Chapter 23

Anything can happen, at any time.

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Performances went on by on. But Cole was still in my mind. I don't know what was all that about! Anyways, I need to concentrate on my performance which is about to go to happen, soon.

"Dress, checked.

Hairs, Checked.

Makeup, Checked.

Footwear, checked. "Vess muttered, while constantly circling me,

"Has anything left?" I asked, this is the third time! She was checking all this and making sure everything would be perfect! And yes. She is crazier than me.

"Yes. A smile, in fact, a full-fledged smile. So, smile my friend"

I smiled, and a flash got erupted in my eyes. "Ah perfect picture," uttered she with a devilish smile. "This one is going on social media."

I look closer at the small screen to see the picture she captured. My eyes were half-open, half-closed, and my smile? Well, its look like a donkey's Smile! Otherwise, everything was perfect except my facial expressions, but can you blame me? I'm not a photogenic person! And this picture is proof of that! Only she could take a picture like this! Vess laughed at my reaction, "It's not that bad!" she uttered seriously.

"Really?"I asked with hope. "Yes. It's adorably worse. Look at your expressions! "She uttered between her laughter.

"Is this a compliment, or a taunt?"

"Ah! It's a complitaunt," and she blew away a kiss. Still laughing.

"Vanessa Carlson, give me that picture!"

We started running past each other still chuckling, I was following her, and she was running away from me. We were in our world. Until someone cleared her throat rigidly

"Looks here, the good girl, and her good for nothing friend enjoying their own time! Without worry, without any tension! Living in their bubble of life! Aren't you supposed to be worried that you will lose?" Veronica Complained. With so much hatred. And here I thought that she was genuine today, in fact, different in a good way all those thoughts of ours have Vanished when we heard her voice.

"What do you want? Veronica?" Vess demanded.

"What do I want? What do I want? Don't ask me this vacuous question, Carlson because you will not be able to give it to me! "

What? Is her problem? Whenever I thought she can be good, that something is troubling her, she proves me wrong! This time I don't take it enough is enough.

"Veronica, what is your problem?" I rosed my voice, almost yelling. She looked shocked Vess's face was also copying her for that expression.

"Whoa! Now the good girl is coming out of her Shell, great just great! "She muttered Chuckling.

Something is seriously wrong with her.

"Aren't you worried Amanda?" she asked with a fake laugh. But that didn't take my attention; her question Kind of caught me off guard.

"Why would she be worried?" this time Vess chimed in.

"Because she will lose. As simple as that! "

"Hah! There you are wrong Veronica Stratford! "

"And why is that? Vanessa Carlson? "

"The one who is going to lose is you, Veronica, you. You heard me! A bitch like you didn't tend to win this competition. "

I know what Vess was saying that was in anger, but I know how it feels when someone says that you are not going to win, and put you down.

"Vanessa Carlson, how dare you to say those things to me!" veronica bite back. She looked dangerous.

I need to stop them before they rip their heads from each other bodies.

"Veronica, no one is going to lose, and no one is going to win! You heard me. We can't decide that thing from our own, we only can do is try! "

"So easy for you to say," then she walked away.

"What is wrong with her? At the stage she was something else, then again she's become bitchy! " Vess Complained.

"Forget about her! She's not worth it." I uttered. I just don't understand her.

Sometimes, I think that she is hiding. She's not what she shows to everyone! But every time I was wrong. I don't know why she has so much hatred towards me or everyone? Yet again. When I saw her today in her performance she looked different, but again she was back with that attitude.

"That girl seriously needs a punch on her face! Next time I won't stop. Amy," said Vess.

To change the topic. I asked, "So, Miss. How is it going with the Dark humour guy? Any update so far?"

"HA! Dark humour! He's the funniest guy, I've ever met. Didn't you hear that line of him? I mean he called himself motherfucker; oh my, that's the kind of humour I love. Every time he cracks a joke, it makes me head over heels for him. And not forget his awkwardness around girls" the sarcasm was dripping from her mouth.

But that changed my mood. And we both started chuckling, "He's not that bad!" I exclaimed. Right? He's not that bad.

"Yeah. He's just innocent like me; hard from outside, and a softie from inside." She winked while chuckling.

"Tell me again why you are with him?"

"Hm. Good Question. Very good Question. I don't know. It's just I feel connected to him. We may have several differences, we are not like those perfect couples who like the same thing, or have the same taste. But we are somewhere connected towards each other. And understand each other without judging. Oh and the most important thing is I like His choice in girls," yeah. That he liked you that's why.

"Enough about Mr Frazier, when this mess cleared up. I'll fix you on a date."

"Me on a date? Nah! "

"At least give it a try!"

"You know about Mom. And besides those guys generally don't like me." I muttered. The only name that appeared on my head was Cole.

"Ha! Those who don't like you must be dickheads then." She exclaimed.

