Alesha Dixon

Peace In The Rain

Disclaimer: Real-life people are in this story, with their real personalities. (except for Anubis Turner, who's my OC, and Melvin Dixon and Callum Dixon(who's Alesha's father and brother respectively. While they don't have a good relationship in real life, I don't think it's as bad as I portray the relationship in this story) Melvin's and Callum's personalities is from my own imagination.) Other than that and the existence of BGT and BGMT, this story is pure fiction.

Amanda's POV

I watched Alesha closely. She watched and judged the acts as normal. To the outsider, she looked and acted as usual, but I knew better. 

While Alesha seemed as if she hadn't a worry at all, I could see the slight distracted look in her eyes. I noticed how silent she was between the acts too. As much as she said she hated her father, I knew she still cared for him.

Finally, all the acts were over, and we'd finally finished filming. We, judges, exited the venue, talking to each other about the acts.

"That kid Ryan was seriously hilarious!" Simon spoke, laughing.

"Typical Simon," I teased. "Simon who likes insults."

David laughed, getting into the limo that had just pulled up and Simon followed. "Oh c'mon, Amanda! Just 'cause the boy said you were the oldest judge doesn't mean you have to dislike him!"

"I don't dislike him! He was really funny in a way!" I said hotly, following the boys into the limo.

Realising someone was being unusually quiet, I turned to look at my best friend. "Alesha? You comin'?"

Alesha shook her head. "Nah, I need to clear my mind."

I furrowed my brows.

"You sure?" Simon asked, voicing my question. "It looks like it's gonna rain." He pointed up at the cloudy sky.

"Yea, I'll be fine," Alesha insisted.

David, Simon and I exchanged apprehensive glances. "Alright..." I answered at last. "See 'ya tomorrow, 'kay?"

Alesha gave me a forced smile. "Yea, see 'ya." She waved at us as the limo door swung shut. The engine started and we were driven away.

"Alesha's acting weird, don't you think?" I spoke at last.

"No shit Sherlock," Simon retorted, crossing his arms.

"Well, that's to be expected," David remarked. For once, he wasn't be silly. "She just found out that her father, who she hasn't been in contact with for years, is dying."

"I guess, but isn't there anything we can do to repair her relationship with her father?" I asked, sounding slightly agitated. 

"No," Simon answered firmly. "She can only be healed if she repairs her relationship with her father by herself."

I sighed. I knew he was right. 

"All we can do is be there for emotional support," Simon pointed out. "So we'll do that."

We will. I  will, at least.

~LINE BREAK~

Alesha's POV

As I watched the limo that my friends were in drive away, I dropped my mask. I felt relieved. I wasn't sure how much longer I'd be able to hold up my act. It hurt to bottle up the feelings. I breathed deeply, letting the breeze run through my hair. I thought about what Anubis had told me before he left.

Flashback

"Alesha, I think you should tell him..." Anubis spoke gently. "He's sick, Leash. Like, really, really sick, to the point that he needs a wheelchair to move around."

I froze. No, no, Dad was strong. He couldn't be that sick. I could sense Simon's, David's and Amanda's eyes on me, searching for some sign of worry. More tense silence hung in the air.

"Hey judges, We're on air in three minutes!" someone yelled, breaking the silence.

Anubis sighed and got up. "I guess I should get going," he announced, walking towards the exit. He turned to me. "Leash, please, just call your Dad." And with that, he left the room.

End Flashback

I still couldn't believe it. Dad's so sick, he needs a wheelchair to move around. Shit, shit, shit. I withdrew my phone from my coat pocket. I had to ask my brother, Callum. 

Hands trembling, I clicked the call button and pressed the phone to my ears.

"Alesha?" Callum's astonished voice rang from the other side.

"Callum," I greeted. 

"We haven't talked much before, so why're you calling?" I flinched at Callum's cold tone, but I guess he had a right to be bitter. After all, ever since I cut ties with Dad, I also cut ties with all of my siblings, except for Leyanne, my executive assistant and sister.

"I, I wanted to know if it's true..." I murmured. 

"Is what true?" Callum asked.

"Is Dad sick?"

There was a long pause. "So you got Anu's message?"

"Yea, so it's true?"

"Yes, Dad's sick. He has a disease, SLE to be exact."

A lump rose in my throat and tears welled up in my eyes. So it was true. Dad had SLE. "I'm so sorry..." 

"If you were sorry, you'd come and visit Dad, or at least give him a call yourself."

"Callum, I-" I began, but my brother had cut me off.

"Bye, Alesha."

"Wait, don't -" I tried.

Beep.

Callum had ended the call. I sighed and stuffed my phone back into my coat pocket, and that's when it started to drizzle. The drizzle turned into a downpour within seconds. I took a deep breath. I could feel my tears rolling down my cheeks. Sure, it could've been the rain, but I knew it wasn't. 

I brushed my tears away. For some reason, the pitter-patter of the rain seemed to calm me down. I stood in the rain for what seemed like years. By now, my clothes were completely soaked and my hair was plastered against my skin.

I had begun to clear my mind at last. I knew what I had to do know.