January

Chapter 12

Erine watched in astonishment as Michelle takes the stage. Sure, she wasn't supposed to be the star of the day, but Michelle showing something more than just a mere play. It was her own proud creation, a piece that a young dream has created.

Elizbeth snakes her arms around Erine's left arm, eyes twinkling with excitement.

Back then, Erine had all the chance to see the play, instead, she chooses to see Luke play the basketball, abandoning the friend she didn't realize who needed her support.

She wondered then, if Michelle had this breakdown, how did Elizabeth comforted her?

If the events from here changed, would the future between her friends change?

"She's doing great." Elizabeth said happily, squeezing her hand in the process. Erine was as estatic as her friend was. And judging by the reaction of the visitors among the audiences, they are giving approval gestures.

"Yes." Erine agrees. "Our Michelle is great."

It was the first time Erine gets to see Michelle this way, scared and unconfident. It was the usual refined and aloof front, and she would only see this whenever she meets Michelle. To think that Erine says that Michelle has it easy and that she never have to work hard to reach for her dream was careless for her to say.

Even great people didn't get to where they are without any struggle.

Hard work pays off as long as you never give up on your dreams.

And having no dreams at the moment, Erine couldn't help but to think back on her self pity. There was no way she could ever feel the same way that Michelle and Elizabeth did while chasing their own dreams.

Truth be told, it was Erine who has it easy. She has her future already waiting for her the moment Luke promises to marry her. Providing everything she needed, a roof over her head and all. It was a fairytale.

So blinding that she couldn't see her friend's sufferings clearly.

"You just can't stop asking for too much, huh?" Erine had remembered Elizabeth saying this to her during one of their night out. They were in their late twenties then.

She was happily married with Luke and just got home after a long trip in Hong Kong.

"You get to complain how you didn't get to see your celebrity crush while we can't even complain about our works not being recognized by the people?!" Elizabeth was the only one talking then but Erine knew that even if Michelle was quiet, she shares the same sentiment.

"Then why didn't you tell me this?"

Elizabeth rolls her eyes as if whatever the answer to her question is already quite obvious.

"Every time we meet, it was always about you. You talk about your problems when it's just about a load of crap." Elizabeth snapped.

Erine got up and smacked the table with her hands.

"Who said they're crap?!" She bellowed, her eyes bulging deeply. It was the very first time Elizabeth confronts her about this and to be honest, she just couldn't take it well.

She is just so used to them listening to her problems quietly and afterward giving her advice.

Elizabeth opens her mouth in disbelief, "You don't get it, don't you? You get the life you wanted meanwhile, Michelle and I are struggling every day just to reach the goal we're looking for."

"What?! Who said I wanted this life? Tell me, would you want a life where your stepmother criticizes you in every way?!"

It seems as if Michelle had enough of the two shouting at each other. She stands up and urges the two to sit back down.

"We're in a cafe, for Pete's sake," Michelle said, controlling her anger.

"I'm sorry, Mich." Elizabeth said, grabbing her purse. "I need to go."

But Erine was quick to stop her friend, grabbing her by the wrist.

"Wait, Beth. We should talk about this."

Elizabeth looked like he was about to tear up just by looking at her friend. Still, with controlled movements, she was able to wipe her tears and force a smile.

"Don't worry. I just need to cool my head." Elizabeth said, removing Erine's hold. "I'll see you tomorrow."

When she left, Erine looks at Michelle direction. Unlike Elizabeth, Michelle was perfect when she hides how she really felt inside, making it hard for Erine to read her.

Yet none of them dug the topic again even though they could see it in their eyes that that night was far from being forgotten. Still, no one dared to come forward and fix the problem. Maybe that's why more distance builds itself around them until they're unable to see past those walls.

Erine looks at Elizabeth, hands still attached to her arm. It relieves Erine that this was past Elizabeth, where she could still talk to her comfortably.

"Beth." Erine called.

"Hmm?" She wasn't looking at Erine, still preoccupied in watching Michelle's play at the moment.

"What do you want to do?"

This made her look at Erine. "What?"

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Elizabeth beams, as if asking about it makes her happy. "I am still deciding between writing and drawing. I don't know. Which do you think suits me best?"

Erine smiled. "I think, whatever your choice is, you'll be best in them."

Elizabeth playfully pinched her hips. "You too."

This made Erine blink. "I don't have anything."

This time, it was her friend's turn to blink her eyes.

"I am sure you will find them."

Erine couldn't think of anything else to say. Instead, she quickly returns her gaze at the stage where some of the characters in the play are having a gossiping session regarding Margarita's sudden behavioral change.

