Chapter 18: The Opera House
It's the weekend again, thank God!
I don't have to deal with anyone in school and I can avoid both Karlee and Jaz. I just want to stay in my room. I don't know if I'm feeling depressed but I just don't want to get out of bed.
"Honey, Can I come in?" Mom went inside and showed me tickets for the Phantom of the Opera play. My older sister is a part of it and is inviting us to watch it tonight.
"We're on the balcony, VIP tickets for the play, so your sister wants you to wear something nice. Something fit for the Opera House. No Jeans rule."
"Then I won't go. I don't want to buy clothes just for one night." plus I want to just stay here. Although I like that play because of the songs and of course to support my sister.
" Your sister already sent the dress. She knows your going to say that that's why she sent it together with our tickets. My friends and their kids are going to be there. You're sister sent a lot of tickets so I gave some to my friends. Do you want me to get more for your friends? "
" No, it's fine. I like it to be just us tonight. " I hugged mom and she left my room.
I checked the dress my sister sent me and it was simply elegant. She really know what I like.
Sometimes, it feels nice to dress up like a lady does, not always my Dobok or school uniform.
The play will start at 8pm but mom wanted us to prepare early so we can get there on time and won't get stuck with traffic.
I put some light makeup on and some 2-inch heels. I also put some fancy accessories so that it can match the dress I am wearing.
" Are you ready, Jadis? "
I walked slowly down the hallway and when my mom saw me she was at awe.
"Oh my, honey, you look gorgeous! You will make your sister happy. Oh I'm gonna cry because of this." My mom starts fanning her eyes to stop the tears from falling.
"Mom, don't exaggerate, you're making me feel embarrassed."
"Oh baby. Come on. Your sister is already waiting. "
It was almost an hour drive going to the opera house. Mom parked the car so I contacted my sister and told her that we just arrived. I went to the back stage to meet her.
"JADIS!!!!!!!!" That's my loud , hyperactive sister, Morgan.
"Hey, zup?" I waved to her while I slowly walked towards her direction. She is playing as Meg Giry. Wow!
" I missed you! Where's mom?" she bombarded me next with questions and introduced me to her girlfriend, yes, my sister is bisexual, so what?
"Hey, relax. I think you should be saving your energy for the play. I'll go ahead so you can prepare. See you later."
She kissed me and I went to the lobby for the entrance o the hall. There's so many people around. I called my mom to ask if she is already inside .
"Jadis, where are you?" mom asked. Her background sounds so noisy.
" Mom, I'm out here on the terrace. I just need some air because it's too crowded. "
"Ok, We'll get you there so we can all go together."
WE? Who is she with? Her new boyfriend? Hmmmm
I waited for them to arrive. I was just staring at the garden under the moonlight sky.
I noticed someone familiar.
Freaking JAZ FORD?!
I backed away from the terrace and almost lost my balance when someone held onto my elbow to catch me.
I looked back and it was Karlee with my mom and another good looking woman.
"Are you ok?" he asked and I just nodded. He looked so handsome wearing a tux. Clean shave, well-combed hair and he smells so fresh.
"Nice catch, son" the woman said. That beautiful woman is his mom?!
"Sorry, my Jadis is sometimes so clumsy. By the way, I would like to introduce to you, Ms. Veronica Benz and her son Karlee. They're our neighbor and also a dear friend of mine."
"Uh...ah.. nice... nice to meet you Ms. Veronica. I'm Jadis." I reached her hand for a shake and she looks so elegant. Even on the way she spoke, like an angel."
But her son is like the devil in school sometimes.
We went inside the hall together. My mom walked with Ms. Veronica and I have to walk together with Karlee.
"You're so stiff. " I heard him giggle .
" I am not used to this plus your mom is very lady-like. So elegant"
" Ha! That's because we're outside. But she is really approachable and down to earth. She is easy to please. Are you trying to please her?"
"What? No. I'm not...your girlfriend." that hit me again. I maybe walking together with him, wearing this fancy dress but we are just pretending to be in a relationship.
No one spoke after that conversation. We went looking for our seats and my conniving mom switched the tickets so I get to sit beside Karlee and she stays with her friend.
I'm your daughter!
I found our seats and stayed silent. My clothes are making me feel a bit cold because I forgot my stole cape in the car.
"Here, you can have----" Karlee was cut off by someone handing me a stole cape.
I looked up to thank the man but to my surprise, it was Jaz. He is handing me this nice beige fur shawl.
"You can have this instead. His tux doesn't suit your dress. "
They were eyeing each other. Jaz still holding out the cape and Karlee still looking intently at him.
I need to ease the tension and not cause any scandal tonight because I don't want any trouble with my mom and sister.
I grabbed the cape and wore it around to cover my freezing shoulders and sat quietly. Jaz sat beside me and I can feel the tension rising on both directions. I looked at Karlee and saw that they are having a staring contest.
" Will you both stop doing that or I am going to leave." They immediately faced the opposite directions and focused on the show.
For 2 hours, all I can think about is how am I going to understand what is going on in this play. I can't focus at all.
After the show, I immediately stood up and both of them followed me. I heard my mom call out my name but I went straight to the washroom.
My cheeks feel like its burning. When I looked in the mirror, I looked flustered.
I stayed inside the washroom for 15 long minutes.
I have to breathe. It's suffocating to have them both around at the same time.
Mom and sis are already calling me up so I went out and saw both men waiting for me.
They both looked so handsome.
I can feel the stares of the young women eyeing both of them.
"Why are you both still here?" I asked, wondering why they waited that long for me.
"Waiting for you." They said in unison.
They looked at each other and then looked at me.
What is going on?
Give me back my peaceful weekends.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Kei_Kei_
Kei_Kei_ Dobok is what the Taekwondo uniform is called.
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