'I've gotten drunk to the point I passed out and I've nearly drowned. Why is so much happening in my life at the moment? And on top of that I am now in a band and there is also Eisuke and the guys...' I was going over the things that had just recently happened, my life felt like one long roller coaster ride. "I wonder what will happen next?" I absentmindedly mumbled to myself as I walked to college that morning.
Later that day, I was getting ready to go home after a tiring day at college when Joelle come running up to me, "Elli!" She called my name, it looked like something must have happened judging by her brooding expression, "What is it?" I asked as I closed the door on my locker. Joelle brought a hand to her chest, "Kat wants us to go to the villa." She replied and I was momentarily surprised, "What? Why?" I cocked my head in bewilderment. "I'm not sure. She told me to tell you and to head there as soon as possible." Joelle looked just as confused as I did. Not wasting any time, we hurried our way over to the villa.
"What?" I was utterly speechless, I could feel my heart drop and my chest tighten from the words that just left Kat's mouth. "I want us to take the band more seriously. We can't just practice on weekends. If you don't think you are up to it you are welcome to leave." She spoke harshly, the snobbish grin she wore didn't make it any better. The reality of her words hit me hard. 'I know If I don't try my hardest she will throw me out without batting an eye... I can't allow that.' I shook my head with a newfound resolve, "I will do it." I stated with determination, nothing was going to get in the way of me and my dreams. Though I wasn't pleased with it at first, this band might be the only way I find her, I just can't give up.
"Heh. We will see how long you last. Starting from today, we will be doing band practice five days a week. Everyone is to meet here after school on the designated days." Kat spoke with an air of superiority and everyone closely listened to her every word. The girls nodded their heads in agreement, and starting from today, my life was about to get much more difficult. 'How will I fit in my band practice and still manage to stay on top of my assignments...?' I shuddered at the thought, at this point I no longer had a life, my life was pretty school and band practice. I sighed exhaustedly at the thought.
"Let's start our practice for the evening. Lydia will be here to guide us and help us improve." Kat instructed. "I will do my best." Lydia bowed. Our practice immediately got underway. Everything was going well and we all finally finished for the night. I thought I'd finally be able to go home and get some rest but alas that was not going to happen, "I want you to stay behind and continue practicing." Kat had suddenly said to me as I picked up my bag. "What...?" The bag slowly fell from my hand and my eyes grew wide, her words hit me like a truck. "You heard me. You are far from being capable. You need to improve if you wish to remain in this band. I don't want another mistake from you. You are to practice until your fingers fall off. You will remain here for at least another hour. If you don't then consider yourself out of the band this minute." She said, her words sounded cold and harsh, I could feel my heart being squeezed in my chest, 'I...I can't refuse. She knows I will accept. I'm tired of her always controlling me but as things stand I can't do anything about it or she will make my life even more miserable than it already is...'
"Fine." I replied bluntly, I silently glared back at her. "Aren't you a loyal puppy." Her sardonic tone nearly sent me over the edge but I kept my cool and just leered at her in disgust. Seemingly pleased with herself, Kat turned around and started to leave. "Elli... I'm sorry. I didn't know she would do this." Joelle had come up to me, she looked at me with a pained expression. "What can you do?" I shrugged, trying to play it off. "I guess I better get back to work." I turned my back on her and headed to the piano. "Elli..." Joelle silently muttered my name sadly. "I'm sorry, Joelle... I know it's hard for you to see your two closest friends being enemies with one another but she has me cornered and there is nothing I can do..." I mumbled to myself and sighed.
"Elli, take care. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Joelle still hadn't left yet, she was the only one remaining, "Yeah." I replied curtly, not looking away from the piano. I could hear a sigh coming from her direction as she left the villa. 'Why does my life insist on getting harder? I wish I could do something but I'm only one person among the thousands of kids in college and Kat seems to have them all wrapped around her finger...including me. I should never have come to this school...' I closed my eyes in an attempt to stop the tears that threatened to fall. "No, I'm glad I came. Even if my life isn't perfect, I have met Joelle. And I've experienced many other wonderful things being here. If I only focus on the negative aspects of my life it will only bring me down." I nodded as If my words made sense, "I need to not only look at the bad but the good as well. My life can't always be this way. One day, I will be grateful and look back to my past and see just how much it helped me to mature. I just need to keep moving forward and not look back. I have to stay positive, If I don't then I am likely to give up. And I can't allow that... I didn't waste my life on chasing my dreams only to give up now. I need to do whatever I can. I won't let my years be wasted, I will find you, sis. You can count on it." After I finished giving myself that little pep talk I immediately started on the piano with my newfound determination. That night, in the lonely halls of the villa, a gentle, soft music could be heard playing.
