Waves of Destiny (Twisted Wonderland)

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

"Myah... We're only on day one, and I'm already pooped," Grim groaned when we finally got back to our room.

"Now imagine how bad it is for the performers," I said.

"It's all for my tuna bonanza. I gotta make sure they win this thing." Suddenly, I heard singing coming from the window. "Hm? Who's that makin' noise in the yard?"

"I know that voice..." We followed the noise outside, where we found Kalim singing alone.

"Hmmm... I keep missing that note," he said to himself.

"Hey, Kalim!" said Grim. "If you stay out late, Coach Vil is gonna chew our heads off!"

"Whoa!" Kalim said in surprise. "Grim and Ona? Did you hear me from the dorm? Sorry about that!"

"How can you still be going after gettin' worked to the bone today?" said Grim.

"Rest is just as important as practice," I said.

"Ha ha, it's not what you think," said Kalim. "This is the first time I've ever done something like this. I'm...pretty upset that I got passed over for main vocals."

"Huh?" said Grim. "You didn't look upset to me."

"I wasn't, when it first got announced. But when I climbed into bed and closed my eyes, it started nagging at me. I couldn't just lie there working myself up. Figured I'd let off some steam by practicing. I've... never felt this way before."

"Ah-hah. You've had everything handed to you on a silver platter before this, I bet. Guess that's what it's like when you're mega- rich. Must be nice!"

"Ah, well... Yes and no. I don't think that's quite it. I'm always chosen. Always. That's such an obvious truth that I never even consciously processed it. But now I see that was only possible because of Jamil's constant sacrifices. He created that 'truth' in my mind by always holding back. By always letting me win. ...It stings. 'Galling' doesn't even begin to describe it."

Grim crossed his arms. "You wanna talk about galling? Imagine how I feel not even makin' the cut for the audition to start with."

Kalim appeared taken back. "Ah, you're right. My bad! I didn't mean to rub it in. Goodness, there I go again! I'm super sorry, honest."

"Geez, gettin' a sincere apology makes me feel like I kicked a puppy or somethin'," Grim said to me in a low voice. "Ace or Deuce woulda hit me with a comeback..." He cleared his throat. "Look, if that's how you feel, then you'd better win!"

"That's a good way to look at it. I'll keep working hard, so don't give up on me, okay?"

"I know I won't," I said. I paused, hearing movement. Someone else was here, and I had a pretty good idea who. "I kinda get it though. Grim has his own pain, but that doesn't mean yours is any less real."

"Hey!" said Grim.

"I don't mean any offense." I looked at Kalim. "It's not right what Jamil did. How can you learn to grow and improve if you never learn to fail? It's not fair to you. Not that it's his fault. It's how his parents taught him to behave. He didn't know any other way. The culture you two were brought up in... it has nasty effects on you both. But now that you're aware, maybe you can change all of that."

Kalim smiled. "That's exactly what I plan to do. Thanks, Ona. I wouldn't want to disturb the others' sleep, so I'll stop for now and call it a night."

"Tomorrow's another day for all of us." We headed back to the dorm, but I stopped at the door. "Grim, do you mind seeing Kalim back to his room? I have to check on something."