Invisible

Chapter 13

The singing contest was already starting but Darren and I haven't spoken since our tiny argument earlier. I don't know about him, but he really got me confused with what he said. Was it bad that I was happy when he said that he was jealous?

I shook my thoughts away as I went to the backstage since all contestants have to stay in there while the contest goes on. It was a perk that I picked out a middle number, so I don't have to perform first on the spot especially when I have some little agitation from my talk with Darren. Damn, he just told me that he gets jealous and now I am whipped.

My head cocked to the side when I saw someone sit beside me. She was the Athena girl that Brian was talking about earlier.

"So," she says, "You're new here?"

It took me a while to realize that she was talking to me. "Yeah," I simply answered, "Just speding the summer in the province, is all."

"I see that you are friends with the Darren dude?" She smiled at me slyly, her question putting me to the edge.

"Best friends, actually."

She nodded and stood up. "Okay." She said before walking away. Before she can even walk any further, she turned and smirked. "Good luck in the contest, newbie."

It was obvious that she didn't mean that. Ha, if I know, Canadian people are pickier when it comes to singing. If she meant that good luck with sarcasm, she should be afraid coz I awas personally picked by Canadian judges a couple of times back there.

One thing was only in my mind. If Brian was right about Athena being a bitch, I'm gonna kick her ass by winning this thing.

-

"Let us all welcome: Darren Espanto!"

I looked over to see Darren sitting by the corner. I can tell that he was confident about this. One good thing about him is that he never sees things like this as a competition, but only some source of fun; something where he can show his talent. Before he can come up to stage, I grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry for earlier."

"You didn't do anything." He smiled. "Secret telling's later, 'kay?"

"Yeah," I said, "And... Good luck, Ren. No matter what happens, I am still your number one fan."

"I know," he winks before bending down to my level and planting a kiss on my cheek. I instantly feel giddy. "Lucky charm," he explains.

He walks to the backstage entrance to lead him up to the stage. Times like this reminds me that Darren is powerful enough to make me have a good mood.

"Damn this love is skin tight, baby, c'mon," I started to sing along with Darren, busy enough that I didn't notice Athena sit beside me again.

"Are ypu and Darren really just friends?"

I rolled my eyes. "What do you care? We're best friends."

"I like your best friend," she blurts, "Can you help me to get him to notice me?"

It took all of my will power to stifle the laughter I am holding. "Sorry, my best friend believes in cliché love stories so he prefers falling in love, not being set up or some shit."

I felt the urge to stab her eyes out with a fork when she rolls them in front of me. "What do you want in return, win?" She offered. "Okay, I will drop my voice. You look like a good one so you sure will win. Just set me up with your best friend."

And that was when my patience snapped. "Damn girl, aren't you too full of yourself?" She was taken aback by my outburst. "I don't need you to fucking drop your voice. I can win without your god damned offer! Don't be too desperate, you freaking..." I try to think of an insult, "Bitch!"

I was never really a fan of cussing, but there is something about Athena that brings out the worst in me. With that, I ran out of the backstage. Darren was almost done with his song, but he seemed to have almost a lot of fans already. Of course.

He finished the song and came to closing, he ran up to me. "That was a good song, Mr. Domino." I beamed.

"Shut up," he chuckles, slightly out of breath, "Were you screaming earlier? Care to tell me why?"

"You sure have big ears." I rolled my eyes. "There's a contestant named Athena, she likes you. Apparently, she noticed we're close so she offered to let me win to set you up with her in return."

"You just saved my ass," he gushes and I laugh at him. "Seriously, have I told you that you're so amazing, Nic?"

"Puh-lease, mention it or not, I know I am amazing." I pft-ed at him boastfully.

"I praise you for defying her wish to set her up to me. I don't really like her, despite how hot and cool she is at the same time."

A pang of jealousy hits me and I can tell that I was kind of failing to mask it. Darren seemed to be amused with the way I looked. "You're so illogical. Who says hot and cool at the same time?"

He just laughed at me and the two of us walked back to the backstage, his arm still around me. I can see Athena scoffing in my direction, but I couldn't careless. She is desperate with the upsider of her good looks and voice. Just before I can sit, my number was called. I smirked at myself, knowing te fact that I can win this thing without Athena's desperate offer.

---

Happy New Year!