Chapter 12: It's Personal

Splashfire99: I was trying to come up with a way for Aria to kind of consider the fact that she did like Cleffis. At the same time, I happened upon a song from Disney's Hercules. Thus, this idea was created. Song does not belong to me.

Aria tossed and turned in bed. It was already one hour before midnight, and she was unable to sleep. The incident that had just occurred was still replaying in her mind: Cleffis had said something she couldn't hear to the girls which shut them all up at once. He had then walked right through them, grabbed her hand, called a polite goodbye and pulled her off. Aria had sensed many of the girls' eyes on her as she and Cleffis walked off, and the feeling wasn't a good one. What had Cleffis said, and why? This situation alone was not that serious, but ever since that morning at the theatre, her heart had been feeling funny. Her head had suddenly been feeling light every time she looked at Cleffis, and when their gazes happened to meet, Aria's heart thumped so hard she thought it would burst. Even now, the thought of the boy with silver hair awakened a strange feeling within her. What's wrong with me? She mentally grumbled, turning over to one side. I'll...just figure this out tomorrow! Aria attempted to clear her mind of everything but her lethargy and minutes later, sleep took over.

Aria opened her eyes. Where...what... She sat up finding herself sitting on a low brick wall, smack in the middle of a winter forest. Snow fell from the sky, blanketing the ground. What the...Aria looked down, finding herself in her Battle of The Bands outfit, with a woolly purple coat keeping her warm. Where...am I? Her hand touched something. Huh? Aria closed her fingers over the small object and held it in front of her face. It was a crimson red rose with a tag attached to it. "To Aria, from Cleffis" the tag read. When since did Cleffis bring her flowers? Needless to say, Aria found her lips curving slightly at the edges and quickly dropped it. She slapped her forehead with a sigh. For goodness' sake, there really was something bothering her. Aria set the rose back down and got off the brick wall. Fortunately, since it was a low wall, she managed to land herself on the snowy ground with ease and look around. The place seemed to be completely deserted. Amongst the snow covered trees and gently falling snow, conflicted with her feelings, Aria found herself singing, her voice suddenly restored.

If there's a prize for rotten judgement
I guess I've already won that
No man is worth the aggravation
That's ancient history, been there done that

Suddenly, four figures from nowhere popped out around Aria, startling her. "Who ya think you're kidding? He's the earth and heaven to ya. Try to keep it hidden, honey we can see right through ya." The four figures sang, dancing identically. Aria's mouth fell open. The four figures turned out to be Adagio, Allegro, Sonata and Concerto. They were also in their stage outfits with matching coats or scarfs. "Girl, you can't conceal it, we know how you feel and who you're thinking of..."

Aria shook her head and walked off through the forest, attempting to drown out the foursome's chorus. "Ohhh, no chance, no way," Aria sang stubbornly, folding her arms. "I won't say it no more." "You swoon, you sigh, why deny it oh oh?" The foursome sang in reply. Aria rolled her eyes. "It's too cliché, I won't say I'm in love…" She quickened her pace in exasperation, but Adagio, Allegro, Sonata and Concerto followed her like a row of penguins.

I thought my heart had learnt its lesson

It feels so good when you start out

My head is screaming 'get a grip girl'

Unless you're dying to cry your heart out

Ooohhhhh

"You keep on denying, who you are and how you're feeling," Sang the quartet, standing under a cluster of snow covered trees. "Baby, we're not buyin', hun we saw ya hit the ceiling." The four jumped up, Sonata accidentally hitting her head on a tree branch. Aria shook her head and walked off through the forest, attempting to drown out the foursome's chorus. "Face it like a grown up, when you gonna own up that you got, (got), got it bad?"

"No chance, no way, I won't say it no no." Aria snapped, glaring daggers at them. "Give up, give in!" They sang. Concerto, pretending to be Cleffis, pulled Sonata by the waist to his side, while Sonata, as Aria, leaned her head on his shoulder. Allegro and Adagio used their hands to form a giant heart around them. "Check the grin, you're in love!" Sonata sang. Aria attempted to grimace in disgust, trying not to imagine Cleffis and her doing something so ridiculous. "This scene won't play, I won't say I'm in love..." "You're doin' flips, read our lips, you're in love!" The group replied.

