27

A/N:

Watch and listen to the video above for an idea how it should sound like. (Video posted by THUNK a capella on Youtube. They were amazing!)

As I stand behind the stage with the rest of the choir, waiting to be called up after the chancellor announces everything, I can't help but feel nervous yet excited.

I peek around the corner through the gap in between the curtains and spot Iris sitting in the crowd.

If someone sees us walking down the street at 3 am, they'd definitely call the cops.

We're practically dressed as thieves, wearing all black.

I chose to go with high, leather, black boots paired with an all black, skirt and V-line T-shirt.

I take a deep breath in, tossing the mic back and forty between my hands, and do vocal warm-ups.

Anthony, who was talking with the rest of his friends, walked towards me with a smile.

He also had a mic in his hand, quickly loosening up his stiff arms by shaking it around.

That was a way I knew he was nervous. He'd always jump to loosen up or just wiggle around.

He's wearing white sneakers, a black normal T-shirt, and black, long jeans.

"Hey cuz'," He smiled, wrapping an arm around my neck and dragged me into his side. "You ready to blow the people away?"

Knowing he's also a bit anxious, but still has faith in us, helps calming me down.

A nervous chuckle escape my lips. "I have no choice but to be, I guess." I said awkwardly, which made his smile grow, "It sounds like a huge crowd."

"Exactly, and think about it, all those people came to see us." He said trying to reassure me, "Our choir-- us!"

Mrs. Feltham whistled, and that was our signal to huddle up.

So, Anthony and I, still arms around each other, and the others circled around Mrs. Feltham.

She stood in the middle, beginning to gives us a motivational speech about how good we'll do and that we're going to make her proud.

After that, the chancellor announced our name.

"Ladies and gentleman, I give you, the New York University choir." He said front stage, and a few cheers echoed through the hall.

Mrs. Feltham rushed us, playfully fanning us away with her hands. "Okay, okay, go, go!" She whisper yelled, "Go make mamma proud!"

Go make mamma proud.

We rushed out onto stage behind the curtains, taking our positions.

I stood in the middle with a microphone stand in front of me.

The rest of the choir formed behind me, Anthony standing at the end with his microphone.

I placed the mic in the holder, quickly also wiggling my arms lose, doing some breathing exercises.

The curtains slowly opened and I grabbed the mic stand, getting ready.

A few people did tiny 'whoo's' and whistles, some clapping.

Though, I didn't realize it would be a full house and all of the sudden I was doubting everything.

That was until I scanned the crowd, and landed on a particular face.

A shiver went down my spine as those emerald eyes locked onto me.

It was Professor Garcia checking me out, looking me up and down.

She realized I spotted her and sent a smile my way.

Just that gave me the confidence I needed and suddenly I found myself smirking.

But then I saw Adeline in the crowd.

The people behind me started harmonizing, "Like a river."

My grip around the mic stand tightens.

"How do we fall in love...?"

My eyes were practically locked on Daniela, like I was singing the song for her.

Only for her, and nobody else.

She definitely got the hint, and shifted in her seat, avoiding eye contact as she stroked her chin.

Besides that, I could now and then see her smirking.

And when I looked away to the crowd, she'd stare me down like I was her prey.

Iris was cheering me on too.

When the beat drops, the crowd went wild, and heard her voice over everybody's else's.

"So shut your mouth baby run me like a river!"

As Daniela and I look at each other, it was like everyone around us disappeared again.

She sat there among many others, and just stared at me.

I watched as her jaw clenched and unclenched.

So it went on.

The cheers, the screams, the whistles.

It all echoed.

Until the song came to an end.

It was only my breathing that I could hear. It felt like a dramatic pause before the crowd jumped up, clapping and cheering.

Before I knew it, there were hands all over me and I turn around to the rest of the choir.

We too, jumped up and down all excitedly in a huge group.

Anthony walked up front with his own mic. "Thank you!"

Iris and I were talking, her arm swung around my neck as she congrats me.

Some people were still inside the building, eating and drinking.

The university organized a little something after the show where everyone just mingles and eats.

