I.D.E.A. (International Diadem Elite Academy) [RECENTLY UPDATED!]

Chapter 15

"It...can't be.", said Mavis rattled after seeing Zach holding his guitar and being escorted by Jeremy's 2 other friends up on stage. "Excuse me...I just need to go somewhere." She excused herself from Jasmine's mom and tried to walk as fast as she could in between the crowd until she was about 10 feet from the stage.

"Zach...",said Mavis as she saw him looking terrified and unable to resist the strong grip holding both his arms as he walked towards the center of the stage. Everybody's attention was upon him. "What are they doing..."

"Here he is! I'm sure Genevieve would want to hear what you prepared for her...right, Gen?", said Jeremy in an attempt to provoke him even more, taking away the last bit of resolve he has to just walk out.

"Of course. That'll be great.", said Genevieve coolly as if she's used to seeing such pranks.

"This is taking it too far..."

Mavis turned to look who it was and saw Raleigh standing beside her fuming. If eyes could set fire, Jeremy would have probably burnt to ashes already. For the first time, Mavis saw Raleigh lose his cool composure as if he was an inch away from commencing a brawl.

Jeremy, on the other hand, looked satisfied. He tapped Zach's shoulder and left him standing at the center of the stage looking worse than miserable. As he went down the stage, Raleigh immediately ran towards Jeremy and grabbed him by the collar, smearing his off white tuxedo. Mavis knew it would only worsen the situation so she followed after Raleigh and tried stopping them from physically clashing. She held them both back, pushing them apart.

"I believe that Zach is tougher than any of you thinks...", she said as she gestured her head, pointing towards the stage. Zach moved closer to the microphone stand holding his guitar as if he was already about to play. Raleigh let go of his grip but still obviously enraged while Jeremy just let out a grimace as if he just won a bet.

Zach started plucking the strings...creating a familiar melody. Everybody started to smile in anticipation. Mavis' heart throbbed insanely but she was sincerely hoping for Zach to be able to pull it off. For the first 10 seconds, Zach was actually doing good...

...until one of the guitar string...snapped. Zach stood there frozen.

Mavis saw Jeremy's friends made a discreet high five. Everyone fell silent...and whispers started to grow louder. Raleigh was about to walk up the stage but Mavis stopped him, grabbing his arm.

"He can do this... Letting him walk out from here would only make him feel worse...he just need to get back to his feet...",said Mavis but Raleigh looked all the more adamant. "We'll help him do what was planned...right here." Then she looked around and saw exactly what she was aiming for.

She ran towards the table where members of The Fortress were sitting.

"Please let me borrow a guitar...",said Mavis looking more than determined as if no one can sway her from what she wants. Guests around them were muttering in dismay of her guts to casually ask something from them until she was given what she requested...by Knight, himself. "Thank you so much...I owe you guys this one!", she said and started running for the stage only to find Zach already walking slowly down with his head sulking. She immediately walked towards him, standing in front to stop him from making a step further.

"Here...you can do this.", said Mavis forcing a smile as she put the guitar on Zach's hands. But Zach didn't look so good. He was no longer himself. "Can't you see? I only made a joke of myself.", he said looking away as if he didn't want his face to be seen.