Bab 3: Chapter 2
I was more than glad when we had no visitors for the rest of the week. Not that I don't enjoy having new people around, it's just that I barely get time to focus on my studies and finish everything I need to do. I am turning 18 soon and I need to finish all my booklets to graduate. I have 30 booklets left with less than a year to finish them. I need to finish my studies. I don't know whether the Director will allow me to stay longer at the orphanage or kick me out as well. The only reason I'm thinking the Director will not kick me out is because I do most of the stuff for her. I am an asset to her and I would be a great loss if she kicks me out.
30 booklets would be a piece of cake for me, but since I am already in grade 12, everything is harder. Sometimes I would fail a subject a couple of times–5 times to be exact before getting a passing grade. I once got in trouble because I failed my Math 10 times. I had to do 170 squats before every meal for one week. On top of that, I had to help clean and wash laundry every afternoon and I was not allowed to watch the T.V. on the weekends.
"Beatrice, can I read?" a kid named Lucy asked.
I lift my head from my booklet and looked at her.
"Sure. Go ahead." I replied.
On Saturday afternoons, I teach all the kids that have assignments and are behind from their studies. Instead of sleeping, they study in the Learning Building with me. This is one of my many jobs. I also use this time to finish extra pages before the new week.
"I am done." Lucy announced.
I took her booklet and scanned through the page. I asked her a couple of questions before signing at the bottom of the page and returning her booklet back.
I went back to doing my schoolwork. By the time it hits 3 pm, I was able to finish a fair number of pages in my schoolwork. I checked who among the kids that were studying with me did not finish their works. I told them we will have another tutorial tomorrow night. After dismissing the rest of the kids with me, I gathered my stuff and went straight to the house.
I placed my stuff in my bag and set it by my drawer. I laid down on my bed as I scroll through my phone. I was halfway through the new book I was reading when I heard a knock on the door. I placed my phone in my drawer and went to the front door to check who it is.
"Beatrice, Jason said practice starts in 30 minutes. He said to set up the instruments already to not waste time. You know, the usual." Matt, an orphan, the bassist said.
He is one of my close friends in here. Since we do a lot of tasks together, we have gotten close plus growing up together added to it.
"Okay. Let me just grab my drum sticks. I will be there in 5 minutes." I replied
On top of all my work as a Group Leader, Directors' secretary and a tutor, I am also a drummer. I have loved drumming for as long as I can remember. I fell in love with the beat when I was 8 years old. It was the time when we still had music lessons. I took the opportunity to learn how to play the drums. I was able to learn fast and soon became a part of the band. Because of the band, I was able to go to places and meet new people.
I took my matte sky-blue drums sticks from one of my drawers. I tied my curly hair into a messy bun before leaving the house. I played with my drumsticks as I walked to the Multipurpose Building. We always hold our practice in there because it's an open space.
Upon entering, I saw Matt and Erica already taking out the instrument from the back room. I went over to the big box they just took out and opened it. I opened the mixer and plugged the microphones in and the cords for the guitar, bass and piano. After setting up the mixer, I fixed the setting of my drums.
While waiting for the rest, I sat on the piano and played the song Stuck with U by Ariana Grande.
I'm not one to stick around
One strike and you're out, baby
Don't care if I sound crazy
But you never let me down, no, no
That's why when the sun's up, I'm stayin'
Still layin' in your bed, singin'
I was a little surprise when Matt suddenly joined me with the guitar. Not that he does not play the guitar or what not, he actually knows how to play the guitar. He is the one who taught me. I was just surprised because he would normally just watch me play the piano or the guitar whenever I do so.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Got all this time on my hands
Might as well cancel our plans, yeah
I could stay here for a lifetime
So lock the door
And throw out the key
Can't fight this no more
It's just you and me
And there's nothing I, nothing I, I can do
I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you
So go ahead and drive me insane
Baby, run your mouth
I still wouldn't change being stuck with you
Stuck with you, stuck with you
I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you, baby
If I was already surprised earlier, I was shocked when he actually sang the next part. Matt would sing while playing guitar, but only if they were rock songs or something upbeat. I never heard him sing a Pop song that is slow. He sang every single word while looking at me. I could feel the intensity of the song doubled by the way he sang it.
