Meriedeth Salazar
"Deth, you're not going to school today?" I heard Aunty Rebecca asked from the other side of the door.
"No!"
"If you are going later, lock the doors."
I'm not going to school today!
I feel really bad!
The thing that happened yesterday was bullshit.
The level of embarrassment yesterday is not reachable. After singing the song, somebody yelled that I should sing another song! I quickly ran towards the classroom.
Pres and the others what took me so long, before I could answer, a girl from our class said that I sing at the karaoke booth. There was a bullshit who did a Facebook live and took a video of me while singing. Also they can hear my voice from the karaoke booth—great. Tss.
I told Pres that I'm not feeling well and I need to go home immediately, I did not drop by our club's booth because of embarrassment. Today is the third day of the festival and I did not go to school yesterday. Melanie and the others chatted yesterday if I will go to school, I just told them that I'm not going.
Gwapo: Shark girl, you're not gonna come here today?
Shark girl: I'm not feeling well
Shells: Get well soon, Salazar ðŸ˜
Suddenly another chat head appeared above. Who is this? Such a nuisance, I'm reading, tss.
Eryx: I'm outside.
My eyes widened because of what Eryx chatted. The fuck?! Outside? Outside of what? Tsk.
Meriedeth: Outside?
Eryx: Outside your house.
I immediately stood up and took a peek from the window. I saw a figure outside the gate. The heck, why?! Argh! Nuisance!
I went outside wearing a face mask and thick jacket. I'm not feeling right now, right?
"What are you doing here?" I asked and raised a brow at him, I opened the gate and went out.
Eryx fixed his cap, he is wearing a white hoodie and black jeans, matching with white shoes. He is also bringing a plastic bag.
"You're not sick, right?"
"What the fuck?" I fake a cough so he will say that I'm not feeling really well. "I'm sick, I'm not feeling well, Fuentabella. Tsk."
My eyes widened when he touched my forehead, I slapped away his hand and he chuckled.
"What the?! Just get lost!"
"You're not sick."
"Cough, I have cough. I don't have fever. Tsk."
"Let's go."
"Huh?"
"I'll accompany you to the clinic, so you can get a check-up."
"I don't need checkup. I'll just rest for the week."
"Excuses," he said in a voice that has a teasing tone.
"What? I'm not!"
"Melanie and the others are worried."
"I'll rest."
"I'll accompany you for today," as walked inside and left me standing by the gate.
Did I heard him right? Accompany?!
I looked at him, he took off his shoes and went inside the house. I closed the gate and went inside the house. He is sitting on the couch.
"I don't need company—"
"Your brother told me to check on you," as he showed his cellphone to me. There is really a text from Kuya Marcus.
"Just leave, I can handle myself."
"I'm not leaving. I'll leave later when your brother arrives."
"Fine!"
I went upstairs and changed clothes. I already took a bath earlier. I'm wearing a gray t-shirt and black hoodie. I'm also wearing my black jeans. I took my shoes and wear it. I grabbed my bag, my headphones, cellphone and wallet are already in there.
"I thought you're sick?"
"Let's go, bullshit. Nuisance."
I heard him chuckled. I locked the door and we travelled to school. When we arrived there I took a mask from my pocket and wear it.
"Why are you wearing a mask?" Eryx asked.
"I don't want people to look at me."
"Just by wearing a mask, you're already gaining attention."
We are still outside the campus. I raise a brow at him.
"Tss. At least, they won't recognize me immediately."
"Why?"
"Maybe there are some people who will recognize me. I don't want to remember the stupidity that happened last Monday!"
"Some of our schoolmates were filming you."
"What?"
"It's around Facebook. It's also posted at the page, look," as he showed his phone.
We are talking by the school gate, there are a few students that are passing by. I look at Eryx' phone. I click the post that he was talking about.
She has a great voice <3 wishing to hear another song from her T.T
#summerparadise
There are a lot of comments. They are praising my voice. There are other comments asking what's my name, what year level I am and many more. I looked at Eryx and glance at his phone again, I just sighed.
"You should just remove that mask."
"Tsk. Let's go, bullshit," I said in irritation and walk ahead.
"You shouldn't be upset about this."
