Again, songs used here are not mine and belong to their rightful creators!

Chapter 4

Drama in every sense of the word

"Nervous?" asked Kanata.

"Yeah, a bit" Miyu replied.

"You'll be fine, just imagine that you're performing for those you love and you'll be okay. You're too good to not be okay" he gave her a smile and they looked ahead at the closed curtains.

She could hardly believe that the guy who had been such a jerk in past was being so nice to her. Maybe she had judged him too soon, maybe he was having a bad day the day he transferred.

- X -

The curtain opens to reveal a couple dancing in the middle of the stage surrounded by more couples waltzing around them.

Elle "Happy b'day babe"

Alex "thank you"

Elle "you're finally 18 wow! How do you feel?"

Alex "Uhh…old?"

Elle laughs and they continue to dance to 'Mary's song by Taylor swift' when all of a sudden, the lights get dimmed and a projector starts projecting their childhood pictures like a film of their time spent together ever since they were kids.

Alex running ahead and Elle trying her best to catch up. Alex pouting while Elle is happily eating a chocolate bar.

They both smile at this one while the clip continues to play more of their childhood pictures showing how they grew up together. When lights come up again everybody sings the trademark Birthday song. He stands there holding Elle. She notices that his eyes aren't shining like they usually do whenever he smiles. She's opens her mouth to ask him what's wrong when another song starts playing and this one is their song 'Jason Chen's Best friend' (Kanata's singing and Miyu's on the piano). They both look at each other and while everyone else is dancing around them they just stand there looking at each other. Somehow, Elle knows what's coming and she hugs him tight before he can say anything. The pain is visible on their faces and she tries desperately to hold on to him while he tries to find his voice. He resolves to be done with this.

Alex "El, I need to tell you something"

Elle "I don't want to listen"

A "Please El it's important"

E "I don't care"

He sighs and holds her in his arms. He looks at her beautiful face and eyes shining with unshed tears.

A "I'm leaving for England tomorrow… for college"

E "But you'll come back right? I mean you have your whole family here"

A "Dad is preparing to move by the end of this year"

E "But why?"

A "He suffered a major loss recently and his partners suggested he should move to London. He received a decent offer which is more than he could hope for in his current situation. He doesn't really have any other choice"

A "I really am so sorry El, will you ever forgive me?"

When she doesn't reply he hugs her tight for one last time and walks away leaving her all alone to 'Taylor swift's White horse' playing in the background.

Elle is heartbroken. She barely does anything other than mourn the loss of the most important person of her life and spends her time on autopilot like a machine. When weeks turn into months and months into years her best friend can't take it anymore and drags her out of the house for a girls' night out or threatens to kick her out of their shared apartment.

Jessica "Come on Elle, let's go! We're getting late"

Elle "I don't want to, really you go ahead and have fun"

J "come on now, don't be like that. Everyone goes through heartaches; that's part of life and it's been over a year and a half almost. Let's just have some fun tonight…. please…for my sake"

They arrive at the night club and the music is so loud they can hardly hear each other. Cartoon's on & on is the current song blaring as Jessica grabs Elle, hurling her around to the beat of the music. Several more songs follow like Guessing by Against the current, Can't help falling in love with you, Cascada's Because the night, You know me too well, Forever the sickest kids la la lainey, Icona pop's We got the world, Kesha's Tik Tok and way more. Elle lets go of everything and decides to enjoy herself for now. She starts to relax just when someone walks over to Jessica and Jessica launches herself at him.

Jessica shouts at the top of her voice to introduce him to Elle "This is my cousin, Max"

He smiles at Elle and holds out his hand "Hi, nice to meet you"

Elle shakes his hand and they just stand there while Landon Austin's stop time plays in the background.

"Stop being so awkward and dance already" and with that Jessica literally pushes Max at Elle.

He gives her an apologetic smile and shields her from a guy who was trying to make a pass at her. She smiles at him and they dance to Notions by The ready set. There are way too many guys surrounding them and feeling a bit self-conscious Elle moves closer to Max who sensing her unease grabs her and walks over to the other side of the club, away from the dance floor.

Max "I'm sorry but my sister can be a bit crazy sometimes, she should have taken you to a better club, this one has a reputation, well… a bad one"

She says thank you and then they begin to talk about random things waiting for Jessica to turn up. She finds out that he's a final year medical student at the university. Max notices that she's guarded. He turns out to be a chivalrous guy and tries not to push her too much.

