Broken Charms

Memories of Verona: Part Two

“my feet will want to walk to where you are sleeping

but

I shall go on living.”

― Pablo Neruda

---Astrid---

Then (11 years ago)

“And the winner is ASTRHEA WILLIAMS.” The presenter said. The crowd burst into cheers and claps. I was so honored. I had won. I had won. Someone pushed me to the centre of the stage where I accepted my awards and flowers. i could swear this was the happiest moment of my   life. Soon my family was up on the stage with me. My brother hugged me so tight that I couldn’t breathe.

 I knew you could do it.” He whispered in my ear. Then my dad raised me from the ground as he hugged me as tight as Michael did.

“Well done, sweetheart. You have your mother’s voice.” He said proudly.

“I’m so proud of you.” My mum said. Soon my cousins and then my aunt and uncle congratulate me. I felt wonderful. I was happy. I couldn’t remember a day that I was happier that I was right now.

“Let’s go celebrate.” My father suggested. Everyone agreed.

“Smile, Rid. This is your moment. Enjoy it.” My brother said from behind as we went to celebrate into an expensive restaurant. I smiled, he was right this was my moment.

Now

“Star? Have I lost you?”  John said. I wasn’t sleeping but I definitely wasn’t her with him. I was lost in my memories. I stared at him.

“Daniel had gone to the hotel to take my things.” He said.

“What things? Where are you going?” I said as I watched him biting his lower lip. He didn’t respond.

“John?” I asked alarmed. Something wasn’t right.

“My Star, there is something I need to tell you.”

“In Paris a choreographer called me and told me if I wanted to audition for Edward in a revival of Edward Scissor hands. I told him that I wasn’t in UK and he came in Paris to see me performing at the show. Then he offered me the role.” He said. He wasn’t making sense at all. What was he saying?

“You, know after the end of the first year, the Academy allows us to work. That’s why we are here.”

“What do you want to say, John?”

“I accepted his offer. I’m leaving. I’m going to London.”

“Why? What about the tour?”

“That’s why Daniel is here. After we left we got a job as a substitute tutor in the Academy and when I informed the Academy that I was leaving they agreed to send him as my replacement. This is a huge offer for me. I could say no to an offer like that.”

“But… you are here. You can’t leave. You’re with me. We are together. Friends. You can’t leave.” I argued. He couldn’t do this to me. Not today.

“Astrid. I can leave. And I am. Daniel is driving me to the airport.”

“But… I don’t understand.” I said confused. I refused to understand. Why would he leave?

“Star, I came to say goodbye to you.” He said stating the obvious.

“But you didn’t even ask me if I was okay with your decision.” I argued. What the hell was I saying? I was never that needy.