Going on a date with someone can be good, but for a girl; who is a nerd by her circumstances. No one dates nerds here in Cross river high. And that's what I wanted at that time when all those things started. Now I can't change it.

"I need to perform. Focus on that!" It would be better if my mind only focus on my performance.

"Yes. You need to focus on your performance, besides I want to see the face of that bitch Veronica, and that egocentric Cole. Gosh! Their faces would be priceless after seeing your performance," uttered she, dreaming.

Before I could say anything, my cell phone beat me up and started ringing, it was an unknown number.

Should I pick it, or not? Though I hardly receive calls from unknown numbers.

What if it is important?

Then. I need to pick up it, "Hello? Who's this?" I asked in confusion.

"I have some information for you." said the person; who was on the other side of the cell phone.

What kind of information? Is that what she is talking about? By the remnants of the voice, I think that the person is a girl; though it's not clear, my instinct is telling me that the person is she.

"And what is that?"

"Related to your mother, if you want to know; meet me at the janitor's room in five minutes. And don't tell anyone about this; If you want to know."

Then the line got cut.

What? Related to mom? My mind was not thinking right. Lots of bad thoughts were running through my mind. Has something happened to mom? Oh gosh, I was so busy with this competition, that I didn't think about mom in these two days. I can't tolerate this; she is the only parent I have.

But wait a minute; what if this is a bluff? A scam!

Simple call mom, and find out if everything is ok with her.

I dialled mom's number. But she was not picking up, and in the end, it went out of coverage.

It means something is wrong with her. I need to go to the janitor's room. Nevertheless, I still have forty minutes before my performance.

Aren't you going to tell Vess about this?

I don't know what should I do? There is something serious about the matter here and I need to find out it. No matter what! I can't risk anything related to mom.

"What happened?" Vess asked, with confusion.

Should I tell her, or not? Gosh, I can't take the risk!" Nothing, just a wrong number!" I clarified myself.

"Really? Then why do you look like, as you have seen a ghost?" She asked sceptically, rousing her one eyebrow.

"I'm just nervous, anyway I need to pee. I'll be back in twenty minutes." Then I walked away before she could ask another question.

I was running fast, breathing heavily. Lost in my thoughts of what could happen, and what was the reason for calling me?" Just don't be in trouble mom," I whispered. Still running.

There was lots of distance between the Auditorium, and Janitors. I again checked my phone to check the time. Thank god. I reached in time here!

There was pin-drop silence outside the janitor's room. It means I have to go inside the room.

Hushed footsteps of mine were started moving inside the door. There was so much dark in it. I can't even see a thing! This situation looks scary to me; above all, I'm not a great fan of darkness.

"Hello? Is anybody there? Look if you are here; tell me what you know about my mother. I don't have enough time." I asked, exasperatedly.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of a click.

That was the moment when I lost myself. That door of the Janitor's room has been locked. I was been pranked, and my performance is about to start in half an hour.

Oh my god.

Sweat started forming on my head, and anxiety took me over. There was so much darkness in here, which got me to start panicking.

Tears welled up in my eyes. How can I be that stupid to fall in this prank? Not what I'm going to do? If I couldn't reach time the auditorium; I'll be disqualified. And then again everything goes to nothing. This is horrible, horrible than losing in front of everyone. Horrible than anything! What should I do now?

What? Are you going to give up now? Someone doesn't want you to give your performance. So do you want to make that plan succeed? Or you want to fight back! Be that Amanda Parker who was true, and who can fight for everything, for which she thinks is wrong.

Yes. I wipe back my tears, which get dry. I'll win, and I'll fight back. Where is my phone? I took out my cell phone from my pocket, but there was no signal on that.

However, I'll do anything to get out of here. Whoever that person locked me, will be the death of me, I want to crush this plan of that person. So badly,

Whatsoever, I turned on the torchlight of my cell phone and find some blocks of wood at the corner side of the room. I took one of them and lifted it on the mid-high level. Then I ran with so much force towards the door with so much power. But nothing happened! That block of wood got crushed.

Relax. Amanda, you can do it.

Yes. I can do it. I started beating the door and started shouting. I know that chances are nil, but still, I need to do everything to my escape.

I glanced at the cell phone to see the time. And just the sight of it nearly got me a heart attack. Only fifteen minutes were left.

I started beating that door so badly with my both hands, and shouting at the same time, "somebody helps me." but nothing happened.

All my strength was going away; my throat went dry due to continuously shouting. I was ready to give up. There is no chance that I would give my performance, I was ready to fall. My vision was started to get blur slowly by slowly until I heard the sound of a click again.

And the cold hard body pressed against mine holding me protectively, with so much strength. Took hold of my waist and swayed me over on the powerful muscles.

That cologne was familiar. My thoughts went clear when I heard his smooth voice, "Parker"

And darkness took me over.