Elle feels really comfortable chatting with him and almost regrets when Jessica interrupts them. This is how all thanks to Jess Elle meets Max. Months later they are celebrating Jess's Birthday and Max is there along with quite a lot of people. They take out Jess's age-old karaoke studio set on a whim.

Jess "So Max, if you were to dedicate a song to someone here who would it be and which song would you pick? Pick carefully because you'll have to sing it okay"

Max "Well I think that would be Sam hunt's Take your time"

Jess "And who's the lucky girl?"

Max "I think you know exactly who"

Elle blushes and tries to act normal. After singing the song better than anyone would have expected he asks her to go for a walk with him. She knows what's coming and tries to come up with some excuse but he seems adamant. She gives in and follows him out to Jessica shouting best of luck to their backs.

Max "Elle I really like you" when she keeps quiet, he continues "I know about your past, Jess told me. I'm sorry, I really don't want to impose anything on you and I don't expect you to give me an answer straight away. I would be happy if you would just consider it. Can you do that?"

When Elle nods timidly he stops and hugs her. Kissing her on her head he walks away and she turns around to head back. Bake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's go ahead and break my heart plays in the background (covered by Kanata and Miyu, of course).

Max is so sweet that Elle find it really hard to not like him even though she's still in love with Alex and she'll probably love him for the rest of her life but he had made it clear that he wasn't coming back. Max really does love her.

Max fell in love with Elle when he first saw her. He keeps trying to convince her she could really love him as Justin Timberlake's Not a bad thing plays while Elle starts to feel something more than friendship for him to Taylor Swift's Begin again playing in the background.

It's been almost 3 years since Elle and Max met, 5 years since Alex walked out of her life. Max knows how hard Elle is trying to get over Alex. He knows it is hard to forget the person you've been in love with for your whole life and he understands that she'll probably never forget Alex. All Max wants is that Elle try to love him and he'll do the rest. She really does like him even if it is not as strong as her passion for Alex.

They are all out celebrating Elle's 22nd Birthday in a restaurant. There's just the three of them as it is a private party suggested by Jessica. Max has plans for the evening. He doesn't want to crowd Elle and make her feel self-conscious or uncomfortable, that is the last thing he needs right now. So in love by Stevie Hoang is playing in the background and they are all waiting for their deserts when Max excuses himself from the table. Elle is patiently waiting for her vanilla ice cream when there's a sudden change in the music.

A short notice precedes the song 'We apologise for the abrupt change but here's a young man who wants to confess his love to the love of his life. He asked us ever so politely if we could play the couple's favourite song so here it goes…. best of luck buddy and we wish the happy couple all the happiness'

Elle looks at Jess who in turn looks smug.

E "Where's Max?"

J "You'll see"

E "Don't tell me…."

That's when Jason Chen's Best friend starts playing and Elle looks up to find Alex standing in front of her. It takes her whole effort to not lose her cool and start punching him.

Alex "El…happy B'day"

Elle "What the hell are you doing here Alex?"

A "I came back of course…I tried but I couldn't stay away El. I never got over you. I told dad I don't care what he wants from his life but I know what I want and I want you El…I need you more than I've ever needed anyone"

E "It's not that easy Alex. My life is not some drive in you can walk in and out of at your own convenience."

A "I know that…I never wanted to leave in the first place"

E "Then why did you leave"

A "I had no other choice El, I had nothing"

E "You had me Alex…what else did you need?"

A "Just you El with no college, no education and no means to support you, do you really think that would have worked out? You would have walked away"

E "Do you really think that?"

A "I was trying to be practical El. I just wanted you to be happy, I still want you to be happy"

E "Well, you just walked in the middle of a proposal" she turns towards Max.

E "I am sorry. Don't come after me, I want to be alone" and with that she walks out of the restaurant leaving others behind. She wouldn't have lasted another moment anyway that's how much rattled she is by seeing Alex again. She is torn by her own emotions for both of them. She loves Alex but she also loves Max. She walks out on the street and Colbie caillat's Him or you begin to play.

At the restaurant Jessica, Alex and Max are standing in complete silence, all at loss about what to say. Alex turns towards Max.

