Beauty King [boyxboy]

Chapter 8

I couldn't believe myself, here I was, climbing onto the roof at 10.07, for singing practice. After Stefon left, I didn't dare to go to bed, and obediently hopped into the shower and got out just as quickly. On the way out, I saw that Stefon had left his jacket strewn on his bed, and I hesitated for a minute before taking it with me. Maybe he forgot and I should bring it in case he got cold.

As I emerged onto the landing, I could already see Stefon playing his guitar softly. He was singing as well, singing something I had never heard before. I kept my peace, not wanting to spoil the moment. "Hey." Stefon had sensed I was there and stopped, turning around to face me. He saw the jacket that I was hugging and his gaze lingered there for a moment. "Put it on. You might get cold." Stefon spoke gently, and I tugged on the jacket obediently.

"Soooooo," I pulled the hood up to cover my head. "What were you playing? It was really nice." The corners of Stefon's lips lifted. "Nothing really, it was just a song I wrote when my mom died." "Well I think it's beautiful. Would you sing it for me?" And Stefon began playing and singing. The song was beautiful, a ballad and it was titled "You Understand Me".

When you smile, when you smile 

I don't know what to say

You took my heart, took my heart

And you walked away

You walked away

You see me cry, you see me cry

Like all the time

You don't say a word, don't say anything

But I know... But I know

You understand me

Like nobody else does

You think you know me

And that's so right

Cos you know me, know me, know me

Know me more than I ever do...ooh!

Is this love?

(Author's note: This is a real song written by me.)

It was written for Stefon's mother, and it was all about how she had always been the only one to understand him, to be there for him. How she had broke his heart when she passed away. How she had loved him unconditionally and how Stefon would always love her.

"I want to sing this for the talent show." I blurted out unconsciously. Stefon was shocked, but then smiled and agreed. We spent the remaining time planning our duet, how Stefon would help me play the guitar and sing backup for me at the beauty pageant. Then, we practised and sang our hearts out.

***

The next day, I woke up thirty minutes before dance practice. Stefon was already out, presumably to do his work. I took my time washing up, and even got to read for a while. Five minutes before practice was due to commence, I decided to head down. But when I tried opening the door, I couldn't. It was stuck. I tried pulling and pulling, but I couldn't.

Then it struck me. I peered out the peephole, and saw that my doorknob had a piece of string attached to the opposite room's doorknob. I panicked, not really understanding why someone would do this. I grabbed the hotel phone, but it was disconnected. I growled in frustration, searching under the duvets for my phone. Wait? Who could I call? Then I remembered Stefon had given me his number the other night. He had scribbled it on a piece of paper.

Where was it? Where was it? Where was it? I searched the whole place, turning the whole room upside down. I had worked up a sweat and I was close to tears. Hey, I wasn't feeling very tough. Relief washed over me when I found the crumpled piece of paper, quickly dialing for Stefon.

It took a while for Stefon to pick up. "January? Where in the world are you? Aren't you supposed to be at dance practice?" Stefon said in a hushed whisper, I was guessing that he was on duty to take pictures of our rehearsal today. "I'm trapped! Oh my puff, please come save me..." My voice was cracking and I was trembling. I was scared. Being late would mean breaking another rule, and if I messed up again, I would be disqualified!

Soon after, the door to the room burst open and Stefon charged in. "Jan!" I couldn't help it, I ran to hug Stefon. I was so relieved, and so grateful. "Why would someone do something like this? It's so childish." Stefon remarked, stroking my back soothingly. Then I remembered Karinne's words.

Stacy.

"Thanks so much for saving me Stef, and sorry I had to disturb you in the middle of your work, but I really have to go." I pushed away from Stefon, flying down the stairs and running till I reached the dance room. I had had enough of a certain someone.

"2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8." François was clapping his hands to the beat when I burst into the room. "January!" François gasped in shock. "Where have you been? It's twenty minutes past reporting time!" I didn't answer, but marched straight to Stacy. I started yelling at Stacy, who smirked disdainfully, satisfied with what she had done. The more I looked at her irritating smug, the angrier I got and soon we got into a catfight. We were clawing at each other, kicking and shrieking. Very girlish.

"E-nough!" François roared, and the chaos fell to a hushed whisper. We had never seen François get so worked up before, not even close. Man, he never even got the slightest bit ticked at any of us! François looked at me and shook his head. I knew he was disappointed. I felt guilty, hurt, confused. I had never wanted to upset François. He was such a great dance teacher, and he really looked out for me.

It was all Stacy McMillan's fault.