Chapter 10

Wanda

Wanda couldn't bear anything that happened in the past few hours. She was very happy to start her music carrier again but before she even took a single step towards her passion, everything crushed on her feet. How could Brandt do this to her? Even though, he disliked her she couldn't believe he did this. Ian was very furious about him. It was a shock to him too. He comforted her by saying that they could find some way. But, she didn't believe him because there is no way. They both were walking towards the parking lot hand in hand and she found Brandt and Lacey on the way. They were laughing hardly on something. Lacey's eyes locked with her and she smirked. Why did Lacey dislike her so much? It was obvious that she was behind this. Ian saw them too and he clenched his fist in anger. She squeezed his hands. When they crossed them, Lacey shouted loser. Before she knew what happened, Ian walked towards them.

"What's your problem ah?" He yelled at her.

"Ian… no" Wanda screamed.

"Hey man, stop" Brandt stepped in front of Lacey.

"You don't say anything coward," Ian barked at him.

"What?"

"Admit it, you can't stand that Wanda is better …you are afraid that she might take your place and you took away her opportunity. What a brave act?" Ian told him. Brandt stood there without saying anything.

"Ian he is not worth it." Wanda says.

"Hey, you can't talk to him like that" Lacey shouted at him.

"Oh, your stupid girlfriend is defending you now" Ian laughed without humor

"Watch your words hero, otherwise you and your freaky girl will regret it forever" Lacey fired. Other students gathered around them making room for a fight.

"You threatening me Lacey?" Ian barks at her. Wanda stepped in front of him and shouted "Ian stop"

"Wanda she ..."

"Don't listen to her. Let's go" She said and dragged him away from them. She heard Lacey shouting at them but she didn't care.

Once they reached her house, Ian asked her "Are you okay?"

She didn't reply him. She went to her room and slammed her door. He followed her and entered her room.

"Wanda Please. Don't be mad at me"

"I'm not mad, I'm just annoyed. I told you to stop, you totally ignored me and caused a whole scene," she told him.

"I know. I just couldn't control myself when they were talking rubbish about you. I'm really sorry," He said. He sounded very genuine and so Wanda can't help but forgive him.

"Okay, let's just forget it ever happened" She told him.

Ian sighed with relief. "Fine by me. So, What are we gonna do now?" He asked her.

She looked at him with confusion. "What? There is nothing to do," she said

"Wanda you shouldn't give up just like that"

"Oh, then tell me what to do" she said sarcastically.

"Still you can perform a solo right?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm serious"

"Ian, you asked me to try and I really tried to give my best but now it's all over. I can't…" Wanda argued. She really did try.

"Yeah you tried I know that but, what I'm saying is there is no harm in trying again"

He continued. "This doesn't mean you should give up, it means that you should try harder". His words were getting in to her but still what will she do.

"Ian… the fest is in two days, you know I have been practicing that song for a month, I can't just compose a new song in this eleventh hour," she said.

She was right. He considered this for a moment and said, "What about the song you sang me on that day, your father's composition". A new hope surged in her heart but

"It's my father's last song," She said."I just shared it with you; I don't want to share with everyone"

"But Wanda can't you see this, your father didn't get to release the song maybe, it was meant for you" He was shouting now. "You know this song. You could use this. I bet your father wanted to do the same"

"Ian…"

"Think about it. You can do it." She hasn't thought about this until now. What Ian suggesting is the rational thing to do. Only he could make everything possible. What bad can happen? Instead of doing nothing, she might be doing something. Finally, she made up her mind.

"Okay I'll do it. I will sing that song"

"Really?" Ian exclaimed

"Yeah" she shrugged.

"Pinky swear" he asked her

She giggled. "Pinky swear"

Ian

Wanda was walking back and forth across the room to reduce tension. Her skinny legs shuddered while she walked. Though she is tensed, she was so beautiful. Ian suddenly felt guilty for crushing on his best friend. She was going to perform in few hours.

"Ian What if I screw up?" she asked him.

"No you won't."

"How can you say?" She asked.

Wanda still didn't seem to realize that how awesome singer she is. Ian took her hands in his.

"Wanda, you're my best friend. I will be there with you every step of the way and do whatever I can to help. All I want you to do is believe in yourself as much as I do. You are going to be brilliant." He said and reached up to wipe away the tear that has begun to work its way down her cheek.

"Do you think I can do it?" She asks quietly.

"Yes, you can." He kissed her lightly on her forehead and wrapped his arms around her. He knew she is scared. Singing in front of a huge audience is intimidating. But, he also knew that she could do it.

Next performance is going to be Wanda's. She's been standing in a corner, staring at her guitar. She seemed nervous. Ian has no idea why he is not nervous. He was calm. Now it was her turn, he can see her shadow getting up on stage. Once the lights come up, she is visible and the music started. Her eyes searched all the way, until it landed on Ian and then she starts to sing.

There. Are. No. Words.

He could see most of the audience with their mouths open. He was frozen. Time stopped. He was transfixed with her voice, with her fingers moving quickly on the guitar. Once she hits the final note of her guitar solo, the entire audience erupts in a standing ovation. There was a small smile on her lips. Her cheeks flushed. Then he heard her voice on the microphone again.

"Thank you everyone and I request you all to put up with me for some more time" What is she doing? Her eyes locked with Ian and she breathed "Ian…" she shuddered. Every eye is on him now. "Ian you know you're the best thing that happened in my life. I'm here because of you. I'm a better person because of you" She took a long breath. Her voice is shaky. "I don't know how to repay you. I owe you my life. A Thank you isn't enough for all your support and understanding. But I can't think some other word so, I just wanna say Thank you. Thank you for not only teaching me what friendship is, but also for teaching me, what life is. Thank you so much for being my friend." She is crying now.

Ian didn't expect this from her. These were the exact words he wanted to tell her. He couldn't control the tears running down from his eyes. Soon everything was a blur and he spotted Wanda in the crowd. Both were running towards each other all of a sudden. When she is near his hold, he controlled his urge to kiss her senselessly. He lifted her off the ground and swirled around. When Wanda is on the ground, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"Ian I did it" she grinned.

"Yes, you did it" he said

She was very happy that made him happy. At that time looking into her eyes he realized that he is in danger, it's going to get complicated and he can't back off now. He realized that what he feels for Wanda is not just a stupid crush, it's not just a mere attraction, and it's more than that. Yes, he is falling for her. No, he is not falling he already fell. He has fallen for her. He has fallen in love with his best friend.

AN: Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Review please.