Désobéissance - Palaye Royale

Chapter 11

XI

ELIA

"And the winners are ... Elia!"

A knife pierces my chest. Eyes are immediately directed towards this group of five girls who start jumping at the announcement of their names. Palaye Royale invite them to join them on stage. I watch Ellie, Carole and Maxine. They are obviously very disappointed.

"Well, it's the game after all". Ellie ends up saying.

"Yes, it will have given us a good experience! Short for sure, but intense and amazing!" Add Maxine.

Carole doesn't hide her emotion and takes us in turn in her arms. It's true that now, we will go back again each to our occupations once home, and lose sight of each other. But I don't want to. This last three weeks have allowed us to get to know each other and to create a real friendship. And our love for music binds us, it's undeniable.

Elia arrives on stage. Fortunately, the competitors play it fair and congratulate them. I glance at the Allison's group. I can't see them any more, but when I think they have left the room, a pat on my shoulder invites me to turn around. There is their leader with her eternal good humor.

"They are four... It will allow them to share..." She said.

"You're unbelievable..."

"Not to disgusted that Emerson is putting someone else in his bed tonight?"

But why is she so nasty with me? 

Her smug look annoys me the most. I have one of this desire to punch her in the face. But I hold back, it doesn't look like me. And I have no desire to draw attention to us. I answer her with as much detachment as possible.

"He can do whatever he wants since there is nothing between him and I."

"But you're not going to deny that there could have been something."

"If you like to believe that."

And what if this bitch is right after all. If Emerson had devised a whole plan to put me in his bed. They may have been convinced from the start that they were going to have a women's group with them, and Emerson had set his sights on me. I almost feel a slight relief from not having won the audition bursting into my mind. I dream, she decidedly managed to get her stupid ideas into my head. Matt, who see that something was going on, approaches us.

"Young lady, you would make me very happy if you were to spill your venom elsewhere and leave my friend alone before I take care of putting you out myself."

The tone he use doesn't seem to please her but for sure, it quickly puts her back in her place, so that she decides to leave.

"Thank you." Adds Matt satisfied with his heroic intervention.

One of Elia's members speaks on stage.

"Wow! Oh my god what a surprise! I think that we don't realize yet what just happened, but damn it's amazing!"

A second girl in the group takes the microphone.

"We have to thank Palaye Royale for allowing us to pass these auditions! It's an initiative almost unique of its kind and which deserves to be repeated more often in order to give small groups like ours the opportunity to make themselves known more! Thank you really!"

The audience applauds. They seem very comfortable in front of a public. It certainly weighed in the balance. I regret not having seen their performance, given that they passed yesterday. But my regret is short-lived, since the organizers quickly invite them to replay the titles of their audition. I can't help but looking at Emerson. His hands are in his pockets and he doesn't seem to be that happy. Before leaving the stage, his gaze scrutinizes the room. Is he looking for me? And what do I do if he or someone else picks me up? Do I listen to my head that tells me to be wary? My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of guitars. Elia begins their song. They are in a style that mixes rock and punk. The singer is very beautiful. The rest of the band also have a very sophisticated look, but they are far from being vulgar. Once their title ended, they put the whole room at their feet. I'm forced to admit that they deserve to have won. Then they continue with their cover. It's "Zombie" from the Cranberries. The room then sings with them the world famous song. Carole and Matt bring us beer from the bar. We drink together with a touch of nostalgia.

Elia finishes her second song brilliantly then leaves the stage, and without anyone expecting it, roadies come to change the instruments of the stage. I understand quickly what's happening. They apparently decided to surprise us and play tonight. The lights in the room go out and a soundtrack is heard. Carole takes me by the hand and forces me to get closer to the stage. She had a good reflex because in no time people are all trying to get as close as possible, crowding against the security barriers.

Emerson arrives on stage, followed by Andrew, then Brian, who will place himself on the far left, then Sebastian and Remington. I find Emerson incredibly sexy on stage playing with his drums. His hat slightly hides his face. I really want him to meet my eyes again. To see his eyes again. They play three of their most famous songs. At the end of the last one, Remington thanks us and promises us a amazing tour which will start in less than two weeks, then leave the stage. Emerson tosses his drumsticks into the crowd and the others a few picks that hung from their microphone stands, creating hysteria. The lucky ones proudly brandish their loot.

And now, the evening is coming to an end. I have no desire to go back to my basic little life. Today, we have been able to touch with the tips of our fingers this life that makes us dream so much. A rock-star life foaming cities and concerts and leaving behind fans filled with magical moments that they shared with them.

We're about to leave when suddenly my eyes are drawn to Kylie's black hair at the entrance of the room. She scrutinizes the public with meticulousness. When her gaze finally settles on mine, she begins to make big signs towards me. I can read "Come here" on her lips. Gloups. I swallow my saliva.

"Ellie! What do I do?"

I motion to her to look on the side of the stage, where Kylie is waiting for me. The latter seems to understand my embarrassment and mentions us for to come. Carole doesn't need more to run to the young woman, followed by Maxine, Ellie and myself.

"How would you like to come and attend the Palaye Royale concert of your choice as a VIP?"

Seeing our amazed faces, she takes out four small cards from the back pocket of her pants.

"The guys told me to give this to you, sort of like a sort of consolation prize."

Carole takes over the VIP passes with a little hysterical cry.

"They wanted to give you this gift because the choice was made between you and Elia in reality." She adds.

"Well you will thank them warmly for our part!" Said Ellie.

"No worries, I'll pass the message to them! See you soon then!"

"Understood! See you soon!" Maxine replies.

Carole gives us a card for each of us. It says "PALAYE ROYALE - VIP PASS - ALL ACCESS" in bold large letters on it. As we are going to turn to join Matt and show him our precious gift, Kylie holds me by the arm.

"Oh and Lexie, this is for you."

She hands me a small piece of paper folded in four.

"He told me that he couldn't have time to chat with you tonight, that he really regrets it, but that he wants you to be able to choose whether or not you want to see him again. He doesn't want to force you. That it's up to you."

"Oh... Uh ok... Thank you..."

Then she goes backstage, giving me a last smile, leaving me like an idiot, my VIP pass in one hand and this little piece of paper in the other. I open it. Emerson scribbled a note.

"Dear Lexie, sorry that your band wasn't selected. I want you to know that I was delighted to meet you. I leave you the choice of whether you wish to write a continuation to our meeting or not... 702-427-7430 
- Emerson" 

My hands are shaking. I fold it up quickly and carefully slip it into my jeans pocket.

____________

Note : 

"Elia" is represent by the band Crucified Barbara

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