"Héctor, where were you?" Imelda asks when she sees him.
Héctor slows to a stop. "I just had to do something." he says, panting.
Imelda stares at him. "It's almost time," she tells him. "Nervous?"
Héctor nods. "A little."
Imelda smiles. "You'll do great."
Hugging him, she whispers "Good luck". Then she waves him toward the stage.
Once there, Héctor positions his guitar in front of him, scanning the audience. His mood saddens a little: Ernesto's not there. He looks around a bit more. No Ernesto.
No Superhero.
Héctor sighs as he grabs the microphone off the stand.
Showtime.
Ernesto treks toward the stage, pulling his mariachi hat tighter over his face.
He can't risk being seen. It'll be back in that stupid cell if anyone sees him.
He spots where the stage is and jogs toward it. Then he edges around people, pusing to the front of the crowd.
He sees Héctor on the stage. Looking for someone. Looking for me, Ernesto thinks with a wave of uncomfort washing over him.
Héctor starts to speak.
"I'd like to thank you for coming," he says, and although he's trying to hide it, Ernesto can hear the shakiness in his voice.
The audience applauds. Héctor smiles a little. "I picked this song for one of mi amigos." he says, voice stronger, then, with a faraway look in his eyes, he says, "My Superhero."
Ernesto stares at him. Pushes up his mariachi hat.
Héctor starts to strum the opening melody. Ernesto keeps his attention on his amigo as he plays.
Then Héctor starts to sing.
Got some time to share
The sun is everywhere
Take my hand, let's do it together.
Ernesto recognizes the song immidiately. The very first song they composed together. He starts shaking, unrecognizable feelings building inside him.
Shake it up and dance
Take a- take a chance
It's gonna last, forever and ever.
Ernesto glares at him. Héctor had promised never to sing that song at concerts. That one stayed between them.
Until now.
We gonna have some fun
We gonna get it done
Oh, oh, oh oh oh oh yeah
Ernesto should do something. Something to stop this.
Altogether now, we gonna show you how... we do it right
Everyday-ay, all we wanna have is fun, fun, fun!
Ernesto hates this. This was there secret song.
Fun anyway-ay, so just come and join us one by one!
Ernesto feels every ounce of fury build up inside him.
So, what'cha know-oh?
"Stop," Ernesto mutters.
Go-oh.
"Stop." His voice grows stronger.
No-oh, we can't let this moment pass
"Please, stop." he growls.
Héctor bounces up and down on the stage, strumming his guitar.
"Héctor, stop." Ernesto is snarling now.
O-oh, let's just make this party--
"STOP!"
Everyone freezes. Including Héctor.
He knows the voice. And recognizes the person who runs up on the stage.
"Stop it, Héctor," Ernesto yells. "Why would you do this to me?"
"Ernesto?" Héctor asks, pushing his guitar behind him.
Ernesto jabs a finger on Héctor's chest. "That was our secret song." he shouts "Why would you choose to sing it in front of all these people?"
"Why do you care?" Imelda snarls from behind.
Héctor stares at him. "I was doing it for you." he says seriously, "this concert was for you. No one else. Remember when we used to sing this all the time?"
"Yes." Ernesto says darkly, "I also remember how we promised never to share it out loud."
"You don't have control over him," Imelda cuts in, stepping up next to Héctor and putting an arm around him protectively.
"I never said I did." Ernesto inches closer. "I was just saying--"
Héctor can't take it anymore. "Listen, guys," he interjects.
Both Ernesto and Imelda stared at him.
Héctor continues. "Ernesto, really." he says, "How can you not see what a great gift this is?"
"You're supposed to hate me." Ernesto is definently enraged now. He grabs Héctor by the shoulders. Hard.
"I don't hate you." Héctor is unmoved. "I never will. You'll always be my Superhero."
Ernesto shoves Héctor down. He lands on his back with a thud, pushing up against his guitar. He stands up shakily.
"I told you NOT TO CALL ME THAT!" Ernesto bellows. "Now quit bothering me and stop being nice to me."
"Never." Héctor leans forward. "Never, Ernesto. We were best amigos once. I know you enjoyed those times."
"I didn't." Ernesto glares at Héctor, turning away. "Keep going with your dumb concert. I'm not your amigo. I'm not your Superhero."
With nothing else said, Ernesto bolts away.
Héctor feels too choked up to say or do anything as he watches his Superhero run.
A/N: To those of you who didn't read my story Strained, I stated in one of my chapters that I borrowed a song to use.
The song Héctor sang in this chapter comes from Power Rangers Super Samarai Season 1 Episode 7.
I guess watching TV with your brother pays off sometimes.