Chapter 16

It was Tuesday evening, and the coffee shop was packed to capacity, as was the norm when The mOholos were due to perform. Wally and Kuki met Nigel and Pauline there. As usual, Nigel had asked his girlfriend to go with him, and as usual she had refused, because she didn't want to hang out with him and his friends. She only wanted to hang out with him. Occasionally, they would attend the performances together, but not that day. Why do I even ask, he wondered as he sipped his drink.

"How's your manfriend?" he asked Pauline disdainfully. He still did not approve of her relationship with Kev Wyatt.

"He's fine, actually. He begins work at Darwin on Friday." Darwin was a university on the other side of town. Pauline still could not believe that Kev had literally quit his job for her. He's full of surprises, that one. "You look really great by the way," she said honestly in reference to his facial hair. Nigel was now sporting a moustache and goatee. It made him look a little older, in a good way, though.

He brought his hand to his chin as he felt the short dark strands. "Thanks, at least someone's noticed," he said with a sulk.

"Lizzie hasn't said anything?" she asked. He shook his head in reply. They had sort of made up after their previous fight about Wally. Sort of, in the sense that they began talking again, but they acted like that situation had never happened.

"Maybe she doesn't know how to tell you." He scoffed at that. "I'm serious, it's a possibility."

"She never compliments me," he said quietly, eyes downcast.

Pauline felt sorry for the poor boy. "Listen, I think you two just need to learn to communicate a little better, that's all."

"I guess," Nigel said with a shrug.

She draped her arm over his shoulder. "Create some alone time for the both of you and just talk. Don't let her leave till you guys make a little breakthrough, alright?" He nodded again. Turning to face the other couple, she asked, "Y'all alright?"

"Yeah," Wally said with a little smile, his girlfriend under his arm. They looked happy, but if one looked closer, they would see sadness or worry in their eyes. Pauline was that someone looking closer. She returned his smile.

xxx

The crew had made sure to be at the coffee shop that evening to give Abby some moral support. Since finding out about her dad, she had been a bit down. She, however, did her very best to seem like life was all flowers and candy. Then Pauline had an idea. She found Abby and Hoagie and suggested that the former join the band. Everyone knew she loved singing, so why not join a group where she could do just that? Hoagie thought it was a brilliant idea. Besides, he and his girlfriend were always singing or humming little tunes to and with each other. "It would be awesome to perform together," he had said, flashing his girl a wonderful smile.

Abby was not so sure. She was feeling kind of shy about it, and thought that she would be no good and freeze in front of a crowd. Hoagie and Pauline managed to convince her to attend a few practice sessions with the band. She began to relax the more they sang together, and come that Tuesday evening, she was ready to perform in front of a crowd, provided she only sang one song.

Towards the end of the session that evening, Hoagie addressed the crowd. "Today's request is gonna be one of a kind, because its lead singer is a special guest. Please put your hands together for Abigail Lincoln," he said as Abby walked nervously onto the makeshift stage, "who just happens to be my beautiful, beautiful girlfriend," he continued in turbo-tongue, looking sheepish. The crowd applauded and laughed at the additional comment. A guy in the crowd then hollered, "Can she really sing, or is she just here coz she's your girl?" The rest of the crowd was eager for a response.

Hoagie replied with a chuckle, "Uh…we'll let you be the judge of that, ok?" He went back to sit on his stool as Abby took to the mic. "Hi everybody. Thank you for having me. It will be an honour to perform tonight's request," she said nervously before adding, "I'm afraid I'm not as talented as these guys. The only musical instrument I can play is the radio." That got people laughing. She then raised her arms in request for silence.

The band began to play its instruments as Abby took a deep breath. Chad on electric was immediately followed by Hoagie on acoustic a few seconds later. Yvonne was next on the drums, creating a fantastic beat before Nathan (whom she had just winked at) hit the keys. Abby then got singing in her strong, soulful voice:

You took my hand, you showed me how

You promised me you'd be around, uh-huh, that's right

I took your words and I believed

In everything you said to me, yeah-huh, that's right

If someone said three years from now

You'd be long gone

I'd stand up and punch them out, coz they're all wrong

I know better, coz you said forever and ever

Who knew?

The crowd was clearly impressed as Abby continued to grow in confidence as the performance wore on.

…I'll keep you locked in my head

Yvonne joined in to echo Abby's singing:

(My head)

Until we meet again

(Meet again)

Until we, until we meet again

And I won't forget you my friend, what happened?

If someone said three years from now, you'd be long gone

I'd stand up and punch them out

Coz they're all wrong, and

That last kiss, I'll cherish

Until we meet again

And time makes it harder

I wish I could remember

But I keep your memory; you visit me in my sleep

My darling, who knew?

