Tyler and the Valaholics: The Beginning

Chapter 16

Song of the chapter- 'She Wolf' by Shakira

'There's a she wolf in the closet,
Open up and set it free,
There's a she wolf in the closet,
Let it out so it can breathe.'

"Valerie, c'mon, wake up!" someone's persistent shaking of my shoulder pulls me out of the haze swarming my head but only a little.

"For heaven's sake, don't do that!" someone else yells and the shaking ceases.

"Everyone, move back and give her some space, for heaven's sake!" the second voice sternly informs everyone.

I slowly drift back to consciousness, an acute pain in my ankle and a dull ache in my chest dragging me further awake. I become aware of gusts of air blowing my way and someone running their hand in soothing motions on my head. I try to open my eyes or move my limbs but my body fiercely fights against any movement.

"I told you we should've taken her to a hospital right away!" a shrill voice sounds about the room, the voice further adding to my fight as I fight back my body until I'm able to flutter open my eyelids, even if only a bit.

"Oh, thank goodness!" someone sighs in relief, their joy that I responded prominent in their voice.

I slowly open my eyes completely, taking in all the worried faces surrounding me. I open my mouth to say something but a coughing fit interrupts me, someone rubbing my back calmingly till it subsides.

I slowly sit up properly, taking in deep breaths until the feeling of utter hopelessness that overwhelmed me earlier dissipates.

"How do you feel?" someone asks me.

"Okay, I'm good," I say and leap up to my feet, which turns out to be a terrible decision because black spots dance around in my vision and I feel a little dizzy.

"Whoa, whoa, cool down, Valerie!" Josh steadies me by latching on to my arm until I'm fine. After the spots fade away, I slip my feet into my boots. I'm not sure I know when and how they came off though.

"Erm, Valerie? Are you suiting up to perform?" Josh asks me. When I nod in response, he reminds me I was unconscious merely five minutes ago.

"So what? Really, Josh, I'm fine. Look!" I pick up my violin and play a couple of notes while hopping around. Josh stares at me, probably bewildered by my bizarre behaviour, as do nearly all the people in the room. A laugh rings around the room, making me turn to the source.

"Oh, I knew you'd be fine, thank goodness!" she runs to me and hugs me.

"Oh, I'm invincible, Stacie!" I say and pretend to show off my bulging biceps, earning more laughter.

"What do you say I sing now?" I turn to the judges.

"Sure! If you're ready?"

"Leggo!" I reenter the stage from the sidewings as the judges return to their spots and the many many people disperse. I take in a deep breath and introduce myself once everyone's in their places and tell the judges they haven't heard anything like this before, earning many chuckles from the audience.

I'm given my cue to begin and, this time around, I finish it off in one go, my hands seemingly flying at the rate at which they're playing. Good then, it's exactly how I wanted it to be...