Saturday night came faster than expected. For almost everyone in Heatherfield the last two days had gone unnoticed. The guardians spent the last two week days in studying and Festival-shopping, except for Cornelia who didn't show at the Campus at all, even though she had promised Taranee to come for a certain very important lecture. Instead she spent the time with Caleb at the Silver Dragon, watching him work, and just being next to him. It was very revivifying for the both of them, to just be with each other and no third party... Well except for the customers, Yan Lin and Hay Lin's parents who would eventually swing by the restaurant,but that was no biggie.
Тhat very night, Caleb replaced his working clothes with a denim jacket that perfectly shaped his muscles, jeans and a T-shirt with the logo of one of Irma's favorite bands. She had recommended it to him, assuring him that it was perfect for the occasion. With that outfit , his green eyes, and healthy, spiky hair he turned heads, after walking in the Silver Dragon.
Cornelia saw him at once and immediately felt the mixed feelings which tortured her since the last month- how hot and dashing her boyfriend was, and how she did not look like his worthy better half, with that belly that grew bigger every week. Those thoughts of hers of course, were only periodic, as she normally always had her big self-confidence. Due to the hormones though, that very night she was not happy with her look for the Festival.
"You look so pretty."-Caleb said to her with his cute smile and innocent glance.
Cornelia sighed and stretched her pink dress,it was beautiful and elegant, slightly wider at the waist, so with it , it was barely noticeable that she was pregnant. She had combined the dress with a black leather jacket and shoes on platforms. Yes, she did look outstanding, but her inner little devil disillusioned her and put her in a bad mood.
"Let's go, oh and Cornelia: Forget about asking me if you look fat or swollen again."- Caleb said, as if he had read her mind. "I am tired of telling you that you are as beautiful as ever, and that everything is in your head."
"But..."- she protested.
"You're pregnant. You can't be 50 kg anymore. Have some patience, after you deliver the baby, you will get back to your previous weight."-the young man rolled his eyes and pinned her with a glance.
Cornelia almost blushed, and felt silly for having such thoughts of insecurity. He loved her no matter what, and he'd always love her. She caught him undеr the arm, and together they headed to the Festival.
That year the big music festival was being held at the park grounds as usual, in the center of the city, yet not surrounded completely by steel, the location was perfect for concerts and performances.
Cornelia and Caleb soon gathered with the rest of their friends, who had already arrived. The place was packed ,as more and more people were coming to attend the big event, but Hay Lin still spotted her friends and started jumping and waving at them, enthusiastically:
"Guys, GUYS. Over here! "- she smiled widely. "Guess what! I have a big surprise."
Irma growled and folded her arms, as Hay Lin continued to chant. She was still grumpy from the fact, that her boyfriend would not be with her again, because of being in charge of the event's technical support . He was always busy and that was starting to piss her off. All her friends were constantly with their better halves, especially Cornelia, while here she was being Martin's second best choice, way to go, she said to herself and blew a strand of hair, off her forehead, frowning even more.
"Nooo!"- Hay Lin was jumping by this time. "Guess again Caleb, guess again!"
"I don't knoow."-the man groaned."Is Erik buying you a new ...er, something?"
"Noo!"-He was still trying to please the air guardian by playing along her tune, but Cornelia wasn't having it. She didn't care much to know what the younger woman was going to tell them, as she believed it was another one of her childish pieces.
"Where is Eric, by the way."- she interjected with annoyance in her voice. " Maybe he can guess better than us, Hay Lin."
Hay Lin waved her hand, hastily.
"Noo, Cornelia, Caleb will guess,give him some more time..."
"Caleb, doesn't care!"-Cornelia gritted her teeth, almost startling her friend. "Why don't you save some of your whining for after the concert, it seems it is too much to be taken at once!"
"Wow."-Taranee and Will had just made their way to them, as they heard Cornelia's rant. "We're starting the festival strong with Queen's nice manners."- the fire guardian commented, shooting Cornelia a rebuking look. "Very nice, don't y'all think."
Cornelia turned her back to her and made a snobbish face.
"That's cuz she's crazy."-Irma said. " I stopped listening when I saw her make that mean-ass face at Hay Lin's, I admit a little annoying chanting."
"Irma!"
"No, Cornelia is always annoyed by something, as we all know."-Taranee shook her head. "It's just that lately she has started to treat her own friends even worse than usual, thanks to her increased nervousness."
