Disclaimer: Do not own Ant Farm
Chapter 12
Chyna Parks was alone, walking out and about the hotel by herself now. Fletcher had gone a while ago to go meet up with the rest of the Ants. She was glad because she needed the time alone to mull over the situation. She needed to do something about Lexi and fast. Once Lexi catches on to their little scheme, she would tell on them, and then Gibson would be forced to send everybody home because they were never supposed to be in Japan to begin with.
She was still mulling over her options when she heard a commotion from a crowd. She looked over to find a large doorway, standing 10 feet, leading to an ornate, cavernous room with rows and rows of pews and three long aisles running down the middle and the sides.
People dressed up in fancy suits and dresses were chattering restlessly.
Chyna was looking at a wedding, but it didn't look like a happy wedding. The bride was bawling to herself and anyone nearby that would listen.
"I can't believe the pianist didn't show up! This is supposed to be the best day of my life! I can't march down the aisle without music! I will not have a half rate wedding. Right baby?" She turned to face someone, but no one was there.
"Baby!" The bride yelled again.
A man who was chattering along in speedy Japanese with guests jumped at the sharpness of her bride's voice. "Yes, dear, coming dear," he called out. At once, he about - faced and marched over to his bride.
"I said, right baby?" Tears streaked down large eyes as the wife looked on to her groom for an answer.
"Right? Right. Of course, you're right. Wait, what are you right about?"
"I do not deserve a half rate wedding! We need music, stat! A pianist, any pianist will do. I will not march down the aisle without Mendelsohn's Wedding March in the air!"
"Right, but see baby, we've tried calling all the local musicians and they're all booked right now. So we're either going to have to err, proceed without music, or…..postpone?"
"POSTPONE?"
The man shrank underneath the sheer volume of his bride's voice. "Right," he said. "That's not an option."
Chyna called out, "Maybe I can help."
The groom, bride and guests turned to their would be savior, and Chyna could see the dashed and crestfallen looks on their faces. She could see what they saw, a fourteen year old who couldn't mind her own business.
The guests muttered angrily in Japanese at her, while the groom spoke in plain English: "No offense kid, but I'd really appreciate it if you would just leave us alone – "
Chyna wouldn't take no for an answer. "No, wait, really, I can play the piano! Just wait, you'll see!" She was already speeding down the aisle towards the massive Grand piano in the corner. She barely registered the shouting protests of the guests – she had her sights on the piano bench – but then she felt strong arms hook around her armpits – she couldn't feel her feet on the floor anymore –
"Wait! Just let me show you! Please. If I can just get on the piano, you'll see you guys can have your wedding!"
Chyna continued to struggle. She felt the angry chatter of the guests buzz in her ears, until a voice, higher in timbre to everything else, cut in through the room, speaking Japanese.
Chyna looked over in the direction of the speaker, and she recognized her. She was the Asian girl Fletcher had spotted at the pool.
The groom rushed up to Chyna, speaking hurriedly, "My niece Janice here says she knows you, and she vouches for you. So if you can play, show us now," he looked to his wife and then leaned to whisper in Chyna's ear, "I just want this part of my day over with."
Chyna smiled. "You got it, sir."
Chyna made her way over to the piano, without getting harassed this time, and sat on the bench.
Now this, she could do. And very easily too. She felt very much at home on the bench, and her fingers were poised to dance across the 88 keys the moment they laid rest on the piano.
She played a sample of Mendelsohn's Wedding March, with a bit of an upbeat twist to it.
The muttering and protests died away. Before long, the angry faces in the crowd were replaced by nodding looks of approval.
She stopped playing a quarter of the way through. Really, she didn't need to play the whole song. Had to save it for the real deal.
The bride strode purposely down the aisle towards Chyna. Chyna winced as she heard the strong click-clack with every time the woman's high heels met the floor.
Chyna braced herself. The woman didn't look happy.
But she had nothing to worry about when the woman's stern face melted into a huge, radiant smile. "You're perfect!"
The woman turned to face the wedding guests. "She's going to be the new pianist!"
"But," she turned back to Chyna, "you have to play your re-endition of the Wedding March. It's so, lively!" She gushed.
Before Chyna could say anything else, the bride was already making orders to find a suitable dress for Chyna. There was no way the wedding pianist was going to play in jeans and boots. The crowd clamored into action. And soon the wedding hall was busy, with everybody taking places and people calling out instruction to each other.
The wedding itself was a quieter affair. Chyna played the Wedding March perfectly. Pleasant smiles in the crowd looked on silently as the pastor married the couple.
The bride, who was no longer screeching and bawling indignantly, looked every bit comfortable as the center of attention. Chyna studied the bride. Without her face twisted in tears, she decided the bride looked really pretty. She waved to everybody as she raced down the aisle, with her newly minted husband in arm. The crowd showered them in petals and cheers of joy.
Chyna looked on with a satisfied smile. She felt good that she was able to help out.
She was still smiling when Janice approached her.
"I'm impressed, you saved the day. I imagine if Toriyama-san hadn't found a pianist, she would've had an earful from Alice for weeks."
Chyna nodded as she turned on her seat to face Janice. Janice was dressed up in a sapphire, flowing dress, with long, dangling earrings and her hair done up in a pretty bun.
Chyna frowned. She really was beautiful. Fletcher would take a liking to her.
"The name's Janice."
"I heard," Chyna smiled again. "The name's Chyna."
They shook hands.
"That was you earlier, with that boy by the pool." That was not a question.
"Sure, yea," Chyna admitted, and suddenly she felt a little guarded at Janice's interest in Fletcher.
But then Janice switched up gears. "You're really talented. I guess you really have an ear for music, huh?"
Chyna nodded. Janice had no idea how talented in music she really was.
"Well there's going to be a big wedding reception in a few days. Toriyama-san didn't have the time, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I extend you the invitation."
Chyna loved parties. But she was sure that the invitation was going to come with a catch.
"You have to bring your friend –," Janice paused.
"Fletcher, his name's Fletcher."
"Fletcher. That's an unusual name."
Chyna wanted to laugh, but there was something about Janice that put her a little on edge.
"Yea. I, erm, agree." Chyna cleared her throat.
"So…do we have a deal then? Your friend's invited. In fact, bring all of your friends. The more the merrier."
This time Chyna had to laugh. "I dunno, I have lots of friends with me on this trip."
Janice scoffed. "It doesn't matter how many friends you have. 100 people can crash the party and nobody would notice." Janice noticed Chyna's raised eyebrows. "Yep, it's that big."
Chyna wasn't so sure about attending anymore. Janice seemed like the type who gets what she wants, and would stop at nothing to get it. And right now, she really wanted to meet Fletcher. For some reason, that didn't sit so well with Chyna.
"See, Toriyama-san's a big time record producer -," Janice did not miss Chyna's piqued interest in the conversation. "I can arrange an audience with him, if you want."
Chyna was amazed by how much Janice saw through her. Was it that obvious that she craved to play music in front of people?
"So I'll see you there. You know what you have to do." Janice flashed her victory smile, flicked her hair, and left the wedding hall.