Twisted Strings [MONSTER EDITING - Read at your own risk]

The Face of Happiness

Rhodes wasn't buying any of it, ''But you made a commitment with us as well! How can you cancel just like that?'' He shot at him angrily. Before things could get worse and a fight broke out, I brushed aside my disappointment and went to Rhodes, taking his arm gently.

''Hey, it's okay. None of us saw this coming. Fighting with him won't get us anything.''

''Violet, we prepared for it despite having the competition coming up! We spent so much time getting ready for it. How can he just bail?''

''I know, I'm with you in this. But fighting won't get us the spot back.''

''But-''

''Rhodes,'' I said firmly. ''It happens. You don't need to argue with him.''

He did cool down and withdrew, but gave the manager the angriest and dirtiest look he could muster when he apologized one last time.

''How could he do that to us?'' Rhodes grumbled after we were left alone. Lana was already packing our stuff and I was itching to get out of the outfit I had bought for nothing. At least it was cheap and didn't cost me more than two hundred bucks.

I took off my earrings and threw them in my bag, ''It's okay-''

''No, it's not okay! I planned this as your birthday gift.'' I rolled my eyes and gave him a tired look.

''Rhodes, it's okay,'' I repeated for the umpteenth time. ''Sulking won't get us anywhere.''

''I agree,'' Stella said. ''Instead we should go and practice again. Since Violet won't be here for the weekend, we should use all the time we have.'' I was glad that Stella intervened and said that, it completely changed Rhodes's expression. But I could tell that he was guilty too. I mean, that was fair, given we took the group's time to practice and arrange everything.

I nodded my head and slapped Rhodes shoulder in assurance, ''Let's go.''

We all got out of the building from the back door, and outside Lars car was waiting for us. Lana's car was waiting as well but I had pointedly announced that I was going to ride with Lars. Lana had looked offended but Rhodes had decided to go with her. My guess was to make her feel better, although a wise choice would have been to let her know that her driving skills sucked.

''What are you guys doing here?'' I stopped midway when we saw three more people joining us. I had almost forgotten than three people were invited to supposedly watch us.

Judging from the smug look on Melissa's face, they already knew we were leaving or why were we not on 'stage'. She strolled forward with Brooke behind her and Oliver trailing closely after them. I couldn't see his face in the darkness and even when we he was close enough, I tried not to pay any attention to him.

Our last encounter was fresh in my mind and every time I thought about him, his words flashed across my mind. Words I wanted to forget.

''Yeah, things turned out this way. Next time you can all come to watch us.'' Lars told them, shrugging.

''Another band is already performing, so we figured that something must be gone wrong.'' Melissa said and I hated the tone of sympathy her voice had, it made us look pitiful. The club had gotten nosier now, and even from outside the cheers of the crowd and sound of the bass was reaching us, mocking us. The night sucked.

And just as Melissa had engaged into conversation with Lars and Rhodes, I heard another noise. I looked a little further and spotted a group of people near the roundabout outside the building. It wasn't exactly a roundabout, since there were no cars passing around it, but there was a massive fountain in between. If you look past the water you could see them clearly.

Without thinking, I started to walk towards them and with every step, the music became louder. Clearer. They were all singing together in one voice, I couldn't recognize the song but the lyrics were beautiful. There were two people who led the whole troupe, clapping together as they sang in a perfect harmony. They danced with the tune, jumping up and down in joy, their feet moving along with the rhythm.

Their faces were lit up with a huge smile and in that moment, they looked happy. They looked beautiful.

''Do you want to join them?'' I nearly jumped.

''No, do you?'' I asked Oliver. He stood next to me, staring at them the way I did.

''Yeah, but I'll look funny dancing like them.''

''They look happy,'' I whispered. ''I've never smiled like that whenever I sing or when I write a song. I just realized that it's not a feeling I ever felt. Do you get me?''

I didn't know why I was saying this to him. Maybe it was just a long and disappointing evening and I wanted to go home and snuggle in my bed...

Oliver didn't laugh at me, he just looked me in the eye, ''I haven't ever felt like this either.''

I stared up at him, exploring his eyes, ''Feeling like what?''

He didn't answer right away, but when he did it took my breath away, ''This...you.''