Alex "Do you really love her?"

Max "Do you?"

Alex "Of course I do, what kind of question is that?"

Max simply stares at him but Alex understands that he too loves Elle and it's possible that she likes him too.

Alex "Hey if what she said is true then I really am sorry, although I am grateful that I did interrupt at the right time. I don't mean to sound rude or cocky but I don't want to lose her. I love her too much to give her away without a fight"

Max "I wasn't going to propose her, not tonight. I just wanted her to move in with me. I love her too but I don't want to rush her. I won't give up either. I think we should let her decide and not force anything on her, that won't be fair"

Alex "All is fair in love and war…"

Max "And this is a bit of both" he completes the sentence with a smile.

Jessica "look at you both, you could've been friends you know if the circumstances were any different" she is awed by them while the 'rivals' smile at each other.

All Alex wants is to make Elle realize how much he really love her and he obviously have the upper hand since Elle has loved him more than she could love anyone. He feels conceited and ashamed for being so sure but he knows that Elle means the world to him and he means a lot to her too. If anything, it only strengthens his resolve to win her back again. He prepares to make her realise just how much he love her as Backstreet boys Back to your heart starts playing in the background.

Max knows it's a lost cause and he is the third wheel here but he wants to make sure that Elle isn't in love with him before he leaves because if there is even a slight chance that she might favour him over her childhood love, he isn't going anywhere while Big time rush's You're not alone plays in the background.

Next few weeks become some of the most confusing and frustrating of Elle's life as she is either stuck with Max or Alex, each trying to win her heart. She wants it all to end but she can't let go of either. There are times when she seriously considers running away just to escape the stress all this drama is causing in her life.

It takes an accident for her to really decide who is in her heart. Alex, Jessica and Max were heading over to her house when they meet with an accident. She gets a phone call and they say it is pretty serious. She is in bits before she can reach the hospital. She heads straight to visit Jessica. Thankfully Jessica and Max both are fine. Alex is the one who suffered most of the injuries. He is okay, but he'll be in the hospital for some time.

Elle "I'm sorry I don't want you to think I used you"

Max "You didn't use me and I knew you were in love with him. I know I sort of forced you"

Elle "You're going to hate me for the rest of your life, isn't it?"

Max "No, I can't hate you. I love you too much for that"

Elle "Max I…" and she moves forward to hug him but he stops her.

Max "No, don't… I don't, I can't…it's just that…I can't, it will hurt like a hell to watch you go…just be happy, okay…all I want is for you to be happy"

Giving him a sad attempt at a smile Elle walks out of the ward and goes straight to where Alex lay covered in the bandages but thankfully safe.

Jessica "I'm sorry max, I started it all, I really shouldn't have asked you to…"

Max "Don't blame yourself sis, you didn't ask me to fall for her, that was my decision and mine alone" and he closes his eyes as single tear trickles down his cheek.

Alex opens his eyes to Elle sitting next to him with his hand in hers.

Alex "El, I'm so sorry. I caused you so much pain. If you really love Max then I promise I'll leave. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I love you too much. You do know that we hurt the ones we love the most. I'm sorry I left you all those years ago. Will you ever forgive me for that, El?" his tears fall down his eyes onto the pillow.

Elle "Of course I forgive you, you idiot. Don't you ever say you're sorry to love me because I'll kill you if I ever hear you say that again. You're excused for now because you clearly are in enough pain already"

A "What made you come to me El? If this accident is why you feel obliged to be by my side then…"

E "Just shut up Alex, you of all people should know that I might like someone and I might even fall for someone else but I will never love anyone else like I love you. You are my first everything Alex…my everything"

The curtain came down with the prospect of their sweet reunion and the song Nothing's gonna change my love for you playing in the background. The whole auditorium erupts into a cacophony of applauds.

All student groups involved in the drama came forward to say thank you in groups. When the band walked on to the stage, the cheers seemed to be the loudest. They had done such a great job covering so many songs live. Miyu found herself standing next to Kanata who took her hand and they all bowed down to their audience before leaving the stage.

Akira came forward running towards her and hugged her so tight that Miyu had to force herself away in order to breathe.

"I… can't… breathe" she choked.

