Starlight is for Always

Chapter 4: "Universal Appeal"

"Are you nuts?" Pilar clucked to Dee. "You make it a habit of pissing off everyone?"

She put her textbooks in her locker and slammed the door shut. Cynthia, Flo, and Sam observed the pair arguing about over the gay teen's harsh remark concerning Desiree Raymond's performance in music class.

"Controversy is my middle name," Dee laughed. "How else am I going to ruffle some feathers and grab some attention if I don't take down a few people who deserve it?"

"But Desiree is the queen bee of CHAPA," explained Sam. "She's been known to ruin reputations and make students' lives here miserable!"

Dee rolled his eyes. "Like I care about my reputation." Pointing to the black streaks in his blond hair, he emphasized his point. "I'm gay, remember? I doubt my reputation at this school is going to suffer because one vindictive, arrogant bitch wants to get back at me!"

"No, she'll be out for blood and she'll be targeting me!" Pilar corrected him. "Remember, she sees me as a threat for some reason!"

"That little stunt you pulled, Dee, is only going to fan the flames of her hatred towards me. It wasn't my decision to attend CHAPA but I'm here and I want to make it through the school year without all the attention focused on me!"

"Too late!" Cynthia jumped in. "The word already spread quickly of your musical and dancing talents around this school. They're even posting it on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and even old school Facebook! Desiree is going to be soooo jealous!"

Flo smiled and added her two cents. "I think we should have Pilar utilize her talents, verdad? La chica has the most amazing voice and we don't want it going to waste. I suggest we make her our cantante en frente! Nuestros lead singer!"

Pilar looked confused. "I may be struggling in Spanish 101, but I did translate the words lead singer in your statement, Flo."

Clapping his hands in excitement, Dee jumped up and down. "That's a faaaabulous idea, Flo! What didn't I think of it before? Pilar is a shoo in!"

Pilar raised her eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"

Dee nervously paced around her. "We've been dabbling with the idea of starting a band. I mean we've playing in my mother's garage for fun, but we weren't serious until now."

The nose ring wearing teen smiled. "That's great! I'd love to watch one of your sessions!"

"The thing is..." Dee hesitated. "Is that we don't have a singer. I mean we all have capable voices but nothing that pops out to an audience, so I was thinking..."

Pilar's eyes widened with the realization of what he was asking. "NO! NO! NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

"Oh, come on Pilar!" Cynthia interrupted. "You got the most exquisite voice out there! With that talent of yours we can take it places with this band."

"Cynthia's right," agreed Sam. "We need that for this group. Plus, we need something to stand out for our Pop Factor audition."

"POP FACTOR!" Pilar gasped. "HELL, TO THE NO! I'M NOT DOING THAT!"

"Por favor, Pilar," pleaded Flo. "Tu tienes the most amazing voice for our group. We need you! We can't go on this audition without you."

Pilar sighed. "It's just that...I'm scared. I might choke knowing that I'm being watched by that many people...I'm not into being the center of attention..."

"Face it, girl!" Dee pointed out to her. "With those pipes, you were made to be the center of the attention!"

"But your brother and Desiree are already auditioning with their band," she protested. "We'll be encroaching on their territory. I mean it's no secret that Desiree already hates us!"