Major applause erupted when the performance was over. The band got a standing ovation yet again, which meant that the crowd definitely thought Abby's singing was good. She got a major confidence boost from that.

As the crowd began to dissipate, a beautiful redheaded girl approached the stage as the band was putting away its equipment. "Hi Hoagie." The young man being addressed stood and turned around as he heard his name.

"Oh, hey," he said with a smile. "How are you doing?"

"Not bad. Great performance tonight."

"Thanks." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Hey Abs?" he called. His girlfriend approached them as she dropped a stool that she had pushed against a wall. "This is…uh…Eva," he said in introduction.

Abby nervously shook her hand. "Hey. Uh…pleasure to meet you," she gulped discreetly. Back when they were in the KND, Abby had heard of the legendary beauty standing before her, but they had never really met.

"You sang beautifully," Eva said with a slight smile.

"Thank you. I really enjoyed myself," Abby said with a blush.

"That's nice to know," she said with a hint of sarcasm. "It was my request." She walked away without another word.

Xxx

It was Wednesday evening, and the crew had gone for dinner in the school cafeteria, having just come from the auditorium after watching a play that was performed by members of the Theatrical Club. It had been an outstanding performance. When the group was done with their dinner, Kuki and Wally rose to their feet. "So guys, Kuki and I are gonna go now. We'll see you later?" Wally asked as he lifted his brow. The others at the table nodded and said their goodbyes. Kuki could feel her tears threatening to emerge, so she quickly turned her back to her friends. Wally continued in a sad tone, "Take care of yourselves, alright?"

"Um, yeah," Nigel responded slowly as the rest of his friends exchanged questioning looks. It was as though Wally was telling them goodbye for good.

"Everything alright, man?" Hoagie asked, his face etched with worry as he studied his best friend.

"O'course. Just…wanna hang with my girl, you know?" he replied as he walked away, holding Kuki by the waist.

When the couple got to room 121, Kuki collapsed onto her bed in despair. Her tears were flowing freely as her body shook involuntarily. Wally sat down beside her and held her close. "Shh," he whispered gently. "Ssh, it will be alright, Kuks." His words made her weep even harder. He lifted her onto his laps to cradle her, holding her head to his chest. She grabbed his shirt in her fist and just cried.

"P-please Wally," she begged. "Please d-don't go there. Who knows what will h-happen to you. What if he…" she struggled to continue, "…k-k-kills you?" She looked up at him, her eyes wide, reflecting her plea.

He looked at her grief-stricken face, and his heart broke. He had never seen his girlfriend so distraught. It brought tears to his eyes. He felt like he had a lump in his throat, which he tried to swallow with difficulty so that he could speak. "I gotta go baby. For the sake of everybody I care about." He wiped away her tears with the back of his hand, but it was a futile effort because fresh streams would flow again. "I don't wanna die, but if I do…" Wally could not continue. He sniffed. "I love you so much, baby," he cried, burying his head in her neck.

"And I love you," she said into his chest, her voice muffled.

Wally then put her down as he got to his feet. She hugged him one last time, and they shared a series of short kisses. They were simple kisses; chaste kisses. Amidst their tears, the only thing their kisses could convey was sorrow and despair, fear and panic, but most of all, a love both strong and true.

xxx

Watching the tail lights of Hoagie's Chevy disappear into the night, Abby turned and walked along the paved path toward the dorms. Once at her door, she unlocked it and walked in. She found Kuki lying on her bed in a foetal position, supposedly watching TV as she cuddled one of her many rainbow monkeys. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen, and there were obvious tear tracks on her face. She was no longer crying, but Kuki figured it was because her ducts had run dry. Abby looked at the TV and noticed Will & Grace was on. She returned her gaze to her best friend. She sighed and walked over to her. She lay down beside, but said nothing. She just lay there. When the program ended, Kuki looked over at Abby whose eyes were shut. Her breathing was light, so the Asian girl knew that her friend was not asleep. Kuki moved a little closer to Abby and tilted her head toward hers until they touched.

"Abby?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you pray?"

"Not as often as I should," Abby admitted.

Kuki was silent for a moment before adding, "Could you pray for…my intentions?" she asked. Then having thought about it a little more, she decided to be more frank. "Pray for Wally."

"Sure," Abby said quietly and kissed Kuki on the cheek. "Sure."

xxx

Wally stood under a street light as he scrutinized the business card in his hand. He then moved his gaze to the building before him. Club Allure. He put the card into his pocket and walked towards…what exactly was he walking towards? Might he live? Might he die? Might he get raped? He sighed deeply. When he arrived at the main entrance, the two bouncers looked at him, and then quickly exchanged a word or two before holding him by the arm and leading him into the building. Wally's heart thumped desperately against his chest. Here goes nothing, he thought fearfully.