27 Within the Symphony (1/2)

The concert nightwas a clear and quiet evening. Michelle and Sonnia came over early for a hairdo and make up. But when we were about to depart, the bell rang, and Dylan appeared at the door with a shopping bag.

”Hi girls.” He was using his most fatal weapons again. But wait, he was on the roof whole day, how could--

”I need to talk with Leigh for a while. You can go first.” He told Michelle and Sonnia.

”It's alright.” Sonnia said. ”We can wait and go together.”

He twiddled about and looking coyly at them. Sonnia's face turned pink at the sight because, I could not deny, he was so cute. ”It's… about.” He said shyly. ”I'm sorry, I can't say it! It's too embarrassing! It's about my--”

”Your--?” Sonnia said.

Dylan nodded as if that could tell the answer.

Sonnia took the guess and fell the trap. ”Your--p-partner?”

Dylan was still nodding.

”But we can help too!” Sonnia said. Michelle didn't seem really interest.

”But it's embarrassing!” Dylan said again and I found it very irritating. He looked like a girl in love.

”I have to prepare--”

”I understand.” Sonnia said. ”It's ok. You can talk to Leigh first and tell us all about it next time.”

And she pushed Michelle and walked away. I still didn't really understand what was all this about.

”See ya later!” Dylan called after them. Then, he handed me the bag.

”What was that?” I asked looking confused at the demon.

He steered me back into the house and closed the door. ”I don't know too.” He said. ”Sonnia seemed to think of something else. I was just trying to say I'm going to take you to the concert as a date.”

”YOU DON”T!”

”I didn't.” He smiled teasingly. ”And it's embarrassing that I can only get you this just before the party start. Open the bag.”

Mystified, I opened the bag as he said and took out the box. Inside of it was a pair of a glass shoes with sparkling transparent beads and crystals. It was a perfect match to my dress. Umm… my borrowed dress. I held the shoe to my eyes' level, awed.

”It's the perfect match!” said Dylan. ”So hard to find. Put it on! See if it's the right size.”

”But--”

”Or I CAN put it on for you.”

I put it on without further objections. It was a perfect fit too.

The demon smiled pleasingly. ”I got the size right. I've never measured a person's feet before especially in their sleep.”

”YOU MESSED WITH MY FEET WHEN I WAS ASLEEP?”

”Okay, shall we go?” He waved those off, just like that.

I spent the next ten minutes trying to persuade Dylan to let me go to the concert alone. It would raise the topic if people see me walking in with him. I failed AGAIN though.

”Please. They will get us wrong.” And probably would not believe that you're gay anymore¾I pleaded one last time before we left the house.

”It doesn't matter.” said Dylan carefreely. ”I don't mind.”

”But I do!” Oh! Come on! Why is this guy so stubborn?! ”They'll think we're-”

Dylan gave me a teasing grin which I found intensely annoying. ”What? They'll think we're what?”I shied away at his gaze. My lips were unable to hold a still seal, nor did it pronounce a steady voice. ”I-I-I--” My stutter went on and on.

Dylan linked my arm with his, escorting me to the car parking about a block away. My heart beats accelerated and my face went numb as he held my hand tight. ”Don't worry.” He smiled warmly at me. ”You are beautiful. And I need a beautiful date tonight.”

I swore that the time did stop. When it resumed again, I almost tripped. I couldn't recall what had happened during the lost moment. And I suspected that my heart had stopped beating and I had forgotten to breathe because I was out of energy. My legs were feeble and I wobbled from left to right.

I did not talk to him again later on. I did not know what to. And I had tried my best to manage to breathe and bring myself back to its composure. What happened to me? What was that symptom? I kept asking myself and keeping my eyes on the ground. I was afraid that if I looked up and saw that otherworldly beautiful face, my head would certainly explode.

I got back to the world when Dylan opened the black door of Bentley for me. Huh? ”How many cars have you got actually?” I asked sarcastically just to get myself out of that weird feelings.”Only one.” Dylan said and walked to the other side.

”But what about your Porsche?” Come to think of it, I haven't seen that car for a while.

”I got tired of cars.” Dylan said as he started the engine. ”They are so slow. My wings are much much better. So I sold that one and because I have to take you to the party today, I just bought this boy a week ago.”

I almost fainted. He bought this car just to take me to the CHARITY concert.

Oh, well.

Dylan barreled through something gray that seemed like road, street. I could not really make clear of it because I was covered in blur. He pulled the wheel hard to the right one last time and we came to a halt in front of the school.

”I think I'll sell this thing tomorrow. It's so slow.” Dylan said and got me out of the car.

I was still too stiff to remark anything.

But there were a lot of expensive cars in the school's parking lot today. Apart from students many riches people came to donate too. So the demon's car did not really stand out. That was good.

Dylan held my hand tight all the way. I heard the crowd louder as we entered the concert hall which was the school's gym converted into an auditorium. Someone greeted me, I guessed. I didn't really know. I was too shy to look up. But one good thing about charity concert was not many teenagers like it, so the audiences were mostly adults and old people. There was a chance that nobody at school, except Sonnia, Michelle, and the band, would come.

”Hey Rose!” called out Dylan and destroyed all of my dim hope.

”Dylan!” Rose replied back. ”How are you doing?” Her voice was very cheerful. I saw that she had a pink dress with gold strap at the waist on. I sensed that her eyes were resting on me. ”And…er…Who's this?” Yes, she's mentioning me. I thought with a cry for help.

”Leigh.” said Dylan, voice sounded equally cheerful. Damn it! ”She's my date tonight.”

And what choice do I have apart from looking up? I instantly put on an outgoing smile and a super friendly voice. ”Hey Rose! How are you? How's your dinner? Oh! You look goooorgeous tonight.” Okay. I overreacted it.

”Th-thanks.” Rose was probably dumbfounded.

”Oh! And--” and the show must go on. ”No no no no.” I glimpsed at Dylan. ”I'm not his date. We just met-met-th-” I tried to pull my arm out but Dylan held it even tighter. The demon looked at me, amused. After flashing Dylan a resent stare, and knowing that it was useless to fight against his strength, I gave up and came back to a less friendly smile and wry laugh. ”--There.”

I should not get excited. Dylan's gay to Rose after all. I sighed. I ruined it all.

Rose gave me a wry grin and looked at Dylan with hesitation. I wasn't sure if she's convinced.

”Okay…you two have fun.” she said shortly and left.

Dylan let out his laugh. ”What are you doing?”