"She'll be fine."-Caleb sighed and put his hands on the blonde's shoulders.
"We know she will, but what about us."-Irma asked, deviously. It seemed like the situation had finally lost the tension, as even Hay Lin who seemed a little offended at first, laughed:
"Don't be silly Irma, we love our Cornelia no matter how bad she behaves. Maybe she doesn't even know that what I wanted Caleb to guess is very interesting, but anyway-we will all see it tonight with our eyes. It will be fun!"
"If someone doesn't spoil it before it happens."- Cornelia shot accusingly, glaring at Will, who remained silent, just like she had been ever since she and Taranee met up with the rest of their friends, that night. She was tired, and not in any mood. She couldn't argue with Cornelia again though. It was out of no use.
"You are the only one, who is going to spoil it, if you don't zip your mouth."-Taranee rushed to the redhead's aid.
"Of course, you, know everything, as usual." Cornelia pointed out, sourly and crossed her arms."Оf course excluding mascara application"-she added a little viciously, causing the other guardian to glare at her with literal flames reflecting in her glasses.
"Bitchy calm down, will ya."-Irma slyly wrapped her arm, around her shoulders, but Cornelia pushed her away. "We know you're a baddie, you don't have to show it off even more."-the brunette winked.
"You're not funny ,as usual. You don't have to try so hard either, we know it very well."- the blonde almost hissed, flabbergasting everyone once again. Even Caleb felt rather uneasy in this situation , so he tried to say something to his girlfriend, but she gave him no such chance:
"Caleb, let's get some cotton candy. Now. "-and so the two of them walked away , heading to the pavilions for food and drinks. Taranee sighed once their friend had finished causing her scene and nodded at the others. Irma however was not ready to give it up and surrender to Cornelia's attitude without a fight:
"I'll teach her once she has that baby!I will trash this crazy woman who is so full of herself and..."
"It's no use, Irma."- Hay Lin disagreed." She is pregnant and..."
"You're right Hay Lin, but we can't excuse all she does with the fact that she is pregnant."- Taranee interjected rather coldly.
With the beginning of the music performances nearing, the noise around them was getting louder and louder.
"What I mean is that, there are borders and limits which even Cornelia should stay in. Her mean bearing towards us in the last days has gotten out of control- she brought Will to the verge of tears the other day, do you think this is normal?"
"Let's not discuss it please."- Will spoke. "Let's enjoy the evening."
The crowd was cheering, as Matt and his group stepped on the stage. The group was in different composition that night, as to everyone's eyes a handsome man with a dense beard and a leather jacket, and a charming old woman dressed as a rocker, appeared on the stage. The crowd cheered in amazement and excitement, as Caleb recognized his father and Hay Lin screamed her grandmother's name.
"What the..."
"This is the surprise."-Hay Lin yelled to overshout the crowd. "Your dad helped grandma fulfill her dream to be in a group!"
Caleb still looked puzzled. Was that why Julian was so busy and absent-minded lately? He didn't understand completely, but surely his father seemed hyper and happy, that was all that mattered to him.
Will watched tense, although she could not explain why. There was nothing alarming, was there? Just Julian and Yan Lin living the rockstar dream...Where had Julian adopted this dream from, as on Meridian there was no rock and roll though...she just brushed that thought away, as she felt Cornelia's cold and bileful glance on her. It was none of her business, she decided. And she wouldn't waste any more energy on it.
The music began playing with Yan Lin behind the drums and Julian and Matt on guitars, a few other musicians with different instruments worked their music too, creating a beautiful, rich and mysterious melody.
I've tried to calm down,
I've tried to love others,
I've laughed and enjoyed-
many moments of fake happiness.
Matt's singing immediately made the audience go crazy, and when Julian repeated the same lines with his deeper voice, and continued on with the next , everyone was equally as excited. The guardians and Caleb too were amazed, as no one had ever known, he had such a voice and talent for singing.
Then I decided to run away,
from my own darn destiny,
only to come to understand-
we can not escape our fate...
But when the chorus came, was when everyone went ecstatic, Hay Lin cheered deafeningly.
She fed me in the morning air,
fascinated with her long hair,
woke me up with lullabies,
at nights prepared my mornings...
now she's gone yet I forgive her,
my Serina, the charmcaster of my heart's strings...
