"I have never had a doubt
But for you I'll take time out
I'll push his love far away from me
and then I'll be completely free
I'll give up my security
for just the possibility
that we could be together
for a while."
--We Could Be Together by Debbie Gibson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 28: Kapatawaran

| KENZIE |

A week before the competition, the news "finally" spread at Weyral that I was Lance's pianist for the 40th Annual Denver Music Competition--High School Division, and that I could play the piano. Most were surprised by these revelations, and an article about it was even written for The Weyral Chronicles, Weyral's official school paper. It was published twice a month.

One time after school, when I was heading to our reserved room at the music building to practice, I heard voices coming from inside. As I took a peek into the slightly-open door, I saw Lance and Alice face-to-face, and they looked like they were debating over something.

Or someone.

"Why her?" Alice asked him, clutching The Weyral Chronicles in her hand. "And why didn't you inform me 'bout this? You could've chosen me instead!"

Lance sighed, defeated. "I cannot, Alice. Did you forget? Cyan Wings also has a competition on the last week of November. You already got your hands full, and I did not want to disturb you with your cheerleading practice."

"For Pete's sake, Lance! Don't you trust me? Even with the cheerleading competition, I can still be your pianist. It's not gonna be a hindrance for me, I swear. And the piece you chose is too easy."

I almost did a double take when she said that. I already knew who they were talking about.

Ha-ha. Too easy, she said. Good for her.

"And she's a newbie! What do you expect from a newbie? Failure!"

I must admit that hurt. Why did I even pursue this? Alice did have a point...

"Enough, Alice!" Lance bellowed, causing Alice to freeze and me to widen my eyes. I rarely saw him being indignant. "I don't want you to belittle Kenzie again. Yes, she is a newbie and an unskilled performer when it comes to piano--that is very much well obvious--but I've taught her all what I know, even with the limited time that we have. I believe that she could pull this off, especially when I am the one who is training her."

I was flattered that Lance had defended me. That ego of his, though...

"Also, her music can touch someone's heart, like how it touched mine," Lance continued.

It's well-known that Lance rarely gives compliments, but this time..having him compliment me like that made me feel happy and embarrassed at the same time. And wait, why was my heart beating so fast?

"Hold on a second. You...you just called her 'Kenzie,' not 'Mackenzie' anymore," was what Alice said instead. "Don't tell me you two are now very close...?" I heard the slight tremble in her voice. Oh, dam. I knew where this was going.

Tilting his head to the side, Lance said with a grin, "Ah, yes. She now lets me call her by her nickname. We became very close because of our practice time."

I almost banged my head on the door. Lance really had no idea what he was saying. That freak! Did he forget that Alice had a crush on him and saying something like that to her would surely make her jealous of me? He was making things worse.

That made Alice quiet for a moment, and, from what I could see, her expression became impassive. "Very well, then. But if you need any help, I'm just a call away," she said eventually.

"Of course," Lance replied. "Thank you, Alice."

As Alice turned for the door, I immediately dashed as silently as I could to the opposite room and closed its door. Thankfully, no one was currently using it. I waited for a few minutes before heading out. When I slowly opened the door, however, I was shocked to see Lance standing in front of it with a guilty look on his face.

"I regret to learn that you heard what Alice said," he started with a sigh. "I apologize for any inconvenience it has caused you."

I gasped. "You knew I was eavesdropping in your conversation?"

"Pretty much, yes. And you also heard how I complimented you, heh."

"How...? Er, never mind." I avoided his gaze as we went into our room. "Thanks for defending me back there and for your 'awesome' compliment. But...what she said is true anyway--that I'm not a prodigy when it comes to music like you two. I'll surely mess up our chance to be the winners for this contest..." My back was to him.

"Kenzie..."

Turning to him with a confident look on my face, I said, "But what use will it be if I'll just feel sorry for myself? I still have one week left to practice. I should do my very best to learn from you, and have a positive mindset that we can win this thing."

Lance showed me a grateful smile. "That's the spirit, Mackenzie Grace Adams, my pianist."

That's when we played together for the first time, and let me tell you it didn't feel like magic. We weren't in sync, and it was very horrible.

Well, as Spencer would say: Good game, well played.

🎹 🎹 🎹

It was now the 26th of November. Saturday. The day of the 40th Annual Denver Music Competition--High School Division. The end of the world for me.

Kidding!

"Do...do I really have to wear this?" I asked Nis, Dee and Chel sheepishly as I saw the dress. My three girl friends had volunteered to "beautify" me for the competition here at Cindy's bedroom. It was almost like I was in London Tipton's bedroom.

