Disclaimer: I do not own the Winx Club in any way…if I did the secondary characters would get a lot more action in the series, but that's just me J
Author's Note: It's been a few days (in the story) since the ending of the last chapter. This takes place over the course of a day (café=morning). There will be parts of the day missing.
"I have a question," the blond girl looked at Musa expectantly.
"What?" Musa let out a small groan. It's not that she didn't like Stella, she just didn't like the barrage of questions she was facing. It was like a police interrogation with a peppy blond rather than a serious cop.
"What was your inspiration for this album? I have to know. It's just so great that I have to know how you were inspired to write the songs you did. They felt so real. The one about being in love with your best friend's boyfriend just hit close to the heart," Stella let out a giggle after her question, presumably in sheer pleasure that she was in the presence of the rising superstar, even if that rising superstar didn't want the status.
"Past experiences," Musa mumbled, avoiding eye contact and taking a sip of the coke that was in front of her.
"You are going to love my friends," Stella pealed.
All Musa could do was shake her head at Stella's ability to be distracted or bored with a topic.
"Here they come," Stella bounced up and down on her seat, gripping Musa's sleeve and pointing to a group of great-looking girls.
"Hey Stell," a tall, lanky redhead called out to the blond.
"Hey girls," Stella squealed.
"Who's this?" a girl with tan skin and brown hair asked. Her voice sounded soothing and almost sounded as if it was Mother Nature, if Mother Nature had a voice.
"This is Musa," Stella pointed to the girl sitting across from her at the round table, "this is the up and coming singer that I have been talking about."
"Hi, I'm Bloom," the redhead stuck her hand out for Musa to shake. Musa took the hand and gave it a little pump up and down.
"Musa," Musa replied, flashing a glimpse of her smile.
"This is Flora," Stella pointed to the tanned girl, "this is Layla," Stella said, turning towards the dark-skinned girl with dark brown hair.
"Hey," Layla shot her hand up in the air in greetings.
"And the pink haired girl is Tecna," Stella pointed to the spunky girl that held a phone in her hand.
"Sorry," Tecna said, putting the phone in her pocket, "nice to meet you."
"This is quite the group," Musa mumbled under her breath.
It certainly was. The group was a large group of fresh-out-of-college aged girls. Despite the large crowd, Musa did like the group. They were nice, her age and seemed down to earth even though they kept getting catcalls and various prepaid drinks from the gentlemen around the café/bar.
"Listen, I have to go, but if you guys want to come see me perform sometime, I'm performing with a band at the Fruity Music Bar next Saturday," Musa said while getting up from the table.
"That would be awesome," Stella squealed in excitement.
"Okay, I guess I'll see you guys there," Musa muttered before hightailing it out of the café. As much as she liked the girls, she also liked the solitude of being alone.
She walked slowly back to her apartment since the café hadn't been that far away, only about a fifteen minute brisk walk, or a twenty to twenty five minute stroll. It had been relaxing to walk through the streets of the town that she loved so much. It was a way for her to clear her head. Unfortunately or fortunately for her she happened to forget that Riven lived about five minutes away from the café and lived in the direction Musa was walking, which is why it was no surprise that she was caught way off guard by his appearance in her central vision.
"Uhff," she puffed. The air escaping from her lungs in that split second.
"Sorry," Riven mumbled, running his hand nervously through his hair.
"What are you doing? This is the second time you decided to get in my way which has caused me to get injured in some way," Musa chided, being a little over dramatic.
Riven rolled his eyes in mock annoyance.
"Stop being a drama queen, it's weird since you aren't one and it doesn't fit you quite well," Riven said in his husky voice.
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes and made to walk around him.
"Look, I'm not too good at this but I, uh, wanted to, well, er, apologize for my, uh, behavior yesterday. It really wasn't your fault and I shouldn't have yelled at you, uh, twice," Riven's words came out as quickly as a turtle crossing a road.
"Wait, you're actually apologizing?" Musa's voice dripped in sarcasm. It wasn't like her to be this snarky, but given recent events she couldn't help but rub it in his face that he was wrong. He was too cocky and it was a blessing, for him, that this event humbled him, a lot.
"Yes," his tone was strained and his face was beet red.
"Well I guess I have no choice but to," Musa paused for dramatic effect, "accept your apology, but seriously how could you not heed the warnings?"
"She was hot," Riven shrugged his shoulders.
"You're such a guy," Musa shook her head in mock disappointment.
"Where are you off to?" he asked.
"Home, I have to meet up with Darcy. Apparently we're going shopping, just my luck," Musa let out a labored groan.
"Well have fun with Darcy," Riven said stiffly.
"See you later," Musa quickly sidestepped around him and began walking towards the direction she was supposed to be going.
It wasn't that long before Musa had reached the apartment complex.
"Musa, you're back," Darcy drawled.
