Canon

Chapter Thirteen

Just a few more days to go until the competition, and I'm working harder than ever on the piece Katrina gave me. Chelsea and I hang out with Lizzie and I feel better than ever.

That one heck of a mother is still around, and I'm doing my best to avoid her. I'm actually good at it. Dad says I should open up my heart and forgive her. No way. 

She got herself other boys, how about another daughter? 'Cause she ain't having me back.

And then there's Adrian. He's busy practicing too, but sometimes he's just... gone. Not at home, not on the phone, not anywhere I know.

I wish I knew.

"Hey, let's go shopping for your dresses," Chelsea suggested one sunny day.

"Oh right, I forgot about that," Lizzie pouted. She was wearing a simple white sweatshirt and shorts but she looked amazing. "I think I didn't bring any extra money today,"

"Yeah, me too," I said, remembering that I used my extra money on coffee and scrapbooking materials for our homeroom project. "Think I could borrow a dress Chelsea?"

"NO WAY," then she got her bag and got something like golden tickets out of one of the pockets, "You two are coming with me. My mom just gave me advance birthday money,"

"What? We'll repay you as soon as we can, Chelsea," Lizzie said, standing up. But I could see the excitement in her eyes.

"Sure you will, but right now, we have shops to raid!" she said enthusiastically, it was infectious.

So there we were raiding shops searching for the perfect dress and accessories. We also tried on shoes. Lizzie tried on a five-inch heel and she couldn't walk two steps without falling down. Chelsea and I laughed our heads off, so she settled for lavender flats.

We modeled on different dresses and had a good laugh. Who knew Lizzie could be so outgoing after all? Chelsea snapped photos of us three together and I've never seen any other trio as happy as us.

It was nearing 5 PM when we went home, and Chelsea dropped us off. Before speeding away, she gave me one last wave saying, "That was really fun, Jazz. I'm so sorry I ever hurt you,"

And before I could respond, she sped away. Life can be so beautiful sometimes.

Tonight is the second part of the competition.

And I am feeling confident.

And not just because of satin white dress with a matching pair of white wedges, but because Chelsea is there on the front row, waving her charm bracelet at me.

It felt so good.

I looked around to see the others. Lizzie was glowing in a lavender gown with Queen Anne's laces around her blond hair.

She saw me and smiled. But I could tell there was sadness in her eyes.

I also saw Innes a bit farther away, looking sadly towards Lizzie's direction.

Chaz just came in with Carter, both of them looking kingly in black satin suits with white blue accents for Chaz and green accents for Carter.

But Adrian was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Adrian?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Maybe he's just running late," A male voice said, but I was too nervous to recognize who it came from.

"I'll be right back!" I ran out the door and scanned everywhere. I removed my wedges, since they start to hurt. He wasn't in the parking lot, not in the cafeteria, not even in the football locker room.

It wasn't like Adrian to be late. He never was.

He was the second to perform so I had to search everywhere. I can't let him loose the competition like this. He worked so hard for this.

A minute later, Chelsea came out.

"What's wrong?" Chelsea came up to me, "Carter told me what you just ran off looking for Adrian."

"He's not here yet, and the competition starts in five minutes. He's the second one to perform and... and..." I was having a hard time breathing.

"OK, calm down, I'll call the others," Chelsea got her phone and called Carter probably.

The next thing I knew, Innes, Lizzie, Carter and Chaz were all here.

"Don't worry, we'll find him," Chaz assured me.

"Come on Jazz," Lizzie took my hand and we began searching. Innes went off in one direction, Chaz on the other while Carter and Chelsea paired up. Lizzie's hand held mine strongly, her warmth flowing into me. "We'll find him, OK? He'll be right here. He could perform,"

Five minutes have passed. The competition was starting and Chaz came inside.

"I'll tell Miss Higgins," he told us, "Meanwhile, continue looking for him,"

"Looking for who?" a familiar voice said behind us. Adrian's eyes were tired, and his hair was tousled. He looked like he'd been crying.

"Adrian!" I went out to hug him. He smiled weirdly like a hospital. When he hugged me back, his hands were cold and shaking.

He was obviously shocked at what I just did. But I didn't care. I was worried sick.

And then I let go. I remembered Chelsea and how we broke up (as friends to not friends) because she saw me with him.

I saw the look in his eyes and I couldn't see that mishievious spark any more. I couldn't see anything.

"Where have you been dude? We were looking all over for you!" Innes asked.

"To the hospital," When Adrian said this, his face became dark and sad and full of grief.

"Why?" Carter asked.

"It's Katrina. She has cancer."

To Be Continued.