There's nowhere we need to be
No, no, no
I'ma get to know you better
Kinda hope we're here forever
There's nobody on these streets
If you told me that the world's ending
Ain't no other way that I could spend it
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Got all this time in my hands
Might as well cancel our plans (yeah)
I could stay here forever
So lock the door
And throw out the key
Can't fight this no more
It's just you and me
And there's nothing I, nothing I, I can do
I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you
So go ahead and drive me insane
Baby, run your mouth
I still wouldn't change being stuck with you
Stuck with you, stuck with you
I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you
Whoa, whoa, oh
Baby, come take all my time
Go on, make me lose my mind
We got all that we need here tonight
I lock the door (lock the door)
And throw out the key
Can't fight this no more (can't fight this no more)
It's just you and me
And there's nothing I, nothing I'd rather do
I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you
So go ahead and drive me insane
Baby, run your mouth
I still wouldn't change
All this lovin' you, hatin' you, wantin' you
I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with
You
Stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you
We were so caught up with the song that we did not notice Jason by the door.
"Oh, hey Jason. Sorry, we were just playing around while waiting." I apologized.
"It's okay. Actually, why don't you and Matt do that duet in the concert?" Jason suggested.
"I.. Uhm.. No. We already have enough songs for the concert, and Monica is already doing a duet and a solo. I think we have already more than enough songs." I blurted, I don't really like singing in front of a crowd, especially not in a concert.
"We can always squish in another sone. You guys should do it. I will add it in the line-up." Jason insisted.
I looked at Matt with pleading eyes. I have few months left before my 18th birthday and I wish to have it as peaceful as it can be before I leave.
"Actually, that is a great idea, Jason. It would be awesome if we could, but won't it be a problem?" Matt added.
"Nope. I will add it to our set. By the way, Beatrice, it's final. You can't change my mind anymore." Jason replied.
"What is final?" Monica asked.
"And you are late again!" Jason exclaimed.
"The practice did not even start yet. For fucks sake, loosen up brother." Monica complained.
"Curse one more time and I will feed you soap!" Jason warned.
"Blah, blah, blah!" Monica mumbled.
"Go to your positions so we could actually practice and not waste time." Jason commanded.
"Beatrice, did you already prepare the designs for the flyers?" he added.
"Yes, I did. I saved it in the flash drive that I gave you last night." I replied.
Apart from being the drummer, I also make the designs for the flyers and the tarpaulin whenever we have a concert.
"Okay. I will check it later after practice." Jason replied.
"We have 10 songs to play for the upcoming concert. The line-up is Havana – performed by Monica and the twins, If I Can't Have You, 2002, Fuck, I'm Lonely, Intentions, ROXANNE, Memories – my solo, Stuck With U by Beatrice and Matt…"
"Wait, what? They are having a duet?!" Monica scoffed.
"Got any problem with that?" Jason hissed.
"She is not even a singer to begin with. She should be stuck behind the drums and not the microphone." Monica complained.
"It's my concert, not yours. I run it the way I want to. If you have any problem with it, you can get the hell out of here. Got it?" Jason dared.
That got Monica to shut her big mouth. I knew that this was going to happen, but then there is no arguing when Jason says it's final.
"The last song would be If the World Was Ending. It will be a duet between Beatrice and I. Any more questions?" Jason asked.
We all shook our head and said "No." Even though I still want to question Jason about the duet that he mentioned, I shut my mouth.
Matt gave me a questioning look, and I just shrugged my shoulders with the same confused look I have when I heard about the duet 30 seconds ago. Before I was even able to sink it all in, Jason instructed we practice.
We did Havana first. There was no need to do a retake for this song. Monica, Abby, and Gabby have been practicing in Monica's cabin for almost 2 weeks. After their song, we practiced the rest of the songs.