"Yeah," Musa mumbled. Darcy may have been her long time friend, but Musa couldn't help but be angry and annoyed at Darcy.
"My sisters are coming for the weekend," Darcy remarked.
"Stormy and Icy?"
"Yeah, they're here to visit. I haven't been home in a while," Darcy shrugged.
"Okay. I have to go somewhere this weekend so give them my regards," Musa replied, thankfully she didn't have to deal with the sisters. They weren't the nicest of people; they were very much like Darcy.
"Where are you going?" Darcy inquired.
"Somewhere with Andy and the band," Musa lied. Darcy didn't need to know that Musa had to fly out of Gardenia and go to LA to start recording her new album.
"Andy? Is he still around here?" Darcy asked with surprise. The three of them had grown up in Gardenia together and even though Andy and Darcy hated each other, they still demanded to know what was going on with the other. This probably had to do with the fact that they had dated for a while in high school.
"Yup, he's still here," Musa replied. She made her way to the kitchen to grab herself a glass of water.
Darcy shrugged and headed for the stairs which led up to her bedroom which left Musa alone in the kitchen.
"Are you ready to go?" Darcy called down to Musa.
"Whenever you are," Musa replied. She opened the cupboard to grab the bottle of Ibuprofen that was stored there. To ease her growing headache, that would probably get larger at the mall, Musa popped two of the pills and then put the bottle back in its original place.
"Okay then, let's go," Darcy said, she walked down the stairs wearing a skimpy tube top, short, cut-off jean shorts and a pair of tall black high heels. Dangling from her arm was a black purse.
"Are we taking your car or mine?" Musa asked. She looked down at her own attire and could have laughed. In comparison to Darcy's outfit, Musa could have looked like a nun.
Musa wore a black short sleeved t-shirt. It looked like a gym shirt and was not fitted tightly on her body. On the front of the shirt was a silver treble clef and on the back was a silver bass clef. She wore dark wash jean capris and black converse.
"Yours. What are you wearing?" Darcy critiqued.
"I'm wearing something that's comfy," Musa looked down at her shirt and pants combo, "what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing," Darcy gave Musa a look that said it wasn't nothing, "maybe that's why you don't have a boyfriend," Darcy mumbled under her breath. Musa, however, heard Darcy's remark thanks to her great hearing. She rolled her eyes at Darcy's antics. It was the phenomenon that when you started to hate something about someone, everything they do annoys you and that was what was happening. Musa discovered that she hated that Darcy made her break up with Darcy's boyfriends and suddenly Musa was beginning to hate Darcy in general terms.
"Come on," Musa pushed past her roommate and walked down the hallway towards the elevator to the garage where her car was parked.
"So have you heard anything about Riven?" Darcy asked with curiosity.
"Why are you so obsessed with him?" Musa turned to look at her "friend".
"I'm just wondering whether he is upset and sobbing or is already looking for another girl," Darcy huffed.
"Maybe you shouldn't have broken up with him if you were this concerned," Musa suggested.
"No, he wasn't that satisfying anyways," Darcy said as if to reassure herself that she made the right decision in breaking up with him, or having Musa break up with him for her.
The two walked in silence until they reached the car. Even then the two remained silent on the drive towards the mall. Darcy had insisted Musa go because they were going to go to a club the same night and Darcy didn't approve of Musa's clubbing clothes. It wasn't Musa's fault that she wasn't that into dresses, much less the tight bandage dresses that like to constrict the body in all aspects and make it uncomfortable.
The duo made it to the mall without clawing each other's faces off and headed into the air conditioned mall. The coolness of the mall was refreshing from the staunching heat that was radiating off of the pavement in the parking lot. It was also refreshing to not be in the sun's deadly rays of warmth.
"Oh this is so cute," Darcy squealed pointing to the low-cut, tight red bandage dress. Darcy had made a beeline for her favorite store and had, of course, picked out the most revealing dress on the rack.
"It's nice," Musa mumbled. She looked around on the rack to find something that appealed to her. After a few misses she found a black peplum dress that had a high cut top, thick straps and fell to right above her knees. The back was low cut and was covered by black lace.
"How about this one?" Musa called over to Darcy, "for me anyways."
"Eh, how about this one? Boys will be flocking you like crazy," Darcy lifted up a nude short dress.
"I think I'm going to get this one," Musa replied.
"Musa, think outside the box a little. We're going to an exclusive club and you want to wear that?" Darcy pointed to the dress in Musa's hands.
"I like it," Musa adamantly stated.
"Okay, but buy this one too just in case," Darcy came over and shoved the nude dress in Musa's arms. It was a short dress that would fall well above Musa's knees. It had two thin straps and was low cut. The nude dress was made out of a fabric that shimmered in the light. It was a bandage dress and showed the bandages.
"Fine," Musa conceded.
