CHAPTER 20

AVERI

"COME ON, Ave. Just this once, please," Keyla begged.

"Are you going to do this?" I ask; my voice is unsure.

She nodded, a frown on her face. "Without a doubt."

"Keyla, I don't want to interfere in your relationship; I don't want to get involved in other people's problems right now; I have too many things to deal with," I explained as I returned to my car.

"Averi! Please!" she exclaimed. "I'm your best friend, remember? Please just do this once, please." She sounds desperate, and she's right; she's my best friend, and whatever happens to her is my concern.

"Alright, just this once, okay?" she smiled as she dragged me inside the building. She knows I can't say no when she mentions a best friend. I sigh. What a wonderful friend!

We're at SM North because she's stalking her boyfriend, Noah. She claims Noah is cheating on her, so we came here to see if it's true. But, as far as I know, Noah was madly in love with this crazy woman.

I've known Noah for years, and I can tell he's devoted to her. But Noah has this absence on their dates from time to time, and he keeps telling Keyla he's just busy with soccer practice, but Keyla doesn't believe him. Keyla is convinced Noah is misbehaving.

The mall was crowded as usual. There were more of them because there was a semi-concert show by the "Aphrodite Seven," a new girl group band.

Hmm... sounds familiar. I thought to myself, but I couldn't stop myself when I heard that name. They were only on the first floor of SM North, and everyone could hear or see them. But I can't see them because I'm nearsighted and so far away.

Keyla drew me closer to the crowd. Many teenagers, both boys and girls, are shouting and yelling. That's why I wouldn't say I liked concerts all the time. I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of loudness.

"Come on, let's hear this teen girl sing. You know they're pretty good and stunning, and their songs are also nice. I love this band!" she yelled in my ear. She had to do it because the place was too loud.

I raised one brow. What happened to the mission to track down Noah?

Before I could ask her, she screamed like a teenager when the band was singing. They're performing their cover of George Guetta's Titanium. When I noticed she enjoyed the show, I stood beside her and decided to listen to the band.

Keyla had this dream when we were in high school. She wants to join a band, but her parents won't let her because they believe joining stupid bands will get Keyla nowhere. So, being the obedient daughter that she is, she obeyed them. That's why I understand her love of teen girl-bands.

Speaking of the band, I thought they were pretty good. I'm not very good at music, and I'm a terrible singer, but Bonnie has taught me much about it. Bonnie was a fantastic singer who also happened to be a fantastic guitarist.

I shrugged it off before I could think of anything else.

"Let's go, Keyla; I thought we were here to look for Noah?" I said close to her ear. For a brief moment, the audience was deafeningly quiet as the vocalist spoke about the extraordinary privilege bestowed upon the raffle ticket winner, who received a free requested song performed live by the band.

"Just one more song, please? I admire these little cuties," she said, clutching my arm tightly. I was afraid I'd leave. She knew too much about me because I did it all the time to her. I sigh and stare blankly at her triumphant, smiling face. Then she returned her gaze to the stage.

"All right, Miss Winner, you'll get a free one-day date from all seven of us, as well as a song request for today," the crowd applauded. Some of them are envious of the winner. When I saw the winner's wide grin, I couldn't help but smile. She appears to have won the lottery and won a million dollars. "So, Miss, what is your song request?" the vocalist asks the winner, who is beaming with joy. Oh, she must adore the band.

"I love old songs, so if you know Destiny Child's Brown Eyes, please sing It, dedicated to my girlfriend over there," she said, motioning to the other side of the stage. There stood a lovely young woman with toffee-colored hair. When I heard what she wanted, my entire body froze. That song means a lot to me. It felt like a heartbreak song to me.

We can hear the audience saying 'oh,' 'wooh,' and 'awes.' Some boys are disappointed because the girl on stage is also attractive, but they know they can't have her because she likes girls. I smiled at their reactions and admired the girl on stage because she dared to declare her sexuality, unlike me.

"Oh yeah," the vocalist said, surprised but still smiling. "Come here, cutie girlfriend. Join your girl here," the crowd cheered louder when the toffee-colored hair girl confidently went upstage and kissed the other girl on the cheeks.

"Dykes! Go to hell!" yelled a young boy from the other side before high-fiving his friend who was on his side. I didn't realize I was clenching my jaw until he said it. Keyla noticed my reaction and patted me on the back with an Ignore-him look.

"Asshole! Jealous freak!" yelled a gay man near him. He was about to yell back when he noticed that the gay was taller and more muscular than him. The boy watches silently once more, and the other fans laugh at his cowardice. He blushed profusely in embarrassment. It's only fair!

"Alright, guys. Now okay, cool down," the vocalist said. "This would be our last song for the night. Please check our website www. aphroditeseven. com. ph to see the schedule of our tours, guests, and shows. Thank you and Adios!"

Before they could proceed, the winner patted the vocalist on the back.

"Yes?" said the vocalist. The girl winner whispered something to her, and the vocalist nodded. "Well, it appears they wanted the drummer to sing this song for them; just change the He to She Han." The couple grinned and exited the stage. "Hit it, Hana!"

The crowd became more agitated. "Hana! Hana! Hana!" they exclaimed.

Wait? Aphrodite Seven? Hana? It was too late when I realized who the band was. I didn't recognize her because one of her cymbals blocked her face. Then I moved a little to see who it was, but she started singing before I could see her.

Remember the first day when I saw your face

remember the first day when you smiled at me

you stepped to me, and then you said to

me

I was the woman you dreamed about

"Holy cow! She looks like Bonnie, Ave. And her voice, her voice sounded like Bonnie! Omigosh!" Keyla exclaimed in my ear. The audience joined in on her song.

I never saw the shows or heard Hana sing, but I know she has a lovely voice and band. But I had no idea they were as well-known as this. Yes, she sounded like Bonnie. It aggravates me even more. I wanted to cry.

"Yes, because that's her sister," I managed to say without choking. She had only met George, not Hana. That's exactly how it is.

"Holy Shit! Destiny's playing you, eh," she exclaimed, remaining silent when she realized I wasn't in the mood to talk about it.

The way we held each other's hand

the way we talked, the way we laughed

it felt so good to find true love

I knew right then, and there you were, the one

Her soothing voice filled the room. Hana's voice is similar to that of her older sister, but to be fair, the older Miller has an angelic voice. It was the last song I sang for her before my mother caught us having sexual relations in my apartment. If I stay in the concert hall any longer, I'm afraid tears will well up in my eyes.

So I sprinted away from the crowd, Keyla calling my name, but I didn't turn around to look back.