I Do Not Mind The Rain

Bonus scene

(TW // Mention of suicide)

Flashback to that night

I sat back on the couch trying to breath after the show. Zeni pushed the table fan towards me. I was overheated after singing and dancing for hours on stage. I had no idea how my body sustained as long as it did for the fans. The moment I was off the stage I couldn't breathe.

It was chaos backstage. Everyone was running around and I felt as if my vision was blurring around the corners. I blinked several times to shake it off but it didn't go. So I sat up somehow gathering my strength. Someone gave me a bottle of water.

"Thanks." I exhaled chugging the water too fast. I ended up choking on it.

"Drink it slowly." That was my mother's voice. She patted my back twice. I coughed a little relaxing back on the couch and closing my eyes. It's been a hard month and the last thing I needed was to see my mother. It was difficult at first but I managed to get rid of her completely in the past few months. Or at least I thought so.

"Aera?" Taiyan's voice made me open my eyes. His eyes are always so kind.

"Huh?"

"You should get changed. We have a flight to catch." There he goes nagging me again. But I don't mind his nagging.

"I just need to catch my breath." I said.

I almost forgot my mother was beside me until she chuckled. "You have become quite an actress, Ciera. But you can stop acting now. They took the cameras away."

I sat up and looked at her. "You think I'm acting?"

The room had emptied now. It was only the three of us and Zeni.

"Aren't you?" She said. I noticed her hair and makeup perfectly in place with her red outfit. I guess I was in bull mode cause that red really triggered me and somehow I ended up losing it. I had had these unhinged moments with her before but this was really something.

"In your entire life have you ever once danced and sang for hours on stage in front of thousands wearing heels and this uncomfortable glittery dress?"

"No but..."

"Then keep your fucking trap shut." I spitted it out in front of Taiyan and Zeni.

My mother's eyes widened. "Have you lost your mind?"

"I haven't, Mother. Now if you're done being a bitch for the day, do me a favor and get lost."

I guess all my physical exhaustion and mental frustration caught up with me that night. Not to mention the resentment I've been holding against her for years. My therapist told me that I needed to let go of it but it was easier said than done. Instead of confronting her I just cut her off saving us both from this moment. But it came anyway.

Whenever I said no to my mother she would slap me. This time it happened again. I was expecting it. The moment the words were out of my mouth she raised her hand. Only this time I had Taiyan. A guy who probably took his body-guarding job too seriously. He blocked my mother's hand before it hit my face. She looked up enraged and that expression just made me burst out in laughter.

***

I had no idea what was happening. This was the first time I have seen Aera's mom. The only thing I knew about her were the things I have picked up from her which summed up that Aera hated her mother. The reason was unknown.

Obviously I had no right to interfere in their relationship even though Aera considered me a friend. But when she raised a hand to hit Aera I blocked it on instinct. Aera had been strange for a little while now. I have noticed some stuff. She was strange in general but this time around it really scared me. She was laughing.