Heart's Games

Heart's Games|Chapter 7: You Might Be Next

Chapter 7: You Might Be Next 

I wasn't sure what had caused the horrible headache that had just affected me. Was it the cheers that had suddenly erupted from the crowd when Jerome finished? Was it the fact that I was still wondering who was mystery guy? Or was it Mr. Patrick's question?

"How do you-?"

"Don't start me with me, Katherine," he whispered in my ear. "I know you know who he is."

"Where did you get this from?" I asked. I remember mentioning him my friend was dead, but I don't recall mentioning his name. I widened my eyes as he shook his head in frustration.

"When do you perform?" he asked me. Even though that question did not answer mine at all, I went ahead with it. I was just too scared to oppose to him, because the frustration in him was more than simply noticeable.

"Well, Grace goes now.  Then goes Fanny with Claire, who will perform with her because she says she wants to...last minute arrangements," I said rolling my eyes with a smile, but then, remembering that the man in front of me was more than anxious, I got back to answering the question. "Then goes Lorena...then I go."

"And I'm guessing they are all important to you."

"You're right. Why?"

"After you perform, I need you to come with me. Now, I need you to take care of yourself, okay?" he said as I stared at him puzzled. I slowly nodded my head while I saw his worried expression. All I could wonder was how Mr. Patrick was conscious about all of this. How does he find out about everything? Worst of all, what has him this worried?

"May I know what's happening?" I asked. A complete nervous expression took over his face. He looked like he was trying to hold back tears. Like really...what could have him so worried that it would make him want to cry? He clenched his jaw and looked away from me, trying not to face me. "Mr. Patrick," I called out for him. He finally looked my way and cupped my face with his hands. This. Was. Wrong. In so many ways!

"I just need you to take care for now. I don't want anything to happen to you. We'll talk after your performance, got it?" he said in desperation. I finally caught the tears in those green eyes. I froze for a second, but I managed to nod my head.

"Crystal clear," I said as he let me go. He gave me that smile...that smile I don't like...that smile no one likes. He smiled at me like if he was pitting me or like if something was hurting him and he was trying to be strong.

"Try relaxing for what's left, okay?"

Even though I didn't know what he meant with 'for what's left', I nodded and smiled. He went back to the stage as I saw Grace standing beside with a microphone in her hands. She looked at me and flashed me a smile. I shot her a thumbs-up and her nervous smile turned into a warm smile. Jerome stood beside me in a matter of minutes.

"Did you like it?" he asked me. I gave him my biggest smile, trying to shake off mystery guy and what just happened with Mr. Patrick. Does he know everything I'm going through? Maybe asking him about Auditorium 7 wasn't the best idea I've had.

"I loved it," I smiled at him. He enveloped me in a hug as Mr. Patrick's voice started through the speakers. "Thanks," I whispered in his ear.

"Well, would you please welcome Graciela Cambridge along with a special assist of Tanner Stevens as her pianist," Mr. Patrick called.

Hmm, Grace and Tanner have been spending too much time together lately, now that I think about it.

Grace stepped in front of the microphone while Tanner started playing A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton on the piano. Let me just say, he does it pretty amazing. I had never seen him play the piano before tonight, but he has impressed me with his performance and with this one, too.