"You're way off base, I won't say it." Aria sang, trying to walk away. "Get off my case, I won't saaayyy it!" Adagio sighed, as Concerto slapped his forehead. "Girl don't be proud, it's okay you're in loove..." They sang with Sonata and Allegro. With nimble hands, Adagio swiped the rose off the brick wall which Aria had left it at and tossed it to her. The minute the violet haired girl saw the flower, her heart softened once more at the thought of Cleffis. She sighed in defeat. "Ohhhhh, at least out loud...I won't say I'm in...love..."

Aria woke with a start and sat up. She was back in her bed in her decrepit motel room, not a winter forest. And there was no sign of siren-pop star singing chorus. Aria heaved a sigh of relief. Seeing Adagio and Sonata acting like that had been really unsettling. But after all, it had been a dream. Even so, she felt perplexed. Cleffis...did she really...like him?

The motel lobby was completely silent this morning. A scruffy haired receptionist with a wrinkled hotel suit which looked as though it hadn't been ironed for days(it hadn't) sat on a worn out chair at the small counter, placing his legs on the table and reading a piece of newspaper. "Excuse me..." The receptionist put down his newspaper to see a teenage girl with denim blue eyes, lime green, pink streaked hair tied into a ponytail and green skin standing at the front of the counter. "Yes?" "Can you tell me which rooms Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk are in? " The man narrowed his eyes. "Because...?" "I'm a friend of theirs from school. I promised I'd pass something to them." The girl said, fiddling with a bright blue gem which hung around her neck. "I'm afraid I can't do that, young lady." The receptionist lazily took his legs off the counter and took a sip of coffee from his mug which had been on the table. "Unless you can confirm that you are their classmate by giving them a call." "Sorry, but my phone's not working today." The girl said apologetically with a shrug. "Alright." The man leaned over his counter to grab a telephone on the wall. "Then perhaps I can call them for you..." The green haired girl raised an eyebrow and parted her lips to say something...

"Aaaaaa-aaaaah, aaaaaa-aaaahhh..."

The man's initial perplexed expression turned into a blank one as orange mist swirled around him and into his eyes.

"Aaaaaa-aaaaah, aaaaaa-aaaahhh..."

The girl's pendant was glowing cyan, the orange mist flowing out of it as she vocalized. The man's eyes glowed orange, indicating the spell was complete, and the girl ceased singing and spoke again.

"So?"

"Of course. Let me get information on their rooms now." The receptionist pulled open a drawer beneath his counter and leafed through a small stack of yellowed folders. "Here you go." He handed the girl three folders. The girl adjusted the orange tie and pink jacket she was wearing and scanned through the folders. "All on the same floor, huh?" She mumbled to herself. "Thanks." She handed the folders back to the receptionist, his eyes still an orange hue and his gaze still blank. As she turned around and walked out of the lobby, she sang. "Aaaaaa-aaaaah, aaaaaa-aaaahhh..." The orange glow faded from the man's eyes, and he blinked. What had just happened, and why was he holding folders of check ins? He sought for a memory but failed to attain one. He shrugged and placed the folders back into the drawer.

Walking quickly away, the lime green haired girl reached into her skirt pocket and fished out her phone. As she did so, the early morning light shine into her cutie mark on her jacket: a splash of pink paint and the bold green outline of a star on it. "Silver. I found the motel the sirens are staying in." "Keep an eye on the first me, Limelight." A voice said on the other end. "They're up to something if they're still sticking to each other like this."

Concerto Dawn was busy with his phone as well during this time, having acquired Cherry's number the day before. She seemed to be more open to him now since she believed he was dating Sonata. So far so good, he thought. Now there was only one obstacle left: Cherry's boyfriend. He texted Cherry.

So, you're going to the Canterlot Music Festival tomorrow with Storm Caster?