After an hour of practicing, Jason dismissed Monica and the twins. We practiced Jason's solo and then my duet with him.
"You know how the duet for this song goes right?" Jason asked.
I shook my head "No".
"Do you happen to have the lyrics for it? I don't know the complete lyrics." I asked.
"Wait, a second." he replied, taking his phone out.
He tapped on it for a couple of seconds before handing it over to me.
I took his phone, and it was the lyrics of the song. I was reading the lyrics when he played the song on his laptop. While listening to the song, I took a picture of the lyrics with my phone so that I can memorize the song over the next days.
"I was thinking of doing this with just the piano. What do you think, Matt?" Jason said.
"Yup. Piano alone would be awesome." Matt replied.
"Who is going to play the piano?" I asked.
I looked at Matt as we both waited for Jason's reply.
He was typing something on his laptop, so I was not sure if he heard me or not.
I was about to repeat my question when he turned around and said Matt's name.
"I am?" Matt asked.
"Yup. You can play this with notes to make it more complete." Jason replied.
I looked at Matt and he looked like he was having an internal argument with himself, but he quickly hides it then smiled.
"Of course, do you have the music sheet for it?" Matt answered.
"Here." Jason replied, giving Matt his laptop with the music sheet opened in the browser.
I watched Matt as he played with the notes on the piano and wrote notes on a piece of paper. After few notes here and there, he paused the song.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Go ahead and start." Jason replied.
Matt started playing the intro and Jason sang the first verse. I was listening to Jason singing while reading the lyrics from my phone. I was captivated by the song when it hit the chorus.
I know, you know, we know
You weren't down for forever and it's fine
I know, you know, we know
We weren't meant for each other and it's fine
But if the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
You'd come over and you'd stay the night
Would you love me for the hell of it?
All our fears would be irrelevant
If the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
The sky'd be falling and I'd hold you tight
And there wouldn't be a reason why
We would even have to say goodbye
If the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
Right?
If the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
Right?
I never had a boyfriend, but I don't know why the lyrics hit me straight to the heart.
Thankfully, Matt was able to catch my attention right before my line. I watched Matt as I wait for the signal to sing my part. He seems to be so lost in it though that he forgot to give me the signal. Thankfully, I entered at the right timing.
I tried to imagine
Your reaction
It didn't scare me when the earthquake happened
But it really got me thinkin'
That night we went drinkin'
Stumbled in the house
And didn't make it past the kitchen
Ah, it's been a year now
Think I've figured out how
How to think about you without it rippin' my heart out
I know, you know, we know
You weren't down for forever and it's fine
I know, you know, we know
We weren't meant for each other and it's fine
But if the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
You'd come over and you'd stay the night
Would you love me for the hell of it?
All our fears would be irrelevant
If the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
The sky'd be falling and I'd hold you tight
And there wouldn't be a reason why
We would even have to say goodbye
If the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
Right?
If the world was ending
You'd come over, right?
Right?
We practiced the song 3 more times because I still get confused with my parts. When Jason was already contented with how the practice went, we discussed the stage presentations. With 4 weeks left before the concert, Matt and I have a lot of work to do. Every single concert, Matt and I are always assigned with almost everything except the songs, line-up and outfits. Matt is always assigned with the instruments and stage backgrounds. I am assigned with the flyers, tarpaulin, and stage presentation. Even though it is a lot of work, Jason pays us for doing all those things. He gives us $100 every concert.
After an hour of discussion about lightings, smoke machines and backgrounds, we were finally finished. The person who makes our job seem impossible is Monica. She is like the living Sharpay Evans from High School Musical. She is very demanding and very Sharpay Evans.
I was 5 steps away from the door when I was stopped by Jason.
"Beatrice, in which folder did you save the design for the flyers?" he asked.
I walked over to the table where he is with Matt right behind me and showed him the folder.
"Here." I said, opening the folder where all the designs for the flyers are saved.