I gave him a sharp look, I took a deep breath before speaking.
"You know what, I'm embarrassed. So, please stop reminding me about it."
"You have a great voice, you shouldn't be embarrass about it."
I raise a brow at him. He smiled and tapped my shoulder.
"I'll not talk about it anymore. But, all of the members of the club know. So, better be ready."
When we arrived at the booth, there are only a few customers. Shelanie and Melanie hugged me. The both of them are worried. I placed my bag inside the building, Wesley and Rovic are cooking some snacks for the customers. They greeted me and ask questions about my health and how I am doing, I just nodded as an answer.
The triplets just arrived, they were delivering some letter around the campus. We are not just having snack and refreshments booth, also a message booth and the triplets are in charge.
"Meriedeth, you know how to sing, you didn't share us about your talent!" Melanie said as she entered the building.
"I have a video of it," Jezreal said. "You want to watch, guys?"
They immediately walked towards Jezreal to watch the video, except for me and Eryx. I just shook my head, when I my voice. I hugged myself, it's so cringe!
"Now I just noticed, you are wearing a maid outfit, Shark girl," Rovic commented.
"Ugh! Shut the fuck up! Stop reminding me about my stupidity!" I said in irritation.
They just laughed but they praised my voice. I decided to help serve the orders to the customers. I'm not going to our classroom, I'm still annoyed because of what happened last Monday.
"Salazar, Pres was looking for you."
I looked at Shelanie. We are sitting at a vacant table outside. Melanie is entertaining the guest in getting their orders.
"Why?"
"A lot of people are looking for you yesterday. Then, they found out that our classroom's booth is a maid café, a lot of people visited the café."
"Tsk. I'm not going back to the classroom until this fucking festival is over."
"You're really that mad, Shark girl?" Rovic asked.
"Who the fuck wouldn't be mad?! What am I doing at that place? Ah, bullshit," I said and closed my eyes because of irritation.
"Oh, before I could forget, there will be a battle of the bands this Friday," Shelanie said. "Please come with me guys."
"What time is it going to start?" Eryx asked.
"The program will start around 2pm. There will be performances. Lastly, the closing ceremony. Also, there will be a fireworks display."
"Ah, so that's why Jonathan and the others are practicing. They are the representatives from our class," Rovic said.
"How tiring," I commented.
"All things are tiring for you, Shark girl."
"The performances will be great, Salazar. For sure you'll not get bored," Eryx said.
The next day I went to school, I went straight to our club room. Wesley was already there, I helped him with the set up. Shelanie and the others also arrived, until we are all complete. Tomorrow is the last day of the school festival.
"Guys, after lunch we will clean up," Wesley said while preparing the ingredients.
"But, tomorrow is the last day of the festival, right?" I asked.
"Don't you want to explore the other booths?" Melanie asked.
"We love to!" Jezreal said.
"I think the horror booth will be cool," Jazrill commented.
"Are we going to go visit all of the booths later?" Jazhel asked.
"There are a lot of booths, it's tiring," I answered them.
"Let's go first to the karaoke booth," Melanie said and winked at me.
"The fuck."
"I'm kidding, Meriedeth! Chill!"
I'm wearing black pedal shorts and gray long sleeves, I tied my hair. There are a lot of customers today, since its going to be the last day of our booth. Wesley and Rovic are a good cook.
"Is this the booth by the swimming club?" we all look towards the direction of the person who asked, my eyes widened when the gaze of the person who asked met mine.
"Meriedeth!" Carrie immediately hugged me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked and looked at Aileery.
"We saw a post of one of your club members. Then, we decided to come here. Is it okay?"
I looked at Shelanie and the other, Melanie walked towards us and smiled.
"Of course you guys are welcome! How many are you?"
"Table for four, po," Carrie answered and smiled.
Melanie and I fixed a table for them, its near the club room's door.
"Is Veronica with you?" I asked.
"Yeah, also Savannah. But, Nica is buying something so Savi went with her towards a booth there. She is happy seeing their items for sale," Aileery answered. "Can we see the menu?"
"Hmmm," as I handed the menu.
When they ordered the food, Veronica and Savannah arrived. It was kind of awkward because other customers are looking at them. How come? Well, they are wearing their school uniform and it attracts other people's attention. I gave their orders to Rovic and Wesley.
