bit taller and more masculine than me, with light blue eyes.
"You'll confront him with evidence cause you secretly loved the girl. But in the end she chose him," Mr. Dean says to the other guy pointing at me. "Now take your stance and begin."
The other guy whips out the gun pointing to my head. He's a private detective in his role and me, a business tycoon.
"Are you aware of what you're doing Mr. Young?" I smirk squaring my shoulders with no hint of fear. "There are cameras here."
"Do you think that'll scare me you bastard!?" He raises his voice. "I've got all the evidence I needed to prove what type of monster you are Edward Hunt. What did she ever do to you huh? Why are you doing this? I was the one who grew up with her, knowing what a pure soul she owns and how selfless her ideals are. You had to ruin her life when she was the most happiest." He takes a step forward with bloodshot eyes.
He's so into his character.
"How old is she?" He asks. "She's so young and your pathetic scum like nature devoured her purity like a hellish flame." He growls. "She could end up dead by now if I hadn't stopped her in time you worthless worm!"
I dig my hands into my pant's pocket.
"Looks can be deceptive Mr. Young. You should know it by experience. Women are the most deceptive of creatures."
Then I sit cross legged on the sofa, lighting a cigarette.
"Her father made her a gorgeous princess crown. Have you ever questioned how? That fire..."
As the cigarette continues to burn I throw it on the handkerchief which fell from my pocket when he shoved me a while ago.
"It still burns to this day, before my eyes."
The handkerchief catches fire as I pick it up from the floor burning my fingertips slightly.
"Do you know how it feels to be surrounded by fire with no escape?!"
I stomp on the half burnt handkerchief extinguishing the fire with my boot.
"Certain things will be buried with me Mr. Young—unless you'd dare to dig out my burnt ashes."
I went off script in the last five minutes.
"Excellent!!!" Mr. Charles claps. "Oh Saint Saint... That's exactly how I wanted it."
He comes to to us. "And you too. Both of your performance are quite good. You two will be quite a pair, goodness!"
"And... Am I selected?" The other guy asks.
Mr. Dean shakes my hand first then his too. "Both of you are selected!"
••••
When I return home I call back Chris. Few minutes later he comes to my house.
"So how did it go?" He asks sitting on the bed.
"I passed the audition."
"Damn I knew it! Congratulations buddy! Oh when's it gonna start? Any date given? Has he already given you schedule? Have you confirmed it? When are you going to tell your mother?" Chris empties his questions one by one.
"Jesus Christ Chris gimme a break! I...still have time."
"Tell me then when is it?"
"I... At the end of this month."
He scratches his head. "And how are you going to handle both university and shooting?"
After a second he asks again, "You didn't sign any contract, did you?"
"Not yet."
"Good," he says in a relaxed way. "Don't do anything rash. I know you've always wanted this but..."
"But what Chris?"
"I want you to explore this side too... You just discovered that you can write song. Are you going to give it up all so quickly?"
"Well, there are many actors who can sing too," I add.
"Anyway, think about it okay?" He says. "Hey Saint.."
"Yes?"
I see him grinning.
"What now?"
"Today's your day man! Let's go drinking."
"Chris! You know I..."
"You don't drink yes. But you drank when Damien..."
"Alright alright I'm going," I cut him. Just don't mention his name."
"But you owe him Saint. How long are you going to avoid him?"
Why am I always owing him?