The Beauty & The Beast

Chapter Fourteen- He Doesn't Even Have A Sword!

Chapter Fourteen

"Of course I developed a crush on him..."

My heart beating so loudly, I could hear it.

Angelina's words resonated in my ears bringing back the memory of the night she confessed her unrequited crush on Jake. As I gazed at them kissing, I wondered if she still liked him. If he suddenly realized how perfect Angelina is and that's why he was kissing her? Why now though?

The noise from the guests disrupted the kiss implementing a new distance between the couple. The messy blonde twirled to face the audience, she was startled. Her mouth slightly open, her hand still in the hair as though Jake was still there, her eyes wreathed in dismay. Unlike Angelina, Jake didn't even turn around, but he stayed glued in the same position. He faced the wall to the right. His eyes looking straight ahead. The only movement I caught from him was from his hands, which traveled from Angelina's cheek to fall at his side.

Angelina seemed to finally get over the shock when she raised her hands to cover her mouth. Her eyebrows almost unifying. "You guys! Thank you so much! I can't believe this." She exclaimed holding a certain awe in her voice. "You shouldn't have!"

Maybe if the stage didn't have a tremendous banner hanging from above reading, 'Hannah Montana', or if the music to Best of Both Worlds wasn't echoing in the entire place, if Anna and Lola weren't behind already swaying to the music, and if the sparkling eyes of Angelina didn't show so much elation, perhaps I would have withdrew from the stage; unfortunately, that was not the scenario happening, and I didn't have a choice but to sing along and dance when my heart didn't have the spirit to even stand here anymore.

"You live and you learn it. Again and again till' I get it right."

Anna and Lola sounded as though they were trying to contain a good laugh that was urging to come out. I would have been just like them except for the fact that laughing required too much effort right now. Angelina appeared unfazed by the flaws in our presentation. In fact, the astonished look on her face had shifted to one of pride and inspiration.

Anna, Lola, Percy and Harry all surrounded me as we held the microphone in the middle. "Happy Birthday Angelina!" We said at the same time. Next, Harry trotted out from the stage to grasp Angelina's hand and bring her up where we hugged her tight.
We continued to perform the hip moves that went with Nobody's Perfect, yet that was the finale of the show. Then, Lola played her playlist for the rest of the party.

She approached Anna and me like she knew what we were thinking. For a second, she looked a bit hesitant. "I strongly suggest you both that we don't question Angelina yet. Let her enjoy the party and tomorrow you can harass her as much as you wish to."

Anna looked quite skeptical, however, she nodded at us. "I guess you are right." She said though gritted teeth. Then, to me she added, "Are you alright though?"

I bobbed. "I'll go change now." It came out as a whisper although I never intended to. Without even thinking, I was staggering away from them.

The party itself was terrific. At six, people were already enthusiastic enough to dance and be sufficiently loud to establish quiet the jovial mood. The space was ample enough for everyone to fit in thankfully. It was sort of a big plain empty square that had a shiny black stage jutting out in the front, which had been carefully decorated with colorful paper butterflies hanging from the top. A huge thin purple curtain separating the stage available for the eyes of the people and the backstage where the actors usually prepare their stuff. The theatre has several rooms for specific preparations, however, the space occupied by the party was in the center of all of them, and it was where the plays take place. Needless to say, it was very large. The food was lined in multiple tables glued to the purple thick walls. There was also a couple of pink fluffy couches in every corner for those who didn't particularly enjoyed dancing. Also, individual plastic chairs here and there in case the sofas weren't enough. The floor was originally black, though it frequently alternated its color because of the lights coming off the bulky balls set from the sides of the area. Same goes for the walls, their color appeared in continuous fluctuation radiating a sense of playfulness.
When marching through the crowd, I shared a few greetings, and to my luck they were short. This allowed me more time to get to the 'Hannah Montana Preparation Room' where I knew I could be alone. There, a thick fluffy comforter gave me immediate warmth. Only then did I realize how exhausted I felt. My whole body throbbed.