"Shut up, you were fantastic out there"

"So were you" said Kanata and smiled at Akira. She gave Miyu a questioning glance before turning towards Kanata giving him a sceptical look.

"Well, thank you. I must say, you are quite a singer"

"So, does that mean I wasn't fantastic like her" he said with a playful tone. She frowned a little at his out of the blue friendly behaviour before replying.

"Well, no one can beat my precious Miyu when it comes to music"

"You really adore her, don't you" he asked her but didn't wait for any reply and walked away but not before inviting them to a celebration party at his house later that evening, telling them that they could invite anyone they wanted.

"What was that?" Akira asked Miyu who shrugged a little but didn't say a word.

Could it be possible for him to like Akira? was the thought that crossed her mind but she was overjoyed by the fact that she hadn't messed up on stage. She was probably too much in love with Kanata to give that thought any more consideration. The two best friends walked away hand in hand discussing what to wear for the party.

Miyu was used to big houses because Akira's house was big, her father being a senator and mother being a celebrity lawyer but when they arrived at Saionji's, it completely took her breath away. It wasn't just beautiful but it was huge, like monster of a house that put Akira's house to shame. She was a bit apprehensive to enter a house like that without carrying anything. She regretted not bringing any present or a bouquet.

Akira had taken forever to get ready and was smashing it with a sexy black maxi dress whereas Miyu had kept it sweet and simple by wearing a white blouse with a sweet maroon coloured skirt pairing it with black stockings and black heels. She clearly felt under dressed when she went inside and found out that nearly every girl in the room was wearing a gown and heavy makeup.

"I'm glad that you could come" and they turned around to find the host walking over to them. Kanata was wearing a plain white t-shirt with black jeans and white casual shoes but still managed to look like a teen vogue model. Miyu couldn't stop herself from staring at him.

"So, tell me Saionji is your father some famous tycoon or a gangster. This house is just so…" said Akira and raised her right hand to shake his.

"Uhh… to be honest this manor is not really mine. It belongs to my guardian, well my local guardian" said Kanata and took her hand in his. To her surprise he kissed the back of her hand instead of the handshake she was expecting. Akira blushed a little and in order to clear away the embarrassment she cleared her throat and took a dig at his appearance "You know I have never met someone who looks less like a knight. If I was to guess I would say you look more like kidnapping and roughing it up kind of a guy"

"I'm shocked …you see right through me" he mocked her and turned towards Miyu who was busy staring at his beautiful face than to notice his flirtatious exchange with Akira.

"Miyu, I'm glad you made time to come" and he smiled at her inadvertently turning his charm. Her inner singing queen picked up her guitar and started singing Colbie Caillat's Falling for you. Miyu ad to shake her head to quiet down the annoying singer inside her head.

"Umm…I ...We…We're glad to be here. Thank you very much for inviting us"

"Stop being so formal, the show was a huge success and you were a major part of it" he said kindly and led them through the foyer into some kind of 20th century ballroom. Everything was so beautiful, the lightings and the fabrics that hung on the windows, all the paintings and the engravings on the pillars. It was like stepping back into time but that was about it because the music blaring in the room was of nowhere near that era. Simple plan's Freaking me out was way too modern to be called 20th century music.

"Waiters…you have got frickin waiters…actual people waiting on us. Oh my god, who the hell are you? Some exiled prince from England?" commented Akira at the grandeur of the place. She now felt an extremely strong desire to find out his true identity. His enigmatic personality and charm acted like a catalyst to her desire to find out the truth. He shrugged away her question and showed them around, offering them various drinks and refreshments while Cash Cash's Victim of love began playing.

Kanata waived a hand to flag a waiter. Miyu thought she saw him exchange a glance with him but quickly chalked it up to the tricks of lighting. Her mind wandered back to the emotions that were overwhelming her. She was thinking of spending some time with him all alone, she wasn't sure if she had the courage to confess but moments spent with Kanata had always been unpredictable and to an extent memorable for her one way or another.

"Kanata, I wanted to talk …" just when she was about to ask him to accompany her to someplace less crowded her hand holding the glass jerked violently enough that she ended spilling the drink on her skirt.

"I'm sorry…here let me escort you to the bathroom" said Kanata grabbing her by her elbow and almost dragging her away from the crowded room.

