Chapter.02- Brünnhilde's Glass Shattering Experience!

Two:  Brünnhilde's Glass Shattering Experience!

Rumours of the girl who was brave enough to close the door on Prof. King spread far and wide and I was so embarrassed even after a week of that had passed. I was in a hurry and so was Prof. King, I didn't realise that I'd closed the doors even after she'd asked for me to hold it. Because of that incident she was late for a very important seminar and I was known as the elevator bitch.

Thought she didn't see or recognise me as I hid in the corner. Well, joke's on me!

I was sad and ashamed but I apologised profusely!

We were currently practising our set for the competition for the last two hours and didn't get the last song right, the pitch was just wonky, so we've been practising like crazy. I on the other hand, well accidentally lifted my left hand, hitting one of the girls in the eye. I wasn't just into today's practise.

"I am sorry." I apologised, Audrey waved it off.

"Left hand, Becky. You use the right hand for this." She corrected.

I whacked myself on the forehead. "Right, sorry."

We were a group of ten girls, called the Wrecking Belles.  All of us were in different years and different streams.

That comprised of Emma Abbott, Audrey Adams, Samantha Atkins, Rachel Oh, they were the altos. Then came the sopranos: Lauren Sparks, Anna Yates, Jessica Carson, Charlotte and now we had a new member Hannah White, she was a lovely girl and kind too, she had an amazing voice and pretty quick learner for someone who'd joined two weeks ago.

Nicole Griffins and I were the mezzo-sopranos. We had one contralto, but she graduated and are hoping we'll find one considering how quite rare they are.

"Can we please take a break for a few minutes and then get back to practise?" Rachel looked exhausted. "We've been practising like this since the previous week."

"We deserve a break!" Nicole huffed.

Everybody groaned in unison and we agreed to take a much required twenty-minute break. We sat down and started talking amongst ourselves. I was talking to Charlotte and Anna about the formation.

"Ladies, can we continue this tomorrow? All those in favour of skiving off this practise sesh say aye!" Emma groaned like a lion cub.

"Aye!" Collective ayes resounded around the hall.

My eyes scanned the room of girls and sure enough, they all looked shattered. My eyes met Charlotte's and she nodded her head in agreement to wrap it up.

"Fine. Let's not be tardy and not skive off tomorrow. We've simply got a fortnight before the regionals."

The girls replied like toddlers in kindergarten. "Yes, Becky!" I rolled my eyes at that. We all said our byes and left.

"So what do you want to do now?" Charlotte quizzed as we walked to the car park.

I opened a packet of Cadbury Fingers and reached for a handful and passed the bag to Chars.

I hiked my backpack higher and replied, "first I'm going to go home and take a nice shower then go out. Fancy going to the mall?" I looked at her with wide eyes. Chewing like a goat.

I was feeling a bit pathetic so I wanted to go buy shoes from Harrods. Post embarrassment event blues.

Charlotte beamed. "I'm in."

We were passing by the music room and heard an opera singer letting loose an earth-shaking high C. The door was ajar and I opened it to see a woman in horned helmet and blonde braids singing in front of twelve wine glasses.

"Psst, hey!" I called out to a girl. She looked at me distractedly. "Is she attempting to break them?"

"Yes, what does it look like?"

"Like she's waiting for someone to pour wine into them," I muttered. Chars snorted. "Did she succeed?"

"No, hush and watch her shatter the window into smithereens as well."

"She can't shatter it unless she has an octave range of 100 or more decibels," I informed her bitterly.

"You remember!" Chars smug voice floated my ears.

"Stop being so bloody smug, how can I not when he humiliated me like that," I muttered darkly, remembering that awful day.

"You can't unless you have a voice range of 100 or 105 decibels, love. I am quite sure you don't have that range, but you can amplify your voice by using good speakers as Ella Fitzgerald did."

After teaching me the laws of physics, he had tapped my nose playfully.

"Technically he didn't. He was being informative." She spoke softly.

I promptly ignored her, she wasn't the one who was humiliated.

I didn't get to dwell on it as I was distracted. They had some cameras to capture it and wannabe Brünnhilde  sang and sang, Chars and I watched, hoping she'd break one. Not one broke.

Just when we gave up and were about to leave, the noise of glass shattering resonated in the hall.

"Bloody hell! She did it!" I shouted in excitement.

Chars and I grinned. "Heavens! 556 hertz, 105 decibels. Fascinating!" Someone commented.

"She got lucky. Use some music amplifiers and you can shatter the windows." All eyes were on me.

They didn't take my advice because they couldn't afford to shatter them and decided to be content with shattering the wine glass.

But I did get to sing with the opera singer and suffice to say I didn't break the glass. It was a little experiment for their YouTube channel.

*************

I sang in the shower trying to shatter the mirror.