On the other hand, Michelle was by the lectern, standing confidently but were sneaking nervous glances at the audience.

And when she was able to peak at the backstage, where the two friends are, both are able to give a thumbs up. Even though it doesn't show in her face, she was glad of their presence and the support they've given.

Then both Erine and Michelle decided to go back to the audience and retrieve their seats. They get to observe the audience's reaction then, feeling delighted whenever they saw a little response. The play is being received well and Michelle didn't know about it.

"If only she was part of the audience," Elizabeth murmurs. "She'll really be happy."

Erine agrees. The play was highly entertaining, especially when the premise of the story was able to keep up with the latest trends.

The play went on for only less than twenty minutes. And when it was over, the audience claps loudly. Looking at the sea of joyous people, Erine was then reminded of the time whenever she would look at popular dancers with envy.

At that time, Michelle resembles them. A smile and unshed tears, those faces show how fulfilling it is to be able to finally live the place where they've only been seeing in illusions and fantasy, thinking 'I am never going to be able to be one.'

Erine and Elizabeth approach Michelle with a bear hug.

"Come on, not in public," Michelle said but returns the hug nonetheless. "I was so nervous."

Elizabeth giggles, "That was great! I love everything about it! Especially when Margarita's dress changed. That was so good! Where did you get the idea!"

Michelle smiled and looked at me. "It wasn't mine. Erine came up with the idea."

Elizabeth's eyes went wide and glanced at me with a hanging mouth. "You didn't tell me you had a talent for designing dresses!"

Erine raised both of her arms, "Uh, no. The transforming dress really wasn't--"

Before she could finish, Elizabeth grabs her hands, and with twinkling eyes, she said, "I love the elegance of dark Margarita's dress. And you can't deny how majestic the white dress look!"

Erine backs away a little. "Really?"

"Mm-hmm." Elizabeth nodded several times. "If I were to marry someone, design my dress!"

"But--"

Their small gathering had a sudden disturbance then. And when Erine looks and spots the familiar face of Hans Zel among the group of people who approached them, Erine became excited for her friend.

"Hello, ladies." Hans Zel greeted, nodding his head a little while dipping his Panama hat slightly on the side.

The three greeted politely.

"Miss Browns," Then he turns his head towards the little director, offering a hand, which Michelle shakes eagerly. "The play was good, a little rough around the edges but entertaining."

"Thank you!" Michelle smiled. "Thank you, Sir Hans Zel."

Hans Zel nodded, "What do you say I introduce you to some of my colleagues?"

Michell's eyes appeared to be getting more bright. "I would love to!" Then she looks at her friends.

But before she could ask, the two had already pushed her by the back. "Go on, silly! Cease the moment!"

Michelle nodded joyfully as she followed Hans Zel.

The two could only watch them among the crowd of students. Proud of what their friend had achieved that day, also feeling a little lonely.

"Mich sure is lucky," Elizabeth said. "But here I am, still having a career crisis."

Erine could only agree silently. Among the three of them, Erine is the most unfortunate one, having no career she could choose from. Not even a skill to start with.

"Let's head back to the classroom." Erine suggested, putting an arm around Elizabeth's shoulder. "There's food."

Since, Michelle won the play. The prize is given to their class. And the prize happens to be a feast to be shared among the class of the winning contestants, and an instant 70% starting score for the next grading, which is exclusive only for music subject. And if you really get the talent, one of the filmmakers might take a notice on you and offer to give you lessons or a established job once you graduated.

Erine was humming a song from the future, with Elizabeth by her side, they walked up the stairs towards the classroom. Then Erine felt someone taps her shoulders lightly.

When she turns, she sees Lana, smiling sheepishly as she greeted.

"What's the matter?" Erine asked, making Elizabeth stop as well.

Lana then looked at the girl just beside her, who turns out to be the club leader.

"She got something to say." Lana said, pointing at the leader.

Erine only nodded and waited for the leader to say something.

"I really liked the design you made, as well the idea you came up with."

"No, it's not--"

For the second time that day, Erine was interrupted whenever she tried to deny that the transforming dress was her original idea.

"So, we would like you to join our club."

Erine was a bit taken aback. It took seconds before she could respond, "What?!"

"We are not kidding." The leader said. "But it's okay if you don't want to. If you do, we will welcome you." Then she gave Erine a form for joining a club. "My name is Lilianne Davis, see me at the club room once you made up your mind."

Elizabeth looks at the paper she was holding as well.

"You might not notice it but others could see the potential you have." Elizabeth says. "So, are you joining?"