"Meriedeth, you can join them," Wesley said.
"E?"
"You guys haven't seen each other for a long time, right?" he glanced at me, I nodded. "Eryx will be the one who will serve the food."
"But—"
"Shark girl, they come here because they want to talk to you, so talk to them," Rovic said while cooking.
I nodded and left the tray at the table. I took off my apron and place it at the couch. I went out of the building, Carrie called me. I grabbed a chair and sit with them.
"Your school looks good, Deth."
"Hmmm."
"How are you?" Aileery asked.
"I'm fine. You?" I asked and looked at them, Veronica is staring coldly at me.
Hays.
"We're good. Veronica is still upset about you," Carrie answer.
"Hmp!" as she rolled her eyes.
"It's obvious."
"Where have you been?" I looked at Aileery.
I took a deep breath before talking.
"It's not that important—"
"You're a bullshit, Meriedeth," Veronica said coldly. "Carrie, I told you. We shouldn't come here in the first place, we can't gain anything from her. She doesn't want to communicate with us!"
"Nica," Aileery warned.
"Tss."
"I forgot to buy something at the other booth, I'll come back later," Savannah announced and left.
"Deth," Carrie called as she hold my hand.
"To be honest, I don't want to talk about it. Because everything that happened is still fresh. No matter how years passed, it's just like yesterday."
The three of them look at me, Veronica is still glaring at me. Hays. I sit properly. I gather all the courage to tell them what happened.
"Papa had a heart attack."
I heard Carrie gasped while Aileery is staring seriously at me. Veronica is frowning.
"It's partly my fault. It was vacation, the whole family decided to go have a beach outing. Mama and Papa went back to Manila to fetch Kuya from the airport."
"Then? What happened?" Carrie asked as she gently caress my hand.
"My cousin fell from the cliff. She slipped and fell to the ocean. I don't know what to do, she's drowning—"
"You jumped?" Veronica asked. I nodded.
"I jumped to help her even if I wasn't wearing my goggles. But, I did not save her. I had a leg cramp, it was a good thing there were kids that helped us that time. She was rushed to the hospital, she had an amnesia and they blamed me for what happened to her."
"The hell," Aileery whispered. "That's too much…"
"My Uncle called Papa, when he heard what happened. He had a heart attack. He was comatose for half a month. When he gained consciousness we move to America for better medications. I came back here during first year high school, Kuya decided to work here."
My vision turn blurry, damn, tears. I look upwards to stop them from falling but it's useless they started to fall. Carrie hugged me, while apologizing, making me cry even more.
"You should have called," Veronica whispered.
"Nica, you don't know how hard this is for Meriedeth," Aileery scolded her.
"What? She could have call us and tell us what happened so we could be there for her!"
"Stop being a bitc—"
"I'm sorry," I whispered, the both of them look at me. "I'm sorry," I repeated.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't able to say goodbye."
"It's alright, Deth. We understand," Carrie said as she caress my back.
"Here," Aileery offered her handkerchief. "Don't think about Veronica. She's just being a bitch."
"Nica," I called. She raised a brow at me.
"What?"
"Sorry."
She rolled her eyes at me, after a few seconds she lowered her hear. Aileery laugh when we heard Veronica sobbed.
"Stop laughing, bitch!" she warned Aileery.
Carrie and I laugh because of her reaction.
"Really? I'm a bitch? Between the two of us, you're bitchier than I am, stupid," Aileery said as she stood up. "I'm jealous of Carrie, let me hug you, Deth."
I stand up and hug Aileery. I felt how her shoulders went up and down, she's crying. She hugged me tight.
"Deth, sorry for being not there," she whispered.
"I'm fine, it's all in the past."
I looked at Aileery who is wiping her tears. We look at Veronica who is looking at us while crying.
"You're jealous, girl?" Aileery teased.
"Bullshit!" as she stood up and walk towards us.
"Sorry, Deth," she cried as she hugged me tight.
"It's fine, Nica," I said as I tapped her back.
Carrie and Aileery hugged as too. When we calmed down we laugh because of our faces. We heard somebody gently cough behind us, I saw Eryx.
