Aiko means little loved one as she was the first born of the both families. Thinking that she would be the perfect little girl of the family or is she?
She was pressured by her own family's expectation, they thought it would help her turn out the way they want her to be but she became the family's trouble, the black sheep and the 'bad person'. They wanted her to be near the word 'perfect' but she just couldn't. Forcing her do the things she doesn't want and invalidating her feelings because they thought it's for the 'weak' and 'immature.'
Filled with anger, mess and uncertainty. Causing confusion in her thoughts. She did well at school but would act reckless and not accordingly. Always got beat up by her father and scolded by her mother. She do well in things but she doesn't show it that she's good at it. As an escape, she joined a band to run away with the problems and also to earn money and enjoy.
"Hey, we have a gig and we need our beloved vocalist and guitarist." Eric, the leader and the drummer of the band. Aiko smiled at him, he's like an older brother of him. They're at the studio where they usually hangout and practice.
"Count me in, and where?" Aiko asked while preparing her guitar.
"At this famous Restaurant-Bar, customers been demanding us for awhile and since we're well known at this town, the Resto-Bar want us to perform till 10PM and they'll pay us double if they thought it satisfied them." Members of the bar are now excited and getting thrilled to perform.
"Oh shit, then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Aiko excitedly said making her co-performers laugh at her excitement since she's the youngest in the band.
They rent a cab and went to the location where they perform, they arrived at 6PM and prepared their instruments at the mini stage the restaurant has.
"Hey, are you the band that Mr. Blanco invited?" The manager approached Eric and he nodded, giving the manager a small smile.
"He said he'll take care of your dinner and perform till 10PM." Eric thanked him and the manager leaves, they continued the preparation and after a while, they positioned themselves and getting ready for their first performance of the night.
"May I have your attention, please." Eric the drummer, called and asked for the people's attention. "We are the X5 Band, we live just around the corner of this streets. I hope you'll enjoy your food while we perform, feel free to request guys!" Eric joyfully said, he counted one to three, giving them the cue to play and they played the 'Leave The Door Open.'
Aiko started playing her guitar and the others too.
Aiko and their other vocalist started singing the song.
People are clapping their hands and started enjoying the band.
They received a lot of song request, and songs to perform. They enjoyed the performance and Mr. Blanco (the owner of the diner.) also were just around the corner liked the band and the music they covered, specially the young gal, Aiko. After performing Mr. Blanco gave them dinner and their money, they were shock to receive such money in just a night.
"This is a lot Mr. Blanco, thank you so much!" Eric was started to tear up since he has to support himself and a lot of money were a blessing he received.
"Oh please, you brought a lot of customers. So far, this night had the most sells and customer in such hours. So thank you." Mr. Blanco thanked them with a genuine smile and he looked at Aiko who's enjoying her food with a smile.
"This taste good Mister, I never thought food like this exist." She was eating with a big smile, Mr. Blanco smiled at her as if she's still a little girl.
"How old are you? You seems young." Mr. Blanco asked, Aiko wanted to answer but it happens her mouth is still full.
"She's the youngest, 17 years old." Mr. Blanco was shocked knowing her age. Aiko finished her food and drank some water because she already knew what's coming.
"Wait, you're supposed at school." Aiko just chuckled.
"That's the common impression she gets, actually we don't really worry about her grades at school, she's doing well." Eric smiled at him.
"I'm sorry if I acted that way, something like this is new." Mr. Blanco apologize but Aiko just assured him, that it's fine because he's right. She's supposed to be at home, studying and doing homework but time management at its finest.
After a few minutes of talking and knowing each other, they decided to leave the place because it's almost 11PM and it's already Aiko's curfew but she just couldn't care less. They bid their goodbye to Mr. Blanco and left. While riding the cab, her co-members offered a place to stay for awhile because they know about her family situation but Aiko reassured them that it's fine and she needed to go home no matter what the case are.
"You sure it's good?" Eric nervously asked, and she just nod.
They bid their goodbye at Aiko and dropped her off near at her place.
"It's now or never." She has spare keys at their house, and when she opened the door. She saw her Mom, standing. Her Mrs. Valiente approached her and slapped her face quite hard but she doesn't even care.
"Oh, you still think of going home?"Ms. Valiente sarcastically said, Aiko just rolled her eyes.
"I'm tired, please." She whispered, getting annoyed by her Mom.
"You listen to me, stop hanging out with them." She shouted in front of her face.
Aiko trying not to say things as her Mother warned her. Getting worked up and controlling herself not to burst out any time sooner. She remained, still, silent.
"So you would choose them over us? The one who gave birth to you? You should be thankful that you're still around, you ungrateful child and full of regrets." The words were enough to kill her inside, but none of the emotions were showing. They're right though but she just couldn't careless about anything.
"Is it hard to become like your cousin who's super responsible and perfect!? YOUR BROTHER?!" Her Mom keeps on dropping those kind of words, but she's numb, she's used to it and it's nothing new. She tried to walk away in silence but her mother grabbed her wrist tightly and painfully. It made her groan in pain.
"Where do you think you're going?" Her Mom said, she can't hold it in anymore and burst out.
"Well maybe, you could've just have them and kill me. Why still keeping me here? I am your experiment child, your stupid mistake you and Dad made! In fact, I couldn't just call you my parents." Aiko bursted out with tears on her eyes, it was painful. But who knows? She was something that both parents don't want her to turn out. She pulled away from her mother's grip and went to her room. Her brother, Atlas heard the argument and went to check on her sister.
He asked, "Sis? You okay?" Worry is visible on his face but Aiko don't need any empathy from her younger brother
She rolled her eyes and closed the door, locking it.
"Obsessed with the word perfect, forcing it to me. But look, I'm now messy."
YOU ARE READING
Bad Habits
Dla nastolatków"Your touch is my new heroin. I never knew it can be addicting till I wanted more."
