Chapter 46: Realize (45)

"Living teenage life is one of the hardest, yet fun. Most have a young mind and a reckless heart. The heart races to the finish line even before the mind does. Realizations come late. But that’s still better than not being realized at all." - @AxiaLavern

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Nearly all the Sky students went to Vlad Institute to witness the Music Clash 2010. Headmaster Sky canceled all the scheduled classes for March twenty-fifth so that all the students could attend the Clash.

The event would start at six o’clock in the evening, an hour of break time at eight o’clock for dinner, and an hour later they would announce the champions for the Clash Cup.

The gang decided to meet at Vlad institute. Todd decided to go with Maxine; Brian with Kim; Karl with Jen; and Peter was on his own. Not that it mattered to him, really.

Vlad Institute looked almost like Sky. However, the atmosphere at Vlad was cold and gloomy. There was also a hint of fog in the air.

Todd and Maxine passed the main building. There, she noticed the carved shape and words written across a brick wall by the lawn.

Vlad Institute

Divide and Conquer.

Maxine felt a chill went down her spine after reading those words. She wasn't aware that such a school existed. It was the sort of thing that was seen in films. It was a bit scary, she thought. Nothing compared to the lightness surrounding Sky.

It was half past five in the afternoon when they made it to the parking lot. It was packed with the most expensive cars. Maxine wasn't surprised about that little fact. Todd, on the other hand, had a hard time finding a vacant space in the area. Eventually, though, he found one halfway through the entrance of Vlad Institute’s auditorium.

“You have no plans to tell me why you brought your electric guitar rather than your lucky drum sticks still?” asked Maxine, as she and Todd got out of his Lamborghini.

Todd brought his electric guitar, see. Maxine had been wondering the reason why. She knew how he hated doing hassling things. She kept asking him about it.

But he only answers with, “It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

It frustrated her. She didn't like surprises. Not to mention, her curiosity was her absolute weakness. She was like a cat in a way – which was odd, since she preferred dogs.

“I don't like surprises,” she muttered.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” said Todd, shrugging. “Brian just thought that a huge twist for the audience can up our chances in the competition. So we agreed to keep it as a secret from you and the girls.”

Maxine didn't answer. She silently followed Todd toward the auditorium, hand in hand. She tried to think of a way to get him to spill. When she thought of a way, she gently put her free hand on Todd’s arm and looked him in the eye.

Todd looked at her determined face and immediately knew what she was about to say.

“I want to be a part of that surprise,” she said firmly. “Please tell me.”

He stared at her. After a moment, he sighed and looked away. He couldn't look at her when she looked that cute. He closed his eyes, eventually nodding. When he opened his eyes, he opened his mouth to say something.

“Don’t tell her anything!” Brian called out, suddenly showing up.

Todd and Maxine stopped walking. They turned to their right to see Brian walking toward them. When he reached them, he stopped in front of Maxine but he faced Todd with an exasperated expression on his face.

“Dude, we agreed not to tell the girls,” he said accusingly.

“I didn’t tell Max,” replied Todd indignantly.

“But you were about to.”

“You can’t blame him.”

Todd, Brian, and Maxine turned around and saw Karl carrying his electric guitar. Behind him was Peter who was carrying what looked like a large expensive rectangular case.

Karl lightly scratched his hair and looked sheepish. “I had a hard time keeping it from Jen, too,” he admitted.

“But you managed, didn’t you?” asked Brian.

“Uh, she sort of guessed that we were planning something like a twist,” explained Karl. “Even if she didn’t say it out loud, I think she knows about the surprise.”

Brian sighed. “I knew from the start that we couldn’t keep it from her. But at least she won’t say anything to Kim and Max.”

“You can count on that,” assured Karl, grinning.

“What a drag. Good thing I don’t have anyone to keep it from,” Peter piped in.

“You lead such a lonely life, man,” Todd told Peter.

“Nah.”

Taking this opportunity, Maxine rounded on Brian. “There’s just one thing I have the difficulty of understanding, Brie.”

“What is it?” asked Brian, ready to answer anything.

“Why can’t you tell me the twist as if I’m not part of the band?”

“She has a point,” said Peter thoughtfully.

“Yeah,” agreed Karl. “Why can’t we at least tell her?”

“Because,” began Brian, as though he was explaining it to little kids, “if we told Max, she’d tell it to Kim and Jen. They’ll talk about it in public and some of our schoolmates might overhear. When that happens, it’ll spread. Then, we won’t have a twist anymore.”

The gang stared at him like they were trying to understand what Brian was saying. In the end, they concluded to themselves that what Brian said was very unlikely.

“Don’t you think you’re being overly paranoid, Brie?” said Todd.