"I think, everything is alright. Shall we bring the food?"
Aileery and the others laughed and nodded, after a few moments, Eryx and Shelanie served the food they ordered at the table. Savannah also came back, she bought a lot of stuff. I frowned when Eryx place a slice of cheese cake in front of me.
"There is no cake in the menu, right?" I asked while looking at him.
He lowered his head so we can have the same eye level.
"It's my treat, I went out earlier. I hope it can cheer you up, Salazar," he tapped my shoulder and smiled. "Enjoy your food girls," he said and went inside.
We just chatted as we eat, after eating they left. Wesley invited them to watch the battle of the bands tomorrow but sadly, they have training. We ate lunch then clear up the things.
We roamed around the whole campus checking different booths. Melanie bought us some bracelets, a gift for us. There are enjoying the different booths, I'm just chilling while I'm following them.
The next day, Shelanie, Rovic and Eryx fetched me around lunch time. They think that I will not show up. Psh. Shelanie brought her DSLR because she is going to make an article about the closing program of the festival.
When we arrived at school, they said that the venue for the battle of the bands was move. They set up a stage at the center of the field near the flag pole. There are also some chairs. It's cloudy, so it's okay.
Wesley and Melanie are busy helping with the program. We don't know where the triplets are. Little by little the place got a little crowded until they started the program.
It's noisy, I want to go home.
The battle of the bands started, 8 bands are going to participate. Most of them are fourth and third years, there are also second years that joined. Each band are going to play two songs.
After four bands there was dance number that performed. After each performance of the bands the crowd gets wild. We saw Pres, she was in the verge of tears like she was looking for something.
"Pres, is there a problem?" Eryx asked.
Pres cried. That's when we knew that the two vocalist for our band representatives are at the hospital. They are on their way here when the met an accident on the way.
"How about Princess? She's a good singer, right?" Rovic said.
"She doesn't want to sing, she doesn't memorize the song that Jonathan submitted."
"When they are going to sing?" Eryx asked.
"Last, but that's the problem, there is no vocalist."
Pres sighed. Eryx and my gaze met. I immediately look at the other direction.
"Salazar."
"What?" I raised a brow at him.
"Are you up for it?"
I frowned, then I realized what he mean. I immediately shook my head.
"I'm not singing."
"Goodness, Salazar, please. I want to hear your voice," Shelanie said.
"Don't you feel bad for Pres, Shark girl?" Rovic added.
"What song did Jonathan and the others submitted?" Eryx asked.
"Uh, 'Moment of Truth' by Fm Static then, I'm not familiar with the other song that they submitted. There is a Japanese verse in it, I'm not sure."
"What's the title?"
"If I remembered it correctly, 'We are' by One Ok Rock."
"Really?!"
They all looked at me.
"I mean really?"
"You know the song, right?" Eryx said.
"I'm not singing."
"Meriedeth, please," Pres begged while holding my hands. "Please, if only Pearl and Paolo did not have an accident we wouldn't disturb you but…"
I found myself standing here at the so-called backstage with Eryx and the band. Supposedly, Pearl is the one who is going to sing 'Moment of truth' while Paolo is going to sing 'We are'. Eryx is not familiar of the song 'We are' so, I'm the one who is going to sing it.
I just sighed, I don't want to sing but when I saw Jonathan and the others that are about to cry.
Hays.
Eryx practice the song, I'm looking at the bond paper. The lyrics is there, I memorized it anyway.
Why am I doing this? I'm just wasting my energy.
I made a lot effort to hide then I'll just sing at the last day of the festival.
Heh, this happening is bullshit.
I did not notice that it was our turn to sing. I told them that I'll just wait at the backstage. I'll just go out when it's my turn. The crowd got wild when they saw our band representatives—
"Kyaaaah! It's Eryx!"
"We love you Eryx Carter!"
"Eryx is going to sing! My heart! My gosh!"
"I need oxygen! I need oxygen! Eryx is very handsome!"
The fuck? They are overreacting. Oxygen? Tsk.
Jonathan and the others started playing. People cheered because they are familiar with the song. The song is good.
"Here we are, in the best years of our lives, with no way of knowing, when the wheel will stop spinning, cause we don't know where we're going."