***

"Do you think she is alright?" I heard Vess's voice.

"Yes." I heard his voice.

"What had happened to her?" Dylan's voice chimed in.

So, I'm out of that horrible darkness. However, I still have to give my performance. And fail the plan of that bastard.

I opened my eyes and found all the curious glances directly at me. Cole's gaze was something else, as he was observing me with his burning eyes.

He was at the end of the corner, with folded hand.

Though he's still him, he helped me. ''Thank you. " I muttered. He didn't reply he walked away.

"Amy, what happened?" Vess asked with so much concern.

"How much time left for my performance?"

"Less than five minutes, but you don't have to go. You need rest, Amanda.'' Argued she.

"No. That I'll do later. For now, I need to make someone's plan fail. "

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you later."

***

"Our next participant is Amanda Parker."

An announcement was made, through the microphone.

Time to show everyone what Amanda Parker can do.

The dress which I wore was dark - green slightly bluish was magnificent. Well not that much, but for me it was. I am second time wearing a dress, and the best part is that dress has covered my body like a smooth feather. Every inch of the shimmery fabric covered my whole body.

Lights went dim, and the spotlight was following me on each step I took. I walked with perfection in high heels (note the sarcasm).

Still, somehow I managed everything not bad.

Nervous at first, but determined to make that plan fail, and win this round I hold the microphone.

'' Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Amanda Parker's stand-up act."

The face was set straight, with determination.

Are you ready?

"It all started when I reached on the very fantasy stage of nature's life, which was supposed to be full of craziness by the way, but that was with normal people, not in mine."

When people started giving me curious glances, asking me what was the reason behind it then I opened my mouth again,'' I was a cow.'' They all started chuckling, slowly. As mixed with the content, which I was representing ahead of them and my tone was something else, like I had a speed breaker on my throat.

"Well that's not the main point of, why should I get a noble prize! I've something save for Oscars and that is- people thought that I was a lesbian.''

When I heard Whoa! By the audience, I started it all again, "now! You all people, who don't have many chances to win the Oscar, must be thinking that why? Why? Why? At that time everybody thought that I was a lesbian when in the first place I was not. And if you're wondering about the second place then I must tell you, if there would be no son of bachelor's in this round-round thing. Then I may be considering it. I was socially awkward around boys at that time! I mean whenever I see them, the first thing I do is hide to near places, either it is gym area, football court, cafeteria etcetera."

Their burrows roused in confusion, as asking why I would hide around those areas which were supposedly surrounded by boys." I was socially awkward, but I want to see them to me by never actually introducing myself, and the worse that can happen as they might hear me whenever I crush on them. Hah! But they never paid attention to me, and I was like a hamburger at that time, because to get a hamburger you must kill a cow. They used to call me fatty fatttateress. And I thought If I would change myself, Then everything must change isn't about we heard in the law of gravity that each, and every action has the equal and opposite reaction. But that didn't happen, and I became an ugly bitch to them. I mean I don't understand when I become a bitch; when I had no relations with the dog in the first place. I tried making friends by constantly putting lunch on their door. I thought that soon Beyonce is going to be my friend. But that didn't happen. Then again, I changed myself. Again, from a regular girl to a girl who looks like a model. And wore clothes which actresses used to wear on television. However, what did I get on that? A remark of being a slut! I was changing, and changing myself, but nothing! Not a tiny winy of magic happened. By all the years I was changing myself to get people to accept me; the thing I never realized is why would I want to be accepted? If I want to be the joker in a clown group, I can. If I want to be a creepy dancer, I can. If I want to be a princess of downtown Virginia I can. I mean I can do everything I want! I don't need anyone's acceptance. If I want to be a drunken girl shouting on a rooftop of my ex's house I can. And If I want to be a man, I can. Wait that last statement I said was taken away so far. Well If I think about it deeply I can, by surgery of course. So the valid solid note is I can do everything I want. And I don't need an acceptance of it! Except for my mother. Because she'll kick me out. If I ever changed my sex, though I don't want to do it. However, throughout my teen years, I was wanted to be perfect. Which everyone can accept! It's like I wanted to be that dress, which doesn't exist in real life. And the sugar-coated word perfection is the same kind of thing! It is overpassed', highly exaggerated. Which don't even exists in real life. Maybe it can exist in a fantasy world, but not in reality. So, all the fellows who are here imperfection are genuine.

''Oh by the way on this special occasion I'm remembering a song. A song by my favourite phoebe buffy."

Then I acted like, I'm holding a guitar, "sometimes men love women. Sometimes men love men, and then these are bisexual, then some say they are kidding themselves Lalala Lalala.''

All the student's glances were on Mr Bennett not on me. Before anything happens! I need to run, 'but who cares!'' and I ran fast. I don't know if the chances of me in the third round are going to be high or none.

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