The Savage Brothers | ✓

CHAPTER 28: Sins of a Savage

CHAPTER 28: Sins of a Savage

BRYAN

"Nikki," I grumbled, shoving the Twin Bean cup to her freshly manicured hands. "I asked for a double-flavored mocha latte, and I tasted three. Take 'em back!"

Nikki nods and hurries away.

Tonight, the Performing Arts Festival held in PAM has come to its end and now we're having a private Cast Party for the whole team to celebrate. Thanks to our sponsor, the Twin Bean Café of course, they took care of the beverages and pastries. Mom and Dad helped me arrange their place at another auditorium, just a block away, with the catering service was from this popular restaurant—I honestly don't care what it's called.

The Student Council helped me on this one. The food tasted amazing, but it completely ruined my appetite seeing the caterers who looks like they need sleep desperately more than I do. That's alright; I didn't have the energy to eat anything tonight, anyway.

I should be happy. But I can't help the feeling of a void eating up my chest. I can't put my finger on it...

After the curtain call, the crowd engulfed us on stage. Teachers and students congratulated us—especially me, being the very first student director and all—for a job well done. There had been a long line for a photo-op of the cast; their loved ones and friends from different schools came to support and give them bouquets.

I was just grateful that my whole family was there to watch it. Brandon crushed me into his congratulatory hug. Dad approached me with his professional photographer to capture a picture of us and have it painted or turn it into a tapestry or something.

Mom has nothing to do but talk shit about the plot holes she found on my work. The storyline, the "lack of justifications for my characters," the choice of props, the symbolisms and irony in the play, the ending.

It should've affected me like it always does when my mom opens her mouth, but I didn't. I feel... numb or something. I need something that'll make me feel.

I huffed and leaned on the tall table beside me.

Venus gathered the ensemble to lead a groufie. And then she moves to the main cast, then the behind-the-curtain crew, and so on... From a distance, I just smile at them. Javier was the best Stage Manager I could ever work with and Violet's amazing reputation helped me gather more audiences to have our tickets sold out for our three-night show.

I put in all my effort in this musical for months. My heart, soul, time, and energy were consumed for this. Held fucked up auditions for weeks. We rehearsed this sonofabitch for months. Polished it for months. Fought our way out with blood and fire for months. We sacrificed those months for the sake of the art and storytelling. But sometimes—no, most of the time, art sucks. You put in a lot of effort in the making it, and it only takes an hour and a half for it to be appreciated.

Maybe I'm bored. Or I just desperately need to forget all of these for one night.

My eyes searched the room, contemplating if I should just leave and rest... Just when I reach for my bag at the table and leave, I catch Lilly on the corner of the room, drinking by herself and looking exhausted. I think Venus and Violet's energy for tonight kind of drained her. I don't blame her.

Lilly was now wearing this comfy and stylish sweater and tight black jeans. She was sick of wearing skirts from the play.

Something triggered in my head just simply seeing her.

Dad. Once he saw who Lilly Anders was, he smirked and whispered to me that he'll let me have our place by myself until midnight.

"You said you two were close. Good. Then take that chance. Nobody can resist the charm of a Savage."