Come on, just a crack will do!

Nothing! Zilch!

But I jumped when Chars kicked the bathroom door scaring me half to death, I went off pitch. I let out a curse as I dressed. I came out to find Chars on her phone, I hit her with a pillow to let her know that I was ready, she glared at me and blew her hair out of her face.

"Was that necessary?" She asked annoyed.

I just shrugged and put on my trainers. "Absolutely! Retribution!"

She rolled her eyes and stood up.

Throughout the car ride, I tried to shatter the windows and windshields. Surprisingly Chars joined me. And no, we didn't shatter the glass.

We're both losers!

Once we reached the mall, Chars pulled me into the Burberry store, before we could go shoe shopping. When she'd agreed to come with me she had an ulterior motive: she wanted to buy herself a new dress for her birthday which was next week, I followed her begrudgingly. I usually don't like shopping.

Wait, let me rephrase that, I don't like shopping with Charlotte.

The shop had a really good collection of this season, Charlotte was spoiled for choice. We scoured the place.

"No, no, no. Absolutely not!" I argued when she made me try on a cute dress. It was sexy, but just not for me and I could never pull it off.

"Why not?"

"I don't have that kind of body or legs. You do, so you try it on."

"Fine!" She turned around.

I resorted to poking my nose around the rows of clothes, perfumes and bags. I was startled when I saw a very cute lad outside the window staring and smiling widely at me. He waved, I turned around to see if someone was standing behind. But there was no one, I turned back to see him wink at me, I slowly backed away just in time for Chars to step out.

She came out looking like a goddess of the lake in some ballet play. "You look stunning," I said in awe. The white tulle with black detailing against her pale skin looked gorgeous, it was as if the dress was wearing her.

"I know, darling. There's a mirror inside." She flipped her hair.

I faltered. "Wow. Okay. Then get changed. Let's buy that."

After trying on different dresses for two hours, she finally decided on a red dress and the white one. Next, we went to the shoe store and I purchased a white trainer with golden butterflies on it which was top-tier.

"We should've gone to Harrods."

"We could have but I don't think you'd find this baby there." I clutched my trainers.

We decided to check out some more stuff, and came across a designer boutique, Charlotte squealed at the sight of all the dresses, bags, and shoes on display and pulled me inside the store pushing aside many shoppers.

"Charlotte, no! I am not going." I dug my heels on the floor.

"Look I haven't purchased anything in the last three months and Seb won't go out with me. I have no one to shop with except you. You're my only hope." She gave me a sad puppy face. I let out a defeated sigh and went with her. The girl purchased another pair of dress and shoes.

Finally, after an hour of Charlotte's squealing and my lack of enthusiasm for dresses and shoes, we went to the food court to eat. We ordered, paid for our food and sat down at the table and informed her about how this lad who was creepily staring at me back at the boutique.

"Was he cute?"

"I can't believe you asked me that." Appalled at her, nonetheless I answered, "yes, but he looked like a dodgy bloke who just comes to the mall to chat up girls."

She shook her head. "Everyone's dodgy except for Kayden."

"Exactamundo!"

"I'm assuming that you heard that it was just a rumour?" Chars smirked.

I knew what she was talking about. It'd been a relief after the rumour was declared false, and she'd assumed it was me he was kissing. Oh, how I wish it were true!

"Yes, I did. I'm just relieved it was all doctored." I smiled.

She sighed. "Rebecca, every time this happens you are sad, then when he denies it, you're back to being happy. I just think you should do something about it, either talk to him and tell him or move on."

I slumped in my seat. "I know but I'm a coward, and nobody measures up to my standards like Kayden."

"You're silly. There is always someone who will." She scoffed.

I twisted my lips to the side, and reached for my burger, but my phone chirped signalling a text message. I pulled it out from the BTS hoodie. Rachel introduced me to their music and we both fangirl together. I glanced at the screen that was lit up and saw Rachel's name appear on the notification.

I opened it: Rachel: I have some news. The Phantoms are taking part in the WACC. So they won't be performing at the ICCA🐸☕.

My eyes widened. I held up my phone for Charlotte to read and she took the phone from my hand. The Phantoms were our rivals, it was an all-male group, they were all fit-looking lads, but most of them batted for the other team and that left some us heartbroken. Not that it's a bad thing, but some of us developed a teeny tiny crush on them when we first started uni. Some of them have girlfriends and we have a strict no dating rivals rule.

"So, the Singing Trolls will be our competition at ICCA." Charlotte laughed.

"Are you bloody joking?" I nearly coughed on my milkshake.

"Do I joke about these things?" She raised one eyebrow.

I shook my head. "No. But it's going to be fun watching them perform."

