Follow My Beat

FOUR

DEREK

"Here," said Shaelyn giving Cady some sort of document. I ogled those documents with my best vision.

"You, did it?" Cady was staring at her wide eyed. What did she do?? I wanted to ask.

"Guess, I got motivated by your invitation." That made Cady laugh. Oh, the witch barely showoff her too white teeth. Then she took that document in her hand. What invitation??

"I should get going." Shaelyn said grabbing her green slouchy bag. No!! Don't just go yet.

"No. Wait. I still have things to discuss." Good.

Then she pointed to me and gestured with her hand saying, "You! Shoo-away!" What?? No!! I want to know!!

"Why?" I asked casually, trying to sound uninterested.

"As much as I'm happy to waste my time over pursuing you, I've some important matters at hands to discuss with her." She stated glaring at me. I want to stay you ashy-brunette-witch!

"We're?" Shaelyn raised her too beautiful, sharp eyebrows and looked as surprised as I was.

What is this woman up to? As far as I know, there are no common classes either one of us have with Shaelyn. Let alone, Cady will have anything to talk of with her. Is she gonna tell her... No. No. I stopped myself from thinking any further. If only, God gave me powers to read women's mind or at least their eyes, I would know what exactly they were talking staring at each other. No. Even God won't know with such supernatural ability.

I sighed in defeat as I rose from my seat.

"Okay Miss. CEO." I grabbed my already hung bag over my shoulder, saluted Cady and took my chance to glance at her. I half-heartedly meandered my lazy feet to the exit.

**

My nose was suffused with faint redolence of mushy yet sweet-sweet muffins. I took a bite and voilà! I wish there was a better word to describe the rich sweetness that filled my mouth and yet made it water for another bite. Maybe if I had a talent, I would try baking just to recreate something like this.

"You look upset."

"I'm not."

"Yes. You're. You cushion your mouth with that diabetic thing every time you're upset."

"This diabetic thing is yummy, you know. Try one."

"No thanks. I prefer well cooked food and on assigned schedules. Unlike someone who literally forced the canteen guy to take out those mushy muffins even before they're properly cooked."

"Talks a guy with eating-schedules." We both laughed on that.

"So, may I now know the reason behind the occasion of you consuming these delicacies?"

"Ask your girlfriend." I snapped. Mouth still stuffed with that flavorful sweetness.

"What did she do to hurt her little monkey pouting?"

"She took away my golden chance!"

"I took away your what?" Cady interrupted crisply.

"My golden chance." I threw away my own crisp answer to her.

"If you want to have a "golden chance", then make one yourself. Mark, teach him something!"

"Is anybody up for decoding whatever language you two are speaking? Teach him what? What did I miss on? He's been eating all that just for half an hour now. You look grumpy. What's going on?"

"THAT'S NOT JUNK. YOU ARE!" I and Cady shouted at Mark all at once.

"Oh! At least you're both in unison now."

"I asked Shaelyn to meet me in the audition room and she came while I was talking to this idiot. I wanted him to participate in this talent parade and I still want him to try. He used to play guitar so well when we were in our elementary school. I don't understand why he doesn't give a shit about it now."

"So-?" Mark insisted for cady to go on. I was listening patiently too. I didn't want to fight. Not with Cady. She'd win. I knew.

"So, I wanted was trying to convince him participate and-"

"No, babe. I mean, where does Shaelyn fit in this whole scenario?" Mark interrupted instantly making a regretful face.

"Do not... Interrupt me while I'm talking. I could be talking with Shaelyn about girlie stuffs, like Victoria's Secret. What does it have to do with you?" We both men shifted in our seats and gave each other a side glace understanding that our little friend is in bad mood. Way more than I was and sealed our mouths like it never existed.

"You cannot know the story skipping pages. Alright?" She continued. "So, shut your impatient mouths and let me explain or just get out of here. I'm already pissed here. I got rejected. Can you believe it? I got rejected??" We nodded to the former and shook our heads to the latter one.

"So, where was I? Yes, so I was talking to Derek when Shaelyn walked in with the form, I gave her this morning."

"Shaelyn is participating!" My mouth exclaimed even before me realizing it.

"You-" I threw my both hands in the air and made a gesture swearing I won't speak this time. For real.

She sighed and continued, "She gave me the form and we scheduled her audition for upcoming Wednesday. The real deal was that I knew about this talent parade for a while now and have been preparing for like two months now. You know the themes, the rooms, the whole audition process which includes stage setting, diving teams into departments, background music and audition recordings. These things are supposed to be done before they announce the event. Everything was set. Terry was supposed to be the recording guy. But now, he's not. He suddenly dropped out!

"He dropped out and I lost that one good videographer who knew exactly what to capture. You know these auditions... these are not just mere recordings but a memory. A record of all those talents. Some of which, who will get to perform, who will not. Some would follow their passion while some would get discouraged for not being selected thinking they are not good enough when they're! Some would perform and might will give up their passion for the dreams they once lived. These recordings... these will be a proof that they tried. They tried to do something they once loved. But now, I don't have that someone to record all these moments for them.

"I asked Shaelyn if she could do it. I've seen photographs clicked by her in Prof. Louise's chamber. She has a perspective like Terry. So, yeah... I asked her to do it for me and she said that she doesn't do videos and stuffs well. All in all, I feel devastated. That's the story." She finished releasing a long sigh.

"It's okay, Cad. You'll find somebody. Don't worry." Mark said cupping her tiny hands into his.

"Yes. You will. We will. Is there anything Cady Rodriguez lays her eyes on and doesn't get?" I punched her shoulder lightly, cheering her.

"Absolutely nothing. You even got the best boyfriend walking down the earth right on your finger tips, see!" Mark's self-appreciation earned him a tiny feast in the stomach. But at least, it made Cady grin. We all laughed. I wish our days always end like this... together.

As for Shaelyn, I now had a new plan cooking in my head. The auditions on Wednesday... my golden chance.

**