Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 29: Barrier part 1

Fast forward in time and now, in just 2 hours, there will be an extraordinary – as stated by the Wizards’ producer – and super duper insanely awesome after-party to mark the still strong Wizards’ season for the year. For most of it, the party aimed to celebrate all of those exciting special guests who made an impact – in their own special way – on the show. This includes one young Brit, Bradley Watson. That was the gist of the party; to celebrate the success and appreciate the casts and crews of this number 1 television show. But, that was only the overall matter and NOT what went on ‘inside’ especially with the actors.

Since the accident happened weeks ago, it was hard on this two potential couple’s end. He was nowhere to be seen and it frustrates the other half so much. No call. No text. Not even a tweet. What happened to him? Nevertheless, this young Latina girl did manage to ‘lock’ David Henrie into a closet to dig up the deeds about him and the Brit. It was vague, from how he told it.

“We were busy! Running errands! Doc told me, specifically, to look out for him. He was sorta traumatized by the accident and I had to drive him around.”

Pfft. Like things like that was satisfying enough to quench her thirst for information. She wants more and tonight, right in this party of the ‘Wizards’, she was determined to have the young Brit and get his side to this trouble. Right through this hallway backstage, in the ‘Wizards’ studio lot, emptiness filled the space as the main hall was filled up instead as Demi roamed this area in search for those brown haired Brit. She was wearing a black party dress with a small top-hat like clipped onto her hair. Red lipstick accompanied her elegance with also black pumps; she went on and went through the hallway just to find that serenity in those familiar pair of arms again.

Her phone rang. Quick slide of her index finger on its screen, a text from Selena popped up which said:

‘Seen him yet? Better cut the scavenger hunt short, baby, Todd needs you here for a little performance.’

Slide again, she texted back:

‘Stall for 10 minutes. Be there soon.’

She groaned. “Where the hell are you?” Not any of those captivating pair of eyes were noticed. Everyone was supposed to be there, whether on the main hall or backstage. This getting on Demi’s nerves a lot more now. Sure, being mysterious really adds up the ‘flavor’ of an unbelievably stunning guy but being ‘gone’ all the way through screamed out, good for nothing douchebag. She wants to see him or just hear his voice for once. Just this once. What’s so wrong about it? It’s just an innocent thing. To miss someone like that. Why?

Into the third round of the backstage corners, she went into the start of the route she took about 30 minutes ago and let her now lazy eyes roamed every inch of this concrete hallways. Still the same. Still so empty. Still so cold and deserted. Still so…

“Hey!”

So familiar. That voice.

Demi made a quick turn and there he stood. Flashing off that casted arm, wearing a rolled sleeve black and white plaid shirt with a pair of light blue jeans and sneakers; he was not dressed for the party. This more into casual walk in the park sort of ensemble. Suddenly, instead of feeling happy, she went, “I don’t want to talk to you.” And turned away, walking off instantly. She had her reasons. She had enough of him being MIA nowadays.

Quick steps heard behind her, they quicken and then slowed down straightaway and it grew louder. His hand seized her arm, pulled her back and made this Latina girl turned completely to face him. “I miss you.” He uttered, with those saddening eyes. “Sorry I didn’t call. I try to. I was restricted to do so.”

She pulled her arm away. “Is that all you gonna say? ‘I was restricted?’ That’s just silly. You only broke one arm NOT both.” She walks again.

“Yeah-“ he tried again, fastening his steps. “I know that but the doctor told me not to move so much—“

“How about now!?” she retorted. “You’re moving! You look perfectly fine to me.”

“You know I mean, yeah? Back then, after the session and such, I was--- in pain, d’you reckon me to be all daredevil after all that?”

“That is not an excuse!”

“Please, listen to me!”

“I had enough!” she stared at him, hard with tears forcing themselves down her now puffy cheeks. “All I want is to hear that you’re alright. Not from the doctor. Not from the fan. Not from David. I want to hear it coming from your mouth that you’re fine. I want to see you that is all. Why can’t you see that?”

He froze. “There’s a reason—“

“Then tell me… please… that’s all I want. Tell me why…”

“Just… when I tell you, please don’t be mad.”

“Too late.” She kept walking but one swift action, breathing in that same set of atmosphere like the one by her front porch, all was set back to that one time. But different. Amidst the tears, with that hard block supporting her back, lifting upwards, holding on steadily; those familiar tender sets of lips found their meeting point. He pulled back and whispered, “I lied. I used you… I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” Demi stared at him, puzzled by what he meant. “You gotta know one thing, Demi. Never in my life would I ever fall for a girl. Someone like you. Supposedly, you’re out of bounds since you’re my best friend’s best friend. If I hurt you, I end up hurting her. I don’t want to hurt you or her. Not at all… not ever… Demi… it’s just… I lo—“

His phone rang. He froze again. Swallowing the hard lump in his throat made him cringed. Made his eyes emitted the fears she never seen before. Slowly, his now shivering hand pulled the gadget off his pocket. He stared and deeply sighed. Before him, the Latina girl waited patiently, hoping for a sign of what may frightened him. “I have to go…” Then in a snap, he was gone, off to somewhere she doesn’t know.

What’s going on?

Author's Note: 

Sorry for not updating lately. Been busy with assignments and such, it was hard to keep up with this thing. But now worries, my fellow readers, I will try to finish this part of 'strings' (Higher Stakes) and get on to the second part...

NAVY BLUEE!!!