Bruised Rejection

Chapter 6

Athena

I reached the club and parked my car in the lot, glancing around, I could see that there were very less cars parked as most people come here when the show is about to start. My performance was going to start in the afternoon. Barely anyone comes to watch the performances in the early morning so it isn't crowded in the morning.

I checked my watch while walking inside from the back door, it was 10:45 in the morning which meant I had more than an hour to prepare as the show was starting at 12:00. My preparation in reality was just testing out my vocals and a little bit rehearsing the songs.

I mostly sang songs from other singers which hit deeply to the heart however I hope in the future I will sing a song of my very own. I was more interested in creating a melody of my own on the piano. However today, I was performing Faded by Alan walker.

After 30 or 40 minutes of rehearsing in the small room at the back of the club which was the studio, I went in the front to buy myself a drink. Choosing a light drink, I quickly gulped its content quickly and felt light headed but not to the extent where I will faint. It was a great feeling. I spent the the left over time in my phone and watching other performs.

I was just going through my phone when I heard someone call my name, I looked up from my phone and saw the owner of the club calling me. He was a sweet guy in his late 50s, his name was Marco. Like me, he was also a fan of piano and a werewolf. He wasn't in my pack though. I left my seat and met him halfway and hugged him.

He was always like a father to me because of his loving personality. He never made me feel like I was his worker.

"Darling! It's been very long since I saw you last time, my ears are begging to hear your voice." I smiled at his comment.

"I have just been going through some personal issues, but I am back now," I said while patting his shoulder.

When he glanced at me with concern, I knew he knew what I was talking about, I have told everything to Marco before as he was very close to me.

"Is everything alright dear, you know you can tell me anything?" He said, worry swirling in his eyes.

"Uh - I will discuss it with you later," I said to him.

He nodded and after some more talks with him, he went back to his office as he had some work he needed to take care of. I checked the time and it was my time to perform.

I peered thought the curtains and I could see people filling up from the front door, I went back in the studio to check my appearance.

Taking my place on the chair on the stage, I checked the mic and waited for everyone to settle down. Once that was done, I started the song on a light note and closed my eyes.

You were the shadow to my light
Did you feel us?
Another start
You fade away

Afraid our aim is out of sight
Wanna see us
Alive

Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Was it all in my fantasy?
Where are you now?
Were you only imaginary?
Where are you now?

I put my all in the performance, my eyes closed, taking in the deep meaning of the song.

Atlantis
Under the sea
Under the sea
Where are you now?
Another dream
The monsters running wild inside of me

I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost
I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost
I'm faded

These shallow waters, never met
What I needed
I'm letting go
A deeper dive
Eternal silence of the sea
I'm breathing
Alive

Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Under the bright
But faded lights
You set my heart on fire
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Atlantis
Under the sea
Under the sea
Where are you now
Another dream
The monsters running wild inside of me
I'm faded

I'm faded
So lost
I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost
I'm faded

I closed off the song differently and heard the hall fill with claps and praises.

I bowed down and went back to the studio. I looked into the mirror and felt my cold exterior melt, tears poured out of my eyes, maybe it's the song or maybe it's myself. But I teared up.

The door opened and I immediately turned my back towards it and wiped my tears. After i was done, I turned towards the person and saw it was Marco.

I smiled at him and he hugged me.

"You did so good, I felt the song and its emotions, only you dear can do this"

I smiled sadly and said, "oh it was nothing, just a regular performance."

"I know," he said and patted my back.

When he acts like this I wish he was my real father instead my own father.

I closed my eyes and saw a memory of myself when I was a child.

Flashback:

I was only 4 or 5 years old, I stood near the window of the backyard, staring at the little kids my age play. I walked to them, wanting to play with them too.

"Hi, I am Athe... uhm... Athena," I said, having trouble saying my name.

All kids started laughing. "Pfft, she cannot even say her own name," they said and pointed fingers at me.

I felt embarrassed and started crying and ran away from there but fell down. I looked up and saw my father standing on the steps of the stairs and brought my hand towards him so he can pick me up.

I was just a kid wanting my father's love, that's what I saw with every kid. But I was totally confused when my father smirked and turned away from there. Leaving me there with my hand in the air and those kids still laughing at me.

As I was a child the confusion as to why my father behaved like this clogged my mind and I forgot of what happened.

Flashback over

This wasn't the first time he did this, it was just one of the times he did it, one of the many times.