“Exaggerating, more like,” muttered Peter.

“That’s not very reasonable,” commented Karl.

Brian grimaced, then rubbed his face. “I guess I’m just too nervous about the twist.”

“Where are Kim and Jen?” Maxine inquired, looking around.

“Kim’s meeting up with Jen to find seats,” said Brian automatically. Suddenly, his eyes widened. The expression on his face turned to panic. “Crap! The Clash is about to start! We better get inside to the back stage. Let’s go!”

Brian ran straight to the back door of the auditorium, followed by the others.

There was someone there, like a guard. He looked like a senior high school student at Vlad Institute. He wore the white Vlad uniform, after all. He was a big black dude, and he looked like he was about to turn someone into pulp.

“Let me guess, you’re from Sky,” he said with a deep cold voice that made Maxine’s hair on the back of her neck stand up.

The gang waited for him to continue. When he didn't, Brian said impatiently, “Are you gonna let us in or are we just gonna stand here, staring at each other?”

Maxine blinked. She had never heard Brian use that tone of voice before.

The big guy’s cold eyes stared at Brian and said, “You tell me.”

There was silence. The big guy moved threateningly closer to Brian.

“ANTHON!” shouted someone from afar.

Maxine, Karl, and Peter almost jumped in surprise. They turned sideways and saw a dark-haired tall guy with stylish white highlights on his hair. He scowled at Anthon as he walked closer.

“What the heck do you think you’re doing? Let them in! Sir Cortez is already starting his speech. This is not the time for an unreasonable brawl, dude.”

“Bjohn,” began Anthon, not taking his eyes off Brian, “this is our chance to win the Clash Cup. If they can’t go inside, they’ll be disqualified and the Cup is ours.”

“Do you think Dominique wants to gain the Cup by getting these morons disqualified? He’s not that low,” replied Bjohn coldly.

“Who are you calling morons, dimwits?” said Peter angrily, advancing on Bjohn.

Todd shot him a serious look, making him stop.

“Dominique won’t think about it when we’ve already won,” continued Anthon, as though he hadn't heard Peter. “He might even thank me.” After the last word, he moved toward Brian.

Brian stood still, looking fiercely at Anthon. When the big dude moved closer and poked Brian, Todd automatically stepped between them.

Maxine tried to stop Todd by grabbing his arm, but he gently let go of her hand. Peter then pulled Maxine behind him and Karl.

They all looked serious. Even Karl wasn’t smiling anymore.

Maxine's heartbeat accelerated in fear of what would happen. These Vlad students looked like they meant business. She didn't want her friends to get hurt. Especially Todd, who was now in the middle of it all.

Todd faced Anthon, their faces just inches apart. He looked very serious. He looked as though nothing in the world could possibly make him smile or laugh at that moment.

He looked dangerous.

Anthon blinked at the intensity from Todd's cold eyes. However, he quickly composed himself and towered his abnormally tall height over Todd.

“What, protecting your boyfriend, Samuels? That’s right. For scared-y cats like you, I’m not surprised that you go in groups and protect each other — too scared to face some things alone.”

“I’d be wasting my time explaining the importance of friendship to some incompetent, slow-witted, short-sighted imbecile who can’t even determine the difference between winning and losing,” said Todd in a low, clear voice through his gritted teeth. “So why don’t you just step aside and save yourself the embarrassment?”

Anthon obviously didn't understand much. But there were four words that were enough for him to understand that Todd just majorly insulted him. Incompetent, slow-witted, short-sighted, imbecile . . . Yes, those words were enough.

“You dare?” hissed Anthon, crouching and was about to come at Todd.

“For fucking sake, dude!” yelled Bjohn, pulling Anthon from Todd and pushing him against the wall. “Stop this bullshit! Just how stupid are you to get offended like that? Geez!” He turned to scowl at Todd and the gang. “Just go inside before things get out of hand.”

Todd nodded once. He looked at Brian, his face hard.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Yeah. Thanks, man,” replied Brian appreciatively.

“Anytime,” said Todd, opening the back door.

“I’m not really good at disputes.”

“I know,” murmured Todd. His expression softened when he looked at Maxine. “I’m sorry you have to see that.”

Maxine shook her head, even though she was sort of freaking out just a few moments ago. “You don’t have to apologize.”

“Max, could you do me a favor?” asked Brian seriously, before Todd could respond.

“Sure.”

“Could you please not mention that to Kim?” he asked, his brows furrowed. “I don’t want her to worry.”

Seeing as she knew how it felt to worry, she understood Brian's favor.

“Of course, Brie,” she agreed, smiling.

Finally, they closed the door behind them and entered the backstage.

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The almost fight scene brings out the punk rock in me. Haha!

Update: Tomorrow