Rolling her eyes, Cindy said while handing me the dress, "Well, duh, Kenzie!"

"But it's too...short," I mumbled, still looking at the dress I was now holding; it was a black Lauren Conrad playsuit that was like three inches above the knees. "And I'll bet it's too cold on stage; I can't wear this! It'll make me more nervous! And why do you have this kind of dress? We don't even have the same height! Er, not that I'm saying I'm short or whatever."

"Y'all know our favorite actress," Chel said while eating a slice of Hawaiian pizza, "she likes to keep things simple. And her parents will be watching the contest; her dad doesn't want seeing his daughter wearing something that short."

"But you've got to show your legs off!" Dee protested. "It's like you're telling your ex: 'Hi! I'm the girl who you took for granted.'"

I cringed at that. "Er, please no. And besides, we don't know if Brandon will watch the competition anyway." Especially after I avoided him at Target. Maybe he already got the point that I don't want to see him again...

"Guess we'll just have to go with Kenzie's dress, then," Eunice said when she gazed at the dress I'd brought that was lying on Dee's bed. "And it suits her physique much more, in my opinion."

It was a Simply Vera Vera Wang peachy floral dress with racy cut-out sides, low neckline, and two dramatic slits upped the side of the frock. I'd worn it one time at a haircare event. I'd also decided to wear my peep-toe beige heels.

Cindy checked it out. "Hmm, it does show off a little skin and looks like she'll be attending a fashion show. Okay! I approve of this dress! At least it's not as revealing as the dress that good-for-nothing Hamilton wore at the Elgar Community's Violin Solo Competition."

Speaking of Alice, Lance had shared with me that she'd be watching the competition, too.

"Can't believe you still remember her dress that time," Eunice said with a chuckle.

"Of course! It made my blood boil."

Pursing my lips, I gazed down at my lap. The contest would start at 3:00 P.M. Just five hours left and then my life would soon be over.

Shaking my head, I thought, No need to be a pessimist this time, Kenzie! Remember your last practice with Lance yesterday? It went well! Um, kind of...Lance assured you that your playing passed his standards, right? Right? Dam it! What should I do? I'm having a mental breakdown here! Honestly, I don't know what I should be feeling right now.

I remembered how Lance played the violin part of the piece in front of me days ago: how spot on the intonation was, how precise it was, how stunning it was. However, something was lacking in the way he played it--

"Kenzie!"

Jerking me out of my thoughts, I looked up in surprise and saw the three of them staring at me in the mirror. "Um, yeah?"

Chel, Nis and Dee smiled at me in encouragement.

"It's normal to be nervous," Chel said. "Just know that we're always here for you, 'kay?"

"Thanks, gals! Love you to the moon and back," I said with a grin. But then I looked worriedly at Chel. "You sure you'll be all right when we arrive at E.P.?"

She dismissed me with a wave of her hand. "Yep. I got it all under control."

"You heard Chel; she's also a brave woman. Now, enough chit-chat!" Dee said as she held a makeup brush in her hand. "I'll make sure Lance and your ex will drool when they see you later."

"W-why Lance, too?" I protested, my eyes widening. "He doesn't even care with how I look." Though I did want Lance to compliment me with how I look later...

Eunice snorted. "Well, maybe when he sees you later, his view will change, eh? And I'll be the one to fix your hair."

"And I'll just continue eating pizza here," Rachel added.

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Whatevs, Chel." I looked at Nis and Dee, then said, "But just keep it simple and light, please? I don't want anything exaggerating."

"Don't worry. We will," Dee assured me as she started applying makeup on my face.

🎹 🎹 🎹

When the four of us arrived at Eldreez Point High School via Cindy's car (Sebastian would also watch the contest), some people were gawking at me, looking shocked. And others asked for pictures with me and for my autograph, like they knew that I'd be here. Rachel, Cindy and Eunice acted like my faithful bodyguards, though they didn't have to do it.

So that news really had spread it even here, huh?

Lance and I had agreed that we'd meet at the school's lobby. Chel also acted as our tour guide and directed us to the lobby. I couldn't hep but gaze around. Like Weyral, E.P. had that kind of majestic buildings and surroundings, too. No wonder they were rivals.

Upon entering E.P.'s main building, there were already many people inside--Eldreezians, contestants, and visitors. Some of the Weyralians would also come and watch the contest to support Lance and me. The Drama Club, Sabrina, Marcus and Lauren were currently on their way to E.P. Sebastian was still at the school's parking lot.