I'm staring at Eryx while he is singing and holding the mic.
"And here we are, on the best day of our lives, and it's a go,
Let's make it last, so cheers you all to that, 'Cause this moment's never comin' back."
He sing it naturally. He really knows the song, his emotions are into it.
"I used to know her brother, but I never knew I loved her, till the day she laid her eyes on me, now I'm jumpin' up and down, she's the only one around and she means every little thing to me."
Some of the crowd sang along with him.
"I've got your picture in my wallet
And your phone number to call it
And I miss you more
Whenever I think about you."
The crowd wave their hands side to side above their heads as Eryx sing.
"I've got your mixtape in my Walkman
Been so long since we've been talkin'
And in a few more days
We'll both hooked up, forever and ever."
I took my phone and listen to the song that I am about to sing. Nervous begin to creep me out. This is my second time singing in public and it sucks. Hays.
"Your turn," I looked at Eryx.
"You're done?!"
"Yeah. Good luck, you can do it," as he tapped my shoulder.
I took a deep breath, I heard the MC is announcing the next song.
"Their next song is 'We Are' by One Ok Rock. Since the original singer are not here, let us all welcome, Meriedeth Salazar!"
When I went up on stage, almost nobody clap their hands. If there is, I guess it's only Shelanie and Rovic. I went in front of the mic, it's dark so I can't see the crowd's expressions. And it's a good thing, my anxiousness is slightly fading.
"Salazar," I looked at Jonathan.
I nodded, in the count of three they started playing. I have no experience in singing in a band.
I took a dep breath and hold the microphone. The crowd is silent, not like when Eryx went out they cheered. Maybe because Eryx is famous and the song is famous.
Argh.
I closed my eyes to calm myself down.
Imagine you're alone here, Deth.
Like no one is there.
"They think that we're no one, we're nothing, not sorry. They push us,
It's too late, it's too late
Not going back."
Jonathan and the others played louder because of the beat. I remember them telling me to sing it in English, they thought I didn't know the song. Paolo submitted the one that has a Japanese version. Damn, this is a contest.
"Yume wa owari me o samasu toki
Zetsubou ya kibou mo doujini me o samashita
Kagami ni utsutta boku ga toikakeru
Jibun o gomakashi ikiru koto ni imi wa aru ka."
I heard some of the crowd clapping and cheering. I opened my eyes, the lights are changing colors.
"When you're standing on the edge
So young and hopeless,
Got demons in your head,
We are, we are
No ground beneath your feet,
Now here to hold you,
'Cause we are, we are,
The colors in the dark."
I don't know how I manage to finish the song in front of them. They cheered as the song is coming to an end. After I sing the song, Eryx meet me backstage.
"Great job!"
Jonathan and the others thanked me and Eryx. They did not expect that I know the whole song, they were nervous during the second verse. We are coming out from the backstage. Shelanie hugged me.
"Salazar, you are really amazing! I feel like I'm in a concert! The ones beside me are already banging their head!"
"Tss."
Okay, maybe. I guess I went kind of overboard? Tss. I'll not do it again. It's embarrassing.
"Oh," I frowned because Rovic handed me a bouquet of flowers.
"What's that?"
"Flowers, goodness, you don't know what's this, Shark girl?"
"What is it for?"
"Its like a gift."
( =_=) *\(>_> )
"It's a gesture to show his proud of your performance," Eryx said.
"It's from the both of us, Salazar. I hope you like it," Shelanie said.
I accepted and stare at the bouquet. There was a card.
Good job, Salazar! Xoxo - Shelanie
Hope all singer – Rovic the very gwapo
I shook my head after reading the card. I looked at them.
"Thanks."
We heard some announcements then suddenly they began counting.
"The fireworks display! Let's go over there!"
The four of us look for a spot where we can look at the fireworks display. We are at the field when it started to light up the sky.
I can't help but be amazed by the beauty brought from the fireworks.
Even if it's loud, it's beautiful.
I glanced at Eryx, Shelanie and Rovic. Like me, they are also amazed. Eryx is smiling while looking at the fireworks. Shelanie is taking photos and Rovic is taking a video with his phone.
I guess a lot of things had change since I entered this school.
I can't help but to smile while thinking about it.