The girls continued to walk around the store. Darcy's arms filled with dresses, shirts, and shorts while Musa's arms carried a paltry amount of clothes. Musa had the black peplum dress, the nude dress and a few blouses.
"Aren't you having fun?" Darcy asked, looking over at Musa who was trying not to yell from frustration and a general dislike for shopping.
"So much fun," Musa smiled, although behind the cheery expression was a load of sarcasm waiting to be opened.
"Come on, we have to get shoes," Darcy grabbed Musa and pulled her towards the shoe store.
Musa followed behind, her feet slightly dragging on the tile in the mall.
"Oh, I love these," Darcy lifted up a pair of six inch heels. They were strappy and were black.
"Get them," Musa stated the obvious.
Musa roamed her eyes through the rows of shoes until she found what she was looking for. She found a pair of black pumps. They were about five inches high and had an inch platform. The back of the shoes had red lacing. The lacing was made of red silk and was cris-crossed and then tied in a bow.
"I like these ones," Musa picked up the shoes.
"Those are nice. Get these for that nude dress," Darcy handed Musa a pair of nude strappy high heels. They were really high and although cute they would probably induce a sprained ankle for whoever wore them.
"Fine," Musa conceded again. She wasn't in the mood to fight Darcy on the matter. Luckily with the new album she had extra cash that was lying around that she could use.
The girls left the store with purchases in hand and much to Musa's dismay, Darcy just had to go to the makeup shop to grab "something" which turned into a lot of things. Of course Musa was dragged into getting eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow and other products. Musa was beginning to feel the effects of the day and was getting more irritable by the second.
"We need accessories," Darcy noted looking down into the various shopping bags she was carrying and noticing that they did not carry any jewelry.
"I think I'm going to go to the food court. You go on ahead. I'll meet you over there," Musa said as she darted out of Darcy's reach and headed over to heaven, away from the shopping madness.
"Musa," a voice caught her attention and she turned towards it.
"Hey Andy, this is the second time this week that I've seen you outside of your music shop," Musa commented.
"I know. Mitzy has been forcing me to escape my solitude and has made me participate more in outside activities, this one being going to the mall with her to shop," Andy said walking up to where Musa was standing.
"Darcy dragged me here. We're apparently going out tonight so she's forced me to buy new clothes for the occasion," Musa grumbled in annoyance.
"If Darcy is anything like Mitzy, I feel sorry for you. Mitzy has been here for over two hours. I followed her for a bit, but then I just couldn't take it anymore so I came here to grab something to eat," Andy explained.
"Same. I was getting sick of shopping. It doesn't suit me that well," Musa laughed.
"Come on, let's get something to eat. After you," Andy gestured with his hand for her to go ahead of him.
They got their food and then proceeded to make their way to a small table on the side of the food court.
"Are we ready for next Saturday," Musa asked between French fries.
"I think so. You know the set list right?" Andy questioned, taking a sip of his coke.
"Well, I'm not completing the whole set, but yes, I know the songs I will have to be singing," Musa replied.
"So why couldn't you perform this weekend?" Andy couldn't help but ask.
"I'm going out of town," Musa said simply.
"Where to?"
"Um, Los Angeles," Musa replied.
"That sounds fun," Andy commented, but didn't ask in depth questions.
"Hopefully," Musa mumbled. She really did hope that it wouldn't be as stressful as the last recording session was. Her manager was there and there was a ton of pressure riding on her to be her best. Unfortunately it happened that she was also sick that day. Luckily, she was able to push through and had a decent recording session, luckily.
"Andy," a voice yelled over to the two friends.
"That would be Mitzy," Andy remarked, not bothering to look over his shoulder.
"Getting sick of her already?" Musa chuckled.
"No necessarily, she's just a high maintenance girlfriend," Andy said through a mouth full of sandwich.
"It was your decision to date her," Musa shrugged without remorse for the man in front of her.
"Andy, what are you doing?" Mitzy came upon the duo.
"I'm eating with my friend," Andy said, gulping down part of his sandwich.
"Hi Musa," Mitzy barely acknowledged the presence of the girl that was sitting across the table from her boyfriend.
"Mitzy," Musa nodded in Mitzy's direction.
"Are you ready to go?" Mitzy asked.
"Yeah I guess so," Andy said wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"I'll see you later Andy," Musa said her goodbyes. Andy waved goodbye and both he and Mitzy walked out of the food court together.
Musa stayed sitting and pulled out her phone. She had received a text from Darcy saying that she was almost done.
"Musa are you ready?" Darcy called from outside the oak door.
Musa turned to look at herself in the mirror again. She had decided to wear the black peplum dress and the black pumps, despite Darcy's objections.
"Yeah," Musa turned and grabbed the clutch she would be carrying with her. She took a cautious step in the heels. She was more used to wearing her flat soled shoes that were the comfiest thing in her closet. Musa wobbled a little bit before taking a deep breath and taking a more confident step towards the hallway.
