Castle High

11. Burlesque - II

“C’mon, just think about it.” Jamie cried once more, as he and Alex stepped out of the ‘Rectangle’ – the school’s official tennis court. They were heading towards the main wing, after watching Alice practice. The opening game of the NHTFC(National High-school Tennis Female Championship) was only a week away and their friend was gearing up for her big debut. “It could be great, I know how insightful you could be at times. Perhaps you might even offer some creative–”

“No way, I’m not gonna do it.” Alex stressed her point once more, shaking her head vehemently. They were walking down the hall-way now, and she was quickening her pace so as to leave Jamie behind. “I’ll rather attend the board of directors – annual meeting at my dad’s company and get bored to death. Than follow you to some studio, to record a song. I mean Jamie, can you hear yourself? Don’t be delusional.”

  “Now, that was just mean.” Jamie swallowed in a low baritone, halting abruptly causing Alex to do the same. Although, he had to admit that he kind-off expected Alex to decline his request but he didn’t count on her to be so cynical. The pending action was a big deal to him, and it meant a lot about his future. But it looked like whenever he needed her to be supportive or show more concern and care, she never did.

“Just this little I ask of you Alex, just this little to support me. I didn’t ask you to jump off a bridge. All I asked is for you to follow me to a damn studio.”

Alex chuckled, turning around to face him with her arms folded. “You didn’t ask me to jump off a bridge with you? I mean what you’re doing isn’t it suicide, going to that studio and recording a song – is jumping off a bridge, Jamie and you know it. So yeah, I won’t jump off this bridge with you because unlike you, I happen to love my life.”

Jamie grunted, plopping his arms on his waist. “I know how to deal with my folks, Alex. I know how to keep it a secret without getting into trouble. I won’t slip up and they won’t find out, only if you were nice enough to go tell them.”

“Now you’re just being deliberately stupid,” Alex exhaled, shaking her head. “How many times have you been to your dad’s office? How many companies does he own? Now despite everything you know about him, you seem to think for some silly reason that – you recording a track in a music studio would elude him! I mean c’mon Jamie, listen to yourself!”

“Yeah, go ahead and side with my folks like you always do.” Jamie drawled, retreating from Alex slowly with back-ward strides. “I’m just the crazy kid, who thinks chasing his dream isn’t wrong.”

“Yeah you’re crazy to chase your dreams,” Alex bellowed at his retreating figure. “You think people like you, me and Joey get to choose the type of future we want? No, its impossible. We are heirs; we have family businesses to take over. We can’t just grow a dream and refuse to do the right thing. Everyone has dreams Jamie, but dreams are not meant for everyone.”

“I’m not going to cower in the shadows, and submit to my parent’s will like you and Joey do.” Jamie continued backing away. “It’s my damn life, and I’m gonna live it as I damn please.”

“You’re a fool to think that,” Alex shook her head, concern lacing her speech. “The sooner you realize that, the better.”

Jamie didn’t utter any more form of protest before leaving Alex alone in the desolate hall-way. But something within him told him, that with the way she ended their conversation – she might be up to something.

*****

Her heart-beat quickened as she drew closer to the room. She had just gotten confirmation from the doctor, that Jake was now open to receiving guests. She still wasn’t quite sure why she was nervous. It was still Jake that was in there, the infection couldn’t have changed who he was. He was still the same old, brilliant, nice, broodingly attractive – Jake.