Layelle

Sina bloomed right at this moment. Her smile glistened underneath the limelight, her lashes shining golden from it. Her voice sent chills down my spine, and it's light feathery touch created ripples of emotion as it landed inside me. Every note she strummed from her guitar gave me goosebumps but somehow it lulled the heavy thing in my chest, leveling it and giving me the briefest moment to breath.

She's a light tower. She's a living proof that peole could change. Who would've thought that that one quiet girl in the corner of the room had finally taken her place on the stage.

I smiled.

I want to watch more of her.

Something heavy tugged at my heart and tears fell out of nowhere.

"You only have 1 year at most."

My hand went up to my mouth as I felt a sob rise up my throat.

I don't wanna leave yet. I want to stay with this group.

The playful banter.

The harmless fighting.

The pointless group strolls.

I treasured it all.

I even became a part of a gc for the very first time.

I saw a glimpse of my clubmates through the drapes of my hair. They're all smiling, still captivated by Sina's performance.

I want to smile with these people longer.

---

We're outside the restobar now. We waited for Sina at the backdoor and when she finally came out I was the first one to grab her by the hand.

"Sina." I rocked a little bit with Lindelle's siblings still circling me with their hugs. "Your voice is very beautiful. Please keep singing." I smiled at her.

"Thank you!" She smiled back.

"Hey, hey!"

"Huh?" I turned towards Lindelle who called from behind me.

"Who wears sunglasses on a cold night?" he asked.

Oh yeah. And now that I think about it, everyone has been giving me strange looks this whole time. I just really had to wear this because my eyes ended up red and puffy after my silent crying earlier. Standing out like a sore thumb was the last thing I want to do but by some funny coincidence, I still managed to do just that-- in a differrent circumstances that is.

Uhmm. What to say. My brows creased.

What do normal teenagers say to get out of this predicament?

Oh I know.

I made a rock and roll symbol with my hand and laughed. "YOLO."

"That's not how it goes!" everyone yelled at me in unison and started laughing and I joined in too.

Our laughs filled the lonely backdoor we're at. I couldn't tell but one of us girls is laughing like she just got away with murder and judging from Viane's villanous face-- it was probably her. Adam and Lindelle looked like pals, ocassionally slapping each others backs. The last exchange of slaps were a bit more slapping, it's getting aggressive by the second that it's starting to look 'unpal-like'. And as for Sina, she's leaning on me, laughing gently and her scarf lowered.

I stared at them and took a moment to take it all in.

I'll treasure these too.

After the laughter died down, the others took their turns. Each and every one of them gave Sina a praise and motivated her. Even Adam managed to put together a good praise but then it was Lindelle's turn and the first line he dropped hit us like an anvil.

"Lose that scarf," he said straight.

"What?" Sina was taken aback.

"Hey! You got a problem with her scarf?! You threathinin' her or somethin'?!" Viane yelled at him, even though she's the very first one who insulted Sina and her scarf before.

You're being a hypocrite, Viane.

"No. I'm just saying that if that scarf gets in the way of her singing and interacting with people than she should lose it. She's got a great voice and a kind personality. It'll be a waste just to let it sit behind that measly peace of fabric."

My eyes sparkled to what he just said.

Among all of them, Lindelle's kind words that's disguised as blunt honesty had striked me the most.

------

After goodbyes had been passed back and forth and farewell waves had been lowered, I made my way towards the nearest secluded alley I could find.

There's a spring in my step and I hummed, my purse swung against my moving arms.

Evrything was going great and I was on my way, excited to share everything that had happened to Mr. Wae until the world tilted on me.

"What?" I held my ground but my legs threathened to buckle.

My hand found it's way onto my head when everything started spinning. Something cold spread inside me, making me feel weightless, like a simple blow could take me away.

Whats happening?

There's a ringing from the distance but it became closer and closer until it was in my ears. Oh. It was in my ears all along.

I could see the alley. Just a few steps and I'm there.

"The symptoms will get worse eventually."

"Just stop these pointless youth dreams of yours and stay here."

Beeping of the heart monitor, metal clipboards, white robes that seemed to blend in with the white walls-- all of it showed itself inside my fuzzed up head.

No.

"Stay in the--"

"No hospitals!"

I took a step towards the alley but instead of straight-- my legs criscrossed, swaying me.

I extended my arms towards the alley's opening, grays and blacks dotted my vision and I can't see my hands. I can't tell what darkness I'm staring at anymore. Was it the entrance? Or was it just my impaired sight?

Mr. Wae...

Something collapsed from underneath me and falling was the last thing I felt.

-------

Viane

"Mr. Wae!"

My own voice came back to me.

"Mr. Wae, where are you?!"

I turned in every direction.

Darkness.

Darkness.

Darkness.

"MR. WAE!"

Still no sign of him...

My hands fell limp to my sides and I panted.

Mr. Wae... is not here anymore.