After that, the days slowly went by, I continued to stay behind and practice after everyone had left. Of course, I could leave as no one was stopping me once the girls had left but I knew I couldn't lie when Kat asked me If I practiced, and so I made sure to keep to my word and practiced. I didn't see much of the guys from 'Tres Spades' lately but I didn't have much time to think of them with my current schedule. 'I miss Eisuke...' Eisuke had suddenly come to my mind, I wasn't even sure why. My own thoughts shocked me. 'Wait, what am I thinking? Do I really miss that jerk who loves to tease me?' I sighed to myself, there was a small smile on my face at the thought.
...
'Hah. I feel so tired.' All the late nights had slowly been catching up to me. I didn't feel nearly as energetic and I was yawning more than ever. "Hmm?" I brought a hand to my forehead and noticed it was rather hot. "Ugh, I can't afford to be sick." I hurried to take some medicine and raced out the door.
That day after school, it was one of the fortunate days I was free from band practice. "Hey, Elli." Joelle had come up to me, smiling. "Oh, Hey." I replied with a smile of my own. "Is something the matter?" I asked when I noticed she looked to be staring at me hard as if she was trying to find the words to say, "Oh! Sorry. I was just thinking how to tell you." She shyly mumbled, a little blush on her cheeks, "What is it?" I asked. "I'm free today!" Her whole face lit up, she looked adorable with her childish smile, "Really? That's rare. You generally never get any free time besides band practice." I replied in surprise. "I know..." She sighed, "I wanted to go to your place." She suddenly mentioned and I was taken by surprise. "My place? Why would you want to go there?" I asked and Joelle chuckled. "Because, I've never seen your place. We only ever see each other at school or at band practice." She said. "Yeah, that's because you are always so busy that we don't often get a chance to see each other elsewhere. And if you are free, Kat is quick to monopolize your time." I said casually and then something hit me, "Wait, why hasn't Kat tried to-" I started to say but Joelle quickly cut me off, "She doesn't know. This is our little secret. I can't always have her smothering me. I want to take this chance to spend it with you." She smiled, her eyes big and bright. I chuckled, "You really are a devious one. Alright. Let's head to my place." I replied and Joelle threw a fist in the air with a smile. 'Hah... I did have that assignment I needed to work on tonight but I couldn't refuse her. Not when this opportunity only comes around once in a blue moon.'
...
"You sure have a cozy little home here." Joelle eyed my apartment in wonder, it was like it was her first time ever seeing a home so small. "Haha, yeah. I like it." I smiled. "Oohhh, what a cute piano." Joelle spotted the piano my parents gave me when I left for college. "That's from my parents." I said and Joelle gazed at it intently, "I can tell your parents put in a lot of love choosing this for you." She said as she looked at it. "Really? Thanks." I smiled and walked up to her. "This piano is my treasure. Whenever I miss home I will play this piano and it reminds me of home." I said, closing my eyes and imagining myself playing the piano and my life back home. "It must be nice having a family who loves you." Joelle suddenly mumbled and it caught me off guard. 'Huh? What does she mean?' I wanted to ask her about it but thought it best not to. 'Maybe she meant nothing by it. I'm sure if something was troubling her she would tell me.' I thought in an attempt to convince myself the meaning behind Joelle's words.
"Hey, we could watch some movies!" Joelle suddenly said in glee. "You sure are full of energy tonight." I grinned. It was the complete opposite of how I felt. I was trying my best to not let my exhaustion show. "Uh, well... I never get to watch movies at home. So..." Joelle looked away, embarrassed. "Alright. Movies it is." I said and Joelle's entire face immediately lit up and she practically jumped for joy. I put on some coffee and grabbed some popcorn and treats and we started watching some movies.