"Kenzie!" someone called, and I saw Spence dashing toward us like he was just playing soccer.

I laughed as he approached me. "No need to be so ecstatic, Spence. I may look calm on the outside, but on the inside I'm freaking out to the highest level!"

"Hey, we got your back, so just give it all you've got on stage, yeah?"

"I'll do my best. Anyway, where's--"

"Looking for me, no doubt," a voice behind me said with formality.

I quickly turned around and there, standing in front of me, was Cocky Violinist Freak, his hair gelled to the side. My jaw almost dropped to the floor. Lance looked so dashing in a navy blue suit.

Lance looked at me from head to toe and said, "I will be waiting for you at the backstage of the opera house." Then he went on his way.

I couldn't help but blink my eyes at that. The fudge was that? He didn't even compliment me? Heh, no matter. I wasn't going to compliment him back anyway. And should I still give him my handwritten letter from the DHOH's fundraising campaign or not?

"You violinist freak!" Dee shouted at his retreating figure. "We gave Kenzie the full beauty treatment, but you just ignored it?!"

"I bet Lance will give you an admiring remark later. You know, when you two are alone," Eunice whispered. "And yep, I noticed you looked disappointed while he was walking away."

I forced out a laugh. "I don't care what that freak thinks of my look today. The important thing is for me to prepare myself for the contest."

Nis shot me a sly look. "If you say so, Kenzie." And then Rachel stuck out a tongue at me. She definitely knew what we were talking about.

Just then a man and woman--both were wearing hats, sunglasses and face masks--walked up to us, and the man asked, "Excuse me, but where is the opera house?" The woman seemed somewhat familiar, and the man's voice...I thought I already heard it somewhere. It was nagging at the back of my mind, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Rachel jovially gave them directions where the opera house was. It was where the competition would be held.

After they thanked us and left, Cindy said, "Those two look oddly familiar."

"I believe I've already met them before," Spence added.

"Same," said Nis.

"Me, too," I chimed in. "Only the woman, I mean. But the man's voice was really familiar to my ears."

"Not me," said Rachel.

We all just shrugged, then Chel started cheerfully, "Well, since it's still early, why don't I give you peeps the 'Grand Eldreez Point Tour'?"

🎹 🎹 🎹

And so Rachel toured us all around E.P. We even met some of her Eldreezian friends along the way. But her dark brown eyes brightened the most when she saw Edwin Tyler exiting the library.

"Edwin!" she called, waving at him with excitement.

We got a better look at him when he went into our direction. Edwin was dark-haired, had brown eyes and small moles on his face, and he was wearing square eyeglasses. This was the first time I saw him in person. I'd only seen him in pictures that Rachel had shared with me before.

Edwin adjusted his glasses. Surprise was clearly shown on his face. "Chel? Is th-that really y-you?"

"Yep, you dummy! I texted you before about this, didn't I?" Then Chel attacked him in a hug. This made Edwin blush and hesitantly hug her back. "I missed you. So much."

He smiled softly at this. "I missed you more, Chel."

Nis, Spence, Dee and I shared knowing looks before I coughed out loud. "Ehem!"

"Get a room, you two, will ya?" Spence joked.

"Please introduce your boyfriend to us, Chel," Eunice added.

"We have a new ship!" Dee said, delighted. "Edchel!"

The two quickly stopped hugging each other, their faces as red as tomatoes. I giggled to myself. This was one of the rare moments that you could see Rachel so embarrassed, and we got to give her a dose of her own medicine, since she mostly teased us about our "love teams."

"The heck, guys, that's not it!" Chel said, blushing. "Anyway, this is my friend, Edwin Chris Tyler. He's a member of E.P.'s Debate Club and my most fave person to have a debate with. Say hi!"

We greeted him with smiles, and this made Tyler blush more.

"Awww, he's so bashful," Eunice squealed.

Spence said in a sheepish manner, "Stop it, Nis. You're embarrassing him more."

"H-hi," Edwin stuttered. Chel introduced us one by one to him.

"...and this is my best friend, Kenzie," she continued, still smiling. "The one who I always talk to you about. I was itching for you two to meet together in person before, but, well, life happened."

Edwin nodded timidly at me, but he looked scared for some reason.

Rachel noticed this, too, and asked him, "Hey, Ed, why do you look scared? Kenzie's not gonna bite you or anything."

"Um..." he faltered, glancing around.

"Spill!" Chel prodded.

"It's--"

"Well, well, well," someone interrupted Edwin, and all of us turned to the source of the voice. "If it isn't the traitor, Rachel May Simpson. So, these are your new friends, huh?"