He looked at each and every single one of them. He stared at each picture for about 5 seconds before moving to the next one, comparing each design.
"Hhhhmmm….. okay. Uhm…" Jason hummed.
"If you don't like them, I can create a new one tonight. Just tell me what designs you would want to be in the flyers." I suggested.
"No need to make a new one. We will use this one." he replied, pointing into one of the designs.
It was the one where I used the picture of a Christmas Tree with the instruments and our faces as ornaments. It was not supposed to be part of what I was going to show him because I was just playing around with it when I made it, but Matt thought it was awesome and I should show Jason.
"Told you so." Matt bragged.
"Yeah, right! Whatever!" I replied.
"Have this ready by next week. Print three thousand copies of this flyer." Jason instructed.
He gave me back the flash drive, took his laptop and left.
"I should start printing now. I still have a long day tomorrow." I told Matt, taking the flash drive and putting it in my pocket.
"I'll help as long as you will buy me snacks." he proposed.
I stopped in my tracks and looked at him.
"As long as you are the one paying." I replied.
He laughed at my reply and just shook his head.
"You are an impossible girl." he added.
We spent the next 2 hours printing flyers in the office. I was fixing all the printed papers when Matt asked me something I, myself, do not know about.
"Beatrice, where will you go once you turn 18?" he asked.
I stopped with what I was doing and stared at the papers that I was holding. I thought to myself 'Where was I supposed to go?'
I looked at him and replied, "I don't know. I have not figured it out yet."
"If you need a place to stay until you figure things out, you can come and stay with me. I will be staying at one of my aunts. I can meet you in town or something." he offered.
"I have not really thought about it yet. I still have to finish my studies before I worry about where I am going but thanks for the offer though." I replied, giving him a small smile.
"I am serious, Beatrice. You are more than welcome to stay with us. Okay?" he said.
I nodded my head and went back to fixing the printed flyers for cutting out.
We were able to print 500 flyers by the time the bell rang for dinner. I grabbed all the newly printed flyers and placed them in one big envelope. We made sure that the printers and the laptops were turned off and back in their original places before leaving.
"You owe me Oreos!" I exclaimed.
"What? Why me?" Matt asked.
"Because I said so…" I simply replied.
"That is unfair." he complained.
"Where were you two and what were you doing?" the Director asked as we passed by her house.
"We were at the office printing out the flyers for the concert, Ma'am." I replied.
She just stared at us.
I hate it when she does that. It drives everything inside me insane, like I have no idea what did I do wrong or what is the problem. After a couple of minutes of nerve-wrecking silence, she replied.
"Okay."
I hurriedly left and almost ran to the kitchen. I let out a breath that I did not know I was holding as soon as we arrived in the kitchen.
"I hate it when she does that. It always scares the sh*t out of me." I whispered to Matt.
"Same. That is one thing that I will never miss when I get out of here." he replied.
I sighed and Matt looked at me with questioning eyes.
"This is going to be your last concert with us. I hope there won't be another one after you leave. I won't survive all the planning and preparing all by myself." I muttered.
"I am serious about what I said earlier, though. Think about it, okay?" Matt said as he passes by me and enters the kitchen.
I ran to the house to put the printed flyers inside my drawer before going back to the kitchen to eat dinner. Instead of watching a movie with the rest of the kids, I stayed in the house and cut out the flyers. Printing them is the easy part. The hard part is cutting them and making sure that every single one of them is printed perfect. Monica once gave me a long sermon when she saw 1 flyer that was not printed perfect. The colors were not as bright as the others. That is how annoying she is. It's not like it was my fault that a single flyer will not be as vibrant as the rest.
Cutting out 500 flyers took me 4 hours. I was shocked when I checked the time and saw that it was almost midnight already. I threw all the scrap papers in the trash can and placed the envelop that has the flyers back in my drawer. After my evening routine, I laid down on my bed and opened E-book. I read the last 3 chapters of the book that I was reading – Fire and Water. It is about two werewolves who are complete opposites and are mated to each other.
