Happiness [Book 2]

Chapter 17 - His Love Makes Me Beautiful

That afternoon, Jake sat the Glee club down to help him decide his audition song. He refused to let me provide any insight, because he thought I would suggest something "girly" like Taylor Swift. 

"You should sing Billy Joel," Travis suggested. 

"And I'll just butcher him," Jake replied, pacing backwards and forwards across the room. 

"You have time, Jake," Angie said. "Don't stress too much."

Jake smiled at her. She smiled back. 

Their little moment was interrupted by Mercedes, Brittany, and Tina entering the room. "In honour of Funny Girl," Mercedes announced, "we will be performing the silliest number from the show. Please sit back," she signalled Jake to his seat, "relax, and enjoy." 

The three girls stood in a triangle, with Tina and Brittany facing the front and Mercedes facing the back. 

Tina:
The winter bride is typified by Christmas, frost and fairies
And though the weather is changeable her virtue never varies

Brittany:
The springtime bride is starry eyed, and poets often say
No other bride would dare to dream the dreams that April, May

Tina:
The summer bride is glorified by Merlin's magic touch
A lucky man receives the love of June, July and such

Brittany:
The autumn bride is prude and wise at sweet sixteen or twenty
And as a wife in future life she'll hold the horn of plenty

Both:
And now a singing bride who vocally encompasses
The happiness and harmony that marriage truly promises

Brittany and Tina split apart, to reveal Mercedes. She spun around three times before stepping forward and singing in a strange accent.

Mercedes:
I am the beautiful reflection
Of my love's affection
A walking illustration
Of his adoration
His love makes you beautiful
So beautiful
So beautiful

I ask my looking glass
What is it?
Makes me so exquisite?
The answer to your query
Comes back, dearie
His love makes you beautiful
So beautiful
So beautiful

You are so beautiful
I am so beautiful
You are so beautiful

All:
The most beautiful bride in the world

The room broke out into a thunderous applause. 

"What are we clapping for?" Finn shouted, walking into the choir room with Artie and Mike in tow. 

"Just a performance the girls here did." Travis smiled.

"You did it without us?!" Mike exclaimed. 

The three girls just giggled. 

"Anyway," Finn clapped, "how's everyone's auditions looking?"

And with that, Jake groaned. 

And we ended up exactly where we started. 

***

After Glee club that afternoon, my mom took me to the mall! We don't go very often, but we've had more time and more money lately! 

"Marley, here is $20." Mom handed me a crumbled $20 note. "I will call you when I'm done with my shopping, okay? Don't blow it on something silly, alright?" She warned, giving me a hug and kiss on the cheek. 

I bounded up the stairs and up to the clothing shops. As I turned off the stairs and headed to the very first shop, I spotted my friend Angie. I went to run up to her, until I noticed that was with someone... and that someone was a much older man. I assumed he was her dad. The man brought his hand up and brushed one of her curls behind her ear. Something about it all felt off, so I decided not to approach. I watched. The man handed Angie a black sweater, with the tags still on. I couldn't tell what they were saying, but Angie just kept on nodding and nodding... almost as if she almost had to agree with everything he said. Angie smiled at him. He grabbed her hand, kissed it, and walked away. The smile immediately disappeared from her face. Angie hung her head back and stared at the ceiling, blinking repeatedly to rid of tears. 

I started to make my way over to her. I watched, however, as Angie angrily wiped at her face and started sprinting down the path of shops, up the stairs, and out the door to the mall. 

I picked up my phone and rang her. It went straight to voicemail. 

Almost a moment later, I felt the vibration in my hands. I thought it was Angie, so I hurriedly picked it up, only to be greeted by my mom's voice. "Hey, Marley. I'm done," she said. 

"Oh, that was quick." I said. "I didn't even get a chance to shop."

"Oh, I'm sorry, darling," she said. "I found everything I needed in the chemist. We can come back another day, okay? And you can keep the $20."

I walked back down the steps and ran into mom. I took a bag off of her shoulder. 

On my way out, I caught a glimpse of a figure to my left, but when I flicked my head over, no one was there.

***

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was so wrong in the interaction between Angie and that man. I wondered whether I should say something to Finn, or Mr. Schue, or... CYPS... or the police. At the same time, though, I thought I might just create more harm. It could have been her dad, a relative, or a family friend. If it was so harmless though, why would she be so upset? 

As I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my phone vibrated on my chest. I picked it up. My phone call to Angie hadn't been acknowledged, but I had a message from Ryder. 

Ryder <3: How was your day? xx

I quickly replied. 

Me: Yeah, it was alright. How was your day?

Ryder <3: It was good! Chat tomoz?

Me: Yep :) 

Ryder <3: Cool, love you. 

Me: Love you too.

I wanted to spill my guts, to tell him everything I was worried about... but I just couldn't. 

I rolled over and felt a tear slip out of my eye. I wasn't sure if I could handle all this stress for much longer. 

----------------------

Song: His Love Makes Me Beautiful from Funny Girl