Chapter 59 Public humiliation
Uriel's POV
I should've known how the rest of the day would go after my alarm didn't ring.
But I gave myself the benefit of doubt as I ran to the bus station, hurriedly, so as not to miss my time.
"You're not up next until like after 5 more persons." Dora told me, looking into a small board she was holding.
Sighing, I placed my hand on my chest. "Thank God!"
Backstage was crowded with a whole lot of persons, trying to warm up. Not to even talk about the audience... Goddd, they were so much.
I didn't expect parents to turn up for something like this.
"Breathe in! And out!" Kathie told me as she helped me with my make-up.
"I'll go get your dress! I can't wait." Chloe cooed, clapping her hands giddily.
Had it been they didn't call me by that 8 AM, I wondered what would've became of me.
"There are a lot of people, Kathie." My voice was low and shaky.
"Don't stare at their faces, Uri. Come on, you're the bravest in our crew." She shook me by my shoulder, smiling brightly.
"Uuhh...guys?" Chloe's voice was shaky and had a little bit of unsure tone.
Kathie and I snapped our head to Chloe. "Where's the cloth?"
She swallowed visibly, shaking her head, "I couldn't find any that had your name."
I blinked once and then twice, then stood up, rushing to the rack.
"That's not possible. I was asked to test it days ago and -"
"That's a long time ago, you know?" Kathie winced, pinching her nails. "Okay, calm down."
My chest heaved up and down, my heart thumping fast.
Oh God.
"You know what? It's not a big deal. Maybe there was a mix up. Maybe someone must've thought it's theirs." Chloe brought out her phone from her bag, dialing a number.
"Or maybe it's intentional?"
"Kathie!" She warned, pointing at Kathie. Kathie raised her hands up in defense, pulling me with her.
But she had a point
The question however would be...who was trying to sabotage this for me?
"Do you really think someone is doing this?" I looked up at Kathie
"No!" She lied, her eyes telling the opposite of what she said. "These things happen. Come on, Chloe got it under control, you know right?"
"Code red! Team 3 is facing some issue. After the next two persons, you're next, Uriel." Dora pointed at me from a corner.
"Dora, I can't find my dress." I complained, frowning.
"Then wear anything!" She threw her hands up. "I don't even get paid for this."
"Okay, no. She didn't just talk to you that way. What the fuck does she mean? Do we get paid for any of this shit?" Kathie dropped all her brush, narrowing her glares at Dora.
"Just leave her. She's clearly under tension. Please." Wrapping my arms around Kathie, I begged.
Funny how my friends were taking the anger and frustration right from me.
It was really good having them here.
"Just make it a very light touch. I would be sweating anyway." I told Kathie. "Ignore her." Holding her face, I turned it back to face mine.
She took a deep breath in and out, then forced a smile. "Like this?"
"You're doing good, Kay."
"Stop that!" Her cheeks turned red instantly.
"Why, cos only Mason calls you that?" Wiggling my eyebrow at her, I asked.
"I need some duct tape here!" She yelled, making me laugh.
"So the clothes are almost here. Besides, where's your partner?" Chloe asked, raising her eyebrow.
Holy shit.
I had forgotten about him.
"Please, my phone."
Chloe reached for my phone, just following my guidance as she unlocked it.
"Cain? Why the fuck is his name Cain?" Chloe questioned.
"Like bro!" Kathie exclaimed. "His mother must really dislike him. That's sus."
"Same thing I thought too." Chuckling I said.
"Have you figured out who sent the anonymous message?" Chloe asked while she dialed Cain's number.
"I think it's just someone trying to discourage me." Shrugging, I chapped my lips, making a smack sound.
Kathie turned around to pack my hair up in a ponytail.
"He's not answering." Chloe brought the phone to my face.
"What do you mean he's not answering?" My blood ran cold, my heart squeaking like a worn out chair.
"Just keep trying, okay? I'll go pick up your dress." Chloe squeezed my shoulder, before walking away.
"Easy. He'll pick." Kathie said soothingly.
"What if -"
"Answer! He just picked."
With shaky hands, I placed it on my ear, "hello? Cain? Where are you? We're up in like 10 minutes."
I could barely hear his voice as loud horn blared through the speaker.
"Hello?"
The line went dead afterwards.
"What did he say?" Kathie looked at me, urgency in her tone.
"I... I don't know. It was noisy a-and I couldn't hear him. Should I call back?"
"Girl, call that mother fucker back!" Kathie snatched the phone from my hand, but then her finger stopped halfway. "He texted."
"What did he say?"
"Be there in 5. Start the solo dance if I'm not there yet." She read, turning the screen to my face.
Can you imagine?
What if I hadn't studied that solo dance?
"He better not be fucking with you, Uriel." Kathie stood up, clearly pissed.
"He'll come, Kat. He will." My lips lifted up into a shaky smile.
"Let's get you changed." Chloe smiled up at me, looking between Kathie and I. "Is anything the matter?"
"Let's go." I pulled Chloe with me, hurriedly putting on the leggings and top.
Honestly, I couldn't thank Chloe enough. I swear, she was tired of me by now.
"You're up now! Go, go, go. No excuses." Dora yelled, pointing at me.
"Chill the fuck out." Kathie snapped at her, frowning.
"Hugs?" Opening my arms, I asked.
Chloe pulled Kathie and they both engulfed me in a big hug. My chest heaved slowly.
"Okay. I got this."
"I trust you, Kinky." Ryder's voice rang in my head.
Smiling a little too widely, I ran up to the side of the stage, waiting for them to call me out.
"Thank goodness! I thought I missed you." Emma panted, holding a flower. "Here. For you."
She pushed a sunflower bouquet to my face, making me flinch back.
"Emma!" I frowned, rubbing my arms harshly.
"Come on, it's for -"
"You know she's allergic to sunflower!" Kathie pulled it away from Emma, throwing it on the ground with a loud thud. "What game are you fucking playing?"
"She's my sister." Emma sneered.
"Doesn't look so to me because if she was, you'd know what she likes and dislikes." Kathie shot at her.
"Cain and Urielllll!!!"
"Go, go, go. You got this sweetie!" Chloe cheered.
Shutting my eyes, I took a long breath before opening them and running to the stage. Once my eyes connected with the crowd, my first option was to freeze.
But then I heard them.
"Go, Uri!"
My friends.
My family.
Then the song for the solo dance started and I fell to my knees, doing those slow, sensual moves. Adrenaline pumped through my vein when the crowd cheered.
I got this.
My body moved rhythmically to the song, until it stopped, ushering in the next duet song -
Cain and I's song.
The stage went dark, spotlight on me as I waited for the next spotlight to highlight on Cain.
My heart beat picked up it's pace, slamming hard on my ribcage as I stared at the red curtain, waiting for Cain to open it.
"Looks like her partner stood her up." Someone commented through the microphone, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"No, it's probably part of the play. We're waiting, Uriel." Another panel commented, laughing mockingly.
When I turned, it was my sister. Her eyes held a very dark look and her lips, a devious smirk.
"You should've listened."
"You shouldn't have danced."
The voices in my head grew louder and louder, my eyes hot and on the brink of letting down my tears.
"If he's not here, you'll go down in 5..."
My lips quivered.
"4..."
People had begun to record me. Laughters erupted through the audience - loud and haunting.
God.
Why me?
Why me, Cain?
"3, 2..."
This was it.
Emma stood up, pouting in a way that screamed - fake, "and 1. Bye, bye, Sis."
A lone tear fell down my eyes,as I slowly understood everything that was going on.
Again, she was way ahead of me.
Defeated, I turned to leave, with my head bowed low - only to see it.
W...what was this?