I only saw her in pictures, but no doubt this was Jung Won-keun, Rachel's close friend from Zephyrs--E.P.'s all-girl tennis team. She kind of look like Jihyo of TWICE (one of Chel's favorite Korean girl groups) at some angles, and she was the one who influenced Chel when it comes to Korean dramas and Korean's culture. This was the reason why she chose Korean for her foreign language class and encouraged me to watch Asian dramas.

Everyone should watch Asian dramas, Chel had told me. They'll bawl your eyes out more that the depressing scenes in American and British shows will be put to shame.

A few days ago, Rachel had already informed the gang that she'd made an enemy after leaving Eldreez Point.

🎹 🎹 🎹

"So, just a heads up," my best friend started when all of us were in her room, "once we're at Eldreez Point, don't be alarmed if someone approaches me with bitterness."

Spence, Lance, Nis and Dee threw her questioning looks. Rachel had already shared this with me months ago.

"Please describe what happened in detail, Chel," Lance said.

Rachel bobbed her head at him and told Spencer, "I'm sure you know who Jung Won-keun is."

Spencer nodded. "Yeah, she's one of the best tennis players of E.P."

"And she's--I mean, was one of my close friends," Chel added sadly.

"Don't tell me she's angry at you for transferring schools...?" Dee asked with a frown.

"You're right, Dee. Unfortunately, that's what happened. From what some of the members of Zephyrs told me, she's still angry at me for, um, leaving her..."

"The heck? What're you two, two peas in a pod? I smell jealousy toward that girl."

"Are you gonna be okay, Chel?" I asked with worry. "If we see her, we can--"

"No, please don't interfere," she pleaded. "Just...leave all the talking to me."

"Are you sure, Chel?" Lance asked, also worried.

Pulling up a grin on her lips, Rachel assured us, "Yep. Don't worry, guys. I'm sure Jung and I will just have a nice, loooong talk. If we see each other at school, that is." She scrunched her face. "Nah, I'm one hundred percent positive she'll track me down like I'm her prey; her hatred toward me is huge."

She was saying this like she was just having a normal debate with a friend. I really admired my bestie.

"And by the way, the news that Mackenzie Adams is Lance Collins' pianist reached E.P.," Chel added with a laugh. "News sure does travel fast, huh?"

"But the most important thing is that we'll finally meet your boyfriend, Edwin Tyler," Eunice said in a teasing manner.

Blushing, Rachel told her. "How many times do I have to tell you that he's not my boyfriend? And besides, I don't think he likes me in a romantic way..."

"I doubt that," I told her.

"I regret to destroy the happy mood, but what if you see that Brandon Colfer again, Kenzie?" Lance asked me out of the blue, which made us all silent.

"Um...I-I'll.." I stammered, deciding if I should still run away, or face him. I'd thought of different scenarios what would happen when we saw each other again, but the first thing that'd come to mind was to slap him hard in the face for the second time.

I mentally shake my head. But no! I shouldn't do that! I should forgive him, because I didn't have the right to hold grudges on people.

"I asked Edwin if he and Brandon are classmates in some subjects, and he said yes," Rachel informed us. "But they're not close. Though I can feel he's not telling me something..."

"Does Edwin know the real reason why you transferred schools?" I asked.

"I didn't tell him. But knowing Edwin, I'm pretty sure he connected the dots and understood why I kept it a secret from him."

Eunice embraced Rachel and me. "Don't worry, Kenzie, Chel. We're your back up if the inevitable happens."

The rest of them assured the two of us by nodding their heads firmly.

"Love you to the moon and back, you lovelies!" Chel cried.

"Thank you so much, you guys." I smiled gratefully at them. "I have to stop running away so that I could live a better life and remove the bitterness from my heart."

I didn't regret one bit that I'd let them into my life.

🎹 🎹 🎹

"Annyeonghaseyo, Jung," Rachel greeted her happily. "How're you?"

"Miserable after you left Eldreez Point," Jung responded harshly, and I didn't miss the sadness that flashed in Chel's eyes for a second.

"Jung...I--"

"I thought we'd beat the other schools in tennis competitions together. I thought we'd graduate together. I looked up to you, Chel. But that was all ruined when you chose to transfer to Weyral all because of your best friend!" she spat.

I was about to object, but Chel held up a hand, signaling me not to get involved.