The Trolls were formerly part of The Singing Souls, but there was some kind of disagreement and they split up and formed another group, now known as The Singing Trolls. Yes, they named themselves that after the movie Trolls. It was a co-ed group. And they weren't even that big of a threat as the Phantoms.

"While that may be true. We still need to watch our backs, we've got The Aquapellas and other big groups out there. I know we've been the reigning champions for two years, we still need to uphold that legacy." Charlotte handed me my phone.

"We will. Don't worry." I assured her and saw Rachel text me again. She wanted to know where we were and I told her we were at the mall. She said she'd accompany us next time and that she couldn't wait for Charlotte's birthday party so that she could find a handsome bloke. I shook my head and set my phone down.

"What did she say?" Charlotte picked up one fry daintily and put it in her mouth.

"She can't wait for the party and she's hoping she'll find some fit blokes to snog." I chuckled.

Charlotte visibly perked up at that, she sat up straighter and her green eyes gleamed with excitement. "You're going to wear a dress for my party, right? Because if you don't have one I purchased one for you and I know how slick you are, so don't even try to make up some silly excuse saying that you couldn't buy a dress at last minute."

"But I have-"

"No buts, you're wearing one and that's final," she stared down at me leaving no room for argument.

"Fine whatever." Not having the energy to argue.

"Fab!" She beamed.

I took a bite out of my burger and ate a chicken nugget, she opened her mouth to say something about my shoes but was quickly cut off when her phone started ringing. "It's Seb," she said and hit the answer button and started talking to him.

Sebastian was Charlotte's boyfriend, anybody who saw them could tell that they were madly in love. He was a Dashwood and all Dashwood men were gorgeous with green eyes and striking features. He was usually busy with his course work and he barely had time since he studied marine biology. But made sure to spend time with his bird. He was calm, collected, quiet and an awkward little bean and spoke only when it was required of him.

He balanced out Charlotte's eccentric personality well.

"No, I'm at the mall with, Becky. Uh-huh, yes. Alright, fine. Bye." She hung up.

I looked at her questioningly.

"We had plans for the evening and I forgot about it," she said guiltily.

Typical Charlotte!

But I also felt bad for ruining their plans. "Oh, gosh! I'm so sorry, let's go. We still have time and you can make it before it's late." I stood up and quickly shoved my phone in my pocket.

It's bad enough I'm pining over a boy who has no idea I like him, but I just had to go and ruin my best friend's relationship with her boyfriend. Fabulous!

"What're you sorry for? It's not your fault, I am the one who forgot, besides I wanted to come here today. Knowing Seb he probably would have cancelled on me if I mentioned the mall to him." She chuckled. "But let's go, he said he'll wait for me and it's alright." We started walking and got in the car.

"Is he mad?"

"No, he's just relieved that it wasn't him."

Chars dropped me home, I apologised again. "Tell Seb that I'm sorry for stealing you." I bent down and looked at her through the window holding two shopping bags.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly. I'll talk to you later lovely." She blew me a kiss and drove off.

I made my way up to the front door and walked straight into the kitchen, dropped the bags, took out a bottle of water from the fridge and emptied the contents. I noticed that the house was awfully quiet and made my way up the stairs to my room, the door was ajar, the sound of the telly muffled, I frowned, that's strange, was my brother watching telly in my room?

As soon as I entered inside my mouth hung open at the person sitting on my bed and watching television. I dropped my bags with a thud.

I gasped, "Luke, is that you?"

Startled, he turned around with a toothy grin his blue eyes met my brown ones and they lit up. His appearance was different, his brown hair was much shorter, jaw clean-shaven, standing up to his full 6 inches four feet glory said, "In the flesh, Harp!"

I hugged him. "What a pleasant surprise. I've missed you Luke-Fluke!"

"Indeed as you should." His chest rumbled with laughter.

Lucas Smith was my favourite cousin. A professional football player for one of the best clubs in England, as well as the national team, he was busy with his games and was away a lot, he rarely had time to meet his family, so this was a special occasion.

"So what brings you here? I didn't see your car. Did you meet your parents?" His mum was my dad's younger sister.

"I got dropped off. Well, I have a bit of free time and I thought what better way to spend it by visiting my favourite cousin before I get busy with the Leagues and Friendlies." He beamed. "Of course I did, you know how crazy mum is." He shuddered.

"That I do."

"Where were you?" He asked me.

"Mall with Charlotte." I opened the bag.

"How is she doing?" He was friends with Charlotte as well.

"She's very well, it's her birthday next week, you should come," I spoke absentmindedly as I wore the trainers and walked around.

"Sure. When are the regionals?"

I exhaled tiredly. "In a fortnight's time. I'm so nervous, I know we've performed and won before, it's just that we're not getting the last bit right."

He put his hand around my shoulder and smiled softly, "Yet you always say that and come out as champions. Don't worry, you're ace and will win the Championship this year too, Harp."

