Midnight Music

Chapter 13

Where is she? Platinum checked the time again. The club is opening, and everyone is preparing for another Duet Night like any other. But for some reason, Iris was nowhere to be found. "She's got to be around here somewhere." He muttered to himself, walking around the backstage. She's been an official employee of the club for almost a month now, and they had been practicing a duet from Wicked. "She would never flake out. She's not that kind of person."

From the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of brown, white and blue. The young man whirled around, and saw the reflection of a girl curled up against the wall of a practice room. His heart felt like it was being squeezed inside his chest as he stepped into the studio.

Iris lifted her head from her knees. Through her sparkling mask, he met her sad, bright blue eyes. Oh no. "Is it time to go on?" she asked when she saw him.

"No. The club is just barely opening." He closed the door and sat down on the floor next to her. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She adjusted her legs to a more comfortable position, avoiding his eyes.

"You're lying. I know you well enough to see that something is wrong, Iris."

"It only takes you a month to supposedly know someone?" she looked at him quizzically, as though she didn't believe him.

"Here's what I know: you're the youngest of 2 in your family, your best friend is an extrovert, and you love music. You love singing, but you can also play the piano. You're a Disney geek, so you like to warm up by singing a random Disney song-"

"Okay, I get it. You somewhat know me," She cut him off with a soft grunt. "The thing is, though, it's not Iris that has a problem; it's. . . the other me."

"The real you?"

She shook her head. "Both of them are the real me. It's just that certain people don't know about the other, let alone that the 2 are the same person."

"I see. So, what's the problem?"

"Um. . ." Iris' voice trailed off as she looked away, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. There was silence for a long minute. He took her other hand in his, squeezing it gently in comfort.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Just tell me how I can help." I'll do anything to make you happy.

She thought for a moment, then sighed. "The thing is. . . it's kind of a long story. So, can you just be ready to listen after our duet?"

"Of course, milady." Platinum raised their clasped hands and pressed a kiss to the back of hers.

There was an abrupt knock at the door near them. DJ Moon opened it, a knowing glint dancing in his hazel eyes. "Fifteen minutes until curtain."

"I'll go clean up. See you in a bit." Iris stood up and left the room. The young men shared a look.

"So, what was that?" The one in the door asked his friend.

"Just one friend comforting another, at least probably in her point of view."

"And. . ?" DJ Moon's eyebrows danced suggestively, to which Platinum got annoyed and glared.

"Shut up." The dark man snapped, his face turning red under his mask. The other raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Whatever. It's not really my business, anyway. I need to go set up."

Platinum suddenly had an idea appear in his head, and it was one that he should put into action immediately. He grabbed the man's shoulder as he turned away. "Hang on. Can you do me a favor?"

A mischievous smile cracked across his face. "Name it."