My Playlist

Chapter 39 – Before the Concert

All things that comes to me as free ain’t really a free pass. Knowing that stuff now makes me think as clear as possible. I don’t jump to conclusions without knowing the real story. The people around me knows that I don’t really like liars much. That is one of the lessons I learned from my grandfather. He’d always interrogate me like a criminals in the basement whenever I’d done something wrong and that made me quite strong in dealing with problems on my own. “Ian, you okay?” Eli asked.

I lost all thoughts in the process and look around me. I am in my hotel preparing to leave. “You said you’ll practice today. I told you, you need some rest”. everyone was ready to leave. “I’m fine and I don’t want to ruin this evenings’ concert just because I collapsed” She kept insisting that I should rest but I went to the lobby first and look what we have here, my fans. Everyone was waving their made up cardboards supporting me in their own ways. “Hi guys!” screams are heard from every corner of this place. I heard people shouting “We love you”, “Marry me”, “We are always here”, “I want to be your girlfriend”, and more “Let’s get married”. I mean, it’s fascinating how they can say that so easily.

I feel the love and support once again. “Let’s make some memories tonight! I’ll see you there” I entered the car still waving at the fans and still the crowd are not an easy opponent. They’re somewhat strong than the security around the area. Eli gave me the list of songs that I’ll be singing tonight. “Fix Me is not on the list. Why?” Eli looked at me confused and commented “You said you don’t want that song on your Manila concert. Remember? Back in New York?” I can’t remember so I gave her this “Say what?!” look and she explained what happened in New York.

“You mean that Sophie picked the song and I refused?” I asked confusedly doubtful. “Yes! You totally were very against it. You said it reminds you of old days”. That phrase “It reminds me of old days” is something I don’t want to use often because by its meaning, it does gives me memories of the past. I once made an album, which I didn’t really published but post them on one site that give people the access to free music and no charge at all and original songs are posted there after months of music release for the people to enjoy music without thinking of paying for it.

That album made it huge that I wasn’t really expecting people to find out about it but millions of copies were made and it was all over social media. Some articles were made like “Ian Collin made a huge free album” or “Secret Album skyrocketed in just a few seconds of its release”. It was nice to see people loving it so bad that some of them made it to my concert songs. “Find a spot for the Fix Me song at the end. I want it more like an ending song. Is that cool?” she looked at me still not sure if I’m okay with it or not but she take away the iPad and said “I’ll see what I can do. Okay?” I smile and close my eyes for a bit.

We practiced the steps many times as I am in a very good shape and in a clear mind today. “Let’s do it one more time. Let’s take it to the top, yeah?!”. Everyone was in a good shape too and was very happy to do practices today. “Okay! Let’s take a five guys. Okay?!” I sat down as I was sweating too much than normal. “Are you okay?” asked Eli. “I’m elated Eli. I feel soo good today! Is that weird?!” bright smile are all over my face and that didn’t look good with Eli. “You’re not yourself right now, Ian. Should I call Dr. Ramirez for you?” I bit my lower lip and told her “Yeah, all good!”. I resume the practice as Eli contacted Dr. Ramirez for a health check up.

The practice is finally over and I get to rest on the green room and look who greeted me “Hi there Doctor” I smiled awkwardly. “Have a seat, Collin” I was unsure of what to do next and mind you that we are the only one in the room as she asked Eli if she could check up on me alone. “Hi, Kate!” she returned the greeting with a serious look splattered all over her face. “Still not fond of me?” I asked. She didn’t answer that question and talks about something else. “Elizabeth told me you’re not yourself today after your hospital vacation?” all the smiles that I’ve had are gone. “Do you hate me?” I asked seriously. She then averted her eyes on the papers she was holding and asked for more questions as a doctor. “You know, it wasn’t my fault right?” she gave me the look of disgust.

She then continued asking about my health and other doctor thing she’s been doing. I’ve kept silence the whole process. After the session with her, she said that “You should take a rest for the night as you might still be experiencing some after effect from the medicine you had after the shocks you’ve experience” she gave a final sigh and said “I think that’s all I could give you and we’re done here”. She was about to open the door when I talked. “Why are you so obsessed on Sean’s death anyway?” it sounded like a sarcasm but it wasn’t. She tuned around and face me “He wasn’t just a brother to you. He was my bestfriend. You can’t even look after him!” I smirked at her comment “Look after? Kate, I was five years old. Older ones are supposed to be the one taking good care of me”. She walked too fast towards me and slap on me hard while I sat there completely taken aback by the hard palm that hit my face. “You weren’t special. He was!”.