Behind the Curtains

Part 8

I' ll try to believe in you...

Not today...

Maybe tomorrow.

Not today.

I sang it in front of the students gathered around my chair. After Britney's concert, I realized one thing. That being a student here doesn't change the fact that I am still a celebrity. And that I still awe my fans a great performance, on and off the camera.

Maybe I was just too proud and arrogant then. Yes, I'm also human, but the thing is, they do miss me as their Poprockprincess. They still miss me as their favorite singer. As their favorite MTV host and actress.

I'd been the one who had been so insensitive afterall. And I have had been too fool to realize that I could never separate my own identity from my being celebrity.

So this morning, I brought with me my beloved guitar and played it here outside my classroom. I started singing as the students started to gather around me. I felt like I was back on stage again. Jamming with this lovely crowd.

After three songs, I decided to stop. Classes will begin after 10 minutes and I don't wanna make these students be late with their respective classes.

"Alright. That's all for now guys. You know, classes will start soon so we better start going. Thanks for listening!" I said and started to walk away. The students just gave way for me. I headed to our classroom holding my head high.

I heard them all clapping their hands even after I left. That was a wonderful morning for me to start.

****

"How are you?" Asked Mark as Virgie and I reached the cafè. I blushed. I just hoped Virgie hasn't noticed.

After that sweet kiss we shared that night, I still don't know how to approach him again. He never said anything about us. I really don't know of what he truly feels for me. And I don't wanna ask. Ugh.

Call me stupid, but as long as there's no words that I hear from a guy, I never wanted to assume anything yet. Not yet.

"I'm fine." I answered. I heard Virgie said she's ok too. We started eating together. I pretended to be cool. No, I acted.

"How about you?" I asked him back. He looked at me in eyes and said.:

"I can't stop thinking of you." I looked at Virgie. I don't knoe if she just hasn't heard a thing or she's listening but don't want to interfere. She just kept on eating her lunch and seemed too focused on it.

"Why do I have this feeling that you don't want others to know about us? Are you afraid it will come out of the news?" He asked again. This time, Virgie faced me.

"Don't try hiding it. Mark told me everything the morning after you two kissed." She grinned. I blushed all the more. I never knew they were that close to share secrets.

"Now, don't get us wrong. Mark here just asked me what was the the status of your relationship now that you two have kissed." She smiled again, looking so much like a Mum again.

"Oh... I-" I stopped myself from talking to avoid stuttering. I just can't afford letting them know that I am nervous right now.

"The mere fact that you two kissed is already something. Congratulations friends!" Virgie cheered. Gee, I wish I could just disappear. Mark's glares are so dense it's making me feel hot on my face. I can sense that he's proud to announce that he was able to kiss me. Ugh.

"Well, that was just a kiss. I had been kissed a thousand times as an actress already." I tried to dissimulate the tension. But Mark seems to just shrug it off. Well, I'm glad he's not a jealous type.

"Can we talk alone?" He asked all of a sudden. I looked at Virgie. She just nodded.

"Now?" I asked.

"No. This afternoon. Meet me at the car park. I'll just drive you home then." He said with authority. I am now beginning to grow an admiration towards him- he's some kind of a man with authority. And I like it that way.

"Alright then." I agreed and continued to eat.

I just can't focus myself then. I was trying not to think about it yet but I really can't stop thinking! What is he going to tell me?

I'm about to go out of the room to meet him when my phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered as I saw Mom's name on the screen.

"Honey, please come home as quickly as you can." She said with a weak, sobbing voice. She hunged up before I could even say "Ok."

I hurriedly went to the parking to fetch my car completely forgotten about Mark. I saw him standing by his car but I didn't bother to say anything. I need to go home quickly.

I was on the bridge again when I heard the terrifying sound of a metal being smashed against metal. It's too late for me to realize my car is being bumped again by another car. I lost control of the wheel. All I could see now is the water below.

I am literally hanging upside-down the bridge. I'm still inside my car. I'm still tied on by the seat belt. I know how terrifying my situation is but I felt numb. I just stayed here, looking at the water below.

There's another blow of some metal again against my car behind and I know, any minute now, I'll get drowned by the water, inside my car.

I didn't expect this to happen today. I didn't see any sign. They just caught me unprepared.

And I wasn't even able to defend myself.

Life is cruel.

I wonder what my Mom is trying to tell me by the phone. I wonder what had just happened there that she told me to hurry up. I think I may not be able to know it anymore.

I was waiting for my car to finally fall off the bridge but it seems forever.

I stayed there. I didn't dare moving. I didn't dare blinking. I stayed behind my wheels, enveloped by the seat belt.

I kept on waiting.