"It's okay…I"

"How about you get yourself cleaned up. Let me get someone get you change of clothes. You wait here" he smiled at her and opened the door to the bathroom. Miyu who couldn't protest against his efforts quietly walked into a luxurious bathroom and decided to clean her dress with water as much as she could. When she was done, she got lucky and found a hair dryer lying around. She used it to blow dry her dress as much as she could. Satisfied with her handiwork and taking a deep breath to calm her racing nerves she walked out of the room only to find herself all alone.

Kanata wasn't around. She had gotten so used to him being around her and helping her these past few weeks that his absence struck her harder than she had anticipated. She took another deep breath and forced her heart to stop racing. She decided to follow the music and soon found her way back into the main room where lights were dimmer now and couples were waltzing around the room to a beautiful melody that made her nostalgic. She realized that M2M's Pretty boy was playing. It felt like an omen as if heaven itself was giving her permission that it was alright to feel the way she felt, that it was alright to be happy again, that there was nothing wrong with moving on. She felt braver. She thought it wouldn't hurt her to be honest and just let her feelings all out in the open. These feelings inside her were warming up her entire being and she felt like she was healing. She could finally understand how it felt to be in love, to want to wake every morning in anticipation to see that one face.

She accidentally walked into a girl from her year and asked her if she had seen Kanata or Akira anywhere.

"I guess I saw them walk towards those stairs…yes I think they went that way" and she pointed towards the first floor.

Thanking her Miyu walked over to the first floor wondering if she could actually go through what was on her mind. She wondered if she had enough courage to it out loud. She walked past a few closed doors and then out of nowhere she was standing in front a room with the door ajar. She raised a hand to knock on it but something stopped her. Her instincts were screaming out and she suddenly stopped. Hand raised in air, she stood in front of the door rooted to the ground. She heard him before she could see him. It was Kanata's voice, as clear as a summer day.

"I don't know if you have noticed it but I will say it anyway"

"You're acting strange. Where is Miyu?" Akira asked, she sounded apprehensive.

"I like you Akira, I've liked you ever since I laid eyes on you. Will you go out with me?"

A pregnant pause followed and then she heard Akira stammer a question.

"What the…what are you talking about? I…I thought you liked…"

Her ears were ringing so loud she couldn't hear a word. She felt like she was underwater, drowning. It was getting harder to breathe and her ears wouldn't quit ringing. God knows how long she stood there, hand hanging in the air with her mind completely blank and her heart completely numb. All of a sudden, she snapped out of her trance and turned around. She took out her phone and wrote a text out to Akira.

'I am leaving for the day, too tired to wait around…will see you around'

Somehow, she managed to walk out of the maze that was this manor. She barely functioned enough to walk out but her mind registered the songs that were playing. It was Yazoo's Only you and by the time she walked out she heard Troye Sivan's Fools began to play. She thought someone somewhere among the stars was having a food laugh right now. She was almost by the door when she heard Akira catch up to her. Akira looked animated but for the first time she hesitated to look into her eyes. Maybe she is feeling guilty, thought Miyu but then she pushed that thought out. Miyu didn't have any claim over Kanata. There was no reason for her to be mad Akira. it wasn't her fault, if anything it was Miyu's fault for not being honest and realising her own feelings sooner. If only she thought and pushed back the tears that threatened to spill out. She faked a huge yawn and rubbed her eyes. Being in a drama had finally paid off. Akira sounded happy and Miyu owed it to Akira after everything she had done for her, she had to be happy for her best friend even if it was killing her. She faked another stifling yawn again and rubbed at eyes once again to seem genuine.

"Hey Miyu where…were you crying?"

"What? What are talking about? Why would I cry silly? Just tired, you know. It's been a long day and a long week" she tried to make her voice sound as cheerful as she could without giving away the storm that was rising within.

"But you sound like you were crying?" Akira asked again, this time she was closely looking at her face, perhaps trying to read her.

"No silly, I just caught cold from that drink I spilled all over myself. I tried to wash it off with water then blow dried by dress and the cooling! It's like Antarctica in here. I am not dressed enough maybe that's why I caught cold all of a sudden"

Akira gave her a calculating look but Miyu gave her a reassuring smile that it was nothing but exhaustion and cold "I am cold, I will leave now"

She turned around to leave but Akira grabbed her, forcing her to stop. Miyu looked at her with a big smile plastered to her face wondering if it would really fool Akira. They are childhood friends after all.