"Let's go," Musa said as she walked up behind Darcy. Darcy was wearing a purple dress that fit very tightly on her body. It had triangle cutouts right beneath her breast line and the back and the front were low cut. The dress ended about eight inches above her knees. Her shoes were t-straps and had large amethyst jewels on the straps. They were a good six inches high.
"I thought I told you to wear the nude one," Darcy chided Musa.
"I didn't want to wear the nude one. I like this one," Musa said, pulling on the hemming of the dress.
"Whatever, don't blame me if you don't meet anyone," Darcy shook out her slightly curled hair and walked towards the door, "come on," Darcy called from outside of the apartment.
Musa rolled her eyes in annoyance and followed the brunette out the door.
The car ride was filled with nonsense chatter. Darcy talked about how Jared had become overbearing and clingy while Musa listened patiently like she always did. Musa commented on how her music career was going, although she held it to singing with Andy's band and didn't mention her record deal or new album.
The girls arrived at the club, parked and walked up to the line to get into the club. Darcy was able to get them in easily despite not being on "the list".
"Ooh, hot guy at three o'clock. I'll see you later?" Darcy purred.
Musa nodded her head and instead made her way to the bar while Darcy pranced off towards the "hot" guy. Musa assumed that Darcy would probably get a bunch of numbers, hook up a few times in the bathroom and eventually decide to go home with a guy. It always happened whenever they went clubbing. Usually Musa met a few people, but most were horny and only looking for sex so she left after having brief conversations. She liked to hang out by herself in the corner of the club. She reached the bar and ordered a coke. Musa wasn't into the whole drinking scene and liked to be sober for big events.
After getting her coke she made her way over to the corner so that she could watch people making fools of themselves. She loved to dance, but felt embarrassed to dance by herself. Darcy never really hung out with her once they made it to the club. A body appeared before Musa throwing her off a bit.
"Hi, Musa right?" Layla asked.
"Layla right?" Musa said nodding.
"Yeah, I thought that was you. Stella made me come to this," Layla turned and pointed around the club.
"Where is Stella?" Musa asked.
"She's over there with her boyfriend Brandon," Layla pointed over to the bar area.
"Is your whole group here too?"
"They're hanging with their boyfriends," Layla said, a shadow casting over her eyes.
"So where's your boyfriend?" Musa questioned, curiosity getting the better of her.
"I don't have one. That's why Stella dragged me here. I would dance, but I don't like to dance alone," Layla groaned in displeasure at Stella's insistence that she hook up with somebody.
"If it's any consolation, I was dragged here because my friend wants me to hook up with someone, but like you they don't really help," Musa said.
"I take it you stand in the corner a lot then," Layla mused.
"Definitely. It's somewhat like a home for me whenever I go out clubbing. Hey, do you want to dance with a friend?" Musa suggested.
"Sure," Layla followed her new found friend onto the dance floor.
The two began to shake and shimmy to the music. The two new friends bonded over a common interest and were glad that they found someone who was in the same situation as them.
"Musa, what are you doing here?" Stella asked in delight. The gang, minus Tecna, had joined the dancing duo and was dancing along with the boyfriends.
"My friend dragged me," Musa laughed. Hanging out with Layla was actually enjoyable. The two had a lot in common like the fact that they usually didn't wear what they were wearing at the club. They also liked dancing and music.
"Hey Musa," Bloom danced her way over to the black haired girl.
"Hey Bloom," Musa hoped that she had picked the right name.
"This is Sky," Bloom made a gesture with her head towards the blonde haired guy that had his hands on her waist.
"Boyfriend?" Musa asked.
"Yup," Bloom nodded in response.
There was also Tecna and Timmy, although they were off looking at the sound system and discussing the technology behind the system, and Flora and Helia that was with the group.
"Musa," Darcy purred from Musa's right.
"Oh hey Darcy," Musa turned to greet her friend.
"I'm going to leave with Liam," Darcy informed Musa so that Musa would not have to drive Darcy home. Musa looked over Darcy's shoulder to where Liam was standing. She had never seen the guy before.
"Okay," Musa said quickly. Darcy spun around and slipped her arm in between Liam's arm.
Musa stayed at the club for another hour to hang out with the girls. They were really a nice group and their boyfriends, although protective of their girlfriends, were pretty cool too, in Musa's eyes. After leaving the club Musa made her way home.
Upon arriving at home, Musa stumbled to her room and finally collapsed onto her bed in exhaustion. She didn't bother getting into her pajamas, but instead just kicked off her shoes and snuggled under her covers. It had been a long day and she was finally getting the rest she deserved, after dealing with Stella, Riven, Darcy, Andy, Mitzy, Darcy again, and Stella and her friends again.