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

Showdown

‘’Nope you’re right.’’

Even though I completely said what I felt, I had this sensation going on inside me, the one you get when you have results of an important exam next day. I was anxious about the result like everyone else, praying for us to succeed.

‘’Bitch face doesn’t look too good.’’ Lana said, a bit too loudly I must add, giving a very malicious look to Melissa who just narrowed her eyes.

‘’She played nasty tricks on us, maybe she forgot we weren’t the only branch, there would be some bands from outside.’’ Rhodes said, he was grinning mischievous, like he was enjoying the look on Melissa’s face. Obviously she hadn’t thought we would be allowed back in the finale and would bring a compliment-able performance. Truthfully we all were enjoying her reaction that had gone from shock to anger.

‘’I still can’t understand why she went this far to win-‘’

I cut off him, ‘’It’s simple, she is a vicious person, she couldn’t stop her self from mischief. She was too ego logistic about challenging us.’’ At least, that was what I thought.

‘’Violet, I think it also has to do with Oliver, It was obvious she wanted him bad but after knowing you like him, she grew jealous and made him betray you.’’ I ignored Stella; I didn’t want to talk about Oliver anymore. Everything about that guy was confusing. He was like a maze, only I couldn’t hope to find my way out.

‘’Oliver still says he wasn’t involved and that Melissa lied to me.’’ I told them, briefing the incident in my room in one line.

‘’Do you believe him?’’ Rhodes asked me in a hard tone,

I shook my head, ‘’Nope’’

That ended the conversation about Oliver and we began guessing the results all over again. About half an hour later Mr. Flynn came back and asked us to brace ourselves because results were about to be announced. We were rushed near the stage where we all stood in order and I turned nervous all over again.

I kept moistening my lips with my tongue, and my palms were clammy from sweat. Rhodes who stood beside me was muttering something under his breathe like Indigo (praying, I guess), Lana was moving back and forth like a restless pendulum while Stella appeared more calm than ever.

‘’Excuse me, can you give me some space?’’ I froze when I heard Oliver’s voice close to me, impossibly close. I turned my head and came face to face with him. He was looking at me with an expectant look. Realizing I was gawking, I stepped aside and let him pass ahead to join his band.

‘’Out of all times…’’ I heard Rhodes mutter,

‘’Now is time for the results of this summer’s greatest music challenge!’’ The host’s voice boomed, ‘’the bands performances were superb and our judges want them to know how proud they feel.’’ A series of clapping followed his statement,

‘’And now lets find out which lucky band will get a chance to be part of Christopher’s last album. While second and third would receive individual sum of money from the department! I would like to call him on stage and announce the three top bands.’’

My heart thundered against my chest as I heard Christopher’s voice in the microphone,

‘’I am really happy from the talent displayed by these young people today, it was truly exceptional! We awarded the positions according to the level of creativity, performance and hard work that showed from the music. The band that came first and was chosen to work with me is…’’

I held my breath as he said the name, ‘’Spades!’’

‘’We lost,’’ Rhodes was the first one to break the silence that followed, then came loud cheers form the crowd outside and the wild cries of the band it self. I closed my eyes and accepted the truth, reached over I grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. I would be lying if I said I was not disappointed because we all were but that feeling wasn’t too great to overcome me. I was able to resist it well.

‘’C’mon, lets clap for them.’’ I whispered to him. Rhodes nodded and all four of us did that. I think it was the best thing we could do to show that we were happy for the lucky guys who got that chance of a lifetime.

I couldn’t see what was happening outside, but I could imagine them shaking hands with Christopher. Before I could even envy them a little, he spoke again, breaking the train of my thoughts,

‘’The second position was very hard to determine. We were confused between three bands all of them gave us mind blowing performances, in the end we realized that the one who truly deserved it was the band that pushed it self the most, and that bans is…the young lads of Twisted Strings!’’

It took me a moment to process what he had said, and then I looked at Rhodes with very wide eyes, ‘’did he say…?’’

He nodded and then it was us who broke into cries of victory. I couldn’t believe it when Mr. Flynn ushered us to the stage and when Christopher shook hands with us as well and when we received the checks of money. It was too unrealistic and I felt like I was living a dream.

‘’We won!’’ I cried and Rhodes gave me a tight hug that was followed by the two others. We clung to each other like life lines and than thanked Christopher. My family and the guys from café cheered harder than any one else and dad gave me a look that I would never be able to forget in my whole life.

He wasn’t yelling anything, he just stared at me, clapped standing up from his chair and gave me a sincere smile, there were tears in his eyes and I knew what it meant. He was proud of me.

‘’I’ll be able to complete my semester.’’ Lana squealed when he stood at one side of the stage, sharing congratulations with the band that won. I hadn’t her seen this happy ever since we met, and I felt her joy.

‘’Lars would love it.’’ I said,

‘’Now for the third winner, which was an easy enough to select. From this very own town…Loud Howls!’’

I wasn’t surprised or angry that they got the third position, we were higher then Melissa, that was enough for me to swallow. At least now she would realize what it takes to win it all. They strode on the stage and the same routine followed, Melissa and Brooke didn’t look happy at all, in fact their faces were mascara streaked and misery was written on them.

Oliver shook Christopher’s hand and stood on his right side along with his band, since it was time for photos. He glanced at me and gave me thumbs up, completely surprising me. He actually looked happy as opposed to his band mates. I didn’t know why but for once and all, I smiled back at him. It wasn’t a huge grin – the one that Rhodes was giving to his parents – but a small smile.

And at that moment I realized how true Rhodes words were. We didn’t win, we didn’t lose either, but I felt happy, happier than I had ever felt this whole summer. And I couldn’t help but wonder if mom would be proud of me…

*   *   *   *

The last and final chapter would be posted in few days time.