"Miyu, you can't leave, we just got here and I have to talk to you...I"

"I know," she interrupted her timidly. She couldn't bring to look into her eyes when she. She knew is she looked in her eyes Akira would know she is lying. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything. I was just looking around for you and that's when I came across you guys talking. I walked away when I realised what was going on"

A pregnant pause followed. Miyu wondered if Akira was still there standing in front of here. She looked up and saw her looking at her with such concern that it almost broke her heart again. She didn't want Akira to worry about her. She put on a big smile again, this time it was genuine.

"I love you no matter what, you know that right. You are like my sister."

"Miyu I…" Akira sounded unsure. She had always assumed that Kanata was into Miyu. Everything he did screamed that he cared for her but then she had watched him treat every person just like he treated Miyu. Maybe she was reading too much into it. Maybe he was being genuine about his feeling for her. Maybe he didn't like Miyu the way he liked her.

Miyu hugged her, putting her mind at ease "I am fine really, today was the most fund I have ever had in so long but I'm really tired. I just want to go home now"

"let me drive you home" all of a sudden Kanata was standing right beside Akira. Miyu didn't realise he was there and probably wouldn't even have noticed him if he hadn't spoken out.

"NO" she didn't mean to but it came out a little harsher than she had intended. It was too early for her to be with him alone after what she had just heard. She wanted to stay away from him as much as could.

"I mean I'll hail a cab …. anyways I feel like walking tonight"

"Miyu you can't leave like this, and it's almost dark"

"I live nearby, Akira. I'll get home before it gets dark. Don't worry about me and you should enjoy yourself, don't hold out because of me"

"What is going on… are you leaving Miyu?" Hikari, the girl who had played violin with them appeared out of nowhere.

"Yeah…"

"You can't leave! Everyone is looking forward to your performance. They're all hyped and let's face it you were the start of the show today. You can't leave just like that"

"I don't think I can…"

"Come on, juts one song" with that she dragged her towards the grand piano that was in the corner of the room

"I…" Miyu looked at Akira as she was being dragged away, begging to help her out but before Akira could say anything Kanata intervened.

"Let her be. She is not well and I'm taking her home" there was such intimidation in his voice that Hikari immediately stopped dragging Miyu, apologizing she began to walk. Miyu didn't like the way Kanata had said it. He didn't own her; he had no right to make her decisions. She didn't want to let anyone down and above it all, she didn't want anything to do with Kanata. If he didn't want her to perform, she decided to do just the opposite. Rebelling against him gave her a sense of courage and feeling a little better she smiled at Hikari.

"I think I can perform one song" she said and walked over to the piano wishing she had run out the moment she had heard that dreaded conversation.

Silence spread across the room as she sat across the piano and began to randomly play some keys. She was numb and maybe that helped with her anxiety. For the first time ever, she didn't feel any dread for being the centre of attention. She realised that heartbreaks really help channel all the focus on the mechanical tasks. She took a deep breath and began to sing the first song that came across her mind -

If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way

And I... will always love you,
I Will always love you

All eyes trained on her; entire room was in absolute silence. Her singing was the only sound in the room for the next a minute or two. She didn't sing for too long, and ended her performance with the OST she had composed for the play. She had already received a lot of request for a studio version of it and she had promised that she would work on it. She stood up and everyone was all praises for her. She tried to smile around, tried to keep her distance from Kanata and Akira for next few minutes. Taking the advantage of being surrounded by crowd, she increased the distance between her and the new couple who couldn't get past through the hoard of people. She managed to get away from the lime light and grabbing the first opportunity available she quickly walked out of the manor leaving a part of her heart behind. A void that would always be with her, the sweet pain of losing her first love before it even began.

Upcoming next

Unable to cope up with the conflicting emotions wreaking havoc within her Miyu finds it extremely difficult to stay happy for a best friend who had always been on her side and she decides to avoid everyone. She stops going to school and stops taking calls especially from Akira until she realizes that it would be impossible to avoid Kanata and Akira if she lived in the same town so she decides to leave. How is that going to affect her relationship with the only person she loves?

How was it? Good bad?

Reviews are appreciated! Open to ideas too. Let me know how I did.