What Serina, Will wondered. That's odd... Oh Serina,must be his date's name, Cornelia thought. Distracted by the loud music, they had both narrowed their mind barriers, and Taranee who was also watching the performance in revelry, by habit, forwarded the thoughts of the two to a random telepathic channel. She realized her mistake, when Cornelia looked at them as though she was about to burn them with her eyes and snapped : "Mind your own business, obtrusive spleens! And the only odd thing ,Will ,is your desire to corrupt everyone's joy, just because you're not happy!Grow up and stop blaming others for your own failure."
Will was just fed up, she felt the tears forming in her eyes and ran away, making her way through the crowd with effort.
"Are you happy now?!"- Taranee yelled at her, before following Will. " You have become evil Cornelia, evil!"- no one except Cornelia heard her though, as everyone was watching and the music was very loud. Cornelia didn't care anyway, she even felt relieved that her two so-called friends were going somewhere else and would not spoil the evening anymore. She snuggled in her boyfriend, who was watching his father and Matt switch turns singing through the powerful chorus, with pride and joy written on his face. This is what she wanted, she wanted her Caleb to be happy and not tense for a change, and if Will and Taranee were planning to hinder that, she wouldn't spare them.
Then I understood that our home is,
only there where our heart sleeps.
That life is just a fraud,
that only our love is real.
Since then I wander this world alone,
singing only my sad rhymes,
am I obligated to you life?
Where are my Serina's eyes?!
After those lines came the final chorus, when Julian had Yan Lin sing with him, but for the most part he let her have her moments, to Hay Lin's joy. She was over the moon. When the song ended, Matt and the others were showered with applause and cheers.
"That was so cool!"- Hay Lin exclaimed, once they had walked off the stage and everyone was waiting for the next performance. "I recorded a video for grandma to always remember her big moments, as a true rock star!"
"Yeah who knew."- Irma was also impressed. "That Yan Lin and Julian had it in them! Julian! Isn't that crazy, Caleb?"
"I think it was amazing."-Cornelia commented. "We can only be proud of them, I think they will be and remain the best performance tonight, look how everyone wanted more of them."
"Indeed."-Caleb said. To Cornelia's joy, the smile looked like it was glued on his face." Now I see dad was getting ready for this...apart from maybe seeing someone, and it not only makes me proud of him, but also relieved-to see he is actually more than fine...his attitude the last weeks makes sense now and I am very happy to see him like that. It's like a burden was lifted from my shoulders..."
"You don't know how happy I am too, from seeing him being his best self and you calming down."Cornelia hugged him,and he kissed her on the forehead. It felt so good.
"Hey where did Will and Taranee go?"- Irma noticed her friends' absence.
"I don't know."-Cornelia shrugged.
Hay Lin and Irma exchanged glances and started to look for the others, though without hurrying. They figured that the two were probably off to get foods and drinks or meet up with Nigel, who was being late and hadn't made it in time for Matt's performance. Whatever the case was, Irma had no reason to worry, she urged Hey Lin to go to the stage behind which Martin sat in front of the apparatus. Cornelia followed them with her glance, before turning back to Caleb and planting a gentle kiss on his lips, before he enveloped her in a tight embrace.
She didn't want anything else in that moment. She didn't care for anything else either.
"Irma slow down will you."-Hay Lin groaned, as she got pulled by the water guardian, bumping in many people on their way to Martin and the other monitors. "Martin won't run away, he's doing his work."
"Work-smock!"-Irma squawked. "He always chooses work over me, I'm not having this anymore. It's not acceptable!"
Hay Lin was about to protest, but Irma suddenly stopped.
"Now what?"
"Caleb's dad is talking to Martin."- she whispered. "Now I have to wait again, great!"
But Hay Lin made a face of confusion. The sounds carried by the air came to her ears without her asking for it, she didn't want to eavesdrop on people like that, but this one sentence sealed itself in her mind. "No problem man, I will change up the name easily." - Martin promised. But what name, Hay Lin thought for a second. Martin was going to change someone's name, as requested by Julian. But what was that supposed to mean?
"Hellooo, what happened to you, Hay Lin."- Irma broke her off her thoughts with her loud voice and waving in front of her eyes.
"Nothing."- Hay Lin murmured. It was most probably none of their business and not important. It was her mistake that she had overheard it. What annoying situations her power to hear things from a big distance caused her at times.
"Nothing."-Irma repeated and made a face. "Then stop staring at nothing and come with me, I think they've finished talking. Hey wait a minute. Did you just..."-Irma eyed her suspiciously.