But Iris and I decided to leave to get some fresh air. It's already pitch black outside, and the stars looks like tiny dots in the sky.

We were walking through the parking lot, "Holy shit, we did that!" I squealed, flabbergasted.

Iris grinned, "And you looked hot while doing it!"

I chuckled, rolling my eyes dramatically.

My giggling died down when my eyes fell upon Daniela.

Her hands were buried in her coat's pockets, and her head was hidden, tucked in like she was looking down to the ground.

Her back was facing us. She was getting closer and closer to her car.

"Go talk to her." Iris said softly, letting go of me.

I flash her a soft smile, stepping forward and looking back over my shoulder, "I'll meet you back inside?"

Iris nods, turning to go inside while I walked towards professor.

I picked up my speed as she pulled out her car keys until I was jogging towards her.

"Hey!" I call out, trying to get her to stop.

Daniela turned around and I stopped in front of her.

"There's uh, cake and tea." I said shyly, pointing back, "I heard it's good."

She looked down at me, her eyebrows lightly furrowed like she was confused to see me.

"No thanks, I'm on my way." She said, scratching the back of her neck with her free hand.

I frown. "Didn't you like it?"

Her green eyes looked right into mine, but I couldn't decide which eye to look at and just started flicking between them.

Her pupils grew the longer she stared.

It's like she was holding back something by biting her bottom lip.

That small movement made my cheeks red, and myself to look down to my feet nervously.

She cleared her throat. "No, I loved it." She said.

I looked back up to her, a smile spreading across my lips.

"You were..." She looked at me softly, "You were great."

I smiled wider.

She turned around with a deep breath in, "Well, I need to go."

I reach out to grab the end of her sleeve. I didn't even have to talk to make her turn to me again, making her understand with my eyes that I don't want her to go.

A knife could cut through the tension building up.

I was about to lose the eye contact game any second, especially when she looked down to my lips.

If my cheeks weren't red already, it definitely is now.

And suddenly her lips crashed onto mine.

The heat slowly spread throughout my entire body, feeling warm in every single inch.

Her hands found my waist, pulling me against her.

It's like my body had a mind of its own; closing my eyes, tilting my head to the side.

Though, I didn't touch her.

Because I was pissed off.

I ripped away from her, stumbling back.

Her hands slipped off me.

My heartbeat raced.

I looked at her with wide eyes. "Wha- What the fuck? What the fuck is wrong with you!?"

She blinked heavily, licking her bottom lip, probably still tasting me.

"I don't understand, you can kiss me, but I can't kiss you?" She frowned.

What!

She told me it can't happen again!

I was shocked that she played the uno reverse card, but held my composure and pointed a finger at her.

"No, no, you pushed me away!" I said, placing my finger against her chest, "You told me off when I kissed you-- you scolded me! You said this can't happen again, but now you kissed me!?"

Daniela turned away with her hands on her hips, shaking her head.

"Victoria, there's clearly something going on between us." She said sternly, running her hands through her hair.

My jaw drops and I scoff. "No, there's not!" Truth is, there probably is, but I'm too scared to admit it. "You can't do that. You can't just lead me on anymore! And you're really confusing me! One second you push me away, but then pull me back in. I don't know what you think, but... but I don't like you, Daniela! I- I hate you!"

Wait... no, no, shit!

She paused and stared at me in disbelief.

I knew what I said was a bit much, but I needed to say something to get away from her.

And I didn't mean it one bit.

She stood there, gave a blink, and cleared her throat.

Her jaw clenched, "You don't mean that." She said quietly and for the first time, I could truly see the hurt in her eyes.

It was too late to apologize or take it back now, so I didn't say anything.

It just lingered in the air before I turned around, not knowing what to do.

I just start walking away.

But suddenly, she reached out and grabbed my wrist.

"You can't just walk away from everything when you're too afraid to face it!" She said, and my muscles tensed, "We need to talk this out like the adults we are."

I turn to her, holding back tears. "No, I walk away when I don't know what to say. And trust me, there's so many fucking things I want to get off my chest. But one word could end everything."

She let's go of me. "Then slap me."

I frown, "What?"

She steps closer, her body towering over me. "Go on, hit me. Show me how much you hate me. You don't have to say anything. Just do it."

In a flash my hand flew across her face, causing her head to twist to the side.

She looked down to the ground, not making the effort to tilt her head back to me.

There was a red handprint left on her cheek.

And I felt no remorse, but I just wanted to slap her over and over again for making me feel like this.

For making me feel like this about her.

Then a wave of guilt and sadness washed over me.

There was silence for a moment.

Daniela clenched her jaw, finally moving her head for me to see. But she looked down to the ground, breathing heavily.

Dammit.

"I never thought that you would end up meaning this much to me." I whisper and she tilted her head up to me.

Her eyes softening.

She hesitates, looking deeply into my eyes before speaking quietly. "I really want to kiss you again."

She knows I don't hate her.

But I do hate this feeling.

It's so confusing.

A faint blush spread across my face, dropping my head to hide the smile forming on my lips.

Her hand lowered to my chin and, with her finger, gently tilted it up, making me look at her in the eyes.

She looked down at me lovingly, her other hand coming up to cup my cheek.

My heart fluttered at her touch, and I really didn't know what to feel anymore.

She caressed my cheek with her thumb, drawing all kind of shapes against my skin.

Her eyes fell down to my lips and slightly leaned forward as if she wanted to kiss me again, but stopped.

I frown as she quickly lets go of me and shot her head up.

Turning around, I see Adeline leaving the building.

She walked forward while she got out a lighter and a cig, placing it between her lips.

She spots us while taking a puff out and started walking with curious eyes.

Daniela moved away and leaned against her car casually.

Adeline stood in front of us, not saying a word with her cigarette still in between her lips.

She put her lighter away in her back pocket.

The smoke left her mouth as she blew out, looking us up and down.

"Did I miss something?" Adeline said lowly, not amused at all.

I quickly came up with an excuse. "Yes actually, we were talking about the Olympiads"

I looked at Daniela who nodded, playing along.

Adeline's eyes flicked back and forth between us.

She inhaled deeply, taking the cigarette away from her mouth and giving another puff out.

I swear my lungs were dying just smelling it.

"Your dad and I actually talked about that." Why is she acting like my mom. "And he agrees it's not a good idea for you to go."

My heart sank, but I forced my emotions in check. "Why not?" I ask harshly.

"Well, it's not safe." She said, "You'll be flying all that way on your own."

Professor spoke, her voice low, "She'll have me." She gave Adeline a deadly look, "And she's mature enough, 20--"

"21" I correct.

"21, she's 21." Daniela fixed, "Let her be, Adeline. Don't you think she's grown-up enough to live her own goddam life?"

Adeline's eyes darkened and she threw her cigarette down and stepped it out with her heels.

"That's not my point, Garcia." Adeline growled, "Still, two women alone in a foreign country? Anything could happen."

My jaw dropped in disbelief, "Greece is in the top 10 most safest places!"

"It doesn't matter," Adeline shot back, her tone firm. "You're still a kid."

What the fuck.

She isn't even 30 yet!

We're both kids then.

I scoffed at being called a 'kid.'

I'm in university, studying law.

I'm an adult, capable of making my own decisions.

Something most people won't understand, like her, replacing my mom.

I opened my mouth to argue, but Professor Garcia spoke up first.

"Victoria is perfectly capable of handling herself," she said, her voice steady. "She's a bright and responsible woman."

Adeline's eyes flickered, as if sizing Daniela up. "And what would you know about being responsible?" she asked, her voice sharp.

"Adeline!" I yelled.

Adeline ignored me, her gaze fixed on Daniela like a hawk.

There was a moment of silence, tension filling the air.

Then, Adeline spoke again.

"Look," she said, turning to me. "Your dad said what he said."

I gritted my teeth, "Then maybe I'll have a chat with him."

I walked away, bumping my shoulder against Adeline's.

Daniela gave me one last look.