Tyler and the Valaholics: The Beginning

Chapter 32

Song of the chapter - 'Imagine' by Pentatonix (opb John Lennon)

'No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people,
Sharing all the world.'

"Why in the universe were you wearing a full-sleeved top under a full-sleeved jacket? Even the top is more than enough for me to be burning up in this weather and look at you!" Stacie rebukes me while rifling through my wardrobe in search of another top for me.

"Stace, it's fine, I just felt like wearing a full-sleeved outfit today. It's not that big of a deal and I reckon it isn't all that hot outside so I can manage," I blurt out a pathetic excuse of an explanation that she doesn't really fall for, just as I expected earlier.

Tossing a spaghetti top and a gauzy translucent loose shirt at me, she all but pushes me to the bathroom to change when I dawdle around in an attempt to get her to listen. Stacie certainly has a good sense of fashion but there is absolutely no way I can hide the wound from sight now. Sighing, I quickly change and attempt to readjust my plait so it can hang in front of my arm to provide at least some concealment. I can't even begin to think of anybody else's reaction, especially Thia and Stace but I don't seem to have much of a choice for it's still pretty visible.

I walk out while edging my left side slightly forward so my right arm isn't easily visible while lifting my left eyebrow at Stacie as if questioning whether she's satisfied. She gives me a small smile and asks me to stand completely in profile so that she can see what she calls her masterpiece. I quickly look around to see if there's something I can use to distract her so she doesn't realize while I edge sideways slightly but all my efforts turn out to be futile as she gasps and immediately pulls close to my arm to observe it. Her eyes widen to the size of saucers as she looks up at me.

Her voice sounds carefully emotionless like she wiped it out for the moment so she can get me to open up as she tells me, "Val, what happened yesterday night or should I say earlier? I was so worried when you didn't show up even after so long!"

I eye the floor and bite my lip, trying to coerce my brain into wording it properly so as to not anger her but my brain is useless in that aspect at the moment. Stacie sighs, bringing me to look up at her as she tells me I look fine the way I am right now and to ignore anyone who persists on knowing what happened as she nudges me towards the door. Somewhat happy that she didn't push to know what happened, I gather my bag and stuff my jacket into my bag because there is a pretty high chance of it getting colder in the evening before walking out, Stacie following me as we both pull on our shoes and head out.

"Alright, let's go!" Nat claps enthusiastically and pulls along Ros, who tugs along a laughing Cynthia, while Lau and I snicker at them as we follow the girls and Stace who are right behind Ros and Nat.

We're about halfway there when Lau seems to notice and drops the volume of her voice as she whispers to me, "Val, I understand if you don't want to talk about it and, even though I feel like I have to know so that I can scratch out the eyes of whoever the heck did this to you, I can wait until you're ready to tell me, if you will be at some point of time."

I nod my head at her and turn to the sky. The sun is shining bright, making me quite glad that Stacie talked me out of wearing that outfit that would have half-stifled me to death long ago. Minutes later, we're greeted by Drew, one of the hosts, who, as usual, waves enthusiastically and asks the girls to take their seats as we're minutes from starting. I bid the girls adieu and reach backstage where I almost crash into the annoying hag from yesterday, Generic McGeneric.

"Valerie, hi! I hope you know how to take losses because that's exactly what you're going to get today!" she squeals loudly.

"Hah, you wish," I respond unenthusiastically, the lack of sleep beginning to get to me as I feel quite exhausted.

"No 'lover boy' to defend you now, huh?" a devilish glint emerges in her eyes as she beams at me contentedly.

"I don't need him to defend me, I can do fine by myself," I reply as I yawn, desperately trying to resist the urge to rub my eyes.

"Yeah, she doesn't need me but I bet she'll be happy to have me, right, Erie?" Josh's voice booms from behind me, managing to startle me for a couple of seconds.

"Obviously!" I smile widely at him and give him a high-five.

She rolls her eyes and is about to retort when one of the stage hands informs her she's to perform in less than a minute.

"Kids, this is how you perform. Just you wait and watch!" she glares menacingly at me while she is being handed her microphone.

"Kids? How old are you?" Josh asks her, bemused.

"I'm only thirty three years young!" she snaps mere seconds before her cue to enter the stage is given.

Josh's hand settles lightly on my left shoulder as he carefully steers his hand around me so as to not be near the wound, "How are you doing, Erie?"

"Fine. A little tired but, apart from that, fine. What about you?" I smile back at him.

"Same, I guess. You didn't have any time to practice, are you going to be okay out there? I know I will be, but what about you?" a frown seemingly of concern crosses his face.

"Eh, I'll manage somehow," I reply, turning my attention to the stage.

I remember that her name is Jessica when Drew announces it. She attempts to run from one side of the stage to the other while trying to hit a note that seems well outside her register, the result being a very flat note and a very flat her as she trips and falls on her back.

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My humour is legendary isn't it? Just kidding! 😂 😂

There's the next chapter and I'm so sorry for the delay! College manages to distract me so dang much! I'll be trying my very best to focus on getting out chapters as soon as I can so bear with me.

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