Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 23

"You should have seen what people are saying on Youtube, they love it", said Clara the band did soundcheck.

"Really? But it isn't their musical style", she protested.

"Yeah, but that's why they love it. The video already has a lot of likes", said Clara.

Nika searched for the video on Youtube and was surprised by how many views it had. Her cheeks turned pink when she read the comments, many of which complimented her playing and few which said she was hot. "Don't listen to those sorts of comments, some are just gross. Besides, I think Josh is the only guy you want to call you hot", teased Clara as Nika blushed.

"Clara, are you teasing my girlfriend?", laughed Josh as he handed his guitar over to one of the techs.

"The internet loves your girlfriend, the video from the last show has gone viral", said Clara.

"Awesome, are you all right, Night Owl?", asked Josh, a concerned look in his brown eyes.

"I'm not used to being noticed, I tend to stay off the radar. There's other clarinetists who are better", she fretted.

Josh put his arms around her and kissed her softly. "Don't say that, Nika Lacroix. You are very talented and you shouldn't put yourself down like that", he said.

"It's a bad habit, Mom was very critical. She was hard to please, it's hard to shake that habit", she replied quietly.

"I get it, but you can't be putting yourself down so much. We think your playing is awesome", said Josh.

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "My parents didn't like it when I quit high school to become a musician, but they learned to accept it. I knew high school was a waste of time, but later I did get my GED. Sometimes we have to do what's best for us, and not what our parents want", he said.

"How do your parents feel now?", she asked.

"Mom and Dad are proud of me now, I hated school and the other kids picked on me for being skinny and playing guitar. I had to do what was right for me", he said.

Nika relaxed in his arms and her eyes looked deep in thought. "Nika, what do you really want to do?", he asked.

"I have the family tradition to uphold, I'm studying Classics", she replied softly.

"But what do you really want?", he asked.

"I have the family tradition to uphold, I'm studying Classics", she repeated in a monotone.

Josh's blood ran cold at the tone of her voice, her blue eyes flat and dull like hard plastic buttons. "Nika, you're scaring me", he said softly.

"Mom always said I have to maintain the tradition. Women aren't stupid, I have to show everyone", she muttered.

"Nika, your mom isn't here. What do you really want?", he asked.

"Children want things, adults have duties. I can't lose control", she mumbled in a dull monotone.

Josh was alarmed as he grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. To his dismay, her eyes were a dull flat dark blue like buttons on a rag doll. 'Stop it, Nika!", he exclaimed.

"You don't understand! I have a family tradition to uphold, the Lacroix are all brilliant academics. I can't let them down", she whispered.

Josh was alarmed and confused by her words. Just a few minutes earlier, they had been talking normally and now she was acting like a very scared robot. Nika got loose from his embrace and ran towards the dressing room as John restrained him. "Leave her alone for a while, she needs to calm down", he said.