"W-what!?"
"Never mind. Let's go."- the two friends made their way closer to Martin's place. Upon seeing them, Julian who was just about to leave stood in place with a strange look in his eyes.
"Great performance, Julian."- Irma boasted. "You guys rocked!"
"Yeah, we are so proud of you. And so thankful that you included Grandma in this. She is really happy, I can tell."- Hay Lin added with a smile.
Julian smiled at both of them.
*Flashback*
Walking in the Silver Dragon when there was no one except her, was what he had planned. But things didn't go according to plan from the beginning. He stood in the rain with his hood on, and waited at his hiding place, that offered a view of the inside from a side window. What luck, the man thought, what luck it truly was, that he had heard the little passling talking to himself the previous night while returning from the radio station. Blunk had unintentionally revealed to him, that he and Yan Lin were talking, and that the old woman had suspicions. She was going to fold to Zamballa soon, and that Julian wouldn't allow. The trees were those who knew exactly what he was doing, or not exactly, but enough for Yan Lin to understand everything. If it was unknown to them that the forgiveness breaks the spell, Yan Lin and the other C.H.Y.K.N members were aware, and if she, the smartest of them all found out, she would surely do something to stop everything. But now when so close to the final goal, the man was determined more than ever to do anything in his power and beyond. He was going to free the mother of his son, if it was the last thing he would do.
Finally Chen exited the restaurant, leaving his mother to finish up at the counter. She was alone, Julian realized, now was the time for action.
"We're closing, ya know come again tomo...Julian."- the old woman exclaimed, when he entered. "What are you doing here at this time, are you looking for Caleb? Are you hungry? Let me serve you a bowl of soup."
"Actually, yes. I'm sorry for coming so late, I was under the impression that Caleb was taking double shifts tonight..."-the man mumbled. "And since it is raining, if I don't bother you..."
"Ah, will ya look at that. You're family, it doesn't bother me at all!"- the woman smiled, and waved her hand. "Sit here, I'll bring ya food. I can have some soup with you. You are always welcome here, ya know..."- she kept babbling, as she entered the kitchen and was not audible anymore.
Perfect , he thought while flashing her a grateful smile. This is just what he needed to activate his plan. The man sat on a bar stool, facing the counter and opened his palm to reveal a miniature phial...
* end of Flashback*
"Thanks girls. I tried my best. I've always wanted this. Thanks to Matt and Martin my wish was fulfilled, the least I could do is take someone who has the same dream along."
"That was very kind of you."- Hay Lin smiled sweetly, as the man walked away and gave one last friendly nod.
"See you later!"
Matt walked among the crowd, looking around. He had expected to see Will in the first row, to wait for him after his song, to greet him, to embrace him...But she was nowhere to be seen and that worried him. Was she alright? The young man scanned the crowd once more, but with no result. He was just pacing by the mobile toilets when he felt a hand on him.
"Matt?You must be looking for Will."
"Yeah, Taranee, hi. I am actually."- he scratched the back of his head. "Have you seen her?"
Taranee adjusted her glasses and sighed, she looked around before continuing:
"Will and Cornelia had another fight and Will felt quite bad. Actually Cornelia attacked her as usual. Will was worried about your song with Julian and Yan Lin, because she had a bad feeling about it and..."
"Wait a minute, did she tell you about the surprise?!"- Matt exclaimed. "She promised..."
"No, no, I just read her mind. She's not at fault."- the dark haired woman explained quickly. Phew, that was a close one... "As the keeper of the heart,you know she has her feelings and worries...but since nothing bad happened, I give it to her stress and lack of sleep lately..."
"Оh God."- Matt sighed. "What bad could have happened anyway, tell me. I don't know what has gotten into Will lately, ever since her mother left her to take care of her brother."
Taranee bit her bottom lip, she was tempted to tell him the reason, but she knew that Will would be angry that she had talked to him about her problems with Cornelia. If she told him about Susan too, then it would be too much. Taranee sighed, she cared for her friend and wanted to help her, but there had to be another way. Being a gossip would not do it.
"Matt, Eric was taking care of him tonight, but Will wanted him to come here and be with Hay Lin, so she headed back to the Silver Dragon. If you want to you can..."
"I am going."- he said firmly. "Thanks Taranee."-and so he left, leaving her by the toilets, happy that she had sent him to her friend. Will could use some alone time with him right now, she decided. Yes, it would help both of them a lot, for sure.
