Chapter Four

     

           I closed the door and let out a squeal.

He actually likes me!

I danced up the steps and closed the door to our house, mom and dad were watching TV in the living room.

“Your back early,” he glanced up.

I sat on the armrest, “Yea.”

“Did you have fun with your friends?” mom smiled.

I nodded, “I did, he introduced me to his friend Onyx, she books him gigs and stuff.”

“That name sounds familiar…” dad muttered.

I tilted my head, “Do you know her?”

“No. It’s nothing,” he smiled faintly.

Strange…

“Anyway, did you confess?” she asked suddenly moving closer.

Dad’s eyebrows shot up, “To Apollo?”

“Obviously,” she purred.

I shook my hair, “I didn’t have too.”

“He confessed to you then?” her eyes sparkled, “How romantic.”

I laughed, “It wasn’t a confession mom our feelings are mutual.”

“Meaning?” dad wondered.

I stammered, “M-meaning that we realized that we like each other.”

“Does he want to date you?”

I headed toward the steps, “He said he needed more time.”

“That must mean he recently broken up with someone,” mom finished her wine.

Yea, Onyx…

“Well don’t let that distract you,” dad frowned, “Your first show is next Tuesday.”

I nodded, “I’m headed to bed.”

“Night dear,” mom waved.

Dad kissed my cheek and whispered, “I’m glad you’re making friends.”

“Thanks, daddy,” I smiled and headed to my room.

I closed the door and grabbed my bath stuff, I went into the bathroom and got undressed. I filled up the tub and climbed in, I stared out the window and thought about what Onyx said…

Monochromatic Musicista.

A musical soul with no form.

I couldn’t get that out of my head…

I knew that I couldn’t ask my parents about it, muses above know that they’ll flip if they found out.

I had to figure this out by myself.

Once I finished soaking and washing up, I changed into my nightgown and climbed in bed. For a moment I just laid there looking out the open window, I sighed and curled up under my covers.

“I’ll do research tomorrow or something,” I mumbled.

***

       I didn’t even have a chance to go to the library today because my mom wanted to go shopping for a performance dress, even though I had a ton of dresses I’ve never worn before. Instead of going to the main mall, she drove us to the expensive mall over where Apollo and Onyx live.

“Mom, why are we here?” I got out of the car.

She smiled, “You can’t get a dress just anywhere darling, you have to get the best of the best.”

“But I have a lot of cute dresses at home,” I protested.

She dragged me behind her, “Absolutely not, those old dresses won’t do.”

“Mom…” I whined, “Why do we have to do this now?”

Noticing my reluctance, she sighed, “We don’t have to stay for long and we can stop for lunch.”

“Fine,”

This was the only time my mom and I went out together… even when I was little, she never did motherly things with me. It was supposed to be going to the park and inviting friends over when it was my birthday, instead, I grew up with dress rehearsals and performances every holiday and weekend.

It annoyed me when she tried to act like a real mother.

We went into the most expensive dress store in the whole mall and I watched as she asked the sales clerk where the show dresses were, once she was pointed in the right direction I dragged myself over to her.

“I was thinking a pretty light green satin dress with a white belt,” she pulled one out.

I just nodded, “Sure mom.”

“I know this isn’t your thing but please try to look a little excited,” she handed me two light green floral dressed.

I remained stiff, “Ok.”

“Once we’re done I promise you can have the rest of the day to yourself,” she smiled.

I went to the dressing room, I closed the door and leaned against it sighing.

I took out my phone and texted Apollo:

What are you doing?

He replied quickly:

Rehearsing. What about you?

I might as well tell him the truth, I huffed and typed:

At the mall with my mom :( I hate it.

Since he didn’t text back right away, I undressed and tried on the dresses my mom picked out. The shorter dress was more my style, but I knew she’d have a fit and give me a lecture on how a proper performer should dress.

“Celesta, do they fit?” she tapped on the door.

I grabbed the long one and came out, “Just this one.”

“Good,” she clapped, “See, that didn’t take long, did it?”

I rolled my eyes, “I guess not.”

While she was checking out, I waited at the front entrance and took out my phone when it buzzed and read his reply:

Shall I come to rescue you? ;)

My cheeks heated up and I hesitantly replied:

Yes, please.

He texted that he’ll be here in ten minutes.

“Ready to eat?” mom came up to me.

I smiled a little, “Actually… Apollo is coming to get me.”

“Alright,” she wasn’t at all upset, “He can join us.”

I grinned, “If he wants.”

We found an empty table in the food court and sat down, I didn’t feel like eating so I just sat there on my phone while mom ordered something from the Thai restaurant across from us.

“You're not hungry?” she began eating.

I shook my head, “I might get something later.”

“Please don’t starve yourself,” she frowned, “You always starve yourself days before a show.”

I nodded.

“Celesta,” Apollo called.

I smiled brightly and waved him over, “Hey.”

“Hey,” he came over dressed in casual wear.

“So… you’re Apollo,” mom purred, “You seem like a good match for her.”

I glared at her, “Mom!”

“What? It’s true,” she sipped her drink.

Apollo stood next to my chair clearly flustered, “Well… thank you, ma’am.”

She smiled, “So polite.”

“We should go,” I got up abruptly, “Can you tell daddy I won’t be home for dinner.”

She waved, “Alright.”

I let him drag me out and to the parking lot, I breathed out and leaned against the jeep.

“You ok?” he tilted his head.

I tightened my scarf, “I will be when I can be somewhere where I can relax.”

“Consider yourself rescued then,” he bowed.

I blushed, “Thank you for that.”

“Of course,” he held my door open.

I giggled and got in, “What a gentleman.”

“Always,” he winked and got in the driver's seat.

As he drove off, I rolled down my window and breathed out. The sun was still high in the sky and rich people were out and about doing whatever they wanted, I glanced over at Apollo and giggled a little.

“What?” he stopped at the light.

I shook my head, “Nothing…”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

 “Then allow me to apologize,”

I frowned and glanced at him, “For what?”

“For asking you to give me more time,” he looked down, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you to put your feelings on hold for me.”

I bit my lip, “It’s ok. It’s really my fault, I didn’t know you had just broken up with Onyx…”

“I want to make it up to you,” he took my hand.

I raised my brow, “How?”

“Let me take you somewhere special next weekend,” he drove again.

I shook my head, “You don’t have to do that?”

“Then… how about I give you two requests,” he pulled into the garage.

I got out, “Can it be anything?”

“Yes,”

I flipped my hair, “Alright. Then the first request is to attend my show on Tuesday.”

“Easy enough,” he took out his key, “What’s the second request?”

I walked past him, “I’ll tell you later.”

“Interesting,” he unlocked the door and stepped to the side, “Ladies first.”

I went in and spent the rest of the afternoon listening to him play.