He always called me Harp instead of Rebecca and when I asked him he told me that it suited me more.

I smiled. "Thank you so much, Luke-Fluke." Only I can get away with calling him that.

"No need to thank me." He patted my head as he switched the channel to a football game. "So did you do anything interesting other than going to the mall?"

"Oooh, I attempted to shatter a wine glass today."

"Indeed?" We both turned to look at Carter.

"Were you hiding all this time?" I eyed him.

"No, setting up the game," Carter replied and sat down. "So did you break the glass?"

"No, but the opera singer shattered wine glass." I showed them the video.

"You got to be Brünhilde and didn't crack it? Share this with me." Luke requested.

"That's fuckin lit!" Carter added.

"That's exactly what they called their video. Alas, I couldn't and neither could Chars." I shared the video.

"You'd have to have a range of-"

"105 decibels." I completed for Lucas. "Don't start with me, bruv." I got upset when I saw his smug face.

"Hey that has stuck in me head for years and they even proved it on Mythbusters. I can't believe you're still angry. He's a nice bloke."

"He is not! He is horrid!" My face hardened.

"But what you did was even more horrid, Harp." Luke refuted.

I gasped in outrage. "I can't believe you said that!" I snatched the phone away from him.

"What's  happening?" Carter asked gormless.

"It's been three years he's changed but you're still the same. I reckon you should too." He put a hand on my shoulder, smiled and left. Carter right behind him.

I was gobsmacked when he said that. What he meant was: grow up.

I was cheesed off when Lucas said that. I couldn't just act mature and pretend as if nothing had happened. Part of me wanted to and the other part that was rebellious: wanted to act like a petty petulant child.

An ache began to grow in my chest. Thinking his name brought up bittersweet memories.

I exhaled and lied down on the bed and picked up my phone, there was a notification indicating that I'd been tagged on Instagram by Lucas. I clicked on it and it was the video I'd shared with him. Rolling my eyes, I scrolled down, on his profile, he'd posted a new picture of him at some party with his squad. I scrolled further and came across countless pictures of him but one particular picture caught my eye. It was of both Luke and Caleb.

Who I disliked even now. Perhaps even more today because of Luke's parting words.

Caleb played football as well, and I don't know why my cousin even associated with that bloke. It was a very up-close picture, his blue eyes looked straight at the camera, he smiled, dimples popping out, his hand slung over Luke's shoulder, who was hunched over from laughing at something. I stared at it for a couple of seconds, one thing I noticed other than his crappy personality was how to fit he looked and I couldn't take my eyes off of him, Caleb had a mesmerizing pair of blue eyes that sucked you right in, one that would make you go weak in the knees.

Right now it felt like he was staring at me through the picture.

How different he was now, a stark contrast to the silent lonely boy with bright blue eyes who didn't smile.

But now? He was a bit of a smart arse and a bit of a dish, that lad!

My thoughts came to a screeching halt as if realising what I had just thought, I mentally scolded myself. But I couldn't help appreciate his eyes and his arresting smile even if I disliked him. I shook my head and quickly closed the app, my heartfelt heavy as bittersweet memories flooded my mind.

Once again I felt like the girl in a ballet dress hiding behind her mum silently crying.

I got ready for bed and put everything away. I wanted to call Chars but I didn't want to interrupt her time with Seb. Times like these, I felt so lonely and hoped that I had someone special to spend time with.

No, I'm a strong, independent woman, I don't need a man!

Orrr... in my case, I couldn't get a man.

That's because you've got eyes for only Kayden. My subconscious taunted me.

Well....he was the most handsome boy I had ever laid my eyes on, he was dreamy, from his sterling grey eyes to his wavy bronze hair, and gentle smile. He was a supermodel, was kind and a gentleman, unlike Caleb. I scowled at the mention of his name.

Both Caleb and Kayden were indeed opposites, but Kayden was sweet, thoughtful, polite and would never behave nor humiliate me as Caleb would. Kayden was perfect in every sense.

The last time we conversed was the past week. He asked me to take part in a survey regarding his assignments and I gladly obliged. I had wished him best of luck, and he responded with a heart and smile emoji. I was staring at it for an entire day and Charlotte had to forcefully snatch my phone away from me.

I only wished that I could muster enough courage to chat him up. Maybe I should one of these days, and I would. Or I'll drop enough hints, hopefully, he'll pick up on that so that he can chat me up.

Only I had no idea what I was in for.....

_____________

I know nothing much happens here, it's a filler chapter because I'm busy with uni stuff but wanted to get this out... Hope it gives you a little bit of insight into her equation with Caleb. Hope you all love the rewrite!

Also, who do you reckon is this Caleb lad? Hmm?👀

Please comment, and vote I love hearing from you guys:)

Have a lovely day!xx