Jealous (Anthony Padilla)

Jade

I attended the School of Arts in 2005, where I learned how to sing, dance, and act. There, I also grew a strong passion for writing-screenplays, that is. After years of hard work and dedication, I finally got one of my screenplays produced and I was able to direct my own series to be aired on television.

I had two close friends. Francesca- French, as I called her- was bubbly and happy all of the time, it was actually tiring to watch. Her personality was a complete contrast to mine- like sun and moon. She still came to my father's karaoke club every Saturday night to compete in the Sing-Off. Pete, her faithful boyfriend, always joined her with a new trick up his sleeve or a new acoustic song to play on his guitar. There was never a moment that he wasn't by her side, cherishing every step she took.

One Saturday night in October a blonde haired girl, whom I had never seen, entered the building. She walked into the Karaoke Club and looked as if she were out of place. She stepped onto the stage and took the microphone. She sang like a professional and her voice was strong, but I wasn't intimidated by her.

That same preppy, blonde girl returned to the club almost every night to sing and advertise her videos on the Internet. I didn't mind listening to her sing. She sang good, but I sang better. On Saturdays I would take the stage and win the singing competition, fair and square.

She was a regular for about a year before she started bringing friends to support her. The crowd she brought contained over twenty people. They always sat in the same area and took turns singing, no matter how tone deaf some of them were.

I walked into the club tonight after the doors had already been opened for a while and saw one of her supporters on the stage. His voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. He was out of tempo and completely tone deaf. I just kept walking until I reached the small table to the left that I always sat in.

The singing competition was about to begin and I knew the preppy blonde girl was going to be the first out of her seat. From across the room our eyes met and she flashed me a toothy smile. I knew that she was about to come towards me. When she rose to her feet I fidgeted in my seat. She walked over to me and I dropped my feet off of the chair they had been resting on, "Hi," she said happily and took a seat as I took my warm coffee cup into my hands, "My name is Stephanie Kyle."

"Alright," I said to her, having no interest in what her name was.

"What's yours?" She asked me hesitantly.

"Jade." I said plainly and sipped my drink.

"You sing really well," she told me and I nodded once, "If you'd like, you can join my friends and I." She motioned to the crowd at the front of the stage.

I glanced towards the door to see French and Pete entering the building, "I'm fine here."

The dark haired boy pointed in my direction and French began to skip towards me, literally, "The offer still stands," she told me as she rose to her feet, "Good luck tonight."

As she walked away Pete and French approached the table, "Hey, Jade," Pete said as he pulled out a chair for French, "When are you singing?"

I shrugged my shoulders and sipped my water, "Whenever someone hands me the mic." I told him and glanced over at French who was staring up at him in a daze.

"I might sing tonight too," she said excitedly, "Maybe after the competition we can sing together!" French could sing notes double above the staff. Her voice was beautiful.

"Maybe," I said, slightly shrugging my shoulders as the music lowered and the DJ began to advertise the contest.

"I love your hair," French told me randomly and I slightly smiled. She was always overly happy and sweet.

Stephanie Kyle was introduced and as she sang Pete and French gave their approving commentary. I wasn't impressed.

As I scanned her group of friends, my eyes met with another pair of dark eyes. His skin was tan and his hair was combed up. I quickly glanced down to see that he was wearing a pink v-neck and tight black jeans. He slightly smiled at me before turning away and facing the stage to cheer for the preppy blonde.

I didn't just take the stage, I owned the stage. I sang like I usually did, effortlessly, and still came out on top. Beating both Stephanie Kyle and French, I won the competition again.

As I finished his eyes met mine again. I moved towards the steps and stepped down, "Jade!" I recognized her preppy voice and glanced towards the giant crowd in front of the stage. The blonde girl ran towards me, "Congratulations. You sang great tonight." I simply smiled with a bit of pride sitting on my lips and said nothing, as always.

"I would really like to have you on my channel sometime," she told me excitedly, "Would you mind?"

I glanced at the long haired boy behind her as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his lips against the side of her neck, "I'd consider it." I told her hesitantly, not showing any sign of interest in making a deal.

"I really appreciate it," she told me a bit calmer.

I nodded once and they turned away. The same dark eyes met mine for a short moment and I turned away to see French running towards me, "Ready?" She asked with a bright smile and dragged me back towards the stage.

As we sang I tried to avoid the loud crowd sitting directly in front of the stage. I could hear the blonde girl cheering, but focused my attention elsewhere during the performance and avoided the dark eyes staring up at me.

The crowd roared when we finished preforming. French and I exited the stage area and joined Pete at a table to the left.

I met the dark eyes once again and noticed another girl cling to his arm. I rolled my eyes and looked away. He had no reason to be staring at me. The girl he was with moved away from him and I watched her as she and a blonde took the stage.

They sang horribly. I turned back to speak with Pete and French with hopes that I could save my ears. When they finished the dark eyed boy moved towards me, "Hi," he said directly to me, obviously nervous. We all turned to look at him, but no one made a sound.

"Can I help you?" I finally asked him, my eyes now locked on his.

"Anyways, bye Jade!" French said excitedly and Pete waved before they both moved quickly towards the exit.

I didn't wave, I simply glanced in their direction then turned back to look at the tanned boy, not saying a word.

"You sang great," He said to me hesitantly. 

"I know," I replied quickly, "I always do."

My response had surprised him. His eyes slightly widened, and I saw that he didn't know what to say next, "What's your name?" I asked him with less harshness on my tongue.

"Anthony," he answered with more confidence and a goofy smile, "and your name is Jade, correct?" I nodded once with my eyes locked on his, "That's a pretty name."

"I know," I said before sipping my coffee. I glanced over his shoulder as the girl moved through the crowd and approached him, "You have company." I told him plainly and watched as she grabbed his arm excitedly and pulled him back towards the center of the room.