When the Cat Met the Wolf

45. Of Songs & Albums

Arianne felt sick to her stomach.

After her poor performance in the previous round of the competition, she didn't know if she could handle more. She had been going over the notes of 'Reflections',  the song she was gonna play, for the last twenty-five minutes as she listened to her competitors playing their songs.

Her fingers drummed nervously on the wooden bench, her expression rigid, going over the tempo of the song in her head. She seemed to have aged a decade in the past few hours.

"I can't believe you are still here" Arianne looked to the side upon hearing the very familiar voice of Eloise. She had lost all confidence to answer back to her, so she just gulped nervously. What was she gonna say now? "I'm doing this for your well-being, Ari. You should quit this competition"

"Why would she do that?" another familiar voice spoke up behind them, and they both looked in that direction, to find Adrien standing there, with his arms folded and an angry expression on his face.

Arianne opened her eyes wide upon seeing him. What was he doing there? How had he gotten in? No one was allowed backstage.

"You're...you're Adrien Agreste!" exclaimed Eloise bewildered. She recognised him from magazines. What was he doing there? "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Eloise Allard" she stuck her hand out.

"I know" Adrien nodded, ignoring Eloise's attempt to shake his hand. She looked surprised upon hearing that.

"You do?" she questioned, and couldn't help be excited about the fact that he knew her.

"Yeah, you're the girl who has been bothering my friend" he stated coldly, and all excitement left Eloise's face upon hearing that. He didn't sound friendly anymore.

Arianne was surprised when she heard that. Had he come all the way there just for her?

"I'd really appreciate it if you stopped doing that" he added, and Eloise didn't know what to say.

"You...know each other?" that was all that she could ask.

"Since we were five" replied Adrien "So you can imagine I'm not very happy with the way you've been treating her" Eloise blinked, trying to process that "Arianne is the best violinist I know, and not you or anyone has the right to tell her otherwise. If you want her out of the competition so bad, that's because you think so, too, and feel threatened by her. So, instead of trying to bring her down, why don't you focus on yourself?" Eloise raised an eyebrow threateningly upon hearing that.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked angrily.

"What do you think it means?" shot Adrien back, still keeping a cold tone. No one messed with Arianne, or they'd have to deal with him.

Eloise narrowed her eyes angrily at him before going off with firm steps. The moment she was out of sight, the friendly expression on Adrien's face came back.

"You alright?" he questioned, looking at the girl next to him, who was still trying to process what had just happened.

"I'm-I'm fine" she stuttered "Uh...wha-how-how did you get in here? Only the violinists are allowed backstage"

"Being a 'famous model' has its perks" replied Adrien with a smile, which made Arianne smile a bit, too "I didn't want you to be alone before your performance"

"Thanks" 

"It's nothing"

"No, I mean it" she replied, talking about what he had told Eloise "Thank you. I didn't know if I would be able to deal with her on my own"