Invisible Scars

Chapter 6

The energy in the room was electric, the echoes of cheers still ringing in my ears. Fifth Element had just won the Battle of the Bands, and the thrill of victory surged through my veins. I could hardly believe it; our hard work had paid off, and the stage lights still flickered in my mind like stars.

As we gathered backstage, laughter and hugs filled the air. Lauren was animatedly recounting the moment we finished the last song, her excitement contagious. "Did you see their faces? We totally rocked it!" she exclaimed, her smile brightening the room.

I joined in the laughter, my heart full. But as the adrenaline began to fade, a familiar weight settled in my chest. I had something important to share—something that had been weighing on me since the beginning of the competition.

"Guys, can we talk?" I said, my voice wavering slightly as I took a step away from the crowd. The laughter hushed, and the group turned their attention to me.

"What's up, Alaria?" Tati asked, concern etching her brow.

I took a deep breath, glancing around at the faces I had come to rely on. "I... I have something to tell you all," she began, feeling the heat of vulnerability wash over me. "I'm pregnant."

The silence that followed felt like an eternity. My heart raced as I watched their reactions. Would they be disappointed? Would they turn away?

Finally, Lauren broke the silence, stepping forward, her brow furrowing slightly. "Wait, Alaria. Why didn't you tell us before the performance?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and frustration. "That performance was really intense, and we could have supported you better."

"I was scared," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I didn't want to distract us, especially with everything at stake. I thought I could handle it on my own until after."

Lauren's expression softened as she processed my words. "I get that, but we're a team, Alaria. You don't have to go through this alone. I would've been right there with you, no matter how intense it got."

"I know, and I'm sorry," I said, my eyes filling with tears. "I should have trusted you all with this sooner."

Lauren stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We're here for you now, and that's what matters. Just promise us you won't keep anything else like this from us. We're your family."

With my bandmates surrounding me, I felt a wave of strength wash over me. For the first time since I found out about her pregnancy, I felt lighter.

"Let's celebrate our win and this new journey!" I suggested, my voice stronger now. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm craving a pizza!"

The group erupted into cheers, and I joined in, my heart swelling with love and hope. We had faced challenges together, and now, this new chapter would be just another part of our story.

As we headed out to celebrate, I felt ready to embrace whatever lay ahead, confident in the knowledge that I wouldn't have to face it alone.

After the celebration, the energy in the room shifted as we all settled into the cozy familiarity of my living room. The aftermath of our victory at the Battle of the Bands still buzzed in the air, but beneath that excitement, a knot of uncertainty twisted in my stomach.

"Okay, so what's next for Fifth Element?" Tati asked, flopping down on the couch and crossing her legs. The question hung in the air, waiting for my response.

I exchanged glances with Lauren, who had an eager spark in her eyes. "I think we should write a new song," she suggested. "Something that captures this moment and how strong we are together." Her enthusiasm was infectious, but I couldn't shake the worry nagging at the back of my mind.