Storm Caster was supposed to be the name of Cherry's boyfriend. She had already sent him a couple of photos of them, and Concerto couldn't help but feel jealous. But if that was Cherry's purpose in sending him the photos, then it was a good thing.

A short while later, Cherry's texted back.

Yep. You'll be there, right?

Concerto's heart jumped at the question. She was asking about him! He typed in a reply.

Yeah. I'm performing, remember?

After a few seconds of consideration, he also added:

I'll be taking Sonata with me too. She's loves music, and plus she's my assistant and girlfriend, so...

Concerto smiled to himself. He was rather grateful to Sonata for helping him. So it was only fair that she attended the prestigious festival itself rather than just wait backstage for him. But there was one other thing...
Setting down at his table, Concerto reached for a notebook and opened it to the first page. He sought for some inspiration in his head, but couldn't find any. Sigh... I really feel like writing a song, but... What should I write about? Having come upon some of his handwritten lyrics, Sonata had given him the suggestion of writing a song for Triple Rewind. Concerto had first assumed that Sonata was saying that out of support for his hobby, but come to think of it, it seemed a good idea to write a song for his group after all. But what could he write? Concerto thought over the several types of music in his head. Other than pop music, he also knew country and R and B. Also, having studied Korean as a second language, he also tended to dabble in K Pop sometimes. Concerto thought and thought for some ideas, before deciding to put it aside for a while and call Sonata.

"Sonata? You there? "

"Yeah. Why'd you call me? "

"Just to let you know, Triple Rewind is performing at the Canterlot Music Festival tomorrow night. Rather than leaving you backstage, I'm bringing you along for the celebration. You deserve it." Sonata's reply came with a tone of surprise and excitement. "Really? Thanks, Concerto! ""You're welcome." Concerto hesitated for a hole before continuing. "Oh yeah, and... My ex-girlfriend is attending also. With her current boyfriend." "Oh... "For some reason, the joy in Sonata's voice seemed to have dropped a little."So, well pretend again? ""Yeah. Thanks, Sonata."

"You may come in. " Allegro turned the doorknob and went into the office. Show Biz sat comfortably in a large chair at his desk. This office was only temporary until Triple Rewind had finished their Canterlot tour, but Show Biz wanted to have the best for everything. "You wanted to see me, Mr Biz?" Allegro asked. The man nodded. "Yes. Have a seat. "Allegro settled down in the seat opposite his managers. Mr Biz inhaled deeply and sighed, like a father before he was about to give advice to a rebellious son. "We need to talk. About this assistant of yours." Okay, Allegro wasn't that surprised about this. Given the amount of time he spent with Adagio, he knew his manager would interfere. He raised an eyebrow. "You mean Adagio?" "You seem to be getting rather... Close, to her." Mr Biz stated, his voice serious. "A little too close, it seems." "Ugh, Mr Biz, what do you expect? She's my assistant, and I'm supposed to teach her to-" "Sing?" Show Biz interrupted. "I know that. But yesterday, you were spotted with her at the mall. "He produced a photo."A fan took it. "Allegro grabbed the picture and stared at it, shocked. What? Had fans been spying on them during the singing lesson? "She posted it on her blog. " Show Biz continued to explain. "I've reassured the media that you were tutoring her, but the more I look at it, it does seem possible that you have some kind of... Affection for Adagio." "So what if I have some kind of affection for her?" Allegro said, trying to cover up the anger in his voice. "At least she's more tolerable than Citrine is." "But to the public, Citrine is your girlfriend." His manager said sternly. "You must keep it that way to prevent your reputation from being tarnished. Do you understand? " "... Yes." Allegro had to hide both hands behind his back because they were clenched into fists. "Good. You may go. "Allegro had to resist cursing as he left the office. How could Mr Biz do something like that? How could he interfere with his life? Thanks to his manager, the whole world thought he was dating Citrine, and they probably didn't want him getting any closer to Adagio. But... He wanted to. He didn't know for sure if Adagio liked him back or not, but it was undeniable that he had feelings for her. Allegro stepped out of the building, suddenly filled with resolve. He looked up at the bright morning sky, and whispered his thoughts aloud.

"I have to tell her how I feel."