"So this is why you blocked me on your social media accounts and on your phone? I thought we already talked through this before I transferred schools?" Chel asked her, and the hurt was evident in her voice. "Coach Hariyal and the rest were okay with it--"

"Except for me," Jung cut her off, her voice clipped, then she stared daggers at me, making me immobilized. "If it weren't for you, Adams, Rachel would still be studying here. You selfish--"

Before my friends could say something, Rachel cried, "Why are you blaming my best friend? Kenzie has nothing to do with this! It was my own free will to transfer schools, Jung. Please, let's be friends again and--"

Her hardened gaze returned to Chel, and she sneered. "Jeongmallyo? No chance at that, Rachel." However, as quick as lightning, Jung headed straight in my direction, about to slap me in the face.

Because of the hatred in her eyes, I still couldn't move, so I didn't have a choice but just to close my eyes, bracing myself for the impact.

But it didn't come.

Opening my eyes, I was surprised to see my best friend shielding me, her hand gripping Jung's wrist tightly in mid-air. Rachel's aura suddenly changed--from her I'm-filled-with-rainbows-inside-and-outside personality to I-seriously-want-to-throw-you-off-a-cliff personality, causing me to gulp nervously.

Rachel rarely gets angry, and the last time I witnessed this was when we were in third grade--when a classmate of ours bullied me in front of her in school. The bully called me names and almost pushed me down the stairs, but then Chel rescued me by yelling "Don't you dare!" at her so loudly, a teacher heard this and quickly went toward us.

After that, the three of us were escorted to the principal's office. The girl admitted that it was all her fault and she got suspended for a week because of what she'd done to me. Then the bully didn't take notice of us ever since, doing her best to avoid us at all cost.

But I was sure what frightened the girl was Rachel's face when she shouted at her. It was, I must admit, spine-chilling. Even I'd been stunned when I saw that kind of look on her face. You don't know what Rachel will do when she gets mad.

For me, among the group, Rachel was the scariest when angry. There was a fine line between her kindness and her terrifying side.

And now, even though I couldn't clearly see Chel's face, I was sure that she was giving Jung the same terrifying treatment.

"Don't. You. Dare," she warned slowly, and there was a dangerous edge in her voice.

For a split second, Jung's posture wavered before she withdrew her hand from Chel with a humph.

"See you at the nationals next year, Rachel. I'll make sure you'll regret that you transferred schools. Weyral will surely loose." Then Jung walked away from us, leaving a brokenhearted Rachel behind.

"Ah, I'm sorry you guys got to see that," Chel said after a moment of silence.

"Chel..." Edwin faltered sadly.

The three were stunned with what just happened.

Cindy was the first to react. "What the--? I was doing my best not to interfere and slap that Korean girl in the face. She thinks she has you on a leash. The jealous brat!"

"First time I saw Jung Won-keun in person," Spence said, then whistled. "Dang, Chel! You were awesome back there! You showed her who's the boss!"

"And that was the first time we saw you being apoplectic," said Eunice while shivering. "I got goosebumps!"

"I regret nothing," Chel replied, laughing while high-fiving Spence. Jolly Rachel Simpson was back.

I hugged my bestie. "You're so brave. I wish I had bravery like yours."

"Hey, each person has a different kind of bravery," Chel assured me while patting my head.

"We're always here for you, Chel. Always remember that."

"Thank you so much, Kenzie, everyone," Rachel said with a soft smile and grateful eyes.

"Mackenzie, you have to get out of here now," Edwin interjected, alarmed while looking at the screen of his phone.

I frowned. "Why, Edwin? The competition starts at three--"

"Colfer's coming," he burst out.

As the realization hit, I felt like the breath had been knocked out of me, and cold chill rippled down my spine. It took a moment for that to sink into my mind. I was sure there were many Colfers in this school. Oh, heck. I was positive he was talking about the one and only Brandon Colfer, my ex-boyfriend.

"How did you know?" I asked him when I was able to speak.

Edwin stared at Chel guiltily. "I know I haven't told you this, and I'm sorry. But in the first months of junior year, Colfer became friends with Gabriel, Felicity, and then with Kahoko. The latter is a tranferee from Japan. I'll tell you the full details later, but in short--Colfer became a part of our group. I wouldn't call him my friend, per se. I know the real reason why you transferred schools and I still blame him for that. Anyway, he knows where I usually hang out and texted me that he's coming to get me so that he, Kahoko, and I can go to the backstage of the opera house to check on Gabriel and Felicity together."

Ah, right. Lance had said that Gabriel Vole and Felicity Michaels were E.P.'s representatives for this contest.

"It's okay, Ed," Chel assured him, doing a peace sign. "This is good for Kenzie."

Edwin was confused.

"I'm not gonna run anymore," I told them, confident. "Brandon and I need to have closure, and this is my chance. Our chance."

"Go for it, Kenzie," Eunice encouraged me.

The rest nodded in agreement.

Just then a blond-haired guy with a defined jawline appeared from a corner with a smartphone in his hand, muttering, "That guy in the restroom was totally weird, but I'm sure he's that famous...uh, crap. And why is that Tyler not replying to my texts? Dang that dorktopus. I don't wanna call him--" But he stopped himself when he looked up and saw Edwin. "Seriously, man. You should've replied to my texts!"

"Why should I?" Edwin deadpanned. "You know where to find me anyway."

"That's still not..." Brandon faltered when he moved his gaze and saw who were Edwin with, then his gray eyes widened as saucers when he saw me. Those gray eyes that I loved to gaze at, that jawline that I loved to caress, especially whenever we kissed. Those kissable lips that always made my heart melt. He looked so fresh in his white T-shirt and jeans.

"Hi, Brandon," I started, facing him.

"K-Kenzie." He gulped, nervous. "You look...wow." His voice was full of longing, and I resisted the urge to kiss him right there.

"I believe it's time for us to talk. Alone."

Help me.

🎹 🎹 🎹

"This is a good place to talk," Brandon said as we arrived at E.P.'s garden. From the name itself, different kinds of flowers, plants and trees were planted here. I'd bet Eunice would love to see this, since she loved gardening. The Chimera was the school's symbol, and a statue of it was placed in the center of the garden.

But no, I wasn't here to admire the place; that could wait. I was here to have closure with my ex.

We were the only ones here, and I guessed this was because the school's opera house was located on the opposite side, far from the garden. We stood under a tree's shade to protect ourselves from the scorching sun.

"So," I began, keeping my voice composed, "how are you?"

It took him awhile to respond. "Goo--I mean, not good. I...a lot has happened."

"True."

"Kenzie, I..."

Gods, that deep voice of his that always warmed my heart before. Brandon was a good singer and we had duets before.

"I'm very, very sorry," he continued, staring at me in the eye, serious, and he really did look sorry. "For lying to you, for hurting you, for everything."

"Why did you do it, Brandon?" I asked him instead. "Did you really use me just for popularity?"

He closed his eyes with a sigh of regret, and it looked like he wanted to punch himself. I wasn't going to complain if he did that, though. "Yeah, I wanted to be popular," he told me eventually. "I wanted to feel how it's like--for people to look up to you and notice you and praise you. Before my sophomore year, I was just that guy on the sidelines. Kenneth Oman, one of the members of the Chimeras, the school's basketball team, saw you and I together after watching the tennis competition; he also saw through your disguise.

"After you left with Rachel, he approached me and started small talk, which shocked me, 'cause he doesn't just talk to anybody. Kenneth was one of the popular students and most wanted to become friends with him. If you became friends with him, you instantly get popular. But he's famous for his dares, too; that's how he works. And he only befriends famous people. When I told him that I wanted to be friends with him, he gave me a dare that if I court you and we become a couple, I'd surely be included in his group of friends. He even called some of his teammates to share with them about the dare; I was pressured."

"And then?" I prodded.

Brandon's face clouded with pain because of my response. "And that's when my plan to use you started," he said weakly.

"So, how's it like to be popular?"

"It was amazing at first. After Kenneth included me into his group of friends, most students took notice of me, but others found out we were a couple." He forced out a laugh. "But after you knew about the dare, I told Kenneth to call it quits. He doesn't know you found out about it, though; he thought I grew guilty and was too chicken. After telling him that, Kenneth and his group of friends ditched me. I admit that was very immature of me. I was a total asshole. But I'm mature now. Kenzie, after you threw that box of cake at me, I've always thought about you. I've always thought about how to apologize to you. But I granted your request that you didn't wanna see or talk to me, and I understand that."

"Brandon..." I sniffed, feeling tears start to fall down my face. "Did you...did you even love me? Because what I felt for you was real."

He held my hands in his. "At first I was just using you for me to become famous, but as time went by, I started to have real feelings for you, Kenzie."

I closed my eyes, tears now falling down my face. I didn't care about my makeup anymore. "But you didn't admit it to that Kenneth." It was a statement, not a question.

"Kenzie." Hurt was evident in Brandon's voice. "If I told him that, he'd stop being friends with me and tell the whole school I only used you for popularity."

"But he still ditched you anyway."

"I deserved this."

"And you didn't admit and fight for your feelings--that you fell for me."

I felt tears on my hands. Opening my eyes, Brandon was now also crying, full of regret. "If only I could turn back time, I'd admit that I fell in love with you. Be damned with the consequences."

It's too late.

"Kenzie!" that smooth voice called, and it made my feelings mixed with confusion more.

While walking toward us with a perfect posture (as always), Lance looked seriously deadly. Even when angry, he still had that kind of gentleness in him, resulting in me to feel a swarm of butterflies flying inside my stomach. When he reached us, however, his eyes widened at Brandon, and the butterflies in my stomach instantly disappeared.

"Wait a minute, you're that gay from the restroom!" Lance cried.

Wait, what?

"Y-you're gay, Brandon?" I was astonished. "I mean, I don't have anything against gays, but--"

"W-what? No, I'm not!" he denied.

Lance smirked. "Hoooh. Then why were you staring at me in the restroom like you have a crush on me?"

Brandon removed his hands from mine to curl his hands into fists, resisting the urge to punch Lance in the face, no doubt. "So, you're that Prince Lancelot Dale Collins, Gabriel's friend and rival."

Lifting his chin up and smiling at Brandon in a condescending way, Lance said, "Ah, I did not know Vole talked about me sometimes. I am flattered. Anyway, I apologize for the intrusion, but I am here to fetch my accompanist." He inclined his head toward me.

"So it's true that you can play the piano, Kenzie," Brandon marveled.

A vein appeared on my temple. "Why do you make it seem like I'm your dog, Cocky Violinist Freak?"

"None of your business, Midgetzie." He looked at us back and forth, and finally figured who I was talking to. "Oh, how rude of me. So this is Brandon Colfer? Why, it's a great pleasure to meet the famous user of all time in person!"

"Why you--"

"Enough, you two!" I shouted, and this made them back down from the edge of a shouting match instantly. Turning to Lance, I said, "You go ahead. I'll follow you in a while."

He frowned, then stared at Brandon. "No, I will wait for you instead. I'll keep my distance. But if he does anything rash, just shout and I will come to your rescue at once."

"Don't worry. Things will turn out to be just fine."

As Lance stood a few feet away from us while gazing at a bunch of flowers (I think they're called bleeding hearts), my heart soared. That freak. After seeing him, I suddenly felt a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

"It's him, isn't it?" Brandon suddenly asked, causing me to throw him a baffled look.

"Huh?"

"The man who makes you smile and is always there for you whenever you need someone to talk to. You didn't give me that kind of smile. Ever."

My eyes widened for a second at that. I hadn't noticed I'd been smiling while staring at Lance. "Wh-what're you talking about? He makes my life miserable! He even forced me to be his pianist for this competition." I couldn't help but blush a little. "That cocky violinist freak..."

Brandon seemed like he was giving up on something. "So I clearly don't have a chance with you anymore, huh?" I heard him whisper, but I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly. Then his voice returned to normal. "I know that you'll not let me into your life again, but before this moment ends, I want to say that I'm so sorry for everything I did to you, Kenzie. I don't care that you won't forgive me today, but I hope that in the future you will--"

Out of nowhere, Grandma's words from yesterday repeated in my mind: Put on love. Love is what you should do. Keep on doing love, because it will be the making of you. If you want to to be a person whose influence can help change people's lives, then the choice is very clear: you should love and live a life filled with love.

This is it, I thought. The moment we've all been waiting for.

"I forgive you, Brandon."

He blinked at that. "What, really?"

I smiled at him with a nod. "I wasn't going to, to be honest, but my family and friends made me realize what forgiveness really means and how important it is: it's a step to maturity and turns pain into something beautiful. And that I don't have the right to hold a grudge against anybody. Our lives shouldn't be defined by the errors of our past. Because of this conversation with you, for telling me the truth, I've finally moved on. After all, what matters most is to live a life of love. Thank you for this closure, Brandon."

"My new friends--Gabriel, Kahoko, Felicity, and...well, Tyler, they've made me realize my mistakes: that it's important to live an authentic self, it's not the safest way to associate with the 'in-crowd,' and that I shouldn't make a girl cry and play with her feelings anymore. Thank you very much, Kenzie."

"I guess what happened between us is also a good thing, because we realized a lot of positive things."

He chuckled. "I agree." Then he looked thoughtful for some reason. "Hmm, I don't like that Collins guy, but truth be told, he's more tolerable than that Gallagher guy."

"J.P.? Why him? What're you blabbering about all of a sudden?"

"Oh, nothing." Brandon was about to wipe the tears off my face, but stopped himself. "Nah, I guess Collins should be the one to wipe those tears."

I was confused again. "Why?"

He smiled at me like he was telling me a secret. "Never mind. So, this is it. Good-bye, Mackenzie Grace Adams. I wish you all the best at whatever you do."

I grinned back at him, deciding not to be persistent. "Same to you, Brandon Colfer. Good-bye."

Then he went on his way, never looking back at me.

We could've stayed as friends, but this was better--this kind of closure in which we could start anew but with the new people in our lives instead. I'm sure our paths would cross again someday, but the feeling of longing wouldn't be present anymore.

Because we had moved on. We had freed ourselves from our negative bondage. We had crossed over.

A moment passed when Lance approached me with a bored look on his face. "Well, that was fun."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Shut up. You didn't even do anything."

I was such a liar. After learning about the death of his grandfather and that he was still pursuing music, Lance gave me the courage to not run away from my problems. He didn't have a clue how this had also helped me a lot.

He stuck his tongue out at me. "That's because you told me not to do anything. Duh!" Then Lance scrunched his face in disgust. "The heck with your ex-boyfriend. He did not even wipe your tears away. He is not a gentleman!"

"He said you should be the one to wipe them away."

"Huh? Why? Was he that lazy?" he asked with a frown while fishing something from his back pocket.

When I saw what it was, I couldn't stop laughing. "Seriously, a roll of Softie? Even here?"

"Stop complaining, Midgetzie. And stand still."

"I wasn't complaining in the first place, though."

While Lance was carefully wiping my face with the toilet paper, I gazed into his eyes. He couldn't fool me that he was worried for me. I embraced him when he was done and said, "You really are a cocky violinist freak."

Thank you.

Lance embraced me back. "Heh, I did not know that this is your new way of saying 'Thank you so much and I will forever worship you, virtuoso.'"

"Never in a million years!"

Lance leaned away slightly and held my cheek, causing my heart to start thumping. "You look much better without that blasted makeup on your face. And your hair..that waterfall braid..." He glanced away, looking shy all of a sudden. "It suits you perfectly, Kenzie."

I unintentionally blushed, and my heart was now thumping wildly; it was getting too much cardiovascular exercise! This guy...complimenting me this way...I couldn't handle it. "And you look so audacious today."

"Why, thank you." He was still glancing away, but now he had a soft smile on his lips. "Kapatawaran."

"Huh?"

"Kapatawaran," he repeated, now staring at me. "It's the Tagalog word for 'forgiveness.'"

"Ah, right. You're taking Tagalog, the main language of the Filipinos, for your foreign language class."

He nodded. "Good for you that you have already forgiven your ex. Your name indeed suits you; your new heart brings in the grace to love people--being able to forgive, feel compassion, and experience inner healing. I hope I can also forgive myself someday."

After saying that, Lance looked fragile, just like that time when he released his feelings out at Grandma Celestine's backyard. His back was hunched, and his brown eyes were forlorn. He was still smiling at me, but it was a smile without humor. It was empty, and I thought this was the image he didn't want for the whole world to see. He was also brave in his own way.

"Hey, struggles and difficulties in life are inevitable. Sometimes it gets harder when we feel like no one is able to help us. But we're here for you, Lance, okay? You will move on from your past, too," I affirmed emphatically with a quick squeeze on his hand. "You will."

"You believe in me so much."

"I'm not the only one."

He was shocked, and then he threw me another grateful smile.

As the two of us were heading to the opera house, we saw Spence, Chel, Dee and Nis waiting for us.

"Brandon passed by here a few minutes ago," Rachel started with a grin, "and he also apologized to me. When I told him I already forgave him months ago, he looked so contented, like he just got released from prison."

"Forgiveness is a sign of true strength," said Spencer while patting me on the head. "You did the right thing."

"To have the heart and ability to forgive, and learn to trust again are something that we could really learn from," added Eunice. "You're incredible, Kenzie."

Dee said, "And the source of the ability to forgive and forget is rooted in love alone. Without love, we're truly unable to forgive and forget."

Lance nodded his head in approval.

"Thanks, you guys." I was all smiles. "So much."

Now, it was Lance's turn to cross over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm finally done with this chapter. It was so hard to write but I hope this will do he-he. Forgiveness is so important to experience inner healing in our lives. 😊

Feel free to share a moment in your life where you had a difficulty getting over or moving on from a specific situation. It could be a failure from the past, a broken relationship, a tough circumstances at work, etc.? How did you respond and what did you do to go through it?