I was almost done reading when a message popped up on my notification.
Matt: 'Stop reading and go to bed already. You will get sick if you keep staying up late!'
Me: 'How did you know I am reading?'
Matt: 'You are online in E-book. That is how. LOL.'
I rolled my eyes for not thinking of that. Of course, he also has an E-book. I don't know why he has one when he does not even read on it.
I sent him back a message.
'Ugh! Fine! I am going to sleep now. Good Night. P.S. you still owe me Oreos. 😉'
I logged out of E-book and charged my phone. I hugged my pillow as I allowed sleep to take over me.
"Maisy! Maisy!" the Luna shrieked.
Maisy came running to the Luna's bedroom. Thanks to her superhuman speed, she arrived in the Luna's bedroom in less than a minute.
"What's wrong?" Maisy asked frantically, looking around the room, trying to figure out what happened.
"My water broke." the Luna replied, looking at the puddle of water underneath her.
Maisy looked at where the Luna and noticed the water by her feet. She snapped out of her freaked out state and assisted the Luna to the bed. She hurriedly gathered the things she would need for delivering the baby. Maisy is not just a trained fighter but also a Doctor. She came back to the room with towels, a bucket of warm water and sterile scissors and placed them on the edge of the bed.
"Calm yourself down. First things first, let's get you comfortable, okay?" Maisy instructed as she helped the Luna lay down comfortably, placing extra pillows behind her.
It has been already 4 months since they left Crest City. It has been 4 months since they last heard from Alpha Gabriel. Every single night, the Luna goes to the forest behind their house as she watches the moon. She cries every single night and begs the Moon Goddess, her mother, to bring her mate back to her. The only thing that is keeping the Luna alive is her unborn daughter.
"AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!! Maisy, I can't any more. It hurts. AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!" the Luna screams.
Thankfully, Maisy has covered the entire house with sound proof protection or else the entire neighborhood would have heard the Luna's screams.
"Take deep breaths, Beatriz. In and out. In and out. Don't panic. Everything will be okay." Maisy assures the Luna.
The Luna did as told and took deep breaths. She soon calmed down before another set of pain hit her and got her screaming at the top of her lungs again. She was in labor for 8 long hours. After all the pain, sweat and screams, the Luna gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby she-wolf. Maisy cleaned up the baby as she wraps her in a soft blanket before giving the Luna her baby.
The Luna silently cried a mixture of tears of joy and sadness as she caresses her new born baby.
"Your Dad would have been so happy to see you, my Beatrice." the Luna whispered to her baby.
"She looks just like you, Luna." Maisy commented.
"I wish Gabriel was here. I wonder when will he find us." the Luna muttered.
Maisy walked over closer to the Luna and sat in the empty space next to her.
"I am sure Alpha Gabriel wants nothing more than to be with you both. Don't lose hope. The Moon Goddess will not forsake us." she comforted. "Let me clean up this little angel so that you can have rest before she starts crying for you."
The Luna allowed Maisy to take the baby as sleep took over her exhausted body. After Maisy finished cleaning up baby Beatrice, she sang her a lullaby to put her to sleep. Once she was asleep, Maisy placed her in the crib right next to the Luna's bed. She gathered all the dirty towels and sheets and placed them in the laundry room.
Now that the Luna has finally given birth, Maisy knows the Luna will have to do a very heart-breaking decision for her baby – hide baby Beatrice's wolf. If only the Alpha was here, there would be no need to hide the baby's wolf. If only he was here, the Luna would not be as depressed and lonely. Her only hope right now is that Baby Beatrice would bring the missing light in the Luna's heart.
Maisy prayed to the Moon Goddess as she stares at the moon.
'Please guide the little baby as she grows up in this dark world with no father to protect her. Give us the strength that we will need to keep her safe. I am begging you, Moon Goddess. Heal the Luna's broken heart. Her baby needs her more than ever."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone