Voice of an Angel

Chapter 6- Why Can't I Just Let it Go?

"Steal the night, kill the lights, feel it under your skin

Time is right, keep it tight 'cause it's pulling you in

Wrap it up, you can't stop 'cause it feels like an overdose

(Feels like an overdose)"

Evacuate the Dancefloor, Cascada featuring Calprit

Violetta POV

Suddenly I wanted to just be me, not Grace. Haters be damned. But then there was the whole dynamic between Jude and me. Maybe I'd just slide right back to best friend's twin, instead of deepening at least our friendship, like I wished for. As we accepted the accolades from the crowd and prepared for our encore, I yet again had that bittersweet feeling. I was thrilled to be on stage with him, but felt bad I could not simply be myself. Could I never be happy? Why was everything always so complicated?

"Ready?" He said as he turned to me and grinned. I nodded, and he gestured to the girl running the karaoke machine.

[Violetta]

(Ooh, just a little bit dangerous)

[Jude]

You pack your bag, you take control

You're movin' into my heart, and into my soul

Get out of my way, get out of my sight

I won't be walking on thin ice to get through the night

[Violetta]

Hey where's your work? What's your game?

I know your business, don't know your name

[Both]

Hold on tight, you know she's a little bit dangerous

She's got what it takes to make ends meet

The eyes of a lover that hit like heat

You know she's a little bit dangerous

[Jude]

You turn around, so hot and dry

You're hidin' under a halo, your mouth is alive

Get out of my way, get out of my sight

I'm not attracted to go-go, deeper tonight

[Violetta]

Hey, what's your work? What's your game?

I know your business, but I don't know your name

[Both]

Hold on tight, you know she's a little bit dangerous

She's got what it takes to make ends meet

The eyes of a lover that hit like heat

You know she's a little bit dangerous

(Ooh, just a little bit dangerous)

[Guitar Solo]

[Violetta]

Hey, hey, hey, what's your work? What's your game?

I know your business, but I don't know your name

Hold on tight, you know she's a little bit dangerous

She's got what it takes to make ends meet

The eyes of a lover that hit like heat

You know she's a little bit dangerous

[Together]

She's armed, she's extremely dangerous

She's got what it takes to make ends meet

The eyes of a lover that hit like heat

You know she's a little bit dangerous

(Ooh, just a little bit dangerous)

[Violetta]

Oh, oh-oh

Hey, where's your work? Mmm what's your game?

I don't know your name

Hey, you! (Ooh, just a little bit dangerous)

What's your game?

I don't know your name! (Dangerous)

Oh, oh

This time, we'd sung more back and forth rather than blending and harmonizing as much as we had for the Fleetwood Mac song. The applause was even louder, with additional demands for another encore, and no other duo appeared to be willing to force us off stage. We hadn't discussed a third song, so we bowed off off the stage, much to the crowd's disappointment. Jude grabbed my hand and dragged me to a table, gesturing to one of the servers. As much as I tried to pull my hand out, he refused. The waitress came to our table and eyed my hand in Jude's before turning her attention fully to him.

"Well Jude, imagine being here on your day off." She laughed. She turned to me, smiling.

"What can I get for you, darlin'?" She asked. Everyone was checked by the bouncers, so they didn't need to check your ID individually.

"I'll take a Grapefruit Spritz." I said, and she grinned even wider.

"You got it, darlin'." She then turned to Jude. "And for you, Romeo?" She inquired. He rolled his eyes.

"Scotch and soda with lime please, Eliza. Oh, and an order of the tempura vegetables. Thanks." He said as she nodded and walked away. He was still holding my hand. "So, Grace, right?" I could only nod. He was way too cheerful about this whole thing. I just couldn't burst his bubble. Not yet. "You gonna come sing tomorrow?" He asked. I sighed.

"Yeah. I'll be here."

"Cool. I'll be on shift so I won't be able to chat, but at least I'll get to see you." He said, looking shy. My shoulders slumped a little. All this time I've liked him and all it took was a couple performances for him to fall for Grace? Crazy. It was sheer madness. Part of me wished that on some level he guessed it was me and that was why he got so attached, so quickly. Eliza returned with their order. Jude still refused to let go of me. Every time Eliza walked by her eyebrow jumped. I had a feeling she knew I was being held captive. He spoke again. "Can we do this again next week, Grace? I really enjoyed singing with you."

"Yeah Jude, sounds good. Can I please have my hand back now?" I asked, and he suddenly released me like he forgot he'd been latched onto me for at least an hour as we sat here with food and drinks. I felt a little tipsy. Totally glad I didn't drive. s**t, he was totally going to try and follow me home. I just knew it. Not to be anything less than a gentleman, of course, but to make sure I got home safe and so he knew where I lived. "Gotta use the ladies room for a minute." I said and he looked totally panicked as I walked away. He had me a bit concerned.

I stood in the bathroom, staring at my masked face. What was I really doing? This was headed in the worst possible direction, with both of us left hurting, no doubt. As I stood there, Eliza came in the restroom. After she finished her business and washed her hands, she looked at me and sighed.

"Darlin' that boy has it bad just like that. Do you need a rescue for tonight?" She asked me. I totally did. Not that Jude was really a problem, just that I couldn't reveal myself just yet, and he was obviously trying to get as much time as he could after searching for nearly a week. I felt bad. I opened my mouth and she just shook her head. "Don't worry, I know you actually like him, I can just tell. But yeah, he's being a little ridiculous for such a heartthrob, hmm?" She laughed. "Follow me, I will have my sister some get you honey." I followed her to the break room, where I met their boss Samuel. He seemed amused by the situation as well. Eliza's little sister Carly soon appeared, happy to help.

Carly cheerfully dropped my tipsy ass off at home and I quickly ran to my room and removed my disguise. I took a shower and lost myself in thoughts of Jude. This is exactly why I maintained such a distance for so long. He was f*****g irresistible. I just knew he was the type to treat people well and end up in love when that wasn't his intention. For all I knew, his interest in "Grace" was professional. Maybe he wanted to add in a second vocalist that could share the burden. Eli could sing back up, but could not front for a song on his own. Ash didn't sing period. He barely spoke as it was.

Feeling as close to depressed as I felt like admitting, I pulled on a fitted black tank and a pair of super short black plaid PJ bottoms. I put on Now by Trouble Maker and wandered to my mini dance studio in the corner of my room. The tone fit my mood. I didn't think we'd ever sing our duets in other languages, but maybe I could one day on my own. I danced to the music, having studied the choreography video more than a few times, pulling my now perfected k-pop moves off and singing the both parts. As I finished, I felt slightly better... for a moment.

"Wow sis, I had no idea." Said Elijah from the door. I probably jumped three feet, no joke. "Wait." He stood there thinking. Please don't figure it out, please don't figure it out, please- "Damn you're this chick Jude's all fixated on." My shoulders sagged. He looked me up and down. "Well, can't say I'm upset you're hiding... all that, but sis, Jude isn't going to let this go."

"I know." I ran my hand over my double braids. "I'm still not sure what he wants, exactly." As we spoke my phone began to ping. It was the videos of our performances. Eli grabbed my phone, watched them, and sighed before handing it back to me. The videos were followed by messages asking where I'd gone. My escape had hurt his feelings. Ugh. Eli leaned his shoulder in my doorway.

"Look sis, I know I always give Jude s**t for getting close to you, but I would never stand in the way if you guys felt the same. Just don't hurt him, okay? Or get hurt. See, this is why I like it when you are not seeing a guy." He said, throwing his hands up. "Goodnight sis." He smirked. Great, he's going to tease Jude and the poor guy would probably stay clueless.

Grace: Sorry, I wasn't feeling so well after the drinks so I got a ride home. Nothing personal.

Jude: Okay, I understand. Just please come tomorrow, and next week?

Grace: For sure.

Jude: Awesome ;)

Ughhh.