Time slowly passed and it was finally time for Joelle to leave. "I had so much fun!" Joelle said in a joyful tone. "Me too. I really am happy I got to spend this time with you. I really appreciate that you thought of me." I thanked her. Joelle wasn't expecting for me to say that and blinked a few times in surprise and then her expression darkened, "Yeah... We should do it again sometime. Thanks for allowing me over." She said and gave a slight bow. "I'll see you tomorrow." I smiled and she nodded her head and then waved as she left. I closed the door behind her and rested my back against the wall, "I feel so tired..." Everything came and hit me at once, I could feel my entire being burning up and yet I still didn't have time to rest. "I better get to work on that assignment." I mumbled and stood away from the wall. I looked at the clock and saw it was nearly midnight, "It'll be a long night." I sighed and hanged my head. "Better get to work." I immediately got started on my assignment trying to forget how ill i was feeling.
...
The next day after school, I arrived for band practice. I had taken more medicine that morning to try help me cope with the busy day. I tried my best to hide my weary state as I didn't want to worry Joelle, however I didn't seem to be doing too good of a job as I noticed Joelle staring at me in worry, "Elli, are you okay?" She asked. "Just fine." I reassured her with a smile, though on the inside I felt like I was run over by a train. "If you say so..." Joelle muttered, she didn't look very convinced, there was still worry written all over her face. 'That girl can always see right through me.' I shook my head and sighed.
I tried my best to keep in top form during band practice as to not let Kat pick on me. And finally it was over, the girls exited the building and only Joelle remained. "Are you going to be okay by yourself?" She asked in concern and I nodded. "I'll be fine." I smiled once again. "Okay." Joelle lowered her eyes to the floor looking a little resigned and made her way out of the villa.
"Hoo boy. I feel like death. But I can't even allow death to stop me. I have to keep on going." I said to myself and started to play the piano. I had played the piano for a bit when I felt like changing it up a bit. Seeing that no one was around, 'Good. Alright!' I started to sing along to the rhythm of the piano. Though little did I know at the time someone was watching me from the distance, someone completely unexpected. And little did I know that my decision to sing at that moment would soon completely turn my life upside down.
...
As I sang my head started to grow fuzzier by the second. "Uggh. What's happening to me...?" I stopped playing the piano and brought a hand to my head. The next thing I knew, everything had started to grow dark. My exhaustion finally catching up to me had caused me to pass out.
"Elli. Elli."
'What? This feels familiar." Once again I could hear a voice calling out to me. My whole body felt weak. 'I didn't drown...did I? No... I wasn't in the water.' I struggled to open my tired eyes. "Hnngh..." I squinted from the lights of the room. "Finally. You are awake." I could hear someone address me. "What?" I blinked a few times and everything slowly got into focus. Finally realizing where I was, I jumped in fright, "Why am I here?" I asked in a panic. The guys from Tres Spades had me surrounded.
"You are lucky I decided to take a walk through the villa. I found you passed out at the piano." Eisuke stated. "What?" I vaguely recalled growing lightheaded. "Oh, yeah..." I muttered and suddenly I felt a hand on my forehead. "Huh?" I looked up to see it was Eisuke's. "You still have a fever. You need to rest. You can stay here tonight." He said and my eyes immediately grew wide, "Wait, what? I can't stay here." I quickly refused and tried to stand up but Eisuke pushed me down. "You are in no condition to go home. You would be an easy target in your state. I won't allow it." He stated firmly leaving me no room to talk back.
'Hah. He sure is pushy. But...maybe it's his way of saying he cares about me?' When I thought about it like that I couldn't help but feeling a little embarrassed. "You better listen to him." Soryu suddenly said and Ota nodded in agreement, "Yeah. It's for your own good." He said. "We can't have a pretty girl like you getting into trouble on our watch." Baba grinned. "Don't ya worry. We will take good care of you." Mamoru tried to reassure me. "Thanks." I could feel a gentle warmth building inside of me from their kindness. And that was how I came to stay with the guys that night.